I couldn't shake off how humiliating it was to hear him talk about me like this behind my back. I could hear their laughter echo into my ears. What kind of friends would talk about his late grandfather like that? And talk so rudely about someone they didn't even know?

Through the hurt I was also angry. Thinking about what exactly he thought of me, just as everyone else had, I wasn't surprised. But hearing him say it... that heartless... I suddenly couldn't stop myself from reacting.

When Rae arrived, as though I was possessed, I grabbed the glass of beer she got me and I turned around, pouring it on top of James' head.

A few seconds after I started pouring, when it was a millimetre from being emptied, he stood up.

He was shocked, but when he saw me standing behind him he just stared back at me. I smirked up at him challengingly.

"What the--!?" one of them said.

"What's your problem?!" another shouted. A few more started cursing out, but I wouldn't remove my gaze from James. Trying to detect some sense of shame from him. Instead, he just took off his glasses and started wiping them clean.

"Do let me correct one of your statements, Mr. Ravenwolf... I may be a difficult person to understand. And perhaps I may seem dirty to you, but there is one thing you should know about me... that I won't tolerate anyone slandering of my character especially if the accuser or accusers haven't even attempted or given me a chance to show my so-called true colours..."

I looked over briefly at the other men who were stunned by what I had said. Rae was now grabbing the back of my top to pull me back. I suppose she wanted to know what was going on. I would want to as well. When I realized that more people were looking over at the 'scene,' I created, I added: "I hope this helps cool your heated temper towards me..." I grabbed my handbag in one hand, then grabbed Rae's hand with my other hand and pulled her forward.

When we got outside, the blood had finally risen to my face. I was feeling mostly frustrated but a little embarrassed by my impulses.

"What the hell –-why did you-–how do you know that guy?" Rae started multiple sentences a few times trying to understand why I did what I did. The only thing I could come up with was...

"He was... a one night stand I had months ago..."

"Huh? Come again..."

"Before you came he was... talking about me behind my back," well, that wasn't a lie.

"Well, what did he do?"

"That's... let's just say things didn't end well."

"Do you need me to go and pour another beer on top of his head?" Rae demanded, looking up at me sincerely and I laughed. Finally, there was a little bit of relief.

"Of course not... I just need to walk it off a little... can we do drinks another night?" Rae brought her hands forward and clutched my hands into her own, squeezing them lightly.

"Will you be alright?" I nodded and she sighed.

"Alright, get home safely... make sure you message me..." she hugged me tightly and then waved goodbye. When she left I exhaled, holding my hand to my chest. Now I would have to deal with the repercussions of this. And I was making slight progress with the eldest brother... I would probably be back to square one. I smacked my mouth lightly.

Me and my big mouth... I should have just let him talk as much smack as he liked and let karma fall in line... but I couldn't help it. I looked up to the sky, asking the old man what the hell I was supposed to do now.

I shivered a little, realizing I left my coat back there. I kicked the air while laughing out at my forgetfulness, and then decided to sit on a bench. I contemplated calling Nathan, but that would require getting into a conversation about why I was out here without a jacket. I would take the bus and cool off on my own.

Before I got up again I felt something fall next to me. When I looked over, it was my jacket. When I looked up at the person who placed it next to me, it was James. I couldn't believe it. I really didn't want to see his face quite yet. It was just too cruel how I was being judged this harshly.

Even with the circumstances as they were... even though I had been through enough for the night he did come out for a reason. It couldn't have been just for my jacket. He seemed to the more sensible one of the brothers but after this I didn't know what he was capable of.

"Isn't there something you wanted to say to me seeing as you followed me here?" he pushed up his glasses, which were falling off the bridge of his nose. I suppose he wore contacts when I saw him. He must have been studying, hence why he had them on...

"There's something I want you to understand..." he said and then continued: "I may not like you, but that was wrong of me. I shouldn't have called you dirty. They were just agitating me and I let it get the better of me. When they found out about my new grandmother... I had been the topic of conversation for weeks. I apologize for my hasty comment. It wasn't my intention to defame you. I just wanted to put an end to the conversation."

"Who the hell said I'm your 'new' grandmother?" he looked up at me, and I glared back at him. He stood up, and I pointed at myself. "Me?" he stared back at me. He was just as tall as Kai, perhaps maybe an inch taller?

"Let's get something straight here..." I walked towards him, facing him properly for the first time.

"I've never been sexually or romantically involved with your grandfather. There were zero affectionate feelings I had towards him beside him being an odd, but caring man when we met, and lastly, there was never anything impure or immoral about the context of our meeting."

He looked at me, as though I had smacked him square in the jaw.

"As absurd as this situation is... considering I can understand why you would make those assumptions about me, know this... I never had that kind of relationship with your grandfather. You can even confirm that with Nathan. At the very least," he stared at me.

"Alright,"

"What 'alright,'"

"I'll back off a little. Even though I still don't trust you," I exhaled and then decided to put on my jacket. He was similar to Kai in this respect. He'd back off a little but didn't trust me. These sons were incredibly wound up... I mean, I get it, but this was just a bit much...

"This whole family is exhausting me," he looked at me, a little puzzled. I had an extra napkin in my jacket that I pulled out.

"Here... sorry about pouring beer all over you just a moment ago... I also reacted too impetuously..." there was a pause and he eventually took it. I walked away from him and he watched me leave.

When I got home, just past 9 o'clock, I thought about heading to bed early. If I got up early I could go for a morning work out for a change. By the time I finished my shower I was already tired.

When I got into bed, I thought about what more I could possibly do to continue breaking down this bias against me. This was already difficult to begin with. I knew that. But I knew where that old man was coming from, so I couldn't consciously ignore the intention.

I turned around and agreed to myself that I would think about it in the morning...

When I woke up, I made myself a smoothie.

I finished it on my way to the gym and then got into a routine. Cardio, weights, strength training, some boxing. By the time I was finished, I swore I had sweat off half of my body weight...

I had a quick shower in one of their bathroom's downstairs so that I could freshen up before a swim. I hadn't been to the indoor pool yet and it felt a little exciting to try something new today.

When I dove into the water I suddenly felt freer. Having the water glide past my body as I swam from one side to the other side of the pool. I don't know how long I spent doing laps but after it felt like my body was going to burst I stopped and floated in the middle of the pool. It felt like I could hear the ocean with my ears underneath the water.

After some time I got out of the pool. I changed into my clothes and then headed to the kitchen again to have a large brunch, in place of the single smoothie I had this morning. When I finished eating,Edna came into the kitchen. She was coughing. I looked over at her concerned.

"Edna, are you sick?" she looked over at me and smiled.

"Just feeling a little under the weather dear," she looked like she was getting a few drinks prepared.

"You should rest," I got up and walked over to her and she shook her head.

"Maybe you can make today an exception? Let me help you today" I insisted.

"No, dear, you mustn't," she coughed again. She looked a little worn out. She was just so incredibly stubborn. I nodded, knowing that I couldn't convince her otherwise...

After I ate, I cleaned up after myself and then decided to head over to the meditation room. I had grabbed a few books from the library already. I had intended to spend some time catching up on some much needed me-time.

About an hour into my reading session, I yawned and stood up to stretch my body around.

I then suddenly heard the door open and heard a flock of laughter coming from the doorway.

Several women were entering the space. With Cassandra at the centre. It seemed like her 'posse,' was flanking her on the right and left...