You Still Belong To Me

PROLOGUE

Julia Thomas

♧♧♧

I walked to my room, in silence.

Even though I was expected to give some answers.

But I just needed a minute to myself.

Removing my coat, I tied my hair into an up do.

As I wiped the stains under my eyes.

It started raining on the way home and my mascara had let a residue.

“Jules?

This came today”

I turn around, as I hear Aunt Tammy's voice.

“What is it ?”

I questioned her.

Even though I knew the answer.

“The final notice.

If we don't pay the debts within three weeks.

Our home will be put up for auction.

Mortgaging for the failed debts”

She resonated

And I gave her a small smile.

“Do you still call this place a home?”

I questioned her.

And she didn't answer me.

“I tried at the local bank.

But they refused for any loans.

As we have nothing to pledge.

Or anyone to come forward to give the required guarantee.

I mean, even if we get the loan, how are we going to pay back?”

I shrugged.

Tired of everything that went down the line.

I have been searching for help from past three months.

Pleading everyone to extend time.

So, I can save the place which was once called home.

Well, it's just empty walls now.

Especially without my papa.

“Everything will be fine, Jules.

I'm certain, it will be”

Tammy comes forward, to pull me into a hug and I comply.

“Why us Tammy?

First my dad was killed during the burglary

Now we are so close to go homeless.

We grew up here, this is where my dad built a home.

And every memory of us belong here.

I'm not ready to leave this.

Especially accept the fact that, his murderers are still out, walking around freely.

Still on search by the authorities.

And my mother?

Bringing home, a different guy every single day?

I'm tired of all this.

If that's her way to cope up with pain, what should I do?

How should I cope up all this?”

Tears broke down my eyes as I put out all the pain that I couldn't swallow anymore.

I know I had to be strong.

But I just couldn't do it anymore.

I was getting sick already.

“Julia.

You have a call”

My little sister Emma walked in.

With a phone and a paper in her hand.

“Who is it?”

I asked her.

“I don't know”

She rolled her eyes.

She had got a bad attitude since she started high school.

Well, it got worst after what happened to our dad.

“Hello?” I answered!

"Am I speaking to Julia?

Is Andrea Thomas your mother?”

The man questioned in a tensed voice.

And I pulled back from my aunt.

Getting to the corner, before I could continue the conversation

“Yes.

I am.

How can I help you?”

“My name is Travis.

Well, you mother is drunk and wasted.

She is picking fights and creating a lot of chaos in the bar.

So please come get her.

Or we would have to report to the cops for her misconduct”

The spoke out, and I could hear the loud music behind.

“I will be on my way.

Please send me the address”

With that I ended the call, as looked around for my coat.

“Did you get the loan?”

Emma questioned, as I dressed back hurriedly.

“No sweetie.

No one is willing to lend us any loan.

But I'm sure we will figure out something”

I gave her a small smile.

Trying to be positive for once.

“Well.

I know who can help you”

She smiled big, as she lifted the local daily newspaper.

Before I can ask her what it is, aunt Tammy snatched it from her.

“Go to your room, Emma”

She ordered

“No.

I'm not going anywhere”

Emma argued. Stubborn

“It's okay Tammy.

What is it Emma?”

I questioned, getting between the two ladies.

“Nate is back in town.

Well, he will be tomorrow”

She gushed.

Her eyes held a hope which was lost in me.

And hearing his name…?

My heart skipped a beat.

My Body shivered.

I felt a numbness in me.

“He will help us, Julia.

He is rich.

He will do this.

You guys were a couple back then”

Emma insisted.

“Go to your room now, Emma.

Don't act like you know any better”

Tammy raised her voice.

“I am not a small kid, aunty.

And what are we going to do now?

Loose the house dad left behind?

Go homeless ?

What am I going to tell my friends?

We will be so broke and on the road” She cried out, in anger that I could understand before she rushed out of the room.

“Are you okay, darling?”

Tammy took a step forward and I cleared my throat!

“Off course.

