Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Failing Facades

Chapter 7:

Failing Facades

Covering her face with her hands, she thought of recent events. Especially with Jace. The touch of his hand, the sound of his laugh. Why did she care? "Just what is happening? Damn it..." Taking a breath, she forced herself to stand and head to the private bathroom she held here. Leaning upon the sink, she gazed into the mirror.

"This facade..." She whispered to herself, "Is it really worth it?"

Before her very eyes, her appearance shimmered. Marian's soft brown hair slowly changing to a light lavender from the roots all the way to the tips. Her fair skin fading away into a more golden brown. Closing her eyes, she saw the messages in her vision.

>33 Missed Calls From: Mother

>15 Unread Messages From: Mother

>1 Unread Message From: Kenneth

Opening her eyes, the grey-blue now deeper in color. A dark blue with deep violet flecks, like stars in the night. Sighing, the first unread message flashing over the rest.

>From Mother: Selene...please, answer. I miss you. Let's talk this out.

A longing entered her, but quickly she suppressed it as she saw Kenneth's message.

>From Kenneth: Selene. It's your father. Enough of this foolishness. Return home. You've played at being a nurse. If your fit is over, your mother misses you dearly.

Immediately, she sent one word to him, and a few more to her mother.

>To Kenneth: No.

>To Mother: Do you miss me, or the reputation that came along with giving birth to an heir?

An immediate response came from her mother.

>From Mother: You.

She felt the sudden pull in her heart she would never have felt before now. She had always been taught to suppress her emotions. To become an emotionless, calculating force of nature. To let nothing distract herself from the decisions she makes. To not let anything get in the way of what needed to be done.

However, she left so she could hopefully feel something. The only thing she ever felt was anger. Anger at her parents for the way they treated her. She loved her mother dearly, but to her, Selene was just a prize to show off. Could she believe her words? To her father, Kenneth, she was just a means to an end.

"Family...isn't always blood," Selene sighed to herself, smiling as she shook her head, "I really said that..."

Whatever this kid was, he was the first to ever make her feel anything. She didn't know why, but it wasn't unpleasant. She never felt so touched to help someone before. Surrounded by those who only saw the use in others, he saw them as people. He had so quickly changed something in her.

And above all, his mother was someone he loved dearly. She saw in him an undiluted, pure love for another. Something she never saw in anyone else. Not even her own family. Perhaps it was that reason she was intrigued. His emotions were so easy to read. It was almost exciting for her.

Her fingers found her lips as she marveled at the smile she held. In such a short time, Jace has caused several reactions she never thought possible. Even as she suppressed them, they rose to the surface almost just as quickly. "I might like him..." The revelation was terrifying, another feeling she didn't know she had possessed.

-----

Jace wandered the streets disheartened. Without being able to see his mother, what was he supposed to do? It was the only thing he ever looked forward to. He had to see her. There was no one else to visit her. He was the only family she had. It was his fault that she was there.

If it hadn't been for him, she would still be awake. She would still..."No." The one thought that came through his mind there. He knew that wouldn't be the truth. That...thing would have killed her. His father.

"That bastard..." Jace muttered under his breath as he passed by a group of lurkers.

"The fuck you say?" One of them stood, an imposing individual.

Large, heavy muscles enhanced by cybernetics. Shirtless, tight pants, and shaved head. Jace simply ignored him as he made his way past. A heavy hand on his shoulder stopped him as the other lurkers stood.

"Hey, I'm talkin' to...huh?" The man never finished his sentence as the entire world spun before him.

They chose to mess with Jace in the most inopportune time. The moment his hand stopped him, Jace focused in as his eyes glowed neon blue. Turning a fierce look towards the entire group. The large man's gravity shifted; his feet swept from under him as he found himself flipped then slammed onto the ground.

"Can I help you?" Jace asked coldly.

Throwing up their hands, they backed up as they helped their friend by pulling them back.

"H-Hey, sorry man," The large man fumbled as he stood, "We ain't know you were Ascended...we don't want trouble."

Jace stared them down, the thought of killing them entered his mind. However, it was soon pushed out by the flash of his mother's smiling face. The rage inside calming as he sighed.

"Then don't start fights you know nothing about," Jace relaxed, his eyes returning to normal, "Find something better to do with your lives...Don't waste them like this. Be productive."

"Y-Yeah..." They stuttered, running off with the rest of his friends.

There were several onlookers, muttering amongst themselves. Feeling the pressure of their looks, along with the noises of the city, he put up his hood. Pressing the tactile sensor, music began to play in his ears, blocking out all else as he walked away.

----

"Hey Jace," Balek greeted him as he walked in for his shift, "The visit...go...alright? Jace?"

