Just Listen

Chapter 46

Uncanny's POV

I stared at my sweaty palms; it had been a week since I last heard of Javan. I was not at ease. I could not help the feeling of dread awaiting me. Upon my train of thought, my phone rang, indicating that May was calling.

"Tremayne,"

"That's a nice cold greeting," she replied.

I groaned. "I'm sorry, what do you want?"

She scoffed, "Like that's any better. Anyways, where the hell is Kamilah? She's been absent from school for the past week, and her senior finals have begun."

Right at that moment, I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders. My jaw clenched. The hand that was holding the phone tightened its grip. I felt the need to be outside so that the green scenery would calm me down.

"Uncanny, are you listening to me?"

"Yes, yes, I am. We're at my parents'. She told me her finals weren't in for another two weeks."

"How the hell do you not check in with me as the Headmistress!?"

I rolled my eyes, "Calm the fuck down, May. W-"

"Don't you tell me to calm the fuck down! It's not my child's future that's at stake, but you know I care about Kamilah; more than you!" she spat.

My anger rose, "If you called to scold me, I'm going hang up. Kamilah decided to throw away her future-"

"And what does that say about your parenting?" I heard her groaning.

I rubbed my temple, feeling a bulging vein. "May, are you okay?" It came out before I even realized it.

"NO! I AM FREAKING OUT!"

Heaving a sigh, I stood by the balcony admiring the beautiful sunset. "What's wrong?"

"Who else? You always manage to endanger us. No wonder Marley took off-"

I cut her off, "HEY!"

A pregnant silence emerged.

"I don't know what the hell is going on with you. At first, it was about Kamilah's education; now you're on about Marley and me. I won't let you-"

"He's gonna kill me!" she wailed. All of my senses were alarmed. A lump formed in my throat as I struggled to find my voice.

May was hyperventilating on the other line until she heaved a sigh. "Does Michael know that your last name is Rossi?"

My worst fears came to life momentarily. A shiver ran up my spine.

"Uncan-" the phone slipped through my fingers. My mouth agape as I watched it fall. I could not even attempt to save it. Fear numbly paralyzed me. My mind was foggy. I could not even think of a solution. What would he do to me? To my daughter? To my family!?

I felt an eerie presence behind me, but my mind was too far gone. A hand tapping on my shoulder made me jump in fright, preparing for the worst to happen.

"Are you alright, darlin'?" my dad asked, concerned. My throat was as dry as the Sahara, and my voice refused to leave its cave. Dad led us inside to his office, on our way; we bumped into Micheal; moreover, I bumped into him.

"Mr. Valley, may I have a word with your daughter?" Michael asked. Dad's eyes roamed on my face to see if I would object, his attempt being futile, he reluctantly agreed.

Michael and I changed direction, heading to the lounge. We sat side by side, hand in hand. "You're very sweaty, Uncanny. Are you alright? If it is about what happened the other week, it's okay. I'm not upset anymore, okay?" I nodded in response. "Uhm, Uncanny, my Bonnie. Since we're back home, how about we get married here?"

"Why don't you get it?" I vomited, removing my hands that were intertwined with his and folding my arms, heaving a sigh.

"Get what?" his gentle hand reached for my chin, locking our eyes in his hold. His eyes held my gaze, but as the expert, I was hiding behind a facade and, he could never decipher emotions that I did not want him to see.

I forced a smile, "It's nothing to worry about."

"Are you sure?"

I nodded, pecking his lips.

"Trema-"

"DADDY!" Kamilah's booming voice interrupted me, making my insides turn. She gave me a death glare. "Daddy, Aunt Amandla is asking for your help with some boxes up in the attic."

Michael sighed as he stood up. before he left, he kissed my forehead and said, "We shall continue this later."

Right after Michael disappeared, Kamilah turned her back to me as well. "Hold on," I stopped her. I walked over to where she stood, she--herself taking a few steps back. "May-the Headmistress of Saint Xavior Prep, who is also my friend, gave me a call..."

"Yeah, so?" she rolled her eyes, folding her arms.

"So?" I mocked her.

Again, she rolled her eyes, "What does it have to do with me? She's your friend, not mine." She stated and turned on her heels.

I ran out of patience and yanked her back, "Little girl, you lied to me, and you're throwing away your future for what?" I seethed.

"Don't you dare tell me about my future! I would have one if both my past and present were in alignment. But you had to be Rambo and ruin me!" she whispered yell.

Shock cracked like thunder, brewing a storm inside. "Ruin you!? Little girl, your whole existence ruined me!" I spat. Kamilah stepped back as the disappointment in her eyes weighed her body. Right there and then, I could care less about the excuses she would tell me. I would not let her ruin her future. I sighed, "Just because I was not present for,"

"Shut up," her voice weakened. "Do you know all that I had to go through? All those moments spent wishing I had a mother who could help me understand myself, my body? Aunt Veronica and Marley were the closest things to a mother to me. Where were you when they bullied me? When my best friend stabbed me in the back?" she sniffled, wiping away her tears. "You are the worst, Uncanny."

My left eyebrow rose, "Oh?"

"Who is my father?"

I felt a dagger plunged through my core. My jaw clenched as I watched everything around me spin. How? "What are you talking about?" I bit my tongue.

She calmed herself down and glared at me, "That was out of context. I just wanted to see you break."

This time I meant it. The sting of my hand in contact with Kamilah's face; she disrespected me. It came as a shock to her, and she saw my bloodshot eyes. "Never again disrespect me like that. You're always getting on my nerves; I don't know what next I might do to you," I mumbled through gritted teeth.

She slowly nodded, "I can see the hate. The agony in your eyes, believe me, I will find out what you're hiding and expose you for what you are. An unfit parent."