Chapter 62 - Broken Smile (1/2)

Stella had finished eating her ice cream. I noticed that, the way she was ŀɨċkɨnġ the spoon she could eat another one. Mine was still half way full since I'm not a big fan of eating ice cream.

” Would you like to eat mine?” I pushed the ice cream Sunday at her as she nodded her head to say yes. She had eaten all of it within a few minutes. Depression really makes people hungry a lot.

” Since you have heard the story all ready I won't make it too long. When I first saw my dad with some other women, I was shocked, rather disappointed at him. I had no idea whom to tell this. My mind was going insane with the nightmares that I had on those days. I wanted to tell my friends about it but I was scared that they will show pity for me. I wanted to tell mom but I didn't wanted to hurt her. After fighting with all of my worries I told Neil about it. Since the beginning we had a very close connection with each other. That's why, even though he was a young boy, I felt secure to discuss with him.”

” Age doesn't matter when it comes to maturity. Neil is way mȧturė and intelligent despite his age.” I have felt that Neil is a very understanding person. He way of thinking is very mȧturė.

” In fact he's more mȧturė than me.” Stella let a soft chuckle and then she sighed in melancholy. Her eyes were teary as if they can rain down from her red cheeks any moment. Those eyes of her were looking fixedly at the empty ice cream glass.

” Do you want another one?”

” Yes!” Her excitement was obvious. I told the waiter to bring another of their ice cream Sunday. Stella's emotional condition is still hanging in a rope. I guess period can make girls ten times more emotional than their normal days.

” When I told Neil about it he was furious. He literally wanted to fight with dad but I confronted him not to. I made up my mind and told dad what I saw. He stayed quite, keeping his eyes down on the floor whole time. He was ashamed of his deeds. I didn't told mom anything nor did Neil. But after that day, my relationship with dad became very distant. He would only talk when there's something to discuss. I felt ... very bad that..... time. I felt that.... I should have .....never told anyone..... anything.” She began to sob while stuffing her mouth with ice cream. Thank god we were sitting in a corner or else people would have started to stare at us.

” Do you hate your dad?”

” No.....” *sobs* ” I still love my dad. I don't understand how everything became like this. Since my childhood I had a very strong bond with my dad. He was so different back then. He would treat me like a princess. But after my brother became five years old, dad began to give him more attention. I felt left out although I never hated or envied my brother. I was a girl and I could never take over his company. Maybe that's why he started to focus on Neil.”

” That's just bullshit! Look at Regina, she's a woman and she also took over her dad's company. If your dad wanted, he could have made you eligible for that job. But no! He just wanted to marry you off! God damn it! Now I understand why your brother hates him so much.”

I burst out in anger. How can Mr. Carlton be a person like this? His thinking is so low and disgusting. The strangest thing is, in spite of knowing all these, Stella still loves her dad. If it were me, I would have decided to go with Neil's way.