Dane...?

I stood in front of the painting confused.. about what to think and what to do..
I heard footsteps and my name being called. I hurried out of the basement but fell down scratching my hand but I got up as fast as I can trying as hard as I can not to scream and closed the door running to the kitchen.

"Oh, there you are," Xander said walking into the kitchen "Good morning"

"Morning Xan" I smiled slightly.

"What are you doing?" He asked, "What the hell happened to your hand?"

"I cut my self while holding the knife. I was thinking about making breakfast." I said as he walked past me opening a cupboard and getting cotton out of it.

For some reason, not asking him felt right.. Something inside me told me this is what's best to do and I knew exactly what im supposed to do next.
_________________________________

Leo

After being forced into the shower that I severely needed, I sat down on the dinner table eating everything that gets offered to me. I lost track of time, I miss gran and I don't know what Chanel is doing without me by her side.

Does she know where I am? Is gran okay? If she's not.. did someone help her? Is someone by her side..?

Gerrard, my father's asshole of a helper was standing beside me with ice to my face as Raulf ordered.

"How are you feeling?" He asked

"Don't act like you give a fuck Gerrard"

"Leo, You're like a brother to me. I'm your father's hand"

"You're my father's hound and you're no brother of mine" I said getting up walking to where Raulf said he wanted me.

I sat down on the comfortable couch with a sigh of relief.. I don't know what's going to happen next.. but I might as well just enjoy the minutes of freedom I have.

I rested back looking at the portrait over the heater.. How dare he still have her picture hung on the wall while he fucks other women?

"She was beautiful.." he said but I didn't bother looking because I already know who's talking "I loved her.. so much"

"I doubt you know what love is"

"Leon... There's no need for that. I loved her like no one and nothing else could.."

I shook my head and looked down

"I also love you.. which is why you're here.."

"No.. I'm here because you barged into my house and abducted me. I'm here because you don't handle rejection too well"

"This is not your house. This.." he grabbed my face into his hand "Where you are now.. is your house" he stared right into my eyes

"How does my face look? Does it look as good as you wanted it?" I looked at him in rage fighting the urge to spit in his face.. I don't want to go down that hell hole again

"No. This is not what I want Leon. Je pensais en faisant cela que tu resterais avec moi." He said

"Tu as mal pensé"

"Je connais" he let my face go and sat beside me "You're my son Leo. I care about you and I want you beside me"

"What do you know about, Chanel? And why are you warning me from her?" I asked as he looked me straight in the eye
_________________________________________

Chanel

I sat down beside Xander on the couch, I felt some sort of sting in my heart. Is it fear? Maybe..
Maybe Xander and Dane were friends.. and Dane hurt me so Xander defended me..

But if that's so... why would Dane slam the door in my face.
God.. I don't understand any of this.

"Hey.." he rubbed my shoulder

"What?" I asked

"You were totally zoned out.. is everything okay?"

"I don't really know.." I sighed "I don't understand anything anymore.."

"Chanel.. "

"Someone killed my cousin, people are acting weird.. and I have a best friend who knows nothing about me to help.." I looked at him

"I know a lot, Chanel.."

"Then tell me.."

"What do you want to know?" He said turning off the T.v.

"Where did I study? And what did I study?"

"You studied art at Crystal River College"

"Art?" I asked

"Mmhm" he nodded

"What kind of art?"

"Fine arts. You liked painting and sculpting and all"

"But I have none of these at home..?"

"That's because you never put them at home.."

"Where do I put them?"

"You bought a store that you were going to turn to an art gallery"

"Really?"

"You were talented and you knew you were.. You knew your paintings deserved a special place on their own where people could see them and enjoy them as much as you did.."

"Do you know where that is?"

"Of course I do.." he smiled

"I want you to take me there.. maybe not now but I want to go there.. For now, though, I want to go home, I need to get clothes"

"Sure.. I'll go get dressed" he rubbed my shoulder then got up and walked to the stairs

After a few minutes, we walked out of Xander's house and got inside the car and drove towards my house.

I opened the door and walked in "Chanel?" I heard my mom calling as I saw her walking fast out of the kitchen "Where have you been?"

"With Xander" I said pointing at him

"Hey Paulina"

"Hey sweetheart"

"It's okay, she was with me, don't worry," he said smiling as she responded with a sigh of relief

"Are you two hungry?" She asked

"No.. We're just here to take some things of mine and leave.." I said walking upstairs with Xander following behind

"Why are you treating her like that, Chan?"

I looked at him "There's something wrong with her and things she's hiding from me.. I don't like that.. and I'm sure you can see that"

"I can.." he sat down on the bed "Just don't put too much load over her.."

I started removing some clothes from the closet and seating them on the bed "Xander, did you find Leo as I told you to?" I asked looking at him

"I.."

He didn't get to finish the sentence as we heard banging on the front door hard enough to make Xander's face flash in fear and anger running out of my room and down the stairs with me behind him

My mom and dad stood in the living room in horror as Xander opened the door.

"What's happening?"

"Detective Michael Patrick, Police," he said showing his badge

"We know who you are detective.. What are you doing banging on our door like that?" My dad asked

"Well, Mr Antoine.." Detective Patrick started walking in and holding my fathers hand behind his back "You are under arrest for the murder of Irene Tomas Smith, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney, and to have an attorney present during any questioning."