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The kitchen was quiet, as Evan sat down, practically curled up into a ball, in one corner, as they both sat at the dining table.
"So.." Orla speaks.
"You look pretty" Evan whispers.
Orla kisses her teeth, as she looks at him with her brows furrowed, "Evan. You can't just ignore me and then tell me I look pretty."
"Well what else could I say? There was an awkward silence" Evan responds.
Orla sighs as she hits her head with the palm of her hand.
"I'm sorry" Evan then spoke up.
Orla jolted her head to look up at him, after hearing his apology.
"I'm sorry that I kept you worried, during our suspension" Evan continues.
"I don't want a sorry. I want to know what happened" Orla responds.
"I have a fucked up family Orla. Stuff like this, I don't want to speak about it. It's not worth listening to" Evan replies.
"My parent split up when I was a child. I was bought here after my drug addict mother some how managed to get full custody of me, only to then drop me at Aneysa's door a couple of months after. She used all my money on drugs. She put her boyfriend before me. My father doesn't even live here, but he's across the world, in a completely different place, in a small town, all by himself with no family" Orla lists out her problems.
Evan mouth becomes agape, trying to look for words to be spoken, yet she had him gagged by what she had just told him.
"My point is, I come from a fucked up family too. People who come from fucked up families stick together and share their problems with one another. If we don't have each other, who else would we be able to talk to, knowing that the person you're talking to won't understand. That they'll just.. judge."
She looks at him with a much softer look, as the tensity in her body wears down.
Evan sighs, looking down before he looks back up again.
"I live with three older brothers. All of them, being my father's golden children. They spent most their time with my father growing up, whilst I spent my time with my mother..." Evan pauses for a moment, figuring out the words he needed to put in.
Orla places her hand above his, causing him to look up.
"It's okay. Take your time" Orla responds.
He nods, taking a deep breath, before he continues, "my mother ran away, because my father is an abuser. He's also an alcoholic. The abuse was only when he was drunk but, overtime, it became a habit. Even without being drunk, he'd be upset or angry over the littlest things, taking it out on either my mother or me."
"I'm so sorry" Orla spoke softly, as she looked at him with sorry eyes.
"My mother escaped and she ran away. Yet, she didn't take me. I grew up believing it was my fault. I still do" Evan let out a shaky chuckle, as he looked away for a moment.
Falling silent right in front of her.
"Where else did he hurt you?" Orla asks.
Evan turns back around, letting out a "hmm?"
"When you came back your eye was bruised. Where else did he hurt you?" Orla asks again.
"It's probably best if I just show you" Evan responds, before unzipping his jacket.
Orla watches as he slowly undressed himself from the top, watching the way his body moved slowly, as it caused him a lot of pain.
Turning around slowly, Orla stood up slowly, her face twisted into disgust, as she saw the marks left on Evan's back.
"Evan.."
"It's okay now" Evan turns back around slowly, whilst Orla was beginning to walk towards him.
Putting on a smile to hide his tears, Orla tilted her head as she looked at him.
"Why haven't you told anyone?" Orla asks.
"I can't. I'm only thirteen" Evan replies, "if I tell anyone, I'll be put into a care system. Which is not any better than what I am in now. But it's fine now. I'm okay now."
Halfway through placing on his tshirt, he felt a pair of cold arms greeting him with a friendly hug.
"I'm sorry you have to go through this" She whispers.
The feeling of comfort feeling wrapped around him, Evan lightly places his arms around her, accepting her hug as he rests his head against her shoulder.
-
After the celebration, of Michael finally opening up the gallery, guests had scattered around, many paintings now being shown as the curtains had been removed down.
"A drink, because you're feeling a little testy" Neteyam chuckles as he walks over to Aneysa, two glasses of champagne in his hand.
Aneysa tilts her head as she squints her eyes, looking at him, slightly annoyed.
"Wha-? Oh come on, you usually laugh when I say things like that" Neteyam defends himself.
"I don't want a drink" Aneysa looks away.
"You don't want a drink? That's a first" Neteyam looked at her in shock, "you're usually the first to get your hands on them."
