Daddy Issues

Chapter 15

Sue stood unmoving underneath the cascading shower trying to get her shit together. She knew her reaction was a little over the top and she had hurt Vlad's feelings, but it was all his fault.

Flashes of bubbles in the darkness were splattered behind her closed lids. She could hear herself gurgling; drowning. She could feel the burn in her chest as if her lungs were still aching. She clutched her chest, squeezed her eyes tight and banged on the wall until her fist hurt. Real pain, real pain would take her mind off of the phantom one.

After a few more minutes she decided she needed to try something else. She dried herself, leaving just her hair a bit damp because she'd left her blow dryer home and using the towel took a little too much effort.

She went into the kitchen to see that her mother had already started preparing the fish. Silently she walked over and starting chopping some seasoning. She was grateful when her mother just handed her some carrots to chop as well instead of mentioning earlier events.

When everything was almost done, and they were cleaning Lilith did decide to bring it up. "You know he really does feel bad."

"I know mother, I just—." Sue sighed exasperated. She didn't feel like talking about this.

"Just hear me out." Lilith stopped what she was doing and turned to face Sue. "I have never seen you this happy. Not with me, your brother or anyone. I know you resent me somewhat for what happened with your father." Sue opened her mouth to protest but Lilith held up a hand. "Whether you admit it or not. But with Vlad you're different. I know you feel something for him." Lilith sighed as if the weight of the world was on her shoulders. She always tried to appear happy in front of Sue but the truth is, deep down she hated herself for what Sue endured. It was all her fault. "I just want you to stop building walls around yourself. I want you to be happy and let go of all this resentment. Not every man is going to hurt you." Lilith placed a gentle palm on her daughter's sad face and tilted her lips into a smile that never reached her eyes.

Sue placed a hand over her mother's. "I'll go let them know lunch is ready."

Sue slipped out of her mother's caress and headed to the den where the men waited, watching the game on the flat screen. She was about to round the corner until she heard they're low voices speaking.

"I really didn't mean to hurt here. I feel so stupid!" Vlad groaned. "We were going so well. She was finally starting to let me in and then I go and pull a stunt like this." Sue could feel his voice tugging at her heart, he really was sorry.

"It's not that bad man." Mark spoke. "My sister's a tough cookie but she softens when she's with you. I'm sure she'll come around."

"I hope you're right. You saw the way she looked at me. The fear in her eyes. It felt like I'd been stabbed in the chest." Vlad's voice was solemn.

"Sue's had it tough growing up. You have to give her some time." Joe consoled him. "Son, let me ask you, how do you feel about Sue?"

She held her breath as she waited impatiently for his answer. Her hand balled into her fist at her chest. There was a pause as Vlad took in the question. He hadn't a doubt in his mind how he felt about Sue. He'd told her one before, but she had fallen asleep mid conversation.

"I--"

"Lunch is ready." Lilith sped pass Sue interrupting whatever Vlad was about to say. "Everyone to the dining room." Lilith gave Sue a knowing glance as she passed her on her way back to the kitchen. Sue pursed her lips in annoyance. She sighed a second later and followed her mother to the kitchen.

Perhaps it's for the best. Not knowing what he was going to say will make what she has to do all the more easier. She can't have a judgement clouded any further.

Lunch went by rather quietly. Vlad tried to make eye contact with Sue, but she kept her eyes trained on her plate, not speaking to anyone. He tried to alleviate the tension in the room by making conversation with everyone else all the while stealing glances at her. After lunch Joe and Lilith went out back on the deck to chat, Mark got a call and decided to take it in his room. That left Sue and Vlad in an awkward silence. Sue took a deep breath before breaking it.

"Take a walk with me."

They walked into the surrounding woods right outside the cabin. She didn't walk to far in before she spoke again. "This has to stop." She turned to face him. Her face was devoid of all emotion. She kept her distance and her voice steady. "I can't keep going back and forth with you on this. My life was stable before you showed up; albeit boring but stable, nonetheless. I had consistency, control and peace of mind." Vlad's mouth twisted into a deep-set scowl. His brows furrowed but he remained silent as he waited for her to finish. "Do you know, before you showed up, I hadn't cried in God knows how long. Or even become flustered. You are rocking the house I worked so hard and long to build. I thought I could make this work but I'm sorry, it appears I can't. We can't be friends." Sue dipped her head.

"Enough." Vlad's voice was harsh enough to snap Sue's head back up. He's eyes had darkened with barely constrained rage. "I won't listen to this anymore. I refuse to allow you to hide yourself from the world, from your emotions, from happiness. You say I am rocking your house." He scoffed. "What kind of house will last when it's built on a cracked foundation?" He raised his voice at the end.

Sue was beginning to get angry. How dare he. "It is not your choice. You don't allow me to do anything!" She bellowed. "Who do you think you are?"

"I know who I am, do you?" He questioned accusingly. "You're in your doll house pretending to be all grown up but deep down you know you're still that broken little girl whose daddy use to beat her."

Sue gasped, stepping back unconsciously, pushed back by the blow his words dealt. She can't believe he just said that to her. The truth behind his words poured fuel to the fire of her rage. "You think you know me so well. You're just an attention seeking spoilt brat who can't take no for an answer, who is unconcerned about the wants of other. As long as Vlad gets what he wants, who cares what anyone else wants right?" Sue spat. "Right now, you can't even tell that you're my little bitch, following me around like a lost puppy." She scoffed folding her arms beneath her chest.

Vlad's nostrils flared. He took a few menacing steps towards Sue closing the distance between them. The rage quickly dissipated, and fear took its place rooting her to the spot.