Chapter 53: Chapter 53

: Manipulated

That night Justin stayed wide awake in bed. His heart racing, feeling like a million shots freshly fired. He hated the man he was becoming, many times he told himself to break free but how?

Was he going to be Bree's toy forever? He sat up in bed as the clock turned, it was about the time Bree would visit. He stood and walked around waiting for that dreaded creak on the door.

But for that night he was spared. Bree did not come, that night. He sat down in his bed and begun to hesitate, his foot beating rapidly against the floor waiting for what he thought would come.

He walked to the door and opened it slowly. He peeped outside his room but there was no sign of Bree. He breathed out and walked into the bathroom pouring water on his face as his heart pounded within him.

Looking back up into the mirror, a question echoed in his mind, Is this who I  had become? He wondered to himself.

He thought about Clair, could she help him? He shook his head. If he told Clair, she would be disappointed in him. He couldn't tell Chris now that it had dragged on for so long.

He had to swallow it up and deal with it. The more he pushed it down the harder his heart became.

He went back into his bed, fighting his demons till he fell asleep, waking up the next day as refreshed as ever.

Justin went downstairs after the usual shower. She found Robin and Chris eating breakfast. He whistled past them and he greeted them cheerfully.

They both looked at him in amazement.

"Someone's happy today," Robin announced eyeing Justin.

Justin sat down between them as he made a cup of coffee, "it's a lovely day, I don't see why I shouldn't be happy, " he replied, still maintaining his smile.

"If that's the case, I wish everyday was as lovely as this if your always going to be in that mood," Robin replied, patting him on the back.

Chris hummed in agreement, his mouth full.

Justin kept his smile one even as he finished his breakfast and headed to the sitting room as Bree walked in.

"Don't ask," Robin said, as Bree watched Justin leave happily out of the kitchen.

"What's going on with him?" She asked sitting beside them.

Chris shrugged, "He's just happy."

"Really? Why?" Bree asked a little suspicious.

"We don't really know, but if it snaps him out of that gloomy mood his developed, it's fine by me," Robin replied,standing up, "I'll be upstairs waiting for you. We need to go to the factory today," he said kissing Bree's cheek before walking out.

Bree nodded, "I'll eat fast," she said as Robin walked away.

She turned to Chris, "so did Justin tell you anything about yesterday?"

Chris shook his head slowly, "Not that I remember, is there anything I should know?" Chris asked, eyeing her suspiciously.

Bree shook her head smiling, "it's nothing, I just thought it might be the reason why he is suddenly in a good mood today, "

"Oh, I don't know about that believe me. But I like him this way. I don't know what's been eating him up lately, but if he stays this happy then I'll be much more happy too," Chris replied, standing up

"Oh and justin and I are heading to CR today," he informed her.

"Okay I guess no one will remain at home then," Bree replied, as Chris kissed her cheek and left in Justin's direction.

She wondered why Justin was so happy. Maybe it was because she finally helped him get rid of Lucy? She would like to this it was.

*******

In an hours time, Bree and Robin had headed out and Justin and Chris were on there way to CR.

Justin was still in high spirits, joking and laughing all the way to CR.

"Oh and I forgot to tell you, Britney and Mckayla are comming over to visit, " Chris announced, relishing the mood Justin was in. It was so rare these days.

"Britney," Justin repeated, leaning back with a soft smile, "I feel like I haven't seen her in forever, " he chuckled out, "and who?"

"Mckayla, her cousin, "

"The one who talks a lot?" Justin asked, remembering all Chris had told her about this girl.

"Yeah she has a pretty sharp tongue, but an over all good heart, she just doesn't like being tossed around. You should meet her you guys would definitely hit it off, " Chris urged. He could totally see them together.

Justin shrugged, "I don't know man, we will just have to see, " Justin hummed, but he was pretty sure he didn't want to meet anyone new so soon.

"She's pretty I swear, " Chris chuckled out.

"Prettier than Britney?" Justin asked, with a smirk.

Chris shrugged, "Thats where I draw the line bro, I would say they are at the same level, both a ten in my books"

Britney was his queen he would never allow anyone surpass her.

"Yeah man, whatever," Justin said, putting his headsets on.

"I really like this mood you have," Chris complemented.

"I hope nothing spoils it " Justin replied.

Chris grinned, "it's going to be a wonderful day, I feel it," Chris said patting Justin's back.

But boy was he wrong.

****

They arrived at CR heading  up to the photo studio to do some photo shoots, for his world tour for the new album that was out.

It was already the second best selling album after Bruno Mars new album release.

The guys were all Ryaned up for their photo shoot from make up to swag.

Justin for his album and Chris for his movie and also as the new face of Calvin Klein.

The boys stripped for their shoots, and the ad campaigns having the best time of there lives. Even Beats joined them toward the end.

He had the figure for it, buff and strong. That was the most amount of fun Justin had in weeks.

He was happy just spending good old happy time with his brother and friends.

