The Alpha's Regret

Chapter 5

{Ellie's POV}

Rhys was my brother. That cold and distant looking man was my older brother.

The first time I saw him at the café, I already felt that connection with him, and now, it explains everything…but not the way he behaves towards me. The image of him and dad fighting yesterday crossed my mind, and now, the feeling that it was all because of me have never been so stronger.

“I hope that you two would get along soon.” Dad seemed hopeful.

I doubt that. Rhys was like a stone surrounded by high frozen walls. It was impossible to break them down.

But still, I forced a smile and nodded. “Yeah. Me too.”

After a moment of silence, Dad spoke again.

“Ellie, I want you to start your new life here from now on. I could enroll you to the only school here. You’re in your last year in senior high, right?” He asked and I merely nodded my head. “You can start making new friends, socialize with other people. Your brother—he has a lot of friends. Maybe he could introduce you to them.” I heard the hesitation in his voice, so I immediately guessed that his last suggestion wasn’t the greatest idea.

I shifted in my seat. “Maybe.” I do want to go back to school. If there’s anything I love, it’s studying and learning new things every day. It doesn’t even matter if no one would like me in that place as long as I would learn. Everything just fades away the moment the teacher started the lecture. I know most student doesn’t feel the same way, but I’ve always thought that I was different from them.

And that’s okay.

“That’s great. I’ll enroll you today, so you could start school tomorrow. Does that sound okay to you?” Dad seemed very eager with the thought of me fitting in here, and I guess it was better than staying here at this room all day long.

“Yeah.”

We finally went downstairs, so I could finally meet the rest of the ‘family’. I still couldn’t shake of the amazement I was feeling with the interior design of the house and how huge it was. I felt like I was a princess living in a palace. Dad led me to another room which I could immediately guessed was the dining, and instead of gaping at the interiors, the background fades away when I saw a long table with people I’ve never seen before.

Something shifted inside me the moment I walked inside. It was like my whole body was tingling and my heartbeat suddenly started to beat so fast without any reason. I was curious about this people and a bit nervous but not enough to make my heart go haywire like that.

I felt Dad’s hand on my shoulder and it kind of gave me confidence to stand in front of all these people and their burning stares.

“Everyone, let me introduce to you all my daughter, Ellie.” Silence filled the room as everyone stared at me.

Anxiety creep in but I forced myself to wave at them in the most gentle and shy manner before murmuring a hi.

A woman suddenly stood up, surprising me. She was beautiful. Her blonde hair was tied in a slick bun, and she had a slim body. Though, she looked much older than me.

“Oh, is this finally her?”

My father didn’t spoke, so I guess he was giving me the chance to answer. I smiled a little and nodded my head.

“I just arrived yesterday.”

“Oh, shame on you Luther for not introducing her to us immediately.” She threw a playful glare at Dad.

“She was tired, Roxanne. She needed to rest.”

Roxanne rolled her eyes but nodded in understanding. “Well, I suppose you’re right. It was quite a long flight. I’ll let this one slide. Now, come on Ellie, sit beside me.”

I helplessly looked at Dad and he just nodded at me encouragingly.

Roxanne guided me towards the left side of the head of the table where I thought dad was going to sit, but he didn’t. Instead, he sat down across from Roxanne and that’s when I noticed that Rhys was sitting across from me.

That man is my brother.

I tried to smile at him but they instantly faltered when he stared coldly at me. I gulped and blink back the hurt in my eyes. Wow, I guess he really doesn’t like me, huh. I felt rejected, ignored, and hated by the way he was acting towards me, but I forced a smile to everyone since Roxanne started introducing me to them.

“Ellie, meet my nephews, Kevin and Kalvin. They’re twins and very much identical but don’t worry, Kevin was the one with gray eyes and Kalvin had the blue ones. Just remember that and you will be fine.” She end it with a small warm laugh.

I looked at the twins and boy, do they look very much alike. They both have messy dark brown hair, same body built, same tanned skin color, but just like what Roxanne said, their eyes were different.

“Hey, Ellie.” I suppose it was Kevin since he has gray eyes.

“Yow!” And it was Kalvin, the one with blue eyes.

I let out a breath and nodded. “Gray eyes, Kevin, and blue eyes, Kalvin. Yup, I totally got it.”

They laughed before Roxanne introduced me to another person. It was a girl this time.

“And this is Emma with her mate—I mean, boyfriend, Justin.” She let out a nervous laughed, but I lose focus when I heard the girl’s name.

I blinked. “Your name is Emma?”

She was a pretty girl with long black hair, gray eyes and fair skin. She seemed like the quiet and sweet type kind of girl. She nodded at me and even wave her hand.

