Broken Bad Boy

PERCIE

Hailey was true to her words in giving me the space I needed. She ignored me for the whole month. She even temporarily crashed at Victoria's apartment. We rarely saw if not on the campus, but she barely looked at me. Her friends were still upset with me—they said, for breaking Hailey's heart. Lexie was still giving me the cold shoulder. I thought I deserved it all.

I was invited to Ward's family dinner, and that was the most awkward dinner I'd ever had. Her words were taunting. The pain was hard to bear. As soon as it ended, I left right away and drowned myself in alcohol.

I visited Remy in rehab as frequently as I could.

"Shouldn't you be with Hailey, groveling? You know, there's a Filipino culture when courting a girl. The man plays guitar outside the house and sings for her. Why don't you try it? It might work."

I glared at him. "Just get better, asshole."

"What do you think I'm doing? It's not that I can threaten my bones to heal fast." He chuckled.

"Heard anything from your best friend?" I was referring to Adrian.

"Maybe he's n Cuba selling cigars or in Mexico selling Meth. Who cares?"Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

"So, how long are you gonna stay here?"

He showed me his left leg that still with a cast. "What do you think?"

"You might wanna try again to save my relationship since you're the reason why we broke up," I said sarcastically.

"Me? Or your stupidity of thinking Hailey has feelings for me. Man, that woman is in love with you and still is. She may not say it, but she's showing it. You're just so dumb and don't have any idea how much you mean to her. You nearly broke her. You're lucky, Matthews. So damn lucky, but your luck is gonna run out if you won't make it right."

"I'm running out of an idea. I apologized. I sent her flowers which I saw in the garbage the next day. I went to their family dinner, which was the most awkward dinner I've ever had. I even joined her with her friends who hate my guts. I don't know what to do. Maybe I will just write a love letter and pour my feelings out into words like old era." I rolled my eyes.

I was hopeless.

I didn't know what to do, my head hammering.

"I think that's a good idea."

"Good idea, my ass." I stood up and pushed him in his wheelchair towards the lobby of the rehab center. "You should work on your move with Victoria."

"Shut the fuck up. Look at me. How would she even like someone who's stuck into this chair."

"You'd be surprised. See you maybe after tomorrow." I patted him on his shoulder.

"Come here when you win Hailey back."

"Then it may take a while." I smiled with hope.

"Just be yourself, Matthews."

***

I rushed to the door when the doorbell went off. Then I realized if it was Hailey, she still had her key to our apartment. I still called it our apartment, even if she barely came over. I opened the door to a woman a few years older than my age and a man in suits around the forties maybe.

"Can I help you?"

"You must be Percival Matthews." She checked me out from head to toe, paying attention to my face.

"Yes. May I know who's asking?"

"This is Attorney Sanders, and I'm Jenna Reduce, a paralegal. He's your sister's lawyer."

"Emma. Emma's lawyer. Does my mom know you're here?"

"You're an adult, and yes, your parents do know." So far, my parents had been treating me well. I thought there was a good thing that happened in my terrible life for the past weeks. I still went to visit them and Grands whenever I could. "And the reason you're here?"

"Since you're turning twenty in a few months, I would like to read your sister's will—"

"Whoa! She had?" I asked in shock. "How come I didn't know about it? I mean, I don't really care."

"Can we come in, Mr. Matthews?"

"I'm sorry. Where are my manners? Please, come in." I led them to the living room.

"Your sister has assets."

"Assets? My parents are aware of this?"

"Yes, but since your sister was already an adult before she died, her last will would be valid."

"Was she supposed to give it to the charity she'd been supporting before she passed away?"

"Money, I had donated to the charity under anonymous donations. But she left something for you."

"I don't want any of it. Her stuff I have in my store is enough for me."

"Maybe you should listen to me first, Mr. Matthews," Atty. Sanders insisted.

"Fine, if you stop calling me Mr. Matthews. It makes me look old."

"Percie, then." He pulled stacks of papers from his attache case. "Here it is. It is stated, in Emma Payton Holmes's Last Will and Testaments."

"Wait. Did her parents have investments or business shareholders?"

"That was settled a long time ago. Emma has her own assets, secured bank accounts, and properties. Your parents are aware of these." "Since when?"

"After your sister's burial."

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"Okay.

"In her will, you will get the amount of one-hundred thousand dollars when you reach twenty. After you get your diploma, her assets and properties, including her house in Hudson will be yours." Jenna took something from her bad. "And this should be personally delivered to you." She gave me a small Manila envelope.

"What's this?"

"You can open it later. Here's your copy. From now on, I'll be your lawyer until you finish college. Right now, you can't fire me. You may reread the Will and review those documents." "Did she give something to my parents?"

"They handle Emma's share in Mills and White inc. Do you have any questions?"

"Many, but give me time to process this." I looked down at the envelope in my hand.

"Of course. Feel free to contact us anytime, or you can come over to the office whenever you have questions or concerns." "Thanks."

As soon as they left, I peeled the manila envelope open. To my shock, the content was a small black velvet jewelry box. "What were you thinking, Emma?" I chuckled. "Too late, don't you think?"

The anticipation was killing me. I slowly opened the box.

My eyes widened in shock.

It was a classic engagement ring in white gold or platinum band with the biggest glittering stone I'd ever seen. When I turned around, I gasped. I wasn't aware I was not alone anymore. Before I could hide what was in my hand, it was too late. Hailey had already seen it.