Adeline's Ροv
I hate that I always seek reassurance. I can't convince myself if someone else doesn't do it for me. And I've gotten so dependent on everyone to help me that I’ve lost all my self-sufficiency.
I wasn't always like this. But ever since I conceived my kids, I put all my energy into convincing my family that it wasn't my fault and the only thing I wanted to hear back was that they believed me.
And since then, I have relied on their words.
Every minor inconvenience and I seeked approvals. Reassurance. Care.
I silently looked at everyone hoping someone would tell me “it's okay”. That they know I'm not judging anyone and that it wasn't my fault if I knocked on Rhyett's door at the wrong time.
I wanted someone to tell me that they trust me. I wanted to hear that they don't believe what Altas said. I wanted to be told that Valerie hasn't started hating me.
“Sex isn't a bad thing, Adeline. It doesn't have to hurt-” Julian tries to say but gets cut off.
My mouth parts at his words. I don't know why Julian would suddenly want to give me the talk in front of our whole family or at all.
Even if I think it is gross, he doesn't have to correct it, there's nothing wrong in thinking something's disgusting.
Why would he try to convince me otherwise?
I thought everyone here wants me to stay single. They even decided on twenty one as my dating age. They should be happy that even when I'd be allowed to, I wouldn't want to do it.
“Let it be Julian.” Lucius says with a clenched jaw.
Thank God he saved me from the embarrassment. I don't want to decide my hatred for sexual intimacy in front of my family. I'd rather die than do that.
“But I don't want her to be scared of it just because one bastard-”
“Julian, shut up. I'll explain her when the time comes. She doesn't need to know now.”
Another round of silence prevails in the dining room. Not even clanks of cutlery could be heard because no one felt hungry anymore, except me.
So I decided to start eating and not think about how my brother was embarrassing me just a few seconds ago. I just wanna forget about it, it's better that way.
“You didn't tell me how your class was? Did you have fun?” Valerie asks, pretending like that conversation prior never happened.
I'm guessing if she's speaking to me then she isn't mad at me but maybe she's just trying to defuse the awkwardness. I'm still grateful for it because I had no clue what to do.
“I literally got late the very first day and I felt so bad-”
Since the ‘no interrupting’ rule only applies to the rest of our family, Ewan cuts me off. He should know I'm pregnant and don't appreciate it a least bit.
“But you left before time.”
“Actually I was too nervous so I wasted a lot of time in the parking.” And the rest was Reign’s fault.
“How was the instructor and other students? Did you make any new friends?” Cyrus joins the conversation.
“The chef was scowling at me because I was late but he seems like a nice teacher. I'm sure if he sees I'm a good student he’ll change his opinion about me.”
“He will.” Rhyett states like he's sure of it.
I didn't pay mind to the tone of his voice and turn to Julian as it's his turn to ask a question. “What did you bake?”
“Oh gosh! I forgot to bring them here.” I slap my own forehead. “I made shortbread cookies. I'll just go grab it from my room.”
“Sit down, I'll go get it.” Adam volunteers.
“You'll eat some. I don't trust you.”
“I’m not that bad. I might've tested them for poison but I wouldn't have eaten the whole thing.”
“That‘s the point. I gave you your share, you can't have more.” I scolded.
“I'll go.” Julian said, ending our debate and got up. “Where's it?”
“Um… in my locker…” I mumbled. “Code is 2-5-6-7.”
“You seriously put the cookies in your locker?” Altas was losing his mind laughing.
“I put a lot of sweat into making those.”
“Was that why they tasted bitter?” Altas was doing his best to piss me off and his amusement was like fuel to the fire.
“You never said it was bitter, now you're just lying to crack a joke.” I replied offended.
“I did say there wasn't much sugar.” He states then turned to Adam. “Let's order some, they won't have sweat, neither will they be burnt or have us beg for it.”
“I'm never ever gonna give you anything I make. And I'm never ever gonna talk to you again, even if you get me that tiramisu.” I said with finality and turned back to my plate.
“We know the code to your locker now.” Adam points out.
“I can change it.” I dismiss the conversation.
“So you have weekends off right?” Ewan asks.
I nod. “But we got an assignment-”
“What assignment?” Julian asks, walking in with my cookies in hand.
“Mug cakes. We have to find a good recipe, practice it then make it in class. And you're helping me with it.”
“Mug cake was actually the first thing I ever baked. It sort of got me into baking.” He handed me the container. “I can teach you. It's so damn easy, it'll take you fifteen minutes to perfect.”
“Um, also…” I slightly turned towards Lucius to see his reaction while keeping my eyes on Julian. “Reign asked if he could-” Altas cuts me off.
“When did you meet Reign?”
I was about to answer when Adam spoke. “Addy, I told you he's a prick.”
“Did you save his number at the Gala? I thought you threw away the chit.” Julian asked.
“Relax boys, he’s in her class.” Rhyett answers for me.
My head snaps at him because I sure remember not telling anyone that the heir has joined the course for me.
“How do you know?” I ask with furrowed brows. I hate the idea of him keeping an eye on me.
“I had my men check the background of each student. It was a security protocol.” He shrugged.
“But that's an invasion of privacy.” I accuse.
“Adeline, I told you we have so many enemies, I can't risk sending you out without making sure you're gonna be okay.”
“But you could've told me.” I muttered.
“I will next time, okay?”
“Okay. And you should’ve told me Reign would be there, I wouldn’t have been so shocked.” Why does no one here understand these small problems are huge to me? I would’ve really appreciated a heads-up. “And maybe if I knew earlier I wouldn't have signed up.” I muttered the last part.
