Chapter 4

Chapter 4

"Tammy can you get the door" I practically scream from my bathroom.

It has been 2 whole weeks since that night in the club. Me and Tammy had finally moved into our apartment after dad was happy with the renovations. I haven't heard from Nathaniel since then, from what I've seen online I could see that he was busying himself with business.

Thomas seemed to be thriving with all the attention he was getting online. I had heard rumours that Nathaniel contacted him but I didn't stay long to hear more than that.

"Hi mum, hi dad," I say pulling on my left sock, hopefully, they won't look so scary if I try and avoid eye contact with them.

"Retty look at us", my dad urges " we're not mad promise".

Isn't that what they all say before they shout at you? Plus, my dad doesn't normally keep his promises.

I finally look up at my dad's red and puffy eyes which make him look old and tired and can't help but feel like this is because of me, my eyes turn to my mum, surprisingly she has a smile on her face she looks happy and that makes me happy for that moment anyway.

"I'm heading out Retty see you tonight alright"

Tammy says from the door before disappearing, I could be mad that she is leaving me with my parents but then again, I guess I do need some alone time with them we have a lot of things to talk about.

" I really don't want to speak to him dad, can't you just accept my decision" I begged him. When dad knew about happened he wanted me to have dinner with Nate and his father.

" But why Nate is a lovely guy and Michael his father really wants to meet you," Mom said.

Originally I wanted to keep mine and Nathaniel's confrontation a secret but I now realise I couldn't keep this from them.

" Something happened when I went to his office dad. I was just doing a favour for Thomas but instead, he accused me of being a gold digger" my mum gasped as she heard me.

Dad stared at me with disbelief. " He did what!" he exclaimed.

Mum sighed as she embraced me.

" you have to remember what that boy deals with every day he has girls left right and centre wanting to be with him just for the money, the fame and everything else" My dad's face seems to calm down a bit and he returns to his calm and composed state.

Well now I feel like more of an idiot, all I got from the papers and the news articles was that he was a womaniser and he would have women every week but that was his preference.

"I suppose you're right honey but he's not off the hook yet I will have a word with him be sure of it," dad says looking at me directly.

I huff in annoyance "alright since that's cleared up can you go now "

I hate being rude to my parents but they're totally invading my personal space right now. There's a reason why I live in an apartment away from my parents.

"Sweetie you don't understand it's crazy out there," My mum says grabbing her phone.

"Crazy?"

"You're all over the news, in the papers Loretta you're practically famous "my mum finishes scrolling through her phone, famous? is she joking?

"Loretta" my father calls out my name. "They had pictures of you and Nate at the club, and also people at the office have come out to spread news, not necessarily good news"

"Anyway, Loretta someone wants to meet you so we're going to take you to them now, so get ready my dad says grabbing his keys from the table.

Just when I thought my mum was going to leave she spins around and bends to my level on the sofa.

"Nice catch darling that boy is really handsome" she dragged out handsome in some weird teenager ogling kind of way, mum your married and old. Please don't forget that.

My mum whispers in my ear before following my dad out of the house.

I didn't ask who I was meeting so now I have no idea what to wear. After minutes of searching through my wardrobe, I decide to wear one of the new dresses I recently bought paired with some comfortable black trainers.

"Loretta are you ready " My dad's voice rumbles throughout the house. Having a final glance at the mirror I apply a little bit of mascara before leaving my room with my phone in hand.

"So is anyone going to tell me where we're going " we've been on the road for almost 20 minutes and they won't tell me where we're going or even who were meeting my mum is beyond giddy literally jumping up and down in her seat.

Dad, on the other hand, is trying to concentrate on the road I know that if he sneaks a peek into his rear mirror and sees my face he will break he can't handle my stares and glares so his eyes stay on the road is the only way he's going to get through this ride without receiving a smack in the back of the neck by my kind and caring mother.

"Were here " My mum exclaims jumping out of the car and coming around to open my door. Why is she being so nice it's beyond confusing? With a heavy sigh, I step out the car adjusting my eyes to the harsh light of being outside again.

