14.My father everyone

Joel

"So, how's school going?" father asks as soon as I enter the living room making me flinch.

God, he scared the shit out of me!

"Good.'' I say after clearing my throat.

He narrows his eyes and points at the seat next to him.

"Good?" he raises his eyebrow, ''I don't need good, I want excellent.''

I sit next to him and look at the ground.

"We're trying-''

"What are you trying Joel, hm? Cuz it's been almost one month since you went to that school, and I haven't heard a single bad rumor about the Meyers, they're still shining. This is you trying? By doing nothing?" he says, and I swallow.

"Look at me.'' he says, but I keep my gaze at the ground.

"Look at me, Joel!'' he raises his voice and I turn to look at him.

I don't like looking at my father's eyes because all I see in them is the disappointment.

"You have to work hard to put those girls in their place, you hear me? Don't let anyone be better than you. You're a Cullen and you have to work hard to deserve that surname. Got it?" he says in a firm tone.

"Yes, father.''

"You have to be the one at the top. And if you aren't, you have to kill the one at the top and take his place. That's what the Cullens do.'' he says proudly, and I nod.

''I have no doubts in Luke and Avril, I'm sure they'll bring down the Meyers very easily without messing up. But you? You'll mess it up more than once. You're too focused on parties and girlfriends and forget about your responsibilities.'' he says, and his words fall on me like a bunch of rocks.

My father is a little bit too perfect on comparing his children.

"So, stop being useless and start over your responsibilities. You got me?" he says stabbing me with his stare.

"Yes father.'' I answer swallowing.

''Good. You may leave.'' he says, and I slowly get up.

"Joel.'' he calls me when I reach the door.

"Yes.'' I turn around.

Don't disappoint me.

"Don't disappoint me.'' he says.

I know my father very well.

I nod and leave.

"Hey honey, how was school?" mom asked.

''Later mom.'' I know I broke her heart, but I'll break it more if I speak to her right now.

I go to my room and lock the door. I sit on my bed and take the phone out of my pocket and start scrolling on TikTok to keep my brain distracted. But is not working.

My father's words are coming on my mind.

Your siblings are better than you.

Take over your responsibilities.

You're irresponsible.

Useless.

Disappointment.

I sigh and open Olivia's Instagram account.

It's been a long time that I stalk her Instagram account, is a good thing that it's not a private one.

I look at her pictures and smile. All her posts are pictures of her or pictures of her with Lucy and Andy and... her family.

The last photo I had with my family was in a business interview.

She has a lot of pictures with her family and in all of them she's smiling.

In one picture she's hugging her father and he's kissing her forehead.

She looks so happy.

When was the last time I hugged my father?

I keep scrolling until I see my favorite photo of her. I mean I like all her photos, but this one gives me joy. It's a silly photo where she's wearing a blue jacket and she's smiling with her fingers in the sides of her mouth and her eyes are closed. I don't know why I like that dump thing. but it's so pure and full of happiness.

"Mister Joel.'' a knock came on my door, ''Dinner is ready.''

I get up with a heavy sigh and head downstairs.

I was good with Olivia's happiness.

I sit on my place in the dinner table.

My father is in the head of the table, in his left is mom and in her side Avril. In dad's right it's Luke and in his side it's me.

No one can change the seats.

''I've got a meeting with Mrs. Score today.'' father begins, ''I'm more than sure that he'll be our company's partner. The partnership will increase our company's economy.''

"That's good.'' Luke says.

Like always, Luke talks a lot with father about the business.

Like there is another talking except business in our dining table.

Maybe that's why Luke is the favorite son.

''It's a matter of time until we make it in the world best companies. The potential-''

Suddenly my phone rings, interrupting my father's speech.

Fuck.

I forgot to put it on silence.

''Sorry.'' I say and turn off the phone.

Stupid David didn't find a better time to call.

"Why isn't your phone off?" father asks.

"Sorry I... I forgot.'' I say swallowing.

He narrows his eyes and then places his hand forward.

"Pass the phone, Joel.'' he says, and I do.

"This way you won't forget anymore.'' he says putting my phone in his jacket's pocket.

I clench my jaw and nod at him.

I look at mom and she look at me with pity.

I don't need her damn pity. I need her to protect me.

"So, as I was saying the potential that our company has to...''

I just need this dinner over.

☯☯☯☯

"Morning, princess.'' I say to Olivia, ''You're waiting for me?"

"You wish.'' she rolls her eyes.

Damn, that attitude.

"Well, you're in my parking place. So that leads me thinking to-''

"Can we talk?" she interrupts me.

I raise my eyebrow. So, she was really waiting for me.

What's wrong with her?

"Aren't we talking right now?" I playfully say.

"Please, it's serious.'' she says.

"Okay. You're coming for a ride so we can talk more intimately?'' I wink pointing to my car.

"No.'' she says.

Is she worried about something?

"Hey are you okay?" I ask.

Did I hit her that bad with that ball yesterday?

How much I hate myself for that.

For some reason I can't see her get hurt.

''I'm fine. Find a place to talk please.'' she says, and I frown.

Okay...

Is she really saying please?

I probably misheard.

''Here. Come here.'' I say pointing at a park bench.

We sit there and she doesn't say anything.

"So?'' I ask.

"I've been thinking about our yesterday's moment and-''

"Aww you've been thinking about me?" I say.

"Shut up and listen.'' she says angry.

"You said that...you said that you can do whatever you want to me. Does that mean that...like...'' she says putting her hair behind her ear.

Why is she nervous?

This isn't the Olivia Meyer I know.

"What are you trying to say?" I ask.

"The things you'll do to me...the things the bet allows you to do...are they...''

"Are you trying to say that I'll do sexual things to you?" I laugh.

Like come on, how can she think that.

I look at her and she looks at me with fear in her eyes.

''Wait, you're serious.'' my face fells.

Did I scare her that much yesterday?

Fucking fuck!

''Princess no, I'm not doing those things to you. I meant only flirting with you. Like come on do I look that kind of a guy?" I ask and she raises her brow.

''Okay I am that kind of guy.'' I say, '' But not with you. I would never do bad things to you.''

You're not like the other girls to me Olivia Meyer.

"How can I trust you?" she asks.

"That's the funny part. You can't.'' I say and her face fells.

"I'm just kidding.'' I laugh and she rolls her eyes.

"You're insufferable. '' she says.

"Okay listen, the words I said yesterday mean that I can flirt with you as much as I want, and you can't stop me.'' I say to her.

"I can stop you.'' she narrows her eyes.

"No, you can't.'' I wink.

"Okay, thank you for your clarifications, have a shitty day!'' she says, and I laugh.

Why do I laugh this much around this girl?

"Hey Liv!'' Andy calls her and she smiles at him.

Will she ever smile like that to me one day?

"Bye, princess. See you in class.'' I say and she flips me.

I smile to myself and try to get my phone out of my pocket.

Oh Yeah, my father has it.

Author's note:

Helloo readers✨️

Thoughts on the Cullen family?

Joel's favorite photo of Olivia👇

Do we like it?

Love you alwayss ❤️

G.T.Diola♡