Balek looked on with a concerned face as Jace dragged himself up to the bar. His face was distant, something that bothered Balek. An ache entering his heart as he saw the kid he's known all these years fighting with his entire being...now defeated.

"What happened?" Balek immediately began making one of his favorites. A non-alcoholic drink, Pear and Strawberry Punch, "Talk to me."

"It's nothing, Balek," Jace dismissed, but Balek wasn't having it.

"I wasn't asking," Balek slammed the glass down before him, ice cold, "Talk."

Jace looked up, and for the first time since his mother got diagnosed, Balek saw immeasurable pain. His own thoughts running wild as he thought of the worst. "Did...did his mother pass?" It was the only thought Balek had. Jace eyed him as he cautiously took the drink.

"I see that look, Balek," Jace tried his best to smile as he took a sip from the glass, "Mom...she's alright. Don't worry. It's just..."

Jace seemed to contemplate as relief washed over Balek. If that wasn't what happened, then what causes Jace to be like this? Balek was definitely curious.

"Speak," Balek leaned on the bar, "None of that lone wolf bullshit. Level with me."

As Jace nursed his drink, he slowly explained what had happened. From his mother's room being empty, to his sudden outburst of rage. Him losing control, followed by losing consciousness. Ending when he told him what Gerard said. He was banned from the hospital, and thus could not visit his mother.

You are reading story Love & Obsession: A Neo City Story at novel35.com

Balek was silent for a while as he processed everything. Jace had never dumped so much on him before. This was the first time he ever saw Jace so vulnerable. "If Liana saw this...She'd be-" Almost as if summoned by the thought, the door to Radiance opened and in walked his daughter, Liana. Next to her was a rather bright individual.

"Kiera!" Balek exclaimed in greeting, surprised and nervous at their arrival, "A pleasure to see you again!"

Balek noticed that Jace flinched slightly at the mention of her name, but not as much as he normally did. The one who walked in was none other than Kiera Willow, Liana's girlfriend. A complete opposite to Liana's alternative style.

Pink hair that fades into purple, tied in twin tails. Her pointy ears pierced with earrings connected by golden chains. Pale skin with different colorful designs decorating her face every time Balek saw her. Usually, a pink heart under her right eye, and several teardrops down her left. They were the most common.

A dark pink dress that faded to purple near the bottom. There were slots over the chest, hips, and back. Apparently, it's called a slotted dress. Balek was never into fashion and didn't quite understand it. Underneath, she wore fishnet stockings, and knee-high dark purple combat boots.

Her cybernetic, pink eyes, focused directly in on Jace. Liana went to stop her, but Kiera was too quick as she made her way directly towards him. Each step echoing as she got closer with a purposeful force.

"Jaaaace~" She called out friendlily, though even Balek could sense the edge behind it, "It's been a long time, hasn't it?"

Her arm wrapped around his shoulder as his body tensed. Balek could see the uncomfortable look. Like a cornered animal.

"H-Hey, Kiera..." Jace responded softly, forcing a weak smile, "It has been a while..."

"Kiera, maybe you should-" Balek attempted to call her attention.

"I heard you overdid it again," She smiled sinisterly, a pinkish purple aura rising around her, "Heard Liana cried...again."

Liana made her way sheepishly over, pulling up to the bar as she sat down. Glancing at her father, she gave him an apologetic look. He dismissed it as he motioned towards Jace. The two sharing a silent conversation as Liana took in what her father wanted her to see. Liana's eyes went wide as she realized the same thing Balek did.

"Kiera..." Balek warned, stepping closer to the bar.

"You remember what I said the last time, don't you?" Kiera ignored him once again as she continued to look at Jace, "If you made Liana cry...I'd have to beat it into you to do better."

Jace was silent as he simply stared into his drink. The look on his face just didn't have the energy to fight or do their usual routine of him acting afraid and trying to get away. Kiera had yet to read the atmosphere.

"Sunshine..." Liana called out in warning as well, Kiera glancing towards her.

"Not now, sweetie," Kiera looked back towards Jace, "I'm having an important conversation."

Balek saw as the switch in her daughter flipped. Her face grew stern, cold and harsh just like her mother. A reminder that lived on. It made Balek proud, but also knew his job was done. Even he wasn't fool enough to mess with that face. Something even Jace knew.

"Kiera Samson Willow," Liana's voice cut deep as Kiera froze, her aura immediately dissipating as she turned with a terrified look towards Liana.

"M-My full name?" Kiera grew nervous now, "Wh-What did I do? Shouldn't you be angry at Jace?"

"No," Liana answered honestly, "He's family. I care about him, and right now...you're being inconsiderate. Use that pretty little head of yours, and those eyes, and look."

