Chapter 26

Thindi dawn the minirÄ°ly, the cent of the heroch rolier mHEME Freere I let out aboth, the che hann THAYA standing on end krimine whose lace would greet me v carly.

I woke up Garlier than usual today sering that I had the best slecp in days last night. I was now thinking that it was a blessing and a curse A blessing because I had enough time to get ready for school and a curse because now I had to face father after a few day’s o í not catching a glimpse of his face.

I pushed back my composure, hating that the thought of facing him was nerve Wracking. A daughter shouldn’t feel that way, yet, I did.

I continued my way to the kitchen, forcing myself to get my pummeling heart under control. As I rounded the corner, the scent of the drug only grew stronger. I tapped my finger on my thigh as I finally entered the cooking area fully.

From the laptop belare him. They were darker than usual but cald like normal Fathered the My eyes leave his cold face to fall on the ceramic mug filled to the brim with the dark liquid that assaulted the area with its scent. It looked so black, so bitter, yet, it was the only thing that sermed to make father happy. Perhaps they weren’t all that different.

“Good morning father.” My eyes tear away from the bitter liquid filled inside the thin wall of ceramic to fall into the surprised eyes of father.

” You are up so early?” His voice was always so gruff and intimidating.

I let my eyes stray to the clock mounted o ni the wall. It was six-forty. I suppose it. was earlier than my usual waking up time.

“uh hum.” I nodded and walked over to the fridge. Gertrude wasn’t here yet so I had no other choice but to make my own h afcereal, i plodvederver in the kitchen island and plopped my botton on al staallanther from him.

The air is filled with a coldness that would make anyone uncomfortable. Still, Ichewed on the cereal to get my nerve in check.

I listened to him the sound of the laptop keys as he typed away aggressively. The sound was almost as nerve-racking as the man who caused it.

“‘Would you stop that!”

I’m startled, unconsciously throwing the spoon back into the bowl. I turn to the now glaring man, whose eyes pierces through mine angrily from where he sat.

He had halted his typing, instead issued me with a displeased look that unsettled me. “Stop what?” I asked softly, after I swallowed the cereal, knowing that if I Rhadn’t before speaking he’d probably Hep h anud thrigh his short dark brown hair that inherited from him and Kets m an irad breath “Stepchen “Sorry.” I apologized knowing that is say anything sharky it would definitely upset him even further.

“And stop slouching.” He demanded while reaching for the coffee situated on the island beside the laptop. He brings the white ceramic mug to his lips, sipping the hot liquid, not at all fazed by the heat.

His demand had my spine snapping straight and posture fixing into one that pleased him, Placing the mug back down, he gives me his attention. Something I didn’t want at this moment.

“Have you found a solution to improve on your math?” His question was random, a s if looking for a way to converse without. sounding forced.

It still came out forced.

“I’m working on it.” I answered tightly a I slowly grasp the snoon and how the in I mare my eyes away from him Ymd so early.

“You need to be serious about this Arbella. You can’t flunk math again, you’re a senior now and colleges don’t – 1 “I said I’m working on it.” I hissed dropping the spoon in the bowl with a loud clunk.

I didn’t understand why he insisted that I flunked math last term. I only got ninety five than my usual ninety-seven. In my eyes, it wasn’t flunking. There were other more important things than a bad grade which wasn’t even bad to begin with. 1 “Don’t speak to me in that tone-” He started but he is interrupted by a feminine voice. Mother walks into the kitchen, her face already painted with makeup.

“What’s going on?” She questions and looks between father and I breakfast and pretending to be a family manched of the Kitchen FArabila” Mother’s voice called out tom en I made my way upstairs.

As my lert carried me way from them. I could still hear the sole whispers of their voices as they tried to speak civilly to each other. Keyword, tried, I stopped, wanting to hear their words.

“What did you say to her John?!” Mother hissed.

“Only what a father should be concerned about.” He answered back with irritation coating his voice thickly.

” Which is what exactly? She looks very upset John.”

“She’s a teenager Margie. They’re always upset. Arabella needs to focus on her grades, I fear she might not get into a college if she keeps flunking her exams.” Father hissed.

“Why don’t you urge her to study more Fhy don’t you use her to study more instead of playing with your materials and expensive necessories?”

His question was an accusation that I knew would lead to some sort of argument.

“Oh you’re one to talk! We live in the same house, yet you barely get a glimpse of your daughter! You finally got a chance today and you ruined it!” Mother spat. like fire meeting gasoline.

“Enough of this nonsense Margie I had enough of hearing them argue. Not wanting to ruin my morning further, I walked to my room to get ready for school.

College sounds like a really good idea now. At least then, I’d be far from, them.