Chapter 8 Murderer Parents

• MURDERER PARENTS
• I stood there, stiff as a board as I watched my nemesis. Jake and Mr Montgomery hugged like old friends and he had the gall to kiss Victoria's cheeks. They all looked like devils in a party and I could see their horns and tails.
• “Oh, my world! If you don't shock me each time I meet you, Miss Frost? Can I call you Danny?”
• “No!” Victoria, Jake, and I chorused in
• unison, making Mr Montgomery raise his hands in surrender. Everyone and I mean every person in my life knew never to refer to me as Danny. That name was exclusive to…Jake.
• “Is this some kind of war?” Mr Montgomery chuckled.
• “No, it's just, that Danielle doesn't like to be called that,” Victoria explained, her voice sugary as I remembered. She was the picture of perfection, while I looked like a grub. It was obvious everyone noticed because all eyes were on us. From her perfect smile to her shimmering silver gown and perfect posture, she was every man’s dream. While I was every man's nightmare.
• “Hey, Danielle!” She called out, waving. The tension between us rose and Jake cleared his throat awkwardly. His grip on my waist tightened, signaling me to say something and stop looking like a murderer.
• “Victoria.” I croaked.
• There was more silence until Mr Montgomery broke it.
• “It was nice seeing you guys. Thanks for the gift but I gotta go. This is…uh…kinda choking.” He disappeared, probably fleeing from the murder weapon present. My eyes.
• “What was that?” Jake scowled, his eyes blazing with anger.
• “Easy, Jay. People are watching.” Victoria muttered her smile still in place.
• Jake took a deep breath, then holding my arm firmly, he dragged me with him.
• People cleared the way for us, sensing the ticking time bomb.
• He tossed me into a room, and then banged the door, making me jump. He was furious.
• “Danny, for the love of anything you hold dear, give me a good reason I shouldn't bend you over and spank the hell out of you!”
• “Because you can't take me to your bed afterward?” He froze, his eyes flitting through my body before he swallowed.
• “That's…true.”
• “But, did you have to be so stubborn? Must you be so antisocial?”
• “That…was Victoria.” Saying her name felt like poison. It burnt my tongue and insides, reminding me of the devil she was.
• “So?” He ran ahead through his hair.
• "Look, Victoria isn’t the same person anymore. She’s changed,” Jake insisted, his voice softer, but still firm.
• I snorted, folding my arms. “Oh, right. And I’m the Queen of England.”
• Jake groaned, rubbing his temples like he was trying to summon patience. “Danny, you can’t keep acting like she’s still the same high school bully.”
• “She is the same high school bully!” I snapped. “The same girl who used to make fun of my clothes spread rumors about me, and laugh at my expense! The girl that made me a laughingstock at the grad party! You didn’t have to deal with that, Jake. You have no idea what she put me through.”
• He took a step closer, lowering his voice. “That was years ago.”
• “Doesn’t matter. People like her don’t change. She’s just waiting for the right moment to twist the knife again.” My voice shook, and I hated it. I hated how even thinking about Victoria brought back the memories.
• Jake sighed, his hand coming up to grip my chin gently. “Danny… I know she was awful. I get it. But people can change.”
• “You didn't change. I don't see why she will.” I shot back and I could see a flicker of something in his eyes—pain, regret—I didn't care.
• “We need to get back to the party.” He said firmly.
• “I can't go back in there.” Jake looked at me with raw anger.
• “What is wrong with you tonight? Can you stop being so miserable?” He yelled.
• The first tear slid down. I tried to hold it back but it wouldn't stop coming.
• “Oh God!” Jake groaned, facepalming himself.
• “You still love her,” saying it broke me, “You can go back, I don't mind. I will find my way home.” I sniffed, wiping away the tears with my handkerchief.
• “Vee and I are just friends now.” He looked tired. Without another word, he held my hand and walked out of the room. I was shocked when he started walking towards the exit.
• “Where are we going?”
• “Leaving.” I felt guilty. Jake loved parties and I just deprived him of one.
• “I can go on—”
• “You had better shut it, Frost.”
• I bowed my head low as we drove out. I was still so weak. I'm sure Clara would be so disappointed.
• “Can you take me home, please?” Jake sent me a confused look.
• “I mean my mother's house.” I noticed how he tensed up, but he didn't say a word, inputting the new destination in the GPS.
• The tension in the car was choking and I hated Victoria even more for it. Jake and I were enemies but we still had a tiny bit of friendly aura around—it was different now.
• I was out of the car before the doors were completely lifted. I practically sprinted to the front door, ringing the doorbell frantically. I needed my mother's hug desperately.
• “Hey.” Jake was right behind me, holding out my purse.
• “Thank you.” I took the purse, not looking at him. But he remained there, hands in pocket, grim face.
• The door opened and Mom turned to me with a charming smile.
• “Hello, Mrs Frost.”
• The smile was wiped off immediately at the sight of him. The only person who hated Jake more than me was my Mom.
• “You!” She spat out. “What do you want from us this time?”
• Jake answered calmly. “I dropped her off for the night. Please give her—”
• “Get…out. Now!” My Mom managed, tears streaming down her cheeks.
• “Mom…” I felt bad for Jake as he walked down the steps, his head hung low.
• “Stay away from my daughter!” My Mom refused to go in.
• “Your family already took my husband, just leave my daughter!”
• I froze.
• “Wait, what?”
• Jake turned sharply at my Mom. “Why are you acting all surprised?” Mom looked smug as her next words drove a knife into my chest.
• “Your parents killed him.”