Chapter 188

Almara’s Pov

The damage is worse up close. At least from the parking lot, there was some distance between me and the wreckage. Now that I stand mere feet away, I can see the hate seeping out of every blow that our poor building suffered.

What’s worse is, that several students have already shown up before Arthur and I could make the phone call to tell them classes were canceled. The looks on their faces pains me the most. I had to duck away because their sympathetic condolences only made it hard for me to breathe.

The police are here and they’ve taped off the permitter of the building. Still, between the flashing lights from their cars, the yellow tape, and the fast travel of word- a small crowd has gathered just beyond the tape.

Arthur is talking to a couple of police officers now. He’s handling this much better than I am, well outwardly at least. He keeps his back straight, head tall, and voice even- still there’s something in his eyes that says he’s ready to snap at the next minor inconvenience.

“We’re family.” I hear a familiar voice say and turn to see Roman moving past the tape with Robert at his heel. The officer guarding the tape doesn’t put up a fight. How can he when the Hurricane Pack wants to get somewhere?

I brace myself. I haven’t spoken to Robert in over a year, despite his seemingly authentic desire to want a relationship with his niece. Figures.

“Almara,” Roman says and extends his arm. I don’t know if I’m supposed to shake it or if he’s reaching out for a hug, so I pretend I don’t notice.

Just then I feel his arm wrap around my shoulder and pull me in for a stiff one-armed hug, just as the sound of a camera goes off behind us. Also, figures.

“Hi, Almara.” Robert says. He looks good, I mean anyone would look good in a custom-made designer suit and a haircut that cost more than my entire wardrobe. He’s still Robert though.

“Hi,” I say because what else are you supposed to say in a situation like this?

“It’s such a shame, what happened,” Robert says, shaking his head in the direction of the building. If I hadn’t lived that same glamorous lifestyle that he’s not indulging in, I’d say he sounds authentic. Only now I know he’s just had thousands of interviews for practice.

This event is no different than any other virtue signaling for their PR. Still, I nod and murmur an agreement. Thankfully, I see Roman approaching. Not so thankfully, he looks pissed.

“Son,” Roman says, but Arthur ignores him.

“The police just gave me this,” Arthur says sliding a crumbled note in my hand and moving me away from Roman and Robert who eye us curiously.

Despite the shaking in my hands, I open the note and read it out loud. “If other packs can’t have nice things, why do you get to?” I flip it over, but it’s blank. “What is this supposed to mean?”

Arthur takes the note and slides it back into his pocket. “My guess is some people are still upset about the orphanage.” Arthur runs his fingers through his hair and shakes his head. It looks like he needs to hit something, I’d offer for him to punch the building because at this rate, why not?

“This is all my fault.” He says, squeezing the locks between his fingers.

“No, it’s not,” I say forcefully. “People don’t understand the whole story.” Arthur just shakes his head.

“It doesn’t matter, I shouldn’t have done it anyways.” He says, the regret thick in his voice.

I shrug. “If you didn’t, we never would have known that we could do this.”

“What’s the point if this is the result?”

“Hey, it’s not over. Not yet.” I say and put my hand on his arm. Roman takes a tentative step over towards us and Arthur regains his composure.

“Robert and I would like to offer the money to help rebuild the place, or at least fix the damage.” I should have known another handout was going to be offered. Actually, is that the reason the place has been vandalized? Did Roman do this just so he could offer to fix it?

After all, how could someone be mad if we did the hard work of building this, meanwhile Roman is living his more than comfortable lifestyle. Wouldn’t it make more sense for someone to be angry about that instead?

“No,” Arthur says through gritted teeth. “We don’t need your help. We have the funds to fix it.” It’s a lie, but I don’t make any indication of it.

Roman just shakes his head and laughs. Arthur’s knuckles turn white. I put my hand on his bicep to try to keep him center. Now would not be the place for an outburst, not with the crowd, the media, the police. Whoever did this, even if it was Roman, it’s exactly what they would want.

“This is funny to you?” Arthur asks, stepping in just a bit too close for comfort only inches away from his father's face. Roman keeps his calm, he doesn’t so much as flinch. Only a small smile spreads across his face.

“Not at all. I was just wondering how you and I could be related, and I just realized the answer.” Roman adjusts his tie and turns his back on Roman, he looks over his shoulder as he enlightens us. “It’s your pride.”

“Don’t.” I tell Arthur who starts off after his father.

“Almara!” I hear someone shout. I turn around and see my mother and father waving frantically trying to get past the guard who now decides to put up a fight. I head over towards them and let the guard know they’re family.

As soon as the guard makes room, my mother’s arms are around me. “We came as soon as we saw what happened. Oh sweetie.” My mother’s voice is muffled as she burrows herself into my hair.

“Where’s Grace?” I ask. I do not want her to see this mess.

“She’s with Susan. She doesn’t know anything.” My mother says as if reading my thoughts.

“Was this your doing!” I hear my father shout. I spin around to see him pointing an accusatory finger right at Robert. Oh no.

I wiggle out of my mother’s arms and head over to my father. “No dad, it wasn’t,” I tell him, but honestly, I have no idea. I just want the paparazzi to lower their cameras.

“Good to see you again sir,” Robert says with a plastered-on fake smile.

“Don’t be smart with me.” My dad warns, but it’s not threatening. It’s borderline embarrassing.

“We all want to know what happened here.” Roman says, coming between my dad and Robert. It’s honestly quite a sight I never thought I’d see. “We have the best lawyers who will handle this.”

“No!” Arthur barks loud enough for even those standing by the tape to jerk back. “I am handling it. All of you can just leave.” Arthur says, but it’s him who’s walking away.

“We’ll call with details,” I tell my parents and then bring my eyes to meet Roman and Robert’s “And let you know if we need anything,” I say and turn to go care after my mate.