Hey guys!
I have another chapter ready so how about 300 votes on this one for a bonus update... Or I'll see you next Saturday as usual.
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Adeline's Pov
“What about this one?” Altas turned his laptop towards me. “It’s quite close to home so you won't have to travel a lot.” He explained.
“But it's once every weekend. I’d be too fat to hide by the time fifth class rolls by.” I sighed in exhaustion.
“I think this one’s best then. It doesn't include cooking though, it's only baking. But it's every evening for one month. Offs on weekends.” Adam gestured to the course he found.
“That can work. I hope my belly won't get too obvious till then.”
“It won't, don't worry. It's barely visible now, how dramatically would it change in just a month?”
“It can change dramatically, Adam.” Expecting the twins to know anything about pregnancy is like hoping a cow would fly.
“You can quit when that happens.” Altas suggested.
“You don't have to quit, Addy.” Cyrus interjected. “Even if someone finds out you're pregnant, what's the big deal?”
“It is, they’d know...” How do I explain this? “Everyone will think I… you know… they'll think I did that.” I mumbled the last part.
“It’s nobody's business how you got pregnant. And they're gonna find out eventually when you have the babies in your arms so screw them and their opinion. Enjoy yourself and don't stress about things that's bound to happen.”
“But I don't want it to happen today. I want to hide it as long as I can... Atleast till they're born.”
“But what difference would that make?”
“I...” I tried searching for the right words.
I didn't know what exactly I was scared of. I didn't know why I didn't want anyone finding out I'm pregnant. I thought I didn't care about anyone’s opinion but it didn't feel right revealing my secret to even a random stranger.
“You won't understand.” I said, frustrated by the whole conversation.
“Then help me understand it.” He was so relaxed that it annoyed me even more.
“I don't want to talk about it.” I said getting up to leave.
“Don't you think we should discuss and resolve this issue?”
“There's nothing to be solved. I don't want anyone finding out and that's it.” I suddenly turned to Adam who looked at me with cautious eyes as if I'd attack him any minute. “Send an application for me. I can hide the bump for a month,” I looked back at Cyrus. “Or I'll just drop out.”
“That's the issue. Why would you drop out because of other people?” Cyrus was adamant on getting on my bad side.
I completely ignored his question. “I’m going to go make double chocolate cake, anyone want some?”
No one answered my question because they knew what I was doing. When everyone stayed quiet, I left. They were all looking at me like my outburst was uncalled for.
Why can't anyone understand me for once?
I'm bothered by how neither Rhyett or Lucius said anything to Cyrus. I get it they trust his judgment but I wanted them to speak for me when I didn't have the words to describe my thoughts.
I was so excited that Valerie had finally said I could go out and get involved in light and simple activities. I wanted nothing more than to enjoy myself now but Cyrus had to ruin my mood.
“What now, Miss Storm?”
Why does he have to be here every time? Maybe because he's the head chef so he belongs in the kitchen more than I do but still. Why can't he just get a life?
“I’m going to make myself a cake, I'd appreciate it if you don't disturb me.” I tell him with fake politeness.
Unlike the time Julian told him off, he didn't budge. He raised an eyebrow looking at me like he didn't expect this behavior from me.
“It would be great if you don't mess up my workspace. If you want something to stuff yourself, my kind staff could prepare something.”
I grit my teeth and forced myself to not cry in front of him. I'm livid but my anger wants to come out in the form of tears. But I know it would only give him more satisfaction.
My emotions were already all over the place and he’s making it worse for me to get back my calm. I came here to relax, not to stress myself further.
Before I could race my mind for a good comeback —which I know I would suck at— my brother came to rescue.
“Do we not pay you enough to clean up our mess?” Altas’ voice was harsh as he came to stand next to me.
My foe looks baffled by his sudden appearance. I narrow my eyes and smirk at him. He’s made my life more difficult than it already is, he deserves to be put into his place.
“M- Mr Storm, I was-” His voice quivers.
“I don't want to hear your excuse. We should’ve known better than to hire people like you.” Altas spat the words.
“I- I really ne- need the job.” He pleads.
Altas laughs. “Trust me, the job is the least you should be worried about.”
His eyes widened along with mine. This wasn't what I was expecting. I had an idea that my family would react badly to it but I was hoping they would let this go with firing him.
I hate that I wish for something so extreme for anyone but a person who has beef with kids is definitely not someone I want around when my babies are here.
“I'm really so- sorry.”
“Apologize to my sister.”
