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Chapter 47 – Deal

Nathan stretched on the plush sofa, yawning as he did. When I threw him a humourless look, he straightened up and squared his shoulders. I put down the towel, tugging on the sleeves of the button-up shirt Nathan lent me.

“Boss,” Romuald opened the door carrying a wireless phone. “It’s your bro—“

With one dangerous glare from Nathan, Romuald flinched and silenced himself almost mechanically as though he just bit his tongue.

With an exasperated sigh, Nathan snatched the phone from Romuald and gestured for the man to get out before he lost his patience, if any. Romuald scampered out of the room like his life depended on it.

“Yeah, it’s me,” Nathan muttered in an annoyed low tone as he headed to the veranda of his spacious room. I tried to eavesdrop, hoisting myself up in my seat. Once he glanced back at me, I dropped my gaze and fidgeted with the hem of my (Nathan’s) shirt which was a bit embarrassing now that I thought about it. His voice amplified a bit and if he wasn’t talking in rapid French, I might’ve have even understood what he and Leon were arguing about.

“That was Leon,” Nathan finally said as he sat back on his chair.

“Okay...” I wanted to know the details but I didn’t want Nathan to think that I was desperate. “What now?”

He yawned. “What? You don’t even look interested? That’s a downer. I was hoping he’d find you in distress. He’ll be unbelievably mad. Perhaps he’ll even punch me this time for real, try to kill me, hate me, especially hate me. Then he’ll sweep you off your feet and you’d both live happily ever after,” he scoffed rubbing his chin nonchalantly before finally turning to me. “Well, he’s coming for you.”

“Uh... so isn’t that a bad thing?” I mumbled. He just threw me a bewildered look like I just asked a crazy question. “Well, you had me kidnapped so—“

“Correction—I didn’t. But we couldn’t tell Leon that, can we? It would ruin my... bad reputation.” His musical laughter filled the room. “Seriously, don’t tell him.”

“Sure thing. We don’t want that,” I gave him a flustered nod. Now that was weird.

Before Nathan could argue with himself about how he could win the villain of the year award (metaphorically of course), I heard the sound of car engine from outside the house. Tires screeched angrily against the gravel path and by the way the engine revved furiously, the driver of the car (a. k. a. Leon) didn’t come for a diplomatic heart to heart talk.

As the corner of his perfect lips started to pull up to a casual smile, Nathan grabbed my hand, his eyes having a wild look about them.

“Right on cue,” he said grinning back at me as though he’s just opened a super awesome Christmas present in the middle of June. “Come Nerdy, the party starts now.”

Leon stood at the doorway eyeing glumly at us as we descended from the top of the staircase. If I wasn’t occupied with much panicking, I would have froze there for ten whole minutes just gaping at him. There was something not quite right with his clear blue eyes. Was it was worry or anger... or could it be that he cried? I never believed it possible. His shoulders were rigid and though I couldn’t see through the long sleeves of his midnight blue pull over shirt, I had a hunch that his hands were clenched. Without even trying, his dark hair was perfectly dishevelled, blown by the gentle wind.

As he trudged heavily toward us, I couldn’t help but catch my breath. Without so much as a warning, my cheeks turned warm.

“Brother,” Nathan let go of my hand and welcomed Leon with arms open and a warm smile lingering on his perfect lips. “Since when was the last time you visited me? Uh... never?” He chuckled with nothing but nonchalance as he folded his arms across his chest.

With an uneasy glance at Leon, I nudged Nathan on the side. Nathan just replied with a confident smile. At the best of circumstances, hopefully, none of them would get any idea of killing each other. I crossed my fingers on that thought.

I headed toward Leon thinking that if we could just leave this instant maybe it wouldn’t have to resort to any dispute at the very least. However, before I knew it, Leon started towards Nathan, his fists clenched as his whole body trembled with rage.

Nathan just stood his ground casually as Leon pounded a fist on his face. Without a doubt, Nathan could have avoided that blow but strangely he didn’t.

“How could you!” Leon roared at the top of his lungs.

