Love Or Revenge

7

APHRODITE POV

After I got out of the shower, I decided I was going to flat iron my hair. It is rare I do that but for this occasion I will. Something was eating at my mind and I didn’t really have a good feeling about it. It seemed fairly wrong to me. Colton was so very adamant about accepting Cameron but why? He cheated on him but he wants me to accept him? Will Colton not want to be with me if I don’t accept Cameron? Just that thought alone made my heart hurt. Cameron and Colton have been bringing out feelings in me I never knew I had or could even feel. I sigh. I’ve never felt like this about anyone but I don’t know if I can not bring myself to accept Cameron. If he cheated on his husband then he wouldn’t be loyal to me. If Colton can not accept my decision then I will walk away from them both. I felt a tear fall down my face, I have to suck it up. I can not cry over a man or men. I will not be weak. They will only leave you in the end Aphrodite so you might as well end it now.

I looked myself over in the mirror, my beautiful chestnut brown hair cascaded down my back, my hair touched my tailbone. I smiled at myself because I looked beautiful, I opted out of wearing makeup because of the dress I would be wearing. A few years ago my adoptive mother gave me a dress that my birth mother made. It is a beautiful white one shoulder, split thigh ruched maxi dress. Everlyn always told me my mother wanted me to wear it to my binding ceremony, I never knew what she meant so I just summed it up to a wedding ceremony. I walked out of my bathroom to get dressed, when I grabbed the dress off the bed when I noticed something fell out of the dress itself. I was confused, I didn’t think the dress had any pockets so where did this come from?

I stared at it, trying to make out what had fallen on the ground. I bent over to pick up the folder piece of paper off the floor. I sat on my bed and unfold the piece of paper. What I saw on that paper brought me to tears immediately. I was speechless, I was hurt and I was lost. They all lied to me.

*************************************

I walked down the stairs with a smile on my face, to hide how I was really feeling. I saw Colton, Cameron & Brandon greeting everyone that entered the front door. I did not want to go over there to them. I honestly wanted to leave but I knew I couldn't, I needed the money. So I mustered up the courage and walked over to them.

“Hey guys, I was just wondering where do you need me?” I asked in a calm voice. They all looked at me with their mouths agape and their eyes wide.

“Uhm, you guys okay?” I asked, was something wrong with my dress?

“You look gorgeous” they all said in unison. I smiled a bit at them.

“Thank you. So where do you want me” I asked, smiling

“The stage is out back but stand here with us for a few minutes. The couple of the hour will be joining us shortly” Cameron said. I nodded my head. I stood there silently while they greeted everyone. I wanted to talk to them about what I have found out but I won’t do that now. It is not the time.

“Are you okay?” Colton asked me with a worried look on his face. I gave him a small smile. I walked away. I had to, the way I was feeling about those three had my emotions all over the place. I walked out back and was impressed with the decor. Everything was white and elegant from the tables to the chairs. The pillars were lined with white lilies wrapped around them. The dance floor lights were even white. It was honestly a beautiful sight. I walked over to the bar.

“Champagne please”. The bartender made my drink, I turned around because I felt eyes on me. Cameron, Colton and a beautiful looking couple were walking over to me. I straightened up my back because first impressions were everything.

“Is this her?” I heard the woman walking with them ask

“Rosie, this is Aphrodite. Aphrodite, this is my sister Rosie and her husband, Jeremey” Cameron said. My eyes widened a bit because now that I am looking at her they could pass for twins; they looked so much alike. It was scary. I stretched my hand out to her.

“It’s nice to meet you Rosie and Jeremey”

“Soeur, no need to be so polite” She smacked my hand out of the way and gave me a bear hug. For a second I couldn’t breathe. I tapped her shoulder to let her know, I can not breathe. She let me go quickly with an apologetic look. She told me sorry but I waved it off with a smile. Jeremey nodded his hello. Then, what she said hit me.

“Wait, did you just call me your sister?” I asked, shocked. Cameron and Colton looked nervous at me then back at their sister.

