Kamille
Father, and mother sat on one of the couches, with forlorn expressions on their faces. His arm was thrown around her shoulders, as she sobbed into her wad of tissue.From an outsider's perspective, this was just a normal grieving family. From my perspective, however, this was all a performance. Grandma's death meant nothing to them, if anything, they were glad.In silence, I moved to sit on the couch in the farthest corner of the room. Father's phone began to ring, and he raised it to his ear, “What?”There was a moment of more silence, before he got up from his seated position, hung up and threw the phone on the couch.“Honey, what's wrong?” Mother sniffed, standing.“Bad news. Why now, of all times?” He exclaimed, crossing his arms and tapping his feet in obvious agitation. “It's the lawyer! The call came from the hospital, claiming that he got into an accident on the way here. And he's currently having emergency surgery.”“He has no replacement to send here to get Grandma's Will read or what?” Gabriel, that weasel, tossed carelessly.Liz snorted and got up, “ He's the only one who has access to the damn will.”Her black piercings and neon pink wig contrasted with the strong and toned body hiding under her black shirt and pants. But of course, this was Liz, the most volatile one of the Manor household. It didn't help that she had an ugly temperament and was a professional fighter, either.Father was stressing, pacing back and forth, “ I have no time to waste waiting for some incompetent lawyer!”It was confounding, that the lawyer's life was at risk, yet this was all they could say concerning that.“Now, where is Ellen?!” Mother exclaimed, “We were all supposed to be gathered here!” She looked at me accusingly. “Shouldn’t you know where she is—?”“—I’m here!” The clack of heels announced Ellen's arrival. “I'm right here, mom. Dad.”“Good.” Father snapped, outstretching his hand. “Where are the documents I told you to get me?”“Right here!” She sounded so excited, giving me a nauseating smirk as she reached into her handbag. “By the way, mom, isn't the lawyer supposed to be here by now? Why the delay?” She asked, handing Father the papers.Liz answered instead, “Lawyer's in the hospital. How fucking inconvenient. How am I going to know if Grandma left me an extra trust fund or something?”“Here I was already daydreaming of renting out an entire strip club for a week-long party, just to celebrate my additional riches, bro.” Gabriel chuckled.“Too bad.” Ellen raised her stiff eyebrows. “I never liked that man anyway. Once he reads the will, we'll fire him. If he doesn't like it, he can go meet his employer in the grave!”They laughed, but my heart only ached. Father and Mother were not even paying them any attention, they were going through the documents with intensity.“Kamille?” Father suddenly called.I got up, moving closer. “Yes, dad?”His eyes were cold and eager, like he had been waiting a long time for this moment. “Here. Take these. Since the will can't be ready today, we'll move straight to the next order of affairs.”I slowly took the papers, “What are these—”Family Annulment Document.Those three words slammed so hard into my eyes that I stumbled back.“What is this?”“Can't you fucking read?” Liz snapped impatiently.“We want you out of the family, Kamille. You were never a Manor, and signing those papers solidifies that fact. It was all your grandmother's idea to adopt you when you were nothing but a pathetic three-year old. We were under instructions to treat you like family, but now, grandma's gone. You have to go as well.”My mouth opened and closed.My mind flailed and failed. The papers began to shake in my hands, as I looked from one face to another for help, for a hint that this was all a cruel prank and it wasn't real.I found none.“But… this is my family…” I muttered, “You all …you're the only family I have…I—” “We're not.” Mother said firmly. “I only have three children, you are not one of them. Sign that and get out!”“This can't be true. You can't do this to me!” I choked.I lost my marriage. Now, I was losing my family. They never really treated me as good as grandma did, they always blamed me for problems and framed me as a bully even if I was always the victim…they were still the only family I ever had.“You're nothing but some tramp grandma picked up along the way!”I dropped to my knees and clung to father's legs. “Please!” I sobbed. “Please, this is all I know..!”He kicked me off, “Stop with the crocodile tears, girl! I do not want to see you or your belongings by the time I come back downstairs!”He turned and headed up the stairs. My hands fell to the marble floor, clutching the papers. I looked up at Mother through teary eyes, but she only stared me down and walked off after Father.“How pathetic.” Ellen spat.“If you don't take your shitty, trashy belongings, I'll have fun setting them on fire.” Liz sneered.“By the way, you'll not be able to access your trust fund.” Ellen settled on the couch and began examining her nails. “Father made sure of it. Why do you deserve the same treatment us real Manors get?”My pain, devastation and agony slowly simmered into rage. I would be cut off from any financial support? How did they exepct me to survive? I had no real source of income, and what little money I had to my name was made off writing weather forecast articles.I could not get a proper weather forecasting job, because Ezekiel's family had not wanted me to work while married to their son. Now, I was helpless and penniless. And rageful, oh the rage.It fueled me. Gave me strength to get off the floor and head towards my old bedroom. In the hallway, I realized Gabriel had followed me.