NOVEL NEXT Chapter 6: Chapter 4. Love At First Sight
4. Love at First Sight
.... Four Years Ago....
"Dad, pick me up by 7, Mom, I have extra classes, so I'll be late, don't worry" I informed my folks about my plans for the day.
My thoughts strayed to the sufferings of my life as soon as we sat in the car, I mean my overprotective father who was about to drop me and myself.
When you become accustomed to discomfort, you begin to adapt to it and learn to live with it. The same thing was happening to us.
Ignorance can be lovely at times. We had to accept the truth that our father couldn't kick his bad habits. We felt misled at first, but time is the best healer, and it was for us.
We adjust even though we are not healed. Mom is doing her best to keep up, Dad loves us and provides us with the pleasures that everyone desires, and Alice is doing a great job as grandmother and being the buddy I need during my break down.
School is OK; I don't hang out with anyone. I have a few people with whom I will always regret opening up. For example, a student whom I mistook for my Bff turned out to be a bitch who abandoned me after learning my darkest family secrets.
Stupid me, at some point, imagined someone would be interested in befriending me, despite the fact that I had friends, 'just friends,' who were with me either because of my family name or because of my grades.
But that's okay since no one is committing to being with me. I don't need anyone, and I'm happier alone.
When the car came to a stop, I snapped out of my trance.
When Dad motioned towards school, I blinked, perplexed. He got out of the car and proceeded to the other side to open the door for me, as he has been accustomed to doing.
"Have a nice day, princess," dad said as he leaned in to kiss my cheek. I quickly got my bag from the backseat and checked for my books.
I turned back at the entryway and waved to my father.
I was so preoccupied with my thoughts that I forgot I was 15 minutes late. Shit! After looking at my watch, I started sprinting as the revelation hit me.
Mr. Cooke sent me a fierce look, his thick glasses resting on his flat nose, his lips squeezed in a thin line, Weirdo! I was only 15 minutes late. Okay, count it 20, not as I like asked for his kidney or anything.
Mr. Cooke cleared his throat, drawing the class's attention. "Have I made myself clear that anyone who is going to be late will be offered the pleasure of detention the next time?" He spoke in a serious but mocking tone. Though it appeared to be an announcement, I knew he was implicitly insulting me.
The school was a blur. I grabbed all of my notes and headed to the library to get the books I required for future self-study.
It was 7 p.m. when I went out of school looking for a black Volkswagen, and there it was, with dad leaning on the door. When dad noticed me approaching him, he smiled slightly.
"How was your day, love?" Dad inquired, hugging me. His everyday habit would be to inquire about my day.
"School is fine, but how long have you been waiting here, gentleman?" I enquire, narrowing my eyes, fully expecting a negative response.
"Half past 5," he shrugs, a Cheshire cat grin on his face. I tell you, this man is insane, but I still love him.
"Where do you think you're going after making such a mess, Miss Khione?" While climbing the spiral staircase, I hear Mom's voice from behind me.
My gaze wanders the entire living room, analyzing the mess I've made, before settling on my mother, who has her arms folded around her chest and a frown on her beautiful face.
I smirk at her, Mom well aware that I would do lunged forward to catch me, but before that happens, I wink at her and sprint towards my room.
"Selena! Return this instance; this cannot be tolerated on a daily basis "Mom rushes up behind me.
As soon as I reach my room, my eyes lazily wander around the wardrobe, searching for comfy PJ's. When I find one, I threw it on the bed, and I stare between bed and washroom in a dilemma. But the bed seems more inviting. Hence I was about to follow my heart's lead. But before that could happen, someone crashes into my room.
"At least go get showered before you sleep, and come down for dinner after you get cleaned," Mom says before heading downwards after lecturing me.
Boredom seeping in every cell of my body, Unwillingly, I get to the washroom to freshen up. After showering, when I enter the dining area, my nostrils flare to the inviting aroma coming from the kitchen.
When dinner is made, I walk to dad, who is busy watching some stock market thing, listening ever so carefully not to miss out on any detail, which by the way, is least of my interest.
Joining him on the couch, I lean my head on his chest, hugging him sideways. It's so comfortable, I tell you. We began chatting about random stuff when someone rings the door. Dad went to get it.
"This year has been profiting one for 'Ken enterprises', at such young age I am only interested in honesty, loyalty, determination and hard work" a mesmerizing voice coming from TV caught my attention.
When I lift my gaze to look at the source of the voice, my breath gets hitched in my throat as my eyes meet with dark black charcoal orbs that seem to be looking back at me.