LOVED BY STEPDAD

[6]

Susan repeatedly wiped away her tears. The ones that wouldn't stop since the departure of the riotous guest in the two-story house she had been living in. The sadness of losing her beloved mother was replaced with shock and confusion over what had just happened.

“It's... like a dream,” Susan said while trying to normalize the same sobs; never subsiding. Her eyes began to take in the surroundings where every corner of the house brought back fond memories of Yossie. The woman she thought of as her biological mother. Who apparently... adopted her? And now, left her a lot of inheritance? While since Susan was able to understand the treatment of the people around her, Yossie's family used her mother more often regarding money.

Susan could tell that Yossie was the source of money for them.

And now, almost all of Yossie's inheritance that pertained to money and wealth, fell into Susan's hands. She didn't feel the slightest bit happy. If she could exchange everything she got today, she would prefer her mother to sit beside her again. Tell her many things, especially about the world of work and her busy life as a career woman. Or trivial questions about what Susan would like for breakfast and dinner.

Susan didn't want this at all.

“Mom, what should I do?” she asked in a soft tone. Her eyes were teary again especially now, her head was reminded of Lucian. Who had been in this house for some time now, staying with her mother before they moved into the house that Lucian had prepared. Yossie's plan, as Susan knew, was to rent out the house they were living in.

“Daddy Lucian was brought in by the police for further questioning,” Susan said while biting the tips of her nails. “I don't understand why such a heinous accusation has come against Daddy. I believe Daddy would never do such a cruel thing to you.” Susan's tears rolled down her cheeks again. “Yes, right, Mom?”

Silence, no answer at all except for the ticking of the clock which was getting more and more obvious. A sign that the night was getting late and Susan should be sleeping. Her head throbbed strongly, thinking about what would happen next.

“If Daddy Lucian is really named as a suspect, what should I do, Mommy?” Susan looked up at the ceiling of the living room. Trying to hold back her tears from falling. Although she didn't care if tomorrow her eye bags swelled up even more. She only thought about what her fate would be.

“Why did Mommy leave me so soon?”

Without Susan realizing it, maybe also because of the fatigue of crying and asking questions that did not find answers, the girl fell asleep. Leaning on the sofa with her hands dangling almost touching the floor. Not paying much attention to the surroundings where the main door of the house was still unlocked.

Meanwhile, Lucian, who had just entered the gate of the house, really didn't expect to spend much time at the police station. Luckily, the police released him even though the accusation had not completely escaped Lucian.

“Damn the people who make crazy accusations like that,” he cursed for who knows how many times. His steps continued to enter the dimly lit yard of the house. Suddenly he thought of Susan who had been left behind. Although the girl was already twenty years old, what happened today must have shocked her.

“How is Susan?” asked Lucian just before turning the door knob. He frowned slightly because the door was not locked at all. “Susan?” he called with a wary look. Even so, his steps quickly entered the house. It wasn't without reason, knowing the temperament of Yossie's family that had really shown after Yossie's death, as well as the threat said by Luna, Lucian had fears of something bad happening to Susan.

“Susan,” he called once again.

Lucian grew more alert and when his eyes saw Susan's drooping figure on the sofa, he could only breathe a sigh of relief. None of the lights in the house had been extinguished yet, either replaced with a dimmer light or at the very least, the girl had returned to her room. The man also approached and slightly adjusted his position to Susan. Who he now looked at gently as well... “Oh my, how long have you been crying?”

Slowly, the strands of Susan's hair that fell on her cheek, Lucian smoothed. Very slowly. Lucian was afraid that his touch might disturb Susan who was now asleep. Susan's eyes looked swollen, the tip of her nose was red, and her breathing was still ragged.

“I'm sure it's going to be a hard day for you,” Lucian said softly. “It's hard for me too, Susan.” Lucian chose to sit near the sofa. He rested his back on the thick carpet and part of his back. Unwinding from today, which was really annoying and full of emotions.

If only Yossie hadn't left him and Susan, they would have been enjoying a nice honeymoon. Lucian massaged the bridge of his nose slowly, thinking for a moment what he should do now.

“Honey... what should I do?”

Susan's whimpering voice made Lucian straighten his back. He quickly approached the girl, making sure that the movement of her body did not cause her to fall. “Should I move it?”

A bit hesitant but it didn't seem like a bad idea. The sofa was too small for Susan's body although it didn't seem to be a problem, but in the morning Lucian was sure that the girl's body would be sore because her movements were limited.

“I'd better move it,” said Lucian as he prepared to lift Susan. He slowly slipped his hands around her shoulders and legs. And easily Lucian lifted Susan while walking slowly so that the girl would not be disturbed even though she was in his arms.

Susan, meanwhile, was quite surprised to find herself in Lucian's arms. She woke up to a shock that was enough to make her dizzy as Lucian climbed the stairs. Susan's room was on the second floor, near the lounge. But Susan didn't dare to keep her eyes open for too long. Not because it was comfortable but because it felt ... there was a peace she could get near Lucian.

“Are you awake?” Lucian asked quietly. His steps did not feel heavy at all climbing the stairs while carrying this girl. Did Susan rarely fill her mouth with food? So that this girl's weight felt light?

“Um... I guess,” Susan replied in a quiet tone.

“You must be bothered by being in my arms. I'm sorry but it looks like you need to be moved off the sofa.”

“Did I fall asleep there?” asked Susan who began to dare to open her eyes. Clearly remembering what happened before but... “Ah, I guess I really didn't realize it.”

“You must be tired.” Lucian laughed softly. “You'd better change your clothes. Have you eaten tonight?”

Susan didn't know what to say because as soon as the question left Lucian's mouth, Susan's stomach rumbled. It was loud enough to make her face red with embarrassment. How could her stomach embarrass Susan like this? Oh my!

“I'm sure you must have forgotten to fill your stomach.” Lucian's steps were now at the end of the stairs. He began to lower Susan slowly. “I'll prepare dinner even though it's very late.”

“No need.” But unfortunately, Susan's stomach rumbled again.

“You'll get sick if you keep avoiding eating,” Lucian said with a chuckle. Enamored with Susan's embarrassed look, Lucian unconsciously ruffled Susan's hair. “I'll make dinner and hurry downstairs after you change.”

“I...”

“There's no argument, Susan. I haven't had dinner yet anyway. Those damn cops didn't give me any food.”

“There's no way they fed you, Daddy,” Susan said, pursing her lips.

This was immediately met with laughter by Lucian. “I'll be waiting at the dining table. Don't let me eat dinner alone. Or do you want me to take her to your room?”

“No need,” Susan interrupted. “I'll be down soon.”

“Good.” Lucian rushed down the stairs and into the kitchen. All the while thinking about what to serve for dinner tonight.

“Um... Dad,” Susan called before Lucian had reached the end of the stairs. The call made the man turn his head, giving a surprised look because Susan didn't speak.

“What's wrong?”

“Thank you for coming back and watching me,” Susan said with her hands clasped together. She looked down not only because she was embarrassed, but also because she couldn't understand why Lucian's attitude was still the same as before. Lucian could have gone back to his own house without bothering to come back to this house and also forget about the drama that happened in Yossie's family.

But... Lucian came back.

“I won't leave you alone, Susan.”

Susan's smile began to form.

“Let's face together what drama will come tomorrow.” I don't know why Lucian said that but her mind agreed that what he just said was true. I don't know what other dramas would happen, but Lucian couldn't possibly leave Susan alone. Moreover, Yossie's family's attitude towards that girl was really out of line.

And he also had to take care of the accusations that were casually thrown at him. Lucian wouldn't stay silent. Never.