Chapter 1
“Are you okay Beth?” Mira asked, her voice filled with concern. She shifted her eyes away from the steering to look at her friend who was practically looking like a corpse in the passenger seat. Stirring blankly at nothing in particular.
Mira's voice jerked Bethany back “I'm calm Mira, you need to take a chill pill,” Bethany replied. Showing Mira a faint smile, trying so hard to convince her friend that she's indeed okay. Her eyes were sullen and red from crying continuously for days.
“Yeah, I can see how okay you are, anything that makes you sleep well at night.” Mira continued. Using her unrestricted hand to gently pat down on Bethany's lap. Assuring her that everything would be fine without using words.
She gave Bethany a pitiful look before concentrating on the road while driving down the street leading to Bethany's house. A modern story building with beautiful flowers surrounding it.
It looked exceptionally classy, and that is one thing she loved about this particular building. This is one of the many houses owned by her father, but she doesn't want to stay apart from him, as he's the only family she has left.
It's been six months since Bethany was home. Camp life has been so hectic, that she can barely breathe. But a few days ago, she received news that shattered her. Her father had died of a heart attack. What caused it is what she doesn't know yet.
As they approached the home she had lived in all her life with her father, sadness engulfed her heart. This has been Bathany’s haven since her mom died. But then, one day her dad brought in a Barbie doll named Kayla who became her stepmom. Life hasn't been like it used to be since Kayla entered their lives.
Bethany sniffed, dabbing her tears-filled eyes with her handkerchief, as the Mickey Mouse embroidery in the middle stared back at her.
(Flashback)
“Happy Birthday pumpkin!” a cherry masculine voice said. A velvet box with a pink ribbon was placed in Bethany's hands. She unwrapped the box and inside was a beautiful pink handkerchief with a Mickey Mouse embroidery in the middle.
Bethany screamed, jumping up and down with exciting giggles. Her emerald green eyes shone with great gratitude, as she jumped into the hands of her father, who gave her a tight hug. “ Thank you so much Daddy, I love it so much. This will be with me forever.” she asserted. Kissing him on his cheek.
“I'm glad you love it pumpkin.” Her father replied, his smile, as beautiful as the morning sun. He kissed her on her forehead while giving her a look full of love and fulfillment.
(Flashback ends)
She missed her dad so much. With a sad look on her face, Bethany quietly moved towards the front porch, opening the door and heading to her room to change. She wanted to change out of her military uniform and put on something lightweight. Attempting to open her door, she could hear voices.
“Is someone in my room?” pressing her ear against the door to confirm she wasn't hearing wrong, the voices became a bit clearer, though still faint.
“You know, you're older than Bethany, but you look hotter than her.” it was a man’s voice
“Stop it, you sound like I'm an old hag. I'm just two years older than Bethany.” the female voice giggled
“Common baby, I didn't mean that. You're so beautiful, I can't take my eyes off you. And you're so good in bed. You're my tigress.” the male voice continued.
She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Only her dad has access to her room… and her boyfriend. But she's not expecting him here today. “What is going on?” she wondered. As the voices are a bit faint, she can't ascertain who the voices belong to. But it's surely a man and woman’s voice
Moaning sounds started flooding her ears. She quickly shifted back a bit.
“Omg, they are making love?” Bethany covered her mouth with her hands in order not to make a sound. But come to think of it, they're violating her room, especially her bed. With that single thought laced with furry, she pushed the door open to make her presence known.
“What in the world is...” The words died in her mouth when she saw the sight before her. The shock hit her so hard that she stumbled backward.
“Kayla! Mason!!” tears welled up in her eyes but she didn't let it fall.
Mason quickly jumped off Kayla and started getting dressed while Kayla just sat there with the duvet covering her body. There's this spark in her eyes that Bethany can't decipher. She finally let go of the duvet and sat at the edge of the bed as though she hadn't just seen her make out with her boyfriend.
“Mason, you're cheating on me, And with no other person but Kayla?” she cringed, moving a bit closer to him and stopping at the center of the room. He finished dressing up right on time and turned towards her.
“How long has this been going on between you two?” the question was directed to him but Kayla answered instead.
“Oh, my little Miss Goodie two shoes.” Kayla made an expression as though she felt pity for Bethany. She stood and walked towards Mason, resting her arms on his shoulder.
“Mason, I'm asking you a question, give me an answer right this instant!” Bethany screamed, her hands clenched into fists by her side. The veins on her forehead are visible.
“Or what? “ Mason cuts in, pushing Kayla away slightly to stand in front of Her.
“What will you do if I don't give you an answer?” he moves back a bit, using his hands to run through his jet-black hair, down to his face, and stands still again. Before pointing his index finger at her.
“This has been going on since you decided to join the Army. Since you decided to not be available for us anymore. I'm sick and tired of this relationship Beth. I'm tired of being in a relationship that doesn't exist in the first place.” he seethed, giving her a look full of rage.
He moves to the bed and sits down, but quickly stands up again. Pointing his finger once more. But this time to Kayla.
“Kayla has always been here, look at her!” going to stand beside her, he held her hands and continued.
“She is gorgeous even though she's just a few years older than you, always beautifully dressed as a woman should. She is very active in bed as well, I've never felt what I feel whenever I'm with her. She makes me feel like a real man.” he emphasized.
From where she was standing, she couldn't move an inch. Disbelief held her down “Is this the Same Manson she's been dating for two years, it can't be. The Mason she knew would never cheat on her.” She was still reeling from the shock when he continued.
“And then take a good look at yourself in the mirror, Beth, you practically look like a man. You're freaking boring in bed and let's not start with how unromantic you are. I can't stand you anymore!” he exclaimed, the vein on his neck, transparent. His eyes showed how disgusting she looked to him.
This is when Bethany broke down in tears. She has dated Manson since they were in college, he was her first crush, and when he finally asked her out, she excitedly accepted and they've been dating ever since. But when her mom passed, she decided to go to Military school.
Bethany's mom died of assault one evening when she went to the grocery store. She was robbed and stabbed to death. Since then she has vowed to be able to defend herself and her dad.
“I loved you so much Mason, how could you do this to me? After everything we've been through together, this is how you want us to end?” Bethany asked with tears running down her cheek. But she wiped them with the back of her hands.