BONUS•TWO

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This chapter correlates with chapter 44. It's from Alex's perspective.
Enjoy ;)

ALEX ROSEWOOD

I pull up outside of my house and park my car in my garage, grabbing my backpack from the passenger seat and climbing out. I push my front door open, throwing my car keys on the table and dropping my bag onto the floor.

"Alex!" Lily squeals, throwing herself at me so that I'm forced to pick her up. She giggles into my neck and I chuckle as I hold her feather-light body in my arms.

"How was school?" I ask her and she gives me a cute grin.

"We did art." She explains and I give her a raised eyebrow.

"What art did you do?" I inquire further.

"Painting!" She exclaims, awfully excited. I chuckle at her reaction, wishing that art also excited me to this extent. "And you know what I painted?" She asks me as I make my way to the kitchen.

"What?" I respond, a smile on my face.

"A pony!" She giggles and I can't stop my lips from quirking into an an amused smile at her choice of answers. I round the corner and enter to see my mom stirring a pot filled with something heavenly for sure.

"Hello Alex." She greets me, casting me a smile over her shoulder. I put Lily down on the floor, walking to my mom and kissing her head in response.

"Hiya, mom." I reach for an apple and take a bite from it, taking a seat on the kitchen island.

"Can I watch TV?" Lily asks my mother innocently. My mom laughs, giving Lily a wink.

"Only for an hour." She proclaims and Lily runs off, satisfied with her answer. I laugh at my sister's antics before looking back at my mother.

"Whatcha makin'?" I ask and she smirks at me.

"Cherry pie."

I gasp before grinning like a Cheshire cat and my mom laughs at my reaction.

"Thank goodness! When was the last time you made it? Your cherry pie is fuc-"

She gives me a warning look.

"-fricking amazing. I was going to say fricking." I correct myself and she snorts, shaking her head at me while knowing that's a lie.

"Sure." She says disbelievingly and I smile to myself. My mother's cherry pie is the most delicious piece of food I have ever had the privilege of eating. My tastebuds literally scream for joy when eating it. I could live on cherry pie. My eyes slowly move to the document wallet on the table and I lean over to reach for it.

"What's this?" I ask my mother, casting my gaze downwards.

The words: ROSEWOOD HOTELS stand out in bold, making me internally roll my eyes. However, the next word makes my eyebrows scrunch in confusion.

Shareholder

"What? Is Ryan giving you more shares in the business?" I ask, looking up at my mom. She's no longer stirring the pot but rather dries her hand on a dishcloth before leaning against the pantry with pursed lips. That immediately sets me on edge. I know my mom has shares in the franchise and usually she answers my questions regarding it without hesitation. However, now is not the case. She almost looks uncomfortable.

"Actually," she licks her lips "your dad," she stresses the word "wants to give you shares."

I look at her blankly before bursting out in laughter. Ryan thinks he can buy my love? I laugh harder but my mother just eyes me in disappointment. Once I recover, I shake my head to myself with a smile.

"Why on earth would he do that?" I roll my eyes. My mother shrugs.

"He wants you to start getting into the working world and thinks this is a good start and opportunity. Plus you'll be earning some money." She explains and I snort, hopping off the countertop and throwing my apple core in the bin.

"Well, no thanks. I don't want anything to do with it." I respond, looking up to my mom with a grim smile. I begin to walk out the room when my mother calls out to me.

"You could at least give him a chance, Alex." She scorns me and I stop, walking back into the kitchen with a scowl on my face. I stop in front of her.

"Why? So that he thinks he can run my life?"

My mother lets out a humorless laugh, uncrossing her arms and pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Whether you like it or not, Alex, he's your legal guardian; he's your dad. And I would appreciate it if you would treat him with a little more respect."

"I don't have a dad!" I quip and she scowls at me.

"You may not realize this but he actually cares about you. And this, this thing you feel towards him hurts me too, you know? You're hurting me in the process, Alex. You're not only rebelling against him, you're hurting me."

That shuts me right up. I can see the pain on her face and I feel my heart crumple. I'm the cause to my mom's pain.

She takes off her apron and throws it on the table. "Think about that next time you want to be difficult." She jeers, walking out of the kitchen and up the stairs. I watch her retreating figure, letting out an agitated sigh. I tug at my hair before stalking up the stairs to my bedroom as well. Once my door is closed, I slide onto the floor and run a hand through my hair.