Why wouldn't I be?” I questioned her, wanting to sound okay to myself.

But failed.

It felt like I was on the verge of crying

“How long have you known?”

I asked quickly.

“Well, David Reed passed away.

So, he is coming home”

She stated.

And I felt shaken up.

“What…?

When?"

I questioned, tears starring to roll out of my eyes.

Even though I haven't heard these names in the past ten years, I felt sorry for them.

I couldn't contain the pain as I heard the news.

“Yesterday.

It was a cardiac arrest.

All of the sudden.

Even Trevor is coming back from Paris”

She pats my back, as she held me for a second.

For one, he hated his father.

Well, they never shared a good bond.

But uncle David always treated me nice.

Even Grandma Daisy.

And for two, Trevor loved his dad dearly.

The two Reed brothers were different, like sky and earth.

White and black.

The Reed's is a very popular name in the town.

Well, in this small town, they were like the kings.

Like the royal family.

Everybody in town, adored them…

They owned most of this town.

They were more than celebrities.

The big house in the town.

The big name.

“I hope they will be fine.

I got to head out now”

I wiped my tears, straightening my shoulders to leave.

“Your mother is out ,drunk?”

Tammy questioned,

But I ignored as I left quietly

.

.

.

I took the walk, it had started to snow.

Cold.

It was a fifteen-minute walk to the bar, and my mother was sitting out.

Clearly kicked out from the space!

A man waved, as I picked up my mother's bag.

“Thank God.

I thought she was going to die in the cold.

My name is Travis.

We spoke on the phone”

The man cursed as he walked out.

Nodding at him, I tried to lift her.

But clearly she was not cooperating.

“Here.

Let me give you a hand”

Travis offered, and I nodded again.

I felt my throat had slit open.

I couldn't find any words.

It was hard.

Painful.

But I just didn't want to accept it.

“Oh, that's a fine piece of ass.

How much for one night, baby girl?”

A drunkard man, came out of the bar.

Picking his wallet as he threw the money at me.

Laughing out loud.

“Leave her alone”

Travis, who offered to help me, growled out

And I quietly walked to the drunk stranger, as I picked the money from the ground

“Have a Good Night sir”

I shoved the money back into his hands calmly

And he looked at me, disbelieving.

Well, if this happens every night.

You just tend to stay calmer than before.

Right.

I mean, what can anger get you?

As we were about to leave, the sheriff's car pulled up.

Officer Patrick.

When I knew him ,he was Patty.

Well we had gone out a couple of times, dated for a month like years ago.

Forced by our friends to meet and talk.

he was a good guy

Yet, I couldn't even get myself to hold him.

There were too many lies, before I finally told him the truth that I was in love with someone else and left for good.

I couldn't move on.

And even now, sometimes you are just stuck.

“You need any help, Jules?”

He asked as he got down.

Concerned filled in his tone.

We maintained a good friendship even though we couldn't become a couple.

“No, we are okay”

I gave him a small smile.

“I'll see you around.

And just wanted to let you know that I'm handling your father's case now.

So, I'm sure Justice will be served” Patrick spoke out, his eyes on me.

Like he wanted to say more.

But he didn't.

I watched him leave as I pulled my mother up.

Holding her heels in one hand and throwing her bag over my shoulder.

I bought her hand around my shoulder and held her tight.

“Walk with me”

I whispered.

But she couldn't understand.

Clearly not hearing anything.

So, I dragged her along with me, a couple of steps.

Trying to get us far.

But then I stumped on a rock.

Falling down, and she cursed as she reached the ground.

And that's it.

I broke down.

I bought my knees to my chest, as I let that cries out as I looked at my mother who was half naked on the road having no consciousness.

And I slammed my hand against my head.

Sick of life.

And mainly about the past.

It was all ten years ago.

Yet, it felt like yesterday.

And he wasn't Nate anymore.

But he was…

Nathaniel Reed.

The youngest billionaire ever in the town of Redwood.

And now my Patrick was the officer in charge of my father's case.

Life was coming in full circle for me.