“What, pst, nooo of course not.” she said waving me off

“Je peux parler francais” ( I can speak French )

Rosie’s eyes got wide as saucers. She glared at Colton and Cameron. If looks could kill they would definitely be 10 feet under.

“Pourquoi ne m’as-tu pas dit qu’elle parlait français!" ( Why didn’t you tell me she could speak French!? ) she whispered yelled. I couldn’t help my chuckle.

“You never asked nor did you give us time to tell” Cameron said, looking annoyed

“La prochaine fois prepare moi i***t!” ( Next time prepare me i***t! ) she said, giving him an annoyed tone. I giggled at Rosie. I really liked her, she wasn't afraid to speak her mind to them. Probably because they are her siblings but still, it was a breath of fresh air. If the circumstances were different I could have loved Rosie as a sister. The thought of everyone lying to me put a damper on my mood. I was saddened, hurt and felt a sense of betrayal.

“Dite, are you okay?” Cameron asked. I smiled and nodded. I could tell he did not believe me but he did not pry which I appreciated.

“So Aphrodite, how are you liking it here?” Rosie asked me. Everyone’s eyes were now on me

“I like it here. It is peaceful minus the botched barbie.”

“Botched barbie?” she asked questionly

“Brianna” Cameron and Colton said in unison. Rosie was shocked at first then she doubled over in laugher

“Why do you call her that?”

“Well, there is nothing wrong with a little bit of plastic surgery to enhance your beauty. However I just feel like it should look more natural than anything. She took it too far and as a result her body is a mess. Her butt is way too big for her thighs and I don’t have to touch it to know it’s as hard as cement. And, whoever did her face did not do a good job.. At all”

Rosie was grinning from ear to ear and I couldn’t understand why.

“I like her. I was telling you guys the same thing for years!” Rosie laughed

“Years?” I asked confused

“Yes, they were with Brianna for like 5 years”. I looked at Cameron and Colton because they did not share this information with me.

“No wonder she is so crazy and keeps saying ‘They are mine’,”

“Don’t pay her any mind. They have you now” When she said that I choked on the wine I was sipping. I cleared my throat.

“Unfortunately, I don’t want them. She can have them.” Everyone was shocked by my words, even Colton.

“If you’d excuse me” I walked away from them without turning back. I can not be with either of them, I can not take the lies. I walked towards the stage. Brandon was standing by it. I sighed.

“Aphrodite, are you okay?” he asked me, worried

“Yes I am fine but I have a question for you”. He looked into my eyes like he was searching for something.

“How did you know my mother?” I asked him. He looked taken aback by my question but cleared any emotions he was expressing from his face.

“We met a long time ago, when I was visiting her village”. His answers were short and to the point. I did not like that I wanted the whole truth!

“Did you love my mother?” I asked calmly

“What do you-”

“Did. You. Love. My. Mother?” I asked more sternly this time. He gulped

“Yes I did. Very much.” I sigh. Holding back my tears.

“Did you leave her in that village?” I asked him

“Yes I did and it was the hardest thing possible” he said with sadness in his eyes. I knew he was lying and I could not believe it.

“For once..” I started to let my tears fall

“Aphrodite, I-”

“For once, I would have liked the truth but it seems none of the men that want to be in my life will give it to me.” Through my tears I took out the piece of paper that had fallen on the floor as I was getting dressed. I smacked his chest with it.

“Thank you for the betrayal.. Dad”

When I called him ‘dad’, he looked so shocked and taken aback. I walked away before he could say anything to me. I wiped my face and headed to the stage. One of the staff members helped me on stage, handing me a mic. I tested the mic which got everyone's attention.

“Good Evening everyone. I hope everyone is enjoying themselves. I would like to thank the Black family for inviting me to this lovely ceremony. It is beautiful. Rosie and Jeremey I wish you both an eternity of happiness.. Together” I said I raised my glass and everyone else did too. I took a sip of mine then gave it to a server. I looked back at the band and nodded my head so they could begin. They started playing the song, ‘Bound to you by Christina Aguilera’

Sweet love, sweet love

Trapped in your love

I’ve opened up, unsure I can trust

My heart and I were buried in dust

Free me, free us

You’re all I need when I’m holding you tight

If you walk away I will suffer tonight

I found a man I can trust

And boy, I believe in us

I am terrified to love for the first time

Can’t you see that I’m bound in chains?

