Smiling through the pain

Chapter Eight

"I don't want to see him" I mumble and pull my comforter over my head. I hear Emma sigh and shut the door behind her. The mattress caves in a little as she sits on the edge and switches my beside lamp on. 

"I know you don't feel like it" she mutters and pulls the comforter off my head. Of course I don't. I would be crazy if I wanted to see him. I remain silent and continue to stare at the wall. Emma let's out a huff when I don't react. 

"Hey look at me" she commands in a calm yet firm voice. I slowly turn towards her and squint at the halo of light around her head as I try to focus on her face. Her green eyes sparkle with determination; a stark contrast to her gentle pale face. "We're gonna get through this together okay? He'll be gone in two days. We've just got to put up with him" 

"But I-" I start. "No but's. Forty eight hours isn't too long when you spend most of it sleeping or in school Mindy" She's got a point. "You know how he is with me" I mumble. My insides seem to ripping into shreds remembering the things that he's commented about me till now.  Emma's eyes soften. "We can talk about it whenever you want, yeah?" she replies in a gentler tone. 

I give her a small nod knowing that she's just trying to get me out of bed. She probably doesn't really care that much. We sit in a comfortable silence till Emma takes a deep breath and gets up. 

"You might wanna shower and change before you see him" she says before shutting the door behind her. Ugh why.

I sigh and roll off the bed. My head throbs as I make my way towards my bathroom to freshen up.

_____________________________

It's been close to an hour since I've been sitting next Teo waiting for Dad to finish his call in his study. Teo's chatting with Mika on his phone while I just stare out of the floor to celling windows at the street below, sprawled out over the sofa. My phone starts to ring for the tenth time since I've left my blanket burrito. I sigh and turn the screen towards myself to find Nike's name flashing across the screen. 

Not after what she said. 

I disconnect and continue staring at the street. Nike's disappointed expression swims before my eyes. See you really meant it. You're too weak to even say it out loud.  You're too weak. Weak. W. E-

It feels as if electricity travels all the way up my spine when I heard Dad's study door slam shut. Teo and I share a look, quickly stop what we're doing and sit up. Dad's footsteps grow louder and louder and they finally stop at the entrance of the hall. 

Dad looks like he always does- a formal black suit with a tie and polished shoes. His frameless glasses sit on the bridge of his pointy nose, his dark brown eyes clouded over. The curly dark brown hair that the two of us share is cut extremely short with a mop of curls on top. That's when I notice the smell of whiskey that floats through the air towards us. He's been drinking again. 

"We have a employee gathering by the company that I joined a year ago. The two of you need to be there with me since they asked us to bring our families. Emma's laid out your clothes in your closets. We'll be leaving in half an hour" 

Teo and I stare at him with blank expressions. I don't know why the two of us always expect some form of greeting from him and end up being hurt. Each and every time. Dad's nostrils flare when the two of us don't budge. 

"What are the two of you waiting for? Go!" he yells. This indifferent son of a bitch. Teo walks out as fast as he can, climbing the stairs two at a time. I walk past Dad only to be pulled back roughly. 

"You better not have one of you stupid panic attacks or an episode that's going to embarrass me in front of everyone. I would have taken Diana but she isn't here, is she?" he mutters and releases me before walking off towards his room.