William Jarvis - Sky Valley 04 - Murderous Coffee Crumble Page 5

  “I was afraid you’d ask that.” Audrina laughed. “No,” she said, “I don’t think your father’s ready for anything.” She said. “I mean, I thought he was all those months ago but maybe, not right now. To be honest, Emmy, I don’t know if I should stay here once all this is over. I don’t think it’s good for me to be in this house when your father’s mind is not…is not decided on anything.”

  “He likes you.”

  “I bet he does.” Audrina said playfully. “But…I don’t think what he feels is enough. I don’t think he can manage a relationship right now, especially one with me. Or, at least, while he’s around here. It won’t be fair for anyone.”

  “I’m sorry.” Emmy said. “But…but I hope you can give him time. Sometimes, I want to whack his head because of the way he thinks.”

  Audrina laughed. “I have so much love and respect for Troy, Em.” She said. “That’s one of the reasons why I came back. Yeah, I don’t know, maybe someday everything will fit for us but right now…”

  Just then, Emmy’s phone rang. “Excuse me for a second.” She said. Audrina nodded her head and Emmy answered the call. After a couple of seconds, she went back to Audrina. “It’s Dan.” She said. “He wants to see me.”

  “What happened?”

  “I don’t know,” Emmy said, “He just said that nana found an old yearbook, one with his mom and my dad and some old classmates and that I have to see it. He says he has a big feeling that it would help us. Apparently, nana wants to talk to me, too.”

  “Whoa.” Audrina said. “So, what are you waiting for? Come see them now!”

  “I know,” Emmy said. “I’ll see you later.”

  Then she went out the door and made her way to Daniel’s house.

  CHAPTER 14

  THE YEARBOOK

  Daniel kissed Emmy hello as she arrived at his house. “What’s the matter?” Emmy asked.

  “Come in.” Daniel said and Emmy saw Nana with an old Yearbook by her side at the couch. She stood up and hugged Emmy.

  “Oh my darling girl.” Nana said. “You’ve been through so much. I’m sorry I didn’t get to help you out sooner, this brain is rusty.”

  “Nana, that’s okay.” Emmy said. “And what do you mean?”

  “I think you have to see this first.” Nana said and handed Emmy the Yearbook. She sat down and opened the pages. Nana told her to see the bookmarked pages and so Emmy did. She found old photos of her dad, mom, Daniel’s mom, Tripp, and Lena. Apparently, they were all part of the pilot section of their batch and they were all classmates. There was a page of the Junior Year Prom where her dad and Lena were together. This confused Emmy because she always thought that her father and her mom were always each others’ dates. Then, on the Senior Year Prom, there was a photo of her father and mother together.

  Other pages showed her parents, Daniel’s mom, Tripp, and Lena all hanging out together. There was even a page where Tripp and Emmy’s mom won that year’s school pageant together. Some photos were taken on their graduation day, too.

  After scanning the pages, Emmy turned to look at Nana, confused. “I don’t understand.” She said. “I thought…I thought my parents always dated each other.”

  “There was a time when they were in Junior year when your father went out with Lena to get back at your mom who broke up with him. I have no idea why they broke up but it was obvious that it would not last long because those kids were always together. But apparently, Lena thought that your father would finally really love her. She always had a crush on him.”

  “Oh my god.”

  “I remember Amelia telling me how Lena confided in her that she liked Troy so much and that she would always write all these love letters but would never give them to Troy because she did not want to be seen as the heartbroken, lovelorn kid…” Nana then took some papers from the table and gave it to Emmy. “Those are some of those letters. I’m sorry I didn’t get them out right away when all these craziness started happening. I didn’t remember—“

  “Nana, it’s okay.” Emmy said. She then proceeded to read the letters.

  Troy,

  How are you? You didn’t call me earlier. I hope you’re okay.

  I just want you to know that I’m thankful that we’re together.

  I love you.

  Lena

  Troy,

  Why don’t you look at me the way you look at Rita?

  Sure, we’re together, but it’s like, you don’t see me the way you see her when you’re with her. I want that kind of love, Troy. I want to be wanted that way.

  Lena

  Troy,

  When you told me that you were going to break up with me, it broke my heart so bad. I didn’t know what to do because I love you. I love you so much my heart aches because of it. I hope you know that this isn’t just some sort of teenage love. I really do have a lot of feelings for you, Troy. I hope you know that.

  Lena

  Troy,

  Why do you keep on getting back together with Rita? Why do you love her so much?

  What does she have that I don’t? I just don’t understand. I guess I never really will, you know?

  But I hope you know how much you broke my heart. I hope you know that I won’t love anyone else the way that I love you. And Rita? She can’t love you the same way that I do. She never will no matter how much she tries. Sure, she seems like the perfect candidate; yours seem to be the perfect love story, but it will never be the way that our story could be, if you only would see me differently.

  I’ll always be here.

  Lena

  Nana spoke and handed Emmy another set of letters. “Here are some from college.” She said. “Lena and Amelia were roommates then and apparently, there was a time when Troy hooked up with Lena again, if that’s what you call it, while your mother’s in Scotland as an exchange student…They weren’t officially together then and your mother also had a relationship with someone else so…” Emmy started to read.

