Lost Love

23: Blood Boiling

Lia's POV:

"Eugene?" I almost whispered to myself. Why does this guy keep popping up everywhere?

He starts to walk towards us with a huge smile on his face.

"Who's that?" Angelo asked as he tugged on my shirt. "Eugene," I said, not really sure what's going on.

"No sh*t," he said sarcastically. "How do you know him?"

Just as I was about to answer him and scold him for swearing, Eugene was already standing in front of us.

"Hey, long time no see," he jokes, because I saw him in the last 24 hours.

"Hi, Eugene," I said. I didn't really want to talk to him right now. For one: because Mum was waiting for us. Two: Angelo is with me. And Three: I haven't called him back yet and I feel guilty.

"You haven't called," he said, still smiling even though I can tell he was a bit disappointed.

"Sorry, I've been really busy," I said while scratching the back of my neck.

"With what?" Angelo asked loudly. I quickly kick his foot, and his eyebrows scrunch up as he shouts, "Ouch!"

"What's wrong?" I said innocently. He only glares at me in return.

"Well, that's okay. But before I lose you again, I'd like to ask you out for dinner, since you're taking your time calling me." Eugene once again smiles that dashing smile that would make other women melt into a puddle. Luckily, I'm not like all women. I'm like Mum.

"Um, tomorrow... I don't know-"

"7 o'clock. And call me," he said as he started walking away, almost as if he's also in a rush.

I just stand there for a while, trying to comprehend what has just happened.

Once I snapped out of it, we started walking towards the car. "Care to tell me who your boyfriend is?" Angelo asked as he rubbed his ankle. I must've kicked him harder than I meant to.

"He's not my boyfriend. And none of your business," I said as I started the car.

"Well, I'm your brother. Your business is my business. Also, he asked you out to dinner. Obviously, he likes you."

"Don't you think I know that? Also, I'm an entrepreneur. I don't share my business with anyone," I said with a smirk.

"Okay, Miss Smarta*s," he said as he rolled his eyes.

"Anyways, I wonder why Mum sounded so tense on the phone call," I said to Angelo.

"Well, we'll find out when we get home," he said as he crossed his arms, looking ahead of the road.

Adele's POV:

As soon as I woke up from fainting, I started hyperventilating. How the hell could this have happened? I start pacing back and forth with my hands on my hips.

"Babe, you have to calm down," Simon said as he tried to hand me a glass of water.

"Calm down? My daughter's abuser is roaming around LA like a free gorilla! How the hell am I supposed to calm down?" I snapped at Simon.

"I thought that b*stard had a life sentence anyways," I huffed.

"He did, but it was with parole, so I guess they cut his time short."

"4 years compared to a lifetime is quite the difference, Simon."

I was totally seeing red. I couldn't comprehend how the government would allow someone like him to walk around freely. The fact that he was released from prison and he didn't even escape makes my blood boil. If this is what our government has come to, then we are doomed.

"I know you're upset, but you can't let the kids see you like this. I think it's better if we don't tell them now, or else Lia is going to be paranoid the entire time," Simon suggested.

"Are you crazy! How could I not tell her!" I shouted, even though my anger wasn't directed towards Simon, but rather towards the a*shole who damaged my daughter's mental and physical health.

"Laurie, imagine Lia finding out that Rich is free now. She wouldn't even leave her room from how scared and paranoid she would be."

"But Simon, we'll protect her," I argued.

"I know we will, but she'll still be paranoid. We didn't protect her the first time, so what's stopping her from thinking it won't happen again?"

I knew what he was saying was true, but I still felt like Lia needed to know.

After debating with myself for a minute, I realized that he was right.

"Fine... we won't tell her," I said as I let out a sigh.

Simon stands up from the bed and approaches me with his warm arms spread widely. He engulfs me, and I immediately feel much more calm.

"I know this is for the best. And I'm sure you know that too deep down," he said as he kissed my forehead.

"Why are you always right?" I slap his chest as I giggle. "I'm the wife in the marriage, I'm supposed to be the one that's always right." I pouted.

He just stupidly smirks. "I got it from my Mama." He sang off-key.

I burst out into fits of laughter. "Come here, you," I said as I hugged him tightly, still giggling. I love how care-free he is.

As I was trying to calm down from my laughter, Simon and I hear Lia's car pull up into the driveway.

Suddenly everything gets tense again. Simon takes my hand and kisses the back of it gently.

"It's going to be okay, I promise," he said with a tight-lipped smile. I just smile back at him.

How did I get so lucky to have such a loving and calm man?

"We're home!" I heard my little angels shout as they entered the house.

Just knowing they're safe at home brings me an immense amount of peace and happiness.