"- he's just too cute for me to resist!" Will interrupted hastily. "You see, Vince, he looks so feminine sometimes, I just can't help but call him a 'she'? Isn't it easy, even for you, to also make the same mistakes? I bet if it was you, you would have tried to sneak into Sam's bathroom too!"
Vincent bristled and Will quickly added, "It was a joke! A harmless prank! I swear it! On my life and all that is sexy about me!"
With a dark scowl, Vincent sagged against the wall in resignation. Covering his face with his hand, he muttered, "First my sister, now Will . . ."
Will grinned cheerfully. "Yup! Sammy is a real man slut, huh?"
Sammy turned completely red. Vincent growled darkly, "Go away now."
Will almost tripped as he scurried away to the door.
* * *
Sammy couldn't look up, not quite able to meet Vincent's eyes.
Something silky soft wrapped around her neck and she jumped. Shocked, she would have stumbled backward if her neck wasn't locked firmly in place. Glancing up, her heart flipped when she realized that Vincent was only a scant breath's away from her. How did he get so close? He tightened the smooth cloth around her neck and she gulped. He's going to strangle me.
She croaked, "What – what are you doing?"
"What does it look like?" He murmured gruffly, "Putting on your tie. Is light gray fine?"
Bewildered, she broke out into a smile. "Oh, right! Yeah, it's perfect!"
Except being so close to him did nothing at all for her racing heart and she tried to look at anything but Vincent. Eyes diverted to the side, she hummed underneath her breath as she rocked gently back and forth on her heels.
* * *
Vincent's eyes narrowed. What is he so giggly about? Sam reached up to nervously brush a lock of her copper hair behind her ears and something about that gesture sped up Vincent's pulse. Clearing his throat roughly, he bent his head down and tried to refocus on tying the knot. He caught a huge whiff of Sam's light fragrance. Damn, why the hell does he smell so feminine, all roses and stupid flowers?
His hands tightened and the redhead squeaked in surprise. "Sorry," he mumbled as he loosened the knot. But Sammy looked up then, directly into his eyes, and his breath hitched. There was something about those green eyes. They fairly gleamed . . . like green Lifesavers. Vincent nearly laughed out loud. I've got to be the worst poet on earth. 'Oh Sam, dear Sam. How lovely thine eyes look, Like emerald candies in the black darkness, I melt with gaping tooth cavities'.
Sammy frowned. She tilted her head closer, peering at his face. "Vince?"
And that was how Sam succeeded in rendering him completely incapable of thought.
She was practically standing on tiptoes, craning her neck back to peer up at him. He had to bend his neck at a nearly ninety degree angle to help put on her tie. But for some reason, neither of them really minded their awkward postures.
He was busy trying to gather his thoughts again and trying not to strangle her and she . . . well, she was looking at his Adam's apple. It bobbed up and down every time he swallowed – for some reason, he seemed to gulping a lot. That can't be normal. She looked up again and met his eyes. His gray eyes turned dark. His clean soap smell washed over her in waves and she wanted to reach up to brush that strand of black hair from his eyes. She would have done so, but it appeared that she could not move her limbs anymore. Strange.
Vincent, though, didn't seem to have that problem. He reached up to tuck a lock of her own hair back behind her ears, his fingertips grazing lightly across her forehead, tickling her ears. She shivered involuntarily and her heart went wild in an unsteady, staccato beat. Huh. This is really strange. I may be having a heart attack.
Vincent bent his head lower and his hands pulled away from the gray tie to rest on her shoulders softly. He paused and appeared to be pondering over something before he finally shrugged carelessly and took another step closer to her. Brows knotted, he started, "Sam . . ."
"Yes?" she squeaked.
"I – I think -"
BAM! The door swung open and Danielle came barging in. "Ah, there you guys are! Snap to it! Places, people! She's moving into position! I repeat! The witch is moving into position! Go, go, go!"
At the interruption, Vincent had all but shoved Sam away and the redhead wobbled, trying to regain her balance. She flailed her arms, grabbing Vincent's forest green tie by accident and nearly choking him. She quickly let go and he reached out to ready her, but by then, Danielle had moved between them and grabbed their arms. "No time to dally! GO, GO, GO!"
