Chapter 4: Emotional

I hate Atlas Cameron and I mean it!

I hate the way he talked and delivered his words to me, and I hate it more that he had to always bring up what happened between us that night, plus the fact that he compared me to his slut! And the audacity to call me what? Babydoll? 

Babydoll his ass! 

“Please, Bev. Be with me just this once. I’m doing this all for you, honey.” Mom said while we were inside Atlas’ car.

“Yeah. Whatever.” I scoffed. Bitterness has its own way to attack my chest. I heard her sigh.

I’m well aware of my emotional responses, like me being such a brat towards her. I honestly don’t want to pull this side of me. I’m trying to be mature, as I should but, God! She’s just so insensitive. 

Does she really think everything’s back to normal now just because I’m here with them, accepting my defeat? There’s no way for it to happen. I just know that after all of these, things will never be the same anymore between us and I’ll forever blame her for that.

I quietly watched our house throughout the window until it slowly disappeared from my sight. My heart was aching as I reminisced those memories we made there, with just the three of us. Me, her, and Dad. We were like a healthy unbreakable family back then and it was something I would brag about to all my schoolmates. For them, I got to live the life everybody wished to have and that, I was the luckiest person they’ve ever met.

I had everything before. But then, it’s just all in my head now and I ought to keep them forever.

Mom held my hand that was resting on my thigh. It only worsened the sting which continued to grow inside my chest. 

“Can’t believe we’re now leaving dad’s house.” I said bitterly.

“He left us first, Beverly.” I swiftly turned to her due to her reply. 

“No. He’s working out there, to provide. To prove himself to you. To us.” I worded with firmness. Her eyes softened and I didn’t like the idea that it somehow touched me.

“It’s just a made up story. I know it’s not the right place to talk about it but,” she paused as she glanced at Atlas who remained unbothered in the driver’s seat. Mom put her gaze back to me after. “Your father didn’t leave us for work at all, it was all because of his mistress. Diana Laurel. She gave him the opportunity to live the luxurious life with her and he willingly embraced it.” She revealed. My jaw dropped, eyes stretched out of shock. 

“What?” Her expression stayed. My eyes moistened. “That’s not true. I don’t believe you.” I refused to. My father will never do that! What the hell? 

We just had a video call last week and he seemed fine. He was actually busy doing his stuff and he just paved a little of his time to talk to me.

“That’s why I chose to keep it to you. Because I know you would react this way. You would believe him more than my words.” Mom gave me a bitter smile. I gripped on my skirt tightly.

“He loves me. He wouldn’t hurt me like that…” I blinked my impending tears. Damn! Why am I so emotional today? This isn’t me, I swear!

But it just crashed me deep down. No matter how hard I refused to believe, the pain stayed there. It affected me big time. I said I wouldn’t believe in my mother but then, she delivered it so genuinely, with all the fucking sincerity. So, yeah. I guess I’m just being in denial.

“I know. You’ve always been your dad’s girl,” she hugged me, and I let her. I’m too devastated to react. “But I want you to know that we can’t be the complete family as before, anymore.” She whispered softly which triggered my tears to come out freely.

“We’re here.” Atlas announced. 

I released myself from mom’s hug as I fixed my composure. We stepped out of the car and I went straight to the compartment and was planning to get my things when Atlas took it so as my mother’s. I frowned at him. He raised an eyebrow and didn’t say a word. He just walked passed me with our things on his both hands.

Should I give him a clap for executing such convincing façade?

Cameron’s villa was just one of those places I’ve never imagined to step my feet in. But here I am, walking through their dustless hallway, admiring every spot that my eyes would see. Some of their helpers were doing their duties on their vast grassy yard. There’s a big beautiful fountain near the gazebo and who knows what’s in the backyard. Probably the garden with various ornaments and kinds of flowers.

Actually, the place is dreamy. It’s not that bad for my taste. But still, I hate that we needed to move here. 

I even spotted some men in black, they were wearing shades. They looked so tall, bulky and so scary. What the? What kind of family is this, really? Aside from being the well-known multi-billionaire who dominated the business industry, is there other fact I have to know about them?

“Welcome back, Sir Atlas!” The maids were lining upon the both sides of the entrance door as we reached it. “Welcome, Ms. Barbara, Ms. Beverly.” They greeted us next.

“Thank you!” Mom happily acknowledged them. I rolled my eyes.

When I heard someone’s whisper to my ear.

“Welcome to my world, Bev.” Atlas whispered before he swiftly walked ahead of me like nothing happened. I balled my fists, my teeth chattered against my lips.

