Love's Rebirth

Chapter 9

Delia's POV

The sunlight assaulted my eyelids, forcing me awake from the deepest sleep I've had in a long time. The moment I opened my eyes, the light attacked me violently, causing the intense headache I had to worsen exponentially. Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, the sound of the door being opened felt like it had been amplified by a million, and the speaker placed directly into my ear canal. Sound and light became my enemies, and I found myself burrowing under the covers to seek refuge.

My mother entered my room with a big smile on her face, as though she were laughing at my pain. I slowly came out from under the covers to find her chuckling softly at my misery. "I see the hangover is hitting hard." she said with a smirk. I frowned and grunted a response, avoiding talking because it would make the headache so much worse. "Shower first, then come down for breakfast. Greasy food and coffee usually cure a hangover. If that doesn't work, then we try some hair of the dog." she said softly before quietly leaving my room.

I slowly made my way to the shower, every movement a chore, my body heavier than it had ever been. I reached the bathroom and almost screamed at my reflection. My face looked haggard, my eyes were bloodshot, and my skin looked deathly pale, which for a black person was very concerning. I brushed my teeth at snail's pace, feeling every movement as a vibration in my head. The pounding got worse with every action, giving me no reprieve to complete my morning routine. By the time I had finished showering, it was approaching lunchtime. I got dressed in a cream silk blouse and tan linen pants with tan sandals. I left my hair down and avoided heavy makeup, not having any energy for anything more than concealer, mascara, and lip gloss.

I made it downstairs, but my brothers' laughter had me rethinking my descent. I approached the dining area with great caution. When I entered, Sam took one look at me and laughed. I winced, and he apologized. "I see someone forgot to pace herself. I never thought I'd see my little sister hungover. It's actually kind of sad. Want some coffee?" he said sheepishly. I nodded slowly and sat down carefully. Trent and Kyle also laughed softly under their breaths but avoided saying anything else to me. My dad chuckled softly and went back to reading the news on his tablet. My mother told me I only had time for a cup of coffee because I took so long to get ready. Once I finished my coffee, she handed me a pair of big, dark sunglasses and ushered me to the waiting Bentley. Two security vehicles followed us as we left the estate and headed to brunch.

We arrived at Bellini's, a beautiful modern Italian restaurant my mother had chosen for our monthly girls' day. It was decorated in light wood, cream linens, and warm lighting. We held a reservation there the last Saturday of every month for the last 5 years. After brunch, we usually shopped and went to the movies, but my mom decided we should do a spa day instead due to the hangover, which I was grateful for. We sat at our usual table, a spot near the windows, and a server named Mike came to take our orders. I ordered coffee, and mom went with a mimosa, suggesting I should have one to see if it would help with the hangover. I declined, perusing the menu with small eyes. When Mike returned with our drinks, I asked him if the kitchen would be willing to serve breakfast after midday. He went and asked the manager, who spoke to the kitchen staff, and came back saying they were willing to make an exception since we were regulars. I asked for the English breakfast since mom said a greasy meal would help with the hangover. Mom ordered the salmon with a side salad and asked for water for the table. Mike left, returning shortly after with a jug of iced lemon water and a bread basket. I slowly sipped my coffee and munched on some bread.

My mom looked at me, and feeling her stare, I looked up at her. "Delia, when last did you speak to Leon?" she asked suddenly. I was taken aback by the question, and the weird feeling I'd had all day yesterday came back with a vengeance. I hadn't checked my phone at all since getting up, but now I felt the intense urge to look. "We last talked on Monday when he told me about his impromptu business trip." I replied softly. She looked irritated by this response, but our food arrived, so the conversation paused. Once our server had gone, she resumed the discussion. "Honey, I love you, and I want nothing more than for you to be happy. I've been holding my tongue because you seemed to believe you were happy, and I didn't want to interfere with that. However, I never liked Leon, and I liked him even less when you started dating him. In fact, when I imagined a marital alliance between us and the Knights, I always thought your groom would be Xavier." I looked at her like she'd grown a second head. "Mom, Xavier has never liked me. He always made it his mission to avoid me. He only tolerates me for Trent's sake." My mom shook her head, chuckling softly. "I've known Xavier for most of his life, and his behavior towards you was quite out of character for him. So much so that I began suspecting he might be in love with you. I waited, but he never made a move. As you mother, I can't in good conscience let you marry Leon when every instinct is telling me he isn't right for you. Even if you don't marry Xavier, please consider leaving Leon and finding someone who will respect you." she said with a small, sad smile. I was left dumbfounded. I knew my family didn't like Leon much and that they only tolerated him for my sake, but I didn't think their dislike ran this deep. I checked my phone and found no missed calls or texts from Leon, which should've alarmed or angered me, but instead, I felt nothing.

The pit in my stomach grew, and it made eating harder than it already was. "Why don't you like him, mom?" I asked her. She took her time, searching for the right words to use. "He has always treated you like a possession, not a partner. He talks down to you all the time. He flirts with other women and excuses it as being friendly. He barely does any work at his family's company. He disrespects his parents, brother, and friends. Lastly, I don't think he ever loved you, and I want you to be with someone who will be devoted to you. You deserve batter than Leon." she said sadly. I didn't think anyone had noticed all the things he did, and I usually ignored them because I was too busy building my career and reputation. My chest grew tight, my face became hot, and the restaurant started feeling stuffy. I looked at my mother, my eyes becoming glassy with unshed tears, and I came to the startling realization that I did not love Leon, I only liked the convenience of his presence and his lack of attention, which allowed me to continue building my career in peace. Once that realization settled in, the pit in my stomach started to ease. I looked my mother in the eyes and took a deep breath before replying to her. "You're right. I do deserve better. I didn't think any of you noticed his behavior. I actually think I don't want to marry him after all." My mother looked relieved, and the rest of lunch passed uneventfully.