Chapter 2 A Family Mess
Charles's question hit like a stone thrown into still water.
John whipped his head around, his face still showing signs of irritation, now mixed with a layer of disbelief.
"You're asking about her?"
"Charles, are you serious?"
Charles's gaze was heavy and fixed on John's face. He didn't respond, but his expression showed he wasn't joking.
The group around John immediately started to jeer, with whistles and strange noises filling the air.
"Charles has a crush?"
"I knew it! The way Charles was looking at Olivia earlier was off!"
"No way, I've never seen Charles interested in a girl before. I always thought he might be a..."
"Shut up!"
John's head pounded from the noise. He shot the group a fierce glare, his shout silencing them.
Running a hand through his hair in frustration, he met Charles's deep, unreadable eyes, feeling a surge of inexplicable frustration.
He knew Charles too well. The calmer Charles was, the scarier he became.
Charles finally spoke again. "I was just asking."
"Fine."
John practically growled his response, his tone sharp enough to cut.
"Olivia goes to our school! Celestial University! Happy now?"
He stepped closer, his voice heavy with warning.
"Charles, let me be clear! You'd better just be curious!"
"Olivia is the daughter of the woman my dad married. She annoys me just by existing! If you consider me a friend, stay away from her and don't bother me!"
Charles didn't respond to John's outburst, only giving a slight nod.
His eyes flicked to the door where Olivia had disappeared, something fleeting and unreadable flashing in his gaze.
"Got it."
His voice remained steady as he turned and walked out, as if his earlier question had been a mere afterthought.
But John couldn't calm down; the anger inside him was boiling over.
Fuck, everyone was out to piss him off!
It was past eleven when John, reeking of smoke and alcohol, pushed open the front door.
The living room was dimly lit by a single lamp. Olivia was just coming out of the kitchen with a glass of milk, quietly heading to her room, her phone in hand, the screen's light reflecting off her expressionless face.
"Stop right there!"
John's voice cut through the silence, low but clear.
Olivia didn't even pause, acting as if she hadn't heard him.
Her disregard ignited John's fury.
He stormed over, his imposing figure blocking her doorway, his tone aggressive.
"Olivia! What the hell was that this afternoon? Yelling at me in front of everyone? Who do you think you are?"
Olivia finally looked up at him.
Her usually timid eyes were now cold and sharp, like ice.
They reflected the dim light and John's angry, contorted face.
There was no fear, only a strange, piercing calm that John didn't recognize.
"Me? Going crazy?"
Her voice was low but clear, carrying a cold determination.
"John, just because I live in your house, do I have to act like a dog, begging for scraps, turning the other cheek when hit?"
"My mom and your dad are legally married!"
John was momentarily stunned by her words and gaze, then his anger flared even hotter.
"Don't give me that crap! If you're living under someone else's roof, you should act like it!"
Olivia let out a soft, mocking laugh, the sound like needles.
"Don't worry, you won't have to kick me out. Next Monday, I'm starting a job at the new flower shop near school."
"I'll earn my own money, and as soon as I have enough, I'll move out."
"I'm not like you, relying on your dad's money and house to act tough, no different from those useless rich kids outside!"
"Say that again!"
John jabbed a finger at Olivia, veins bulging on his forehead, his voice hoarse with rage.
"Enough!"
A sharp voice suddenly cut through the tension.
Olivia's mother, Indigo, hurried down the stairs, her face full of worry and fear.
She didn't even look at Olivia, rushing straight to John's side, reaching out to him, her voice trembling.
"John! John! Don't be mad! Olivia doesn't know any better; she's just talking nonsense!"
She patted John's back frantically, like soothing a frightened child.
"I apologize on her behalf! Please, calm down!"
Almost simultaneously, John's father, Theo Williams, emerged from his study, his face dark.
His stern gaze swept over the tense scene, finally landing on John with undeniable authority.
"John! Put your hand down! What do you think you're doing? Apologize to Olivia!"
"Apologize?"
John shook off Indigo's hand, like a lit fuse ready to explode. He pointed at Olivia, shouting at Theo.
"Dad! Look at her! She's the one who started it!"
"As long as she's here, I'll never have peace!"
His bloodshot eyes glared at Olivia, each word dripping with hatred and finality.
"Fine! You think you're tough? You want to be independent? Then get out!"
"Drop out of school! Leave this house! Get out of my sight! I never want to see your face again!"
The words hit Olivia like a sledgehammer.
She swayed, looking at John's hate-filled face in disbelief.
Indigo turned pale, wanting to say something but unable to, instinctively reaching for John's arm again.
"Drop out?"
Olivia's voice was icy, sharp with a hint of desperation.
"John, who do you think you are? You think you can just kick someone out?"
She turned to Indigo, her eyes filled with disappointment and sorrow.
"Mom, did you hear that? This is the person you told me to 'get along' with!"
"This is the 'good life' you wanted me to endure for!"
"Everyone, shut up!"
Theo slammed his hand on the table, the loud bang making the chandelier tremble.
His chest heaved with anger, his eyes sharp as he surveyed the chaotic scene.
"John! Say 'drop out' one more time! This house is not yours to command!"
He took a deep breath, forcing down his rage, his voice low but commanding.
"Now, everyone, go to your rooms! We'll talk when we've calmed down!"
Silence fell.
John's chest heaved, his eyes burning with hatred as he glared at Olivia.
He turned abruptly, like an enraged lion, storming up the stairs.
A thunderous crash echoed as John slammed his bedroom door with all his might.
The sound reverberated through the empty living room, lingering long after.
