Forbidden Desires

Episode 3

The following day Lily left to school without even checking on her mother since she still hold yesterday's grudge on Max's visit.

As she walked through the beautiful campus of New hope University where she studied, she couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had been disturbing her since the previous day. The argument with her mother and the unexpected visit from Max had left her feeling restless and anxious. She tried to distract herself by focusing on what has brought her to school that day, but her mind kept wandering back to the conversation she had between her and her mother.

As she walked into her psychology lecture, she met her friend Sarah who was also in the same class with her. Sarah has been her best friend for a very long time and as she suddenly met Lily at the corridor, she noticed that something was off about Lily.

"Hey, girl! What's wrong?" Rachel asked, noticing the look of concern on Lily's face.

Without saying much, Lily promised Sarah to tell her everything after class. As they walked into the class, they were suprised as they noticed that everybody in the class was laughing louder upon seeing them.

Lily scanned her eyes every corner of the class to see what was happening and unfortunately, she saw a sketch of her on the board with caption of so many insulting words.

" Hello Lily... we just heard about your mother's new boyfriend and it is all over the town, is it true?" One the students with the name Belinda mocked Lily as she was still laughing.

Lily's face was burning with embarrassment and humiliation from Belinda as she felt the eyes of the entire class on her. She couldn't imagine this to be happening so fast since she was also just trying to cope with the situation. And now that everybody has started to talk about it in the town, it was just another nightmare to her. She tried to maintain her attitude and tyring so hard not to freak out but it was of no use. Tears began to roll down her cheeks as she felt the sting of Belinda's words.

Sarah, sensing her friend's stress and being uncomfortable, she quickly stepped in. "That's enough, Belinda," she said, her voice firm but calm. "Leave Lily alone."

But Belinda was unstoppable as she ment to humiliate Lily infron pf everybody. After all she didn't like her that much. "Oh, come on, Sarah. We're just having a little fun. Lily's mom seemes to change boyfriends after every month. It's a joke!"

The class erupted into laughter again, and Lily felt like she was going to collapse and she couldn't stand it anymore. She turned to Sarah and whispered, "Get me out of here, please."

At the middle of the argument the professor walked in and ordered the class to be silent and he was non other than Max, his step brother to be. This made the matter worse to Lily since they were not in good terms from the very day they just met. She never imagined that he was going to be their lecturer.

His piercing gaze swept over the class, his eyes starting from Lily and Sarah before coming to rest on Belinda. "I think it's time we got started on today's lesson," he said, his deep voice commanding attention. "And I suggest we leave personal attacks out of the classroom." Belinda rolled her eyes, but Sarah just gave Lily a reassuring smile and led her to their seats.

As Max began to lecture, Lily couldn't help but feel a sense of unease and she was being uncomfortable about everything that was going on. She had never gotten along with Max, and now she was stuck in a class with him being her professor. She tried to focus on the lesson, but her mind kept wandering back to the argument with her mother and then it was Belinda.

Just as Lily was starting to relax, the professor who was Max called on her to answer a question. At first Lily hesitated since she never saw it coming. Her heart was racing so fast, and Max's eyes still glued on her waiting for an answer. "Lily, are you paying attention?" he asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm when Lily was taking so long to answer what she has been asked.

Lily felt her face burning up and trembling with which was as a results of not being prepared as she stuttered out an answer. She knew she had gotten it wrong, and Max's expression only confirmed her fears. "I think we need to review the material, Lily," he said, his voice firm. "See me after class."

Sarah gave Lily a sympathetic look as they left the classroom. "Don't worry, I'll wait for you," she said, but Lily knew she was in for a long, going to face the music from Max, knowing very well that he didn't like her, and she had a feeling it was only going to get worse.

Lily came back after some minutes looking very stressed and more unhappy and Sarah could imagine what has just happened without wanting to hear anything from her friend. According to Lily's facial expression, Sarah knew very well that Lily was holding some tears and not to shed them before everybody in the class.

Sarah quickly grabbed Lily's arm and led her out of the classroom, away from the snickers and stares of their classmates. Once they were outside, Lily broke down into tears letting them stream down her face.

Lily sniffled and pulled back, her eyes red and puffy. She found herself explaining to Sarah before she could even ask her. "It's just...my mom is being so stupid. She's dating this guy who's basically professor Max's father, and everyone in town is talking about it. I just want to die."

Sarah was very shocked with the news and all she could imagine whether Lily will be okay with all that. Don't worry Lily, we'll figure out a way to deal with all this drama, but first, let's get out of here and go get some coffee you need a break from this toxic environment."

Lily nodded, feeling a small sense of gratitude towards her friend. Together, they walked out of the campus, leaving the humiliation and gossip behind, but Lily knew that this was not over as she would have to face her classmates again, and also she would have to find a way to deal with her mom's embarrassing behavior.

It was after a very long and stressful day for Lily as she walked home with a lot going on in her mind, knowing very well that another nightmare awaits her at home, and that was her mother.

She arrived home and found her mother already packed their all belongings at one place.

" We are moving to our new home, your step father to be house as we agreed yesterday. Get ready as we are going to leave in the next few minutes"

After all that happened that day, Lily couldn't imagine living with Max as her step brother in the same roof.

" I'm sorry mother but I'm not going anywhere. This is my home. If you feel like leaving the house just do so but as for me I'm not coming with you. Go and live the luxurious life that you have been dreaming of since my father died."

Lily's mother was very much shocked by her daughter's words. It's that she expected some resistance from her but not in that way. "Lily, we've discussed this," Susan said, trying to keep her voice calm. "This is a great opportunity for us. Max's father is a wealthy man, and he's willing to provide for us. We can't afford to stay here on our own."

Lily crossed her arms, her eyes and face filled with anger. "I don't care about his money, Mother. I care about staying in my own home, where my father lived and died. I'm not going to leave all my memories behind just so you can just live a comfortable life."

Susan sighed, feeling a pang of guilt. She had been so caught up in her own desire for financial security that she had forgotten how much this house meant to Lily. But she had already made a commitment to Max's father, and she couldn't back out now. "Lily, please," she said, trying to reason with her daughter. "This is for the best. We can make a new life together, just the four of us. Aren't you happy that you are also going to have Max as your step brother. Finally you will be having a brother. Aren't you happy about that? Just think about it Lily."

Lily shook her head, her jaw set in determination. "Is it that psycho that you are referring him to be my brother? No, Mother. I'm not going. You can go, but I'm staying right here."

After arguing for some time, Lily and her mother Susan stood there, locked in a silent standoff, as the minutes ticked by. Finally, Susan realized that she had to make a decision. She couldn't force Lily to come with her, but she couldn't stay behind either. With a heavy and cold heart, she turned and walked out the door, leaving Lily alone in the only home she had ever known.