CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

OLIVER

I stared at my reflection in the mirror and let out a long sigh. It was my father's death anniversary today. And like every year, My mother, Suzy, Ethan, and I, are all going to the cemetery. Everytime we went, I would slump and have a breakdown cutting the ritual short. Or sometimes, I would just excuse myself and leave before they finished the ceremony.

The mental breakdown would start as his death anniversary drew nearer. The images would become more vivid, the voices would be clearer, all the emotions would come rushing at once, and I would barely get any sleep. Despite all that, I would force myself to go to the cemetery,ignoring mum and Suzy's insistence that I stay back.

I wanted to be normal this year. I wanted to mourn him properly. I was already fufiling his wish to make my mom happy by marrying Jenna. It was the reason I asked Dallas to stay back after the meeting with the lawyers the other day.

It had worked at the moment until I ruined it by trying to kiss her. I could bring Dallas with me to minimize the chances of me having a mental breakdown. But that would mean willingly starting world war three because my mom was definitely going to lose her shit. Besides, I hadn't spoken to either of them for a few days now. I was still very pissed at my mom. I hated how she always blame me for Dad's death. I already feel so much guilt, I didn't need her constantly trying to guilt trap me.

I hadn't seen Dallas physically since our 'moment' few days back. She had been going out of her way to avoid me. I made sure to keep track of all her activities through the surveillance cameras. I craved her presence more than anything, but I wasn't ready to face her yet. I had chickened out before I could have my first kiss in my thirty four years of existence. I still feel embarassed each time it crossed my mind. I wondered how Ethan engage in sexual activities with numerous women at the same time. I couldn't even kiss one woman.

I had no idea why I freaked out like that. I was attracted to Dallas. I touched her and held her very close to me. I wanted to own her in that moment. To mark her. To claim her. I wanted to fill every hole in her body with my seed. But something very irritating happened. My mother's words from the last time I saw her rang in my head.

The door to my room creaked open. I saw Ethan walked in through the mirror. He was dressed in all-black.
"Knock, knock, can I come in?"

"You are already in, nimrod." I heard Xavier said behind Ethan. He shoved him aside slightly and strolled further into the room.

"That was very rude, you uncultured spawn." Ethan lashed at Xavier.

I turned to face them.
"Is there a reason you two are in my bedroom? I was in the middle of something before you waltzed in."

"Dude, you were staring at yourself at the mirror. How is that imprtant?" Xavier said.

"Yeah, tell us what was so important, moon pie."

I sighed.
"Just tell me why you're here."

"Why else? Regina and my mum insisted we check on you. They seem to forget we're no longer kids." Ethan rolled his eyes and sunk into the bed.
"While we're here, I need a favour from you, dearest cousin."

"Dear Lord. Ethan, have some shame. We're heading to the cemetery to perform prayers in a few minutes. And you still want to talk about your sexual escapades?"

"I'm hurt that you think I was going to talk about sex." Ethan turned to me.
"Can I host an orgie party in your vacation house in Miami?"

Xavier let out a loud groan, earning a chuckle from me. I was familiar with what they were trying to do. They had done it every year. They were trying to distract me from the chaos in my head. But it never stopped the breakdown from happening every year.

"Can we just leave? Before Ethan starts to narrate his experience at an orgie party in Coloumbia." Xavier said and made to walk out of the room.

"Oh, how did you know that? I actually attended an orgie party that was hosted by the man that Oliver sliced his fingers...uhm...what was his name again? Martin? Mabel? Arghh! I can't remember."

"Okay, I'm out of here." Xavier walked out. I strolled behind me. Ethan grudginly rose from the bed and followed us.

Mum and Suzy were sitting in the living room, discussing in hush voices. They went silent as they saw us descend the stairs.

"We should get going now. It's getting late." Suzy said.

We walked outside. Ethan went with his mum in his car, Xavier drove alone, while mum rode in my car. The atmosphere in the car was very tense as neither of us was willing to break the silence.

"I'm sorry." She sighed.

"You have nothing to apologize for." My jaws flexed as the words left my mouth.

"Then why are you not talking to me?"

That was the confirmation I needed to know that she had no idea what she was apologizing for. Despite the fact that she blames me for my father's death, she has never admitted it to herself. She always tries to convince herself otherwise so she wouldn't be a bad person. It was wrong that I thought the worst of my mother, but I couldn't help myself. I had always assumed the worst of people.

"It's nothing, mum. I've just been really stressed." I said.

Neither of us said a word to each other throughout the rest of the ride.

The shaman was already waiting in the cemetery with Xavier. Ethan and Suzy arrived shortly after we did. We walked to Dad's tombstone. The ceremony started in earnest. I was aware of the occasional glances they threw my way, but I ignored it. Everything was going fine. I just have to hold out for a few more minutes and make sure to not think of anything.

I can do this. Just a few more minutes.

I suddenly felt chills all over my body. The hair at the nape of my neck stood.

Focus Oliver. Focus. It's almost over.

I clenched my fist tight. The shaman's voice faded away replaced by screams. No matter how hard I tried the voices keep getting louder. The stench of blood and burnt flesh hit my nostrils making it difficult to breath.

I clenched my fist tighter, my nails piercing into my palms. I struggled to keep my face straight despite the turmoil in me.

My dad's screams as his flesh slowly melted away rang in my head,

"Oliver! Oliver!! Oliver!!!" It took me a while to realize that it was my mum calling me. Her face was laced with concern.

"Do you want to leave?" she asked.

I shook my head unable to say any words. Xavier and Ethan moved closer to me.

I endured the torture and stayed till the end of the entire service without collapsing. I could see the happiness flashed in my mum's eyes. It was the first time I've stayed till the end of the service. I merely flashed her a smile when she told me how happy she was. I couldn't open my mouth, afraid that I would throw up if I do.

I waited till they all left before walking out of the cemetery and throwing up in a nearby trash can.

Forgive me, Dad, I failed again. I let out a long sigh. As I made to walk to my car, I felt a presence behind me. I turned around but didn't see anyone. I got into the car. My eyes flew to the rearview mirror. I saw a figure hiding behind a tree few meters away from me. Who could that be?

I