“Hi, Ellie.”

Roxanne spoke. “She’s my niece and the older sister of these chaotic twins.”

Well, that explains the similar features.

I smiled at Emma. “I like your name. You have the same name as my mom.”

She smiled back. “Well, I’m sure she’s a sweet and lovely mother.”

“She is.” I was about to speak again when the sound of a chair screeching against the tiled floor resounded in the whole dining room. My eyes snapped back to Rhys who angrily stood up and left the room.

“Rhys!” Dad stood up and called but Rhys was walking in long strides and pretending like he doesn’t heard anything.

“Talk to him, Luther. He can’t keep acting like that. Don’t worry about Ellie, I’ll keep her company.” Roxanne patted my shoulder and nodded reassuringly at Dad.

Dad looked at me. He seemed worried. “Will you be okay here?”

I smiled and nodded. That was the only confirmation he needed because he immediately left after that. Silence fell around the dining room the moment they left, but Roxanne immediately tried to lift the atmosphere.

“Well, eat up, Ellie. I’m going to show you around later and maybe introduce you to my son.”

That kind of surprised me.

I turned to her. “You have a son?”

“Yeah, he and Rhys are pretty close actually. They’re best of friends. Those two are inseparable.” There was a hint of something in her voice, was it sadness? Longing? I couldn’t quite tell.

“Oh,” Then, I guess her son wouldn’t like me either.

I don’t know where Rhys’s hatred for me was coming from but I could feel that it was really deep, and it has something to do with me being here. Now, I’m sure that he didn’t like it that I was here. No, scratch that. He hated that I was here.

After a few minutes, Emma received a call and then after she hanged up, she looked at Roxanne.

“Mom said that she’s waiting for you? She told me to remind you in case you forgot…as always.”

Roxanne looked confused at first, but then, her eyes widened. “Oh, yes, yes. I almost forgot. Your mother and I have plans for today. She’s going to complain really bad if I missed this one.”

“Again,” The twins said in unison.

Roxanne ignored them and turned to me instead. “Do you want to come with me, Ellie? We’re going around the town, maybe we could tour you around.” She suggested.

Although it was an appealing idea, I don’t think I was ready for that yet. I wanted to get accustomed to this mansion first, and I wanted to stay here as much as possible. I wanted to talk to dad once he comes back.

“I think I’d like to stay here, Roxanne, but thanks.”

“Oh, sure, if that’s what you want. Though, I promised your father I’d keep you company.” And as if a light bulb had lit up in her head, her face brightens. “Hey, Kevin, Kalvin!” She called in a sing-sang voice when the twin was just about to leave the dining room as if they knew that this will happen. “Can you keep Ellie company? Oh, sorry for asking, I know you could and you would, right boys?” From the way she asked, it was like they weren’t allowed to say no.

The twins’ shoulders sagged in defeat, and I instantly felt guilty for putting them in this kind of situation.

“No, please. You don’t have to do that. I think I can manage just fine on my own.” I waved my hands mid-air to emphasize my point. The twins face brightened with what I said, but it was quickly replaced by a hiss when Emma suddenly smack them both on the head. I didn’t even notice her walking towards them.

“Ow! That hurts.” I think it was Kalvin who complained.

Emma glared at her brothers. “And it will hurt more if you both continue acting like an @ass! Just keep Ellie company and happy for the whole day, is it so hard? Stop complaining if you don’t want me to tell your girlfriends about your philandering!”

The twins paled and in an instant, they were both on either side of me.

“Come on, Ellie. We’re going to show you around.” Kavin let out a nervous laugh while avoiding her sister’s glare while Kevin on the other hand was red as a tomato.

Wow, Emma really knew them well.

The twins led me on the back of the mansion where my eyes almost fell off when I saw two freaking infinity pools with a wide area where you could set up a long table for a gathering. After that, we went to the other side where I saw the family room. It was cozy but still very modern, and on the other side was a bar where different bottles of wine hang in the wall like a piece of art. Then, another family room, couple of power room, the kitchen…and a library! It was huge with tons of books that my eyes shimmer.

I could literally spend my life reading these books!

Turned out, the twins were pretty fun and entertaining to be with. They synchronize a lot and argue a lot but they also loves to joke around. They’re full of humor and I don’t think I would ever bore in their company. They were both laid back people but I noticed that Kevin was more mature than Kalvin. Maybe it was because he was older than him by seconds, but you could totally see the difference.

I couldn’t help but stifle my laugh from time to time seeing how born the two was. We were in the library. After they toured me around the mansion, I asked them if we could spend the day here and they agreed which made me think that they love reading just as much as I do, but I couldn’t be more wrong.

