Chapter 4 Where silence hurts.

Heather sighed heavily. Her fingers were numb. She was starting to feel cold, again.

How long will she have to wait here? She stared out the window watching the silhouettes moving around in the store.

Her phone buzzed. The screen lit up: Ash.

Why is she calling now? What could she possibly have to say that would change anything?

She hadn't shown up at the funeral. She wasn't there when Heather was drowning in grief.

Heather hesitated.

She had longed to hear from Ashley - longed to let everything spill. Ashley had always been the one who truly understood her.

She let out a breath and answered.

"Hello?" Her voice came out cold, detached.

"Heather...? I'm deeply sorry" Ashley started. Her voice was sincere.

Heather stayed silent, listening .

"Believe me,I've been trying to reach out to you all evening. Tyler rang me asking after you. I didn't know what to say . Are you okay? Where are you now? I spoke with Olivia earlier today, she said she'd call me once she found you at the funeral. Are you with her? Are you okay, babe?"

Ashley's words tumbled out in a rush, filled with worry and guilt.

Heather was quiet.

"I'm alright – I guess". Heather finally said. Her voice was low. "We're heading for Olivia's."

Oh, she's been with Olivia the whole time.

Relief poured into her voice.

"Right, Olivia's. Good." She exhaled. "I'm glad you're safe."

" I'll meet you guys there, alright?"

There was no answer ,but Ashley hadn't expected one.

"Okay". Heather said finally – flat and distant. She ended the call and slumped into the seat, arms wrapped around herself.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Haley? Who's she? Me? Olivia thought, staring directly at her.

Ah! She recalled in a flash-those blue eyes. She was the one of the dancers at one of the clubs in L.A. A one-night stand, I guess.

She had told her she was Haley-because Olivia hadn't come out yet. She wasn't ready. Maybe she wasn't either now.

"You really haven't changed a bit," Isa said warmly, scanning Olivia from head to toe.

"What are you doing in Malibu, by the way? Thought you were based in L.A.?"

"No, I don't reside in L.A." Olivia answered tilting her head, her curiosity ignited. "I could ask you the same."

"Oh, me? I'm actually engaged. See?" Isa raised her hand to show off a humongous diamond ring.

"Ah... congratulations," Olivia said, her voice flat.

"That's for another day, love. You could still book a private with me-I'm always available," she said, winking.

Olivia slowly shook her head and cleared her throat.

Isa's brows rose slightly. She caught the hint.

"You're not...?" she asked softly, regarding Olivia.

Olivia rolled her eyes in reply.

"Here's my number, though. Call me if you change your mind, okay?" Isa winked again, handing her a small business card.

A sudden throat-clear from the cashier interrupted them.

Oops-They hadn't even known the queue behind them had grown.

"Sorry," Olivia mouthed silently and turned to look at the man. He nodded in return.

She took the card from Isa.

"Yes. I will," she muttered half-heartedly.

Isa smiled again.

"Alright, bye," she cooed, and began to walk out of the shop.

Sighing heavily, a weary one from her lips as she dropped the blanket on the counter.

"That will be $15," the salesman answered without so much as raising his eyes, eyes fixed on the monitor before him.

Olivia swiped her card and walked away from the store.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

LANCASTER MANSION, MALIBU

11:20 pm

Louis stepped onto the door mat. The door that led to Mr. Lancaster's study was left ajar.

"Alright,no problem. Thank you." Louis heard Mr. Lancaster say. He sounded relieved. Quite like it.

The room was dimly lit. Louis peeped into the room. The table lamp illuminated the papers on the table. There sat a bottle on the table as well with a tumbler beside it. Louis peered in trying to read the inscription on the bottle hoping it wasn't poison,but on second thought, he knocked on the door.

" Come in," a hoarse voice replied.

Louis stepped into the study. Air was the first he met - thick, stale, and nearly stifling. There was the bitter taste of old coffee, old books, and something worse, like old mourning. The blackout curtains had been drawn, so the room was drab and half-light, a dismal semi-gloom. Dust rested on everything - on the desk, the armchair, the crowded shelves - silencing their details like a forgotten memory. Rumpled letters and unopened letters had littered the floor.

He hadn't been in here in weeks. He didn't mind shutting the door behind him. He looked at the bottle. Ah, thank goodness it wasn't poison. He turned to Mr. Lancaster who was slumped in the worn leather chair –a shadow of his former self – surrounded by the same room he'd refused to leave.

"Have you been able to reach Heather?" Louis asked.

He was deeply concerned about her. An image of Heather flashed in his mind - pale, distant, her eyes hollow with grief - just as she'd looked when he last saw her at the cemetery.

"Yes, she's at Olivia's." Mr. Lancaster said, not sparing him a glance. "She refused to speak to me..." He finally turned to Louis. "I'm yet to figure out why" His shoulders sagged, eyes darting around the room. He sighed heavily.

"Maybe she needs time to process everything..." Louis' voice trailed off.

"I know, I know" He replied absently as he stared at Louis blankly. He nodded slightly almost at once.

"How are you and Tyler holding up?" He stared into Louis' eyes like he was searching for something. The truth, hopefully.

"Er...Tyler was playing video games, I am – trying to be strong for you all" Louis said rapidly with a shrug.

"Thank you son." Came Mr Lancaster's voice flatly as he turned to his drink. He sighed again pouring himself a drink.

"Think you should try and get some sleep Dad" Louis exited the room without waiting for a reply.

"Sure, I will," Mr Lancaster muttered to himself, staring at the raised glass, then drinking from it.