They sat down by the photo shoot for a thirty minute break.  Tomorrow he was to do his first show for his tour right there in LA, in front of millions.

This went over his mind as he sat by Beats talking and chatting.

Chris came and sat beside them, " I just talked to Britney she said they've already arrived and they are just outside CR, I've sent someone to pick them up," he informed, taking a sip of his coke.

Justin smiled, "I can't wait to meet this Mckayla, you said she slapped you two times?"

Chris nodded

"Two times!" Beats echoed laughing wildly, "are you sure you're a man?"

"Man, you don't mess with her, my cheeks still ache every time I chew," Chris replied.

Justin and Beats laughed.

******

Mckayla and Britney stood outside CR.

"I can't believe I'm here!" Mckayla said smiling, "I have to take pics for The Close up with Chris and of course  Justin Star-"

"Woah! Wait.." Britney said, stopping her mid-sentence, " I asked you to come with me so I wouldn't feel out of place."

"And I only agreed to come so I can get the front page story, " Mckayal replied, "imagine this on the headlines, "INSIDER BESIDE THE RYDERS," she said with a dazed look. She frowned, "no, that's sounds too cheesy, but it's not bad"

"No, no, no, you aren't working!" Britney fired off, " I told you no paparazzi business. Chris still doesn't know about you and mom and I bet if he ever read your story he would be mad, " she explained to her thick headed cousin.

"I don't follow, " Mckayla replied shaking her head.

Britney groaned.

" it's my job I'm supposed document these things, it could earn me some credit, " Mckayla explained.

"I know it's your job but when it has to do with the Ryder's the only job you should have is being my cousin," Britney replied as they crossed the street and entered CR.

They stood in the lobby.

"So please Mckayla, could you not be a spy here? There a million other celebrities right here in LA, " Britney persuaded.

"Yeah, but I'm close to the biggest ones right now, I should take this opportunity," Mckayla replied, sneaking some shots with her phone.

Britney sighed putting her phone down, "Please don't, Mckayla."

Mckayla rolled her eyes, "Fine! But sooner or later I'll have to do a story on the Ryder's and you'll have to let me,"She huffed out.

"Yeah, whatever, not here though. I just need you to be...well, you," Britney said shrugging.

"I can do that," Mckayla replied packing her phone in her purse "by the way, why are we still in the lobby, haven't you been here before?"

"Yes I have, twice actually but I'm not in the system so I can't use the elevator but no worries, Chris sent someone to pick us up, " Britney replied.

"Okay," Mckayla yawned, "I'm still tired."

"Hey Britney!" A girly voice said from behind them.

Britney and Mckayla turned around as a guy hugged Britney.

"You look fine, girl," the guy said.

Mckayla was good at reading people. The way he was dressed and the way he moved  his hand when he talked suggested that he was gay.

"Hey darling!" Britney replied, "George, right?"

"You remembered girl!" He said smiling, "oh and who is this hottie?" He asked turning to Mckayla.

"Oh this is my cousin Mckayla, "

"Nice to meet you George," Mckayala replied, in the journalism word, they were to taught to be friendly and easy going with everyone they met and study what they like within the first few seconds of meeting them.

Mckayla had already read though George like a book and decided she liked him and she was never wrong.

"Nice to meet you two, girl you a fine wine," he said checking her out. Her pretty face lightly grazed with make up and her perfect body with sturdy curves.

"Mama miya!" He said, clapping as he gave her his hand.

Mckayla looked at it for a second, "what am I supposed to do with that?" She asked, smiling cunningly.

"It's a handshake, it's what people who just met do," George said laughing a little.

"Really? Well I think I need a hug because I know we are going to be way more than just people who met in a lobby," Mckayla replied, smiling as she hugged George who was a little bit shocked after the hug he looked at her, "I like you.." He began, " I really, really like you, you speak my language," he said with a wide grin.

"And with that outfit, wait is that Surigana?" Mckayla asked.

"How did you know? " George asked as his mouth dropped, "you're like the only one whose ever guessed right!"

"You're kidding, " Mckayla replied pretending to be surprised, but she really wasn't. A few people knew how to guess designer.

George looked at Britney in awe, "I'm going to borrow your cousin for a year and hopefully I'll bring her back, " he negotiated.

Britney smiled, "go ahead she's all yours," she said, with a laugh.

"I love you already, pretty smart and intelligent, and from the looks of it you can talk, and Georgy like spicy" he looked, wrapping one arm around Mckayla, already feeling comfortable with her.

"She definitely can!" Britney backed

Mckayla pinched her playfully, "in a good girl way" Mckayla replied, as they left the lobby.

"Really?" George asked.

"When I want to be," Mckayla finished

"Always a punch line" Britney muttered.

"Okay darling, let's walk a little faster. Chris is already calling, " He said glancing at his vibrating phone, "I'll ignore it for now, I know all he wants to say is where you at? Why are you taking so long ? You know he is just crazy for you," George glancing at Britney.

