Chapter 43: Chapter 43

"He's still out there sis," Van’s brother informed her as he craned his neck to look outside. Van ignored the twinge of guilt that was crawling its way to her heart she didn't make him decide to stand outside all evening while the rain fell in heavy pelts so whatever happens to him is not her fault. You know that the only way to make him leave is to talk to him. A tiny voice at the back of her mind told her but Van wasn't in the mood to listen to anything Jake Calloway has to say, she was done being an idiot.

Karl clicked his tongue, "it's been over two hours and he's just standing there like a statue, do you want me to make him go away?"

Van's eyes landed on his bruised knuckles which he got from punching Jake and she didn't want a repeat of what happened in Bohol. Things got so ugly that Stefan and his friends had to pry Karl off of Jake and the idiot just lie there while he was kicked around like a ragdoll.

"No, ignore him he'll leave when he realises he's wasting his time."

Van resisted the urge to run to the window and see him, she would not be tempted into feeling sorry for him. She'd spent the entire afternoon crying her heart out and was just dozing off when she heard the loud pounding and Jake yelling to open the door but she refused.

The next morning she'd scrambled out of bed in haste and went to look out the window Van almost breathe a sigh of relief when she saw that he wasn't there until she pulled the door open and found him hunched over the door step.

She let out a surprised gasp.

Slowly he lifted his head. If he didn't hear the door open he obviously heard her loud intake of breath. Their eyes locked and held.

It took everything in Van to not look at him too much so she wouldn’t care about how miserable he looked at that moment.

"Would you like some coffee?" She said reluctantly.

Taking that as an invitation Jake scrambled to his feet and followed her in.

Karl pulled his sister aside out of earshot and whispered harshly. "Are you sure about this? I can stay..."

"No." She told him firmly, "I can handle him."

When he still regarded her sceptically Van squeezed his hand and gave him a reassuring look. "I'll be fine."

"Okay." Karl gave in finally, albeit a bit reluctantly. "I'm leaving for work now."

"Have you had breakfast yet?"

"Yes mom." He teased even as he slung his backpack on one shoulder.

Before he could protest Van pulled him in a hug. "Take care of yourself and stay out of trouble."

"I can't help it if trouble finds me attractive." he smirked.

"I'm serious." said Van in the best harsh tone she could muster.

"Alright Boss, I promise to stay out of trouble if you promise to do the same."

"Promise. Now go."