CH 6 | Sarah!

The sunlight streaked through the sheer flowing curtains kissing my creamy skin. As the reflections settled on my face, I groaned in annoyance without opening my eyes. Struggling to fall asleep again, I reluctantly peeped with my half-awake eyes. But the illuminations blurred my vision.

Groggily I rubbed my eyes with my palms as they were heavy. “Maybe because of how swollen they are,” I thought. I tried to move my posture a little as the throbbing pain in my head shook me.

A yelp escaped my dried lips as the pressure in my head felt as if it may burst at any moment making my eyes throb. 

I groaned angry at myself for drinking so much. Because the full effects of the hangover hit me like a mac truck hitting a brick wall going eighty miles an hour. 

My hands moved on their own accord to the drawer beside my bed. I grabbed an Advil and swallowed it. I chugged the warm glass of water sitting on my nightstand, to stop the hangover from ruining my day.

Soon, I felt the ache in my head subside a little and the incidents from yesterday assaulted my mind in full force. All jumbled, except Dom's words and the heartbreak he had put me through, and the pain returned in my chest.

I blinked my eyes, trying to get a grip on my thoughts. Because all I remembered was being in a bar drinking, trying to drown my sorrows in alcohol.

Then how did I end up in my bed?

After glancing at my body carefully, I released a sigh I didn't know I was holding. Because as foolish as it may sound, for a second I thought I brought a random man to my house. Or worse I did something stupid like sleep with him. 

"What was his name again? Hayden? Is it?" I pondered while I massaged my temples since his face was the last thing I remember. 

As the understanding dawned on me, I muttered under my breath, my tone firm, yet raspy, "Yes, it’s Hayden!"

With a sigh, I exclaimed, "thank goodness. Nothing happened between us!"

In the next second, I heard a familiar voice, and Instantly I sat upright, my eyes went wide in shock, and I mumbled, “Theo?”

I sat there in a daze and questioned myself with knitted brows, “No, No! Why would he be here?”

Gosh! I think I'm officially going insane! Since that was the only conclusion I can come up with because it's been two years since I last saw Theo. That was before I left my stepfather's house and came to New York.

Then I heard Theo’s all too familiar annoying nasally laugh I had always teased him about, fill the room. 

Dumbfounded, I climbed out of my bed and walked down the steps. I muttered to myself, "There was no way for Theo to be here. But then if not him, then who it is?"

I licked my lips and put my messy hair into a high bun and heard Rebecca's whining. It alarmed me, and I began following the sounds to discern what was happening?

Slowly, but carefully I strode across the steps. I saw a silhouette of a man in the little passage from the entrance of the room. I couldn't help but wonder, while a scowl danced on my face, "What the fuck is going on?"

Because I know Rebecca's boyfriend, and his voice didn't match with the one I'm hearing.

Without thinking much, I pushed the door swiftly and stepped in. A yell escaped my lips even before I saw his face, "who the hell is this man in my house?”

“Come and see for yourself.” Rebecca's perky voice caught me off guard and I glared at her with narrowed brows.

“Wow, alright. She’s acting weird!” I exclaimed inwardly as I’m in no mood to pick a fight as soon as I had opened my eyes.

With a faint nod, I was about to walk ahead when he turned around. Facing the man, I froze and blinked my eyes hastily in surprise and denial. I shut my eyes and opened them again only to see the same man. This time, it clicked bells in my head.

"Theo!" I emphasized in a hoarse tone. My eyes went wide and I raised my brows as confusion, shock, and happiness overwhelmed me.

He chuckled, and in a flash, he stood in front of me and engulfed me in a warm hug, "Hello, Sister!"

Okay!

Wow! That was totally unexpected!

My hazel eyes took in his appearance and I noticed how tall and mature he had become.

“Hello to you too, Brother. How are you doing?” I asked as my eyes turned moist since it had been two years since we had seen each other.

“Rockin’ as always.” He gave his usual nasally laugh, and I sighed in relief. As his presence in my life at this time was something I welcomed with open arms. I needed a diversion from Dom and I knew Theo’s playful spontaneous personality would do just that.

“You have changed a lot. You are no longer the little boy I once knew." I paused and added while I ruffled his hair, "you're a grown-up now." I exclaimed, as the sweet bubble of happiness filled me.

"Look who's talking? When did my sister turn into such a beautiful woman." He added and pecked my cheek lovingly, and I nuzzled him with longing. Because he was the only one from the Campbell family who still loved me.

His amber eyes rolled across his watch, and eyed me a little apologetically?

"Okay, what was going on?" I pondered but ended up blurting, "Is everything okay?"

He stared at me for a while and the uneasiness in me grew with each passing second.

However, after a minute or so, he gave a nod and stated, “Dad booked us a flight. It's in a couple of hours."

"Wait. What?" I thought I misheard. But he looked so damn serious, and I scowled as the happiness wiped off my face almost instantly, "what do you mean by US?"

"Come on Sarah. You know what I mean." He arched his brow and gave me a cut-your-crap look, and I sighed, frustrated!

"What a nice way to start my day!" I exclaimed, my voice was dripping with sarcasm as I felt a bucket of cold water was dropped on the top of my head. 

There was no way I'm going back into the hellhole again and I said coldly, "You know me, Theo. He’s your dad, not mine."

Rude much? I know. But I can't act all cool when the Campbell family treated me like shit!

A glimmer of hurt settled in his eyes with my harsh words, but that’s the bitter reality.

And I couldn’t help it since it was them that were the reason for my unhealed trauma. And I need to look for love in all the wrong places. 

Moreover, I’m not ready to face that house. Nor the rest of the people in that house, who want nothing to do me with and shunned me from the family.

“Sarah, he cares for you,” Theo said while he tucked his hands in his trouser pockets.

