Eye of the Storm

Chapter 31

When I make it back to the reception, Nic and Leo are sitting there, waiting for me. They’re sitting facing away from each other, both with arms crossed, brows furrowed. Leo is first to notice me, then Nic. I don’t know what face I’m pulling but it makes Leo’s jaw clench as he tensely stands up, making his way over to me with rigid movements. He goes to take his hand out of his pocket and at first, I think he’s going to hug me, but instead, he pulls out my phone, grabbing my hand and pressing the phone into my palm. He squeezes my hand for a split second, his eyes dark and intense, before taking his hand back and walking out.
“Leo!” I choke out, still unable to form any coherent words. My brain urges me to follow him, but I can’t, my legs refusing to listen to me, so all I can do is stand there pathetically trying not to cry. Nic finally stands up. I hate the serious look on his face, it never feels right. I always have a feeling in the back of my mind that he’s up to something, but I don’t have any evidence to back that theory. He pulls me into his arms and I’m too flat, too… empty? To push him back. His warmth isn’t the same as Leo’s. His warmth sends shivers down my spine.

Nicolas insisted on driving me home, but this time I sit in the back seat as far away from him as possible. Why did Leo walk away like that? I clench my phone tightly in my hand, my teeth digging into my lip. I just want my brain to shut off, with thoughts of Lorenzo and Leonardo making my mind swirl. Last night I felt like I had everything I needed, held tight in Leo’s arms, my head against the skin of his chest, listening to his heart and feeling the heat of his body against mine. His long, slender fingers combing through my hair, my worries non-existent. He looked at me with so much love and hope in his eyes, but today the look in his eyes was different and I can’t get it out of my head.
“Esme,” Nicolas’ voice pulls me back. We’re parked outside my house. I look at him through the front mirror, before thanking him softly and reaching for the door. “Do you want me to come in?” I hesitate for a moment, which I wish I hadn’t. I’m not sure why I hesitated but I quickly shake my head and get out of the car, throwing the door closed behind me. I know he’s being nice, but my stomach turns anytime he opens his mouth. He’s up to something.

Nicolas drives off and I walk up to my house but stop once I reach the doorway. There’re people in there, unfamiliar people. Part of me wants to hide outside but I’ve had enough of the bullshit I’ve been through today and push the door open. All I want right now is to get into bed and fall asleep, but it seems even that is too much to ask for as Clara appears in front of me.
“Hey, how are you?” she asks, receiving a raised eyebrow in response. She sighs, rubbing her hands on the edge of her shirt. I can hear yelling coming from the kitchen and it doesn’t take long for me to piece together that Clara’s attempt to hear about my day isn’t just an act of kindness.
“Who’s that?” I ask, motioning with my eyes towards the end of the hallway. Sighing again, Clara reaches behind me and closes the door before grabbing my hands and pulling me into her room. Her green eyes, stained with red, catch my attention, before she sits me down on her bed, still holding my hands in hers tightly.
“Esme, I know you’ve been through a lot,” she begins. I scoff, trying to pull my hands back, but she just holds on tighter. “Esme, stop. This is important,” honestly, I don’t think my day could get any worse, so I turn back to her in defeat. “It’s dad,”