TRULY YOURS - CHAPTER 47&48
★𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕴𝖓𝖛𝖎𝖙𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓★
_𝕆’ℂ𝕆ℕℕ𝕆ℝ𝕊 ℝ𝔼𝕊𝕀𝔻𝔼ℕℂ𝔼_
Gavin let out a heavy sigh before turning the doorknob and stepping into the house. His parents were already waiting for him in the living room, and the looks on their faces told him they were pissed.
“I’m here.” Gavin said dryly as he made his way to the living room and stood before them. Lynda stood up immediately, her eyes fierce and her hand flew right to Gavin’s cheek in a hard slap.
“Mother!” Alice exclaimed in shock, she had just entered the living room and had witnessed the scene.
“You ungrateful child! How could you embarrass your father and I like this after everything we’ve done for you!” she flared while Gerald tried so hard to hold his temper knowing he would do more than a slap if he didn’t.
Gavin slowly turned his head in her direction while clicking his tongue, his face void of all expression.
“And what exactly did I do wrong?” He asked nonchalantly and Lynda was about to slap him again when Alice suddenly stepped in, and blocked her.
“What right have you to hit him?! All you have ever done is give him more reasons to h@?? this family!” Alice yelled and Lynda scoffed.
“You’re one to talk, Alice. You’re an even bigger embarrassment than your brother!” Lynda said, her eyes filled with disgust as she stared at Alice whose expression was that of horror and sadness.
“What did you just say?” Alice forced herself to speak, staring at the woman before her in total disbelief. Is this woman even her mother? She couldn’t believe a mother could be this materialistic to treat her children like nothing more than a ticket to her desired soft life.
“You heard me right. You had one single job to do, and you blew it! Your marriage didn’t even last two months!”
“And whose fault is that?!” Alice fired back. “Instead of blaming your husband who was clearly responsible, your blaming your innocent children simply because he pays the bills?!”
“You better watch that mouth of yours or I’ll —”
“Or you’ll what?! Sell me off to another rich man?!” Alice asked cutting Lynda off.
“Enough both of you!” Gerald thundered, he had had enough of their drama. “Gavin, what were you thinking breaking into your school’s art gallery? And saying you were drunk? I know you’re trying to pull my legs but don’t you think you’re going too far?” Gerald asked in a calm tone but Gavin knew his father was boiling within, and just needed a simple nudge to finally blow up.
“Exactly, I was drunk and didn’t know what I was doing.” Gavin gave a simple response which served as Gerald’s nudge and he finally cracked.
“And you want me to believe that?! You think I don’t know about your stupid hero act?! Who is that d@mn girl that you want to risk your family’s reputation for?! Who is she?!” Gerald demanded an answer but Gavin just kept quiet.
“You’re not going to respond? Your father is talking to you!” Lynda yelled and Gavin’s gaze finally darkened.
“Fine, you want an answer, well here’s one. I did that to see if it’ll finally break that d@mn ego of yours and ruin the so called perfect reputation you think you have. Maybe then you would finally let me live my life the way I want!” Gavin yelled and Gerald let out a chuckle.
“All this because of your marriage arrangements?” He asked while shaking his head. “You are going to marry Lisa Stevenson, and nothing you do will make me change my mind. Even if you get someone else pregnant, you will marry Lisa.” Gerald stated firmly and Alice widened her eyes.
“Are you both so desperate to expand your wealth that you no longer care about your children? How could you call yourselves parents?!” She yelled and Gerald glared at her.
“One more word from you and I’ll send you off to a faraway country. If you don’t like it here then leave, you’re of no use to me.” He responded and Alice widened her eyes in shock as a tear escaped from her eyes.
“Go to your room, Gavin. You’re forbidden from leaving this house until the day of your school trip.” Lynda said and Gavin glared at her.
“I am not 16 years old, you can’t put me on house arrest.” He responded but Gerald simply threw an envelope at him. Gavin picked it up and opened it. He brought out its content and his eyes widened in shock. It was a picture of Eleanor.
“She’s the one you tried to protect, isn’t she?” Gerald asked with a blank expression but Gavin didn’t respond and just put the photo back into the envelope.
“I was wondering why you suddenly changed your attitude. We know you and Eleanor Queen have been close friends since childhood and that’s why we moved. We didn’t like your attachment to that poor family but somehow she ended up in Ousen.” Lynda said while shaking her head.
“Leave Eleanor out of this! Don’t you dare do anything to her!” Gavin yelled and Gerald let out a victorious laugh.
“I guess my hunch was right, you like that girl. Do yourself a favor and go to room Gavin. We would decide what to do with the girl.” Gerald said and Alice scoffed.
“The girl? She’s the daughter of your best friend! How could you refer to that great family as though they are nothing?! I can hardly recognize you anymore, dad.” Alice stated but Gerald just ignored her.
“Fine, I’ll do everything you say just let her be.” Gavin said with a pleading look and Gerald smiled in satisfaction.
“Start by going to your room. You’re not allowed to leave this house until we say so.” Lynda said, and Gavin left without another word.
“You both are unbelievable.” Alice hissed and went after Gavin.
“Jerome.” Gerald called and the man walked into the living room immediately.
“Yes, sir.”
“I want you to deliver a message to this address. I believe it’s high time we reconnected with the Queens.” Gerald said, and Jerome collected the envelope from him, gave a slight now then left immediately.
