My ex, my Fiancee's Son

Chapter 5. My trauma

"Shelina, what are you doing?" Mom looks at me softly. Highlight his eyes full of worry about the pain I get.

"Mother." I don't know what to do. I want to protect my mother from Jonathan. I have repeatedly asked my mother to leave. We could both live alone without Jonathan. But my mother always refused. If I were a man, I would stand up and fight Jonathan. But I'm just a nineteen year old teenage girl.

"Go to your room." Mom tried to calm me down with a fake smile. Asking me to leave. I shook my head hard. There's no way I left knowing Jonathan would've battered mom.

"I said get out of the way, you ungodly child." I didn't mind Jonathan's screams, sitting around fortifying my mother. I don't care if he's gonna hurt me. I can't just stand by watching him beat up my mom.

"You want me to hit it too." Jonathan kicked me in the back. Mom looked at me softly and she pushed my body.

"Don't hurt him, hit me." My tears are flowing non-stop. Mom, why are you doing this? Why do you keep hanging on with the husband who always beats you?

Jonathan pushed my body hard. Until my head hit the table leg. Dizziness approached me so fast. Something warm is flowing on my forehead. My hands wiped away the flowing sweat. No, it's not sweat but blood. My head's hurt. I don't care, right now my eyes are never sidetracked from mom.

Jonathan beat him brutally. Even he used a belt to torture my mother. Cold sweat started flooding my body. Mom's face looks so painful. His forehead shriveled to receive a whip and a pounding blow from Jonathan. I screamed loudly to call my mother. Hope he fights or stops Jonathan. Mom's body starts bruising and blue. The whip incision started to bleed. My body is getting shaken. Mother was very weak with wounds all over her body.

I called him back. I want to stand up and stop Jonathan. I want to protect my mother. But my body is so stiff, so heavy to move. It was as if a stone had struck my body.

"Mother!" Finally mom looked at me. His eyes held wounds and pain. His eyes are getting longer and more beautiful. He said something. But his voice could not come out. But I know from the movement of her lips, I want to say sorry.

Pardon you? Wh-wh-what for? And a wide smile was etched on his face. Before his eyes closed perfectly. My body is shaking more and more. Shouting hysterically for my mother. This is not possible?

Mama! Mama! He can't leave me. He promised to be with me always. Mama! Mama! MOMMY!!!

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"MOM!!!"

"Calm Shelina!" Someone shouted in front of me but felt very far away. The shocks on my shoulders are getting louder. I slowly got my vision back. Andrew in front of me. Both of his hands touched my shoulders. His eyes looked at me so tightly that he realized I had returned. I came back from a very dark and traumatic memory of my past.

Andrew quickly hugged me tightly. My body was still shaking, my breath was hunting, cold sweat was still coming out and tears never stopped flowing.

"Calm down, everything's fine. You're safe with me." Andrew's soft voice and the caress of his hand rubbing my back made me a little calm. My hand stretched out back its hug. Andrew's like my antidote. He gives you peace and security. Makes me believe and hangs all my life on him. That's the reason I'm actually willing to marry Andrew.

A few minutes later I calmed down. My body was no longer trembling and tears had stopped. Andrew let go of the hug. He looked at me so intensely. Tidying my hair that covers my face and tucking it in my ears. Her hand extended back rubbing my cheek, wiping off all traces of tears.

"Tell me, what brought your trauma back?"

I looked down, feeling guilty. Andrew repeatedly did various things to keep my past trauma from returning. I slowly stretched out my hand. Show her mom's red dress.

Andrew sighed tiredly with my stubbornness.

"I've told you many times, so you can keep this dress well and never see it again."

"Sorry, but this dress ...."

"Don't say it again. You better keep this dress. And never see her again. You haven't recovered from your trauma." I nodded obediently. And put the dress back in the suitcase. I better put it here.

"Come down for dinner. I'm sure you're hungry." Suddenly my stomach sounded. I forget that from noon I have not eaten at all. I smiled and stood up. Following Andrew who walked out of my room.

