What I Wish You Knew | ꪜ

Chapter Eighteen

18. Find your happiness.

Parker's POV

"Parker, are you still sleeping?" I failed to hide my annoyance as I flung the duvet off of me. I don't know if she's in my room to torment me or what, but today isn't one of those days where I have the patience to deal with her bullshit act of innocence.

She hovered over me, a sweet smile plastered on her lips. She may have everyone fooled but I knew of the sociopath that hid behind this facade. Valeri can't fool someone whose entire life outside of home is an act. Nothing about this woman was sweet.

"What are you doing in my room?" She lowered herself down onto the edge of my bed and narrowed her head in my direction, "now is that any way to speak to the woman who raised you?" She should be thankful I'm not disprespectful to her when I rightfully should be. 

Because of her, my father and my brother I have trouble controlling my anger and frustration around them because somehow they always find a way to provoke me. In my father and brother's defence, there are times where they were genuine but Valeri always has a motive behind her actions and it's to torment me.

Waving the fact that she "raised" me in my face is another way of saying I should be thankful that she was somewhat of a mother to me. Does she think I'm dense? Or she might be, because if this is her idea of parenting, God bless America. "Did you want something? If not can you please leave," I asked as kindly as I could, trying but failing to tear my gaze away from her penetrating eyes.

"Yes, your father and I are going on a business trip. We leave tonight so before he forgets to tell you I just wanted to let you know and to also wake you up, it's almost time to prepare for school." Couldn't she tell me this at breakfast? She also knows I'm never late for school.

So what was the point of this? "Okay," I replied, expecting her to leave soon after. However; she remained seated at the end of my bed, her deep-set eyes fixated on me as if she had gotten lost in thought. "Valeri, can you please leave?" I snapped, fighting the ability to stay calm in her presence.

A long sigh emitted from her lips, "you have your father's commanding tone. It'll do you good in the business. Have a blessed day, darling. And clean up this room, please." She shifted from my bed and sashayed out of my room, slamming the door shut behind her. I clenched the duvet beneath my fingertips tightly and flung it out of my way.

When I got to my bathroom I leaned against the face basin and inhaled deeply, hoping to relax my muscles which had grown tense. I was met with the sight of my own reflection, staring back at me with a taunting gaze. A few years ago he wasn't like this: bitter, angry, only happy when necessary. This wasn't the person I wanted to be. 

I wish I could go back to who I was before I lost her.

I wish she hadn't gotten sick and left me. Maybe then despise the dysfunction I would still end up happier than I am now. I blinked back the tears that began to well my eyes and slipped into the shower after I was done stripping away from my clothes. 

Under the warm running water, one thought stayed at the back of my mind: one day, I will be at my happiest.

~ ~ ~

I stumbled into the kitchen and halted in my footsteps at the sight of my father, my brother and her all sitting at the table eating breakfast. By breakfast I mean breakfast, lunch and dinner. The way they overwork the kitchen staff is ridiculous considering they never finish the feast set out before them.

A simple sandwich for breakfast would do but the Nguyen family goes big or goes home. I grabbed a banana from the fruit bowl and began to peel away, hoping that none of them would acknowledge me. But who was I kidding? Around this house, I'm a freaking glowing bulb. You'll see me from miles away even if you try not to.