Monae's POV.

I was four steps away from the foot of the staircase thinking of how it's going to be around Imo and I when she's around. Its surely going to be super tense. A voice pulled me out of my reverie.

"You." It was icy, sending chills to me. 

I turned in the direction of the voice, Mrs Winchester. I was greatly startled, this is the first time she has spoken to me since that incident and even her first word sent chills to me.

"Yeah moth--" I quickly cut myself before the word left my mouth. She scowled at me, looking at me in irritation.

I went closer to her but was halted in getting nearest to her, "Stop right where you are! I don't need you any closer to me, your presence in this house is torturing enough."

"Sorry." I didn't know why I said that but I did. What I'm I sorry for? Being here when I didn't force them to keep me here, not that I hate it though. 

Or me always being around for her to see my face and irk her more?

"Make sure my baby's favorite food is ready by the time she comes home with Rex."

"Okay ma'am."

"And one more thing." I turned back to look at her, "stay away from my son not even a meter closer to him or I'll hurt you where it hurts the most got it?" Her tone was super calm like her words weren't laced with venom. She looked at me in expectation, waiting for my answer.

You needn't worry or tell me, like I want to be anywhere near him. "Yes ma'am."

She seemed satisfied with my answer. "If we're on the same page just go, get out of my face!"

Shaking my head, I sauntered to the kitchen. Roxie was already there making preparations for Imogen's arrival. Actually she was cooking the food her mother told me a minute ago to make sure it was ready. "Hey Rox."

"Hello Nae, how was your sleep?"

"Good as always, you need any help with that?"

"Nope I'm good."

"How I'm I going to be useful?"

"Not in anyway, I've got this." I pouted, I want to be useful around here. I hate being idle, it makes me feel useless like I have no aim in life which I do though, a renowned Chef, yeah.

"And her room? Has it been prepared for her?" I asked hoping she's going to say no so I head iver there and make it livable for her, no one has ever been there since she left and it's trashy.

She looked like she was thinking before she facepalmed, "I have completely forgotten I haven't. Thanks for reminding me, I'll head over there right now."

"I can go."

"No let me, I want to do it for my little girl." She said with so much happiness, her face was glowing. I actually felt happy for Fox, she still loves Imo no matter what. I just hope she doesn't disappoint us all again.

I'm not being a bad person saying that. I'm happy she's all clean and coming home you know, she's going to be her sweet self and all that. My only problem is, this is what happens every time. She gets clean then slacks, I'm kinda fed up cause I suffer most when she goes back to using drugs like what happened the last time.

The food was ready. I took it off the fire, dishing it into a Paris bowl when I heard an excited voice exclaim in the living room. "She's home!", and the front door opening and three more voices. 

"Is Monae home?" The first thing she said getting here, I realised her voice was low like she didn't want anyone to hear. Her mother wasn't really happy with that.

She instantly jabbed her, "is she the only one you think off? If this is how you're going to be then you better go back to where you came from."

"Mother!" Why is he even taking my side anyway.

"Morganna when will you ever not think only about yourself? What is wrong with her asking about her sister?"

"Sister my ass, she isn't and will never be!"

Okay, okay no need to remind me!

"She's in the kitchen princess, go ahead." 

Hearing that and footsteps approaching, I busied myself with washing the dishes instead of the dishwasher. 

I just did something to occupy me cause I didn't know how I was going to be in front of her. 

Her fragrance announced her presence. "Nae." She called out faintly, there was guilt in her voice. 

I turned to her with a smile, it was genuine. I'm happy seeing her and she looks a lot better than when she came home before. 

Imogen immediately came towards me, contemplated what to do. I pulled her in a for a hug. "Nae, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me, I didn't ever mean to do that." She broke down, sobbing.

I pulled her away from me, wiping the tears. I hated it when people cry in front of me, it makes me emotional too. "Shh, keep quiet don't talk about that. It was nothing."

"It was something, stabbing you with a broken bottle was a serious offence that could have gotten me in jail and you say it was nothing?"

"It was nothing because you didn't really mean to do that, you weren't yourself."

"I could have chosen not to do that, cocaine influence or not."

"Let's not waste our breath talking about it, I hold no grudge against you."

"I'm really sorry, please forgive me Nae."

"There's nothing to forgive you for. Even if I want to hold it against you, who I'm I to? We're all imperfect humans who have flaws, if I hold it against you, someone will hold mine against me and the cycle continues. In the end, we will be a world full of bitter people who're slowly dying from the inside."

"But I'm-"

"Just shut up already and give me another hug. The first one was so sad." I told her, laughing and wiping away her tears with my thumb.

Imogen smiled and did what I said. It was a nice hug, way better than the first cause we both have finally talked about what really happened that night she left.

