Love Me One More Time (Nick and Alaia) novel Chapter 19

Nick

I drove to my mother’s house in Malibu. It was her birthday, and despite our strained

relationship, I believed I should spend time with her. She had changed after we lost my father, and we had stopped being the family we once were.

“Son, you’re finally here.” My mother was at the entrance waiting for us. I handed my keys to the butler so he could take my car to the garage after opening the door for Barbara to get out.

“You can bring the paper bags when you park the car, thanks,” Barbie told him, pointing to the paper bags she had brought for my mother.

“Yes, ma’am.” He nodded and walked away.

“Hi, Mom.” I approached, and she hugged me.

“Barbie, darling, you look beautiful. I love your dress.” She made Barbie twirl on the spot.

“It’s Balenciaga. I bought it this week in Italy. I brought you gifts.” Just then, the butler returned with the bags.

“Sweetheart, you shouldn’t have,” my mother said, taking the paper bags and handing them to one of the housemaids.

“It’s no trouble, Grace. I know how much you love fashion, just like me. Now come on, you need to get ready for tonight. You’ll look stunning.” They walked into the house together.

“I’m glad you’re here.” Caitlyn, my sister, kissed my cheek.

“How’s everything?” I asked, and she made a face.

“I’ve been better.”

“I just want to get out of here and catch the next flight back to my vacation, take photos, and live, before I have to decide what to do with my future. For God’s sake, couldn’t I just travel for the rest of my life?” she questioned, looking at me.

“You could, but Mom wouldn’t be happy,” I said, remembering that my mother wanted her to study something related to medicine. However, my sister refused and decided to be free for a while. Mom was never happy with anything, well, except when she saw her friends, the cackling hens. She rolled her eyes and made me smile. Caty was very expressive.

“Where’s the fuckboy?” She looked around. “I thought he would come with you. He was always by your side,” she said, searching for Will.

“He managed to get out of this, lied to Mom saying he was sick,” I said, and she narrowed her eyes.

“Damn, he was so lucky,” she said, bringing a pink drink to her lips, which I snatched from her hand before it reached her mouth. I smelled it and realized it had alcohol.

“You’re not drinking,” I said, taking a sip. “You’re still not old enough, little chatterbox.”

“Your conscience is betraying you,” a voice in my mind said. I shook off the thoughts and headed down to the party, and to my dismay, the first person I encountered was my grandfather.

“Son.” The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as soon as I heard that word from his lips.

“Grandfather.” My voice was cold as ice.

“I wonder if you’re already taking steps to get rid of the Russells.” He patted my shoulder, presenting a familiar image to everyone.

“No, not yet. We’re still assessing the situation,” I lied. I won’t do anything against the Russells. I feel like it’s a terrible idea, and I’ve already done enough two years ago. I’ll just let him believe I’m working on it so he doesn’t take matters into his own hands. I know he would.

“Perfect. This week, they’ll be visiting us,” he said. I turned to look at him, thinking he invited Alaia. “I invited Darius and Patrick Russell. It will be a “friendly” meeting, a chance to get to know them,” he clarified, patting my shoulder. “We might gather valuable information that could help us.”

“Fine, we’ll do it,” I said, eager to end this conversation. He laughed, satisfied, and walked over to where my mother was.

The night went on. I watched everyone from the table while I drank one glass after another. On an impulse, tired of all this, I left the house and walked towards the house where I saw a silhouette of a woman very similar to Alaia. Before I realized it, I was already there, standing and watching the house from the lookout. One of the lights on the second floor was on. I stayed there for a moment, staring at that window in silence.

“This is madness,” I said to myself and walked back down the stairs to return to my mother’s house.