Only now did I realize how weak Nathan was. Perhaps he was taller than Leon by an inch or two but he was a bit frail and gangly as compared to his younger brother.

“What did I do now? Did I upset you again Leon? At least give me some credit for being consistent,” Nathan chided. There was blood trickling on the side of Nathan’s lip as he got back to his feet. He smiled wiping the blood on the sleeves of his button-up shirt.

From his stance, I could judge that Leon wasn’t done making a punching bag out of his twin brother. But before he could lift his fist again, I ran in between them and pushed the two of them apart.

“Stop it! Both of you!” My voice almost broke but I managed to sound firm. Leon’s chest trembled furiously against my palm. His jaws tensed as he cursed under his breath. All the while, Nathan just looked at his brother steadily. Not in the very least did he appear angry or afraid or anything. He was just looking—like he probably would whenever he looked at his reflection in the mirror.

Who knew what in the world was going on in that obstinate head of his?

“We can talk this out. So will the two of you take it easy? And I meant mostly you, Leon.” I said throwing the fiercest glares I could muster at the two of them.

“Told you he’d punch me,” Nathan sniggered rubbing his cheek.

With that, Leon lunged at Nathan again but I managed to barricade myself in between them which just about felt quite like running onto a brick wall (at top speed). If Leon hadn’t held back just in time, I would have been delivered straight to the E.R. right now... with my broken bones in a package. With a ribbon on top.

For several moments, my vision blacked out. It felt like the whole place was whirling around me. My head hurt like hell and I managed to blurt out something very intelligent like “Gah,” but I refused to remember the rest.

“Sarah! I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to—God, are you okay?” Leon mumbled cautiously touching the swollen bump where his chin collided with the side of my forehead. Before I could speak any reassurance that I was okay, he pulled me onto his chest and folded his arms around me. I was so startled I didn’t realize I just forgotten how to breathe as my heart hurtled into a frantic race.

Through his chest I could feel his heart beating faster than mine. There I stood petrified and if it weren’t for his arms supporting my weight my knees would’ve buckled by now.

“I’m so sorry, Sarah,” he let out a few curses in an undertone. “It’s all my fault. But I swear... I swear I didn’t mean to—“ he muttered feverishly, cutting himself with a deep burdensome sigh. “I’ll  explain everything, but please...”

All the while, I was aware of his breath against my hair, his lips on my forehead. All that mattered was me and him. Those things that hurt me before; I didn’t care about them anymore, like they didn’t even happen. Although I would have wanted to stand there forever, for time to freeze, at the back of my mind, there was a voice that kept nagging at me; it’s not that simple.

It wasn’t as if all that happened would backtrack. Those things he did cannot be undone and though I didn’t want to admit it, the voice in my head was right. It wasn’t that simple.

“I... I’m okay,” I stuttered as I pushed him gently away from myself before I change my mind and forget again.

With a sigh, Leon took a step back and gazed at me as though he was trying to read what I was thinking. If he could just read my mind, he’d be disappointed since it went blank the second I looked into his cerulean eyes.

I shook my head and inadvertently glanced at Nathan who pretended to clear his throat as if saying “Hello, I’m still here.” There was an annoying playful smile on his lips as he crossed his arms. On second thoughts, I probably should’ve let Leon pound him to Nathan-pulp.

Leon shifted uncomfortably on his seat as his brother Nathan sat in a comfortably languished slouch. Occasionally, he’d throw casual glances at me and Leon. It gave me the worst headache trying to fathom what outlandish thoughts whirred inside his head.

Leon told me about the day Camilla Downing (his long lost mother) had him kidnapped and locked up with Nathan somewhere in Europe. Nathan helped him escape in one condition; Leon had to give up his life and Nathan would pretend to be him as long as he pleased.

That was why Leon had to assume a new identity as Leonard Dunn. He’d have to stay hidden, as far away from Nathan and Hollywood as possible so as not to reveal their secret. Arthur wouldn’t approve but Leon wasn’t one to break his word. Consequently, that was the time the social services found out about Arthur’s ineligibility to home school Leon (thanks to Camilla Downing of course). To prevent his Dad from getting into several civil and worse, custodial lawsuit, Leon had no choice but to attend a real school.

