Ivory Causeways Framed Distant Outposts by Arman Steele 15

Chapter 15 

“Have a seat and eat. We have five minutes before we leave,” he said, heading towards what I think was his room. I sat down and noticed he had already set my plate for me. Aleck didn’t say anything; he put a coffee in front of me and sat next to me. 

I sat and ate quietly; there were no remarks or comments made. Dean came back, sat down, and had breakfast. He put a car key in front of me. Then he took 

my hand and put a bracelet on my wrist. 

“What is this?” 

“Your new car, and that’s yours. There’s no debating it, and stop putting the keys back,” he said as he drank his coffee. Aleck pushed a paper in front of me. 

“All the codes to the house.” He moved, and I felt him behind me. 

“What are you doing?” I felt it; it was a necklace. He kissed 

my 

shoulder. 

“I’m off. Have a good day, baby,” he said, walking out. Dean didn’t say anything. He stood up and kissed me on the forehead. “Be careful. Have a good day, 

and call if you need us,” he said, walking out. I was left sitting there, lost for words. After breakfast, I cleaned up. I opened my phone and opened the group 

chat. 

Group Chat 

NELLA: I’m bored. I don’t want to go to work today. 

REA: Bitch, get your ass to work. 

LAYLA: I’m about to get started on my work too. 

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MALLORY: Oh, how lovely it feels to be on vacation.. 

NELLA: Bitch, you’re on your honeymoon. Shouldn’t you be with your husband? 

REA: Mal, when are you coming back? I need a drink. 

LAYLA: Have a glass of wine after work. 

REA: Wine does nothing for me. 

MALLORY: Then I’ll bring you something special, Rea. 

LAYLA: I’m going to get to work. I’ll text you guys later. 

NELLA: Wait, Layla, it almost slipped my mind. I ran into the witch yesterday. DEAN? 

DEAN: Yes, Nella? 

REA: So you guys are actually in here but not saying anything. 

DEAN: Yes. 

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Chapter 15 

NELLA: Anyway, Macy accosted me yesterday afternoon after I left for work. She knows where you live, and she knows Layla is with you and Aleck. I didn’t answer her or say anything. I walked away with her shouting profanities at me, saying I knew, we all knew, and lied to her. 

ALECK: Layla, go to the office and shut the elevator off. You’ll see the panel behind the door. 

LAYLA: Okay. 

MALLORY: Wait, since when have you been staying with them? 

REA: Where the hell would she stay if her apartment burned down? 

NELLA: REA? 

CHRIS: Rea? 

REA: Shit. 

MALLORY: WHAT? WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED? DON’T LIE TO ME, YOU LITTLE SHITS. 

ANDREW: Start talking now, all of you. 

LAYLA: Umm, there was a slight problem. The night before the wedding, the apartment beside mine caught fire, and so did mine and a few others. Before you say anything, Mallory, I didn’t want anyone or anything ruining your wedding. I’m fine, seriously. I’ve got my own room here. 

ANDREW: Dean, Aleck, Chris, you need to pay a visit to her ex–fiancé. A few nights before the wedding, Mal forgot her bag in Layla’s car. I went to get it 

and came across the asshole manhandling her. 

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ALECK: We’ll deal with it. 

LAYLA: Guys. 

I saw the message pop up from the other group chat. 

Group Chat 

ALECK: And why didn’t you tell us? 

DEAN: What’s his last name? 

LAYLA: Please. 

DEAN: Layla, never mind, we’ll find out ourselves. 

I went back to the other group chat. 

Group Chat 

LAYLA: Why would you tell them that now? These two are going to go on a hunt for that crazy guy. 

CHRIS: I will too. 

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Chapter 15 

REA: Okay, it’s too early to do this. I need to get to work. We can talk later. 

LAYLA: Bye, guys. 

NELLA: Smell you later, lovebirds. 

I put my phone down and started working. I checked my email, and I had another piece to illustrate. I spent the majority of the day in their office working. I had three coffee breaks and kept working. When I stopped, it was five. I went outside, but I was alone. I texted them. 

Group Chat 

LAYLA: Umm, can I make dinner? 

DEAN: Anything you want, princess. 

ALECK: You don’t need our permission, baby. We’ll be back around eight; we’re currently in a meeting. We’ll use the other elevator. 