"Imo, Roxie's looking for you." Rex said looking at Imo and not me. I didn't look at him either, I turned back to the sink, going back to doing the dishes. 

"Roxie!" She squealed excitedly telling me she was going to see me later and left the kitchen.

Well she left, someone didn't go. He stood there and I felt his gaze burn my back, I shifted uncomfortably, I hate being under his gaze. 

"Nae."

"What do you want?" I snapped at him. What does he want? Especially today that his mother warned me to stay away from him, threatening me calmly.

"I'm sorry."

"Heard you."

"I'm serious."

"And I said heard you. What do you want me to say? Oh hey no problem and hug you like we're friends? No cause we are not and we will never be, just leave me! Get away from me cause I don't want to be anywhere near you."

"Relax Nae, by the tone of your voice, its as if you have a problem with me. And I don't remember doing anything against you." Oh so Mr drooling pervert doesn't know? "Except that last time."

So now he knows. "Well if you know now, kindly be a darling and get the hell outta my face cause I don't want to talk to you or about that. Forget it happened."

He smirked tracing his finger on his lips."I can't forget that easily, I've tried to yet it's still in my mind fresh and vivid."

"That's your problem to worry about not mine as you can see I don't give two fucks about it." I said in a sassy tone of voice to him.

"You've said it loud and clear you don't but I do so you're going to listen to me." He said strutting towards me but was stopped midway.

Roxie came into the kitchen looking between us till she rested her eyes on me. "What's going on here?"

"Uh nothing, we were just talking right Nae?"

"Yeah right." I said with an eye roll. 

"Well the whole family is in the living room waiting for the two of you, c'mon Nae lets go." She held her hand out for me which I gladly took, I want to be away from him.

"What was that all about? What did he want you to listen to?" And inquisitive Rox is in danger building.

"I'll tell you later when we're done with everything. I promise you."

"Alright but I'll ask again even if you forget cause i don't trust that boy a bit even in his reformed state."

"Nae come sit by me." Imogen's happy voice called to me as she tapped the space beside her. Mrs Winchester huffed almost getting up to leave had her husband not held her back.

"First of all I will begin by saying how much I am happy sitting together with you all as one happy family. I'm glad Imo is back with us in good health, better than before. Some memories are difficult revisiting but in this case we have to", we all sat silently waiting for what he had to say, "it's about what happened before Imo left-"

"Daddy im sorry to interrupt you but I think it's better off unsaid now. There's nothing to say, Imo and I are good."

"Yes daddy we've talked about it and resolved it, there are no I'll feelings whatsoever and for the gay atmosphere's sake let's not talk about it."

"Well said, I'm proud you two have handled it like matured adults and proud of you both."

"Yeah yeah anything else to say?"

"Actually yes there is. Imo was saying something about wanting to restart her life, princess what were you saying?"

"Back when I was in rehab, I thought a lot asking myself why I was wasting my life doing drugs despite it hurting my body and those around me. I realized what a horrible person I've become being a crackhead and decided it was best if I refrain from it totally and forever. It wasn't easy but here I am, I'm never going back on that road again even if the temptation is high, I've come and I have come to stay."

"Then you should change your friends, they're all a bad influence."

"Yeah I am, I'm going to filter them and swap the bad ones for the good ones like Kimberley, she's truly a great friend. She helped me a lot."

"That's good to hear, anything you wanna do?"

"Oh yeah daddy, to prove to you all how determined I am to restart my life for the best, I intend on working in the company."

"Are you serious?" Rex and daddy asked Imo with bulging eyes.

I shifted my gaze to both Roxie and Mrs Winchester, they were both happy and equally surprised.

"Yeah, I want to get a life. I figured, it's going to keep me away from partying and getting high and I'm also going to make use of that degree I've got."

"Aww my baby I'm so proud of you." That was Roxie, she got up from her seat, coming to ours and hugged her. Her eyes were watery, I knew how long she has waited in hearing that.

"My princess!" Mrs Winchester exclaimed motioning her over, her reaction is kinda fake to me. This lady loves no one but herself, really. "I've never been prouder of you ever in my life than today, you aren't going to believe it but I am."

"I know mummy."

"Hey I get a hug too." Daddy said with open arms, Imo sat on his laps like a little girl and hugged him. "My princess, you've matured so much. I've always been proud of you."

"Is this a hug fest? Then I want one." Imo rolled her eyes at Rex but gave him a hug smiling brightly at him. "I won't give any fake speech, I'm not proud of you bitch."

"Why I'm I not surprised?"

"You two don't start."

"And you too Nae, you also deserve a hug. You're so good."

I was overwhelmed with joy. Her words and gesture gave me a sense of belonging that I actually belong here no matter what Mrs Winchester says.