Chapter 2 - Recokning with the Past

My reaction to her father's presence left Nat utterly speechless and visibly shocked. "Sophie. Drooling? Ewww, that's so disgusting," she exclaimed in anger as she strode toward him.

"Yeah! So what? It's my drooling, not yours," I mumbled under my breath, my eyes fixed on the unfolding conversation between Nat and her father.

I stood near the entrance of the room, utterly transfixed by the presence of this extraordinarily handsome man.

"Oh my God! Have you ever laid eyes on such a breathtaking specimen?" I questioned myself, my heart racing.

He stood tall, exuding an aura of masculinity with his muscular frame and long, neatly-tucked golden hair. His eyes gleamed like pure gold, his lips were finely sculpted, and his face bore a striking resemblance to Ares, the god of war.

Even in his snug-fitting pants, it was unmistakably evident that he was well-endowed, and the mere thought of what that might entail... I couldn't help but gasp. "Seriously, is it permissible for an eighteen-year-old to have thoughts like these?" I muttered, though I couldn't entirely blame myself.

As I was still battling with my inappropriate thoughts, an annoying voice interrupted my reverie. "Oh! You must be the father?" the voice chimed in as she walked over to wherr they stood.

I lifted my head to find Miss Rachael Lawman, the seductive teacher who dressed in a way that would make any student swoon. Of course, with a man like that, it was no surprise she would want to seduce him too.

 " Bitch," I seethed silently to myself, feeling a surge of frustration. To make matters worse, she was blocking my view.

"Yes, I am," he responded to her inquiry, his voice carrying a magnetic blend of low tones, sensuality, and authority. "And you are?" he added.

What a beautiful, manly voice he possessed. I couldn't help but sigh softly.

"Oh, I'm Rachael Lawman, Natalie's teacher," she replied with a seductive smile.

“Oh, then I'm relieved to know my daughter is in capable hands," he remarked.

"Oh... certainly," she replied, her voice tinged with a hint of unease.

"Well, then we'll be on our way," he said and gently nudged Nat forward, taking up a position behind her.

"Sure... see you on Monday, Natalie," she chimed in with a casual wave.

"Sure, teacher," Natalie replied, mustering a forced smile that unmistakably revealed her disapproval.

I sighed and walked over to where Miss Lawman was standing, her gaze fixed on Nat's father until he disappeared into the stairway. "What a striking man!" she exclaimed.

"Yeah... too bad he's married," I blurted out, my tone laced with rudeness.

"Oh my... don't do that, Sophie!” she exclaimed, leaping back. “You scared the life out of me," she said, her anger palpable.

"Oh... really? And here I thought you were aware of my presence," I retorted, stepping in front of her. "Don't you think your constant seductive demeanor reflects poorly on our school's reputation? If you're seeking companionship, why not consider marriage instead of pursuing every man in sight?" I snapped, my voice filled with disdain. "Mrs. Lara is still suffering since her husband divorced her because of you," I added, spitting on the ground in disgust, before turning and walking away.

"Hey, you little brat... stop right there!" she called out after me. "I swear by God, if you don't halt, you'll face a one-month suspension."

" Yeah... you do that... and I'll make sure the entire school hears about your attempts to seduce my father," I seethed, my rage evident as I continued walking.

"Why, you... how dare..." she began to retort, her anger flaring, but I simply flashed her the 'Fuck you finger’ and hopped onto the waiting bus, leaving her behind at the school gate.

I understand you might be wondering how someone so young could display such rudeness. Well, I wasn't always like this.

Despite my father's respected reputation, there were moments when I behaved like an unpolished troublemaker, even though I came from a well-disciplined household, I was trained by them.

****

You see, it was my parents who didn't train me, but instead, it was an uncle from my father's side who took on that role. He was a ranger and a cowboy, always surrounded by all sorts of company, from ex-convicts to troublemakers, drug addicts, wrestlers, and foul-mouthed individuals. Living with such a bunch of misfits, it was inevitable that I would pick up a thing or two, being the curious type that I am. But I didn't just pick up one thing; I absorbed all of them.

