Dawn POV
I plopped tiredly down on my bed.
Alright! This doesn’t even seem like mine. Guess, I’ve been too familiar with Ethan’s large fluffy bed.
His comfy black painted room, and him beside me, his annoying naughty smirk on his lips.
I sighed. Shook my head lightly. I’m now in my room, and not anywhere close to Ethan.
I would have been happy to be back here, if not for the current situation.
I missed my room, no doubt. The orange painting on the wall and my large pink teddy bear.
“Let me in!” I heard my mom’s shrill voice. “I need to see my daughter.”
A wave of guilt crashed through me. My heart tightened.
I don’t know how to face my mom or what explanation to give her.
I’ve been gone, not for days or weeks but months.
Serve me right for being locked up in my room, with tons of guards stationed at the door.
“Just a minute… No! A second!” Mom said desperately. Her voice shook as though she’s about to cry.
Oh! Just how wicked could my dad be?
Why won’t he let my mom in to see me?
“Let her in!”
I flinched, a low short yelp escaped my mouth on hearing the familiar husky voice
Alright! I agree, I’ll never get used to his scary voice.
The sound of the key being rattled into the keyhole followed Dad’s voice, then the doorknob twisted and the door was flung open.
I closed my eyes, lips folded and my breath held.
I just could not bring myself to look her in the eyes. No! The expression on Ethan’s face when I was leaving was already a torture. I can imagine how bad it will be with my mom.
The scurried of feet into the room, and the familiar vanilla scent that waltzed into my nose announced mom’s arrival.
I clutched the hem of my top, afraid to let go.
“It’s really you…” Mom flung herself on me.
Tightly, she snaked her arm around my midriff, hugging me to herself. “It’s really you, honey.”
“I’m glad… Glad you’re back.” She cried. “It’s all my fault.. it’s all my fault that I could not… ”
“Mom… ”
I lifted my head just in time a tears rolled down her face.
“It’s okay. I’m sorry…”
I shook my head. “No, mom. It’s not your fault.”
“I should have talked to him,” she continued, her tears now rolling down in beads. “I’m sorry you have to pass through this, Dawn.”
Mom wiped her tears which kept rolling down.
“It’s not your fault, mom.” I cried
No matter how desperate I am to heap the blame on someone, it can never be my mom.
“I’m sorry,” I mumbled. “I should… Should never have… ”
I choked on my tears which kept rolling down like a torrent of rain.
I missed this woman before me. I can’t forgive myself for letting her go through this much.
As I pulled her closer, my hand around her midriff. I realised how much weight my mom has lost.
She looked pale, almost lifeless.
How can I be so wicked?
“Mom, I’m sorry.” I cried.
“It’s okay,” she sniffed. “You’re going to be fine.”
Henry cleared his throat, making us disengaged from the hug.
“Do I get a hug too, Dawn?” She pouted.
“No!” I huffed. “Get it from the one you so much adore!”
“He’s much better than that asshole anyway!” He scowled.
I huffed. Look who’s talking.
Mom turned me to herself. She cupped my cheeks and looked me straight in the eyes.
I quivered. The thought of mom seeing through me makes me shudder.
No! She must not know what’s running through my head.
Not now… At least
“Are you okay?” She asked.
“What?” I creased my brows.
Mom bit her lower lip. “I meant… ” She sighed. “Ethan”
“That jerk!” Henry huffed.
“Of course, mom,” I let out a tight smile. “I’m okay. I’m sincerely fine.”
And that’s true. Even though, same can’t be said for Ethan.
He looked broken, shattered, and almost soulless.
“I am sorry, okay,” mom sighed.
“Time up.” Dad sauntered in. “It’s okay, Maria. Time to leave the girl alone.”
I sighed.
Ugh! He’s always been like this. Always on edge and jumpy!
Dad stared at me with a frown on his face. His gaze lingering for a fraction of seconds before he tore it off.
“Be up early tomorrow,” he hissed. “You’re meeting the Miller’s family. Thanks to you, our first dinner got ruined.”