"I'm just not thirsty, okay? Stop nagging me" Aneysa let's out a frustrated sigh.
"Okay, seriously what's happened? You were fine this morning and now you're angry at me. Did I do something?" Neteyam asks.
"I need to go to the bathroom" she turns around to walk off, completely ignoring him.
"Maybe it's her time of the month" Neteyam whispers to himself, "although, I shouldn't say that out loud to her. She'll kill me."
-
Aneysa steps into the bathroom, finding Raya stood in front of the mirror.
"Oh Aneysa, we meet again" Raya looks at her through the bathroom mirror.
"Yeah, hi" Aneysa responds.
"Honestly, I'm very happy Neteyam is now happily married, and has a good life" Raya responds.
"I'm sure you are" Aneysa responds, tapping her foot as she waits outside a cubical, the others being used too.
"I must say, it is strange that Neteyam agreed to have two kids" Raya turns around to look at her.
"Why?" Aneysa turns her head to look back at her.
"Well it's just.. I don't mean to interfere in any way, but Neteyam said he's always wanted a small family. Him, his wife and only one child. He thinks having children messes up a marriage" Raya shrugs, "in some aspects he's right, but, having kids is the best part. Don't you think?"
Aneysa stood frozen, in disbelief, herself slightly leaned against the cubical door, which then flung open, causing her to trip.
She looks behind her, to see a woman come out, only to look back at Raya again, "he doesn't want more than one kid?"
"That is what I thought he wanted since that is what he said to me. But I suppose things change" Raya shrugs, "he's in love with you, so he probably doesn't mind."
"Oh.." Aneysa looks away slowly, looking down at the ground.
"Didn't you need to use the toilet?" Raya asks.
"Hm?" Aneysa replies, looking up, and then towards Raya, "oh, right."
"Are you going to-?"
"I'm going!" Aneysa cuts off one of the guests stood behind her, waiting for a cubical, before she walks in, shutting the door tightly behind her.
-
Neteyam stood nearby, waiting for Aneysa to come out, but instead was greeted by Raya.
"Hey. What are you doing out here?" Raya asks.
"Just waiting for Aneysa. She's in there, right?" Neteyam asks.
"She is" Raya nods, "she does seem slightly angry. Is everything okay?"
"I don't know" Neteyam replies, as he looks away, wondering if he did anything to upset her.
"So hey, about that conversation" Raya brings up, causing Neteyam to look back at her, "I was hoping we could have it now. Now that everyone is busy."
"Yeah sure" Neteyam responds. The two of them then walk out, towards the garden, a couple of guests stood around smoking.
"So, what is the problem? If it is about the money, my father is dealing with it" Neteyam replies.
"It's not about that. It's about.. me. And Oliver" Raya replies.
"Did something happen? What's wrong?" Neteyam asks.
"We're moving" Raya replies.
"Moving, as in house? Or?.." Neteyam looks at her confused.
"We're moving to Canada. To live with my aunt" Raya replies.
"Oh I see" Neteyam nods, "that is, good for you then?"
"I just wanted to thank you Neteyam" Raya says.
"For what?" Neteyam asks.
"Everything. I was a horrible person to you, I know. I didn't deserve any of your help. Your fathers help, even. Yet you gave it to me anyways. Thanks to you, I was able to look after Oliver properly, and keep him well. So, thank you. And I hope that you and Aneysa stay happy and just the way you are. You deserve it, really" Raya thanks him.
"Raya, it's okay, you don't have to thank me. Everything is in the past. I've moved on from it all, and living the life of what I sort of.. wanted. I was just helping you out because you needed it" Neteyam replies.
"I know" she nods, "I just wanted to thank you."
Neteyam nods, letting out a chuckle, "so Canada. That must be exciting right?"
Raya nods, "it'll be nice, to see all my family again."
"That's good. Great" Neteyam nods.
He smiles at her awkwardly, before taking a couple of steps back, as she jumps to him, wrapping her arms around him for a hug.
"Raya, what are you-?"
"Thank you Neteyam. Thank you very much" Raya responds.
-
Aneysa walks out the bathroom, her face showing a worried look, as she looks around for Neteyam.
