SOREN
I got a haircut. It’s simple because I don’t want Marshall to be happy that I look like a girl and more attractive. It’s also hard to pretend that I don’t know anything, and it’s more burdensome because I’m hurt. I’m hurt, not for myself, but for my child... for Alexa. How will I explain to Alexa if Marshall suddenly leaves us? What will I say? How will I make excuses?
Anyway, it’s been three weeks since something happened between Marshall and me. I got my period last night. I’m menstruating, and my stomach hurts. This might be my last period, damn it.
I kept staring at myself in the mirror. My hairstyle is back to the way it was, screaming, "I AM A FUCKING LESBIAN!" I’m also wearing a binder because I don’t want Marshall to see my body shape. I want him to see who and what I am. When I finished dressing up, I immediately left the bathroom. I look now like I used to. I’m handsome, and I can compete with Marshall’s looks—
“Fuck,” I groaned harshly, holding my stomach. The pain. I’m handsome, but my period is ruining it! Thank fuck I am not pregnant.
I was startled when an arm wrapped around my waist to support me, “You alright?”
I quickly moved away from him, “Yeah,” I answered awkwardly, then went to the sofa and sat down without asking for his help.
I know he’s wondering why I’ve been treating him like a guest for weeks, but I don’t care. Let him think what he wants, but I want to distance myself from him. Tsk, Mingming is with Alexa, otherwise, I wouldn’t be so bored here. And now I get it. Mingming was mad at Marshall before because he’s a demon.
Marshall sat next to me, but I ignored him. I remained leaning back with my eyes closed. My stomach really hurts, and to add to it, Marshall’s irritating handsomeness that I constantly see.
Yes, I am attracted to him. Only to him. Maybe because he was my first — he’s the father of my child. Or maybe he’s too hot, and that’s making me straighter than a pole.
“Got any plans?”
I answered with my eyes closed, “None.”
I lied. I invited Elias to go out. He lies too, so we’re even.
“Why did you cut your hair?”
Tsk, my hair again.
Yeah. I think he only likes me when my hair is long. I look like a girl. Now that I think about it, why would Marshall go for a tomboy like me? Marshall McGregor, the guy who controls his parents’ company. The eldest of seven siblings. ‘The almighty Marshall’ would like someone like me? Bruh, he’s only attracted to me when I look like a girl.
Well, I think so.
And in the picture in his room, I have long hair there too. He only has a crush on me when I have long hair, damn it.
I opened my eyes and faced him, “Because I want to. Dude, it’s summer,” I answered irritably.
Finally, he didn’t say anything else. He was just looking at me intently, as if he was going to eat me alive.
“It’s obvious you’re avoiding me,” he said, raising an eyebrow, “Why? Did I do something wrong?”
I chuckled, “Everything you did was wrong.”
Oh, oops.
“What?”
I shook my head and laughed bitterly. Here we go again. I’m really getting irritated.
“You know what? You’re really mysterious,” My voice was full of irritation, “Stop faking who you are, Marshall. Sorry to offend you, but you’re a McGregor. Each member of your family is a bunch of assholes.”
He continued to stare at me, which made me even more annoyed, “The fuck are you looking at?”
He exhaled and looked away, then ran his hand through his hair.
“Do you even know how much I love you?” he asked softly.
I wanted to laugh sarcastically but didn’t. I smirked slyly instead.
Is that nine-year thing of his true? So, did Mildred lie to me for his sake? And to make me believe and be tamed by this jerk?
Marshall will get his karma, not now, but I know he will. And when that happens, I’ll be the first to laugh.
“Soreeeen?! Yuhoooo!”
I immediately stood up when I heard Elias’s loud voice outside.
“Wait,” Marshall caught one of my hands, “I thought…”
I stared at him for a moment.
“Yeah, I forgot to mention I have plans,” I simply replied, then removed his hand from me. I immediately went outside. I met Elias, who was gaping at me.
“Woah, what happened? Why do you look so handsome?”
I put on my shades. I got into his car first.
“Take me anywhere. Just far from here.”
Elias quickly went to the driver’s seat. When he got in, he immediately started the engine.
“Wait, I just noticed that,” He pointed at my finger, “Nice ring. Marshall must have given you that—HEY!”
He yelled when I took off the ring and threw it out the window, “It’s gone. Drive faster.”
*******
“Soren, I can hide you again…” Elias said softly after turning off his car’s engine. We were now in front of my house.
“Just like before, Soren. I can hide you, I can take you and Alexa to Spain. No one can touch you there, not your father or Marshall.”
I smiled.
I removed my seatbelt and immediately hugged Elias. When I hugged him, his fragrant scent registered in my nose.
“Thank you, bro. But you’ll get beaten up again. Once is enough,” I whispered.
I moved away from him and smiled sweetly. He looked worried, and it’s making me feel really bad, “I can do this, okay? I’ll call you right away if I need your help.”
