CHAPTER 17: TEARS AMD SURPRISES

Since when did I invite them?
I didn't.
So what are they doing here? Are they trying to ruin my birthday? They can't just come here
and act as if nothing happened.
I walk past Isaac and practically charge like a raging bull towards them, "what the hell are
you doing here?" I spit.
"We wanted to say happy birthday," mum says softly, I shake my head.
I'm not going to let them ruin this amazing day so far, they can't do this.
"Mother, you can't do this. That bastard said he doesn't love me and now you're coming into
my birthday party," I exclaim throwing my hands up in the air in exasperation.
"I know Claudia, but I didn't do anything," I look at her in disbelief.
"You let him say those words to me, you let him sell me off! YOU LET HIM DO SO MANY
THINGS!"
"Claudia," 'dad' warns, I scowl at him.
"This is not your house so get out, the both of you," I point to the door, they stay still. "I SAID
GET OUT!" I scream, my breathing ragged.
A hand grabs my arm and my lips wobble as a tear falls from my eye, I turn to the person
who grabbed me and hug him tightly.
I need some sort of comfort, I want to be numb. A salty tear falls on my lip and I keep my
eyes closed.
"I suggest you both get out," the voice grumbles, rage hidden behind his calm demeanour.
"Isaac she is our daughter," my so called father says.
"Mike, it's mr Miller to you. Get out before I force you out myself," Isaac spits, his arms
enclosing around my waist.
If they want me in their life, they'll put me there. I shouldn't have to fight for a spot in their
lives.
"FINE," he snaps at Isaac, I hear the sound of feet walking away but I keep my head in Zac's
chest.
"Are you okay?" He whispers, I shake my head.
"No," I whisper.
He sighs deeply, I don't let go. If anything, I tighten my arms around his waist most likely
squeezing the life out of him.
"C'mon let's go upstairs to get you freshened up," he whispers into my ear, I shiver.
"I don't want anyone to see that I'm crying," I slowly look up at him, I can imagine my red
blotchy cheeks and puffy eyes.
But he doesn't say anything, he smiles softly. "Okay stand beside me, wrap your arms
around my waist like we're playing around and press your head to my chest or wherever you
reach," I bite my lip and nod at his idea.
I stand beside him and wrap my arms around his waist and press my head to his chest. He
starts walking and I follow his lead, "okay we're at the stairs, you can look now," I turn my
head and look straight ahead.
I keep and arm around his waist and he keeps his arms around me as we walk up the stairs,
when we are out of sight of everyone I retract myself from him.
He leads me to his room and I walk to the bathroom, my makeup is all smudged. I had only a
little bit on but the mascara is running down my cheeks.
I get a hand towel and soak it with water, I wash my face and look in the mirror
contemplating if I should put the same makeup on.
Isaac walks in and leans on the doorframe, "don't bother re-doing your makeup. You look
good without it, and with it but um you look better without it?" He awkwardly says, I chuckle.
"Okay," I shrug and walk over to him, he stays standing in the middle of the doorframe even
as I stop in front of him. "Are you going to move?" I whisper.
He shakes his head and reaches forward to cup my cheek, "are you okay now?" He
whispers, I subconsciously take a step closer towards him.
He looks down at me intently, I find myself surprisingly standing on my tippy toes and
wrapping my arms around his neck. My body is flush against his, I bite my lip.
What am I doing?
He seems just as surprised, his eyes widen a fraction and he whispers, "what are you
doing?"
I shrug to myself, "to be perfectly honest? I don't even know myself," I mumble.
"You're full of surprises Claudia Richardson," his arm slowly wraps around my waist as he
presses me against him even more.
Luckily I cannot blush and if I do it's not visible at all, I catch him looking at my lips. I lick
mine subconsciously and look down at his perfectly soft looking lips.
I find myself tilting my head to the side and leaning forward, my eyes flutter closed.
"Claudia everyone's looking for you, it's cutting the cake time!" I hear Aaliyah's voice then I
hear, "oh my god I'm so sorry."
I feel Isaacs breath on my lips and I open my eyes, they are so close. I blink, what am I
doing?
I was just about to kiss Isaac!
I stand on my feet and move backwards, Isaac steps away from the doorframe and walks to
the door, he walks out. Aaliyah's eyes are wide and she's blushing.
"I'm sorry Claudia," I shake my head with a small smile.
"No, it's okay," thank you, I want to say out loud but I don't.
"You two were about to kiss though!" She exclaims and slaps her self, I laugh.
"Well we are married aren't we? My parents showed up Aaliyah," I tell her the news.
"What, really?" She asks in surprise. "Are you okay? Did they say anything to hurt you?" She
panics.
"I just kind of broke down then I found myself hugging Isaac, he showed up all of a sudden,"
I shrug.
"Cute, but are you okay?" She asks worriedly.
"Honestly? No but I'll be fine, Zac kicked them out," I mutter.
At least he didn't say that he will give us space and that he has to go like he said to me when
I called him.
"Well your mans nice," she winks teasingly.
But he's not my man really.
What was I thinking going to kiss him!
I hate him, he knows that. He made me marry him. Claudia you hate Zac. Claudia you hate
Isaac Miller. He ruined your life remember that!
"No, I don't hate him," I shake my head speaking out loud.
"You don't hate who?" Aaliyah said after I blurted that out.
I look at her in a daze, panic starts to overwhelm me. "I need to tell him that I don't hate him,"
I feel the need to, I push past Aaliyah and run down the hall and down the stairs praying that
I don't trip.
I spot him in the corner talking to Matt and drinking a beer, I accidentally shove someone
and they fall to the ground. "Move bîtch," I had said.
He spots me and I practically speed walk to him, I like him. I was hiding all these feelings, I
was convincing myself that I hate him. Well technically I still kinda do but let's ignore that just
for this moment.
Maybe I'm a little tipsy but I literally shout very loudly, "I like you!"
He looks at me in confusion, "what?" He questions.
"Okay so I don't completely hate you and I feel the need to tell you that," I inform him, he
chuckles.
"Good to know."
"Can we cut the cake now?" Joey buts in, I turn my head and glare at him.
"Fine."