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Burning under your control
Chapter nineteen
Controlling someone is having the ability to influence and dominate a vulnerable human being.
Reeling.
The unthinkable had shaken her and Melissa stood still. Words had escaped her, and she found herself unable to communicate. She paused for a minute before taking a seat opposite him.
'You're lying, love-', Melissa stuttered as she distanced herself away from Phillip.
'I heard, alright mum, I - I .. Eddie he was telling aunt Rach about the funeral-', he trembled nervously. Despite his best attempts to alarm his mother, he felt she still needed further evidence.
'Funeral?', Melissa questioned. She looked once more at Phillip before she scurried off into the direction of her sister's office.
For a brief second, Eddie could see the panic in her eyes. The worry that he'd turn his back on her for being her. Yet he'd never turn his back. She had been everything he had needed. Guilt shadowed him and he slowly made his way to her. She nervously looked back up at him, and he sighed. Bringing his hands to her waist, she fell into his embrace.
'Look, I can't say I agree, Rach. But, I know you need to do this. On one condition though', he breathed. His thumb stroking her cheek and his eyes locked closely onto hers.
'You let me come with you', he mumbled. He didn't want to be anywhere near Stuart - even if he was quite literally six feet under.
'Eddie, I-', she protested. He didn't resign however, and she knew this would be a fight that she wouldn't win. Her frame relaxed back into his hold.
'Fine.'
A loud sharp melodic knock at the office door caused them to spring apart, and much to their annoyance, it was Steph. She had been aware of the connection between the pair and had caught a quick glimpse herself only a few seconds ago. Clearing her throat and standing smugly, she addressed them.
'Sorry to disturb you both ..', she paused hoping to create an awkward tension. It was almost as though she wanted them to know that she definitely knew now. Rachel glared at her to carry on, and she refrained herself from picking at their relationship anymore.
'I believe you wanted to see me about Maxine?', Steph questioned.
'Yes. I've had numerous reports of her giving cheek to staff', Rachel reported as she took a seat at her desk. She invited Steph to sit down opposite her, creating a more professional setting.
'Me included', Eddie commented. Stuffing his hands in his pockets and walking to stand by Rachel's chair demonstrating a two on one situation - naturally and not purposely of course.
'So what are you saying?', Steph asked as she looked between the pair. They took a glance awkwardly at each other in response.
'I won't tolerate cheekiness, Steph. I need you to take control as her guardian', Rachel replied.
'Well, if that's the case, what about your nephew, Phillip? He wasn't in my lesson today?', Steph said defensively, whilst crossing her arms to copy her tone. She watched as Rachel grew concerned and she heard Eddie omitting a sigh.
Melissa had raced to her sister's office. Her heart pounding at the thought of her deepest secrets coming to surface. Stuart had been a hard subject to digest, and it rattled her just how the pair were linked. Her sister and her ex boyfriend, together? Surely not. On arriving, she found the office door shut. She waited for a whole thirty seconds before giving up and giving three knocks before barging her way in. She received three confused looks, and she knew she couldn't have picked a worse time.
'Rach, can I have a word', she hissed impatiently. Steph looked to Eddie and quickly rose from the seat before scurrying out. She had been secretly thankful for the interruption. Eddie looked to Rachel who nodded for him to leave. He muttered something in annoyance under his breath and stormed out.
'Everything okay?', Melissa questioned naively. She closed the door quietly and then returned her focus back to her sister. Sensing her tiredness and frustration, she pressed the issue.
'Yes, everything is fine', Rachel scolded. Her eyes drawing away from her sister and instead on some paperwork that she had been doing thirty minutes prior. Pretending to throw herself into reading, she wished that Melissa would stop with the interruptions.
'Look, yesterday, the police came round looking for you-', Melissa observed how Rachel threw her attention back to her. Something was most definitely not right with this situation.
'The police?', Rachel quizzed. Her tone had completely changed, and it was obvious.
'Something about someone called Stuart?', the name alone caused both sisters to quiver.
'Oh.'
'Who is he?', Melissa pressed. She knew that her sister wouldn't let on anymore, and she was unsure how much deeper she wanted to dive. There had always been the worry that too much too quickly would fuel the fire even more and the two would burn.
'It's a long story, Mel.'
It had been a few hours later, and Melissa had rushed home with Phillip. She had bolted from her car and fiddled frantically with her key before opening the door to Rachel's house. Practically running upstairs, Phillip followed and panicked as he saw his mother throwing items into her bag.
'Mum, what're you doing? Look, we can't keep running alright .. and Rach-', he tried his best to convince her once again, but she continued to pack her things.
'Phil, just pack your stuff, love', she hissed angrily. Defying her, he addressed her once more. He had heard footsteps echoing up the stairs, and he knew exactly who it would be. He saw a figure lingering on the landing.
'Mum ..'
'Come on, Phil!', Melissa exclaimed. Her eyes still on the attention of her belongings.
'Mum', Phil spoke angrily. Rachel had made her way to the doorway and watched the sight unfolding in front of her. She had been hardly surprised, and she leaned herself against the frame. She gave Melissa another five seconds before she spoke, 'Melissa, where are you going?'