On the other hand, Nathan wasn’t as gifted as his brother in the voice department so Leon had to sing for him in the backstage during performances and record the songs for him. Other than that, the Leon Walden in interviews, guestings including all the acting projects; that was all Nathan.

“Now, let me get this straight.” I turned to Nathan, perplexed after I’ve heard what they both had to say. “You took over Leon’s life, his job, his name, his family—“

Nathan winced as though I just poked on the swollen corner of his lips. “Uh, technically, his family is mine too since we’re brothers and all. But yeah, that’s a blunt way to put it.”

“Why on earth—“ I started to say before Leon interrupted. His eyes still glowered at Nathan but at least he wasn’t destroying his brother’s face... or trying to.

“He’s settling a score.” He muttered through his teeth.

“Quite correct,” Nathan almost smiled. The indifference on his face was unnerving.

Leon’s jaws tensed. “If you’ve got a problem take it out on me. Don’t get Sarah into this or I swear I’ll—“

“Stop it! Can’t you talk like two civilized people? And you Nathan, don’t think I’ve forgotten about you sending that guy...” I flinched a bit, my voice wavering infinitesimally as I managed to mutter the name. “Larkin Frost,”

With the smile fading from his composed facade, Nathan shrugged and gave me an unreadable look as though to say “Why, do you think I’d really do that?” I wasn’t sure what to think. Perhaps he did, perhaps not. But something told me that he’d rather be beaten up into a pulp than admit to his brother that it wasn’t his idea.

“Okay, I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt. But Nathan, if you ever try that on me ever again...” I muttered managing my most threatening look.

“Point taken,” Nathan smiled almost apologetically.

Leon grunted. “So that was it? You’d let it go just like that?” He demanded with a furious look toward Nathan.

“Yes.” I said bluntly.

“Why? He—“

“Because, Leon, he promised never to attempt anything crooked again or who knows? My tongue might just slip and tell a certain someone about his dark secret...” I threw Nathan a meaningful look though I didn’t really have any intention to let Leon know that his brother wasn’t as villainous as he’d thought.

With a light-hearted chuckle, Nathan nodded. “Oh, is that blackmail? I like you already. Very well. You’ve got a deal, Nerdy.” With a smile of approval, he said to Leon, “You should totally marry her.”

My cheeks burned at that remark but I tried to conceal it. “So I guess we’re done here. I don’t know the deal between the two of you but I hope you settle it soon.” Inadvertently, I glanced through the window. It was getting dark. “Let’s go Leon.”

Leon looked like he was just getting warmed up to argue all night with his brother but I had the feeling that it would be ugly so I stood up. With a look of defeat on his face, Leon dragged Nathan to a corner where they talked in hushed tones before Leon stormed his way out of the house and got in his car.

Before I was able to follow Leon, Nathan grabbed my arm. “Wait, Nerdy. Why didn’t you tell him?” he asked earnestly.

I faced him with a smile. “I have no idea why you’re trying to make yourself look bad in front of your brother but... I know you didn’t really order Larkin to do t-those things. You’re not a bad person. Not at all.”

“And how could you be so sure?” His brow raised a bit, a sneer forming on his lips.

“I’m not. It’s more of a... hunch.”

“You really are strange after all. Well then, let’s see if this hunch of yours is reliable,” he gave me a warm smile before he let go of my arm. “Until next time, Nerdy.”

When the car’s engine revved angrily I started to head outside then paused and turned to face him again. “And Nathan? You might want to consider going out. Meet other people, have fun. Because if you’d ask me, your so-called companions... not doing you any good.”

“I’ll think about it,” he nodded still smiling.

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Dear reader, I just want to give you all big smothering hugs and truckloads of cookies! We'd been in a down time so far and it's been hard juggling more than one story at a time so I hope you understand (If you enjoy this, perhaps you'd enjoy my other story called REAPERS). Well if you like it or have any reaction, you know what to do.

From Nerdville with love,

~shim