“What do you want?” I snapped shakily.A hard slap on my ass made me gasp. He squeezed the flesh for good measure, leering into my face. His breath smelled of weed and whatever expensive liquor he had chugged down.“I could help you out of this pathetic situation, Kamille. If you would just give me what I want. This soft round ass, and the holes between them. Just once.”Incensed, I swung my hand out to slap him across the face. “You're my fucking brother! We're family, how dare you!” He barked a curse and clutched his face, definitely shocked that I hit him. This was not his first time harrassing me. But this was my first time giving him what he deserved.“Did you just fucking hit me?”Before I could respond, a hand grabbed my hair roughly from behind. I was twisted around to see Liz's angry face.“Liz—!”Crack! Her fist collided with my cheek, sending me crashing into the wall. The breath was knocked out of me, an an ear-splitting pain tore through my face.“You dare hit my brother?! I'll fuck you up!” She charged at me again, but Gabriel held her back. “Not worth it, Liz. You know it's illegal to hit a non-fighter. If she reports it, your career could be over.”“I dare her to try!” Liz screamed bloody murder, and Gabriel managed to lead her away from the hallway.Holding my rapidly swelling cheek, I moved into my bedroom and locked the door behind me. Reaching under my bed, I pulled out a box and unlocked it to make sure the contents were intact.They were all there. The camera and USBs which contained footages of all the abuse I had endured from my “family”. Gabriel, many times before, had tried to force himself on me, and many of those rape attempts were recorded here. My “parents” also embezzled the company's funds even when Grandma was alive, it was alarming to think of what they would do now that she was gone.I was enraged, that they were throwing me out now, with nothing. They believed they would get away with everything they had done but I would destroy every single one of them with everything I had in this box.One leak and their entire lives would be shattered. It was a vow I made to myself.. It only took a few minutes to shove everything of importance into boxes and load them into my old Wrangler. The precious white Jeep grandma gifted me on my eighteenth birthday, four years ago.Locking the trunk, I made my way to the driver's seat and sped out of the garage, without looking back. A few moments on the highway, and I decided to take the next turn leading to Ezekiel's house, so I could pick up the rest of my things.I eased my foot off the accelerator and moved to the brakes.The car did not slow down.I looked down, frantically jamming my foot this time, because a truck was coming up ahead, and I needed to turn immediately. The brakes were still unresponsive. My heart dropped to my toes.The truck blared its horn, so terrifyingly close that I panicked and swerved out of the way, careening off the road and straight into a tree.There was a loud crash, and all I could hear was bangs and ringing, my shaky hands cradling my belly… then… nothing.KamilleI woke up feeling nauseous.My entire head seemed to be spinning, while a splitting headache travelled from ear to ear. I let out a groan and turned to the side, bile filling my stomach. There was an incessant beeping noise somewhere above me, making my disoriention even worse.“Miss? Can you hear the sound of my voice?”The nausea subsided after a few deep breaths. I dragged myself back to my previous position, only to realize that my entire back ached liked I'd been laying on it for far too long. My eyelids felt so no heavy, it by took thrice to the effort to crack them open into a squint.A bright light hit me immediately. I winced.“She's responding to the light. Good.” A womanly voice said, “Get the doctor, she might want to speak directly to him.”I finally opened my eyes wide enough to take in my surroundings. It was white, sterile. A hospital room. I was on the bed, with my arm spread out on the mattress, with different tubes attached to it. There were two nurses in t
KamilleFour Years Later.The electric bell went off within the school building, just as I parked the car in the school driveway. Finishing up the last of my iced Americano, I pushed the door open and stepped out. Other parents were stepping out of their cars as well. Some housekeepers. Some nannies. Some chaffeurs. Assistants. It was a large variety of people in the school at this time.And that was normal, after all, this was a very excellent kindergarten where many of the parents who worked cooperate jobs were too busy to come pick up their children.I counted myself lucky, that I was able to give my kids all the time and attention they needed, and pay our bills as well. All thanks to working from home.Aross the driveway, kids were already milling out through the doors, all noisy and excited to be done with the day's work.My job as a weather content creator and article writer took off so suddenly, and so well that my bank account was overflowing in no time. I was heavily pregnan
