Befriending The Billionaire's Son

CHAPTER ONE

FIVE YEARS LATER.

VIOLA’S POV

I stepped into the spotlight, my one-piece purple swimsuit blending with the harshness of the light. The music came on as slowly as I wanted it and I began to stamp the side of my feet on the ground as I traveled the stage.

The crowd clapped in unison with the music as I made rhythmic movements with my feet alone. Then the music progressed and twirled my waist with the rhythm causing mesmerized cheers to erupt from the crowd. I smiled, glad that the mood had settled with the crowd.

So, I added another wonder - a split in the air then a backflip followed and I landed on the stage in another split. Camera clicked, the shrieks and shrills humored me, pushing more adrenaline into my veins.

My waist lost control and began to awe the crowd with the steady, rhythmic movements it was making. My smile wasn't just one of enjoyment but of pride from my years of practice. This was the biggest stage in the city of Risket and I had earned it.

But suddenly, the lights on the stage went off and were replaced by a bath of sunlight and a sharp pull on my hair. Ignoring it, I turned to my side in order to block the sun rays from my face but little fingers tugged at my hair even harder and I knew sleep was over for the day. Opening my eyes, I let my pupils adjust to the light in the room, especially the one coming from the window a few fingers away.

Big blue eyes clouded my vision and I groaned.

“What are you up to this morning, Col?” I frowned even though I wanted to scream in his face and fling him out of the room. Why did he always choose nuisance at the break of dawn.

“He had a troubled night, Vee.” A familiar voice came and I resisted the urge to grab a pillow and press it over my ears. “You'll need to watch him. He's been restless and I need to attend acting classes.” Gemma asserted with concern as she helped fold my laundry.

I sat up in my bed, sulkily. “Gemma, you know I have a show today. I–I need to be there by 7pm. This is my chance, the first time I'll be on a show.” I whispered, trying to convince her in futility.

“We can't leave Coltie all alone? Don't even think about Jayden. She's been having cramps since 5am and groaning in her room.” Gemma explained in a mother-like, patient manner while I glared at her muttering profanities.

I wasn't the mother of this little mouse. I was just his elder sister by twelve years but that didn't make me responsible for him. I just want to dance and get out of this family. I loved Colton but I detested having to postpone my goals because of his condition.

"I need you to lift your ass up this minute!” A loud vituperative tone shook my frame from its semi-relaxed position. I didn't need to make eye contact to know that the lioness had perceived my meanness to her favourite cub.

“Good morning to you too, mum.” I grumbled as I left my bed and advanced to the other room to wash my mouth and face. As I blew furious breaths into the mirror, I listened to Coltie’s incoherent mumblings and my mother's directives to Gemma. Doesn't she ever get tired of marshalling out orders and don'ts like we're in a barrack?

I finished my business and walked out of the bathroom, stretching my stiffened limbs and letting out a loud yawn. Gemma made a face but Mum acted like I was a ghost and I could smell trouble brewing. Goosebumps took over my arms as I waited for her to be done talking to Gemma.

Mum turned to me with a scoff. "Don't tell me you are that stiff? You need to get back on a yoga mat.” And I stopped myself from reminding her of how she'd burnt my yoga mat after I had been caught practicing an acrobatic move on it. She wasn't in support of my dancing or the fact that I had used my knowledge of gymnastics to add fervour to my dance routines.

“I heard your discussion with Gemma.” She began when I wouldn't react to her attempt at rib-jabbing. “You don't want to watch Coltie. What would you be doing instead?...” She held up a finger as my lips curved to speak in my defence. Gemma looked helpless but I maintained a placid expression.

“Practicing makeup? Watching a movie with a bowl of popcorn? Hanging with those useless neighbourhood boys who fondle those tiny boobs of yours or…” She paused when I made to defend myself again. She bobbed her head, an eyebrow lifted questionably, “Go on. Say it.”

I gulped, fear snatching my desire to speak but when she wouldn't stop with the fiery eyes, I found my tongue. “I was 12 then, Mum. It's been over 7 years. I'll be 20 in a few months time.” She chuckled in response.

“20 with no brains and no life purpose. What sensible 20-year-old will defy a Stanford admission for Arts school? Tell me, what one?!” She brayed, seething in rage.

I took steps backwards. Wondering at how easy to fury she was. Mornings weren't the best time of the day for her and although I knew that, I always found myself somehow entangled in a difficult conversation with her at such times unlike Gemma who always chose the night time.

“You still haven't answered my question, young lady.” She continued in a set tone and the room went back to silence except for the chirpings of birds outside the window and Coltie's troubled breathing.

“I want to be a dancer, Mum. I–I didn't know how else to convince you and I thought denying a Stanford admission will. I'm sorry that it hurt.” I apologize without an ounce of remorse in me. I didn't care how lowly she thought my career path to be in comparison to that of a doctorate at Stanford, I didn't want it.

“Save your baseless apologies and I swear to God, I won't care how you turn out but as long as you're under my roof, you'll live by my rules and one of them is caring for Coltie.” I shut my eyes in resignation as I took a deep breath to calm the pain I felt. She never cared about me though, it was Coltie's condition or Jayden’s competitions or Gemma's audition. Viola had nothing! No place in her heart.

“Don't you have a heart, Vee? Don't you?” Her voice became brittle. Time for emotional blackmail and fake waterworks! “Your father left me with three little children and an autistic baby, and I've struggled to get back on my feet enough to care for you all but because you know that Coltie only answers to you, you make us beg you every day to care for him. What kind of heart do you have?”

It took everything in me to refrain myself from screaming out loud, “The one you gave me! Cold, unfeeling, detached from every kind of emotion and manipulative! That's what I took.” But instead, I bent my head and pretended to wipe tears from my eyes.

“Coltie.” She purred like a cat at him and I heard his soft footsteps advance to us. “Latch unto your impenitent sister and let her care for you.” She ordered but with a very light tone. My skin crawled as slender arms wrapped around my waist but soon I relaxed. It wasn't his fault that Mum was being inconsiderate and acted as if my needs were impertinent all the time.

Slowly, my arms dropped to my side and cupped his underarms, lifting him onto my upper body. Coltie didn't have much weight which made it easy to deal with him during meltdowns or to carry him around the house when he needed to sleep. Instinctively, he placed his head on my shoulder and hummed as I rocked him gently.

“There! There's the job of a responsible big sister not shaking her body embarrassingly on the streets of Risket?” She conclud

ed and left the room. I took a deep breath, long … long day ahead.