Chapter 45 Harper " Tiffany's cheating on Grayson ? " My voice was louder as I quickly leaned towards Tracy . It was only when she leaned backwards with a nervous smile because I'd caught her off - guard that I straightened up again . " I know it's shocking , but damn , " she said . " I'm sorry . I just... what ? " I couldn't close my mouth . " You just couldn't keep your mouth shut , could you ? " Penelope shook her head with a look of disapproval . " Harper , don't listen to a word she says . She's not even sure ." " But I saw her kissing another guy ! " Tracy pursed her lips . " Did you really see that ? " Penelope narrowed her eyes with doubt . " I was there , remember ? We never saw her face since her back was facing us . We only saw the guy ." " But that was Tiffany Ford . I'd know that figure and hairstyle anywhere! " The two of them went back and forth a few times and I just constantly moved my head from left to right . It was only when I stepped in that they finally gave it a rest . " That's enough , you two . When did this happen ? " Penelope scoffed . " You believe her ? " " No. I'm just trying to understand something ." " In other words , she believes me ! " Tracy bragged . " Anyway , this happened on March 10th . Penelope and I were out at night when we saw Tiffany . " " But she was at Maddox's birthday . " My eyes narrowed . " See what I was telling you ? " Penelope snickered at Tracy . " It wasn't her . All that late night drinking got to your head ." Tracy threw her hands up in protest . " I still stick to what I saw . I know it was 4 AM and I was drunk , but it still looked like Tiffany to me ." 16:07 Tue , Sep 16 Chapter 45 36 55 vouchers They continued to argue , but I just sat there , thinking about how Tiffany had left the party before 2 AM so she could take her best friend home . I was just about to ask for further details when Aunt Patricia's voice cut through the loud voices . " That's enough gossip . Harper , sweetie , come with me outside for a minute . " I nodded with a small smile , my mind now stuck on getting the full details about what had happened . Aunt Patricia placed her hand on the back of my shoulder as she led me to the back door . We came to the quiet and small backyard in silence and I constantly glanced at the door like I could see inside the house . She leaned against the wooden railing with arms crossed , studying me while lightly shaking her head . " Is everything okay ? " I asked . " I know you just want to get back there and listen to the rest of the gossip , but don't bother . You know how Tracy has always been so quick to jump to conclusions ." " Well ... I'm just ... " She chuckled softly . " I know that you have history with Tiffany and you and Grayson have always been close . Just be careful , okay ? " I sighed with a nod . " Good . Sit with me ." She pushed herself off the wooden railing and led the way to the small table with four chairs . I sat right next to her after she took her seat first and she intertwined her fingers , making me swallow hard . Whenever she did that . There was usually some scolding coming up . " There was a time when your name wasn't plastered all over the internet but lately , it is and not for the right reasons , at least not the ones I'd like to see ." " Aunt- " She held up her hand , letting me know she wasn't finished . " I saw those clips from the party of you and Maddox . Is he your boyfriend ? " I chuckled dismissively . " Boyfriend ? Of course not . He and I are just f- " I stopped myself 16:07 Tue , Sep 16 Chapter 45 36 E55 vouchers before I could say I was just fucking him , remiinding myself that I wasn't talking to my friends . " We're just friends . " " And yet , you two seem closer than that . While it backfired , his sister even went as far as to let it be known to the rest of the world that there was something going on between you two . Sweetie ," she paused , placing the palm of her hand on top of mine , " I'm only looking out for you . Your heart isn't meant for all these games . Take care of yourself , alright ? " I firmly nodded , but the images that flashed in my head were about Friday . I still had time to tell Maddox I wouldn't go , but I didn't see that happening , because it gave me a rush that made me anticipate what was to come . It was only when she spoke again that I snapped out of it . " A few days ago , I took some fresh roses to your mother's grave and found fresh lilies . Looks like you got there before me . " I smiled painfully . " Thanks . " " You really need to stop thanking me . She was my younger sister . Why wouldn't I do that for her ? " I frowned . " Well , not everyone wants to show up there , like Anna . " " The way I see it , she's been there so many times and empty - handed , just when no one's watching her . " My lips curved into a wide smile . I hoped that was the case . " While that's still better than nothing , it still hurts . I miss seeing her and just giving her a hug ." " I'm glad you heard from your sister over a month ago , even if it wasn't a warm reception . The rest of us have tried but she just wants to be left alone ." " I don't know what it'll take for her to open up her heart again . " " Just give it time , okay ? " She gave me a warm smile . I clenched my jaw , unable to smile back . " That's all I do . " " If you knew her home address , would you go ? " I forced a chuckle . " No. That would be up to her . I'll keep waiting until she's ready ." Aunt Patricia was the best cook I'd ever known . Too bad my stomach had no room left for 16:07 Tue , Sep 16 Chapter 45 36 55 vouchers more of her tasty meals . I still made sure to pack something I could have for dinner since it was already getting dark . " Can't you stay the night and leave tomorrow morning ? " she asked while fixing my hair . " I'd love to , but I have some pending work , " I said to her . " I should've finished it yesterday but I was occupied . It can't wait . I promise I'll be back soon . " She nodded in understanding , wrapping her arms around me for a warm hug . I didn't know how much I needed that until I was in her embrace . " I'm always here for whatever you need . Never forget that , my dear . " She patted me on the back as she broke the hug , ready to lead the way out the front door when I saw that as my opportunity . " I just need a minute . I didn't tell Tracy and Penelope that I'm leaving ." She scoffed , like she was suspicious of me , but she let me go upstairs anyway . I found the two of them in their bedroom , as if they had been waiting for me . " I told you she'd come ." Tracy laughed in her sister's face . " Now , give me my $ 20 ! " Penelope rolled her eyes , slapping the $ 20 onto Tracy's palm . " You just had to come up here . Are you really that curious ? " " Look , Grayson is my friend and I'm just looking out for him . That's why I can't just let this go . " I still kept in mind that it wasn't known for a fact that it was Tiffany , but I wanted to know all the details so badly and I didn't know if I was doing it for Grayson or for my own selfish reasons . Tracy came real close , telling me the details with dramatic expressions . While I had no one in particular in mind , the guy's name was someone I would've never imagined . Chapter 46 Chapter 46 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!