And thanks to him, I’m back again in my hellhole.
****
I quickly slid off the bed and ran into the bathroom to empty my stomach.
My stomach rumbled. I feel weak and nauseated.
Bending over the toilet seat, I hitched my throat, letting out all I ate yesterday night.
“Are you in there, Dawn?” Mom called out.
Spitting out, I walked to the basin to wash my face and rinse my mouth.
Damn! I can stay all day in bed without getting up.
My whole body aches. It’s as though I’ve been working non-stop for a year now.
“Dawn?”
“Morning to you too, mom!” I yelled back.
I splashed a handful of water on my face and I brushed my hair back.
“You okay?”
“Yeah mom.” I replied. “Wanna take my bath.”
“Alright,” she yelled back. “I’m gonna select your clothes for you. Remember what day it’s today?”
“Huh Yes!”
I sighed.
I remember very well. I’m meeting the Miller today.
Hugh! This very day I tried to avoid at all costs now await me like a prey awaiting his predator.
I gasped when a thought suddenly crossed my mouth.
Could he? No! He won’t.
Ethan is a Miller too, isn’t he? He’s never going to come, right?
God knows how much I want to on see him, his smile, his smirk and his lips on mine. But fuck! This is not the right place, nor the right time to meet.
I can clearly imagine how awkward it will be.
No! I’m better off without seeing him today.
“Having your bath alright?” Mom called out again.
“About to.”
I grabbed the toothbrush with the paste to brush my teeth.
After minute of brushing, I stepped under the shower and stripped off my clothes.
As the water flowed down my body, I recoiled back. My mind whirls through the countless make out I had with Ethan under the shower.
“C’mon, Dawn.”
I mentally cussed on hearing my mom’s voice again.
“You don’t wanna spend forever in there. They’re almost here.”
Good for them.
I have had my heart broken by one of their family, yet they still want me to marry their other son.
A joke that’s not funny.
I hurriedly wrapped around a towel and rushed out of the bathroom.
Mom shot me one reproachful look. “You don’t want your dad to come yelling up here, do you?”
No! The last thing I want now is my Dad yelling at me for being late.
Hurriedly, I cleaned my body, applied my cream and helped myself into the clothes.
“Just a little touch up” mom cried after I tried wrenching her hand off my face for the tenth time. “You look pale, Dawn.” She complained.
“Fine!” I give up. “Do whatever you want to do with my face.”
After some minutes, mom finally released my face and I let out a sigh of relief sigh.
I slid my feet into the nude heel. Turned to look at myself in the mirror.
Oh! I’d appreciate it only if I’m dressed like this for Ethan and not for Cole.
The off shoulder red gown that was slit up to my thigh fit me perfectly so I want to take it off.
No! I have to look this good only for Ethan.
Mom did well to adorn my neck with jewelries, earrings dangling on my ears, and a silver heart shaped pin attached to my hair that was left flowing down my back.
I gritted my teeth, my fist clutched tightly on my clothes as I glared at my expression in the mirror.
Ethan better not be here. No! I can’t imagine what’d be going through his mind if he sees me dress so richly for his asshole brother.
I’d be damned if he’s not mad.
“Time to go.” Mom smiled.
Taking mom’s hand, we both walked downstairs just in time the doorbell ring.
Henry rushed to the door and wrenched it open.
“You’re welcome,” he greeted enthusiasmlly, paving the way for them to walk in.
A middle-aged man stepped in first, whom I presume to be Nicole’s and Ethan’s Father, followed closely by his grandpa and someone who looked undoubtedly Nicole’s mom.
Nicole entered last.
Only if this meeting is not awkward enough, I’d have complimented his look and his dressing.
I strained my neck, looking frantically behind Nicole. My eyes roamed through them, but no one like him came to sight.
“He did not come.” I muttered dejectedly. “He’s not here.”
“What?” Henry whispered. “What happened? You’re not greeting them. Everyone is waiting for you, sis. Greet…”
“He’s not here.” I muttered.
“Who?”
“Ethan!”