Deception

CHAPTER EIGHT

ELLIE'S POV

I stood barefoot in my room's balcony, savouring the cool weather. The streets below were lighted, activities booming from each corner. I slowly rested on the railing, as my mind went back to where it has been frequently visiting for the past two days.

Ethan.

I've always been pushed out of my way by Mum to be the best, to always be first. To make my Mum happy, I got down on all fours, killing myself mentally and physically just to make her happy. But I didn't miss seeing Ethan struggle. He struggled to win Mum's love, to show her that he could make her proud as well, and although Mum showed him a reasonable amount of affection, her affection for me was far superior. Ethan slowly began to hate me, until it got to being a full blown resentment. I was hurt, and I'm still hurting, because I never wanted any of this. I never wanted to be in any sort of competition with him. I just wanted us to be happy together, like other normal siblings. I wished that we would lead Diamond Group together after Mum steps down, but sadly, it won't be like that.

It'll never be like that.

Truly, things seldom go how they're expected to. Now, my brother is back, to prove that he's better than me. Ethan has been a tough nut since childhood, and although he said he didn't mean any of the things he said before leaving two years ago, I can only imagine what he'll do.

Why is my life so messed up, dear Father?

" Ellie!"

I jumped and almost lost my balance but grabbed the railing just in time. " What were you thinking about?"

" Nothing." I replied rather too quickly.

" Nothing? I've been screaming your name for over five minutes!" Mum said, glaring at me.

I turned away to avoid her gaze." I'm sorry, I was just lost in thought."

" Hope it isn't about Ethan again?" She asked, softening her tone a little.

I sighed deeply and lowered my head." Ellie, don't worry about him. He can't harm you. You just have to keep going higher and grow more powerful. Soon, you'll be the top figure of the business world. "

" If I'm aiming at all that with my brother firmly supporting me, then I'd have been happy and it'd have been way easier. I don't want any of this, Mum. I don't want to be in constant competition with my brother. I hate what we've become. I really hate it! "

" You can't avoid competition in business. It doesn't matter who is up against you. Push those personal feelings aside and behave like a business minded person. If you combine personal feelings and business, you won't go far. Also, whatever that has happened between you and Ethan is all in the past. Try to forget it so that it won't wear you out. He wants to bring you down, so make him know that it is not going to be that easy for him. "

I stared at her , dumbfounded." Mum, are you really pushing me up against him? I'm trying to stop all this, for goodness sake!"

" You can't stop it! It's not in your power, it's not in anyone's power! So fight, Ellie, fight!" She screamed at me. I turned away from her and entered the room. I sat on the bed and buried my face in my palms.

She walked over and sat beside me." I've set up a date for you. Tomorrow, 4pm . Here's the card." She said and placed it on the table. " I've instructed Chloe to drive you there. Please, be on your best behavior. I want you both to get married, so please, don't scare him away." She said and left the room.

I slowly lifted my head and stared at the card. My heart wanted me to take it and tear it into pieces, but my mind refused. Dejected, I laid down and cried myself to sleep.