"Agh then we better hurry," Britney replied, with a wide smile plastered on her face, barely able to hide the blush.

They smiled as they walked into the elevator. As soon as they entered, Justin came back down from the photo shoot. He had left something in his car and decided to go back for it.

He walked out of CR and into the parking lot,  getting what he had left behind and headed back into the lobby.

At the secretaries desk, he found a commotion.

"Please, I really need to see Lucy!" A voice was saying. Security was around the secretary's desk pulling someone," ma'am like I said, she isn't around at the moment."

"But if she isn't at home in Chicago, or at work, where could she be? Why are you hiding her from us?" A voice asked?

Justin walked over to the commotion after hearing this.

"What's going on here?" He asked the secretary.

"I'm so sorry sir, these two women here are demanding for ma'am Lucy," The new secretary replied.

Justin looked at the two women. One older women and another who looked like she was in her late thirties or early forties.

Justin motioned to the security to let them go.

He walked over to them, "why do you want to see Lucy?" He asked eyeing them closely.

The younger female gulped, "we didn't mean to cause any commotion here, but I'm told this is where my daughter works."

His eyes widened at this, "Your daughter? Lucy?" Justin asked.

"Yes, I'm her mother and this is her grandmother," The woman said.

Justin stared at them for a moment. He begun to see some familiar features of Lucy in the woman that called herself her mother.

"Sir, please.  If I could just see my granddaughter," the older woman begged.

"Lucy isn't here right now, but she will be soon, in the meantime you can come with me," he said as he walked away.

He paused by the secretary's desk, "When Lucy comes in , tell  her I'm in the studio looking for her, don't tell her that her family is here too."

The secretary nodded as Justin walked away and the two women followed him. They went to the recording studio where they had privacy.

"Please sit down," Justin began. They both sat down "would you like a drink?" Justin asked them.

"No, it's fine were okay," Lucy's mother replied.

Justin studied them for a second, "I'm sorry, you said you were Lucy's mother right? And her grandmother?" He asked folding his arms as he leaned on the equipment.

"Yes..that right, "

"I'm confused, you see, she told me that both her father and her mother had died," he explained.

The woman stared at him for a moment, blinking a few times. She shit her eyes sighing, her voice was low and defeated when she spoke again, "is that what she told you?" She asked as tears filled her eyes.

Justin nodded, "and she said her grandmother has Alzheimer's, " he added glancing at the older woman.

"How dare her!" The older woman snapped, angrily, "Now, she has a right to be mad at you, " she said turning to Lucy's mother, "but she cannot drag me to all of this."

Justin looked at her surprised.

"It's okay mom," Lucy's mother said to her.

"No it is not alright, I have been nothing but support to that girl. I shall not be named like that. For your information young man, I am just fine, my memory might get a little rusty but it comes with age, " She explained.

Justin nodded, still startled.

Lucy's mother  looked up at him, "You're  Justin Star, her boyfriend."

"Her ex, we just broke up," Justin replied, with a tight jaw.

She nodded, "she was lucky to have you, I'm so sorry she ruined it, " she whispered lowly.

Justin nodded slowly. As much as he wanted to hit something at the moment, with the anger that resulted from being lied and used, he didn't want to do it in front if these people.

"I was in jail for the last few years, but I was acquitted about two months ago, her fathers still in jail, " The woman continued to explain.

"Oh.." Justin replied, still watching them.

"That might be why she said we were dead, "

"No," Justin said, shaking his head.

"Excuse me?"

"That doesn't give her the right to say that about you. I would give everything I have just so my parents were still alive, it doesn't matter whether they were In jail or roaming free, just as long as they were here, it would be fine. She lied for a different reason."

"What?"

"I'm sorry to say this but the cute ex boyfriend is right. You may have done some terrible things in the past but you were always a good mother to her, " Lucy's grandmother added, looking at her daughter, " You've apologised for your shortcomings more times than I can count, it's not your fault she just abandoned us and she has no right to say that about you dear, that is just wrong ," she huffed out.

Lucy's mother sniffed.

"You're a smart man," Lucy's grandmother said, turning to Justin, "it's a pity she let you go."

" She didn't,  I did," Justin replied.

Her grandmother shook her head, "Lucy was always good at losing good things, " she replied.

Lucy's mother shook her head, "I don't know what I did? She doesn't return my calls or talk, not even to her grandmother, I just wanted to see if she was okay."

"She's fine," justin said, "your daughter is doing just fine," he gritted out,  realizing how much Lucy had manipulated him.

"Justin you said you wanted to see-" Lucy said as she walked in.

She paused as she looked from her mother and her grandmother.

"Hello baby," her mother said waving at her, wiping the tears from her eyes relieved to see her child.

Lucy's heart skipped a beat in horror as she looked at Justin.

"It's okay, I was just keeping your mother and very normal grandmother," he said as her grandmother agreed winking,

"Company," he finished as he walked past her leaving her frozen.