LAYLA: Okay, sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you. 

DEAN: You can never disturb us, princess. 

LAYLA: Okay, I’ll make dinner. Bye. 

DEAN: Bye, princess. 

ALECK: Bye, baby. 

I had just put my phone down and walked into the kitchen when I heard the door. Did they lie, saying they’re at work? I walked back out and stopped short. Pamela and Matthew Cavanaugh were standing there. 

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“Layla, sweetie, oh my god,” she exclaimed, walking towards me and hugging me. 

“Hi, Aunt Pam, hi, Uncle Matt.” 

“Lord, you look beautiful. Where are the boys?” Matthew asked. 

“They’re at work. I ran into some trouble with my apartment, and the guys told me to stay here for a while until it’s all sorted out,” I said, hoping they didn’t take anything the wrong way, because I would die of mortification if they knew, and I’m sure Pamela would hate me. 

“That’s good; at least they understand to make sure you’re safe. I’ll grab a drink and let you ladies talk,” Matthew said, walking towards the other end of the 

apartment. 

Pamela just hugged me. We headed back to the kitchen, and she took a seat. I gave her a glass of wine, and she just smiled. I grabbed my phone. 

Group Chat 

LAYLA: Your parents are here. 

DEAN: Okay. 

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ALECK: Don’t be scared; it’s fine. We’ll be home soon. 

LAYLA: Won’t they ask questions? I mean… 

DEAN: Princess, it’s our parents; they’ve known you forever. 

ALECK: It’s okay, baby, just relax. 

LAYLA: Okay. 

I put my phone down and began making dinner. Pamela wanted to know what I had been up to. When I told her about my ex–fiancé, she called for Matthew. 

“What is it?” He asked, looking at us. 

“She was about to get married to someone. Unfortunately, he cheated, and she caught him,” Pamela said, looking at her husband. 

“Well then, that’s good; at least she avoided trouble. Do those two idiots of ours know?” he asked. 

“Yes, it came up when we all had the get–together.” 

“Okay, then don’t think about it anymore,” Pamela said, patting my hand. 

I had just finished making dinner and setting the table when they both walked in. Dean came over to me and kissed me. 

“I’m going to grab a shower, then we’ll have dinner.” His parents were here. 

He walked away, leaving me frozen to the spot. Aleck came to me. “Stop worrying. I’ll be back in a few,” he said, kissing me, then walking away. I looked at their parents, but they didn’t say anything or even look at me. During dinner, I was a nervous wreck. I kept dropping my fork and spilling water. 

“She’s a nervous wreck. Can you two just put her out of her misery?” Dean said, looking at his parents. I just looked at him. But Pamela and Matthew didn’t say anything. 

After dinner, Dean and Aleck came to me. I was doing the dishes. “We’ll do this. Mom and Dad want to talk to you,” Dean said. 

“They’re out on the balcony; it’s okay, go ahead,” Aleck said. 

I looked at them, but they weren’t giving away any hints. I let out a sigh and headed out to the balcony. I readied myself for their disapproval and for them to tell me to leave. I opened the door and stepped out. Matthew and Pamela were sitting on the couch. 

“Come have a seat,” she said, pulling me down to sit between her and her husband. 

“When Dean and Aleck came home for their eighteenth birthday, when we threw that party for them, I noticed it. I didn’t say anything to them or Pamela, but I began watching them. Halfway through the school semester, they came home one weekend at random. I figured something happened; that’s why they came. I didn’t push them or anything. I waited,” Matthew said. 

“I was in my office when they came in and sat down. They were nervous as hell, and I was praying that they didn’t say they got someone pregnant. They just blurted it out: “We’re in love with the same person‘.” 

He shook his head and looked at me. 

“I just told them I knew. They asked how, and I told them what I saw. They said they didn’t know what to do; you were seventeen, and they couldn’t stop 

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Chapter 15 

feeling that way about you, and every second they spent with you, it got worse. I’ve known my sons to be headstrong and confident, but that was the first 

time I ever saw them like that. I told them to give it a year, wait until you’re eighteen, and just act normal. They agreed. One year precisely after your eighteenth birthday, they came home for the weekend, and I knew something happened. I found them in the backyard drinking, they looked miserable.” 

Comments 

Mariyam Khan 

dad for the win!?!?!?!!!!!! 

7 days ago 

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