  Troy,

  Last night was magical. It was fun, wasn’t it?

  I guess it’s a good thing that Rita’s in Scotland for our mini High School reunion. You see, I’ll always be around, unlike her. I’ll always be here for you, Troy. I think that’s a big sign that you should choose me over her because Rita? She’ll always go places, literally and figuratively. We’re both smart individuals and I just want you to know that I’m here for you.

  I’ll always love you. Always.

  Lena

  Troy,

  Why would you even get back together with Rita? Why? What am I? Am I just your rebound girl? Am I just the girl you get together with when Rita’s not around? Why would you do that, Troy?

  I love you. Unlike Rita, I’m the one who’s been here for you all these years and yet, you still couldn’t see it. Why would you do that to me? Why do you keep doing this to me?

  Oh, I know why. Because I allow you to. Because I’m just the kind of girl who’s…who’s never going to be like Rita. And you only want Rita.

  But I know you’ll break up again. I know you will.

  And I’ll still be here.

  Lena

  “And here’s another one,” Nana handed her one final letter. “Lena gave Amelia this after your parents’ wedding, a few days before Amelia got into that car accident…”

  Troy,

  You know what really broke my heart?

  The fact that your special day is the day when my heart got so broken, I have no idea how to fix it anymore.

  But I won’t cry anymore. Not after tonight, no. Not after you were so insensitive to invite me to your wedding when you knew, you knew it would ruin me.

  I’m telling you, Troy. One day, you would regret this. You would regret all of this and you would be so sorry because I would ruin you. I would ruin you so bad,

  Lena

  “Damn,” Emmy said. “She sounds…”

  “So obsessed with your father.” Daniel said.

  “She was a woman in love.” Emmy s
aid. “She was in love with my father too much. Damn.” She went on. “Why didn’t my father tell me about this?”

  “Parents will always have their secrets.” Nana said. “Maybe, your father just wanted a perfect family setting for you.”

  “This would have solved things earlier.”

  “Emilia,” Nana said. “Please don’t be mad with your father.” She said. “Anyway, Tripp, on the other hand was also in love with your mother. He tried to be with her as much as Lena wanted to be with your father.”

  “So this means…” Emmy said.

  “That Tripp and Lena are working together because of their unrequited love for your parents.” Daniel finished for her. “It’s crazy but all of these leads to that.”

  “That is just the craziest thing I have heard all these time,” Emmy said, “but it does make sense.” She took a deep breath. “I couldn’t believe they did all of these just because of that.”

  “I guess sometimes, love can really drive you mad.” Nana said. “When I was with Daniel’s grandpa, I also said that I would do anything and everything for him. Sure, Lena and Tripp’s love for your parents drove them mad. And you know…the only way this could end is if they actually get to understand that this isn’t the right thing.”

  “Isn’t it too late for that?” Emmy asked.

  “Emilia,” Nana said. “I believe that it’s never too late for anything. You can still change things.” She said. “When Amelia died, I thought it was the end of the world. I thought that I would never be able to bring Daniel up the way I was supposed to bring him up. But I did. I tried my best and look at him now.” she said. “What I’m only saying is that you cannot let any situation define you. You have to do your best to make things work and you have to do your best to fight. I know you have it in you, Emilia.” She said. “And besides, Daniel’s there and I’ll certainly kick his ass if he bails.”

  For a brief moment, that made them crack up.

  CHAPTER 15

  SHE LOVED YOU

  “Dad!” Emmy called out as she arrived at home. She asked Daniel to just stay at the living room for a while because she wanted to talk to her father. “Dad!” She said once more.

  She made her way to her father’s office downstairs and opened the door wide. “Dad.” She said as she saw Troy poring over some files on the tables.

  “Emmy.” Troy said. “What’s going on?”

  She handed him the letters.

  “What are these?”

  “Those,” Emmy said, “are Lena’s letters to you. Well, she never really sent them but she gave them to Daniel’s mom when…when she was still alive. Those are years and years of letters and heartbreak, dad.”

  “Emmy, where did you get these? Amelia’s dead.”

  “She kept them.” Emmy said. “Nana was cleaning up earlier and she found all of those, together with your old yearbook. You told me mom had always been your prom date but apparently there was a year that she wasn’t and you actually went to prom with Lena McMahon.”

  “Honey, I—“

  “And those letters are proof that you actually also had a relationship with Lena and she loved you! She loved you, dad. Yeah, she may not have been very good at it but she did. Her love…well…it drove her mad.” She said. “She was so consumed by it and this leads us to the fact that she’s actually working with Tripp on this because they both have unrequited feelings for you and mom.”

  “This is crazy.”

  “Why can’t you just wake up to the truth, dad?” Emmy demanded. “I know it’s hard, okay? I know it is. But because you’ve hidden the truth from me for so long, all these things are happening now. I mean, I’m not blaming you, dad, but why would you paint such a picture-perfect version of things when you know it’s all a lie?”

