ENGAGED TO MY EX'S BROTHER

Chapter 3: Family

EMILY

“Just take everything easy my daughter.” mum beseeches me for the umpteenth time but I can't hear any of that!

“Everything happens for a reason!”

So mum simply means that for Charlie to impregnate my best friend, he had a reason for that or what does she mean? It's like she knows absolutely nothing about heart breaks!

I left the hotel room earlier today and took a cab straight home. I still live with my parents despite the fact that I'm working and I'm old enough to be on my own.

Since I arrived here, I've locked myself in my room and when the memories of Saturday came flooding back into my mind, I cried like a baby. That's why mum is soothing me, giving me all sort of assurances but the stubborn me can't hear any of it!

I'm still on leave therefore I'll be resuming work next week but one. I don't know how I'll face my colleagues because most of them attended my supposed wedding and they clearly witnessed all that happened.

I'm sure the news have spread like wild fire and I don't know how to face them when I finally resume. Where do I hide my face?

If only I had a sister...or a brother...they'd be assuring me and hold my hand but unfortunately, I'm the only child to my parents and they treasure me a lot.

Charlie has been here twice to set things straight but I told mum not to let him in. Today he forced his way and ran to my room but I had locked myself from inside.

He begged me to listen to him, that it wasn't how it looked like... Natalie seduced him..he's terribly sorry...we can work things out...bla bla bla, but I couldn't hear any of it. I didn't want to give him the benefit of hearing me crying so I pretended I wasn't listening and instead, took my headphones and blocked my ears with some sweet music. He finally gave up and left after realizing that he was flogging a dead horse but he couldn't leave before he assured me of his immense love for me and that he'll never love again.

Well, that's his cup of tea and I don't give a damn about him anymore. I'm done! We're done! For good!

“Dinner is ready baby.” Mum calls me from the dinning table. I'm in the sitting room watching a documentary and I can't get my eyes off the television. “Go and call your dad.” she adds.

Sighing, I stand up from the comfy couch and slip my feet into my slippers then take the stairs to dad's study.

He's busy reading a news paper and I watch with interest as he peruses through the pages, digesting every information in each page.

“Dad...” I call softly and he turns to look at me, adjusting his reading glasses. “Dinner is ready and mum says you should come to the dinning table.” I tell him.

“Come here my daughter.” he says as he closes the newspaper and removes his spectacles.

I walk closer to him and he makes me sit on the adjacent chair.

“You see my daughter...” he starts. “Never ever feel like you're not good enough, even if anyone makes you feel so. You're good enough my dear. You're the best thing that ever happened to Janet and I. You're the pride of this family...no matter what happens, just know that I, Mr Eric Peterson will never let you down!” My face is bend downwards and I nod in understanding. When I lift my face, my eyes lock with my father's eyes which are already teary and I can see the love in his ageing eyes.

My mum and dad are the best in the whole world. They have been my pillars of strength, my encouragers, my life, my everything. They've loved me unconditionally and they're all I've got in the whole world.

My dad is the sole proprietor of Peterson's holdings and his efforts to have me work for him bore no fruits. I mean, mum works there, alongside him and then me? I couldn't accept the offer back then but right now, if he dares utter a word about me joining them, I'll jump at the offer without thinking twice! I mean, I'm that desperate. I sincerely need a job but going back to my former work place will be difficult. All the eyes will be on me and for those who hate me, I'm sure it'll be celebration after celebration! Anyway, I'll cross that bridge when I reach there.

Besides, I can as well quit since I get enough allowances from dad and I can live comfortably with what he wires into my account every now and then. It's just that I don't want to look like a coward! No daughter of Eric Peterson will ever give up so easily! Never!

My mind shifting back to dad, I praise him for being the best in the world and mum too.

He smiles as he stands up and helps me to stand. He hugs me and holds my hand, leading me outside.

“Let's have dinner before it gets cold!” he says and we walk downstairs, laughing like the friends that we are...I mean, dad and I always encourage each other just as friends do!

“Father and daughter! You'll never stop to amaze me!” mum says. “Just a few minutes ago, you were curled up on the couch, wallowing in self pity and you couldn't talk to me and now here you are, laughing heartily beside your father!” she adds as she serves us.

“Mum! Please serve me, I'm starving!” I say as my stomach rumbles for the umpteenth time, reminding me that the food I ate that fateful Saturday morning is the only meal sustaining me, despite the fact that I flushed it all out of my system due to the laxatives added into my food by that b***h Natalie!

The food is delicious, the best meal just like mum prepares all our food whenever the nanny is away. I also know how to cook but not as delicious as mum's!

“So honey,” dad calls me as we sit on the couch in the living room. “What are your plans?” he asks.

“Nothing daddy. I'm just waiting for my leave to come to an end then I'll go back to work to face the sneering and mockery of my colleagues. It'll be just for sometime then it'll pass..I guess!” I reply genuinely. For now, I don't care but I'm sure I'll get a nervous breakdowns when I go back to work and get treated like a reject! Oh my God! I don't know how I'll handle that!

“Don't worry my daughter, everything will be fine.” he assures me.

“However, Janet and I thinks you should go on a vacation before your leave ends. Who knows, you might come back more energised and ready to face your fears!”

“I don't want to go anywhere dad! This house and my room are enough consolation to me.” I reply genuinely. I just don't want to be away, else I'll think and think till I fall into depression...or so I assume!

“Just think about it honey.” that's mum. “tell us your decision tomorrow and your father will do all the necessary booking and arrangements for you.” she assures me and I nod, assuring them that I'll think about everything and let them know.

I know their concern for me is genuine and they sincerely do not want me to be stressed or wallow in depression. It would kill them to see me suffering that's why they want to make it up to me and to ensure I'm comfortable and I actually forget about the heartbreak I'm undergoing.

But are they forgetting something? Why can't they just offer me the chance to work with them and I'll jump at it like my life depends on it!

Earlier today, I told mum never to allow Charlie, Natalie or their parents into our house and she agreed with me. She's hurt as much as I am and she doesn't want anything to do with them anymore!

I had to tell them about what triggered the running stomach on Saturday and she called Natalie's parents to warn them about their daughter's actions. Mum insisted on taking legal action against her but I had to talk to her against it. Natty was once my best friend, my confidant, my everything. All I need is to hold onto the unforgettable memories we had together and let guilt kill her. I'll never sue her for anything!

I'm already sleepy therefore I bid my parents goodbye and head to my room to sleep. I'm sure tomorrow will be a good day and it'll bring new beginnings in my life!

Once in my bed, I take a lot of time trying to catch some sleep but to no avail. I try reading a scary novel, watch a horror movie in YouTube but all I can think of is Natalie and Charlie on bed, cuddling and making babies! Agggr! What do I do to sleep?