Chapter Seven - Welcome gift
1022 Words
CINDY CRUZ
I pushed him away after hearing the door open. I looked around pretending to enjoy the view of the room. He acted normal too but not as much as I did. My composure was on a whole new level. Mr. Caleb and my mom walked in.
"Oh, did we interrupt something? You guys are bonding." Mr. Caleb said with a smile and I returned the smile too. I turned to my so-called stepbrother, Dominic smiling at him. The fucker didn't smile back. If it was up to him, they would have caught us in that disgusting position and I would have so much to lose. He won't lose anything.
"Dominic was just showing me around the house. Right, Dom?" I asked smiling at him. I saw his face forming into a confused look. Goodness! I am such a liar. I am sure by the end of the year, I will be getting a degree or an award in lying. I know he wasn't showing me around but he should at least play along.
"Aww! You already gave him a nickname? I like that. Dom!" Mr. Caleb smiled. Can this man stop smiling already? He is making me feel guilty. My mom has a smile plastered on her lips. She is happy and I am happy too. Then I saw my mom's face drifting to the paper that I was holding. I forgot to hide it. I hope she won't ask questions. Fortunately, she didn't ask. She only looked away. She might think it's one of my assignments.
Great. I haven't even started University yet.
"Okay, enough of the chit-chat. I bought you a gift, Cindy." He gushed and handed me a wrapped-up box. He got me a gift? What? But why? I received it and looked at it and thought it wasn't right I accepted it from him. I didn't do anything to deserve a gift. Instead, I did something terrible. I tried to give the gift back.
"Oh, Mr. Caleb. I don't...."
"Daddy." He corrected with a smile.
It was then I realized the way I was addressing him. He is my mother's husband now. I shouldn't still be calling him by his name but to be honest, I still don't feel comfortable addressing him as my father. It tastes weird on my lips. Calling my stepfather daddy? It was enough that I gave my blessings to him to marry my mother but calling him Daddy was another thing. I glanced at my mother and she nodded approvingly.
"Uhm. Huh... Daddy." I swallowed a lump of saliva.
"You have already done so much for my mom and I. It doesn't feel right to accept this. I didn't do anything to deserve a gift from you, sir."
He smiled again.
"You don't need to do anything to deserve a gift. You have been a good kid to me and everyone around you. You deserve a gift." He said and I glanced up at my mother again and she nodded approvingly.
I sighed and muttered a "thank you" to him. I was grateful. He gestured for me to unwrap it and I did as he said. I didn't want to disobey him. It turned out to be a new laptop. A smile formed on my lips. I have been saving up for this model of laptop for a while now. How did he know that I desired it? I looked up to him and smiled.
"Do you like it? You know I just thought since you got admitted into the university of your dreams, you should get your dream model of a MacBook. You could use it for your assignments and all." He stated thoughtfully.
"That is so thoughtful of you sir. Thank you, sir. I really appreciate it." I said smiling and my mom cleared her throat. Then she brought out something that looked like a key. Then she moved closer to me and she pulled out my palm and dropped the key on it. It looks like a car key. No! It's a car key!
It's a car key!
"He thought that your university is a bit far from here so he got you this." She mentioned making me widen my eyes. Wait...what? I got confused for a while. And then I blinked for a second. Did I hear that right? He got me a car? I didn't know what to say honestly. I was speechless. So speechless. I was about to open my mouth to say something but he stopped me.
"It's okay. I know you are surprised. You don't need to appreciate it." Mr. Caleb said. No, Daddy said. I corrected myself.
What does he mean by I shouldn't appreciate it? This is crazy. I didn't know when I got closer to him and gave him a hug.
"Thank you. I can't really thank you enough. I am speechless. Mom!" I exclaimed.
He reciprocated the hug and I pulled away.
"Thank you, sir."
"Would you like to come out and check it out? You will love it." Daddy asked. I think it's high time I start addressing him as Daddy.
I nodded approvingly but just before we went out, my Mom went out and came in with a gift. I already knew what it was. She knitted a sweater. I thought she was about to give it to me when she approached Dominic. Goodness, I forgot he was with us. He was silent. How could one be so silent? My Mom handed him the wrapped-up sweater which he didn't accept. I knew it would hurt my Mom's feelings. How could he be so rude?
He only shot her a death glare and walked away.
What an attitude!
I won't accept this. He can't be disrespectful towards my mother.
Before I could say something Dad spoke.
"He must be so tired. Don't worry, honey. I will just give it to him later."
My mom only nodded.
"Shall we check out your new ride?" He asked.
They went out first and I followed.
When we got to the garage, a 2024 Chevrolet Camaro was waiting for me.
I gasped.
- Writer