I didn't mean to hurt my mother but how am I supposed to let Ryan in when my birth father wad a fucktard? I don't trust anyone. He thinks he can run my life and tell me what to do but he can't because he isn't my real father. I didn't purposely hurt my mother this whole time, all I was trying to do was get my point across to Ryan. The point that he isn't my dad so he can't control me.

Could I have being overreacting? Am I wrong for feeling this way?

My mom doesn't deserve to be hurt by my poor and immature decisions so I shouldn't be acting selfishly; thinking about how it benefits me and not her. I may not like Ryan, and he may not be my dad but maybe I should give him a chance. If it means my mother will be happier then I'll do it.

But I don't know if signing those documents is the big step I want to take to achieve it.

****

It's being a long and stressful day and I'm completely exhausted. I guess that's what happens when you toss and turn the whole night instead of actually sleeping. But how could I when I had an argument with my mother and I still had to make a big decision?
It made me cringe just thinking about signing those papers but it also makes my heart ache knowing that I've upset my mom.

Yeah, I heard her crying in her bedroom.

Yeah, I almost suffocated from the guilt, shame and pain that brought me.

Needless to say I avoided her before school, waking up extra early. I just don't know what to do about the situation. I really don't want to sign those papers and give Ryan the opportunity to really be a part of my life, but I also don't want to hurt my mom. I'd sacrifice almost anything for her. Clearly I look as exhausted as I feel because Sophie asked me what was wrong during English. I had shrugged her off, not wanting to have to reminisce over the argument with my mom. However, we didn't have many classes together today and she spent lunch at the library picking out books so we didn't get to speak much. When she did see me though, she didn't pester me further. I know she didn't believe my answer but I think she was giving me space. I appreciate that. Not only that but Nina is still on suspension which means Martin is fucking pissed while Sophie feels guilty. I wish she could see that it wasn't her fault.

But now that Lucy asked Sophie to help her with some filing, I decided to stay behind too. I didn't want to go home. Plus it meant spending more time with the girl I secretly like. It's a win-win.

I straighten the shelf in front of me while Sophie files on the table and Rachel preoccupies herself on her phone.

"Tina Roofus." Sophie mumbles to herself, arranging the papers in order. I snort, laughing at the pace at which she is going.

"You're only by T?" I ask, looking at her in pure amusement. She narrows her eyes at me, daring me to go on.

"Yes." She responds curtly. "Got a problem with that?"

I hold my hands up in defense, the amusement still evident on my face. "Nope."

Before Sophie can respond, Rachel cuts her off by letting us know she's going to the kitchen to find food.

"Okay." Sophie responds, Rachel leaving the room shortly after. Sophie goes back to filing while I continue working on the shelf that doesn't seem to want to go straight. Fuck it. We lapse into a silence but it isn't awkward. Nothing is ever awkward with Sophie. I let my mind drift back and forth between recent events but find myself keep thinking about Sophie. About her and that beautiful smile, the way her eyes light up when she finds a good book or how she has an unhealthy obsession with Rascals.

I see her moving against the table, leaning on it, while crossing her arms and looking at me.
"Are you going to tell me what's wrong?" She demands, making me look at her. I sigh tiredly.

"I told you. I just didn't get a good night sleep, okay?" I respond, hoping that's enough for her.

"That may be true. But why didn't you get a good nights sleep?" I continue fixing the shelf, still not particularly wanting to talk about it. However, I find myself wanting to spill it all to Sophie. I want to confide in her and let out this frustration I am feeling.

I don't tell her though.

"It doesn't matter, Sophie." I grunt.

Bullshit, I yell at myself.

She scoffs at me, "Clearly it does, Alex. You look exhausted." She continues. I don't respond, hoping that will be the end of the conversation. I sigh when I feel her eyes still glued to me.

"You can trust me, Alex." She says softly, her words holding a sense of hope and calmness to them. I breathe in deeply, feeling the need to tell her. Why haven't I already?
I put the hammer down and lean against the wall, crossing my arms over my chest.

"My mom and I had an argument." I blurt, her eyebrows raising in surprise at my response. She doesn't say anything so I go on. "My dad wants to give me shares in Rosewood Hotels." I almost gag at calling him dad.
I look at her to see a smile on her face although she looks genuinely confused.

"Well that's great, isn't it?"