They looked like they were dying of boredom, but I was so engrossed to what I was reading that I couldn’t seem to put it down. Sorry boys, guess you have to endure a little more.

When nighttime came, I thanked the twin for accompanying me for the day. I took the book at the library and just read in my room, not bothering to go downstairs for dinner. Aside from the fact that I didn’t want to see Rhys, I also don’t feel like being surrounded by people. I mean, I wasn’t tired, but I felt drained for some reason.

“Ellie? Are you awake?”

It was around eight when I heard Dad’s knock outside. I didn’t bother opening the door and just wait for him to do it instead, and when the door slowly opened, I put down the book I was reading and put on the bedside table.

Dad’s face softened when he saw me.

“Hey…” He trailed off, his eyes carefully observing my face. “Let’s go downstairs and eat?” He suggested.

“I’m fine. I don’t feel like eating anyway.” And I don’t feel like seeing my brother who hates my guts either. Speaking of, “Where’s Rhys? Have you talked to him? Why was he even mad?” Was it because of me? Of course, it was.

Dad sat down on the edge of my bed and sighed.

“He’s fine. Don’t worry about him. You should worry about yourself. Tomorrow is your first day in school.” Right. He said that he’d enroll me today, so I could start tomorrow. “I already got all the things you would need, so you shouldn’t worry about it.”

I just nodded and looked down at my fingers as I fidget. I don’t know what else to say.

He sighed.

“I’m sorry for the way Rhys was acting towards you.” He finally said. “I know that you were already having a hard time as it is, and you have to endure that kind of treatment from your own brother. I promise, I’ll talk to him again.” He shook his head, seemingly stressed by Rhys’s behavior. “But please, understand your brother. This was very hard for him.”

I furrowed my brows.

“How so?”

Dad shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. Just think about yourself and tomorrow, okay?” He smiled at me with an adoring look which reminded me the way mom used to look at me as she waits for me to fall asleep…when everything was still peaceful and happy. When life was simple, and it was just me and her against the world.

But now, everything has changed.

“I love you, Ellie. Always.” Dad surprised me by hugging me. I stiffened but didn’t do anything to push him away or hug him back. I could feel his longing and sadness, but I didn’t do anything. I didn’t know what to do. I was frozen in place that I couldn’t even move my hands to wrap it around him.

Then, he pulled away and all I managed to say was, “Okay. Goodnight.”

He looked sad, but I chose to ignore it. I didn’t know how to address it. It has been a long time since I had been put in a situation like this—that someone cared enough what I felt about them. And I don’t really know what I should feel about it.

It shouldn’t be this complicated and hard to be the father and daughter Dad wanted us to be, but a lot has happened. A long time had passed, and I grew and developed without him. A long and tall wall had grown between us over the time, and I knew that none of us wanted that, but it is just how it is. Maybe, a time would come that I would be able to finally call him ‘dad’ out loud.

The next morning, I woke up early and did my morning routine. I wore a pair of black cargo pants and light purple cropped long sleeve shirt that hugged my upper body perfectly. I saw a new white backpack on the chair of my vanity mirror with everything I would ever need in school, and after drying my long black hair, I proceed to go downstairs even though I was a little hesitant.

What if dad wasn’t there? Worse, what if Rhys was the only one there?

I brush those thoughts out of my head.

This house would be my home from now on and I shouldn’t feel these kinds of things in the place where I would be living in for years. This wasn’t Rebecca’s house anymore. No one would abuse or hurt me here, so I shouldn’t be scared anymore.

I had been familiar with the way around here, so I was confident that I was going to the right direction. I easily found my way towards the dining room, and I was surprised to see that it was only Roxanne, Dad, Emma, and Kalvin in the dining. Even though I was kind of relived that Rhys wasn’t around, I still couldn’t help but get curious as to where he was, and also Kevin.

Emma was the first one to notice me.

“Oh, someone seemed excited for her first day in school.” She smiled at me. I noticed that Emma has this soft angelic voice as if she couldn’t even manage to let out a scream or yell. She looked so composed and very feminine with her white trousers and black turtleneck. She seemed so elegant and full of class despite her simplicity.

Because of her statement, everyone looked at me as well.

“Oh, look at our Ellie!” Roxanne exclaimed and immediately went towards me. “You’re already starting school today, dear.” She stated emotionally as if she couldn’t believe it. “Highschool is tough, I know, but I know you could be tougher than it.” She gently pushed me down on the chair with different kind of food in front of me.

