Just Listen

Chapter 41

Uncanny's POV

Veronica said that she would bring her son for dinner tonight. I hadn't seen him since he was conceived, considering I left my hometown after giving birth to Kamilah. Veronica and I's beef was more than just a mere quarrel over some boy. She had an affair with my uncle and fell pregnant. She probably gave him a heart attack because he did not live to see the birth of his youngest son. Maybe he forced himself on her? Nah, impossible. He was a gentleman.

"Are you avoiding me, Bonnie?" I heard a familiar voice.

I looked up from my desk, "You do not have the privilege to call me that. Why are you here?" I felt claustrophobic in his presence.

The corner of his lips tugged up, and he seated right in front of me on the table. He leaned in. His smile was conniving. "Bonnie, it has come to my attention that your truths are lies. Think of Michael for that fact," he clasped his hands together. "Should I continue?"

My breath hitched, "I don't know what you're talking about, Javan."

"Ah, we are playing that game. It's okay. You'll find out soon enough, my pretty Bonnie," he stated with a smirk as he got off the table and walked out. After he closed the door, I heaved a sigh. Trying to register what had happened, momentarily, he barged back in. Looking menacingly than usual, "You know, Uncanny Valley, I wonder what would my old rivalry think of you being mine."

My eyes barged out of their sockets as tiny trails of sweat emerged on my face, and I found it hard to breathe. Javan stalked towards me; I had no energy to drawback. He would not dare. I glared at him lifelessly, "What do you want?" I asked hopelessly.

His eyes darkened. Javan roughly grabbed my chin and ravaged my mouth. I was stunned. Immobilized, I stood there defenseless. "If you didn't love me, you wouldn't be kissing me back with such passion," he whispered against my lips. Common sense found its way back to me; I pushed him away and stepped back from his peripheral vision. I hugged my body for comfort. Javan found his way in front of me. "What happened to us, Uncanny?"

His question felt like an electric shock through my cold body. I glared at him. "The fact that you have multiple personality disorder..."

"But you fell in love with me regardless, right? I'm the one who made you a woman. No other man can ever love you as I do. Come back to me," he stated, cupping my face gently.

"Let me go. You do not love me. Michael-"

"Has only ever given you a taste of one world whereas I gave you both. Yes, I am toxic, so are you. You are trying very hard to appear as a saint, and for what? Uncanny, I love you. You know it, I'm sorry I have never learned to treat you as an equal. It's what I grew up seeing right in front of me." I closed my eyes, leaning in his touch.

I held my hands over his and removed them, "It does not justify what you did to me, Javan."

In a split second, I found myself struggling for breath. Javan's rough hand was around my neck. The motion made me realize how he was a perfect manipulator, and I fell for it all the time. Why?

"Bonnie, you will regret ever rejecting me. No other man will ever make you happy as long as I live," he finally let me go... I backed away, fearing for my life. He fixed his suit and blew me a kiss. Tears streamed down my cheeks, staining my face; while I tried to soothe my aching neck. I could not see any silver lining in this story. After I was positive that he had left, I packed up and went home. The first thing that came into view as soon as I walked in was Michael and Kamilah. They looked so happy together I felt sick to my stomach. I couldn't help but feel particular negative energy towards Kamilah. Michael noticed it and told his daughter to go upstairs.

I walked over to where he was and attempted to walk past him, "What is wrong with you, Uncanny?" he tugged at my arm.

Unconsciously I yanked his hand off the same way I would to Javan. I saw confusion written all over his face, "It's nothing. I'm just tired."

"Well, you better fix that attitude because Vero and her son will be here any moment."

It was at that moment that I threw my handbag at him, and I glared daggers viciously. Luckily, he dodged the bag as he stood up, the last bit of self-control evaporating. "Why can't you just leave me alone!?"

"Leave you alone! Why on this damned earth would I do that?" he blew a fuse. "You and Kamilah are my everything. I am here because I want to be with you, but you're making it so hard. Uncanny, this-" he gestured to the house, "-is the place you should never feel suffocated the most. It is your home, with the people you care about. I love you," he whispered, defeated. He rubbed his temple as he sat back down on the couch.

"You cannot love me, Michael. I'm damaged, broken." my voice was hoarse from the suppressed emotions.

He heaved a sigh, standing before me. "I know that very well, but I want to..."

I involuntarily stepped back the moment he tried to embrace me. I felt so dirty. So unworthy of his kindness. "Why are you like this? I cannot bear the sight of you. Everything I do is wrong to you." I blurted out. Michael stared at me, his mouth agape. The rhythmic trembling of my bottom lip ignited the trail of tears I tried not to shed.

Momentarily, Kamilah came downstairs. I tried so hard to refrain from saying anything, especially to her. She came and stood next to us. I was sure she felt the tension between us. "What's going on? Are we no longer going to visit my grandparents?"

"Why is that all you care about?" I lashed out.

Michael firmly gripped my hand. He gritted his teeth while trying to put up a smile, "It's not that, princess. The trip is still happening. Whether you like it or not." Michael directed the latter statement at me. The doorbell rang, and I yanked my hand towards my body. I made sure that I looked presentable. Kamilah rushed to the door, leaving Michael and me to share uncomfortable glares. I put up my best disguise.

The moment I saw Veronica's son walk in, every bit of frustration started bubbling up. Michael held my hand in his, and it burned. His touch gave me chills, not the good kind. I just wanted to be alone and more problems walked in my house in the form of "Veronica and her illegitimate child," I groaned. Everyone's gaze turned at me. That was then that I realized I had voiced out my frustration.
"I'm sorry about that," I tried reasoning.

"You don't look the least bit of sorry," Kamilah started folding her arms.

"And why must you open your mouth," I rubbed my temple to soothe the bulging nerves.

Veronica held her son's hand walking towards me, "Why are you bitter?"

"Because," I began sobbing, covering my face up. How could I even say it? It hurt so much that I did not even have a proper way of saying it. They would judge me. I ended up running up the stairs to my bedroom.

Michael, Veronica, her son, and Kamilah remained downstairs. What they discussed was something I did not want to be among them.