S.C.M Trials

Chapter 9

Desiree's POV

Shopping was exhausting. Daniel's mother with the help of Daniel's older sister, Amanda, had ended up buying me 7 bags filled to the brim with clothes. Amanda was so easy to get along with and she seemed to have a different approach of looking at life. Currently, we were laying on beach chairs as we tanned in our new bikinis from Victoria Secret. Daniel and Amanda's husband, Aaron, was in the pool playing water basketball.

"So, I know you and Daniel are technically supposed to have a professional relationship but I have to ask, do you feel like you guys do?" Amanda stared at me waiting for my answer. Did I feel like we had a professional relationship? Hell no, of course not. But was it really okay to confide in her something as personal as this?

"Umm- I don't mean to be rude but it's a bit persona-"

"Desiree, my brother has never once looked at another girl for more than a fraction of a second. I see the way he is with you. I see the way he looks at you. You're the first to have his attention. And from what my parents had told me, you definitely know how to make him rise."

She giggled giving me that look. Oh dear God, that was such an awkward and embarrassing moment for me.

"Amanda, we definitely don't have a professional relationship. The first few minutes after we met each other, we ended up making out. I don't know what came over me but it was just-"

"Let me guess, you felt an intimate connection? Looking at him made you breathless? There was just something about him that made you feel drawn to him? Then Des, I hate to tell you this but looks like you're stuck with each other. You guys are mates- soulmates." As Amanda spoke, her eyes were fixed on Aaron. She watched him dunk the basketball at the edge of the pool as her eyes lit up when he gave her a dazzling smile.

Their relationship was something I only dreamed of having. The way they looked at each other with pride and so much adoration made my heart tug in envy. Would I ever be able to get that type of relationship? With Daniel?

I scoffed at the thought. As of now, Daniel hadn't spoken to me once. His idea of a 'professional' relationship was to not talk to me unless he was asked to. Even in those times, he somehow made an excuse and asked someone else to do it for him. It was like my presence had aggravated him.

Soulmates? No way. Probably sexual tension, yes, but in no way would we be each other's soulmate. Those things only happen in movies and fairy tales. Seeming to notice my sadness, Amanda grabbed my hand and held them.

"Desiree, please. My family knows what you've done and we understand why. But please don't shut my brother out. Give him a chance. I know it may be awkward at first- but I truly believe you guys are meant to be." By the time she had finished the boys had gotten out of the pool and had approached us. Aaron gave a friendly smile while Daniel's face was emotionless.

Giving Amanda's hand a tight squeeze, I excused myself upstairs to go to the room I was staying in. I laid on the floor, my back against the door as I thought of the way Daniel suddenly changed. He was completely two-faced. One second, he was the sweetest guy ever and then he does a complete 180 and becomes a douche.

Soulmates. The word had a certain ring to it. The word made my heart skip a beat. Wrapping my arms around my legs as I put my chin on my knees, I thought about how my mother was doing. Being in the hospital waiting for surgery and then going through chemotherapy by herself without me broke my heart. Sadly, I couldn't contact her. I hope and pray that she is doing well. Hoping a transplant comes in and she eventually gets better.

Deciding not to dwell on the unknown, I took a quick shower and picked out a cute top and jeans I bought at Forever 21, put my hair into a quick ponytail, and decided to head downstairs. I helped Daniel's parents set up the table and prep the food before we finally were ready to eat.

Daniel's parent sat at the end of the table. Amanda sat beside her father as Aaron was sitting next to her. I sat next to Daniel's mother as her youngest daughter sat between me and Daniel. There was chit chat as we ate. Daniel's mother was jokingly telling Aaron and Amanda how she longed for a grandchild and that she may never get to see one by how slow things were going.

Amanda laughed really amused at her mother's antics of trying to persuade her to get pregnant faster.

"Mom, instead of asking me why don't you ask your son over there. I mean he is the one carrying the Retigue name." Amanda looked at me as she said this. Giving me a quick wink before Daniel intervened.

"I will have children when I find the one and she also accepts me and is ready for it." His voice was monotone as he said this. I caught him catch a glimpse at me. As I stared back I was looking at cold eyes. His expression giving nothing away of how he feels.

Are you really going to do this? Are you really going to block me off now?

If he really wants to be this way, then fine. I have nothing else to do or say to him also. I stare at Amanda's eyes and give her a silent sorry.

I'm sorry. I can't do what you ask of me. Not like this. Not when he's treating me like this.

A tear suddenly seems to fall down her face as she stares back at me. She quickly wipes it off.

"Sorry. Must be allergies." She said as she picked her food. The table suddenly became eerily quiet. You could cut the tension in the room with a knife.

Was this my fault?

Daniel's father seemed to stop the silence. "Desiree, I understand you had your occupation. But was there another hobby you had?"

"Actually, I do. When I was younger, my father taught me how to throw shurikens. When he died, in remembrance of him every day, I go practice out back at home. I guess you can say it was also a stress reliever for me." Pools of water filled my eyes. I blinked them out. Lowering my head to the ground so no one saw how sad I was.

Aaron seemed to not notice, "That's great! Down the road, we have a training area. No one in this town can seem to throw or hold one without bleeding. Maybe, you can show us and help us with these pesky wolves we've been seeing lurking around the area."

That seemed to anger Daniel as he slammed his hands on the table. "Absolutely not!"

"Sure. I can aim from a mile away and hit the bullseye. It took a lot of practice and a few minor cuts but if it makes the town safer then I'm all in." I wouldn't allow Daniel to control me. Probation officers are only there so I don't go back to my old 'occupation' but he has no right to any other job offer I am given.

"The only thing you'll be all in is this house and my-" My eyes go wide at his words. All in his what?

FINISH YOUR SENTENCE. I stared at him.

"She'll be all up in your what? Huh, Daniel? Up in your what?" Amanda teased. Daniel seemed perplexed. I could see the fear in his eyes for a quick second before it turned into amusement.

"All up in my nerves! She's so annoying and overbearing." I scoffed at his comment.

"Then it's a good thing that you only have to be with me for 3 months. We'll be free of each other then. Good riddance." Honestly not caring at the angry face he gave me, I thanked everyone for the meal, cleaned my dish, and went up to bed.

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Sorry for the slow update. I went on vacation in the wilderness. With no wifi, no electricity, and no technology. ;( But here's Chapter 9! I have to be somewhere on Saturday however, you guys can expect Chapter 10 uploaded by Friday.  Thanks for reading and supporting my story :D