I’ve finally found my way

I am bound to you

I am bound to you

SO much, so young, I’ve faced on my own

Walls I built up became my home

I’m strong and I’m sure theres a fire in us

Sweet love, so pure

I catch my breath with just one beating heart

And I embrace myself, please don’t tear this apart

As I was singing I poured my heart into every word. All the sudden emotions I was feeling were so overwhelming I did not know how to handle them. I let the tears I felt fall because no one would question me, at least that’s what I hoped. My mind flashed to all the memories I made with my mother, Everlyn. She loved me with everything but she did not tell me about this. I couldn’t help but wonder if she knew. My mind wandered to the wonderful memories I have with Poppa Red and Sam. They have been like family to me, I loved them. Suddenly, my mind flashed to a woman I did not recognize. When she got closer she became more clear. Spirit. My birth mother. She was so beautiful, I looked just like her. Every. Single. Detail. I did not realized she was saying something to me

“Let go, my child. Let go”

“How can I let go mother? They lied to me”

“For good reason. They did not want you in this world”

“What world?”

She smiled “You know what I am referring to, I do not have to say”

“But-”

“It is your destiny, Everlyn did a good job with raising you. You have become a beautiful woman, I could not be more proud”

“Mother, I am not ready”

“You are ready, stop suppressing who you truly are '' I looked up in my mothers eyes. She was right, I can not keep running from this. I was who I was. I was special and I did not know where I got it from but now I know it was because of my mother. I smiled at her.

“Make me more proud, my daughter” with that, she disappeared. I knew it was time to unleash my suppressed magic. Everlyn always prepared me for this moment. I wasn't ready but I have to do this. For my mother, Spirit.

“Kite sa ki te siprime vin nan sifas la. Se pou sa ki te mwatye tounen antye anko”

( Let what has been suppressed come to the surface. Let what was half become whole again )

I felt every ounce of magic return to my body. I felt whole again. A part of me that was long put to rest was now awakened. I felt alive. When I looked up at the crowd they seemed to me frozen in place. I was confused. Then I heard my mother again, “Let your voice warm them”. I took a deep breath to finish my song. I felt good but I still felt hurt.

Can’t you see that I’m bound in chains?

I’ve finally found my way

I am bound to you

I am bound to you

Suddenly the moment’s here

I embrace my fears

All that I have been carrying all these years

Do I risk it all? Come this far just to fall?

Fall

I can trust and boy, I believe in us

I am terrified to love for the first time

Can’t you see that I’m bound in chains?

And finally found my way

I am bound to you

I am, ooh I am

I’m bound to you

Once I was finished singing I took my bow. I closed my eyes and when I opened them, snow was falling. Everyone in the crowd was cheering and clapping at my performance. Kids were running around trying to catch the snowflakes, laughing. I took the opportunity to leave the stage. I walked back in the house but someone grabbed my arm. I turned around to face the person who grabbed my arm.

“Rosie? Why are you crying” I asked her worried

“You sounded beautiful”. I sighed in relief

“Thank you Rosie but you don’t have to cry. I did not sound that good”

“Yes you did. You sounded like an Angel” she said while wiping her face

“I appreciate that but I have to excuse myself I have to go pack”

“Pack? You're not staying?” she asked me, looking confused

“No, tell Cameron and Colton thank you for me. Also tell them they don’t have to pay me”

“Are you sure you want to leave? I mean they-”

“I am positive.” I hugged Rosie and kissed her on the cheek. Walking back to my room I was lost in thought I didn’t notice Brandon following me. He grabbed my shoulder.

“Aphrodite, wait! Can we talk please?” I looked him in the eyes, he looked lost, hurt and something else I could not make out. I was about to tell him no.

“Please,” he said with pleading eyes. I sigh and nod my head.