Chapter 149 You’re my mother?

Chapter 149 You’re my mother?
Chapter 150

Eileen pov

I swallowed hard, and hid, struggling to suppress my breath as I heard their footsteps fast approaching me.

When they finally walked past me, I heaved a deep breath then went on to dispose my waste and return to my room.

While I lay in my bed, and faced the ceilings, I couldn't rest.

My heart felt troubled. 

I rolled on my side, clinging to the pillow in my arms.

His face crossed my mind, and I'm finding myself imagining things.

I suddenly imagined myself in his arms, my head tilted back as I stole a quick glance at him. Our eyes locked, and his warm breath brushed against my face..

I inched my mouth a bit closer to his expecting him to kiss me, and...

The alarm rang, I jumped from bed to see the time. My eyes almost popped out of it socket.

I would be late to school today so I jumped out of bed to have my bath, and prepared for school.

I still had a long way cause I'll be going to the bus stop to catch my ride to school.

I stumbled out of my room with my hands stuffed with my bag. I glided down the staircase, with silent curses finding their way out of my mouth.

I stopped when I saw my family having breakfast.

I slowly shook my head and mumbling words in my head.

A small voice warned In my head. "This is Clarissa's class and I wouldn't be risking eating breakfast,"

I nodded and pursed my lips.

"Good morning everyone," I said, breaking out.

I almost rushed out before they even replied to my greetings then rushed back, approaching them.

"So dad," I was going to talk, when Emily my mother suddenly interrupted me.

"Eileen, you look freaking hot in this uniform..." her eyes genuinely scanned my entire outfits.

I beamed inwardly not outward, not after realizing last night that any of their affection, sweet words were nothing but fake to get me into that trip.

I forced a smile. "Thank you Emily," 

"Care for breakfast?" She gestured with a smile, "you could have your seat," 

I forced a smile. "No, thanks,"

"No?" 

Fuck! My eyes rolled cause she kept interrupting my conversations with her sly smile which makes me uncomfortable.

"Hmm..." I dragged out a deep breath,

"I wanted to tell you both that I'll be joining the trip and no, I'm not eating cause I'm already late!" My words were rushed and I was already trying to walk away.

Emily held my wrist and caused me to stop. She looked at me with that smile on my face.

"You know, I can drive you to school right after eating and no one, not even a teacher would dare to punish you for coming late," 

What was I supposed to do? I can't say no, it would sound rude.

So I'd stayed back, seated and hoping they don't get to engage me in further discussion.

I watched as Emily stuffed another spoonful of food onto my plate, and I almost pushed it back toward her. I wanted to decline, but something stopped me. After everything I had overheard last night, I didn't want to give them another reason to suspect that I was watching them closely.

"Eat," Emily said with a smile. "You barely touched anything."

"I'm not really hungry."

"You need to eat before going to school."

I forced a smile and picked up my fork. "Okay."

I ate a little, mostly to satisfy her, while she watched me with an expression that made me uncomfortable. Every time I slowed down, she encouraged me to take another bite.

"Eileen, eat properly."

"I'm eating."

"That's barely anything."

I sighed and placed the fork down. "I'm watching my weight."

Emily laughed.

I stared at her.

"What?"

"Nothing." She shook her head, still smiling. "Now isn't the time to be watching your weight."

I frowned.

She continued, "Your mother should have stopped this kind of thing when you were little."

My hand froze.

For a second, the entire table went silent.

Emily's smile disappeared briefly before returning.

"I mean, she should have taught you not to worry so much about your body."

I stared at her, wondering if she realized what she had just said.

She quickly laughed. "I'm only joking. You look beautiful, Eileen. Even if you've added a little weight, you're still beautiful."

I forced a smile."Thanks."

She reached over and squeezed my hand.

"Don't take what I said seriously."

"I won't."

I lowered my gaze to my plate.

Something about her words bothered me, but I couldn't explain why.

Maybe it was because she had mentioned my mother so casually.

Maybe because she rarely spoke about her.

Or maybe I was simply becoming suspicious of everything they said.

"So," Emily said, changing the subject, "do you need anything for the trip?"

"I don't think so."

"You don't think so?"

I shook my head."I have enough clothes."

She laughed softly. "You're going on a family trip, not staying home for the weekend."

"I'll be fine."

"No. I'll help you pack."

I looked up. "You don't have to."

"I want to."

She smiled again."We'll go shopping later. You need some new clothes, shoes, maybe a few accessories. We should get you something nice for the trip."