His head snapped my way and he looked at me pleadingly. “I'm sorry, Miss Storm. I shouldn't have said that. Please forgive-”
“It's fine.” I mumbled feeling awkward with the situation.
“I'll have to see you later. Now get out.” Altas banged his fist on the counter and the head chef flinched before dashing out.
The rest of the staff has been trying their best to ignore the scene. Everyone is busy with their work even if some are just stirring dishes that don't need to be stirred.
I release a breath that I was holding and decide it isn't the best idea to cook in such a suffocating environment. I grabbed my phone off the counter and left with Altas following behind.
“Don't hurt him.” I whisper to him.
“He'll get what he deserves.” He shrugged.
“You can't decide that.” I looked at him offended by his nonchalance.
“Adeline, you don't know people like him. They get off by talking shit to little babies.”
“I'm not a baby. When will you stop calling me that?” I protest. “And please get this out of your head that I don't know certain situations or people. I'm way more intelligent than you think.”
He rolled his eyes. “Alright, you're the smartest person in our family. Happy?”
“I will be when you tell me that the most you’ll do is fire him.”
“No one should disrespect you like that, Addy. And he can serve as an example of what happens when someone messes with a Storm.”
“But-” He cuts me off.
“I’m assuming this wasn't the first time he did something like that?” He crosses his arms over his chest.
“Um… If we fire him, we won't have to see him ever again and then everything will be okay.” I suggest with a smile.
It doesn't seem to work as he raises an eyebrow catching my horrible attempt to sway the conversation.
“Fine, I won't hurt him physically. That's the most I can promise.” He drops his arms and softens his expressions. “But you're supposed to tell us when someone hurts you, Addy.”
I fiddle with my fingers as I come up with an answer. “I know. I'm sorry, I just thought he would stop once he sees that everyone likes me at home-”
“What do you mean by that?” His brows knit together in confusion.
I contemplate if I should tell him the whole truth. But since I've told him enough and he's promised to not hurt him then I can trust him a little more.
“I once heard him talking to a staff member. He said I was the ‘bastard in the mansion’... He thinks we don't share the same mother and that's why all of you hate me because I'm Lucius' illegitimate child…”
He inhaled a ragged breath. “I’ll make sure everyone knows that it's not the case. That you are our sister.” He tells me softly and leans down to kiss my hair. “I'm so sorry you had to go through that because of our behavior towards you.”
I wouldn't say it wasn't his fault. “It’s okay now… Everyone else is nice to me, I promise.” I felt the need to add that.
He smiles at me. “They better be.” He touched my cheek gently.
I couldn't help but mimic his expressions. A smile formed on my face at the prospect of my brother trying his best to tone down his arrogance for me.
———
“It's final then. Julian and Adam will go with you.” Lucius declared.
“Perfect.” I agreed.
It's George’s birthday tomorrow and Josh has arranged a surprise birthday for him. Since it wouldn't look good if all of us went, we've settled on just three people including me.
Rhyett and Altas wanted to come along as the former fears I'm gonna get hit by a car if he isn't with me and the latter just wants to do it for fun. But both couldn't as they had work and a basketball practice respectively.
Cyrus, Ewan and Lucius simply dropped the idea since they didn't get a formal invite from Josh. And to be fair I didn't insist either because I know Josh doesn't want them there.
I hope things will change soon because I do want both of my family to get along. But I know it will take time. And I don't want to force either of them.
I've decided to tell George and Josh about my pregnancy after the party. I don't want to spoil their mood but I think it's high time I tell them.
I'm assuming my babies would be a good excuse to get my families to bond.
“Fuck this bitchass family!” Altas cursed looking at his phone.
“Altas!” Rhyett warned.
“Sorry.” He muttered still with those pissed off expressions.
“What happened?” I asked, getting worried because whatever it is seems important to him.
“Becky and John named their kid Stephen.”
“Who are they?” I asked, confused.
“They’re in our circle. One of the investors or something.” He pinched his nose like he's trying to control himself.
“But why does it matter if they named their kid Stephen?”
“Because I was gonna name your kid Stephen.” He raked a hand through his hair in frustration.
So that's what it's about. He's mad because someone used the name he’s patented on in his head. And the weirdest part is who told him he could name my baby.
“Nobody's naming my kid Stephen.” I said, giving him the weirdest look possible.
“I would’ve but not anymore since it would look like we copied them.” He huffed. “I'll have to find another one.”
“You can suggest.” I shrugged.
“You aren't even gonna let me name one of them?” He looked at me like I was the crazy one here.
“Of course not.” I said in a duh tone. “I might consider your suggestions but if I don't like it then no.”
