MEDDLING

RACHEL

My head throbbed as I tried to open my eyes. Not just the pain, but the weight I felt. Like something heavy was pressing down on my skull, my brain, my head in whole.

I groaned and squeezed my eyes shut again, biting back a groan when my fingers brushed the sore side of my head.

“Honey… are you okay?”

The voice landed beside me.

My eyes flew open instantly.

And then I saw him. He was already walking toward me.

“Dad?”

The word came out before I could stop it. I didn’t know if I was shocked, angry, or both, I just knew I hadn’t planned on seeing him again. Not exactly like this.

“Hey,” he said softly. “You okay?”

“Why are you here?” I asked, not sure if that even sounded right for someone I've not seen over a year. 

He avoided my eyes for half a second, then smiled. “You don’t look happy to see me, honey.”

I exhaled through my nose. “You really expect me to answer that?”

He nodded slowly, like he already knew he’d failed.

“You had an accident, Rachel. You listed only two emergency contacts on your phone, and I’m glad I got here on time to…”

The door opened just then and Raymond stepped in with a cold bottle of water.

“Yeah,” my dad continued gesturing to Raymond. “This young man was called too. So that makes two of us.”

I tapped my forehead lightly, annoyed at myself. I’d forgotten Raymond was still on my emergency list.

Today really couldn’t get any worse. Why does everything hit at once, like they were just waiting for the right moments.

“Here you go, sir,” Raymond said, handing my dad the bottle. Then he looked at me.

“Just to let you know, Tiara only had a minor injury. Her dad already sent someone to pick…”

“I didn’t ask for an update, Raymond,” I cut in. “If you’re done, you can kindly leave.”

“That’s harsh, honey,” my dad said.

“Stop honeying me dad.” I pressed my palms into the bed. Holding back every emotion that already piled up since he left. “This isn’t normal. You showing up like nothing ever happened? Acting like you didn’t walk out of my life? That’s what’s annoying.”

I inhaled, steadying myself.

“I’m sorry you had to squeeze me into your schedule to take care of your ex-wife’s daughter, but I'm fine now.”

His eyes met mine, and all I could see was the same look from years ago. The one he wore when he told me he wasn’t coming back. I hated that look and the fact that he's giving me the same look again made me more angry.

What did he expect me to do seeing him now? Be grateful?

Who disappears for years and just walks back in like nothing changed?

“I can excuse you guys, if you want,” Raymond said quietly.

“No,” I said flatly. “That's certainly not necessary because you’re leaving.”

My dad stood up. When he looked at me this time, it was that same tired expression he used with my mom. My heart raced painfully in my chest as I stared at him.

“I called your mother,” he said quietly. “She should be here any minute. I see I shouldn’t have come.”

I turned toward the wall, like it could give me something solid to hold on to. 

Just admit you miss him, Rachel, my brain whispered.

But I didn’t even turn to look at him as he walked away. The door clicked.

That was when I finally turned back.

Raymond was still standing there. I glared at him until he shifted.

“Um… that was mean, Rachel.”

“If you’re done talking, you can leave too.”

“Look…”

“Do you think I’m supposed to feel grateful to you too?” I snapped. “Last time I checked, you don’t do impulsive things. So cut the act, Raymond. Let’s just pretend none of this happened.”

He frowned. “You really meant what you said at the party? You’re taking this too far over one small mistake.”

I closed my eyes. No. This guy didn’t just say that. Let's be real, when it comes to using this phrase “a fool for love” I think they might be describing all the stupid things I've done just for Raymond. Done is even an understatement— sacrificed and overlooked because I keep making excuses for the jerk and he had the gut to just guilt-trip me?

“Mistake?” I echoed, now it felt even disbelieving saying it out loud. “You cheating on me was a mistake?”

I laughed bitterly. Swallowing the bile in my throat. “God. I don’t even know how I ever ended up with trash like you.” I figured it was pointless dealing with him. “You know what, Raymond Saleman? Shut the damn door on your way out.”

“What…”

I didn’t answer. Just then, the door suddenly flew open.