I cast my eyes up and see a large house it's a beautiful house it's white and has an old cottage style to it.

My parents have already begun walking up to the front door so I quickly walk up to them, I don't want to be left here alone, to be honest, I don't know if my parents have come here to kill me they haven't told me where we are who we're going to see and they're being beyond secretive right now.

"Retty"

A familiar voice screams my name distracting me from my disturbing thoughts. I mean seriously Loretta did you think your parents would try to kill you. How sadistic are you?

"Hey, there buddy, how are you?" I asked him.

I regret not coming to see him since that day.

" I'm really happy now, thanks to you Retty" he beams as he wraps his hand around my arm.

I'm confused.

A hand lightly clasps Thomas on the shoulder, his father I assume stands behind Thomas with a kind smile; I just hope to god he has some answers for me.

"Loretta maybe we should go inside where we can have a chat" His offer sounds great and the best suggestion I've had all day so we all start walking into the house.

The house is very plain surprisingly there are boxes everywhere and several different types of furniture are packed in covers. Why do I get the feeling that they have just moved in.

"Sorry, we just moved in last night we didn't have enough time to even get the sofa or any chairs ready" a woman looking to be around her 40's walks into the hallway with a glass of water.

she hands it over to me and I think her before leaning back onto the door.

"before you met Thomas we were less fortunate we didn't have a lot of money and Thomas was on the streets performing, we couldn't afford to send him to a music school or anything since we could barely afford food, with our mortgage."

Thomas's dad starts to explain to me, it's very surprising I don't know how I could have helped this family afford this house and everything it's coming with.

"Thomas told us all about what you dod for him, he never really enjoyed singing because nobody really stopped to listen but you did and I've never seen him so happy," His dad said looking down proud at Thomas.

"Nathaniel Tesoro came to our old place he wanted to personally make sure that Thomas knew that the money was for him. He even got Thomas into an art school and then paid for our mortgage" I gaped at him as I heard this.

He did all of that just for Thomas.

You could tell that he was really thankful for Nathaniel and what he did.

It doesn't seem like he wants to add anything else so I assume he wants me to say something.

Placing the now empty glass on the floor I casually walk around the lounge inspecting all the fine details in the room, the lounge has been done and looks like a perfect place for a family room.

"I don't understand why your telling me this I mean I'm so happy for you and little Thomas here "

I gently run my fingers through his hair which doesn't seem to please him that much due to his grumpy look.

The room seems to rumble with laughter which makes Thomas smile from ear to ear.

"you see Loretta it's all down to you Thomas has been singing on the streets for almost 3 years and he's seen Mr Testoro many times before but not a penny has come his way, Nathaniel told us that when you sang with him the other day Thomas's eyes were brighter he was smiling for once and he looked happy and that was all down to you"

Thomas's mum was now speaking with such love and joy speaking about her son.

Both of Thomas's and my parents have happy and gentle smiles on their faces.

"Well I am happy to even make him smile again, Thomas really has an amazing talent and sharing that moment with him was all worth it," I said grinning at them.

we spend the next hour or so in the kitchen having a drink a little more exciting than water and talk about different things, my mind wanders off to Nathaniel as we speak about him.

what a great gesture to pay for this family's mortgage I would never have thought of doing that this means that they won't have to worry about paying for the house anymore Nate has really shown off his caring and kind side and I can't help but smile every time I think of him.

"oh, before you go I assume you have a very busy day ahead we don't want to take much more of your time", David the father says.

" Thomas and Nathaniel set up a go fund me page and raised money for you and your families hotel, we were devastated to hear about the fire and really this is the least that we can do" Thomas reached into his shirt pocket and handed me a piece of paper.

loI slowly took it and opened it up. The minute I saw the contents I snapped it closed again.

" I can't take this, please take it back," I said. Thomas pushed my hand back to my chest. " please Retty, you deserve it" he said.

I turned around to my parents and handed it to them. I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around Thomas and then with his parents. Whispering into their ears "Thank you, thank you so much "