By the age of ten, I was worse than my uncle and his band of mischief-makers. I was an expert in foul language and swindling people. I excelled at gambling and always came out on top. Nobody at my uncle's place could ever defeat me. The only vices I stayed away from were smoking, drinking, and drugs.

By the age of eleven, I became the strongest student in school, feared by both teachers and students alike. I was literally fearless. There was even a time when I single-handedly caught a gang of robbers who were attacking a bank I happened to be in. It made the news.

 

However, at fourteen, I started living with my biological parents. If someone had told me that strict Daniel and Emily Rust were my parents, I would have argued vehemently. But it turned out to be true. I guess you could say my uncle was afraid. If I had continued down that path, I would have ended up becoming just like him, and I believe he didn't want that for me.

Despite all the fights and the crappy lifestyle, I always excelled academically. I was the best in my class, even now in college. That's why some of my attitude is overlooked. "It's hard to point fingers at such a clever and brilliant student," the head of the school once said.

Although it took time to adjust to my parents' rules, as their ethics stood against everything I knew as a child, I somehow managed. But as they say, old habits die hard.

Sighing, I realized it was a good thing I had come home on time. Mom and Dad had gone on a trip, and for once, I could just relax. "I thought excitedly as I approached the door, ready to unlock it. But before I could turn the knob, it opened on its own. "Huh? That's weird... it should have been locked, right?" I murmured, standing at the entrance.

"There is no such thing," a muscular voice resounded.

I turned towards the direction of the voice and saw my father and mother sitting on the sofa, sipping their coffee. An envelope lay on the table. "Mom! Dad!" I called out, walking over to them. "I thought you guys went on a trip. What happened?" I asked, a little surprised.

"Why don't you tell us?" Mom replied.

"What do you mean?" I asked, pretending innocence, though it was clear.

"You were sent to the detention room today. Care to explain why?"

"What do you mean..."

"Don't even lie to us, Sophie. We received calls from three of your lecturers informing us about the incident," Mom said, her voice rising in anger. "What is going on with you? You're not in grade school anymore. Why are you still getting detention?" she questioned, clearly frustrated.

"Seriously! You're asking me that? Why the hell does a college have a detention room? Isn't that weird?" I inquired.

"Watch your language, young lady," Dad breathed out softly.

"Fine... sorry about that, and sorry that you had to cancel your trip because of me," I apologized.

"Oh, come now, dear," Mother said, attempting to calm me down. "You know that's not why we're angry, right?"

I sighed again. "Yes, I know. But what can I do? It's already a part of me."

 

"Nonsense! Such a personality is not a part of you."

"Yeah, right! After spending half of your life with a bunch of ex-convicts, if you still had your rationality by then, I'd believe you."

"Stop saying 'half of your life,' Sophie, for crying out loud! You're just seventeen. There's still eighteen, nineteen, and beyond. You have more life to live. I know you turned out like this partially because of us, but we're here now. I want you to change that mindset of yours and live your life to the fullest without those untrained, uncanny, and bad girl attitudes, okay?"

"Ugh... okay, fine," I said with a forced smile.

"Good, that's my girl," she added, giving me a warm hug.

I turned to my father, who was silently sipping his coffee. "But you guys didn't just come home to lecture me, right?" I blurted out, grabbing a sandwich from my mom. "What happened?"

"Haha! Aren't you sharp?" Father burst out happily.

"Of course I am," I responded with a smirk. "I'm my father's daughter, after all."

"No doubt about that," Father murmured as he picked up the envelope.

"That's funny. Earlier, you were scolding me about not teaching her proper character, and now that she is sharp... she is your daughter?" Mom, who was busy cooking something for dinner, blurted out in anger.

"Hahaha," Father laughed nervously. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said, pretending innocence.

"Of course you don't. When a child is bad, it's the mother's fault, but when the child is good, the father takes all the credit."

"Yeah! What's up with that?" I asked, even though I knew better.

"Hahaha," Father and I burst out laughing at the sudden irritated look on my mother's face. "Okay... So what brought you guys back?" I asked again after regaining my composure.

As I waited for their answer, an unsettling feeling crept over me. Their exchanged glances and hesitant smiles told me there was more to their return than they were letting on.