Hello, It's Me.

Part 12

She felt as if she really nailed that lie and she's positive he fell for it as he bowed his head in defeat.

"I'm sorry," His voice was devoid any emotion. "I shouldn't have let it gone that far."

"Don't be," She gave him a sincere smile and grasped his hand tenderly. "Lucas, if you need helping figuring things out, I'm happy to help. If you need someone to get your mind off Riley, I'm here," She sucked in a deep breath and continued, "She is happy with Charlie. Charlie makes her happy in many ways. I know he's happy too. You can be happy too, Lucas. You can have a happily ever after, just like Riley and Charlie."

Lucas's eyes remained blank and his voice hollow as he spoke, "I stopped believing in fairy tales a long time ago."

"I hope you reconsider that," She got up and walked out of the room, her heart beating wildly in her chest. She felt awful, but she wasn't going to let that destroy her.

Billy was walking out of his room and they bumped awkwardly in the hallway. His eyes flickered to Lucas's door and he sighed.

"You completed your side of the plan didn't you?"

"Of course," She bit her lip, "Did you?"

"Missy I don't think this is the correct-"

"Stop right there," She signaled him to stop with her hand. "Charlie's been nothing but a great friend to the both of us, Billy. He doesn't deserve your disloyalty. Not now."

Billy pulled her to the side and whispered harshly, "Neither does Lucas. Lucas would never ask me to do something I wasn't comfortable doing. He loves Riley and I think he shouldn't give up on her."

"Please tell me you haven't been feeding him some of your lame speeches of love and woe."

"They're not lame," Billy argued. "They're inspiring. Missy tell me do you believe people should chase love and be able to be happy with the person they love?"

"What kind of lame question is that?"

"Answer me."

"Yes, okay I do!" She exclaimed throwing her hands in the air. "Happy?"

"Then why are you fighting so hard to keep Riley and Lucas away from each other?"

Missy deliberated for a moment before answering, "It's what Charlie wants and what Charlie wants, Charlie gets." She downcasted her eyes with a slight frown.

"You love Charlie don't you?" Billy questioned, letting his epiphany tumble out of his mouth. "That's why you're so persistent in him being with Riley. You want him to be happy, even if it's not with you."

"Riley makes him happy," Missy admitted with dewy eyes. "She makes him happy in a way I never could."

"He doesn't love her Missy," Billy murmured softly. "He thinks he does but he doesn't. He's obsessed with her. Drunk with power and her status only props him up further. That's not love; I think it's a routine for him. He's had feelings for her before, and I think he feels like he still should."

"Doesn't matter," Missy pushed, wiping away her tears. "What's done is done and Charlie's satisfied, then so am I. He's my friend first, Billy, and I will do my best to make sure he's happy. I think he is happy with her and I want him happy. I'll ensure his happiness no matter what."

"At what cost?" Billy hissed. "At what cost are you willing to ensure his happiness? At the expense of two other people's feelings who don't genuinely deserve this wrong doing. I always thought both you and Charlie were better than this."

Billy pushed past her angrily and he stopped at the sound of her voice, "Have you ever been in love, Billy?"

"No."