Half dazed, they started running down the hallways anyway, taking the corners at breakneck speed. Vincent snapped at his sister between pants, voice hushed, "Next time, knock before you come into a person's room!"
Danielle slid on her heels around a corner and had to balance herself, latching onto her brother's arm. Still, she gave him a sly smirk and he shrugged her off. "What's the matter? Did I interrupt a love fest?"
Sammy overheard, turning pink. Vincent's expression turned absolutely black.
Danielle stopped in her tracks and nearly fell over as they rammed into her. "OH MY GOD! I did! Aw, you guys! So cute!"
Vincent snarled, "Yeah, right. Idiot – it's not –" He glanced over at Sammy and licked his lips, apprehensive. "Stop with this gay shit, Dani. You're making him uncomfortable. Sorry, Sam, she's just kidding. My sister never knows when to stop." His hand darted out to clap Sammy on the back and the redhead nearly doubled over with a racking cough. "We're buddies! Whoo! Go, go, go!"
Sammy straightened up, knees weak as she pulled at her tie's knot, trying to keep up with the boy as he sprinted off. "Yeah. Buddies."
* * *
They reached the foyer just as Katherine Pearling Grenford stepped in. The woman was like an older version of Danielle, except her pale gray eyes radiated the same warmth as ice chips did. Her black hair was impeccably swept up in a tight, severe chignon bun and she was wearing a modest black pantsuit. Her lips were pursed and faint wrinkle lines could be made out around her eyes. She must have been a stunning woman in the past but right now, bitterness and disdain marred her beauty.
"Danielle," she nodded to her daughter. Danielle stepped up and pecked her mother on the cheek. "What kind of clunky shoes are you wearing? Looks like something a whore will wear. My daughter, you are born from class - don't lose it."
"Yes, mother," Danielle responded through gritted teeth, making a face when Katherine walked past her.
"Vincent, how have you been?" Katherine reached out to touch her son's arm.
Vincent stepped forward and pressed a kiss on his mother's cheek stiffly. "Fine, mother. And you?"
"Fine. Have you heard from your father yet?"
"Father phoned to say that he won't be home for Christmas this year. An important business associate is holding a party and insists that father must attend."
Katherine sniffed in derision. She nodded to Jack and William. "How are your parents? We'll be happy to have their business again."
They nodded, silent. Then the older woman caught sight of Sammy. Her lips practically curled. It was like the woman had a radar sense of who belonged ... and who, well, didn't.
"And you are?" Katherine asked coldly.
Vincent went to stand next to Sammy. Danielle hurried over to Sammy's other side. "He's a friend from school."
Katherine arched a perfectly tweezed eyebrow. "Oh? From what family, may I ask?"
Sammy spoke up, "My name is Sam Westlane, Mrs. Grenford."
Immediately, the glacial glare seemed to diminish, though Sammy couldn't fathom why. "Westlane?"
Sammy felt uneasy, squeezing her hands as her palms turned clammy. A sense of inexplicable dread washed over her. "Yes. Westlane."
"Oh, then you wouldn't happen to be related to a certain Frank Westlane, would you?"
Sammy felt like she had just been socked in the gut. "N – no. Why?"
Katherine's features hardened once again and she sighed impatiently. "He'
s my financial adviser. I've known him for a long time. He seems to be a respectable man, but since you don't know him, it's of no importance, is it?" She waved a hand, the light glinting on her diamond encrusted watch. "No matter, I'm sure you will meet him later."
Sammy had trouble breathing. "Later?"
"Yes. Later." Katherine rolled her eyes in exasperation. "He'll be at the Christmas Party next week. You can see him then. I'm sure you will like him."
Chapter Fourteen
The silence in the elegant dining room with off-white walls and glossy wooden floors was deafening. Aside from the light clinking sounds of silverware against expensive china, no one spoke a word. Sammy was still in shock; robotically lifting the fork to her lips, she swallowed without tasting. Uncle Frank is coming. Her hand shook as she lifted the glass of water in front of her. It'd been so long, she had almost forgotten what he looked like. Almost. Now, everything came rushing back. His beady eyes roaming over her. She shivered. His bony, cold hands reaching out for her. Her jaw locked. She couldn't escape him. She slammed the glass back onto the table and everyone turned to look at her.