"Marcus must have been hungry waiting for us all along." Legs stopped. Marcus's? Oh my God, how did I forget the man's whereabouts? And what kind of expression should I show her after the unpleasant conversation we had this afternoon?

***

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I am now in the dining room. Sitting right next to Andrew and in front of Marcus.

"I asked Mbok Sari to cook your favorite food." Andrew thrust a plate of beef steak closer towards me.

"Yes, thank you." I smiled to get his attention.

We started eating together. Since then Marcus just kept quiet with his sharp gaze that never escaped me. I tried to ignore it even though it was very difficult because every time I looked up, it was that handsome face and sharp eyes that greeted me.

"Here, you have to eat a lot of meat. I don't want my bride to look so skinny on her wedding day." Andrew put a big piece of meat on my plate. I smiled broadly at him.

"Thank you, sis. You also have to eat a lot of vegetables to stay healthy always." I returned his attention. Not for trite talk but I don't want him to get sick. With all the busyness, I was always worried about Andrew's health.

The sound of a spoon being slammed violently shocked me. My body jumped in shock at the loud noise right after I placed the vegetables on Andrew's plate.

"Decorate! Can you stop pretending." Marcus's eyes narrowed even more sharply towards me. The atmosphere is changing. I'm sure there will be another fight in this room.

"What do you mean, Marcus?" Andrew's face began to harden, he realized that Marcus had started acting annoying again.

"Marcus Cho, watch what you say. How many times have I told you, stop calling Shelina like that. She's my fiancee and your future stepmother, you should have respected Shelina." Andrew's jaw hardened, his hands clenched on the table. I know he's holding back his anger and I hope Marcus stops fueling this fight.

"honor it? I don't want to have a stepmother younger than me. I'm sure the whole world will laugh at our family. She's more worthy of being your daughter, father." The low-pressed tone at the end of Marcus' speech made the sentence full of satire.

"You!!" Andrew got up from his seat. Lothawat! I quickly held his arm. I have to prevent whatever Andrew wants to do.

"Calm Andrew." Andrew looked at me after realizing my hand was holding back his movements. Slowly he sat back down. I stroked his arm and slowly grasped Andrew's hand tightly.

"I understand Marcus is still unable to accept my existence. I also realize that I am very young to be married to you." I stared into Andrew's black eyes. I hope he can hold back his anger. I really don't want to see him fight Marcus. I turned around and looked at Marcus closely. It was as if challenging that man who had insulted my sincerity.

"But Marcus, I really love Andrew. No matter the whole world insulting and demeaning me. Although they all say I'm a sneaky bitch with my eyes, but I love Andrew and will stay by his side no matter what."

"Shelina's." Andrew looked at me in disbelief. He must have been surprised I could speak so boldly before Marcus, the man who looked at me sharply and loathed. Andrew returned my grip tightly. We strengthen each other.

"Until now I will not approve you. I'm gonna do all sorts of things to thwart the wedding and get you out of this mansion, Shelina Aston. Let's get that." Marcus immediately left after letting out all his anger. He got angrier realizing I was undaunted by all his rude words.

"Marcus, you...." Again, I'm holding Andrew.

"Already brother. Let him calm down first. If you get angry too then this fight will never be over. And I don't want you to fight with your son."

"But her attitude has gone too far for Shelina. The boy was cold and fun-loving but I didn't expect him to be like this to you. He never used to be disrespectful to any woman." Andrew's heart turned bitter, he must have blamed himself.

"Calm down. I think Marcus needs some time to accept me. And I'll be nice to him. I'm sure I can melt it down and make Marcus accept my presence here." My hand stretched out gently rubbed his left cheek.

"Yes, I hope so. You know how much I love you, don't you. I don't want to see you hurt again. Let me take all responsibility by marrying you. And I don't want anything to stand in the way of my intentions." Andrew stroked my hair gently. My eyes were closed and my heart was calm. It was as if all my troubles were gone swept away by the waves with just that caress.

"Yes. Thank you for loving me so much. I don't know what would happen to me right now if you weren't in my life. Maybe I've been in a mental institution or even died." My eyes glazed. Andrew is everything. This man saved me from all my pain and dark life.

