Chapter 4

Helena's POV

The days flew by and with college taking up most of my time, I didn't even notice. Saturday was nice and the weather was firm, making it possible for us to go out with light and comfortable clothes. I returned home looking forward to a shower after a quiet day at the record store where I worked. Nothing like my laptop, some snacks to eat, and some good movies. Yes, my Saturday night would be that way, and I had no problem with it. I had received my paycheck, and I was overjoyed to be able to contribute to the expenses, and to be putting more than half of my salary into an account that I had opened in order to have enough money so that we could get a place to live. Of course my mother didn't know about this last part, otherwise it wouldn't be any fun. The Carters would not be having any events that weekend, which meant that quiet would reign and I would not have any injured fingers while cutting anything. 

My mood was magnificent, I could almost hear the birds singing and a happy Lilly Allen song playing as I entered the mansion and headed home, however, I felt my smile fade from the moment I came across a group of people in the pool area.

Some of John's friends were there. John was sitting on one of the lounge chairs with Cassie between his legs. He was wearing dark glasses that looked ridiculously good on his face, his exposed muscles formed a perfect set with his whole body, and I felt like a complete fool for admiring him so dazzled like that. I swallowed hard and shook my head to shake off those eccentric feelings. Pathetic, Helena. Pathetic. Inside the pool the rest of the guys were chatting, sipping their drinks served in crystal clear glasses, laughing at something Bryan had said. I exhaled and decided to continue on my way knowing that I would have to pass by there. I started to walk as nonchalantly as possible, but I could already feel people staring at me.

"Hey, cutie" I closed my eyes, disbelieving that Bryan was really going to give me hell in front of everyone. I pretended not to hear, continuing my steps to my house, but it was obvious that he wouldn't give up "Are you deaf? Or do you only know how to interact with kitchen utensils?" he scoffed thinking he was funny. I heard the laughter of the others present and felt my blood boil. 

If he wanted to irritate me, he succeeded. 

I stopped walking immediately and stared at him, showing that I didn't see anything funny in that. I felt my face heat up with anger and my expression certainly showed the repulsion that came from that ridiculous remark. I noticed that John was not laughing; his face was serious, almost strict, and he was now looking in my direction with a slight frown. I looked away from him and back to Bryan, who was smirking petulantly at me.

"Are you talking to me?" I questioned as I narrowed my eyes.

"I closed my hands into fists, trying futilely to control my anger.

The tension that had built up was clear, practically palpable, everyone's attention was on the two of us, and every time I saw the amusement in the eyes of John's imbecile friends, the more I predicted that I would lose my mind completely. 

"I don't remember working for you. If you are hungry, go get something yourself, neither I nor my mother are paid to serve you. The only person who has the right to give orders here is John," I said, pointing my finger right in the middle of Bryan's face, who laughed sarcastically.

"Who do you think you are to tell me what I should or shouldn't do, cutie?" he tried to touch my face and was promptly stopped by my hand that abruptly pushed his.

"Bryan, that's enough!" John scolded him in a harsh tone of voice. He got up irritated from the lounger and walked towards us.

"And who do you" I stressed "think you are? You don't touch me," I warned.

"I remember a time when you almost begged me to touch you," Bryan moved closer to my ear and whispered in a sordid tone so that only I could hear him.

I no longer possessed control of my movements or actions, fury ruled over me and the palm of my hand hit the face of the man in front of me, causing a loud pop to sound and a burning sensation to take over where it came in contact with his skin. He staggered backwards with his hand resting on the area where the slap had been struck, looking at me indignantly. Milliseconds later John had already located himself where we were, shoving Bryan by the shoulders to get him to move away.

"Dude, stop acting like a little kid! How old are you?" he warned, his voice, always deep, was altered. I looked at him somewhat surprised by his reaction, I wasn't expecting him to mess around, let alone get his friend's attention.

"I was just playing with her!" Bryan retorted, removing his hand from his face and I could see the mark of my fingers on his cheek. I almost smiled at that. Cassie looked at the situation dumbfounded, as did the others. She came over and pulled Bryan back into the pool, not without first giving me a disapproving look.

"Can someone explain to me what just happened here?" Mistress Kyara made herself present, not looking happy at all. I immediately froze "Helena, did you just slap a guest?" she looked at me indignantly.

"No, ma'am. It wasn't the..." I began, gesturing in utter distress.

"I don't care what it was like! My anger only grew as Mrs. Carter spoke. It was so unfair.

I was ready to fight back, however, I remembered that I couldn't hurt my mother and her job, much less be kicked out of "our" house.

"Mom, it wasn't her fault" John interjected "let it go, I'll handle it. 

"Are you serious? She just beat up a friend of yours! I alternated my gaze between mother and son, not knowing how to act.

"I know, but I told you I can handle it," he countered, resolute.

"Helena, come with me" Mrs. Carter ignored her son and ordered, giving me a superior look before walking towards her house. 

I took a deep breath before following her, however, I was stopped when I felt John's hands gently touch my wrist, curbing my steps. I stopped walking and faced him, finding his determined and understanding face reassuring.

"Fine, if I don't go with her it will be worse. I assume what I did, you don't need to get involved in this" I explained, trying to sound calm "your friends and your girlfriend are watching, I think you should go back" I informed him and he turned slightly, seeing that everyone was staring at us.

Bryan was now sitting on the lounge chair later occupied by John and Cassie and watched us with a frown of dissatisfaction. Cassie, though evidently annoyed, just watched with crossed arms, not moving from her seat. By now Mrs. Carter was getting further and further away, not even noticing that I wasn't following her.

"Helena, go home quietly. I saw what happened here, the friend is mine, I'll take it upon myself to talk to her" indicated Mrs. Kyara with her head. Once again her speech sounded determined, transmitting firmness through her thoughtful look.

"If I don't go, my mother will be the one to listen," I replied.

"She won't, stay calm. You can go."

I let out a tired sigh and nodded, not having much to do and hoping that the consequences of all this wouldn't take on unpleasant proportions.

"Thank you, you really didn't have to do that," I smiled gratefully and noted that this was the second time I had thanked him in less than a week. John just shook his head as if he had done nothing at all.