Chapter 2 Two

Chapter 2

Astra's POV

The weather was gloomy and the earth seemed to melt into my feet as I watched the bearers picking the coffin up.

I had this mantra in my head, replaying over and over as I tried to keep up a stiff expression, knowing fully well that the cameras were flashing around us quickly, the wealthy families were staring, wanting to see a slip up from either of us, especially my brother.

But he held it all in well. Just like my father had taught him. Face stiff, eyes staring forward in defiance, hands wrapped tightly around me as though to keep me from crying.

" And now, we will lay him into the ground and have his first son say a few words about him" the priest called.

And all of a sudden, it all got real quickly.

My legs weakened as the first tear dropped from my eyes, causing my lips to quiver, body rocking with the pain.

" Are you okay?" Edmond whispered gently.

I wanted to say I was..but I wasn't. My heart was aching and I could not stop crying..even the rain did not help.

" I have to go give a speech, I will be back okay?"

I nodded, watching him turn around to leave, another strong arms wrapping around me.

I stiffened when I took in the scent.

Wooden musk with that sweet hint of vanilla.

Vincent.

" I'm fine you don't have to bother yourself" I tried saying, getting myself up from the muddy ground, now embarrassed.

" You don't have to hide. I know you are not fine. And your brother asked me to hold you until he gets back so it's fine" he said, eyes not meeting mine.

I had a million and one protests to give, but instead, I swallowed them, allowing myself remain in his arms.

People came and went. Condolences, some shaking my hands and some giving me a small side hug, but Vincent never let go of me, until my brother came back.

" I will leave you two now" he finally spoke again, attempting to walk away.

" Actually...if it's no trouble, do you mind driving her back? I have to meet up with some of my father's clients..they are worried about the upcoming festival and think his death will affect the rate of production" Edmond said.

No.

I pushed Vincent away gently, turning to square up to him.

" Work? Am I the only one who just saw our FATHER being buried barely ten minutes ago? How can you think about work now?"

My voice was quivering and I was glad that the crowd had begun to thin out so no one could see my outburst.

" Do you think I'm not in pains too? But I can't stand and watch everything father worked for in his life time be handed over to someone who knows little to nothing about business just because I can't bury my tears in for one day and face a bunch of clients "

Edmond had always been the strong one. but I never thought of him that strong.

" It's not like anything I say will be enough to stop you anyways, so you can go ahead. I don't give a fuck"

I turned swiftly, heading towards the garage, refusing to pay attention to the growing ache in my chest now.

Before my fingers wrapped around the car door, he beat me to it, pulling the door open and nudging me to go in.

Vincent did not say anything even when I scoffed at him and turned to look out the window as my brother followed the crowd of men in suits into the building.

" You know he is hurting too right? But he can't show it because the board of directors are waiting for him to show the slightest form of weakness so he can be marked as unfit to take over the company" Vincent finally said.

We had covered a few good miles by now and the tress were already zipping past us as we bordered into the highway.

" I did not ask you to tell me" I muttered.

" Okay. I just want you to know that he is hurting too. And you should give him some slack"

I allowed my mind drift away from the death of my father and into nothing in particular. The sky, the birds, my pet hamster I had left in the care of my flatmate, and by the time my thoughts were collected, he pulled into the driveway.

" I will come in and help you settle down" he said, trying to take my bag from me.

" No...please I want to be alone" I said, avoiding his stare.

He sighed, as though he had a whole lot more he wanted to say but couldn't.

" Astra!" A voice called, a voice I had hoped to never hear in my life.

"Cole? What are you doing here?!"

This time around, the smug look Cole always seemed to have on his face was gone. Instead, he wore a remorseful look, eyes staring me down.

" I heard your father died and came to pay my respects. I understand now that you were going through a lot and that was why you said what you said. And I forgive you" he said.

I stared first, surprised. And then angry.

" You forgive me?! I meant every single word I said! We are over! Like done. I don't want to see you in my father's house and definitely not around me in New York"

He bit his lips. That stupid habit he had whenever he was forcing himself to not say something.

" Fine..I understand your dad is dead so I will be giving you some time to think about it and we can talk about this again. Okay?"

I scoffed. Who was this man?

" The next time I see you around me I will make sure to properly castrate you with my bare hands, you fucking cheat"

His eyes thinned and his nose flared.

" How dare you..." He began to speak, hands raising to hit me but I felt Vincent arms wrap around me suddenly, reminding me he was still there as he took a step forward.

Cole finally seemed to register his existence too as he stared at him.

" And? What are you! Her bodyguard? Don't you see this is a couples business?" He asked.

A punch.

Sharp, mutilating and surprising.

I stared in shock at Vincent, surprise permeating my features as Cole clutched his broken jaw.

" What the hell!" He yelled, lunging for Vincent but he was slow. And Vincent was quicker.

Another punch, and another and another, until a small scream left my mouth for fear that he might kill him.

The gardener and bodyguards stood around me now, watching Vincent hit him over mad over until his face was more or less a mangled skin.

" Throw him out" Vincent finally said, grabbing my hands and dragging me in.

The tears I had been crying in the car was long forgotten now as I stared at him, angry, riled up.

" Why did you not tell me he cheated on you?" He finally asked, stopping in the centre of the room.

" I...I did not think it was necessary" I squeezed out, refusing to look at his battered up and bloody fists.

" What else did he do to you?" He asked, voice low, dangerous.

" Nothing" I replied.

" Astra....don't test me"

His voice was warning, a clear sign of how dangerous things were going to get.

I gave up.

" Well...he used to...hit me when he got angry" I finally blurred out.

And when I stared at him, I knew I shouldn't have..because his fists were clutched so tightly, I could feel the blood in them stopping.