Chapter 42

Holy shit

"She did what?" I screamed

I sank to the floor with my head in my hands

"With who?" I asked

"I don't know. I came back from school and I heard Steve shouting at mom and asking why she would cheat on him"

"Did she defend herself?"

"Yes. She kept saying things like 'I'm a beautiful woman and you don't give me enough attention, what do you expect?"

Trust my mum to be full of herself. I mean, after everything this guy has done for her. After my dad put us through hell, this man basically started with her from scratch. She didn't know how to love again, he still stayed with her hoping she would change

He took care of us like his children, he still does. The love he has for her is evident

Why would she just throw that away? Does she know how hard it is to find a man like that?

Now she messed this up. I got frightened when I heard the sounds of breaking glass

My mum came downstairs dressed indecently and a cigarette in her hand

"Where are you going?" I questioned

"Dressed like that" Gerald added eyeing her up and down in disgust

"None of your business"

She walked past us and out of the house

"Come on" Gerald said giving me his hand "let's go check on Steve"

I grabbed his hand and up the stairs we went

"Where do you think he would be?" I whispered

"Let's check his study"

"Okay"

We tip toed to his study. I guess we were scared of the whole situation considering the fact that Steve has never raised his voice at my mum before

Not even the slightest bit. My mum was always the dominating one

Always was and always will be

I stopped when I got to his door. I nudged Gerald's arm, I'm too scared to knock

"Hey, you're the older sister. You knock" he said

"You're a man"

"Fine"

Gerald knocked on the door twice

No answer

Again

No answer

Again

No answer

I opened the door as gently as possible

"You go first" I pushed Gerald in

"Oh my God!" He exclaimed

"What is it?"

I entered the room after him. I gasped at the scene in front of me

There Steve was, at the corner of the room with a glass in his hand

Two empty bottles of Dreher on the floor. He was still in his work clothes

His hair wasn't neatly combed anymore, it was rough

His eyes were bloodshot red. He had one shoe on while the other was on the other side of the room

Gerald and I rushed to him. I calmly took the glass out of his hands

He didn't even notice. He looked like he was oblivious to his surroundings.

"Go get him water" I told Gerald

"On it"

He ran out of the room. I touched Steve's cheek. I couldn't help but sob at the sight of him

This man was a father figure more than my own father was

"Dad" I sobbed

My voice was hoarse. I think that made him snap

He looked at me in shock

"What did you just call me?"

"I called you dad. I'm sorry I didn't say it sooner"

*flashback* (9 years ago)

Gerald and I were in the living room watching TV

"Hey" I poked him

"What's up?"

"Mom said she's bringing her boyfriend home today"

"So?"

"Aren't you excited or something? "

"Pfft I don't care"

"Do you think he'll be nicer than dad?"

"Nope"

"Why not?"

He shrugged

"I don't know. If our dad couldn't treat us right. What makes you think someone else will. Fathers are supposed to be the nicest people you've met"

He did have a point there. I became scared

I heard someone fumbling with the door knob

"Mom's here"

We composed ourselves. I flashed my mom a smile when she came in

A tall handsome man accompanied her. He was holding two shopping bags in his hands

"Good day mom" we greeted

"Hello sir" I said

Gerald continued changing channels, completely ignoring the man

"Gerald!" My mom scolded "I came in with a guest and you can't be polite enough to say hi"

Gerald rolled his eyes

"Hello..... Sir" he said sarcastically. He put emphasis on the word 'sir'

I had to restrain myself from laughing. Gerald is quite the character

"Hello.... Gerald" the man replied in the same sarcastic tone

Oh no. My mind is already telling me that this is not going to end well

"This is my boyfriend ; Steve" my mum introduced. "Steve these are my kids; Bella and Gerald"

"Nice to finally meet you guys" he said smiling

"Likewise sir" I replied

I nudged Gerald to say something else

"Yeah you too" he mumbled

"We're getting married" my mom announced showing us her ring

"What? " Gerald and I screamed.

"How long have you been going out?"

"A year and a half "

"And you never told us?!" I was so annoyed right now

"I decided to keep it to myself. The point is we're getting married. He's your father now"

"I don't want a father" Gerald said. Anger was evident in his voice

I tried to soothe him

"Calm down"

"No! I won't "

"When is the wedding?" I asked

"I'm thinking December "

That's four months away, I cannot believe this

"Um I got this for you " Steve said handing me a bag

"Thank you sir"

I squealed when I saw what was inside. It was a pink Hannah Montana outfit. I love pink

"I told You she'd like it" my mum said to Steve

"Thank You so much. I can't wait to show this off at school tomorrow"

"You're welcome kid"

Gerald scoffed in disgust, his eyes still in the TV

"This is for you" Steve tried giving Gerald a bag but he pushed his hand away

I gasped

"Gerald! What is wrong with you?" I knew my Mom was seconds away from slapping him

"I don't want your money. I don't care if you guys get married just stay out of my way. He can fool all of you but certainly not me"

With that being said, he stood up and stormed out of the room

"Forgive my son's rude behavior" my mum apologized

"Its fine"

I got up and went to his room to check on him

"Hey"

He was lying down on the bed, his body shaking in rage

I sat down by him

"Calm down Gerald"

"Hell no I won't. He thinks he can just waltz in here and bribe us with stuff to make us like him. He will never be my dad. I don't care what mom says"

"I.. "

"Just promise me one thing"

"What?"

"We'll never call him dad. He's not our father"

"What if mum insists?"

"I don't care"

"Will that make you happy? "

"Yes"

"Alright "

"Promise? "

"I promise"

*end of flashback*

Gerald came back with a glass of water. I took it from him and held it up to Steve's lips for him to drink

He gulped it all at once

That's how we spent the rest of the night. Nobody saying anything

We were all lost in our own thoughts