BitterSweet

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Aurelia Faris Black

I close the door behind us. I'm on a walk with Grandpa, Grandma, Aunt Daria, and Hera. Grandpa is making Grandma go on a walk since it helps her with her hip pain. Hera and I are just tagging along. Grandma insisted that we walk down to the local park which is quite a long walk from our home but I don't mind. It feels like just bonding time, minus the fact that Hera is here. I don't think I will ever be able to

Hera and our grandparents seem not to hold a strong bond, sure they can have small talk but that's about it. Although Hera might be a master manipulator, she hasn't outdone the old power couple even though now they aged they are still wise and sharp. The walk was silent with occasionally some chatter. Grandma told me of her youth.. with way too much detail. I did not need to know all of that.

" So what about you?" Grandma wiggles her eyebrows at me. " Who's the lucky boy?!"

I shrug " Nothing's going on right now."

" Oh don't be shy!" Grandma turns and playfully shoos her lover away " You're making her nervous! This is girl talk."

" Grandma!" I say whining.

" Oh shush, there is no way you don't like anyone!" She presses further " What about Alec's friend, Brad, Blade-"

" Blaze."

Her face contours with excitement. " Oh, so Blaze huh? You like him!"

"No-!"

Daria butts in " Oh Blaze, last I saw he grew into a quite handsome fella."

" No, I don't like him and he looks fine!" I exclaim, my voice a few octaves higher than usual.

" Oh don't be silly," Grandma nudges me playfully.

" The chiseled jawline... Dark mysterious eyes.. and hey he has a good body too!" Daria teases.

I had to cover my face to hide the blush. Oh god. Maybe I do like him.

" He's okay, nothing special," I say looking away, very aware that I am lying.

I move my hands toward my face as if brushing hair from my eyes.

" Excuse me, pretty lady." A deep voice comes from beside me.

We all stop. A man who looks like his age ranges from 17 to 20 stands beside me. He's fairly attractive. His hand slightly levitates above my shoulder and I step away.

" Hi," I say, my earlier flusterness still coats a thin atmosphere around me.

" You are very pretty. I just wanted to ask for your number." He says, his voice is smooth and he leans back with confidence.

" Oh, no sorry," I turn around, ready to leave.

His hands grab me by my waist and I immediately slap them off.

From the corner of my eyes, I can see grandpa and grandma tensing up and they look like they're ready to pounce.

" I know how to please a woman.." He whispers leaning down, placing his face inches from mine.

I feel as my eyes glisten with amusement. I smile and I let us sit in the position for just a moment. " Then leave me the fuck alone," I say fiercely before spitting in his face.

He stumbles back, clearly shocked by my response. His hands fly up to his face, wiping off my spit.

I turn back to my family. Their faces were a little shocked by what just happened but they seemed to process everything fairly fast and we continued our walk like nothing happened.

As I expected, I saw his shabby figure coming towards me. His shadow getting bigger and bigger. Before he could get close to me, I swiftly turned and punched him. A sickening punch comes from his face and naturally, he falls.

" You bitch!" He shouts angrily as his hands are once again, wrapped around his face. His face red, from which I don't know anger, embarrassment, or me. Hopefully, it's all of the above.

" Stay away from me, you creep."

And then Grandpa kicks him. And I don't mean any normal grandpa kick. I mean a strong kick with those really tough shoes.

I give Grandpa a grin but it's short-lived for when I spot Hera nudging his head carefully with his foot. Her face looks irritated, her body tense with anger. And I don't know why. If I didn't know any better, I would say she was angry for me.

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A/N- sorry guys, it's a short chapter, and I have been in a huge writing slump. I'll come back to edit this chapter.