Page 168 of Rhet

“Hurt me? Dad,” I chuckle “Unlike you dad, I do have power and you know it, I don’t need people around me to remind me that I do.”

My father trembles.

“I will kill that bitch if her bid was lower that Carson’s” my father sneers. His words consume me with wrath.

“The only person killing her is me. Touch her and you will die.” I turn not looking back my steps echo through my marble halls leaving my father behind.

“She fucked you over just like dear old Charlotte. Held you by your balls” he screams.

I look over my shoulder “I won’t say it again. Leave.”

I make it to my library only to hear my father’s car tires screech out of my courtyard. I drop myself in the chair behind my desk. I rub my head trying to make sense of it all.

Why would she do this? It’s not making any sense. Julian was right, I should have stuck with Georgia. No, I went with a beautiful snake.

Over and fucking over I keep failing Trent.

“Even in fucking death I still failed.” I grab onto the stair railing digging my nails into the mahogany railing. My chest feels heavy.

ZEETA

Istand near the kitchen door with bags in my hand. Ms. Helen comes out with a tray of food walks it over to mom who is sitting in the living room.

“I swear, every time I come in this house you’re working. Be a delinquent, why don’t you,” I joke as I hug Ms. Helen.

“How was the Caribbean? You’re staying for the night?” she asks.

“It was so good. I brought you some trinkets and I got a couple of things for D,” I answer as I raise the shopping bags for her to take.

She takes the shopping bags and begin to look through it.

“He’s been even more grumpy of late. I can only drop his food off, nothing else,” she whispers.

“Why are you whispering?” I ask.

“Because the simplest noise sets him off.” Ms. Helen looks back at me with a hint of fear.

I walk into the living room, kiss my mother on her forehead, and make my way to Dante’s room.

I knock on the door, pushing it open, the first thing that hits me is the smell.

“D, what the hell is wrong with you?” His surroundings are gross. There are plates piled up on a tray, cups, which look like they’re stuck together from the stickiness of the juice.

I kick some socks away and I open his windows, pulling the blinds up.

“What the hell Zee?” He grabs his headphones off his head and puts his Xbox controller down.

“This bullshit needs to stop. You’re wasting your life. Do something.” I’ve had enough of him living like a hermit. “Do something,” I scream, pulling his comforter off the bed, because it smells like death.

“How? With what legs? What spine?” he shouts.

“You could if you would stop feeling sorry for yourself and go to therapy. Get your life back. Get rid of your problem,” I pull off his pillowcase. The room stinks.

“Fuck you, get rid of my problem? You fell in love with my problem. You’re about to ruin my chance of having a normal life.” He takes off the headset completely and turns his chair to me.

“What?” My inside trembles.

“I told you to fuck him, not fall in love with his ass. Tell me, I’m fucking lying. I’ll wait.” He puts his hands under his chin.

---