CHAPTER 60

I stand in front of Kaiden's doorstep but can't bring myself to ring the doorbell.

I look around the front garden, hoping it will distract me. I watch the flowers sway in the breeze, confused by which direction the wind is blowing them in. 'Hey, why are you standing here?' Kaiden asks as he comes outside of the house.

 'I don't want to come in so are you ready or not?' I ask desperately wanting him to be ready.

'I'm ready,' he replies and I sigh in relief. He unlocks his car and I slide into the passenger seat. ‘How are you feeling?'

'I'm feeling fine.'

'You were released from hospital a few hours ago and you found out that Phillip mugged you. You can't really be "fine" Kiera,' Kaiden replies acting as if he knows everything.

'Just focus on your driving,' I say turning away from him and leaning on the car window.

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The car stops and I silently question why. I sit up and realise we're outside Pete’s workplace. 'That was quick,' I mumble to no one in particular.

 'Well you fell asleep,' Kaiden replies and I don't bother saying anything. 

Silently, we walk inside the building and the nervousness finally kicks in. My dad's will is going to be sorted out today. Kaiden holds the door for me and I take a deep breath before walking inside.

Andrea, Lola and Liz are sitting in a waiting room area and I walk over to them. 'Kiera,' Andrea breathes as she pulls me into a hug. 'How are you?' She asks; her eyes full of concern.

 'I'm fine.' She gives me an unbelieving nod so I say 'honestly I'm fine.' She nods her head and allows me to sit down. I sit opposite them and Kaiden sits opposite me. Lola moves to sit on Kaiden's lap and I'm guessing they've already spent time together as she's comfortable. 'Hi Lola,' I say as I should start the conversation.

 'Hi,' she quietly replies.

 'What's wrong?' I ask.

'I'm nervous,' she utters as she rests her head on Kaiden's shoulder.

 'There is nothing to be nervous about Lola, I promise,' Kaiden replies as he pays with Lola's hair.

 'I'm going to the toilet, Kiera come with me?' Liz says and I bite my lip as she'll probably want to talk instead of actually using the toilet. I stand up and we walk to the female toilets.

To my discomfort, the toilets are empty and Liz leans against the sink staring at me. 'Have you just come here to stare at me Liz?'

'I heard Phillip was the reason you got mugged,' she replies and I sigh.

 'Does everyone know that?' I ask after a while and she nods her head. 'Who told you?'

'Elaine is the reason we all know basically,' she briefly explains. 'Joe got pretty mad and attacked Dan,' she informs me and my eyes widen but I don't say anything. 'Kiera are you not going to ask me about that?'

'What is there to ask?' I ask.

'You like him,' she states randomly.

'No I don't'

'Yes you do.

'Shut up Liz,' I reply annoyed. I turn to leave the bathroom but she grabs my hand.

 'You can’t just leave Kiera.'

'Let go,' I demand but she rolls her eyes gripping tighter. 'Fine I like him, now let go,' I say and she removes her hand. 'Who told you?' I raise my eyebrows at her, clearly suspicious.

'No one told me, it’s obvious. I've seen the way you two look at each other. I've seen the way you get jealous when he's with Jess or the way he gets jealous when Dan is mentioned.' I fold my arms, not knowing what to say. 'I actually don't understand how no one else has figured it out yet.'

'Lucy has,' I mumble and she gasps, 'Seriously?' I nod and she says 'it’s about time I spoke to Lucy then.'

'Shut up Liz!' I snap and she chuckles before her face turns serious.

 'Why did you leave Lucy's house?' I place my hands on the cold sink as I think of a way to answer her.

 'I wanted to go to Lily's house.'

'I'm not falling for that Kiera,' she replies scoffing at my reply.

'I didn't want to stay at Lucy's house anymore.'

'Clearly but I asked for the reason,' she replies, failing to drop the subject.

 'I overheard their conversation.’ She raises her eyebrows, wordlessly telling me to continue. 'They were talking about how Joe and Jess were made for one another. They also said that Joe and Jess were the sort of couple to grow old with one another. It sounds stupid I know but I just couldn't stand it,' I admit quietly.

