20 I am pathetic

The loud applauses and the praising sweet words pleased me. I can say that I never was proud as I am today even though I won many piano competitions at a young age.

I cough Liam with tears in his eyes. He tried to cool them off, but after he admitted that it was emotional that he felt over the moon. The others praised me as well, and I got a brotherly hug from Daniel, saying he's proud of me. Adam and Ethan were a bit awkward after the event I had. Maybe because Adam was the one that stopped me from hurting myself, and Ethan still can't believe that I do that to myself. Who knows what that brief smile that wasn't exactly a smile means. Noah, well, I was satisfied by his nod and the smile on his face. I can’t believe that I accepted the slight move as something positive about him. After a small talk, all of them disappeared out of the ballroom.

Aiden and Nadia run to me and troy themselves at me. I opened my arms wildly to receive their love and to get strangled as well.

"Guys, I can't brea..th," I said, and they let go of me smiling cheekily at me."You were awesome big sis," Aiden sang sweetly.

"I want to play the piano like you. You looked like a princess!" Nadia spoke with her eyes on my necklace. I was a bit confused, but it clicked me when I remembered that I have a tiara pendant in my chain. Nadia loves to have anything royal-like or have a relation with princesses. I removed it and put it in her bracelet. Her cute smile checking her bracelet was everything for me. They run to my mother's table, and I had to follow, giving the eyes that were on me since I was standing in the middle of the ballroom.

Guests were enjoying their evening, dancing, eating food made for rich people, and drinking expensive wine. I am here just sitting with my mother, uncle Oliver, and the kids. I want to go home. I need my bed. It's been a while since I sit in one table with this little family. I do sometimes when the kids whine about me not eating with them.

"You were ravishing and brilliant up there. I knew that you'd never lose the gift you have. I am sure your father is proud of you from up there," My mother spoke, and I only nodded at her words.

"The kids want to learn too, so the piano at the house won't have any dust on it anymore," Uncle Oliver addresses to me with a smile. "Yeah, I meant to tell you. I know that you're familiar with the business and have many degrees in the field, but you need to train at the company soon. I believe that you need to know the real thing, not in the theories of what was happening in the company since your dad. Having you there will ease your way to the CEO position. Training will help the employees to know you more so they can work under you and accept the new strategies and visions for the company in the future."

Wow, I wasn’t expecting this at all. I didn't imagine having a conversation with Uncle Oliver about that matter soon. I would think that I'll get there alone and tell him, 'In your face, the company is mine.' How would I do that? I don't know. It's imagination from someone who felt that things were taking from him. He can have my mother but never what my father put his blood, sweat, and tears for it to be successful. And he's here telling me to train so the employees can accept me as the CEO of my company. "What about high school and graduation?"

"You already have the degrees demanding to know the business, and you'll never need college. But if you agree, we can arrange for you to do the final exam in the coming days. You'll move to LA for some time. It'll be the day after your birthday if you have nothing to make you stay here," My mom professionally told me everything. Magically, nothing from the past bothered me. I don't want somehow to be rude or to ignore her. I was there sitting with this little family, which where I never felt belonged. People from far will see us as a happy family. I am talking business among us and kidding and having fun with the kids. I wish my dad were here. I miss him. He would be the one who introduces me to the company. It's all the cause of my unlucky life.

Mr. Hunter came to talk to my mother and Uncle Oliver, and he again expressed how pleased he was with my playing, which made me shy of the compliment. I asked about the guys. I felt tingles when I asked, but I ignore them. I don't know even the reason for the feeling. Anyway, he said that they were done with people asking them for dating or collaborating in music or just being curious about them, so they went to the waiting room next to the one I was in and ordered pizza to eat and hung out. They could've invited me. I felt hurt a bit. No, they should not, and I should not feel that because I am not one of them or their friend.

I wanted to thank them for the last time about what they all did for me. I've been happy the past days, even with my pain and nightmare. I felt that I belonged and that they care. I ate homemade food after a long time from Daniel; I had fun laughing at Ethan's and Liam's silliness and sharing music knowledge with Adam, and the person who cleaned my cuts, saved me and got me back to playing piano, Noah. I am embarrassed having them seeing a piece of the dark side of my life. But since I am leaving and them having their struggles and experiences, I must say thanks and goodbye properly.

I headed to where they are. The door was closed, so I wanted to knock then open the door, but the distanced voice of Ethan talking stopped me. "I never imagined that she had to deal with a life like this," He said with a broken voice. "She looks strong and harsh, but she's not at the reality. I feel sorry for Sarah," Liam said.

"Knowing her stubborn character, we know she won't accept getting medical care," Adam was the one talking. "She's about to take over her father's company, having words getting out about her mental health will be a major weak point for her in the direction board."

Hearing this, I feel exposed and pathetic. I don't want their vision on me to change. I want to stay the same Sarah in their eyes, so when I leave, they won't feel sorry for me.

I lost my composure for a second, my heels clicked at the door, and it sounded loud, which I am sure it brings their attention. Before anyone reaches to the door, I run away to the hall. The venue was huge and had different levels that I forgot which level is the ballroom. Well, at least I didn't get caught. I walked for minutes, and I still don't know my way to the hall. I want to go home, damn it. I could've entered the room next to them. It was assigned to me anyway, but I let my embarrassment take over me and run not to get to face anyone of them.

The hall I am in now has many elevators. And in front of them, there is a large window displaying the beautiful city at night. It's full of colorful lights, and the sky was mesmerizing with the stars shining. I can stand here all night without getting bored with the view.

"You're having fun?" I froze at the fiery breath, suddenly touching in my neck. I can't react because I know the poisoning voice. "I'll make sure you won't smile in the future because you never meant to be happy."

The sickening feeling that raised on me with every word he breathed was unbearable, and I couldn't do anything. When I dared to look at my back, I got a glance at a smirk under the cap that hides his entire face.

The voice owner is not a delusion or a dream. He's real and coming for me. A sharp pain struck my head, and images that I couldn't comprehend how one after one came back in a flash speed. I felt nauseous, and the hall was spinning on me. Not being able to open my eyes or to move, I blacked out, and my head met the icy floor. I am pathetic.

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