"Sstt never say that. I promise I'll give you happiness and I won't let you grieve or hurt again, Shelina." Andrew pulled me into his arms. My heart warms and I return it.

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I woke up early to prepare breakfast. Ever since last night I've been determined to do whatever it takes to be Andrew's wife and make Marcus accept my presence and status in this house. As a first step I'll cook breakfast for Andrew and Marcus.

Marcus.

I kept quiet for a long time whenever the name crossed my mind. I can't deny that man still has his own impact on me. But I've been keeping a tight lid on the feeling deep down and trying to do what's best for Andrew. This morning I accidentally cooked some sausage fried rice. One of Marcus' favorite foods. I wish he could be withered and not be cynical with me. My fried rice is finally ripe. I put it on the plate when someone's voice surprised me.

"What'sthis? You cook? Who allowed you to cook here?" I turned around quickly. Marcus stood by the dining table with raised eyebrows, he looked at me with a look of dislike. It's like I'm an alien who can't set foot in this kitchen.

"Andrew gave me permission to do anything." I ignored it and rearranged the dishes on the dining table not far from the kitchen counter. For almost two days I heard a cynical voice and a sharp gaze from Marcus, of course I was getting used to it. I won't show my weakness in front of him. I'm not gonna let him step on me.

"Not just being his wife, you've dared to act like a great mistress in this mansion. Should I remind you of your position. You're just an uninvited guest here."

I took a deep breath. How can I be nice if Marcus is always cynical about me? I wanted to scream every time I saw his arrogance and arrogance. I turned around and folded my hands in front of my chest.

"How many times do I have to tell you, Marcus. Be nice to me, you don't want to get a mean, mean stepmother, do you?" My eyebrows shot up next to her taunting behavior.

"You! Basic.." - furious Marcus sharp. Andrew's laughter stopped Marcus's curse. The man stood behind Marcus with his full work stellan.

"Yes, that's right Marcus. Be nice to Shelina. You don't want to have an evil stepmother, do you," Andrew's tease that makes Marcus' face darken. Andrew walked up to me and quickly kissed my right cheek.

"Damn! God fucking. I'm not gonna let that happen anytime. I'm leaving." Marcus just turned around and left us. He was very upset, his lips still cursing in a soft voice.

"You don't want breakfast. I've cooked you some sausage fried rice." Marcus stopped walking, he fell silent at the door. Looks like he changed his mind. I remember that guy always liked and was hooked on my fried rice.

But it turns out my guess was wrong. The man walked away without looking back. He's changed. No, he hasn't changed, but this is the real Marcus. A jerk who does all sorts of ways to get a woman. Yeah, that's true. How could I forget all the pain I went through because of him? That jerk who just died.

***

Now I stand in front of a cafe with a big sign above the door. Wonderful Cafes. My eyes sparkle happily. My dream has finally come true. Have my own cafe, although some of the capital of this cafe borrowed Andrew's money. But I promise to give him back the money.

"Wait what else, let's cut Shelina's ribbon" said a girl on my right side. Today is the first opening of the Wonderful Cafe. Andrew who was standing on my left side immediately gave me the scissors. I smile. I've told them to skip this ribbon-cutting event, but they insist that I do.

I hope this cafe is liked by many people and many people. Pray in my heart before cutting the ribbon that runs across the doorstep of the Cafe. Immediately cheers of applause supported me to immediately open the door of the Cafe. We're all coming in soon. At this cafe I cooked some cookies from my creations. With my best friend Evelyn who will help, and work as a cashier, Elena's sister as a chef and Merina as a waitress. After cleaning everything, the cafe is finally ready to open. Elena's sister made some cookies yesterday.

"Shelina's." Andrew's voice resuscitated me. I'm turning.

"I'm sorry I have to go to the office, there's an important meeting I can't leave." I smiled understandably. Just being here makes me happy.

"Yes, go." Andrew hugged me tightly and kissed me on the forehead and left the cafe immediately.