KamilleThe dark, gloomy clouds were the hallmark feature of London's weather.If anything else, that sent a cold chill down my spine, solidifying my split second decision to return to London, after seeing grandma's will in my mail. I was so shocked that I had suffered all of this isolation and mistreatment for years, when I was never supposed to.So, I made the life-changing decision to return to London with my kids, to deal with everyone who hurt me, and also find the stranger that had literally saved my life, and that of my kids. It was easy to make a few calls with my American friends, and next thing I knew, I was on a one-way flight with my kids.I had made living and transport reservations to get us settled in smoothly, but the pit of my stomach still churned with uneasiness.“Mommy, my coat!” Torin whined as we got off the plane after touch-down.“Let me help you.” Reon was at his side in a second, fixing up the buttons.“Thank you, Reon.” I patted his hair and pulled Tyris and
Kamille’s POVAfter securing a ride for my kids and I, I took hurried steps to fetch them but on approaching where they sat, I stopped dead in track as my light brown eyes fell on that same unapologetically handsome man with well defined abs and captivating deep blue eyes who served me hurt and shame, smiling with my children. It was the most unbelievable sight of my days.Of all days, why the hell should Zeke choose today to be here?As the wave of mixed emotions surged through me, I let my eyes wander back to his face again, drinking in the sight of him. Then I looked at his fingers deliberately out of curiosity and there it was. A different wedding ring from the one we shared. Snap! I should have known better than be fooled by good looks.A smile was gradually embracing my facial muscles when his betrayal crossed my mind and canceled it. I remembered how he left me on my own and how I went through hurt alone. He made me see the cruel part of life when he left me and married Ellen
Ezekiel’s POVThe ride back was graveyard quiet, save for the steady humming from the car's engine as my driver drove us back to wherever home was for Kamille. Confusion overwhelmed me as I stared at her and the children. Could they be hers? Is there a world where she is the mother of these children? If she is, then just how much did I drink from Ellen's bowl of enticing lies.The more I thought about it, the more curious I became. Kamille must have moved on. She and the kids belong to another! I cringed in annoyance at such upsured thoughts. But what if it was true? A different kind of anger shot through my heart. Jealousy. I managed to stay quiet and continued staring until my eyes locked with the children. They too began staring at me and their mum. Curiosity engulfed their stares. Then I heard the boy who held their backpacks at the airport, whisper to the girl. “Does this gentleman not look familiar to you? I see him stealing glances at mummy.” Yeah I remember, Roen and Tyri
Kamille’s POVSettling down in a new place had to be the worst job I had tried in my entire life. It wasn't as fun as it sounded afterall.Looking at the beautifully arranged and decorated house, I smiled in satisfaction. Now I just had one more thing to do to make settling in complete.I moved to the living room, sat on a sofa close to the window where I can admire the beautiful orchids growing wild up the terrace.After a few rings, a voice came on the other end of the line, “Hello, Miss Smith on the line. How may I help you?” The voice was warm and welcoming.I smiled. “I would like to hire a nanny for my kids.” She asked a couple of other questions before our call came to an end. My children deserved the best nanny since I was going to be busy here in London. I had no plans of exposing them to dirt I had to clean up.Darkness clouded the skies in no time. I went up to the children's room. The boys stayed together in separate beds, while Tyris had a room of her own pretty close to
Kamille’s POVI got to the club at a little over 8:00 pm. Darkness had covered the surroundings save for the dim lights coming from the club. I walked briskly into the club. I scanned the crowd till my eyes landed on Amanda with Belle sitted to her right. I approached the bar where they were seated. “Hello Ladies.” I greeted them, catching their attention. They both stiffened, hearing my voice.They both turned slowly till they faced me.“Oh Kamille, it is really you!” Amanda sobbed and threw herself in for a hug. “We missed you so much Kamille.” Belle added as her doe eyes glistened with unshed tears.“I missed you both too.” I replied as I released myself from Belle's embrace.“Alright ladies. Let's grab some drinks and celebrate Kamille's return to the land of the living!” Amanda squealed.“I second that motion.” Belle said with a hearty laugh. “Belle?” I called out, surprised she concurred to drinking.“What? This is a worthy feat and I need a drink to better assimilate all t
Zeke's POV As I descended the stairs, my eyes fell on the venomous snake sitted in my living room, eating snacks from my pantry.“What the hell do you think you are doing?” I asked coldly. I hated being disrespected and being lied to. This woman had done worse.“Oh Zeke, I was a bit hungry so I had to eat something.” Ellen replied. Staring at her all I could think of was a thousand ways to make her life miserable. “You know how it works right? Mother and..” “Shut the fuck up and take your crappy story elsewhere.” I interrupted her from speaking more gibberish.She laughed. “You do not believe me, don't you?”I squeezed my eyes shut in frustration. Why was this damn woman pushing her luck? “Ellen I have a lot on my mind right now and would thank the universe if they can just make you go away.” I replied. Ellen's presence was disturbing. I couldn't think about Kamille the way I wanted to. Ellen just keeps reminding me of why I may never get Kamille's forgiveness and now she comes