Deception

CHAPTER FOUR

ELLIE'S POV

It's been a week since Ethan came back. He neither came home nor reached out to any of us, except Dad. Mum wasn't even concerned, she was behaving like she was oblivious to it. While I was scared to death. What if he really came back for me? I closed my laptop and leaned deeper into my chair, recalling what happened two years ago, before Ethan left.

———

(FLASHBACK )

I admired the photo in my hands for what felt like the hundredth time before carefully wrapping it so it won't break. I carried it slowly in my arms, hugging it to my chest as a small smile formed on my lips. Ethan is going to love it, I am very sure. I know we never really got along but he surely can't refuse this special gift, a beautiful picture of Dad, Mum, him and I smiling together. Note, that rarely happens. I've had it for a while and since he is moving abroad and will be there for quite a while, I decided to give it to him . I knew he'd love it.

I happily walked to his room but saw Mum coming out, her brows furrowed. I stared at her but she didn't even spare me a glance.

Oops. They must've quarrelled again.

Mum and Ethan have always been at loggerheads for as long as I can remember. They're always quarrelling, and ninety eight percent of their quarrels is always somehow related to me. And I never really understood why.

I bit my lower lip, nervous to go in, because I'm sure he's angry and might not want to see me. But I have to give him now, else I might not get to. After deciding to face him, I walked closer and knocked on the already open door. He was staring outside the window, but tilted his head towards me.

" What do you want?" He asked, turning back to the window. His tone was cold and distant, and it made me feel even more nervous.

" I... I wanted to... give you so... something." I stuttered.

" What is that?" He asked, facing me with his arm crossed over his chest. I slowly pushed my present forward, motioning him to take it. He eyed me suspiciously and took it, slowly unwrapping it.

" It's a beautiful picture of our family together, smiling. I've had it for a while, but I decided to give it to you so that you'll look at it every day and remember that we're always with you. It'll give you the motivation to keep going. "

He stared intently at me for a few seconds and scoffed. I was expecting a ' thank you ' at least but a scoff? I didn't expect that.

" Our family? Together? Smiling? Always with me? Motivation to keep me going? What a joke!" He said and stared at the picture. A smile tugged at corner of his lips and I thought that he probably liked it and will accept it. I smiled internally at this thought. But my happiness was short lived.

" What a fucking joke!" He roared and smashed the picture to the ground. I screamed in shock as the only photo I cherished was reduced to bits.

" Ethan!" I cried.

" That picture is a joke, you are a joke, and this family is a joke. It's all a fucking joke!"
He walked closer to me and roughly grabbed my wrist, making me cry out in pain. " You're happy to see me leave, right? It's all you've wanted, so you can have Mum all to yourself, so you can have everything to yourself. I know you're very happy."

I shook my head frantically. " No Ethan, no!"

" Oh please! I know very well that you are. But you know what, Ellie? You're a bitch. You're a fucking bitch, Ellie. I hate you. I always have and always will. You took everything from me, but soon enough, I'll take them back. And I won't stop there. I'll make sure to suck you dry, till you bleed and cry and beg. Watch your back Ellie, because I'm coming for you." He said, staring deeply into my eyes and tightening his grip on my wrist. I stared back, as tears rolled down from my eyes.

" Ethan, let go of her this instant!" Mum's voice roared behind us.

" Else what? You'll disown me and make her your heir?" Ethan roared back.

Mum walked over and drew him away from me, slapping him hard across the cheek. It's stinging sound shook my already frightened and dumbfounded self.

Ethan stared at her and chuckled bitterly. " Wow Mum, you hit me, because of her. Because of this bitch!"

Mum slapped him again and the room became silent. The three of us just stood, staring at each other.

" Ethan, you ready?" Dad's voice echoed from downstairs.

Ethan cleared his throat and picked up his suitcase, heading for the door. " I'll be back soon, Meera and Ellie Brown, and then, I'll remind you of today. I'll make sure none of us forgets today in a hurry."

And with that, he turned around and left. Mum walked up to me and hugged me. " Don't take whatever he said to heart. He's just angry, he didn't mean it." She said, trying to comfort me.

But Ethan meant every word. I was sure of that.

(END OF FLASHBACK )

———

A hand roughly shook me, snapping me out of my daze. I looked up to see Chloe staring worriedly at me.

" Ellie..." She muttered. I stood up and hugged her, letting my emotions overwhelm me. I was sad, scared and hurt. I was in a tight spot and had no idea on how to come out. I forgot who I was, and cried like a baby.

After what seemed like forever, I slowly let go of Chloe and wiped my face. She examined me closely.

" Feeling better?"

" Yeah." I said, my voice hoarse.

" You sure? If you can't give the speech, I can represent you. Or, I can send a message and tell them something came up."

The speech?

Oh yeah, the speech.

A business conference is to be held today, a gathering of business elites, and I am one of those requested to give a speech. I tensed up when I realized that Ethan would be there. That was one of his reasons for coming back anyway.

Make It Better 2012.

" Will you be able to?"

" Yeah, I will. Don't worry." I said, faking a smile.

" Ellie, please tell me if you can't. You're obviously not okay."

" Chloe, I'm fine. Even if I'm not, I won't be until I face my problem head on. Ethan is back for me, so I'll face him head on. I'm not weak. I can do this. He won't get to me no matter how hard he tries, I won't let him."

" That's the CEO Ellie Brown spirit!" She said, grinning. " Now go out there and show them what you're made of."

I smiled and hugged her again. " Oh Chloe, what would I have done without you?"

" Absolutely nothing baby girl." She smirked.

I slapped her arm playfully. " What are you implying now?"

" That you can't do anything without me, and you know it. Behind every successful CEO is a PA that takes all their shit." She said and we both laughed.

" Thank you, Chloe." I said, being serious.

" Ellie, don't thank me. You've always been there for me, so how can I ever leave you? You're my sister, my family. And family always sticks together."

Well not my family.

" I'll always be there for you, Ellie."

I hugged her again, thanking God for bringing her into my life. She's a gem, and I promised myself that I'll treasure her forever.