Just Listen

Chapter 38

KP's POV

It took me a moment to realize that Vinyl had left. He left butterflies scattered all over.

Relax, girl. You can't be moved by anyone who shows sympathy towards you.

I swallowed hard. Fantasy and reality did not correlate. Perhaps he had been a figment of my imagination. Time heals all wounds they said; I wondered when mine would. I walked to Daddy's ward and found him ready to leave. I glared at Uncanny, and she just shrugged. Daddy noticed. "It'll be okay, princess. I'm here."

"Yeah, so is she."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Uncanny fumed.

"It means," I began.

"That we will all try to work together and with each other. We are family after all," Daddy spoke.

We all gave each other weird glances. After a moment or two Uncanny cleared her throat, "Michael is still coming to my house. You can come too, if you like." She tucked her hair behind her ear, I was conflicted. I glared at her, then at Daddy; sighing in defeat. It was for the best I guess.

Later that day...

We arrived at Uncanny's house. It was my first time being there and I marveled at it's beauty. (Uncanny's house at the top)

I didn't want to admit it; but she had great taste. I guess being a CEO and a fashion icon for her own business paid off. We got out of her car and helped Daddy inside. 

The interior was even better than the outside. "Your room is upstairs,"

"My room?" I was puzzled. "Since when is my room available? I thought you'd have nothing of that sort to accommodate me. Since you never wanted to be a mother..." Uncanny's jaw tensed; for the very first time, she chose to bite her tongue; Stunning me.

I guess wild animals can be tamed, after all.

"Why don't you go check out your room, princess?" I glared at my dad.

"I hope this situation is temporary because this is not my home. Never will be." The latter statement was meant for Uncanny to hear. She opened her mouth, but Daddy held her hand, restricting her from saying anything that would start a fight.

Uncanny sighed, "Dinner will be ready in thirty minutes." I rolled my eyes and went upstairs to my room. The sight before me took my breath away. I could not help but roam my eyes around the room. Silver was a color I hardly took notice of; considering how bright the interior of the entire house was, I didn't expect a single room could make my heart all fuzzy. The sight of the queen-sized bed covered in a grey and silver comforter made me smile, a stand-in mirror at the corner as well as a vanity table by the window, the chandelier, and white walls. How she managed to pull white and silver off as a theme astounded me.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" I didn't notice that she was behind me. "The theme was inspired by my sister, Nana."

"What?" I stepped back.

"My late sister. She always told me that if I ever wanted to please someone materialistically, especially with interior design, I should go for colors the person least expected to see. And I can see that her theory was useful," Uncanny's facial features softened; chills raced across my skin. I held my breath; my heartbeat accelerated and made my palms sweaty. Avoiding eye contact, I looked at anything besides her, shifting uncomfortably.

"If you still want to meet your grandparents, I'll take you to them; as soon as your dad is all better," her voice was soft and genuine; she gave me one last look before leaving my room. Finally, I could breathe! Then again, 'How sure are you that you're Michael's daughter?' Lucrecia or Lucinda, [I facepalmed]. Whoever she was, her question was eating me alive, could she be playing games with me? I would not let her win again. Daddy would never hurt me again. Uncanny sure, but Daddy? He would never, at least not intentionally.

Thirty minutes later, I went downstairs to the dining table. The head of the table sat where he belonged; we sat beside him. Uncanny had prepared spaghetti and meatballs; no wonder it didn't take long. Halfway through the meal, Daddy cleared his throat, "Uncanny here tells me you wanna meet her parents." I nodded. "How about we go there next weekend?" he suggested.

Uncanny choked on her food, "Michael, no. You have to get better first; and she has school. Aren't you starting your finals soon?" she directed at me wide-eyed, hoping that I would side with her.

I cleared my throat, "I'll be starting my finals in three weeks."

"Then it's settled. We are going to South Africa this weekend." I heaved a sigh, hoping the Headmistress doesn't blow this charade soon. Then it hit me. South Africa? Daddy saw my puzzled face. "Oh, you don't know," he whispered.

"The thing is, I ran away from home years ago after Nana's death. I came here to Brewsfort and started my life over and just reconnected with my little sister and mother a year ago." Was I supposed to pity her? All I wanted to hear was about my grandparents.

Unfortunately, that evening, secrets were not mentioned. After dinner, I went to my room. I'm pretty sure Uncanny shared a room with Daddy. I cringed at the thought. Never had I imagined him with a woman. Let alone the same one who gave birth to me. It felt good to lay my head on my new bed. Closing my eyes, I allowed my thoughts to wander off. Walter. I closed my eyes; my bottom lip began to quiver. My chest was heavy, and it was as if someone was shoving the hard knock of reality down my throat, making it hard to swallow. "Where did I go wrong?" my voice came out wrong like a cry for help.

I loved Lucrecia like a sister. For her to have betrayed me in such a way hurt. I trusted her.

You're too trusting.

I wailed on my pillow to muffle the noise. At that moment, a new notification on my phone made me roll over to its side. I picked it up only to be met by someone who tagged me in a post. Sitting up with sniffles, I wiped off my tears.

Angelo_Santos tagged you in a post.

For a minute or two, I forgot how to breathe. I glared at my phone in disbelief. Why on earth would he tag me!? It made me so furious and slightly happy. Overall, I was just a confused mess. What did it mean? I took in a few deep breaths while I DM'd him, telling him that he should take down the photo. Sure he was the one who took it, but I felt like he had no right to post it. We weren't even together. He loved photography, even though it could have meant nothing; I could not just let it slide. Whew! Putting my phone down, I had mixed emotions.

"Was it right of me to tell him to take down the picture?"