Filed to story: Submitting to My Bestie’s Daddy Read Online >>???
“Mom, how are you feeling?” I asked.
She crinkled her nose. “Disgusting,” she said. “I need a shower and some clean clothes.”
I laughed and put my hand over my mouth. I hadn’t expected a response like that. She narrowed her eyes at me in warning, but I couldn’t stop laughing.
I was just so relieved that she was herself. I had been mentally preparing myself to deal with memory loss or extreme fear, but she was just Mom. I was so, so happy.
Elio put his hand on my shoulder and smiled at her.
“We’ll bring you some clothes from home,” he offered. “I’m sure you’ll feel better in something other than a hospital gown.”
“Absolutely,” she said with a curt nod. “When can I get out of here?”
“It’s going to be a little while,” one of the nurses answered. “We just need to be sure you’re ready to be independent. You’ve been through a lot.”
Mom scoffed. “I’ve been through worse,” she said dismissively.
That made Elio laugh. It was true, although the nurses certainly wouldn’t believe it.
“You’re a strong woman,” Elio said. “I’m sure you’ll be home in no time.”
He squeezed my shoulder gently. I reached up and put my hand over his, thinking that he couldn’t possibly know how much it meant to me that he was by my side right now.
He and Mom were smiling and laughing, and the mood in the room was so light and hopeful. It was a stark contrast to the fear and uncertainty of the last few weeks.
The doctor was right. We weren’t in the clear yet. There were a lot of complications that could still arise. Whatever happened, though, I was confident that Elio would stand with me through it all.
I thought of Antonio and a cold feeling came over me. He was still out there. He was still dangerous. He had taken so much from me, and I knew that we hadn’t heard the last from me.
I leaned against Elio’s side, and he held my shoulder a little tighter.
I wanted revenge for what happened to my dad and now to my mom. I knew that Elio felt the same way. With him by my side, I knew that we were going to see this thing through to the end.
Antonio hadn’t seen the last of us.
*Three Months Later*
*Caterina*
“Marketing, especially on social media, is a way to spread your online presence and build trust within your brand. That’s why many companies have taken to social media platforms that provide advanced ad targeting.”
Ms. Sumners paced slowly at the front of the room, her heels tapping on the shiny tile floors as she lectured the few students who had elected to take her class. It was a small classroom, probably half the size of a standard one, and besides me, there were only five or six other students.
Each student was hard at work as they wrote or typed down every word the teacher was saying. I twirled my pencil in one hand, frowning as I double-checked my notes with what she was saying.
“Tracking statistics is the number one way to grow your brand as it allows you to find out demographics, interests, behaviors, budgets. Everything you could possibly want to know about the consumers buying your products. And once you know that it’s easy to market hard and fast to that specific group of people.”
Ms. Sumners paused as the digital clock on her desk blared out in a dial tone and immediately, my eyes flew to the clock above the doorway. It was four o’clock—right on time.
I folded up my notebook, beginning to gather my things as Ms. Sumners turned off the alarm, resetting it for the next class.
“Remember to have your essay on marketing to specific demographics on my desk by Monday morning or you will receive a zero,” she called out, sternly, taking a seat behind her desk as the few students practically flew out of the classroom.
I was the last to leave, and as Ms. Sumners pulled out her infamous red Sharpie, I quietly shut the door behind me, leaving her to it.
“Cat!”
I flinched, dodging at just the right moment as Anna went flying past me, practically hitting the wall head-first but grabbing her before she did. I giggled as she held her nose in mock pain, pouting at me like I had done something unforgivable.
“I was just trying to hug you,” she said, sounding congested as she held her nose.
She let go, wiggling it with a wince. I rolled my eyes.
“Sorry, but no,” I laughed, falling into line beside her as we made our way down the empty hallways.
“To think I took summer classes to hang out with such an ungrateful friend as you,” she huffed, crossing her arms unhappily. “I am such a good friend, but you refuse my hug. You are the worst.”
“Uh, huh, and I’m sure you sticking to me like glue also had nothing to do with Daniel on his trip abroad,” I retorted.
“It’s France!” Anna cried out, swinging her arms out and almost hitting a passing student going the opposite way in the face.
“Hey!” He glared at her.
“Sorry,” I apologized for her, but Anna was completely uncaring as she pursed her lips, giving me wide sorrowful eyes.
“I’m lonely, Cat! Give me a break. Sexual frustration is a real bitch, and you’re my only friend!” she yelled out in the middle of the school hallway.
The guy she almost hit turned bright red, quickly scurrying away like someone was chasing him.
“And I wonder why that is,” I sighed, hiding my face in my palm. “Do you have to make the whole school aware of your issues?”
“Rude.” She pivoted on her feet, walking backward so she could stick her tongue out at me.
I rolled my eyes and laughed. “I’ve got to get home, so I’ll see you on Monday, okay?”
“Fine, fine.” She waved her hand at me as she approached the exit. “Leave me to my lonesome.”
A black car was waiting for me as usual, with one of the men in a black suit and sunglasses leaning against the door. I knew there were probably more hidden around.
Anna frowned as we spotted them and the guy nodded at me, opening the car door like he did every evening pick-up. “Those guys are creepy, Cat. How long do you have to keep getting chauffeured around like that?”
“Uh, not much longer.” I avoided her eyes.
Anna didn’t know much of anything, only that an old enemy of my dad’s showed up and my mom got hurt. I told her that the family was paying for protection, hence the bodyguards, but I could tell she only half-believed me.
But she still didn’t ask any questions. She did insist on taking the summer classes and walking me to and from each class, and we both knew it wasn’t because Daniel was abroad for the summer.
She was my best friend, and she knew something was wrong, even if I didn’t have to say it.
“Thanks, Anna. I’ll see you later.” I leaned over to grab her into a hug.
She hugged me tighter, her face softening as she smiled.
“Don’t get mushy on me now,” she muttered, her voice a little hoarse with emotion.