That’s why I don’t argue with his surveillance on me, and I have to make sure he knows where I am at all times. Some might find such control tiring. I’ve been looking for such protection my whole life, and I know everyone would say I probably have some issues from my childhood…I don’t care.
Plus, my brothers didn’t raise me to be stupid.
Despite us spending all our free time together, we still have this forbidden relationship because I refused to tell my brothers about us. While Levi showed me patience in this regard because he didn’t want to push me, I can feel him reaching his breaking point.
“Hi. It’s been a long time, Lavender.” The deep male voice snaps me out of my thoughts, my eyes connecting with kind gray ones, and I freeze.
The good-looking dark-haired man wearing a three-piece suit smiles at me and gets up, pushing out a free chair next to him at the head of the table for me.
Ronan.
My first real crush with whom I shared my first kiss after a victorious game, since he was the captain of our high school football team. “Hi.” I move toward him, and stop awkwardly before giving him a brief hug that lasts a second. I still don’t like being touched much, unless it’s Levi. “How are you?” I ask, and sit on the chair. He follows suit, and Valerie takes the seat to my right. So I’m stuck between them.
Ronan winks at me as he lifts his water glass and takes a sip. “Good as always.”
“Did you go pro?”
It was one of his biggest dreams, as it was his only opportunity to get away from his abusive father.
“No. Got a shoulder injury that put a stop to it.” Amusement laces his tone, and my brow furrows at this. I expected him to be a bit sadder over losing his dream. Then again. There was always this aura of dominance and edginess around Ronan that created tension wherever he went. It must have been the reason I was attracted to him back then. I sought protection, and he seemed like he could give it.
“I found having a business empire way more fulfilling.”
“Congratulations on your recent multibillion merger that’s now public knowledge. I was one of the lawyers on the opposing team.”
Maria.
She always wanted to be a lawyer and would argue with teachers until her face turned blue.
“You made me proud when I announced it on our Monday morning show,” someone else says, and five more of my classmates share their career paths.
Lawyers, producers, surgeons.
Our private school provided the kind of education and connections one can dream of, and their families' backgrounds helped them even more. So their success in their respective fields is not surprising, it’s a given.
Alicia speaks up next. “I’m so happy for you all. My career is a bit different but also full-fledged and demanding.” She takes out her phone and taps the screen, which shows a picture of three identical girls. “I had triplets right after high school, so being a mom is my full-time job.”
“Where is Rick?”
She married her high school sweetheart. Rick was the school’s president, and everyone adored him, although he had eyes only for Alicia. They were each other’s firsts too. Last I heard, he was on his way to becoming a senator.
“Home with the kids. Mommy needs a break.” Everyone shares a laugh at this, and my heart squeezes when several more classmates show their own families until everyone stares at me.
Maria asks, “And you, Lavender? What do you do?”
That was the reason I didn’t want to come to the reunion. It’s embarrassing and sad when people ask you what you’ve been up to all these years, and you have nothing of value by society’s standards to share.
It’s not like I have a great career or created an amazing family.
However, Dr. King pointed out to me during our last session that no matter how much I wish for it…I can’t change my past.
Constantly regretting it and refusing to move on only hurts me in the process, for I’m stuck in what could have been instead of what’s going on now.
“I’m not married and don’t have any kids.” Maria lifts her glass in my direction, so I pick up my water, and we clink them. “Nor do I have any career or academic achievements.” The confusion on their faces is almost comical. “I enrolled in university this year and hope to get a degree. And maybe learn landscape design someday.” Levi introduced me to Giselle, who is willing to teach me anything whenever I’m ready. I’m just not sure I want to do it on a professional level. I’m way more interested in using my inheritance to open up shelters and educational centers for victims of sexual abuse. A little stepping stone to help them build a new life. “I’m not sure what I want to do.”
They stare at me in silence, and that’s when complete acceptance of my fate comes to me, forcing me to finally seewhat I’ve been avoiding for such a long time. And there is a certain relief in this feeling, as if it frees me from all the invisible chains placed upon me that held me back from truly living.
“I’m a survivor, and that’s a reason to be proud. My uncle wanted to ruin me, but he didn’t get the chance to do that. It took me eleven years, but I’m finally free from him.” I drink my water, welcoming the cooling sensations in my throat. “I’m sorry if I ruined the mood.”
