CHAPTER 4
935 Words
“ Sienna, what the hell just happened?”
My best friend Scarlet pulled me into her arms. Those tears stinging my eyes fell
“ I will drop you home.”
Scarlet’s boyfriend had a car. I joined them. She played our favorite song but I wasn't in the mood. All through the ride I stared out the window until I was home.
“ f**k Bill!! We’re getting you hooked with another guy. Love you.”
Scarlet yelled out.
I smiled a little.
However, that smile disappeared the moment I pushed the front door open.
My father sat in his leather chair, one leg crossed on the other. He had a business newspaper in his hands.
next to him was my step mother, her chin raised like I was in trouble.
I looked at my step sister Tiffany. She sat close to her, legs crossed, a smug smile on her face.
My chest tightened. Something was wrong.
Since the day my mother passed on, and father married my step mother it's been hell. I’ve been counting the days I have left in this house.
My father and I were doing all right until she came in. She got my father brain washed. He believes every lie she tells him.
Seeing them seated this way. I knew I was in deep trouble.
“Sienna, sit down,” my father said firmly.
I walked slowly to the couch and sat. My hands rested on my lap, but my stomach twisted. Their eyes were on me, and it made me uneasy.
“I’ve gone through your grades,” my father said, his tone cold. “They are very poor. I expected more from you.”
I lowered my eyes.
My stepmother chuckled softly. “Not surprising. Tiffany works hard. She knows what it means to carry responsibility. Sienna, on the other hand, has always been distracted with boys.”
Tiffany leaned forward, her fake sweet smile making me sick. “Don’t be upset, Sienna. Not everyone is meant to handle big things like the company. Dad could always hand it to me instead.”
I scoffed
“ You think I don't know your midnight dirty secrets. You are worse than I am. And I can swear you forgot your grades, you bitch.”
“ Sienna.”
Father scolded
“ Watch your filthy big mouth. Husband, did you hear the way she speaks? She has gotten rotten. You should send her far far away. All I know is that your daughter Tiffany, she's a good girl.”
“ Father, she is more rotten.”
I retorted.
“Silence”
My father’s voice grew louder.
“Listen carefully. I built this company with my own hands. I will not allow it to be destroyed. If your grades don’t improve by the end of this term, I will hand the company to Tiffany. Do you understand?”
The words stabbed into me. My father’s company was not just his pride. It was also my late mother’s memory. She had supported him when he built it. The thought of Tiffany and her mother taking it away made me sick.
I clenched my fists tightly. “I understand, Father,” I whispered. My voice shook, but I forced myself to speak clearly. “I’ll work harder. I promise I won’t let you down.”
My stepmother’s lips curved into a bigger smirk. Tiffany leaned back with her arms crossed.
“Will that be all father?”
He gestured with his hands for me to leave.
I excused myself and hurried upstairs. The moment I closed my bedroom door, tears spilled down my cheeks. My body trembled as I sank onto my bed. I buried my face in my hands and cried silently.
The next day, I had woke up before
The alarm. I got ready for school earlier this time.
For the first time I made it to the morning.
Father's words of yesterday remained fresh in my head. My grades were really poor. I need to sit up.
I copied every note for the day. Paid attention even though it was hard. I was passionate about this. I can't let my gold digging step mother and step sister win this time.
During break I avoided Scarlet. She doesn't take studies seriously so I had to avoid her for now.
I was heading for the library when something caught my eyes. Students had formed a gathering.
When I peeped.
I felt like throwing up .
Bill on his knees.
His friends had balloons. They were cheering to her.
“ Sandra, will you be my girlfriend?”
“Yes”
I had seen enough.
I clenched my books really hard. Anger boiling in my veins. My vision was getting blurry.
I blinked back severally
Drying my eyes. People were watching. I didn't want them to see me cry. I had to be strong.
“ Watch where you're going”
I stumbled into someone falling forward.
His arms wrapped around my waist firmly.
Slowly I raised my head.
My breath hitched.
“ Professor Desmond.”
I quickly composed myself. Escaping his strong arms. I don't know why I was breathing really fast.
“ Excuse me.”
I said in a weak voice. My body is trembling. I almost forgot how to walk.
“ Why are you crying? Were you bullied.”
“ I'm not crying. I'm alright.”
I forced my limbs to move from its spot.
“ Sienna,”
He spoke again. “ You are just the person that I wanted to see. “
“ Me?”
“ Yes. Come to my office immediately.”
- Writer
