Chapter Two - The perfect Son
1418 Words
Dinner was supposed to be a happy occasion.
At least, that was what everyone kept saying.
The entire family had gathered around the long dining table, laughing and talking over one another. Grandma was telling an old story for what felt like the hundredth time, Uncle was teasing Auntie, and everyone kept complimenting Leo.
Of course they did.
They always did.
“Leo, have you finished your food?” Grandma asked.
“Yes, Grandma.”
“Take some more.”
“I’m full.”
“You're too skinny.”
Everyone laughed.
I forced a smile.
Across the table, Leo caught my eye.
For half a second, his expression changed.
The charming smile disappeared.
His eyes became cold.
Then, just as quickly, he smiled again.
Nobody noticed.
Nobody ever noticed.
“Amaria,” Auntie called from the kitchen. “Please bring the extra desserts.”
I immediately stood.
“Okay.”
Anything to get away from the table.
I walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator.
There were several plates of desserts waiting on the counter.
I picked up the first tray.
Then I heard footsteps behind me.
I froze.
I didn't need to turn around.
I already knew.
Leo.
“Need help?” he asked.
“No.”
I picked up another plate.
He came closer.
“I said no.”
He laughed quietly.
“You're still angry?”
I kept my eyes on the desserts.
“Just leave me alone.”
“You know, you really should learn when to stop.”
I turned around.
“What does that mean?”
His smile returned.
“Nothing.”
He reached past me for one of the plates.
I stepped aside immediately.
“Don't.”
He looked at me.
“Don't what?”
“Come near me.”
His expression hardened.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then he leaned closer—not enough for anyone outside the kitchen to notice, but enough to make me instinctively step backward.
“You're becoming difficult,” he whispered.
I tightened my grip around the tray.
“Move.”
Instead, he reached out and grabbed my arm.
I flinched.
“Let go.”
He didn't immediately.
His voice stayed calm.
“Why are you always so dramatic?”
“You're hurting me.”
He finally released me.
I immediately pulled my arm toward myself.
There was a faint mark where his fingers had been.
I stared at it.
“Don't look so scared,” he said.
I looked at him.
“How can you say that?”
He shrugged.
“Because nobody is going to believe you.”
My throat tightened.
“You don't know that.”
He smiled.
“I know this family better than you do.”
He picked up another plate.
Then his voice became almost cheerful.
“Come on. Everyone's waiting.”
He walked out first.
I stood in the kitchen for several seconds, trying to steady my breathing.
Then I picked up the desserts.
When I returned to the dining room, Leo was already laughing with everyone.
“Finally!” Uncle joked.
“Sorry,” I whispered.
Grandma took a plate from me.
“Put the rest over there.”
I nodded.
Leo looked at me.
“Are you okay?”
I stared at him.
He smiled sweetly.
“She looks upset.”
Mom immediately looked at me.
“Amaria?”
“I'm fine.”
Leo sighed dramatically.
“I think she's still angry with me.”
Grandma frowned.
“Why?”
“I don't know,” Leo said. “Maybe I did something without realizing.”
I almost dropped the tray.
“You know exactly—”
“Amaria.”
Mom's warning stopped me.
I swallowed.
Leo lowered his head.
“It's okay. She doesn't have to talk about it.”
Grandma immediately reached over and patted his shoulder.
“That's why you're such a good boy.”
I looked away.
My eyes burned.
---
After dessert, everyone moved into the living room.
I stayed behind to collect the plates.
I thought I was finally alone.
Then I heard the kitchen door close.
I turned.
Leo was standing there.
My heart sank.
“What do you want?”
He walked toward the counter.
“Nothing.”
“Then leave.”
He smiled.
“You really think you can order me around?”
I didn't answer.
He picked up a spoon and examined it absentmindedly.
“You embarrassed me downstairs.”
“You embarrassed yourself.”
His eyes snapped toward me.
For the first time, I saw how quickly his temper could change.
“You're getting brave.”
I stepped backward.
“I didn't mean—”
“You always do that.”
“What?”
“Say something stupid, then act scared when someone responds.”
I shook my head.
“I don't want to fight.”
“Good.”
He placed the spoon down.
“Then stop making things difficult.”
I said nothing.
He walked past me.
At the doorway, he stopped.
“Remember what happened last time you told your mother.”
My stomach twisted.
He didn't need to say anything else.
I remembered.
Mom's disappointment.
Grandma's anger.
Everyone defending him.
Everyone looking at me like I had betrayed the family.
Leo glanced back.
“You learned your lesson, right?”
I couldn't answer.
He smiled.
“Good.”
Then he walked away.
---
That night, I sat on my bed staring at the ceiling.
I couldn't sleep.
Every sound in the hallway made me tense.
Someone walked past my door.
I held my breath.
Then the footsteps disappeared.
I pulled my blanket closer.
Why did nobody see him?
How could someone be so different when other people were watching?
At breakfast, he was the perfect cousin.
At dinner, he was the respectful grandson.
Around Grandma, he was the gentle boy.
Around Uncle, he was responsible.
Around Mom, he was helpful.
But when nobody was looking…
He became someone else.
And I was the only person who knew.
I wanted to tell someone.
I really did.
But every time I imagined speaking, I remembered what happened the first time.
The disbelief.
The accusations.
The warning.
The way Mom had looked at me as though I were the one destroying the family.
So I stayed silent.
Not because I believed Leo.
Because I was afraid nobody else would believe me either.
---
The following morning, Leo acted as though nothing had happened.
He came downstairs smiling.
“Good morning, everyone.”
“Good morning, dear,” Grandma replied.
He kissed her cheek.
Everyone laughed when he made some silly joke.
I stayed at the table.
Mom placed breakfast in front of me.
“Eat.”
I nodded.
Leo sat across from me.
His foot accidentally touched mine beneath the table.
I immediately moved away.
He smiled.
Nobody noticed.
Then Grandma said, “Leo, help Amaria clear the table.”
My heart sank.
“I can do it myself.”
Grandma frowned.
“Why can't you two do something together without arguing?”
Leo immediately stood.
“It's fine, Grandma. I'll help.”
He picked up several plates.
I grabbed the rest.
We walked toward the kitchen.
As soon as we were out of everyone's sight, his smile disappeared.
“You really hate me, don't you?”
I said nothing.
He placed the plates down.
“You know what your problem is?”
I remained silent.
“You think people are going to choose you.”
I looked at him.
“They won't.”
I swallowed.
“You don't know that.”
He smiled again.
“Yes, I do.”
He walked past me.
Then he stopped beside the doorway.
“Because I'm the one they love.”
He left.
I stood alone in the kitchen.
His words stayed in my head.
I'm the one they love.
And the worst part?
I was beginning to believe him.
Not because I thought he deserved their love.
But because every time I needed someone to stand beside me…
Everyone stood beside him.
I looked toward the living room.
Grandma was laughing.
Mom was talking.
Uncle was smiling.
Leo had already returned to them.
And nobody knew what had happened in the kitchen.
Nobody asked.
Nobody suspected.
Nobody believed.
So I said nothing.
I carried the remaining plates back to the table and put on the same expression I had been wearing for weeks.
A quiet smile.
A lowered gaze.
A lie that said:
I'm fine.
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