Holiday Charm: Craving Mr Robert

CHAPTER 2

I stood in front of my family house, staring it down. I hadn't been back here in years… Not since I finished college and decided to officially move in with Lucian. Not since I told my parents Lucian and were meant to be and they couldn't get in our way.

Now dad's dead and Lucian's….. That story's over I guess.

I sighed as I dragged my things to the front door. I wasn't here for a visit I think. After the whole fiasco with Lucian, there was no way I was going to still stay in the same house as him.

Moving back in with my family at twenty three…. Definitely not what I had in mind for myself.

Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I knocked on the door and waited anxiously for whoever was going to open it.

The door opened and I gripped the strap of my bag tight to steady myself.

On the other side was my mom.

She let out a breath of disbelief, like she didn't expect to see me.

I forced a smile and said, “Hi, mom.”

She wasted no time in hugging me tight and I felt like bursting into tears. Feeling the warm embrace of another person with the whole chaos going on right now was all I really needed. Something I needed desperately.

My mom pulled back and looked at me. Really looked at me. Then she pulled me inside and helped me with my luggage, but I noticed the look of confusion on my face at the excessive load I had brought home for just a simple “visit”.

Once I was inside, I took a look around the place and noticed the pretty Christmas decorations that were up. I usually celebrate with Lucian, but not this year I guess. Or any other year.

My mom set my things aside and led me to the living room where the rest of my family was sitting.

My older brother, Daniel, my younger sister, Angela, my aunt, Aunt Lucy and my older cousin, Mark.

Once they noticed me, Aunt Lucy and Angela immediately rushed to me, embracing me in a warm hug.

Daniel and Mark followed after them.

“How have you been, Olivia? It's been years since we saw you in person.” Angela said as she clung close to me.

“I know. I've been…. I've been good, yeah.” I said, forcing a smile once again.

They all seemed so…. Up beat. Even mom. Which seemed so wrong considering dad just died. Once I noticed no one brought up ‘that’ topic, I decided to do it myself.

“Um…. So, what happened to dad? How - How did he die?” I mustered up the courage to finally ask.

But then the room went dead silent, like I just said the most offensive thing they've ever heard.

I stayed quiet along with them, whether I was waiting for a response or for them to brush the question aside entirely, I wasn't sure at this point.

I finally heard mom speak up.

“Oh. About that, honey…. Your dad…. Isn't actually dead.”

My whole body froze.

What?

“What are you talking about? You sent me a text and told me he was dead. I called you on the phone and you confirmed it and told me to come home. So what do you mean ‘he isn't dead’?”

I know I should be happy that my father was still alive, but this whole conversation just made me so…. Irritated.

“Well…. We lied to you. To get you to come home….” Angela mumbled softly.

“What?!” I exclaimed loudly as I jumped out of my seat.

“Please calm down, honey. It's just, you never come home anymore, we haven't seen you in such a long time.” Aunt Lucy said, trying to stop me from blowing a fuse.

“So you thought the best way was to lie to me that dad was dead?! Do you know how upset I was when I received the news?! How much I cried?! How could you put me through that emotional distress because of your own damn selfishness?!” I yelled, my body was practically vibrating with anger.

“We’re sorry, sis. But you never come see any of us cause you always insist on spending the holidays with that Lucian guy. We're your family, you know.” Daniel told me softly.

“He didn't even have the decency to come home with you. Are you sure he's the one you want to spend the rest of your life with?" Mom asked as she rested her hand on my shoulder.

I was breathing heavily, trying to steady myself before I spiraled out of control and told them everything.

“Don't change the subject. Where's dad?” I asked them.

“He’s at a bar with his friends.”

“Does he know about this stunt you all pulled?”

“No. He doesn't. You know how he is, he'd tell us not to carry it out even if he wants to see you too. He's getting older you know, he'd want to see all his kids together.” Mom told me softly.

“So what? Why couldn't you just tell me? Why couldn't you just explain it straight forward rather than - rather than lie? I can't believe this.”

I picked my jacket off the coffee table and rushed upstairs to my old room and locked the door.

I sunk into the bed and let the thought of everything finally catch up to me. I didn't know what to feel right now. I was angry, sad, and happy all at once. The only thing that made me happy was that dad was alive and perfectly fine.

I buried my face into my hands and just started crying. My sobs echoing off the walls. At this point, I wasn't even sure the exact reason I was crying. But I just needed to cry.

It took me ten to twenty minutes to finally get a grip of myself and that was when I heard a soft knock on the door and a calm voice that followed.

“Honey? It's me. Please let me in.”

It was mom.