CHAPTER 004: POOLSIDE VIEW

JUNE.

Warm water still clung to my skin as I stepped out of the shower. The bathroom was nothing like the one I knew I was used to.

I grabbed a towel, wrapping it tightly around my body, my mind drifted back to an hour ago. How was it possible? The worst person I had met in school was my step-brother? What did the girl call him? I tried to remember.

“Whatever!” I snapped. He could bear whatever he chose as a name.

Why was he even in that… thing? Was that how he dressed whenever he was home? I shrugged. The unwanted picture kept flooding back into my eyes.

The clear outline of his cock against the tiny strap that barely covered his face. I paused for a while. Why was it so huge and hard? The thought of that sent heat between my thighs, and for some reason I hated it.

“No way, June,” I called out to myself. “That boy is just a rude, spoiled brat! He's no good.” I resumed applying lotion all over my body.

A sharp knock sounded on the door.

“June?” Mom's voice from outside the door. Then the doorknob moved like she was trying to get in.

I walked over quickly, twisting the handle open. “Yeah? Coming,” I responded quickly, shuffled to the door, and twisted the handle open.

“Oh my…” She breathed. Her eyes widened the moment she stepped in, moving around the room like she was in a fairy world.

Her fingers brushed over the edge of the dresser, then the bed, then the curtains. She moved slowly, like she didn’t want to miss anything, by the time she turned to face me her eyes had moistened. Her lips curved into one of the realist smiles I had never seen on her face in a while.

I could tell this entire marriage idea made her really happy. My chest tightened. I feared if this life would ever last. I feared Mr. Grayson becoming like every other man, like Dad. Then she turned again, overlooking the pool.

She pulled the curtain slightly aside, and light spilled into the room. Her face lit up even more.

“June… look at this.” She sang. “The view from here is so pretty… the pool, the lights, the sky.”

I didn’t move, but I know what she was on about. I had spent time standing at that same position she had stood before finally dashing into the bathroom.

“Yeah,” I muttered. “It’s nice.” I needed to respond to her chatter. This was the life she had always wanted. I swallowed hard.

She turned back to me, still smiling, then walked closer. Her hands found mine, warm and gentle as always.

“June… I'm sorry. I'm sorry for pulling you into this. I understand that this isn't what you want,” The smile faded slowly, her eyes softened too.

“I know this isn’t easy for you,” she continued, her thumbs brushing lightly over my hands. “I know I pushed this on you.”

I didn’t say anything, I just looked, swallowed, and listened like a good child. She inhaled slowly, her gaze dropping for a second before lifting again.

“There was no one else I could leave you with,” she said softly. “And I couldn’t keep doing it alone anymore… Victor… he makes me happy.” Her eyes shimmered slightly, her voice wavered.

I felt it instantly. That familiar tightness in my chest. All I wanted was her happiness, and if this was going to bring it to her, then I wouldn't take it away.

My hand lifted without thinking, brushing gently against the corner of her eye before the tear could fall.

“Don’t cry, Mom,” I murmured.

She let out a small laugh, shaky but real, covering my hand with hers.

“I’m not,” she said quickly, blinking it away.

I held her gaze. I could see her eyes glisten for the first time in years. There was no rule against finding love a second time. But I was going to speak with Mr. Grayson. He should never dare hurt my mom.

For the first time since Mr. Grayson, I didn't argue, I didn't push. I just understood her, maybe not everything yet, but enough to accept my new reality.

“I’ll be fine,” I said quietly. Then I managed a smile.

Her lips trembled into a smile.

“I know you will.” Her lips trembled into a smile too as she pulled me into a quick hug, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

I squeezed her lightly. “I’ll make you proud. It's a promise.”

“You already do, honey.” The words stayed with me even as she pulled away.

“Come downstairs when you’re ready,” she added, stepping toward the door. “Dinner is almost set.”

Dinner? My stomach twisted. I was going to have dinner on the same table as that rude boy? This was as hard as a death sentence. The door jammed shut behind her.

Quickly I moved toward the huge mirror by the dresser. Chest thumping lightly as I checked out the best top like I was going for a pageant or something.

It's either one had a loose neckline, or the next one was already washed. I heaved almost too loudly. I wasn't going to walk out there, and let that boy humiliate me with his eyes.

Soon, the floor of my new room was covered in clothes, yet nothing seemed good enough. I stood after selecting my top three.

“eenie…minie…miny…moe,” I recited. It had fallen on a black dress. I guess that was good enough.

After what seemed like a power tussle and cold war, I was dressed in a simple black dress. Nothing too much, tiny straps over my shoulders and crossed at my back, fabric barely brushing my knees, everything looked perfect as I glossed up my lips lightly, hair held in a loose bun, a few stray strands across my face.

Finally, I was ready to walk down there, with my head held up high, and never let that boy taunt me. He must have won in school, but the battle was just getting started.