The gallery was big, and therefore, she had no idea where he was, until she found Jake nearby, talking to a couple of his friends.
When Jake notices her, he notices that she looked worried, before he hurried along to her.
"Are you alright? You look like you're about to be sick?" Jake asks.
"Where's Netey- i need to speak to Neteyam" Aneysa responds.
"He went outside, towards the gardens I think" Jake responded.
Aneysa hurried herself along, out, towards the garden doors, looking around for Neteyam.
She continued to walk, her breath getting heavier by the minute, until she stopped, to find him with Raya.
Raya, who kept him so close, as she hugged him tightly.
She turned around quickly, before either of them could notice her.
A light chuckle falling out her mouth, as her eyes were burning in tears, before she walked off.
-
Neteyam stood idly for a moment, confused as to what was happening, before he pushed Raya away.
"Raya, I'm married. You, hugging me like this.. it's wrong" Neteyam tells her.
"But, I thought we were friends?" Raya asks.
"We are not friends. I helped you, only because I needed to. It's not something I wanted to do, for my sake. You have a son now, Oliver, who needs taking care of. So stop worrying about me and worry about him" Neteyam responds.
"So that is really want you want?" Raya asks, whilst Neteyam looks at her confused.
"You want to stay in this marriage with two kids, and a wife who-?"
"Don't say anything about Aneysa" Neteyam was quick to come to her defence, before she could speak a bad word about her.
"You said, you wouldn't want to be stuck in a marriage, having more than one child" Raya points out.
"That was before.. before I found Aneysa. Before I fell in love, and found someone like her. I was always afraid that having kids would affect us. But with Aneysa it's different. We understand each other, we tell each other everything. We communicate with one another. It's different now, and she's the only woman I want" Neteyam responds.
Raya then nods.
"Have fun in Canada. And don't text me. I mean it" Neteyam walks off, not knowing the disaster about to be caused.
-
As Neteyam walked back in, he noticed his father walking towards him.
"What happened?" Jake asks.
"What do you mean?" Neteyam asks.
"I sent Aneysa to you because she was looking for you but then she came back and told me she was leaving" Jake responds.
"She came-?.. oh god" Neteyam realises what could have happened.
"What? What is it?" Jake asks.
"Raya hugged me, she- she must have have saw it" Neteyam let out a sigh.
"She hugged you? And you just let her?" Jake asks.
"Father, you know-"
"You're a married man Neteyam. She's not going to take that easily. I mean out of all people, Raya" Jake responds, "go home and talk to her."
-
"I'm home" Aneysa walks in, shutting the door quite heavily behind her, as she speaks.
Without taking off her coat and shoes, she walks in, seeing Orla and Evan in the kitchen.
"What the hell is happening here-? Orla, why are you alone? Here?" Aneysa asks.
"We were just talking. I promise" Orla responds, "are you okay? You look angry.."
"No I'm not. In fact, both of you carry on. Evan, put your arm around her, hug her a little. That'll really set him off" Aneysa responds.
"Set who off?" Orla asks.
"Neteyam" Aneysa responds.
"I should leave" Evan was sensing that something was not right, after he slid out awkwardly, to make his way out.
"Take Tuk and Ethan with you, everyone go home" Aneysa turns around, before resting her elbows against the kitchen drawer, resting her head in the palm of her hands.
A loud sigh escaping her.
-
After a while, the door opened once again, Neteyam now arriving home.
"Orla? Aneysa? I'm home" Neteyam calls out.
Orla and Efe both walk out, Efe giving a smile as he runs to hug Neteyam from his legs.
Orla, however, looks at him worried.
"Is she in there?" Neteyam points to the kitchen.
Orla nods, "I don't know what you did, but she's mad at you."
They both fall quiet, as they hear the creak of the kitchen door open, Aneysa walking out.
"I'm uh.. I'm home" Neteyam gave her a nervous smile.
"Orla, take Efe upstairs" Aneysa tells her.
Without questioning, what looked to be an angry mother, Orla held Efe away from Neteyam, the two of them walking upstairs.
"H-how come you left?" Neteyam muttered.
"Oh, so you cared?" Aneysa asks.