Ducking her head low, she mumbled, "Sorry."
Katherine spoke crisply, "I don't know where you're from, but in MY house, we prefer not to break our silverware."
"Well, Mother, I don't know about that," Danielle responded. "Vinnie and I have actually taken quite a penchant for breaking our stuff – oh, but since you haven't been home in months, you wouldn't know that, would you?" She tossed her glass over her shoulder and it crashed against the floor, scattering shards everywhere.
Katherine's eyes flashed. "Why, I never. How dare you - I have never heard about – I know you're only doing this to protect this – this 'friend' of yours, but how simply idiotic of you to -"
She was interrupted when Vincent threw his glass across the room . . . followed closely by his plate, his fork and his spoon. The knife he kept. He didn't want to accidentally give into his urge and send it hurling at his beloved mother.
"Vincent!" Katherine seethed.
He shrugged. "Never really cared much for foie gras." He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, indifferent.
Sammy resisted the impulse to grin and bit her lips hard.
Katherine was practically quivering in her seat. Taking a deep breath, she called out, "STERNS!"
The butler stepped forward, "Yes, madam?"
"Have you known about this atrocious behavior before?" she demanded.
"No, madam." But before she launch into a triumphant diatribe, he continued, "They usually throw their electronic devices, clothes, pillows, books –"
"STERNS!"
"Yes, madam?" The butler inquired politely. There was a twinkle in his eyes and Sammy quickly looked away in fear of losing her composure.
Vincent's mother couldn't speak, seemingly close to blowing a blood vessel.
Vincent added, "Yeah, everyone knows I love breaking my alarm clocks. If anything, it's me who has a bad influence on Sam, not the other way around, right, Sam?
Sammy tried to nod gravely. Katherine now looked like she wanted to throw 'her' plate at Sammy. Sammy could have sworn the older woman twitched before taking a deep breath and putting down her fork gently. "I'm not hungry anymore. You are all dismissed."
Will frowned, "But I'm hungry!"
Katherine's eyes were ice cold. "Excuse me, William?"
"Boy, am I stuffed! Yeah, getting sleepy. Good night, Mrs. Grenford," Will nodded and then turned to Sammy. "Shall we run off and put on our jammies before prancing to bed, Sam?"
"Yes. Of course. Must run and prance," Sammy echoed. "Good night, Mrs. Grenford."
Vincent's mother nodded stiffly in acknowledgement while the others inched out of the room.
* * *
Will kept looking at Sammy askance with a blissful grin as they walked through the hallways. Vincent shuffled behind them, grey eyes getting stormier as they flitted between the two. Danielle took note of the dark look on her brother's face and elbowed William to one side to talk to Sammy. "What's up with Mr. Jolly?" she whispered.
"Who, Will? Oh, he, well, he . . ." Sammy sighed before leaning in close to murmur in Danielle's ear. Vincent's eyes practically bulged at this. "He knows."
The dark haired girl's eyes widened and then she smiled. "About time." When they reached Sammy's door, Danielle grabbed Will and proceeded to waltz into the room after Sammy. Vincent furrowed his eyebrows in confusion and tried to follow, only to have the door slam in his face.
"HEY! What do you guys think you're doing?" Vincent scowled, pounding on the door.
Danielle popped her head out and smiled sweetly. "Sorry, Vinnie, girls only."
"Girls only?" The expression on his face was incredulous. "You're the only girl in the room!"
"Well, Sammy understands his feminine side and Will, well, he already counts as half a girl." The door closed again.
Vincent stood there, fuming silently. Jack clapped a hand on his back, "Don't worry. We can always make our own club. The He-Man Woman/Girly Boys Haters Club. How does that sound?"
* * *
Will sighed happily as he wrapped his arms around Sammy. He nuzzled the side of her neck. "My girl . . ."
Sammy tried to disentangle herself from the octopus grip. "Help," she squeaked.
