Somehow Love is Found (BWWM)

Chapter 27: The Root

Octavia's POV

By the time I got home, I was emotionally exhausted.

I was too tired to even get into conflicts with my family.

My family.

Forgot I even had one.

I got out of my car and walked into my house.

My mother greeted me, itching for a fight.

"Well look who stumbled in...the disappointment," taunted my mother.

Oh well.

I turned to face her.

"Good afternoon Mom," I said, "I'm sorry for making you feel like I've been disappointing you."

She opened her mouth to say something but closed it. I took the opportunity to walk away.

**************************************

It was nighttime.

I lay in my bed in my yellow pyjamas. My hair was in Bantu knots and was covered. My gaze was focused on the ceiling. Rafty was on my tummy, trotting like it was her kingdom.

Today was a very emotional day for me.

I let out all of my past, all of the things that I did.

And all Refael did was say this:

"You are not your past."

Those words shocked me and moved me. Nobody had ever told me that before. None of the therapists that I was sent to.

Maybe it's because you gave none of them a chance.

I sighed.

What my own family couldn't do for me, Refael did.

And honestly, I was incredibly grateful for all he has done for me thus far. Today was a day of absolute reassurance, proof that even I could change.

Change.

Was I capable of such a thing?

I was so accustomed to playing the role that everyone wanted me to play. Everyone wanted to believe that Octavia Hale is the stereotypical problematic rich kid.

But, was that what I wanted to believe?

No.

I was more than that.

I, Octavia Hale, am a person with potential. Potential that I kept concealing.

My phone rang, interrupting my rumination. I picked it up and smiled when I saw the caller ID.

Refael.

I answered right away.

"Hey," he said, his voice sending a warm feeling through me.

I smiled.

"Hey," I said, feeling shy.

"How are you feeling? Did you eat? Did anyone tell you anything? I swear if your mother-"

I laughed.

"I'm okay, yes I ate, nobody told me anything and my mother is just fine."

There was silence.

Then:

"You just called her mother and not birth-giver. You're not fine. Do you need me to come over-"

I shook my head.

This fool.

"You don't have to come over. I'm really okay."