EMERGENCY
970 Words
Why would anyone be awake by this time, much less be in a heated argument.
“Exactly who you think I am”. My mum’s voice.
“I’ll tell her the truth, it’s time she get a shot at a normal life”
Rio?
And so I walked closer to the kitchen, silently edging to the open door and plastering myself against the wall.
“I’m sure you’ll agree it’s for the best,” he added..
What truth were they hiding?
“Oh you wouldn’t dare, you don’t know what I’m capable of” She warned, her voice light but laced with venom.
I inched closer and peeked into the kitchen, my gasp nearly gave my presence away.
Rio looked furious but Celeste was smiling, leaning casually and against the kitchen island, her manicured finger trailing the handle of a knife.
“Now see, this is where you and I don’t see eye to eye Celeste. You have no control over me anymore and neither do you have any control over her. I need you to stay in your lane”
Celeste laughed “For my daughter’s sake I’ll keep quiet for now”
“Does she know who you truly are?” Rio smiled “I wonder what she would say when she finds out…”
“Don’t you dare play with me boy” My mum cut him off harshly while he laughed.
Silence.
“It’s been ten long years, Celeste, and I’m no longer a stupid 17 year old kid. What you made me do back then was horrible”
She sighed “I know. And I hate myself for that”
“Good, now we both have something in common,” Rio said and turned to leave.
“As long as you keep your mouth shut, I believe we can be one big lovely family, Rio. Don’t ruin this for us” she said out and Rio scoffed.
“Keep telling yourself that, even when you know we won’t. Stop threatening me Celeste, this is also my secret to keep, I can decide to tell everything and you will do nothing”
She tilted her head “Everything? You do that and single handedly, I will bring you down”
“I have your secret too Celeste, I know what you did to him. And I’m just one breath away from telling the cops”
Him? Who?
Celeste chuckled “You’re young, you have a whole life ahead of you sweetheart, don’t make it short” she pulled out a knife and walked closer to him.
My breath caught in my throat. Should I call Jackson?
“I just want you to know, I’ll do whatever it take to protect my daughter”
“What are you trying to say?” Rio raised a cocky brow.
Celeste shrugged lazily “I’m saying God helps those who help themselves”
But he only smirked “You won’t take her away from me this time. You should know I'm capable of pretty much anything myself”
He pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, not caring about Celeste and her weapon. “I’m keeping her this time around” he lit the stick up.
“Good. It’s either you help me, keep the peace around here and be a happy little stepson or get out of the way. But you can’t stop me” she smiled in his face and Rio puffed smoke in hers.
She didn’t budge, a wicked look plastered on her face. “Put that out for me will you? Son?”
His laugh was bitter, he shook his head “But it’s your favorite flavor isn’t it? Betrayal and deceit”
He took one last puff and abandoned the cigarette on the marble countertop, the smoke wafting slowly and the ember burning. “Enjoy”
It would leave a mark and, I’m very sure my mother would hate that.
Rio brushed past her towards the back door and before he left, he threw her one last look over his shoulder “I hope we get along well. Stepmother” the word rolled off his tongue with hate.
When he left, Celeste stayed in silence, her face morphed into something evil. She flung the knife aside and picked up the still burning cigarette.
She stared at it for a long second before putting it to her lips and taking a long drag “Now don’t we all love a rebellious child” she whispered to herself, exhaling smoke with a wicked grin..
I tightened my robe around me, my hand clutching my chest.
She knew.
My mother had a hand in that terrible break up from ten years ago.
My heart ached, how could she do this to me? The trauma? The mockery? It scarred me for life, I hadn’t fallen in love ever since.
But with what I just heard, I knew it was more than just a breakup.
What dangerous secret could they possibly be hiding from me?
I backed away quietly and returned to my room upstairs, my glass of milk forgotten.
I tossed and turned in bed unable to sleep, staring at the ceiling with a heavy heart and racing mind.
Eventually exhaustion won and soon I drifted off into a light sleep.
No sooner did I close my eyes before a heavy knock pounded on my door.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
I woke up with a start, disoriented and looking around for a weapon.
“Gianna?” A voice called.
Relief washed over me, I was still in my mother’s house, safe.
My phone started to buzz but I abandoned it, rushing to open the door.
Jackson stood there, shirtless, urgency and worry etched on his face.
“We have to leave,” he said “Now”
- Writer