“Are you kidding me?” I almost yelled but kept my tone in check since he didn't do anything wrong, and he didn't deserve to face my temper.

“Look, I know, you weren’t happy in those two years with mom, dad, and Emily. I agree they fucking hurt you. But can’t you give them another chance?” He almost pleaded with his best puppy eyes.

I exhaled in dejection and turned around to go downstairs. As I want to lock myself away from this drama, which I honestly didn't want to face. But he grabbed my arm pulling me back. 

“Leave me, Theo,” I lost it and screamed when pure rage occupied me. The events from those years flowed back to the forefront of my mind making my body tremble in extreme anger.

“I won’t, Sarah. I’ll never leave you alone. Don’t ever forget that.” His eyes glowed with determination, but I know better than anyone else. I needed to run away from the coming storm, which would swallow me alive once again. 

“I love you. You're my family, Theo, but they are not,” I stated in a firm tone though my insides were clenching in alarm. 

"I love you too. But there's only so much I can do. You know how my dad is, don't you?" Theo said and left my hand while he was lost in his thoughts.

"Did your father send you to get me?" I asked as I already connected the dots, but when he nodded, I lost it!

Disappointed, I gave him one last glance and scurried away.

“You okay?” Rebecca asked me, I could see the concern in her tone. I nodded when a grim expression was plastered across my face. 

“I’m sorry, Sarah. I didn’t know he came here with a purpose. Or I wouldn’t have allowed him in.” She said while squeezing my shoulder.

“I... understand.” I trailed off.

With my lips pursed, I brushed her off, “I want to be alone for a bit, Rebecca.”

“Alright. Call me if you need anything.” She gave me a side hug with a wink and left me alone in my room.

Immediately I shut the door and leaned onto the wall. While the haunting memories from those two years flooded my mind. The familiar feeling of suffocation consumed me while my heart became heavy.

I slid down the door and onto the floor hugging my knees, "You’re here just to get a share of our money, right?” My mother, Lina Campbell's voice stabbed me. The disgust she had towards me was clearly shown through her penetrating gaze and the curt tone she used.

“Is our house an orphanage? How come this outsider is acting as if she owns it?” My step-sister, Emily's taunts echoed in my ears. She never failed to show how much she despised my very presence.

“You can live under my roof, but don’t ever think you'll ever be a part of this family. You’ll never see a dime of my money, so you better do something with your life, Sarah. What else do you need?” My stepfather, Ivan Campbell's sharp words pricked me. He treated me like I was nothing but a piece of unwanted baggage.

Tears slipped involuntarily as all those bad memories clouded me. But my phone resting on the wooden nightstand grabbed my attention.

My hands froze upon seeing the name displayed on the screen. “What did Ivan want? Why is he calling me now?” Panic struck me as my body quivered, and I chose not to answer the call.

I gasped and tossed my cell aside, but it again buzzed. “Making him angry wasn’t a wise choice, Sarah.” My inner voice screamed at me, and reluctantly I picked it up with a trembling hand. My fingers lingered around the screen and I lifted it on almost the last ring.

“Sarah?” His sharp tone scared me.

“yes?” I pretended to be confident.

“I want you to come home.” His tone was authoritative, giving me no way to escape.

Home? Campbell's house is not my home. It can never be my home!

As soon as he said that, the anger I just tried to cool off burst into flames and I declared, "I don't want to, and I'm not coming!"

Hearing my remarks, he chuckled. well, certainly a scary one that had goosebumps going up the back of my neck and hands.

I wasn't about to give in without a fight!

"Sarah, you keep your snarky temper in check when you're talking to me." He said, his voice was hard. 

I can imagine how he must look on the other end of the phone, with his jaw clenched and seething in rage. I was no stranger to seeing Ivan Campbell pissed. 

With a pause, he added, "or else I'll make your life a living hell. And let me assure you, you won't appreciate my way of doing things. Would you?" Ivan's taunting voice made me grit my teeth, but I chose to remain silent.

"So, you better behave and do as I say. Are we clear?"

I opened my mouth to protest, but words weren’t coming out. He’s not the one I can offend, and I knew it very well. At least, not until I got control over my father's assets back. 

I took a deep breath, “Why?” I asked as I had a gut feeling in me, warning me that this is for no good.

“You’re in no position to question me. Anyhow, if it makes you feel better.” He paused.

The grip on my mobile tightened. I clenched my other hand into a fist to ease my nerves while I squeezed my eyes shut. I cursed inwardly, "spit it out already!"

“We’re making an announcement. Since the guests knew you’re Lina's daughter, I want you to be here today.”

“I’m not Lina's daughter,” I stated as a matter of fact because she just gave me birth, but was never a mother to me.

“Sarah.” He shouted, and I shivered, knowing I had touched his bottom line! The great Mrs. Lina Campbell is his love, and I know I shouldn't touch her when he's around!

“Don't make me do things the hard way.” He said and added, "pack your things and come home for a few days.” The warning it held in his words was clear to me as his stern tone had an edge to it, and I know I couldn't push my luck any further.

But my mouth had a brain of its own as it slipped the words in my heart, “I never wanted to see your faces again! I never wanted to be involved in your family issues. And I just don’t want to be there."

"Wow! Don't push your luck, Sarah. I'm listening, but that doesn't mean I won't do anything to your little company your father left for you."

"Don't you dare!" I yelled, my eyes turned red in rage coursing through my veins with how much he was pushing me.

"Oh, did I touch a nerve? So you better obey me and come home. Or else, I can't guarantee you of the things I plan on doing." With that said, he hung up, leaving me baffled and I threw the pillow beside me onto the wall, furious!

Bastard!

Wait until the day I get control of my father's company back! 

Then I'd deal with you in my own way! All of you! 

God, this is so fucked up!

...