Chapter 4 Visiting

Abby opened her eyes, she had slept past her usual time, but she didn't bother. Her whole body felt sore and she wondered what had happened, then the realization hit her - she had slept with Cephan Miller, for the second time.

She turned over to the other side to see Cephan wearing his hoodie. His muscles flexed as the hoodie went down to his waist.

"If you keep staring at me like that you might not be able to walk for days," he teased, brushing his hair with his fingers.

He smelled like pineapple.

"You already showered?" He nodded, taking his phone from the bed.

Cephan eyed her body, he couldn't understand the growing hunger in him - the hunger to devour her, but he composed himself.

"You should cover up too," he said, eyeing her breast again. Abby looked at her body realizing she was completely naked.

"I'll be leaving, thanks a bunch, Miss Abby."

"To where?" She asked eager to know. From what she knew about this man, he wasn't really on good terms with his drunken father, it was an open secret after all.

"Home, oh and I have to visit my sister- I promised I would," he answered, moving over to her side of the bed.

"You should stay for breakfast, I'll make omelette..."

"Nah, I'm good. You've done a lot anyway," he interrupted, then kissed her hair.

"I don't know what we're doing but I like it-" he lifted her chin and pressed his lips on hers, Abby didn't hesitate.

"I'll see around, yes?"

She said nothing but he already read her mind.

Miss Abby wanted it too.

***

The ride to where his aunt lived took about ten minutes and three seconds to get there. He sat in the subway train scrolling through his phone searching for open scholarships.

That was the main reason he was working so much, he wanted to get a scholarship so badly although he didn't have enough money. Maybe getting a scholarship would change his and his dad's life.

"Hi," someone said and he looked up to see a pretty boy, if pretty was the right word.

"Hey," he responded, looking back at his phone.

"Can I get your number..."

The train came to a halt and he stood to leave.

"Maybe next time," he murmured and walked out trying not to think too much about what just happened.

***

Aunt Maryjane was a happy go lucky lady, always cheerful even when she lost her husband and five year old daughter to a car accident.

"My favourite nephew," she squealed, wrapping her arms around Cephan. He hugged her back feeling the warmth he hadn't felt in years.

"How're you doing aunty?" He asked as she led him inside.

"Jolly as always, your sister Rose went to see a friend, she loves it here."

Of course she would.

Cephan couldn't allow her to stay even a day with his father, especially after the night he almost lost her.

He didn't want to remember that rainy night so he shrugged it off and focused on the present.

His Rose was a cheerful girl and just needed the right environment. Aunt Maryjane came to the rescue, she needed a daughter after all.

"She's turning ten today, yes?"

"And Seven years for mother's funeral," he added and regretted it.

Why did he always sullen the happy mood?

Aunt Maryjane smacked his arm hard making him grimace.

"What was that for?"

"For trying to ruin the happy mood. You should be happy for your sister!"

She was right, he needed to be happy for her and not try to ruin it.

Just then, ten year old Rose ran in and on seeing her brother, she increased her pace.

"Ceph!"

Cephan grabbed her and twirled her round.

"You look just like a princess!" She laughed as he brought her down.

"You need to see, aunty made a beautiful cake just for me!" She chatted, her dimples deepening.

This was his life when his mother still lived, and even when she found out about her cancer, she still tried to be the best mom.

His father wasn't always that harsh, he was the most gentle soul Cephan Miller ever knew and maybe that was why he wished he could change.

He wished that when he had smashed a glass on his little sister's head.

He wished that when he came back home and blamed him for mother's death - and he still wished that his father would see reason and change.

The alcohol consumed him and if he pushed on a little bit more, he might return to his old loving self.

"Go on and get ready for shopping, I'd like to speak with Cephan," Aunt Maryjane said, bringing him back to reality.

Rose nodded, running off upstairs. When she was out of sight, Aunt Maryjane turned to face him.

"How's Charles? Still drinking?"

Cephan nodded, already overwhelmed with emotions.

"You know you could stay with me, I need an extra..."

"You've already done so much, aunty, I'm old enough to handle everything," he said firmly.

Aunt Maryjane watched him, although he said he could handle it, she knew he was lying. Nineteen was still teenage years.

"Call me if you change your mind," she muttered, assuring him that everything would be fine.

Cephan stood to his feet, he brought out a small gift box he had bought on his way.

"Tell Rose I have to work overnight, and I'm sorry I couldn't stay for her birthday." He handed her the box and turned to leave.

"Where are you going?"

"You know, to pour out my sorrow to the dead."

***

The rain that was only a drizzle started to pour once he reached his mother's grave. The flower in his hands was already wet, but he dropped it anyway.

"You liked roses a lot, so I brought you some..."

He squatted, his fingers feeling the hardness of the stone and the words written on them.

"Rose is happier with Aunty, I told you she was staying there for sometime until I get a stable job and a house..."

Cephan clenched his jaw as the rain dropped to his eyes causing the tears he tried to hold in to flow.

"Father's fine too, I shouldn't worry you about how he's changed- you wouldn't like that..."

He hiccuped, tears pouring down mixing with the rain.

"I'm sorry I couldn't handle all this. It's my fault everything's like this and even now, I'm crying like a child... you said I was strong but sometimes... I want to end it."

Cephan wiped his tears, his throat itched from crying and his hands shivered due to the cold.

"But Rose needs me and father... I'm sure he needs me too. I'm good at basketball now too, like very good at it and I find myself intrigued by my highschool teacher too, is that a good thing or a bad thing?" He laughed lightly standing to his feet.

"Anyhow life goes, I'm sure I'll end up making you happy, wherever you are."

Cephan turned to go, he glanced over at the grave once more, then walked away.

He needed to be strong for Rose and himself.

"I should head home," he muttered to himself.

***

As soon as Cephan stepped into the house, he had a loud bang on the floor. His father had smashed another glass on the floor.

"I should clean this up tomorrow," he gave a mental note walking past Mr Charles Miller.

"How could you leave me," he mourned, taking a huge gulp of alcohol.

Cephan stopped and watched his father looking for a sign of redemption. He was always like that every year on this day.

"Cephan..." he muttered, bringing Cephan back to reality.

Did his father call his name?

"Yes," he answered.

"Your mother was good, and it's not your fault she died, let's just say life has a way of taking the things you cherish the most," he said, taking another gulp.

"I know that."

He wished he believed it too.

"You don't. You kept Rose away from me because I'm a heartless father anyway. Y'all will end up leaving me to die," he said.

Cephan bit his lips so hard that it drew blood. He needed to go upstairs and catch some real sleep before his father returned to his normal self - drunk and angry.

"Let's hope we won't come to that," he muttered and disappeared up the stairs and into his room.

His mind wandered to last night, he felt at peace at that woman's place. Miss Abby was kind and gentle, he didn't want to ruin her reputation by doing all those things with her, but he couldn't help it.

Desire was like a small fire, but once ignited could spread and destroy a whole nation.

That was the kind of desire he had.

"Miss Abby Sean," he muttered, shutting his eyes.

He knew he should avoid her, it was dangerous - the sexual relationship they had together.

Cephan also knew he wasn't going to keep his word.

Sex was one thing, but desire was a whole different thing.