I swallowed.

There it was again.

That strange excitement.

Why were they suddenly treating me like this?

"I can buy my own things."

"I know you can."

"Then why?"

"Because I'm your mother."

The words almost made me laugh.

My mother.

She had never called herself that so casually before.

I looked toward my father, expecting him to say something, but he remained focused on his breakfast.

"Are you not excited about the trip?" Emily asked.

I paused."Maybe."

"Maybe?"

"I just don't know what to expect."

She smiled. "You'll have fun."

"I hope so."

"You should be excited. We'll have a lot of people there."

"Who exactly?"

Her smile remained, but her eyes shifted briefly.

"Family friends. Some business associates. People your father knows."

"And the paparazzi?"

"Of course."

I nodded slowly."Sounds interesting."

I forced myself to smile.
Inside, I was already counting every strange thing she had said.

I wanted to know why they needed me there.

I wanted to know what depended on me.

And I wanted to know why they were suddenly acting like the perfect family.

When breakfast finally ended, I stood up and picked up my bag.

"I should leave now."

My father glanced at his watch."I'll take you."

Before I could answer, Emily spoke.
"I'll take her."

My father looked at her."You?"

"Yes. I need to stop by the school anyway."

I frowned."You have something to do in my school?"

She smiled."Something small with the principal. Nothing you need to worry about."

I didn't respond.

Something small.

Of course.

Everything was always something small until it became something much bigger.

I followed her outside.

The drive started quietly.

I looked through the window, watching the streets pass by while Emily hummed softly.

For several minutes, neither of us spoke.

Then she suddenly asked, "Do you have a boyfriend?"

My head turned so quickly I almost hurt my neck.

"What?"

She laughed."I'm asking if you have a boyfriend."

"Why?"

"Why not?"

"I don't know."

She smiled."You're growing up, Eileen. It's normal for you to like someone."

I looked back through the window."I'm not dating anyone."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Not even someone you secretly like?"

I hesitated.

Ryan's face immediately appeared in my mind.

The memory of his lips against mine flashed through my thoughts, and my heart began beating faster.

I quickly looked away."No."

Emily laughed softly."You don't have to lie to me."

"I'm not lying."

"Have you ever kissed anyone?"

My eyes widened."What kind of question is that?"

"A normal question."

"No, it isn't."

She laughed."I'm just trying to understand you better."

I stared at her."Why?"

"Because I care about you."

Those words should have warmed my heart.Instead, they made me uncomfortable.

She continued, "You should be free with me. You can tell me anything. If there's a boy you like, you don't have to hide it."

I swallowed."What if I don't want to talk about it?"

"Then you don't have to."

She smiled."But you can always tell me."

I nodded."Okay."

She was quiet for a moment before asking, "Are you still a virgin?"

My entire body stiffened.
"Emily!"

"What?"

"Why are you asking me that?"

She laughed as though my reaction amused her."I'm your mother. I should know these things."

I looked at her suspiciously."My mother?"

She glanced at me."Yes."

The word felt strange.

I turned my face toward the window."I haven't done anything."

"Nothing?"

"Nothing."

"What about kissing?"

I sighed."I said nothing."

She smiled."Good."

Something about the way she said it made me uncomfortable.

"Why are you asking me all these questions?"

She shrugged."I'm only concerned about you. You're going on a trip where there will be a lot of people, and I don't want you getting into trouble."

"I can take care of myself."

"I know."She reached over and briefly touched my hand."Just be careful."

I stared at her hand before slowly pulling mine away."I will."

The rest of the drive was quiet.

But my mind wouldn't stop working.

Why had she asked about my boyfriend?

Why did she care whether I had kissed anyone?

Why did she ask if I was still a virgin?

And why did she suddenly care so much about me?

I glanced at her.

Emily was focused on the road, humming like nothing unusual had happened.

I looked away again.There was something about this trip.

Something they weren't telling me.

And the more they tried to make me feel loved, the more certain I became that they needed something from me.

The car finally slowed down as we approached the school.

I reached for my bag.

"We're here."

"Yes."

I opened the door, but Emily suddenly called my name.

"Eileen."

I looked back.

She smiled."Don't forget what I said. You can tell me anything."

I nodded slowly."I know."

I stepped out of the car.

But as I closed the door, I couldn't shake the feeling that she wasn't asking me to trust her.

She was trying to find out how much I already knew.