-𝐄𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐄𝐍-

I've worked a few days now again and everything seems to be just fine. In 2 days I'll be flying out to meet with Pierre and Charles for our second part of the vacation in Sicily. I had finished my work day and I mentally I felt so shit. When I came home my mother looked at me with one of those appreciative smiles that carried all her live that she couldn't express into words.

"Oh cherie..."

I gave her a soft smile as she gave me a hug and kissed my hair softly. Her grip was tight and I softly felt a tear role down my cheek as I felt appreciated for all that I was doing for this family. For gods sake mama was the only one who had a little more idea of it then anyone here. She let go of me and I wiped the soft tears from my eyes.

"Sorry mama..."

"There's nothing to be sorry about Cherie. You're giving up your life... you should feel sad sometimes."

"Giving up my life?"

I was confused as I had never told anyone expect for Pierre that I gave up my life for my family."

"You don't think I'm blind right Eileen? I'm your mother I know and see everything."

"What do you mean?"

"You gave up your volleybal dream to support Charles and Arthur."

I felt a tear roll down my cheek and she gave me a reassuring smile as she was standing behind the stove cooking our dinner.

"How do you know?"

Somewhere half way that sentence broke because of my voice and she tilted her head a tiny bit holding that same reassuring smile.

"Eli... I know how much you loved volleybal and how much you did for that and your brothers. I've always noticed and I always loved you for that... it is what makes you unique my child... but I think it's time you stop this nonsense and start choosing for you."

"I can't mama... they need my financial support. Especially Arthur."

"I know they do but you're suffering cherie... you're drained mentally..."

"Who's mentally drained?"

The voice strangled my mother and I as it was the one belonging to my younger brother. I turned around and then saw Charles, Pierre and Arthur. I quickly turned myself back around and wiped the tears from my eyes.

"Why are you crying Eli?"

"Mama told me a sad story about a girl she used to be friends with."

"Oh you sensitive little shit."

Charles placed a soft kiss on my hair like he always does in a brotherly way to show me his love for me.

"I'm gonna take a shower and change."

I sighed and as quickly as possible made my way past everyone upstairs. I sat down on my bed as I pulled off my heels. A soft knock on my door made me look up as Pierre peaked his head around the corner.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

"You don't look fine princess..."

"Well thanks."

"No Eileen. You know I don't mean that in an offensive way."

"I know I'm just... tired."

"Mentally and physically?"

"Yeah..."

"Come here."

I stood up as Pierre wrapped me in a hug. It felt so safe and warm that I immediately melted into his chest and just... surrendered. I gave up my fight for a minute and while I did Pierre pulled me close to him. His arms wrapped around me in a sweet and protective way as he kissed me on the crown of my head a few times.

"It's alright princess... you'll be fine."

I heard loud yells come from downstairs and I sighed as I knew that those belong to Charles and my mom. I said every curse word I knew under my breath before looking up at Pierre his face who looked at me with a deep frown.

"You need to take a shower and relax a little... I'll go check out what's happening downstairs."

"No I'll go myself. Charles and mama have been fighting a lot lately..."

He sighed and gave me a pitying smile. We made our downstairs as mama was loudly screaming and rambling in French and I couldn't follow a thing while Charles was raising his voice back at her. I covered my ears as my headache only worsened. I walked towards the kitchen and whistled loudly on my fingers.

"ENOUGH! THE BOTH OF YOU!"

I had raised my voice while looking between them. Charles looked irritated at me and mom did too. I sighed and rubbed my face.

"I have enough shit to deal with without you two fighting every time."

"Like what? Have an office job?"

I frowned and looked at my twin brother. He huffed as he looked at me.

"You think you have such a bad life but this is what you made from your life so don't let me suffer from it Eileen. I don't give a shit that you did that to yourself."

"Charles Marc Herve Perceval Leclerc?!"

"Mama it's alright. This is between us not you and him."

"What? It's not like it's not true right."

"Charles stop it!"

I glared at Pierre and so did Charles.

"You think she's suffering right but you don't mind giving her sympathy because you are ducking in love with her!"

"CHARLES!"

The way Pierre said his name came out more of a threat then a warning.

"What? She's throwing her own life away and for fucking what?!"

"For you asshole! She throws her life away for YOU! Charles you're fucking blind man!"

I felt my eyes tear up as I removed my gaze from Charles and back to Pierre. He had fucking said it. He had spilled my secret.

"You didn't just say that... did you?"

"Eileen... I'm sorry. I'm really really sorry. It slipped out of me..."

I diverted my gaze to Charles who's mouth was hanging open and looking at me.

"I don't understand."

"Eileen if you don't tell him I am going to. You deserve to be recognized for what you do for him."

I swallowed and moved my head to say no.

"She gave up volleybal for you and Arthur. She gave up on her own dreams to make the ones of you two more believable and financially reachable. While she studied she worked her job to pay for her education and started working her ass off at a company as soon as possible. She got this CFO position because of her hard work and form what she's told me half her monthly salary goes to Arthur his sponsorship and she works her ass off to let the CEO sponsor you as well Charles. So don't say she threw away her life for nothing because she did that out of love for you two. Because she would rather be fucking mentally drained and see you guys happy then be happy and see you guys loose your dreams."

"Eli?"

"It's true..."

"What? But why Eli? Why?"

I shrugged my shoulders as I looked up at his teary eyes. I swallowed as I felt my own tears start to run as well. I didn't want to face it. I just couldn't. I straightened my posture and then walked off to the stairs. Not ready to talk about it all yet because this wasn't meant to happen.

(1228 words)