“Okay,” He nodded, “You’re like a sister to me, I don’t want you to—” He suddenly looked outside, “He’s waiting outside. You should go.”
I sighed. I kissed his temple before getting out. When I got out, I waited for him to leave before heading to my house, and yeah, Marshall was at the door. It looked like he didn’t leave earlier because he was wearing simple shorts and a white tank top.
I ignored him. I went straight inside without glancing at him.
I just hung out at Elias’s house because my stomach hurt. I told him everything I heard, and Elias wanted to take Alexa and me away. Especially now that Marshall has won over my father. My dad is at ease, and they think everything is fine.
I know, the best thing I need to do is to tell my family what these jerks are planning. But no. Not now. I don’t want any trouble. I’ll handle it. I’ll end this.
I kept walking, but I could feel his eyes on me.
“Why did you just come home?” I heard him ask from the door, “Have you eaten?”
I didn’t answer. I went upstairs to my room. I didn’t waste any time, I immediately took a half bath, and when I finished, I put on clothes that didn’t show anything — a pair of pajamas and a sweatshirt. But anyway, I wasn’t wearing a bra. It wasn’t noticeable, so it was okay.
I lay down on my bed and immediately covered myself with a blanket.
I know Marshall is wondering why I’m treating him differently again. But I don’t care. When I see him, I remember what I heard and saw. I remember suddenly that “he’s not true.”
I fell asleep quickly, probably because I was tired of talking to Elias. And around 1:00 am, I woke up. The rain was strong outside, and I was cold. I also heard the loud roar of the wind outside the window.
It was dark, but I heard someone talking silently.
“Just wait for my signal. That’s it.”
Oh, it’s Marshall.
[She’s sleeping now, right?]
Is he on FaceTime? Probably his sibling. I should go back to sleep. It’s not my business to—
“Or maybe... we shouldn’t do it. Just abort the plan. Let them go, and we’ll find another country.”
[Bro, are you fucking with me? I already sent people there!]
“Lower your voice,” Marshall said irritably, “And I don’t give a fuck, just abort it.”
[We’ve been planning this for a long time. Years ago! And you’re just going to throw it away? Come on, dude. I thought you wanted dad to be proud? He hates those Americans, and this is the perfect timing to do our plan.]
Dad?
Are their parents still alive? I thought they were dead because Marshall never mentioned who their parents were.
And duh, we’re only half-American, we’re not pure-blooded Americans. We grew up in the Philippines with my brother.
“Yeah, I know. But still, I want you to abort it.”
[Jeez, how good is Soren that you’re so addicted to her? I can introduce you to many girls. And they’re straight as fuck.]
Oh, and now he’s insulting me? I can steal your girl, dickhead.
I closed my eyes tightly because I suddenly got irritated. I didn’t want Marshall to know I was listening to their conversation. So I tried to relax myself, my breathing deep so it wouldn’t be obvious.
"Watch your mouth, Raquel," I heard him say angrily. "I'll make you bleed, so mind your words."
[Tss, whatever. Or maybe it's true that you've been in love with her for years? Was that story you told us real, bro?]
"Of course not, idiot. You know everything is just a set-up."
[Our parents will kick you out, man. Falling in love with a tomboy is wrong.]
I heard Raquel's soft laugh.
[I know she's really, really hot, but bro, that's a big problem.]
"Fuck you, you're hard to talk to. What part of 'set-up' do you not understand?" Marshall said. "Whatever. Just abort the plan. That's it. I'm going to sleep."
[Hey—!]
Silence prevailed. After a while, I felt Marshall's warm body behind me. And it felt good because I was freezing.
Then I felt his breath on the side of my neck, and the next thing I knew, he was gently kissing my skin. From the crevice of my neck, down to my shoulder. I even felt him slightly pull down my sweater to kiss my bare skin.
But he stopped suddenly. He just took one of my hands, and I felt him slip something onto one of my fingers.
"Please don't throw this ring again," I heard him whisper. But I was sure he didn't know I was awake.
But one thing he said registered in my mind:
"I'm sorry for using you."
He paused, then began kissing my shoulders, his lips trailing a soft, lingering path. I felt him inhaling deeply, savoring my scent. His breath was warm against my neck, and he murmured, "I'm so thankful you're mine now, after all these years. Fuck the company, fuck the business, fuck the plans and everything."
Confused, I turned around to face him. His eyes, full of a mix of regret and affection, met mine. Before I could respond, his lips crashed against mine in a fervent kiss. His hands gently caressed my jaw, guiding my lips to open slightly, allowing his tongue to explore.
The kiss was intense, almost desperate, and I felt his emotions pouring into it. After he pulled away, his breath mingling with mine, he whispered, "Go back to sleep, Soren, please, I might end up doing more than kisses."
His touch was gentle as he helped me settle back under the covers.
*******