CHAPTER 22

*RAIN OF 'TERROR'*

"Oliver!!! That is not a way to talk to a woman!" Oliver's mom spat angrily. She couldn't believe she just heard her son speak to a lady like that; he was always so respectful even though he was cold like his father. Her friend had already informed her about her daughter's visit, so she knew Veronica was going to be there. But instead of being grateful that someone was there to check on him, he was chasing her out of the house.

"Mom..." he couldn't even say anything before his mom shut him off.

"Apologize to her now!" His mom yelled angrily. Oliver knew he had to listen to his mother, or else he won't hear the end of it. So he reluctantly turned to Veronica and said, "Sorry." His apology was very cold and sounded forced. His mom was even more displeased.

"Is that even an apology? You are not even showing a bit of remorse." Obviously very angry by her son's attitude, she spoke. Oliver's silence irritated her even more. She expected him to know better and give a better apology.

"Oliver!" She called, and he immediately understood.

"I am sorry...Veronica." Oliver tried to sound as remorseful as possible to please his mom.

"It's okay," Veronica spoke.

"Am so sorry darling." Oliver's mom was very embarrassed about her son's behaviour. She walked to Veronica who was standing and touched her cheeks. Veronica smiled.

"No, it's okay Aunt. You don't need to apologize." Veronica replied even though she didn't mean a word she said. She was very angry Oliver spoke to her like that, despite the fact she came over to check up on him. But Veronica will always be Veronica, a two-faced girl.

"I need to. It's my fault he's such a spoilt brat." Oliver just ignored the conversation and began walking back to his room. But before he could even get up the stairs;

"Get back here, where do you think you are going?" His mom stopped him.

"To my room..." he replied. His mom gave him a weird side-eye look.

"Veronica came to see you. It's either you stay here with us or she comes with you to your room." Oliver wondered if his mom was okay. Why would she even think he would want her in his room. 'Isn't it so obvious I want her as far away from me as possible?" He thought. Knowing that his mom was being serious about inviting Veronica into his room, walked back to a couch and slumped, looking like someone who has nothing else to live for. His mother ignored him and focused her attention on Veronica;

"Have you been offered anything?" His mom asked Veronica. Veronica acted like she found it difficult to answer, at the same time she was trying to hint that she hadn't been offered anything.

"Oh my gosh!" Oliver's mom exclaimed, she looked at Clara with a frown. Clara, who was given that stare, immediately understood and quickly went to the kitchen.

"Am so sorry dear." She apologized to Veronica. His mom really felt embarrassed; they couldn't even entertain their guest.

"Aunt, it's okay." Veronica kept on playing the good girl role with ease.

"Am sure you haven't had dinner yet, have dinner with us okay?" Oliver's mom offered Veronica. On hearing that Oliver, who was not interested in whatever his mom had been doing, quickly looks towards their side.

"Mom isn't it late. She's a girl and shouldn't stay this late out." Oliver was against the idea, he didn't want Veronica to stay any longer. He didn't even care if she stayed out till night or not; he just wanted her out of his house. His mom, who never turned to him, spoke;

"Bianca had already informed me that she was coming, so definitely you should know that dinner was part of the plan. And if it gets too late, I'll drop her off myself or I'll ask the driver to drop her." This didn't work with Oliver at all. He was even more irritated by Veronica's pretence.

"Aunt, I'll be okay. Besides, I brought my car," Veronica explained gently.

"Your mom is spoiling you a lot darling; you even have a car of your own now." Oliver's mom was surprised; she hadn't even gotten her own son anything yet. She was waiting for him to be 18. While Oliver did not care. Veronica didn't reply, she just smiled. She didn't know what to say.

*OLIVER'S P.O.V.*

'Veronica is so good at acting' I thought, not even trying to look at them again. My mom had already made her decision, and there's nothing I can do about it. I'll just wait for the hours to pass by. I picked up my phone and started playing games on it to distract myself.

"Are you coming to school tomorrow?" That very annoying bitch just had to ask me a question. Does she really think I am going to reply? I continue to play my games, completely ignoring her. But my mom just had to call me again.

"Oliver! She just asked you a question." Why's my mom behaving like she doesn't understand that I am not interested in answering this bitch. Do I even have a choice? This is mom, she's just as stubborn as I am.

"No." Came my short and cold reply to Veronica. Suddenly my phone starts ringing, I take a look at it wondering who it is. To my surprise, it's Alice's mom. But I'm quite sure it's Alice using her mom's phone. Surely, everyone heard my phone ringing. I stood up and went upstairs to answer the call. This time no one stopped me.

"Hello!" I heard her sweet voice coming from the phone when I picked up the call. A slight smile formed on my face.

"Hey, Alice." My voice came out cold, I tried to soften my voice, but it just didn't seem right.

"How are you doing?" She asked. She probably didn't know what to say.

"Am doing kinda okay." Well, I obviously wasn't okay until she called, since that witch is right in my living room.

"Kinda?" She asked not satisfied with my reply.

"Am okay Alice. It just feels annoying that I won't be able to come to school until next week." I complained.

"Ohhhh!" She exclaimed softly. "That's okay. You'll have more time to get better." That's how she is, always so considerate.

"Hmm maybe," I said not quite satisfied. "How are you doing? And how's school." He asked worriedly. Her reply didn't come as fast as it should, and that made me even worried.

"School's fine. And am good." That was the issue, she wasn't so good at lying, so I knew something was up.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing. I just said being good." She replied. I was not quite satisfied with her answer.

"I know there's something wrong. Did Victor say anything, or was it Veronica?" I asked.

"Nothing like that. I wasn't bothered." She said. I knew she was lying through her teeth, and she won't tell me because she didn't want to bother me. I'll find out myself anyways.

(Since I got no comments for Oliver and Alice's mom, i finally thought of names on my own. Oliver's mom will be called Linda And Alice's mom will be called Iris.)