I shake my head. "This way, he'll think he can control me. That he really is my dad." I look at her in desperation, not wanting to be in this situation. I don't want to have to make a choice.

"And your mom is upset that you don't want to sign the papers?" She hits the nail on the head, causing me to nod dejectedly.

My mind replays the argument in my mind; the way my mom was so pleading yet hurt towards me. The way her eyes held hope at first before I shattered it with my selfishness.

"She said she doesn't understand why I can't just give him a shot." I gulp. "She said that I'm not only rebelling against him but hurting her." I utter.

"I know you don't like him very much, Alex, but maybe you should just give him a chance." She whispers, making me look at her in thought, processing her words carefully. "I'm not saying that he has to become your dad or anything, but at least a somewhat important person in your life. If you can't do it for yourself, at least do it for your mom." Her voice is laced with sincerity, soft and gentle, making my nerves die down a little.

She's right. I have to do this for my mom. I don't have to make him my 'dad' but I can at least let him play an important role in my life as Sophie said. If that's what it takes to stop hurting my mom, then I'll do it.

How is Sophie so wise?

I suddenly have a newfound sense of determination and confidence that sprouts from nowhere. All I do know is that I need to tell Sophie how I feel before it kills me. I can't keep quiet any longer.
I walk towards her and she follows my movements so that she is now leaning against her back. I put a hand on either side of the table so that she's trapped. She gulps at the proximity and I'd be lying if I said that didn't give me a confidence boost amongst my fear.

I look down at her, searching her features for any give away of how she's feeling. "How do you always know what's the right thing to do?" I ask hoarsely. Sophie shrugs, seeming a little flushed.

"That's not true, I don't always." She responds softly, her eyes darting all around my face. I lean in closer, brushing my lips against hers before my lips stretch into a smile. The small movement sends electricity up my spine.

"Oh yes you do." I respond.

It's now or never.

I press my lips against hers, feeling passion consume me. She's frozen at first, obviously shocked, but before I can think of it as a sign of rejection, she physically relaxes in my arms. I take that as my cue to go on so I cup her cheek and wrap my other arm around her waist so that I can pull her closer. She moves her arms to around my neck and pulls me harder against her lips. I relish in how soft and plump they are, how heavenly they are.

If this is paradise, I don't ever want to leave.

I don't kiss her hard, but rather gently. I want her to know I want her and nothing else. She runs a hand through my hair, which makes my body scream in delight, as I smile against her lips. We move so that I'm pushing her against the wall. We continue, not breaking the contact for even a second. I grip her tighter, trying to keep the delight and happiness swarming in me in control.

We eventually break apart breathlessly and hazily but I don't pull away from her, enjoying being this close far too much. We stare at each other and I can see her lips pinker than usual from being connected to mine and I smile.

"You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that." I say just as her cheeks turn pink. I smile, going in for another round just as the door opens. I step to the side in order for us to see who it is. Rachel stumbles in, her mouth falling agape when she realizes what we were doing. Her mouth fights to break into a smile but she restrains, looking at us as innocently as she possibly can.

"Uh, I'm ready when you are, Soph. But, uh, take your time. I'll just be right here," she responds, gesturing outside before ambling out of the room. The minute she leaves, I sense the electricity in the room- that was here just a few seconds ago before we were interrupted- build up again. I look away from the door to Sophie and cast her a smile that shows how happy I am in this very moment despite us being interrupted.

"I... I should probably get going." She mumbles, fidgeting with her fingers nervously. I nod, understanding that she has to leave. She makes a move to grab her stuff but I wrap my hand around hers before she can, holding her in place.

"I'll call you alright?" I tell her, needing her to know that this kiss meant the world to me. She nods, her brown hair swaying in the process.

"Okay," she whispers.

I let go of her hand and she takes her stuff before leaving the room.

However, I don't miss the dazed smile on her face.

The minute she's out of sight, I throw my hand into the air in victory before dropping it and chewing on my lip in thought. I have to show her that I want her and I to be together. For us to be real.

That's when an idea pops into my mind and I smile deviously.

It's finally going to happen. I'm going to ask her to be mine.

And for me to be hers.

Second bonus chapter, whoop whoop!

How did you enjoy reading their kiss for a SECOND time? I'm just going to say that I'm really bummed that I'm never gonna find a guy like Alex -_-

Any who, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I wrote this one just so that you could get insight into the argument Alex had with his mom.

Thank you for reading!

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