“Good morning, Ellie.” It was Dad with his warm voice as always.

“Good morning,” I murmured. Then, suddenly, I heard someone sniffing the air.

I looked at Kalvin when he suddenly sneezed. He still looked very much sleepy.

“Too sweet,” He sneezed again.

I consciously looked down at myself and sniffed the air around me, but no, I don’t smell anything strange or sweet. I tilted my head at him and couldn’t help but noticed that he has a strong sense of smell.

“You have a nose of a dog, Kalvin.” I joked but then, he suddenly spit out the coffee he was drinking and begin to choke on it as if I just said something that triggered him.

Roxanne laughed in a strange manner…it sounded almost as if she was nervous before patting Kalvin on the back.

“Go wake up your brother and prepare for school.”

Kalvin stood up without a word and left the dining. I frowned. Have I said something wrong?

“Eat up, Ellie. You need energy for today.” Roxanne urge.

I nodded and began eating quietly.

After breakfast, I went outside, ready to go to school. Dad told me that it was twenty minutes’ drive from here, so I move quickly. He was already outside waiting for me, but I froze when I saw that Rhys was there with him and they were talking seriously.

Rhys’s green eyes flickered towards me in an instant as if he knew I was coming minutes before I could even step on the pavement outside. I literally saw the coldness that immediately took over his face the moment his gaze shifted towards me. He said something to dad one last time before leaving.

“Rhys,” Dad call’s held warning but he ignored it and went inside a black tinted car before speeding away. He sighed and shook his head.

Their relationship looked so strained. I couldn’t help but wonder if it was solely because of me.

I swallowed, my grip on the strap of my backpack tightening as I call for dad. He instantly turned to me, surprised. He was too distracted with what he had going on with Rhys to even sense my presence.

“Is everything okay?” I asked.

He tried to cover up the worry in his eyes and smiled at me. “Of course. Let’s go?”

I just nodded; my mind filled with different kinds of thoughts.

I knew exactly the kind of look he was giving me. A false reassurance. Someone who was pretending to be fine when in fact, it is everything but that.

I used to do that a lot.

Now, I wouldn’t be surprised if I actually get that from him.

The drive to school was quiet. Unlike the time where I was going to the mansion for the first time where we had a driver, today, it was dad who was driving me to school. I knew he had a lot of things in his mind. Thoughts that were clearly stressing him out, and it made me want to talk to Rhys and sort out everything. I wanted to know why he was mad at me, where all this hatred was coming from, so I could at least help to whatever Dad was thinking.

I made a note to myself to confront Rhys when I had the chance.

I nodded to myself but the next thing I know, dad had already stopped the car in the parking lot where a lot of cars and truck were parked. Students pile up in their own spots, some were even sitting in the grass in groups, while there were others who was walking inside the school, not minding the other students.

Dad turned to me as I unbuckle my seatbelt. He had this small smile with a hint of seriousness behind his dull green eyes.

“Now, you would find these people weird one way or another and they might say anything that seem strange to you, and when that happen, I want you to ignore them and continue with your day, okay Ellie? Don’t mind everyone and just think of yourself and well-being. Goodluck on your first day here.” He smiled at me encouragingly.

I tried to smile back. “Thanks…” I find his advice rather weird and confusing but just like what he said, ignore them and continue with my day, so that’s what I did. I get out of the car and immediately made my way through the crowd of students, desperately trying to blend in and be invisible even though I had already gained some attention.

Today is the first day, so the impression I would make today would stick to them for the rest of the school days. So, try not to mess this up, Elle.

I let out a breath and mentally shook my head.

Here we go…

***

I headed first to the faculty where I took my schedule of classes, then, I started looking for the room of my first class. History

It was pretty close to my locker, so I just got in time right after the bell ring. Students with the same class of me immediately sat down on their respective seats as the teacher went inside. I settle myself in the front row since I want to focus on every of my classes.

“Good morning, class.” The teacher begins with his greeting, and instantly, his eyes flickered towards me after that. I mentally groaned, already dreading what would happen next. “I want to introduce you to your new classmate, Ellie Turner.” He urged me to stand up, so I reluctantly did. “She just got here on the other day and—”

The teacher got interrupted when the door to the classroom suddenly burst open, gaining everyone’s attention, including mine. And I wish it hadn’t. I wish I had just sat down. How I wish I didn’t turn towards his direction, because when I did, I felt as though my entire body froze. My breathing got caught in my throat and I felt paralyzed in my spot.

I wished I hadn’t taken this class…at this time, I had no idea that a single history class could make my life turn upside down, and looking back, I wished I had saw the sign, then I would have done everything to avoid it.