Liana motioned towards Jace as Kiera finally took in his demeanor. He was barely registering anything going on. She looked at how her arm was around his shoulder, and instead of trying to get away, he just slumped there in his seat. So lost in his own thoughts, looking into his drink as his face wallowed in a depressed state.

"W-What the hell..." Kiera immediately grew concerned as her grip around him turned into more of an awkward comforting hug, "Jace? What's going on?"

"...You're right," Jace muttered, his eyes vacant, "I've made Liana cry...I've worried both her and Balek...And now...I can't even see my mother. I've been banned. Ha...Haha..."

Jace began to laugh dryly, near hysterical as he placed his head on the countertop to the bar. Kiera wasn't one to not understand despair. Despite her actions towards Jace, she cared for him just about as much as anyone else among the three of them.

"H-Hey..." Kiera fumbled with her words, not quite able to deal with the sudden change in Jace.

"Move, Sunshine," Liana pushed Kiera aside as she took her place next to Jace.

Balek watched as his daughter did as she always did for him. Simply be there. Ever since they were little, they were near inseparable. Almost everyone but Jace knew of her hidden feelings for him. Even Kiera knew.

She gave Jace such a hard time because she wanted Liana to be happy, and with Jace being as dense as he was, he had no idea just how much he truly affected Liana. Liana held her feelings in, as family was more important than anything. Even the feelings she held for him, and he was family. Balek held out hope, but for now he understood.

Still, that wouldn't stop her from the actions she took in that moment. The only actions she could take. With her arms held out, she wrapped them around him and pulled him in close. Holding his head to her chest, she soothingly brushed the back of his head.

He was surprised at first, as Balek saw his eyes go wide, but as Liana spoke to him softly, his surprise turned to a vulnerability. A vulnerability that brought a soft, warm smile to Liana's face. Filled with love and understanding.

"It's alright, Jace..." Liana's words were soothing and quiet, "You've been tough for so long...isn't it okay to let it out? You're upset, you're frustrated and lost..."

Kiera watched on with a pained, gentle smile. One of sympathy. Balek was proud of his daughter and had always thought of Jace like a son. As a parent, you only ever want your kids to be happy. At least, you should. Seeing your kids in pain will always hurt.

Jace held onto that toughness inside of him. He was struggling. Balek saw it in his face. He was afraid to lean on anyone. He felt responsible. He held onto it tightly. He didn't want those he cared for getting hurt anymore, even though they were hurt seeing him go through this. It was a paradox that conflicted inside of him.

"You don't have to be strong," Liana told him softly, "You can lean on us. You can lean on me."

"...N-No..." He shook his head, trying to pull himself from Liana, but against her insistence, it was futile, "I have to be strong...My mother needs me. It's my fault...All of it...Making you cry so many times...Balek worries, and I..."

Jace's shell was cracking. Liana held to him tightly, his hands clung to her clothes as she simply smiled softly. She loved Jace, probably more than anyone. It was a pain Liana held inside. Kiera's hand fell upon her head in understanding and support.

Kiera loved Liana, even to the point of accepting her feelings for Jace. She was obsessed with Liana, to the point even Balek was worried about how she'd react to Jace. It was much to his pleased surprise when she accepted him. Though, she wouldn't take his bullshit. It was her way of showing her own sort of affection towards him.

They had a dance they always played, but now there was something more that Jace needed. A way to let it out. A way to be free to give himself over into the pain inside.

"It's not your fault. We do what we do to help you because we care," Liana whispered, "That's what you do when you care for someone. When you...love them. You stubborn dumbass. You're family. Accept it. Even if just for today. Jace..."

She said his name with such softness that he could no longer keep up his defense. All it took was the weight of a single feather and his walls came crumbling down. His fingers dug into her clothing as his entire weight fell into her. With Kiera keeping them both steady, Liana simply held him.

His pain came out in large tears as he finally let himself feel the emotions inside. His cries muffled against her, the pain in her eyes caused Balek to begin to tear up. She held Jace as she herself closed her eyes, least her own tears drown him out.

The staff gave them privacy, pretending as if they saw nothing. They knew what Jace has gone through. They were like an extended family to him as well. They watched him come in here as a child with his mother. They fed him, played with him.

They were almost all Elves, part of or retired members of the Nobles. They understood his woes. They knew the pain he carried on his shoulders. His mother meant everything to him. To have the only thing he ever cared about withheld from him after seven years of fighting...it would be too much for anyone. He needed a reminder there were other things, other people, who cared about him.

-----

You can find story with these keywords: Love & Obsession: A Neo City Story, Read Love & Obsession: A Neo City Story, Love & Obsession: A Neo City Story novel, Love & Obsession: A Neo City Story book, Love & Obsession: A Neo City Story story, Love & Obsession: A Neo City Story full, Love & Obsession: A Neo City Story Latest Chapter