★ ★ ★
_𝕆𝕌𝕊𝔼ℕ 𝕃𝔼ℂ𝕋𝕌ℝ𝔼 ℍ𝔸𝕃𝕃_
★ ★ ★
“Alright, that’s all for today students.” Ms. Peterson announced and the students began packing up and leaving the hall. “Eleanor Queen, please see me shortly.” She stated and Eleanor furrowed her brows, feeling a bit confused. She told Beatrice to go first then waited until everyone had left the hall.
“You asked to see me, ma’am?” Eleanor asked as she walked up to Ms. Peterson.
“Yes, it’s about the essay assignment I gave. I noticed you’re the only one who is yet to turn in their work. Is something wrong?” She asked, and Eleanor lowered her gaze.
“I don’t know what I’m expected to write down. I’m okay with failing it.” She stated boldly and Ms. Peterson chuckled.
“Really? Need I remind you that your scholarship is also based on a high GPA which means if you fail English, you lose your scholarship.” Ms. Peterson said sternly and Eleanor let out a heavy sigh.
“I really don’t know what to write. I’m not yet comfortable talking about the things that happened in my past.” Eleanor stated and Ms. Peterson smiled slightly.
“Then talk about the present. If the past is too painful, then focus on now. Write about your experiences now that has made you feel different from how you felt before. Look, I don’t know what you’ve been through but I’d be a waste if you give up now that you’ve come this far. I’m giving you an extra day to get it done and submit it to me. Don’t let me down.” Ms. Peterson said then gave Eleanor a pat on her shoulder before walking out of the hall.
Eleanor ran her hand through her hair and sighed. She felt slightly suffocated in the empty and massive hall that she just ran out and the next thing she knew, she was in a taxi heading back home.
★ ★ ★
_ℚ𝕌𝔼𝔼ℕ’𝕊 ℝ𝔼𝕊𝕀𝔻𝔼ℕℂ𝔼_
★ ★ ★
Eleanor got out of the taxi and watched it drive away before walking away. She paused when she noticed a black Mercedes parked outside their house. She walked up to it and tried peeping to see if anyone was in but the tinted windows couldn’t let her.
She brought out her phone and called her mother just to be sure she was alright but Rosita didn’t respond. Eleanor immediately rushed into the house, her heart racing like crazy as she feared something had happened to her mother but to her surprise, Rosita was sitting on the couch with a mug on her hand and laughing her heart out. Opposite her sat an unfamiliar man who also held a mug.
“Mom?” Eleanor called with a frown and Rosita jolted a bit.
“My goodness, Lizzy. You scared me. When did you get here?” Rosita asked and Eleanor frowned even harder.
“I called but you didn’t respond and who is this?” She turned to the man who stood up immediately.
“Eleanor, it’s nice to meet you again.” Jerome said as he stretched his hand to her but Eleanor just stared suspiciously at him.
“Again?” She furrowed her brows.
“Lizzy you don’t remember Jerome? He’s Mr. Gerald’s personal assistant or should I say butler?” Rosita asked with uncertainty.
“Mr. Gerald? As in Gavin’s father?” Eleanor asked and Jerome bobbed his head.
“The last time I saw you, you were just this little.” Jerome said with a warm smile on his face but Eleanor couldn’t recognize him, and felt a bit uncomfortable.
“What are you doing in our house?” She said, and Rosita frowned.
“Elizabeth! I don’t remember raising you to talk to guests that way!” She snapped but Jerome brushed it off.
“It’s fine, I think I’ve overstayed anyways. It was nice chatting with you, Zita.” Jerome said with a smile before heading out. Eleanor turned to Rosita immediately with an interrogative gaze and crossed her hand under her chest.
“Zita?” She asked with a raised brow.
“It’s good to see you too.” Rosita rolled her eyes while clearing the mug to the kitchen and Eleanor followed her like a father questioning his dating who had returned home with a guy.
“Care to explain who that man is?” Eleanor asked and Rosita chuckled.
“You sound like a jealous husband.”
“Well?” Eleanor raised a brow at her.
“That’s Jerome Hitler, he’s been with the O’Connors for years, I’m surprised you didn’t recognize him. He’s practically family.” Rosita replied before taking a sit on the couch and Eleanor sat next to her.
“And why did he come here?” Eleanor asked with a straight face.
“The real question is why are you here? It’s the middle of the day.” Rosita stated with a frown, and Eleanor sighed.
“I ran away.” She muttered.
“What happened?” Rosita asked worriedly.
“It just felt so suffocating and I had to get out. Things haven’t been great since I got into Ousen, mom. A lot of things have happened and I just need a break from it all.” Eleanor responded in a frustrated tone and Rosita pulled her in for a hug.
“I never expected things to go smoothly, sweetheart. It’s always like that during your first year, trust me it’ll get better with time, and I’m sure your friends will always be there to support you.” She said while rubbing Eleanor’s back in an attempt to calm her and it worked.
“I knew coming here would help me. You’re like my antidote.” Eleanor said with a chuckle and Rosita laughed then kissed her hair.
“I’m glad you feel better.” She responded and finally released Eleanor from the hug.
“Can we talk about the mysterious man now? What did he want from you?” She asked curiously.
“Not me, but us.” Rosita responded with a smile which only confused Eleanor more.
“Us? I’m not following.”
“See for yourself.” Rosita said and handed her an envelope. Eleanor opened it curiously and her eyes widened in shock on reading the letter in it.
“T—They’re inviting us for dinner?” She stuttered.
“Yes, and it’s tonight!” Rosita beamed but Eleanor had this feeling that this wouldn’t be a friendly dinner reunion.
.
.
.
𝕿𝖔 𝖇𝖊 𝖈𝖔𝖓𝖙𝖎𝖓𝖚𝖊𝖉…