Danielle pried Will away from the redhead and backhanded him. "Don't touch. She's taken." Taking Will's seat, she threw an arm around Sammy's shoulders. "My sister-in-law," she crooned sweetly.
Sammy buried her face in her pillow and muffled her groan. Silent, she laid there without moving for quite a while, turning things over in her mind. She wished she could stay under her covers forever. That way, she wouldn't have to face her uncle and be dragged back to her prison. Her heart twisted painfully and she sighed in frustration as she punched her pillow. What was she going to do?
Will poked her side and she nearly leaped up into the air. Rubbing her side, she frowned grumpily. "What?"
"What's wrong?"
She hunched over in depression. "Nothing."
"Doesn't look like nothing," Danielle said, concerned.
Sammy flopped backwards and rubbed her eyes tiredly. "You know that guy your mother was talking about?"
"My mother talks about guys?" Danielle said in disbelief. An image of the prim and proper Katherine Pearling Grenford sitting stiffly on a high-backed chair dictating monotonously on the phone came up. 'That boy there was such a fine specimen of male vigor and potency. What good posture and he has a full set of hair. How simply splendid. Yes. A delectable darling, indeed. Simply scrumptious. I would blush and giggle girlishly now if my blood wasn't made of ice.' Danielle blanched, "Oh, oh. That's an ugly picture. I'm going to have nightmares for a week."
Sammy smiled in amusement. "I meant Frank Westlane."
"Oh, him. Yeah, so?"
"He's my uncle," she admitted.
"I thought you said he wasn't related to you!" Will said.
"I lied." She made a face, plucking at the stitches of her covers. "You remember that picture you guys saw in the nurse's office? Asides from the fact that the girl is me, everything else I told you is true. My parents died in a car accident a year after my grandfather died. My brother ended up in a coma. And my uncle – Frank – he was given full custody of me and my brother. He's – he's -" Her breath quickened and she was suddenly enraged that after all this time, she still felt so scared and cornered by the man. "I want him to die," she hissed.
Danielle and Will stared at each other in surprise. They reached out their hands, trying to soothe the girl. "Hey, it's alright now, isn't it? You're okay. Just calm down." Will added, "Do you want a paper bag? You look like you're hyperventilating."
Sammy regained control of her emotions and shook her head. She noticed her hands were shaking and quickly hid them underneath the sheets. "I ran away after two years. I couldn't take his … care anymore. I packed my father and my brother's old clothes, cut my hair and enrolled myself into
Crestan High. I was hoping that he would never think to look for me in an all boys' school."
Danielle chewed on her lip. "And then what? Were you planning on being Sam Westlane forever?"
Sammy shook her head. "After I'm legally an adult, I'm going to pick up my inheritance my parents had saved up and left for us. I was going to sue for custody of my brother. I know that I won't have much of a chance against my uncle's powerful lawyers, but I was hoping … if I threaten to ruin his reputation about the way he … took care of me, he'd give in and leave me and my brother alone."
Will frowned, "You can't know that. Your uncle might not give up. How can you be sure –"
"I'm not," Sammy blurted out. "But it's the only option I have. If I sue him now, what will happen to my brother? The government won't let me support him with me still under-aged and even if I could, how can I pay the medical bills now? Working part-time asking people whether they want fries or not? I have no choice."
Her friends didn't know what to say and for the first time in their lives, they began to get a sense of the same hopelessness Sammy felt ever since her parents passed away.
Sammy closed her eyes bleakly and covered her face. "And now I have to run again."
Danielle bristled in alarm. "You're not running anywhere unless it's into my brother's arms!"
"Or mine!" Will supplied.
Sammy smiled weakly. "It's not like I have a choice. I don't want to leave. Crestan High is the first place that's been like a true home to me since the accident. It's given me the stability I've needed, but I just can't stay. As soon as my uncle sees me at the party, he's going to haul me off and that'll be the end of that."
Danielle pursed her lips and tapped her index finger thoughtfully against her chin. "Well, what if he doesn't see you?"
Sammy frowned. "I doubt I can dodge him for the whole night, but maybe if I say I'm sick –"
False Facades (Best Sellers: Best Romance/Humor ) Page 12