Chapter 2 We've met

Valerie's POV

"Where were you last night?" My father's voice boomed loud, echoing.

Groaning, I covered my ear with my pillow.

"Seriously, Valerie, I don't think I can keep putting up with this... this new insolent attitude," my father still spoke. I bet he staring at me with a death glare. Unfortunately, it had nothing on me.

Sighing, I tossed the pillow aside before pushing myself up, staring right into his eyes. "Then disown me, Mr. Erickson."

The thing with my father was that he knew what I wanted. But unlike most father's who will jump to get rid of a delinquent child, my father was different and it irked me so much. It irked me because I hated that he was pretending so much to care.

My father is heartless.

I could never forgive him for what he did. Not only did he deprive me of seeing my mother until the day she died, but he also kept something very vital, a secret from me. I hated him so much.

My father doesn't say anything. Instead, a pang of hurt flashed in his eyes. "I promised your...your mother I'd take good care of you."

"I don't want you to. I'm eighteen already. Just let me go." I spat through gritted teeth.

"Or maybe you just need a mother figure?" He shrugged, tucking his hand in his pocket.

I wanted to laugh out loud but my head was fucking with me badly. Apparently, I had drowned myself with a lot of booze after that stupid incident with that stupid hot prick. Once again, thank God I wouldn't be seeing him again because it would be so embarrassing.

"I need to shower. Kindly leave." My voice was cold, matching my glare.

His chest heaved down. He gave me a curt nod. I watched as he pulled the door close until a certain point where he halted. His jaw clenched, his face held this hesitation, like he was battling to tell me something.

My ear perked up, waiting. Was he okay? Was anything the problem? Those were my first thoughts.

I dug my hand into my mattress, just staring back at him - my gaze less cold.

"We'll be having visitors. It's very important you come down for brunch." He finally spoke, his tone soft.

"Can't. I'm going to school," I said without even thinking.

I stopped sitting at that dinning table two years ago, after my mother's death. There was no family anymore.

"Today is Sunday, Rie,"

My chest knotted, a sharp breath escaping my lips. My gaze hardened. "Don't call me that."

"I... I'm sorry. I just - I shouldn't have. I didn't mean to bring back memories of her." He said, closing the door.

I bit my lips, hard. My head turned, landing on the picture frame on my nightstand. It was one of my favourite picture with my mum. We were so happy.

My eyes burned with tears that I immediately pushed back, jumping to my feet.

Visitors huh?

Maybe they were business partners.

Okay dear father, let's see how you'd react once I misbehave in front of your visitors. Smirking, I held up my baggy shirt and skin tight.

_

I was the very first person to come downstairs for brunch with my fake earring piercings all over my ear and nose. To worsen it, I even added this fake tattoo sticker on my neck. Mind you, all these were my props for my usual underground shenanigans.

My father's mouth dropped wide open on seeing me firsthand. "What the hell is all that?"

"If I get to be part of the brunch, at least, let me look how I want to look, hm?" I flashed him a toothy smile.

"God, I can't." He muttered under his breath, walking past me. "I hope everything tastes nice, Ali. How about the furnitures? Are they clean?"

My forehead creased in confusion. My father never really cared much about these things.

"Everything is set, sir." Ali, our housemaid said.

"Good. Good." My father nodded, tapping on his apple wristwatch. "They're here!" His voice was breathy. "Valerie... Please behave yourself."

Oh he knew me better than that.

I just gave him a sinister smirk. He rolled his eyes shortly, imperfectly, walking to the door.

For my father to be this tensed, then it was hella important.

Honestly, I liked it. This meant that I'd get a lot of reaction from him. Finally!

"Welcome to my beautiful home, Prisca." He ushered this 'Prisca' in, his hands on the small of her waist.

My face fell instantly. My body went rigid on my seat.

"Hi, dear. I'm Prisca." The tall beautiful lady, Prisca said, stretching her hand out for me.

I stared blankly at her, my hands glued to my thigh. Prisca's smile wavered, then slowly she pulled her hand back to herself.

"Valerie..." My father growled lowly.

My heart began to beat loudly as I watched what was unfolding before me. My father held out a chair for her, smiling sweetly at her - just like he used to smile with mum.

Wait, she was -

"That's my mom's chair." I spat. It was bratty, I know.

Prisca looked at my father who shut his eyes briefly. He whispered something to her and she just smiled, standing up to switch to the next chair.

My father shot me a look that said, "Valerie, please!"

"Why are we here?" I asked, my tone sour. I wasn't getting a good feeling about all this. "Are you my father's business partner?"

My eyes roamed round her body. She was dressed casual - too casual for a business partner. She also smiled a lot, like she was trying to convince me that she was a very nice person and the best fit. For what exactly?

"Let's wait for Sinn. He'll be here in a minute." My father spoke, squeezing Prisca's shoulder lightly. She placed her hand on his, grinning like a freaking teenager.

Okay, this was not NOTHING.

And who the fuck is -

"Sinn!" Prisca yelled, pointing behind me. "That's my son, Sinn."

For some reason, I wasn't eager to meet her son. Why was her son joining us for dinner?

Was there a parent get-together in my school that I wasn't aware of?

"Good day, Mr. Erickson. I'm Sinn Shade. Sorry, I had to take an important call,"

My heart stopped beating for a while. The voice played in my head, trying to match thousands of voices until it clicked.

My head spun around, a hundred and eighty degree, landing on - him.

The boy I wasn't meant to ever meet again. The freaking same boy I had admitted to wanting to jump.

Fuck my life.

"Sinn, meet my daughter -"

"We've met." Sinn's eyes settled on me, his dark gaze holding mine.