“Actually I wanted to discuss this with you,” Lucius started. “I know how irritating Reign can be, if you want I can enroll you in some different course or we can hire a home tutor? But if you don't mind his presence in your class then you can keep it as is.”
“You have no problem if I continue there?” I ask, genuinely surprised.
Lucius clearly told me to ignore Reign. While the rest of my brothers asked me to stay away from him which clearly means the same thing. Then why is Rhyett and Lucius so chill about this? I expected them to instantly disenroll me from the institution the moment they get to know that Reign is there too.
“I trust you to handle this.” He says without a thought. “Having said that, I don't want you to stress yourself because of it —especially when you're pregnant— which is why I'm offering you an alternative.”
“And I think it's the perfect solution. If we hire a personal tutor, she won't have to leave the house, no security threats, no physical workout and she’ll be happier around us.” Adam expresses his opinion.
“But I want to go out. I get bored staying at home.” I disagree.
“Then we should find another course for you.” Altas says with finality.
“No, I like this one.”
“See Reign isn't a good guy and he's clearly trying to… befriend you so I think it's better if you don't give him an opportunity to do so.” He explains patiently.
“I don't want to be his friend but he's not so bad that I'll change institutions because of him.”
“But he'll keep bothering you and what if he finds out-”
“Altas,” Cyrus interrupts him before he words my worst fear. "If she has a problem she'll tell us.”
“Right.” I say mentally appreciating him speaking up for me even if I’m sort of ignoring him. “I'm not changing my course for now.”
No one argues after that and I take it as a good sign. I expected atleast the twins to cause a drama or Ewan to lose his control thinking I have a stalker but I'm glad they’ve started trusting me.
“So I can invite Reign home tomorrow?” I ask Lucius as if it's obvious.
“What? Why?” Altas over exaggerate on the reaction.
“You said nothing about bringing him home.” Adam points out.
“Yes you may.” Lucius says ignoring both of them.
“Dad-” They get cut off by Rhyett.
“Don’t.” He said and it was enough for them to back off. “And anyways, Julian's gonna be there to help them.” He then turns to me. “Let me know if you don't already have his contact.”
My cheeks flush because I can tell he suspects we have exchanged numbers. Why am I getting so embarrassed just because I sort of have a male friend?
I nod to him, avoiding answering anything. I'll just pretend I used telepathy to inform Reign of the day and time. No one needs to know I have his personal card.
“Aren't we gonna get the cookies now?” Ewan asks as it was time for dessert now.
I open the container and give one whole to Lucius and cut the rest in halves. After keeping one part for myself and giving Cyrus, Ewan, Julian and Valerie their share I turn to Rhyett.
“Do you wanna try some?” I ask showing him the container.
“Why wouldn't I?” He says taking some for himself and biting into it.
My mood lifts up as I see him prioritizing me over his diet. If he hadn't tried it, I wouldn't have held it against him but I'm glad he did. I really wanted him to.
“This is so good, you’re gonna steal Julian's spot as our family’s best baker.” Cyrus compliments.
“Right? Thank you. Atleast someone can give a compliment without making fun of my poor cookies first.” I mutter the sentence loud enough for the twins to hear.
“It’s delicious, hun. I'm glad you’re having fun doing this cause you're really good at it.” Rhyett comments.
Just like that the whole room starts telling me how brilliant I am and I take each compliment with so much arrogance that I'm surprised if it's the effect of living with the Storms.
As we all finish with the dinner, we move to our rooms. And since their bedroom is next to mine, Rhyett and Valerie follow me to the same hallway.
I didn't know she was staying the night. Maybe she'll permanently shift here soon since she used to live here before their breakup. It's totally normal if they do start living together but no matter how much I try, I just can't stop thinking they're gonna-
“Valerie,” I call and they both stop and turn towards me. “I was thinking if you want to go shopping sometime…”
I fiddle with my finger waiting for a response. I don't know what I will do if she declines. It'll be my first rejection and with the way my hormones are acting up lately, I might end up crying myself to sleep.
Still I don't want to force her into it. I want her to agree only if she actually wants to. She doesn't have to do what I want. She isn't obliged to. And I should really stop putting people in situations that they didn't sign up for.
“Of course, I'd love to.” She says smiling at me.
A relief sets in me and I smile back. “How about next weekend? Because Reign’s coming on Saturday and I want to rest on Sunday then I have classes the whole week so next weekend would be most convenient. But only if it works for you.”
“That's not a problem for me. Next weekend it is then.”
“Perfect.” I clap my hands together happy that the plan’s working out perfectly.
But out of nowhere Rhyett gets the wrong signal that he was invited. “I have a meeting on Sunday but I'm free on Saturday next week. So let's do Saturday.”
“What? No. You're not coming.” I blurted out. Both of them stare at me, shocked at my reaction so I try to act normal. “Um… I mean you should rest. You only have one day off, I won't ask you to-”
“Don’t worry about me, Adeline.” He still isn't getting it. “What're we buying?” Undergarments.
“Just… stuff… maternity clothing and things… I need new clothes that fit.” I reply awkwardly.
“Actually,” Valerie says, turning to Rhyett. “I think Adeline and I will go alone.”
“Valerie, it's safer if I come with you.” He argues.
“We can take the guards-”
“What's wrong with me joining in? And I also want to buy some things for the nursery.”
“We’ll go get that some other time, Rhyett.” She widened her eyes at him in a warning. “It's a girl's day out and you're not coming.” Valerie says with finality and when he opens his mouth to protest she shuts him down. “It's decided.”
With another thing off my mind, I can peacefully go to sleep. I need to be mentally prepared to handle Reign tomorrow. I like having guests over but I don't know if I'm more excited or nervous about this one.