“But that's my nephew too!” He protested.
“Maybe both of them are your nieces.” Adam commented.
“Then Stephena… or Stephie or…. Something would’ve worked. But we still have time, I'll figure something out.”
I roll my eyes. He really thinks I'm gonna let him pick the name my baby would have to live their whole life with.
“I like Bryson.” Julian said.
“Finally! You’ve decided to come out as gay.” Adam cheered.
Julian threw a cushion at him which he dodged laughing uncontrollably. “I like it as a name. I'm not gay!”
“Then why are you still a virgin, brother? We’re concerned for you.” Altas said with a fake pout. “Please tell me you're not practicing celibacy.”
Julian grimaced at their disgusting behavior. His personal life isn't their matter but they're too invested in it just like I was in Rhyett's. But I just wanted to know if he's single or not, I didn't ask about his sex life.
“I'm waiting for someone-” Altas cuts him off.
“Who's this someone?”
“Haven't found her yet, dumbass. When I do, she's gonna be mine.”
“Then let's count another decade because your standards are too high.” Adam said sitting back in his seat like the conversation was over.
I felt good that Julian isn't the type to get involved with every girl he can be with. And now that I had that knowledge, I wanted to play matchmaker again and find him a nice girl.
“I was thinking of ‘emery’.” Ewan joined the conversation. “It means powerful and ruler. I think that would suit a Storm.”
“Sounds good.” I liked the name but I still need time and the gender of my baby to decide on one. “So you think they're gonna be girls?”
“I'm hoping for atleast one.”
“If I get a boy I was thinking ‘brynn’ but it doesn't have a cool meaning. It means ‘hill’.” I scowl. “Why would I ever want to name my child ‘hill’?”
“With that logic, I’m named sun. But it's the name that matters, not the meaning of it. If it has a good ring to it then it's good.” I don't understand why Cyrus is consistently going against me today.
“Then how about I name them garbage and dumpster?” I said sarcastically.
He sighed. “You know I didn't say that.”
He looked like I was mentally draining him by refusing to understand his point. But in reality he wasn't trying to get what I was saying.
“Yes you didn't say that word to word. But it exactly means that you disagree with me.”
“You don't have to name any of them after nature or shit like that if you don't want to. It wasn't even that serious, Adeline.”
“It is serious, Cyrus. Because you're purposely contradicting everything that I say.” I was so angry that my breathing has gotten uneven.
“I'm not going against anything you say. I'm just telling you my point of view on things.”
“And you're trying to convince me that you're right and I'm wrong. You did it this morning too.” I accused.
“I was just saying-”
“Lucius,” I didn't want to argue and I knew exactly how to end the topic. “He’s stressing me out.”
Lucius looked at me for a moment before speaking calmly. “Sit down first, let's talk about this.”
I hadn't realized when I got up during the argument but I sat back down. Rhyett handed me a glass of water to calm down and I took it wordlessly gulping half of it down.
“He's saying all of this for you.” I opened my mouth to disagree when he stopped me. “Let me finish first.” I snapped my mouth shut and decided to let him say what he wanted to.
“I think this is more about this morning so let's discuss that first.” He threaded his fingers together, placing them on the table and leaned forward making it look like we were in a serious meeting. “If you go to your classes with the mindset of quitting in case anything goes against what you've planned then that's gonna give you horrible anxiety everyday. And so if Cyrus is suggesting that you don't have to worry about other people's opinion then how is it wrong?”
The open question was irritating me even before I could try reaching for an answer. I hated how they were expecting me to explain when I was clear in my mind but I couldn't put my thoughts into words.
I wanted them to understand without me having to verbalize it but none of them was putting in efforts to do that.
“The problem is I don't want to tell anyone so why do we have to. I want to hide it as long as I can. And I don't care if anyone judges me but I…. I don't want them to judge me.” Tears were pricking my eyes as I realized that no matter how much I tried I'm not going to make sense to them.
“None of you understand what I'm going through and how bad all of this would look to a stranger. I don't want to be the girl who's pregnant at fourteen.” I was staining my cheeks now.
I hiccuped staring at whoever fell in my line of sight. “All of you think I'm overreacting because of my hormones or because I'm childish but I'm not. I'm serious. This is serious. I- I… nobody gets me in this house.”
I was about to leave when I saw Julian following behind so I harshly turned around pointing a finger at him. “Stop following me. I want to be alone.”
I wiped my tears that kept being replaced by new ones. I was so done with this topic. I needed nothing more than to go to bed and have an early night.