My mom rushed in like someone had told her I was dead. 

She grabbed my face, touching everywhere at once. Now, I can’t help imagining if someone had actually told her I died in the accident.

“Rachel—oh my God—are you okay?”

Simon came in behind her, his expression unreadable. Technically, the man always wore that same expressionless face unless he was using one of those charming smiles like Thane’s, or he deliberately wanted you to know what was running through his head.

I should be happy for the first time, Mrs. Officially. Sarah Adams had actually squeezed out a tiny window of time to come see her only daughter at the hospital. She’s not a wicked mother, but she certainly values the source of income that feeds that daughter. Simon had finally taken away the burden, and now she looked like she wanted to cry seeing looking like someone suffering from cancer.

“Mum,” I tilted my head dramatically. “I'm fine. It was just a little accident.”

Her face fell flat.

“Don’t you dare call this,” she snapped, pointing at the injured part of my head, “and this,” next was my bruised lip I hadn't noticed until now. “You call that small, Rachel Muna?”

“Stop calling me that name, Mum.”

“Now we're talking about names?” She shot back furiously. “Is that what's important to you right now? Do you even know the kind of trouble you are in with me, young lady?”

Simon came closer and squeezed her shoulder lightly.

“Hey. Don't yell at her, honey.” His voice lowered. “At least let her get discharged first.”

Was he implying she’d deal with me properly when we left here?

Mom’s gaze dropped from mine to his.

“This young lady here just knows the amount of pressure to put to get me mad. She was supposed to be at school and now…”

She pursed her lips, finally realizing she hadn’t even asked.

“Why weren’t you at school, Rachel?” she demanded.

“I…” I breathed.

Simon caught the hesitation and thankfully rescued me again.

“C’mon, let the girl rest while we fix the bill, hmm?”

Just like that, they disappeared into the hall, and I was left with my pounding head and racing thoughts.

But God knows I blocked most of them out, because none of it was anything I wanted to think about.

***

Simon paid the bills and drove us home, which I was grateful for—it went in silence.

I couldn’t believe my honorary stepbrother didn’t even bother to find out where the hell I was, or check if I was dead or alive.

I don’t know what kind of magic Simon worked, but Mum didn’t pressure me about anything except that I was not to leave the house for any reason for a whole week straight.

So it was school to home with constant monitoring. That was worse than her usual rules.

By evening, we were having something that looked like steak for dinner. Thane still wasn’t back yet—speaking of the devil himself, he strolled in with his usual smug face.

“Welcome, Thane,” my mum greeted him with a bright smile. “How was the hustle today? Have you eaten yet?”

He exhaled sharply, his eyes drifting to me, but on my side, I suddenly found the steak in front of me very fascinating.

“Evening, Pops,”

He greeted Simon, but Simon didn’t respond. He was too busy slicing through the meat like nobody else existed in the room.

The second Thane dropped into the chair beside Mum, Simon’s fork froze in midair.

“You’re not allowed to sit, Thane,” he said calmly, but with an authority that silenced the room.

Thane’s eyes flew to me like he was searching for answers, but even I had no idea what was going on.

Simon picked up a napkin from the table, wiped the corners of his lips, and downed the rest of his water before facing Thane, who was now standing there like a kid guilty of beating up his classmate.

Without a word, Simon stood and headed down the hall.

And the most surprising part? Thane didn’t hesitate before following him.

“What was that about?” I turned to my mum.

Her face told me she was confused too, but she tried to hide it with a frown.

“Stop meddling, Rachel. Those two are usually like that, so get used to it.”

“Wow, Mum. We’re less than two days in and you already feel like you’ve been here forever. Guess I’m the only one who feels like a stranger in this house then.” I bit my lip suddenly remembering dad. “Did you even ask me about Dad? Is it that easy to put everything behind you?”

She didn’t answer.

That's right. Always ignoring me like my feelings doesn’t matter.

The chair screeched as I stood up. I didn’t wait for her to say anything before making my way to my room.

“Rachel!”

I was already gone down the hall, something like water mixed with salt spilled down my cheek.