"Of course I did. Why wouldn't I?" Neteyam asks.
"Just seemed like you were busy with Raya. Decided to get back with her?" Aneysa asks.
"Look, what you saw was completely wrong" Neteyam moves forward, before Aneysa stops him.
"Don't" Aneysa responds.
"Aneysa, just let me explain-?"
"Explain the fact that you never wanted to have kids?" Aneysa asks.
"What did she tell you?" Neteyam asks.
"It doesn't matter what she said. You didn't want kids and couldn't be fucking bothered to tell me?" Aneysa asks.
"I didn't to begin with, but I do now. I'm happy with it" Neteyam replies.
"Do you know how fucked up that sounds?" Aneysa asks.
"No?.." Neteyam responds in a whisper.
"Pretty fucked up!" Aneysa nods, "I've been bragging about us having two kids, even if they are not biologically ours. Telling everyone, including that wretched looking bitch of an ex girlfriend, when this whole time she was probably laughing at the fact that you told her that you wouldn't want kids! Do you know how much of an idiot that makes me feel?"
"Aneysa-"
"And then you're outside hugging, all close to one another like you're not fucking married. What, do you want her? Do you want her, because her life looks so easy with just one child, meanwhile you have to be busy with two children and a fucking wife" Aneysa spoke, without realising she had gotten closer to him.
"I don't want her" Neteyam responds.
"Have you hated being here this whole time?" Aneysa asks.
"Why are you second guessing everything about me?" Neteyam asks.
"Because, you're not one to tell me a lot about you, are you?" Aneysa asks.
"Have you ever asked?" Neteyam asks.
"What?" Aneysa looks at him confused.
"You decided on adopting Efe. You decided to let Orla into this house, even after I told you to find her some family to live with. You made decisions without asking me, Aneysa. Can you blame me?" Neteyam asks.
"Yes I can" Aneysa responds, "because if you had bought this up in a conversation beforehand, I would have asked you if it was okay before making the decision."
"When have you ever cared about my input in a decision Aneysa? When?" Neteyam asks, "you do as you please, and I don't say anything because I don't want to upset you."
"Oh really-?"
"You accepted Orla into this house, only for your brother to put you in danger that you murdered him. That was your decision, not mine!" Neteyam shouts back.
The two of them fall silent, Neteyam suddenly feeling regretful by what he said.
"Fuck you" Her eyes, filled with a storm of emotions, fixated on him with a fiery intensity that masked the turmoil within.
"Aneysa, I didn't-"
Before Neteyam could make himself clear, let alone apologise, Aneysa pushes past him.
His biggest fear suddenly becoming true, as he stood still, not being able to follow her, or speak another word.
His biggest fear, that their marriage would fall apart.
-
Ao'nung sat down at his laptop, his eyes squinted, as he had been doing for the past couple of hours.
"Why can't I find anything!" He screams at himself, before throwing the laptop to the side of the bed.
He let out a sigh, looking down, before his head jolted back up when he heard the ring of his doorbell.
"This is it. This is my only chance. I have to kill him before he kills me" Ao'nung whispers to himself.
He walks down slowly, a knife in his hand, as he tiptoes towards the door.
Squinting his eyes once again, he looks through the peephole of his door, yet all he could figure out was an outline of a black figure.
"Right this is it. End this all and we can all be safe" Ao'nung takes a deep breath in.
He clutches onto the knife tightly in his head, taking another, and one last, deep breath, before swinging the door open.
"Don't move!" He shouts, holding up the knife in his hand.
Realising it was just Aneysa at his door.
"Aneysa, you scared me, what the hell are you doing here at this time?" He asks, placing the knife down.
Aneysa looks up, "Ao'nung.."
Before she let out a sob.
"Hey hey" Ao'nung held her from her shoulder, bringing her inside, before he closes the door.
"What happened?" He asks her.
"Me and Neteyam fought- and then we- i'm such an idiot, what have I done" Aneysa continues to sob as she tries to explain.
"It's okay" Ao'nung hugs her, "it'll be okay."
Aneysa then moves him away, looking at him with her teary face, "Ao'nung, I'm pregnant."
-
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