If the outside view was kind of refreshing to the sight, the villa’s inside turned out to be classical with a touch of creepy ambiance. I don’t know if it’s just me but I find the black painted walls and the arrangement of everything so old-fashioned, or maybe I just never liked medieval themes at all.

We stopped halfway on the hall. I looked up at the elegant chandelier hanging in the center. It was too mesmerizing to look at. There were some bluish-green rhinestones on its detailed corners which reminded me of someone’s eyes.

I heaved a sigh. Why am I even thinking of that arrogant man?

“They’re here, Dad.” I heard Atlas resonant voice so I gazed at whom he was talking to and then, I saw a man sitting comfortably on a black sofa, holding a glass of wine.

From the television, the man turned his head to us and I quickly realized who he was. He’s the Trevor Cameron, Atlas’ father and my mother's lover.

“Barbara.” His eyes immediately found my mom.

“Oh I’ve missed you, Trev! Thank God we’re here finally.” Mom walked towards him and my face soured when she shamelessly hugged and kissed him in front of us.

How gross!

“I’m glad you both arrived here safely.” 

“Well, all thanks to Atlas.” Mom acknowledged as she comfortably clung to Trevor’s arm.

Looking at them, they looked really in love with each other and it’s still making me feel bitter even after knowing what my father did to us. The scratch never faded, it remained intact there.

“And you must be Beverly.” Trevor finally noticed me after having their shameless smooches. A warm smile appeared on mom’s crimson lips.

“Yeah. Trev, this is my daughter, Beverly. Bev, this is Trevor. I already told you about him, right?” She gave me a meaningful look. I lazily nodded. She sighed. “Sorry about her. She’s just a grown brat sometimes.” Jeez. “So? Is there something you want to say to Trev, dear?” She even inquired. My lips curled up.

I turned to her man then. “How did you get into my mom’s panties?” I asked, nonchalantly. It earned a dramatic gasp from mom.

Meanwhile, Trev seemed not to take it seriously unlike what I was expecting him to. Instead, he remained calm, he even chuckled so lightly! I also heard Atlas cleared his throat beside me but I ignored him.

“Bev! What kind of question is that?” Mom looks flushed. Meh. Why is she acting so innocently demure lady all of a sudden?

“That amazed me though. So, to feed your curiosity, I got into your mom’s-“ before Trevor could finish his sentence, mom quickly cut him off.

“What the hell, trev? You don’t have to answer that! Bev’s just joking, anyway!” She reacted. My eyebrow shot up. Joking my ass, mom.

“Okay, okay. Calm down, Barbara.” Trev chuckled lowly.

The more I stared at his naughty expression, the more it reminded me of his son who’s just quiet beside me—on second thought, not anymore.

“Dad, can I leave now? I still have a lot of work to do.” Irritation laced on his voice. I bit my lower lip. He’s just probably forced to do this, to accompany us here. Maybe he just couldn’t say no to his father.

Making me want to think, is Trevor Cameron that scary? He doesn’t look like one to me though. However, every person has a dark side and they’re just born to be a great pretender.

“Oh, right! I almost forgot,” Trev smirked. Mom laughed beside him. “You accompany Bev to her room before you leave.” He then, ordered his son who got a frown on his face.

I could tell Atlas’ disapproval as we walked upstairs to go to my room. I clearly get that he doesn’t really want me to be here either, but why is he not complaining? Why did he have to just go with the flow?

“You don’t actually have to go with me. I can find it myself.” I spoke and ruined the silence between us.

“Shut up.” He dismissed me. How dare he?!

“Bastard.” I murmured. He breathed harshly.

“What did you say?” Instead of letting myself get intimidated, I walked faster to go ahead of him.

“Ugh! Just how many rooms you have here, really?” I complained after a few minutes of walking on the hallway.

“Just shut the fuck up, will you?” Atlas seemed completely annoyed now. What’s wrong with this man? Is he somewhat a bipolar?

But the stubborn side of me didn’t listen. Instead, I intended to provoke him more.

“You can’t make me, Cameron.” I taunted. He clenched his jaw as he gazed at me darkly.

In one swift move, he caught my wrists and he pinned me against the wall. My chest rapidly moved up and down, heart quickly reacted violently even. 

“Remember, you’re in my territory now. Do not fucking provoke me or else, you’ll regret it.” He said dangerously. 

I knew it was never a joke. It sounded like a real warning to me because it really was.

He eventually let go off me but the effect stayed on my system. Even after we reached our room and he left me there with my things. Tears automatically exploded from my eyes the moment he closed the door. My body fell on the bed and I let myself cry there.

I don’t understand why am I being so emotional. I don’t really know.