My ex, my Fiancee's Son
Chapter 4. A War Begin
My sincerity is considered a lie and my lie is considered an honesty.~~ Shelina Aston.
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I've packed some of my clothes and necessities. Just two big suitcases. The rest will be taken care of by Andrew. This apartment gives me good memories even though I've only lived here for six months. But I will definitely miss the atmosphere of this place. The most comfortable place where I am always calm in solitude and solitude.
I stepped out of my room. A few days ago Andrew asked me to move into his house immediately. At first I was strongly opposed to the idea but he cleverly gave me reasons that I could not refute. Andrew also promised us not to room until the wedding. I breathed a sigh of relief at that fact, although I didn't mind sleeping in the room with her.
But he was a polite man who treated women with great kindness and respect. That's what I love about him and I've never met any man. Because other men will always pull me up in bed and make love to me.
My feet stopped remembering that figure. Marcus. I'll stay at Andrew's mansion, which means I'll always meet him. What should I do if I meet Marcus? Last dinner confirmed his disagreement with my relationship with Andrew.
I breathe heavily and slowly. This must be very difficult. But I have to be strong for Andrew who has always supported and accompanied me all this time. I walked full of determination to come to the Cho Family Mansion.
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Now I'm at the big door of the Cho family mansion. Driver Han still dropped my suitcase. My heart beat unbearably. Sweat begins to appear on the temples. Panic and worry hunt me down.
Am I ready for all this? Reunited with my first love with her stepmother-to-be status. Would it be better for me to just go back and undo my intention to stay here?
My heart was doubtful, I did want to marry Andrew but meeting and house-to-house with Marcus never crossed my mind. Coupled with Marcus' attitude yesterday that was very hostile to me, it was better that I stay in the apartment. My legs took a step back and I turned around when the door in front of me suddenly opened.
"Shelina's." The voice I knew so well called my name. I undo the intention and turn back to face her. Andrew stood before me. She was wearing jeans and a plain black t-shirt attached to her body. He was not like a 48-year-old old man but more like a 35-year-old adult man. With an athletic body that he always took care of. The bicepnua muscle even looks very clear and tight. Make any woman's fingers itch to want to touch it.
I smiled clumsily at him, worried that he would notice my way of wanting to leave.
"Let's go in." He opened the door wide, allowing me to go inside.
I had no choice but to cancel all this. Slowly I followed Andrew by occasionally looking to the right and left. It's a very big house. With luxurious decorations and beautiful paintings in every corner of the wall. A big photo pulled me through. Cho family photo.
"Is that Hanna Eleizabeth, your late wife?" This is the first time I've seen a picture of Hanna. She was very beautiful with a big smile and happiness emanating from her eyes. The woman Andrew and Marcus loved.
"Yes, she's my wife."
"A very beautiful woman."
"You must be uncomfortable with that family photo? I'm sorry I haven't been able to put him down at the moment. But I promise when we're officially married. I'll replace the family photo with a new family photo. With you as my wife." I looked quickly at Andrew. What'd he say? How could I be uncomfortable? I'm even like the evil woman who tried to seize Hanna's position in this mansion.
"No, you don't have to do that. I know how much you love Hanna. I don't mind if the picture keeps on display, even when we're married."
"You sure?"
"You doubt my words." Next to my eyebrow up I don't like what Andrew said.
"This is what I love about you, Shelina. You understand me so well." I smiled broadly as Andrew pulled me into his arms.
"Can you stop that sickening event? You're unmarried and dad, did you forget an important meeting with Director Smith?" A cold voice with a sharp gaze pierced my back. Quickly me and Andrew let go of our embrace. Marcus stood with his hands crossed over his chest while leaning in the closet. Very arrogant and arrogant.
"Oh yes, I almost forgot. I have to get back to the office. There's an important meeting. You can take care of your things and rest. Marcus, please take Shelina to her room."
"No," sniffed Marcus.
"Can you be nice to Shelina, she's your future stepmother."
"No, since last night I've been telling you, Dad. I vehemently oppose your relationship and I don't want this bitch living in this mansion."
"Marcus Cho's! Who are you calling a bitch? HUH?!"
"Who else if not the woman standing next to you."
"You?!" shouted Andrew.
"Oh, relax, Andrew. You have to leave immediately, an important meeting awaits you, remember?" I can't just stand by watching their fight.
"Yes. Marcus, I don't care if you agree or not, Shelina will stay here. If you still don't like it, you can stay in your apartment."
"And let you pervert in my family's mansion."
"Marcus Cho!!" Andrew's voice was so loud. Anyone would be afraid to hear it, even I who was standing next to him was afraid. He was no longer the gentle and loving figure of Andrew. This is the first time he's been this angry.
"Andrew, stop. You better go, I don't want you to hear him."
"All right, I'm leaving. If anything happens, call me right away, okay?"
"Yes, of course."
"I'll be home in the afternoon and we'll have dinner together." Andrew kissed my forehead briefly before leaving. I kept staring at Andrew's back until he disappeared behind the door.
"Marc" I subconsciously called Marcus by the name I always used for him when we were together. His eyes widened and threatened me. The flash of hatred and anger was very clear there.
"Never call me by that name, bitch. I don't even want my name to be called by a lowly bitch who's as cunning as you."
