Chapter 6 Fidgeting Emotions
Suddenly, I jerked back, pushing him away, breaking the kiss. I shook my head, my mind swirling with the realisation of what we had done.
“We… we shouldn’t have done that,” I muttered, wiping my lips, feeling disgusted at myself.
What have I done?
“Bree…” Barth breathed out, reaching out for me.
I slapped his hands away. “No! That shouldn’t have happened,” I yelled with tears in my eyes as I turned and ran.
I didn’t even care to look back to see if he was following me. Inside me, I hoped he didn’t. Many eyes stared at me with amusement, whispers rising, and cameras flashing at my face, but I didn’t care. I just wanted to get away.
My mum ran after me and held me close. “What’s wrong Bree?”
I couldn’t look into her eyes as I broke into tears. I had broken my mother’s trust. I had betrayed her. Tears kept flowing down, my throat burning as I couldn’t form words. My lips shook as I felt the guilt eating me up.
Aurick walked towards us, exchanging worried glances with my mom.
“I… I just want to go home,” I finally said.
“I will go get Barth,” Aurick said.
“No!” I yelled, my hand flying towards his to stop him. They both were surprised at my actions, my eyes widened on realizing that I was acting suspiciously, I swallowed.
“There’s no need for that,” I said, avoiding their gaze. “I feel a little overwhelmed, that's all. I can go home alone, you all can stay. It won’t be too good if all of us went home together at such short notice.”
“Oh darling,” My mum cooed, wiping my tears. “Are you sure?”
I nodded.
Aurick ordered for the driver to take me home. As I sat at the back of the car, I cried bitterly feeling grateful for the blinds separating both me and the driver. At this point, I didn’t care what anyone thought of my actions.
I felt dirty.
I tried so hard to sleep, turning and twisting in my bed until the next morning. My head felt heavy, and I was sure I had the darkest bags under my eyes.
My phone was pinging with countless notifications. There were pictures of me running out of the hall with a tear stained face with different made up stories.
‘Vanguard’s new daughter running out of the hall with tears, a fresh heartbreak?’
‘Yvonne Bree Smith, Aurick Vanguard’s step daughter flees the gala in an absurd way.’
I sighed. All these were just a tip on the iceberg.
How would I face them now?
“Bree, are you awake?” My mum called from behind the door, knocking softly.
I jumped out of the bed and ran swiftly into the bathroom, locking the door behind me. I inhaled sharply when I heard the door open and my mum walking into the room.
“Bree dear, please come down for breakfast okay? We need to talk,” My mum said.
I couldn’t reply. I just couldn’t, closing my eyes, hoping she would get the message and leave and she did.
The door closed softly and I let out a breath.
…
I went downstairs for breakfast. Aurick and mum were already seated waiting for me. My heart skipped a beat as my eyes landed on him.
He sat quietly, eating his pancakes in a dignified manner which felt very attractive. I blinked. I shouldn’t be thinking like this right now…
I inhaled deeply as I sat across from him. Thankfully, he didn’t look up. My mum placed a hand on mine and I smiled, muttering ‘I’m fine now’ to which she nodded giving me a smile which made my heart tighten.
“I’m sure you have seen the news, Yvonne,” Aurick said softly with a calm, pitiful expression. “That’s why we always try to keep a low profile because of the media focus on us. I’m sorry if you felt overwhelmed by the activities, we will start taking things slowly from now henceforth.”
“You don’t have to apologize,” I faked a smile.
I should be the one apologizing after what I had done…
“Alright then,” Aurick’s gaze went to Barth. “Barth, you will be taking Yvonne to school. I don’t want the reporters surrounding her so I’m assigning this task to you.”
My eyes flew open. Sitting in the same place with Barth? Hell no!
“That shouldn’t be necessary. I can drive myself.”
“Bree, please stop,” My mom said. “I know you like to show how strong you are but Barth has agreed already so just go with him. Once everywhere gets calm, then you can do whatever you want.”
“He has?” I glanced at Barth with surprise. When his eyes met mine, I felt a sensation tingling inside me.
“Stop being stubborn. Meet me at the parking lot in five minutes, we don’t have all day,” He took one last drag of his coffee and walked out.
“Have a great day at school, Bree,” My mum called out as I took my bag practically dragging my feet out of the house.
I entered into the car, avoiding his gaze as I fixed the seatbelt in place. “You didn’t have to agree to this, you know.”
“I don’t like being in this same situation with you. I felt obligated to do so.”
I snorted. “Obligated…”
I felt insulted at the word.
Barth turned to look at me, his face cold. “Can you act normal already? That kiss meant nothing, I was drunk and it happened at the heat of the moment. Stop thinking too much about it and acting weird.”
The air in the car suddenly felt tight, suffocating. It meant nothing to him? I let out a sharp, bitter laugh that tears began to fill the back of my eyes. What was I thinking?
It was Barth!
The infamous playboy!
Of course it wouldn’t mean anything.
“Alright then. I didn’t know it was a thing to kiss everyone you meet when you are drunk, I just hope you don’t have herpes. I feel so disgusted now!”