Chapter 30 Cecilia’s Return
Aurick didn’t even look from his black coffee, his voice was cold that it made my heart sank. “Since you have proven that you can’t handle the social environment of the University without creating a spectacle always, you will be confined to online classes for the rest of the semester. And if this doesn’t die down early, till you are done with college.”
My breath hitched in my throat. “Online?”
I didn’t know whether I liked the thought of that. I didn’t have much friends there but still, I loved going to school most especially the library and now, I’m confined at home?
“Yes, online!” Aurick snapped, finally meeting my eyes with a gaze that made me wish the ground would open and swallow me up. “Your reputation is currently a liability to this family. You will stay within these walls until I give another verdict. Valerie, see to it that her laptop is restricted to educational sites only.”
“And as for you, Barth,” Aurick continued. “You will go back to your penthouse, staying here will lead to more controversies. The scouts are already demanding answers and you know what that means.”
I heard Barth clearly suck in a breath and I couldn’t help but feel even more ashamed. I had almost made him lose his career.
“To fix this, I want you to be in a relationship with Tan.”
We both looked up at Aurick simultaneously. My eyes were wide with shock.
Why Tan? Why not anyone else?!
She was the one who did this!
What was Aurick thinking!
So many thoughts ran through my mind but I couldn’t voice them out.
“You are to be seen everywhere with Tan. I don’t care where and how but I need the public to have a different opinion of this family. You will make the world believe that the incest rumors were nothing more than an obsessed rumblings of a little girl!”
The words felt like a jab to my chest, my jaw tightened as I glanced at Barth. His face was stern and cold as ice. His eyes were fixed on his father and I was expecting him to flip Aurick off and tell him to go to hell.
Except, he was also in on this?
“Fine.” Barth muttered.
I gave out a small, sad chuckle not hearing whether or not anyone heard it. What was I thinking? That he would risk everything for me?
Why was I still being foolish and holding onto thin air? He had already made it clear that I wasn’t his type. The kisses were nothing! They meant nothing to him…
Barth looked at me, biting on his lower lip as he stood up and walked out of the room. Aurick and mum followed leaving me there in the silence of the dining room. Tears threatening to fall down my face while the maids cleared the table.
…
Argh, fuck this!
It’s been three days of online classes and watching Barth come in and out of the house with Tan by his side. Barth had already packed out of the house and tonight, we were meeting with Tan’s parents.
According to Aurick, this would dispel the rumors and solidify their relationship and I was mandated to be there. Wasn’t this going to be torture?
Just thinking about it was making my head spin!
I slipped out of the room, looking around for any sign of my mum or Aurick. I have been confined to my room, not allowed to go anywhere because the media was in a frenzy.
Anywhere I went, I was being photographed and bombarded by reporters. I slowly made my way to the edge of the mansion where the cliffs overlooked the Hudson River. The air was fresh and free, a deep contrast to the suffocating atmosphere in the house.
“I do hope you aren’t preparing to jump,” A voice sounded behind me making me jump in fright.
I spun around. A woman was dressed in a luxurious white dress staring at me with an intense gaze that made my skin crawl. I furrowed my brows.
Why do I feel like I have seen her somewhere?
“Who are you?” I asked.
She looked so much like Barth. The same high cheekbones and grey eyes. But, she can’t be… can she?
“Cecilia. Barth’s mother.”
I inhaled deeply.
“And you must be the girl who everyone is talking about,” She said, giving me a smile that was anything but friendly.
I sucked in my lower lip, not knowing what to say to that. “What are you doing here? What do you want?”
Cecilia ignored my questions, walking towards the edge of the cliff, staring at the flowing current below. “The truth. I’m sure no one has told you about me yet because if they have, you would have been screaming for help now.”
“Why would I do that? I can take care of myself,” I replied with a raised brow.
“Sure about that? I can as well push you off this cliff for almost jeopardizing my son’s career. How about that?” She stared at me over her shoulders.
My eyes narrowed at her. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“What a brave girl,” Cecilia chuckled. “I have to give your mother that credit. But wouldn’t you like to know the truth about your father’s death? Your mother might not be the angel you think she really is…”
“What do you mean? You don’t even know my mother,” I snapped.
“Oh dear, I know about your mother even more than you do. And your father, let’s say your mother’s actions troubled him so much that he became a monster.”
My jaw tightened, my fist curled up as I listened to the woman who had left her own son and disappeared to God knows where judge my mother.
“Funny how you are making my mother sound so evil when you were the one who left your son and disappeared and now, you are here to tell me about my own mother?”
Her gaze sharpened and I subconsciously took a step back. “I never abandoned Barth! I was forced to do it. Do not speak of what you don’t know, girl!”
She closed her eyes and exhaled deeply before opening them back. “I don’t mean to be hostile. But we could be friends you know. Give me a call if you would finally like to listen to me. It will be beneficial to all of us.”
She handed me a card and I stared at her outstretched arm, hesitating.
“I’m not allowed to leave the house.”
“I’m sure you can think of something,” She said, shoving it into my hand before walking away. “I will be expecting you.”