Why does he hate me so much? Why did he say such a piercing sentence? Why is he so angry with me? I should have been angry with him.
"Why are you acting like this to me?"
"Because I know your rot. A lowly bitch who sells her body for money. Not satisfied with the money, now you plan to dredge all the wealth of the Cho family by marrying Andrew Cho, my father. Very devious woman." I was shocked not to play, my body was flinching backwards, those black eyeballs were slashing my heart.
Is that how bad I was in your eyes, Marc? Is that what I am now? My eyes glazed. It was so hot that tears wanted to melt fell down my cheek.
"Stop looking at me like that! You think I'll be touched by your disgusting, false look."
I rubbed the corner of my eye. What was I expecting? Gentle and loving treatment? No, this kind of treatment I got with my status as a prostitute. Humiliated and demeaned. No one would believe me if I really loved Andrew, not for his wealth.
The corner of my lips was attracted, ironically my fate, now my sincerity is considered a lie and my lie is considered an honesty. So, why would I insist on denying all this, if it's all for nothing. I laughed lowly making Marcus frown.
"God, are my intentions so clear?" I don't want to be degraded any more. I've had this kind of humiliation many times. So, let the reality prove all the truth, later.
"Ka—kau?"
"I don't care about your hatred for me. But, if you're a barrier to my marriage to Andrew, then I won't stay put. Whatever happens this marriage will be done with or without your consent." I turned around and walked towards the stairs. I'd rather ask the waiter in this house than have Marcus drive me to my room.
"How dare you!" shout Marcus. My feet stopped on the third step. I'm reminded of one important thing Marcus should know. I looked at him a little and said, "Ah one more thing. Can you be more polite to me. You'll be my stepson in a month. You don't want to get an evil stepmother, do you?"
"I won't let that happen, Shelina. NEVER WILL!" I don't mind yelling it. Right now all I have to do is build a solid wall around my heart so Marcus can't stab him anymore.
***
Now I am sitting on the bed taking my clothes out of my suitcase. I'm speechless. It's my mother's red dress. Slowly my hand stretched out. This satin red dress is so soft. This dress...
Slowly but surely my eyes began to fade filled with tears. And now it's flowing down the cheeks and falling to the floor.
This is my mom's best and last dress. The last beautiful dress she wore before her death. His death? My body shook. The longer the worse. Cold sweat appeared so quickly on my forehead and hands. A flash of my past memory rotated rapidly in the brain. My body was shaking more and more with lungs so congested. I forgot how to breathe. Tightness and pain. There's an invisible hand that's choking me.
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I rubbed my eyes tired and rested my back on the back of the chair. Almost three hours I did college work, finally finished too. The wall clock has now shown at twelve o'clock. Mom's coming home soon. My smile immediately came out as the creaking of the house door rang. It must be mom. I stood up and approached him immediately.
Mom was standing at the door, taking off her shoes. She's so pretty tonight wearing the expensive red dress I bought her for her birthday gift two days ago. The dress I bought by working part time continuously. Mom looked up at me. Her maternal smile always calms me. As if saying that everything is fine, even though we will never be okay. But I pretend I don't know. Not to close my eyes but because I don't want her to worry. I quickly smiled widely and grabbed her bag.
"Have you eaten? I'm gonna heat the vegetables?"
"Yes, I'll take a shower before I eat." She walked slowly towards her room. My heart is always sliced. Mom is the most powerful and tough woman I've ever known. He's looking for money to eat and my school fees. He never once complained about this situation, about him making a living for the family. He never even paid attention to the hurt, hurt and humiliation he received.
Every afternoon until night she worked as a showgirl at the club. I'm never ashamed to admit that she was my mother. Even though she works as a comfort woman, she never hurt me. He did everything he could to support me and send me to school, no matter if he got insults, insults or abuse, he kept smiling at me. I want to graduate from college and get to work. I got a big paycheck and asked my mom to stop working. I don't want him to continue like this.
I turned around and gently rubbed the corner of my eye. I have to heat up food for mom.
The sound of the door slamming surprised me. It's always like this. Couldn't the man go home better and not slam the door carelessly?
"Dina! Where're you?!" The man's voice called for mother. I started to panic. Something I don't want will happen right now. I quickly turned off the stove and immediately went to the living room.
True allegations. I was silent with a tense body. The man was counting the money that mother had given him.
"Is this all you can get?!" the man shouted angry. Looks like mom got a little money tonight. Mother simply fell silent without a voice and without a defense. And that made the man's anger rise. Her hands quickly slapped on mom's face.
"I'm asking you, is this all you got?"
"Sorry, tonight only a few come to the club."
"Stop the crap. The club was never empty. You bitch." The man quickly beat the mother to the ground. Not satisfied with that he also kicked the mother's stomach.
I can't take it anymore. That useless guy was always like this. He came home drunk and always asked money from his mother for him to play gambling. A man named Jonathan Aston who I don't deserve to call a father.
I ran quickly to my mother, blocking Jonathan who was about to beat her.
"Stop beating my mom!!" I got angry at Jonathan. His face grew dark and anger was burning in his eyes.
"Keep you!" Jonathan pushed my shoulder until I fell. He's approaching mom. His hand was raised up, ready to beat my mother again.
Nah! I'm not gonna let him hurt my mom again. I moved quickly and protected my mother's body, made my back a shield and received Jonathan's blow.
