Still Holding On

Chapter Two

I awake with a gasp and take deep breathes as I look beside me to see Ric. It's noon. He should be asleep for a while. Father will be too drunk to get out of bed today. I need to find more information. He groans and I quietly sneak into our closet. I put on a pair of blue jeans and a white turtleneck with sneakers before sneaking downstairs to the kitchen when someone stops me. Luca. He yanks me into one of father's coat closet shutting the door behind us and pulling the string for the light. "Rose you need to take this test. I strongly believe you're pregnant." Luca whispers and I sigh. It's not possible! Why do I have to keep telling him?! "I have a birth control stick in my arm, Luca! Not to mention we used protection! What do you want from me?!" I hiss and he sighs. I see the sadness in his eyes and drop my guard. I know he's worried for the idea of a child in the midst of this but it's just not possible. "Rose.... those aren't always going to work. You've been having mood swings. You throw up any time you eat something you don't agree with. You throw up just at the wrong smell! Rose! You need to listen to me! This. Is. Serious." He warns as he grabs my arms and shakes me to get my attention. Oh God, he can't possibly believe this. 

I shake my head and pull his arms off of me. "I'm not pregnant, Luca. Now, if you'll excuse me." I whisper and leave the closet. I walk into the kitchen to see her. What the fuck is she doing in here? "Don't worry, darling. I'm not one of your father's whores." Lily assures me and I just nod. I must've said that out loud. I should probably refrain from doing that. "Who are you?" I ask and she chuckles at me while she sits on my counter. She's so very casual about me. I don't like that. It implies that she knows who I am and that I was with Alek. "You're very confident. Strange, Vincent said you were shy." She comments and I cross my arms across my chest. Now she's stating that she knows things to make me feel like I have no chance against her. "Yeah well, things change. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at home with whoever the freak your husband is?" I ask and she chuckles while she takes a collection of grapes from the fruit bowl next to her. 

She smirks at me while she plops it in her mouth. I'm just an amusing little game to her. But little does she know that I'm playing to win. "My husband? Try ex husband. Cheating bastard. What's your excuse for running?" She asks and I smile. "Let's just say job profession. You didn't answer my question though." I remind her and she sighs while placing her left foot on the counter so she can rest her left arm on it. "It's not time for me to go home yet. Do you know who I am Rose?" She asks and I shake my head no. Of course I do. But if she thought I did then I doubt she'd say all this. "Good. Then we can still leave the reveal as a surprise. Call me Lillian." She says and I nod. Okay, she's officially insane. "How long have you known my father?" I ask and she smiles. "A very long time, Rose. I don't intend to be anything more than friends with him, I assure you." She promises and I make myself seem relieved. That must've been what she thought. 

I hear footsteps and immediately go down on one knee. If it's Ric then he'll want me in this position. It's one of the many issues he has in his little head. "Hello angel. Why did you leave bed?" Ric asks in a sweet voice but I know the truth behind it. "I intended to make you breakfast in bed... However, Lillian and I were talking. I am sorry." I apologize and Ric walks around in front of me. "Stand angel." He orders and I immediately stand but keep my gaze to the floor. He puts his index finger under my chin and pulls my head up so I'm looking up at him. "You've been so obedient angel." He whispers as he pulls my face so my lips are inches from his. Oh God, don't do it. I'm not ready.

He wraps his right arm around my waist and pulls my body to his. "Did you miss me?" He whispers and I fake a smile. Not once. "Every day." I whisper and he smirks. "Come. I want you all to myself today." He says and I gasp as he yanks my wrist towards the grand staircase. "Uh wait! I want to be perfect when we do that again." I plead and he turns to me. "What? Why can I not have you now?" He whines and I take a deep breath. Quick. Make an excuse. "Ric, I'm a woman we always want to be perfect for our fiancees, husbands, or boyfriends. I need to shave, I need to put on make up, do my hair, and put on lotion. All that good stuff." I laugh and he sighs. "Okay, but I want you in my bed by two o'clock waiting for me. Okay?" He orders and I nod with a fake happy smile.