  “I wanted to protect you.” He said. “Look, Em,” he said, “I did a lot of stupid things when I was younger. If you knew me back then, you’d probably say that your mother did not deserve me. Actually, there are still times when I get to think that way. I loved your mother so much and sometimes, I feel like if she wasn’t with me then she probably wouldn’t have died. I know it’s stupid but sometimes, that’s how I think because…because I have no idea how to make sense of this. Sometimes, I feel like it’s the world’s way of getting revenge because yes, I did play when I was younger, but I loved your mother. She was…she was wonderful and I would never hurt her that way.

  Yes, I got together with Lena. There was a time in high school when we were together just because well, I was mad at your mother for sharing a kiss with Tripp. It was a dare and all that and your mom had her sense of recklessness, too, so that’s what happened. Anyway, I went to prom with Lena, your mother was mad, we got back together and I didn’t really think Lena would harbor ill feelings over that.”

  “She did.” Emmy said. “You were such a jerk to her. I don’t know what she was like in High School but dad…”

  “I know.” Troy said. “But I was young. I always thought Lena was too full of herself but back then, she wasn’t able to show it so…” he took a deep breath, “Anyway, your mom and I got back together and—“

  “And you hooked up with Lena again back in college.”

  “Your mother and I weren’t together then.” He said. “And it was one kiss, Em. I didn’t think she’d be fussy because of that.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I get the feeling that you may be Serena’s father.”

  “God, no.” Troy said. “I would never do that with her. And I’m sorry.” He said. “I know this is all crazy and I know it’s dragging you down and I’m sorry about that. But I never wanted any of this to happen.”

  “You could have told me the truth right away.”

  “You’ll understand me when you finally become a parent.”

  Emmy took a deep breath. “Do you like Audrina? I mean, do you really have strong feelings for her or are you just stringing her along?”

  “What does that have to do with this?”

  “Dad,” Emmy said, “If you’re just stringing Audrina along,” she said, “You have to stop it right now and you’ve got to get your act together. She deserves far, far better. None of us are perfect so you have to stop pretending that you are.”

  “You are not allowed to go there!” Emmy heard Daniel’s voice from above.

  “I have to see her—“ It was a woman. Emmy thought that it was Serena but she couldn’t be too sure.

  Emmy and Troy looked at each other and went upstairs to see what was going on.

  CHAPTER 16

  YOU HAVE TO FIX THIS

  “You have no business here.” Daniel told Serena.

  “I need to talk to her.”

  “What’s going on?” Emmy said as she saw Serena and Daniel arguing at the living room.

  “Emmy,” Serena said. “I need to talk to you.” She was teary-eyed and her hands were shaking. “You have to fix this. You have to help me.”

  “The last time I asked you for help, you said no.”

  “I know.” Serena said. “And I’m sorry but I was so confused. I didn’t know whom I could trust. I really had no idea what to do. But…but now I’m scared.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I heard mom and Frank talking and…and they like, they have this plan. They’re planning to kill you.”

  “That’s obvious.”

  “No, no, you don’t understand how grave this is.” Serena said. “They’re planning to go here. They’re with Tripp Meyer! I saw a gun a while ago and I just…Frank asked me to stay at home but I couldn’t. Not after knowing that it’s this grave.”

  “I think you’re just playing on me.”

  “I won’t do that!” Serena said. “I know I said that you’re not my friend but I couldn’t just sit there knowing they have plans of killing you. I guess I was just scared to see the truth.” She said. “I’ve always loved my mother like she was the best person on earth, you know? I always thought she was perf
ect and she could do no wrong but apparently, there are things in her past that are still dragging her down up to this moment. I heard her and Tripp talk last night, saying that they would finally get their revenge. I didn’t know how to feel about that. I just thought that I had to do something.” She was crying now. “I know you do not want to trust me, but…but I’m scared. I’m pregnant.”

  Emmy was confused.

  “If…If they kill you, they’d be murderers. And…they’d be in jail and I don’t know…I just…I just don’t want my child to be around them. It hurts so much knowing my own mother cannot trust me. It hurts so much knowing that she’d trust Frank more than me. It’s not that I want to be in on the plan, you know what I’m saying? But it’s just hard that she would lie to me like that. She made me believe that she’s amazing and she can do no wrong and that she’s the best mother out there but she’s just…she’s just insane. And then Frank…I loved him so much. I still do and I believed him and now…and now I just have no idea what to believe in anymore.”

  She was crying so hard that Emmy rushed to hug her.

  “I’m so sorry.” Serena said.

  “I knew you’d be here.” Frank said, holding a gun and eyeing Serena. “I told you to stay at home.”

  “You’re insane!” Serena screamed. “Put that gun down.”

  “You think you can just tell me that?” Frank said. “Your mother and I worked so hard for this and you’re going to ruin everything. Back off.”

  “I won’t.”

  “I said back off.” Frank said and went near Serena and Emmy. He was then pointing the gun at them but Daniel reached out for the gun.

  “Dan!” Emmy called out.

  “Oh my goodness!” Audrina said as a shot was fired. She has just gotten out of her room.

  Daniel and Frank were in a tug of war of sorts and another shot was fired. This time, they all saw Frank fall down, blood spurting out of his mouth.

  “Frank!” Serena said, the fear evident in her voice. “Oh my god.”