'It doesn't sound stupid.'

'It does Liz,' I reply and she sighs before wrapping her arms around my shoulders. 'Don't tell the others that.’

 'Can I at least tell Lucy?' She asks and I roll my eyes but nod my head. 'I heard Lucy was on the will,' Liz says breaking the short silence.

 'Yeah, is she even coming?'

'No, she didn't want to come,' Liz informs me.

'I don't really blame her' I respond and Liz nods her head, agreeing with me.

 'She wants to give her share to my mum.'

'Really?' I ask and she nods. 'How is she going to do that? Can she even do that?'

'I'm not sure but she's going to transfer the money to her account.' I open my mouth to speak but the opening of the door cuts me off. Lola walks inside and says 'We have to go inside now.' Liz gives me a look silently telling me this conversation isn't over as she walks to Lola. I sigh and follow them out to Pete's room.

Pete is sitting at his desk and Andrea and Kaiden are sitting opposite him. Lola occupies the seat next to Andrea so Liz and I sit in the corner. I'm guessing they've been talking for quite some time as Pete smiles at us. He looks down at the will and says 'the first person on the list is you Andrea. You get twenty thousand pounds and Dave's car. Liz gets twenty thousand pounds and the same with Lola. Lucy and Kaiden also get twenty thousand pounds.' Pete looks up finally making eye contact with us all. 'That makes the total one hundred thousand pounds which is all Dave had.'

An awkward silence fills the air and it’s probably because my dad didn’t leave any money for me. I can't help the disappointed feeling that's flowing inside of me. I should probably leave. 'Kiera,' Pete says my name and I make eye contact with him. 'Your dad left you his business and all his possessions,' he tells me.

‘What business? 'He didn't have a business' I reply.

'The business clockwork, have you heard of it? It’s a famous business, you probably have.'

'Briefly.'

'Your dad owned it and now they’re going to need a leader.' He nods his head encouragingly. To say that I'm shocked to find my dad owning a worldwide successful company is an understatement.

 'I can't lead it.'

'Your dad certainly trusted you to and the company will be changed to your name-' I cut him off by standing up and say 'I want to go home.'

'Kiera-'

'Shut up Kaiden. I want to go home,' I repeat myself as I walk out of Pete's office and Kaiden joins me shortly.

'What was all that about?' He asks and I shrug my shoulders. 'Kiera you can’t always say that. It's an amazing business, why are you reacting so badly to that?' He curiously asks.

 'I can't lead a business, I'm supposed to be starting university soon and I'm not going to drop out only to lead a business that will end up failing as soon as I take the lead.'

'Stop being so negative,' he calmly says. 'This is a great opportunity for you and if worst comes to worst, you could sell it. It's worth millions.'

'Exactly and I'll mess it up,' I reply emphasising my original point. He puts his hand on my shoulder.

 'Have a little more faith in yourself. Dad obviously had faith in you and I do too. It’s a shame you don't Kiera.' I roll my eyes as I walk out of the building, leaning against his car. He unlocks it and I sit in the passenger seat. Like I did earlier, I turn my body so he can’t see my face, leaning it against the window.

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He parks outside his own house and I raise my eyebrows at him. Why have you parked here?'

'It’s about time you spend time with your sister in law,’ he replies and I sigh loudly.

 'I'm not in the mood right now so take me to Lily's house,' I demand.

'No, you're never in the mood,' he retorts.

 'Fine, I'll come to your house next week I promise, I really don’t want to do this now.' He looks at me curiously before saying 'A promise is a promise.'

'I know,' I coldly say and he considers it for a moment before agreeing and starting the engine of the car. 

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A few minutes later, he parks outside Lily's house and I sigh in relief. As I'm walking out of the car, he says 'you better come by next week Kiera, I mean it.' I roll my eyes and walk out of the car.

The main door opens with a small push and no one is around the hallway.

 Slowly, I walk upstairs to my room and collapse on my bed. I grab the duvet, putting on top of my body, wanting to escape my reality.