Chapter 2 002

Riley's POV

I froze on the hospital chair, my phone pressed hard on my ear as Easton's words hit me like stones. His words echoed in my head, making my stomach twist with fear. His angry yell came through the line again, loud and sharp, sending a chill down my back even from far away.

“Answer me mum.”

The woman, which I now know was his mum, voice came through the call again.

“Excuse me young lady, I will get back to you tomorrow.”

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to answer."Okay ma, talk to you tomorrow," before hanging up, my heart pounding like it wanted to jump out.

“What the hell have you got yourself into Riley?” I questioned myself as I walked by into the ward.

I stayed by Mom's bed and watched the machines beep over and over again. The sounds filled the room like a sad song. Mom lay there pale and still, her chest rising slow, and a wave of worry hit me like cold water.

“I'm sorry mum, I don't think I can do this. I'm sorry,”

Tears rushed to my eyes as I held her hand, remembering how she worked night after night just to buy my school books and keep our little house warm.

"Riley, honey, you look so scared," Mum whispered as she opened her eyes a bit, her voice weak but full of love that warmed my cold fingers.

I nodded. “The doctor told me about your condition, why did you keep such a thing from me mum. Why?” I asked, my voice shaking now.

“I'm sorry, honey. I just don't want you to worry about my health so that you can focus on your studies. But I was wrong, I shouldn't have. I'm sorry Riley.”

I cleaned my tears and gripped her hand tightly. “ I understand mum. I knew you did it because you love me and I love you too. I have seen a job already, it's a baby sitting job with accomodation. The person promised to get back to me soon.”

I couldn't tell her about the bullying and who I was about to live with yet. Not yet. Not when she was still in this state.

She smiled faintly and said, "Have always been proud of you for being brave. I'm sorry for being such a burden to you. I know there is nothing I can say to change your mind so take the job honey. Just don't hesitate to come back when you can't bear it anymore." Her words wrapped around me like a blanket, replacing the fear in me.

“I promise to make you proud mum,” I replied, my voice cracking a little.

The next morning, I kissed my mom on her forehead, bidding her goodbye. She waved her hand weakly as I walked out of the ward with a heavy heart.

The school hallways buzzed with students laughing and lockers closing, but I couldn't take my mind off working in Caldwell house and seeing Easton's mean face everyday.

“Can I really survive his tyranny and bullying?” I thought to myself.

In class, my phone was silent, waiting for the final yes on the job, and I kept drawing on my notebook to calm the twitching feeling in my legs. Today seemed oddly calm, nobody bullied me today and this bothered me more than anything.

Soon, it was time for lunch. As usual, I sat alone in the corner of the cafeteria, picking at my sandwich, when my phone vibrated, it was texts from Amara, my best friend asking how Mom was.

"Hey girl, how is mummy holding up? Or do you need me to sneak over with ice cream?"

Her message made me smile a little bit, my heart hurts. I typed back quickly:

“Mum is fine for now, she needs surgery to get better. So now I'm looking for a job though I already found one but I'm still waiting for approval.”

Amara replied immediately with a heart emoji, "You're tough, Riley! Call me later to talk better, I love you Twinnie."

Her words made me feel better now, I guess that's what I needed at that moment, but the fear was still there, like a rock in my shoe.

“Love you too, munchkin,”I replied and put my phone away as the bell rang for next class.

The school hall was crowded after lunch, Cass spotted me and walked over to me with her cheer friends, their smiles sharp like knives ready to cut.

"Look who's waddling around today," Cass said out loudly as she pulled out her phone and showed me funny pictures of the shove from yesterday, smiling loudly and meanly.

Unbeknownst to me, my pictures had spread quickly on their group chat, the students around laughed as they scrolled, and heat rose in my face. Easton walked by then, his eyes drifted to Cass with a soft look. Everyone knows he still wanted her, Cass was the one who broke up with him without a meaningful reason in the first place.

He stood between us and tapped like on the post right there before he turned to me, his eyes cold now. “Loser,” he spat, before walking away.

Blake, who was busy enjoying the show, walked up to me, his body blocking my way. I stepped aside to walk away but he put out his foot, making me tripped forward with my books flying everywhere.

My books scattered on the dirty floor and the students around began to step on them as they laughed and went to their various classes.

"Oops, didn't see you there, big girl," Blake said, his voice sneaky.

I knelt down to pick up my books, my knees shaking with anger and pain that bubbled up hot in my throat.

Cass gave Blake high-five and said, "Good one, next time she will learn how to stay out of sight.”

They both gave me a mean look before walking out of me.

My phone rang right then, vibrating in my pocket like a lifesaver in the chaos of laughter going on around me. It was Easton's mother, I answered quickly, stepping away from the mess, and her voice came through cheerfully again.

"Riley? Good news. You're hired! And your pay is $3,000 per month. Is that okay with you? Can you come over after school to start?" she asked, her tone warm like fresh cookies.

“Yes ma, I can definitely come over after school to start. Thank you very much for this opportunity,” I beamed, unable to hide my happiness.

The rest of school went by in a haze of classes and whispers, my mind picturing Easton's glare waiting at his house.

I rushed home after school ended for the day to pack my luggages. On the bus, I stared out the window looking at the big houses as the bus passed by, my bag heavy. The bus stopped near a fancy street, and I walked the last few blocks, my steps slow but determined, the sun warm on my back.

Finally I got to the Caldwell mansion. It was a big and white house, with green grass and expensive cars parked in front of it, making me feel smaller. I climbed the steps and got to the door bell, my hand hovering over it, heart beating loudly in my ears.

Before I could ring, the door swung open, and Easton stood there, his blue eyes narrow and full of poison.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he growled, his voice low and sharp like a gunshot.