Aaron

30 minutes earlier...

I was still wondering what the heck was that at his door step. Or maybe her door step.

He's a freaking girl and her name is Hermia?  Maybe she was the girl who I always saw and stalked.

It's still vivid in my memory, the night I saw her running out of her house and I was just  outside in the rain with Noah and I throwing the muddy water at ourselves as a way of wishing ourselves 'happy birthday'. Immediately I saw her sob as she ran, I left Noah and stalked her while she ran further into the forest screaming incoherent words in anger.

'So much anger in a four year old girl?' I wondered.

Then she stopped right at the lake and unexpectedly dived into it. I watched her stay in that lake for seconds,  turning into minutes,  into hours. I was going to go near her and console her of whatever troubles she was facing but I didn't know how. Just then she turned.

"Who's it? " she yelled but I already hid behind a tree. And I quietly ran back home only to meet the biggest shock of my life. After my mom's death caused by my father,  we left our town, living with grandma while dad had stayed back. After so many months , he called telling us he missed us. After much persuasion, we came back here.

I longed to see that lonely girl whose name I never knew but I never saw her. And now that I got to know about Hermia, it dawned on me that she's her! But, the then 'her' is different from 'her 'now.

After managing to tuck Noah to bed, I was going to my room as well when dad called me. He was standing at the door in his swimsuit.

"Hey dad. " I said while  he side hugged me .

"Um. " he pulled away and glanced at Noah. "He's wasted as usual. Anyway. . ." he turned his attention back to me.

"I want to discus some things with you. "

My gaze narrowed at dad's gloomy face. Whatever he wanted to discuss was serious.

"Sure. Right now?" I stepped out of Noah's room after him and closed the door behind me while he jogged down the stairs. I followed suit and we settled at the dinning to have the discussion.

"Yes dad? " I ask impatient to know the cause of his worried look.

"Aaron, I'm getting married to Delilah. And—" I stood up abruptly.

"What? "

His calm demeanor changed. "I said —"

"I heard. I'm just. . . You're marrying that bloody gold digger?" I point towards the pictures on the wall of the raven haired Delilah dad is obsessed with since after mom's death.

"Language Aaron. " he sighed. "And, sit first. "

I shook my head. " I'm not convinced, dad. "

He stood up and walked slowly towards the photos on the wall. "I know you don't like her but I love her. I thought you were more mature than your brother and would understand me. " he began. I crossed my arms,  standing behind him and disinterested in listening to his justification.

"It's true I loved your mother but it's also true that I love Delilah and want to marry her. "

A snort escaped my lips. "Really, Mr Renny? And what of how she died because of you? You killed her! And I forgave you for that. But over my dead body will I let you make that raven haired bitch replace my mom. " I said over an high pitched voice.

Dad slightly turned to glance at me. He looked like he was loosing his cool and even I was. I didn't care if we have a toss.

"I understand how traumatic this is for you and that is why I'm saying it now that I want to marry Delilah," he fully turned with a  fake smile on his face. "Trust me,  she's just like your mom. Caring, Sweet and Innocent. I love her as much as I loved your mother and you my sons. "

I let down my arms to my side. "Yeah! You do! " I said to his face and stepped back. " You know? I never expected this from you. But what more can one expect from a despicable man like you! You're not even repenting for what you did. " I headed upstairs.

I was about to enter my room when he spoke again.

"Son, if you ever considered me your father then you understand me some day. "

I had least expected to see her standing there,  in front of her window. For the first time in years,  I saw her as the girl I knew from my childhood.

"Hermia. . ." I called out her name on impulse, staring at her figure. That brief eye contact explained a lot.

She had been upset too. Her tear filled eyes spoke all the unsaid words. I knew whatever she was thinking now was what happened to her that night I saw her. And same thing was happening now.

Except that she never saw me that night and I never knew her name but now,  she saw me and I knew her name.

It's crazy how I felt we shared a bond and the way my heart hammered against my chest made me question myself if I was sane.

It was just an accidental eye contact and I expected she should have gone away by now but she didn't  and I was quite aware of the way she was looking at me wide-eyed.

I look down at myself and see why. I've been angry and was working out instead of studying as I always did.

I glance back at Hermia only to see her disappearing figure. And I never bothered to call out at her.

The moment was just a wrap of emotions. And unsaid words.

~~~

Playlist:

Deja Vu by Olivia Rodrigue.

Apollo by... (I really don't remember sorry. If you know insert it)

Pretty Girl by Maggie Lindemann.

A! N: So do you think Renny Grey is right with what he wants to do?

Let's get out of TTTB,  recommend some good music for me. (⌒o⌒)

Remember to vote every chapter if you think I deserve it  ✋😉👈