"Mum, you're going to ruin the surprise." I try to distract my mum.

I watch as my dad relaxes, while my mum doesn't look like she's buying my cover up story.

"What surprise?" she asks with a cocked brow and pursed lips.

"Just a surprise dad and I are working on." I say confidently.

"At past 3 in the morning?" she asks incredulously, her brows drawn together.

"Yes ma!" I quip and throw my hands in the air, for a dramatic effect.

She turns to my dad, I know he can't lie to her for shit, and she knows this too... The man has it hard for her, just one look, and he'll cave!

"Are you going to tell me what's going on? You've shut me out these past few days and you don't look your usual self, what's going on?" she puts her hands on her hips and tilts her head to the side.

"My business is... Uh, going down, fast, really fast." my dad sings like a canary.

"Oh my God! I'm so sorry baby." she coos.

That's my cue to leave... I run up to my room, before they start making out in front of me.

I lay in bed, about to sleep, when a thought suddenly hits me—Vivian!

Could she have a hand in this? I mean she's quite influential around here, it would take her nothing to do something as callous as this?

"Hello?" her cold voice pierces through the phone.

"This is June!... What have you done to my dad's business?" I cut straight to my point.

"Oh, that? That's just the start. And trust me, June, you don't want to know how far I'm willing to go." She says menacingly.

"Why are you doing this?" I hear my voice falter as tears build up in my eyes.

"I was hoping you will ask that question. You see my dear, my reason is simple, I want my son to have a secured future. Have you ever asked yourself why the rich get richer and the poor, well -poorer?" she asks

Is she being serious right now?

"I'll tell you why... The wealthy stick with the wealthy—that's how they stay on top. The poor? They're meant to stay with their own. Mixing the two? Unacceptable." She says with a small laugh.

"I can't believe you!" I snap, gripping the phone tighter.

A low chuckle comes through the receiver. "Oh, believe it. So, do you agree to my terms now?"

My throat tightens. "Please, don't do this." My voice is barely above a whisper.

She exhales, almost bored. "I'm sorry, but it has to be done." But she doesn't sound sorry at all.

I clench my jaw, shutting my eyes.

I love Kyle. But is it worth putting my family at risk?

My breath shudders as I force the words out. "Fine... I'll do it. I'll leave Kyle. Just leave my family alone."

Silence. Then a slow, satisfied sigh.

"Oh, June... you have no idea how happy this makes me."

The call disconnects.

My fingers tremble as I lower the phone. Did I just do that? Did I just agree to throw away the one thing that makes me happy? The room feels smaller, the air too thick. And then, without warning, the tears start falling.

How do I do this? Call him? Text him? Or worse... face him? No, no, no. That's impossible. One look in his eyes, and he'll know I'm lying. He always knows.

*******************

I haven't slept at all, and I haven't even been downstairs today. Now, it's already 1:50 PM.

Amrita walks into my room and plops on the bed.

"There you are! Why are you hiding up here?" she questions with narrowed eyes.

"I'm not hiding—I'm drowning in despair." I groan.

"Despairing?" she strokes her chin.

I sigh.

"Everything is overwhelming and just keeps spiralling out of control by the second." I rub my hands furiously, on my face.

"Vent!" she says, as she scoots closer to me and strokes my hair.

"My dad's business has been struggling these past few days, and it's all because of Vivian. She's making it worse on purpose—she told me herself. And if I don't leave Kyle, she'll destroy everything. I love him, Amy... but is it worth risking my family?" I explain.

"I understand... But would you at least tell him the truth?" She asks calmly.

"I can't." I murmur.

"It'll break him, June." She tries to reason with me.

"I know... A Few months after telling him I won't ever leave him and just one threat to our relationship and I'm bailing, I feel like such a betrayal." I sob.

"Hey! Don't say that. His mother is a conniving bitch, and she's the only reason you're leaving him." My phone starts vibrating on my bed.

"It's him." I breathe out.

"Go on! Answer." Amrita whispers

"I'm scared Amy, he'll know something is wrong." I moan.

"Just pick up." She says

I breathe in, then out and pick it up and place on my ear slowly.

"H-hello." I stutter.

"Hey baby."

Amrita leaves the room and shuts the door quietly behind her.

"What's up?"

"I just wanted to know how you're doing. And Carol says hi."

"I'm fine, how're you? - say hi to her too."

"Is something wrong? You sound off, what's going on over there?" he asks

"I'm just a bit tired, that's all."

"Okay... Uh I wanted to invite you for my father's annual charity this weekend."

"Oh... Uh... I - yeah I'll come."

"If you can't come, it's fine..."

"I'll come Kyle."

"I look forward to seeing you this weekend, baby."

A lone tear escapes down my cheek, and I sniffle without thinking. His concern deepens instantly.

"Something is wrong June... Please tell me."

He says in a very soft tone and I break, the little restraint I have, gone...

"Oh my God!... Baby please talk to me."

"I-i can't..."

"I'm skyping you... Pick up..."

"No Kyle... I..."

"Pick up that call, June. Right now. Or so help me God, I'll be at your front door in an hour, and nothing will stop me—not the distance, not the time, not even you."

"I'll pick up now." I murmur.

I move to pick up my laptop, from where it's sitting on the desk, Skype call from Kyle.

I answer it and his worried face comes into view.

"Why are you crying June?... And when was the last time you had proper sleep?... Talk to me baby, please."

"I - I just miss you so much." half-truth, but not an entire lie.

His worried expression lightens, and his face softens.

"I've missed you too baby, so much!"

I laugh at his terrible jokes, but my heart feels like it's breaking. He has no idea that by this weekend, I won't be his anymore.

He tries to tell me his horrible jokes, I laugh not because they're funny, but because of how unamusing they are.

"You said, Carol says hi, is she there with you?" I ask

"No she's not. Not right now... But she was in my dorm this afternoon." He says slowly

"Oh." I say

"What?" he asks.

I sigh "Nothing."

"I know you June, what are those gears turning in your head?"

Even when he's not here physically, he can still read me like a book.

"Really, it's nothing Kyle." I snap.

I don't even know why I am angry. Maybe it's because she looks like the type of girl Vivian would approve of—the kind of person who belongs in Kyle's world without question. The kind of person I'll never be.

He sighs.

"There's nothing going on between Carol and I... I'll never do that to you June... She's an old friend, and we reconnected here in college, that's all."

"Okay..."

He smiles.

"You look really beautiful."

I blush and he chuckles.

Guys do you know that underneath this chapter, there is a star button, and do you know when you click it, it turns orange 😲? Cool right?, you should totally try the magic 😉! 😚😚😚