CHAPTER SIX
Helia took a deep breath of relief. Finally, this was over. He stood up and looked at Flora, who was now helping me to wear my shirt back. He probably was thinking about how annoying I was and wanted to get out of here as soon as possible.
"Stella, you're not healing. Aren't you applying the ointment I gave you?" My eyes were already on him; he turned to look at me, concern evident on his face. Was he...worried about me? Not possible. I cleared my throat before I spoke. I could feel the blood that was coming from my wounded mouth, caused by my biting. I was stressed, and even though Helia hadn't touched me, I had shivered all the time while he was checking me. I had bitten my cheek to shut my mouth.
"I," I began, not really sure what to say next. "I couldn't reach." That wasn't a lie. While in the hospital, I was calmed by medicines; those wounds never hurt. I thought maybe I didn't need any of it since I didn't feel anything. Now I didn't have any medication to calm me, and the pain was there, all dressed up. "Honey! Why didn't you tell me? I thought you've got it, that's why I didn't ask!"
Looking at Flora, I bit my lip. I really wasn't used to having people care about me like this. "I'm sorry," I murmured. Just then Brandon entered the room, holding the broken vase Helia had told us about, and after he gave us a check, he headed to the kitchen, I'm guessing to throw away the broken vase. We waited for him in silence. After he got back, he looked at Helia in a weird way I couldn't understand. Helia shook his head no, then patted the seat next to him, signaling him to sit. Brandon rolled his eyes and sat down next to him, but his eyes were fixated on...me.
I gulped and looked at Flora, who was observing her cousin and boyfriend the same way I was. I was glad to see she also was confused. "What's going on between you two?" Flora's question made Helia turn his head towards her, but Brandon's eyes were still on me. How did I know? I was stupid enough to check.
"Nothing, baby," said Helia. This wasn't fooling me; I was sure Flora wasn't buying it as well. She opened her mouth to say something but decided otherwise. Turning to me, she smiled. How was she doing this mood change so fast?
"Would you like to meet the girls? We can have a girls' day, and you can buy your own clothes instead of wearing ours. We're so sorry we lost your bag and wanted to apologize for it." Before I could say anything, Brandon reseated himself on the couch and cleared his throat, "It's dangerous for her to be out, Flora. I understand that no one looked for her in the hospital since they were not expecting to find her there. But going to the center and shopping? This is not a good idea."
Flora took a deep breath; I think she had it with Brandon. "What exactly do you know about Stella that I don't?" Even though she had spoken up in a normal tone, the annoyance was evident, and everyone felt it. "That's not my place to say." His answer sent relief and anxiety towards me. I was sure Flora wanted to hear what I've told Brandon. Helia cleared his throat, "I'm sorry, but I have to head to the hospital now," coming closer to me, he placed his hand on my head like I was a little kid and smiled.
"You're going to take care of yourself and apply that ointment. Is that clear?" Nodding my head, I managed to smile back, causing his smile to widen. "If you can't reach, ask for help," he said and winked at me before he reached Flora to kiss her and then patted Brandon on the shoulder, who didn't respond but nodded his head goodbye anyway.
After Helia left, we stayed in silence for some time. This was making me sleepy; I wondered if they would let me sleep if I told them.
Shooing off this thought, I remembered my place in this house and stayed put until someone told me otherwise. I didn't have rights yet; I may have run for them, but to get them, I need to get my money first.
"So?" Flora asked all of a sudden. I turned to look at her and saw she was looking at me and Brandon, waiting for an answer. Brandon got comfortable on his seat and was now scrolling through his phone. I could see this was boiling Flora's anger, so I stepped in and got her attention. I really would do anything to stop a fight from happening.
"Okay," I said, "there's more for you to know about me." This seemed to get Brandon's attention as well. He let his phone go and looked straight at me. "I'm sorry for not telling you this before." When I looked at Flora, I could see she wasn't annoyed or sad. She looked supportive and concerned. Relief washed over me, and just like I did yesterday with Brandon, I closed my eyes and began telling my story to the second person.
Flora wasn't talking. Instead, she was playing with her fingers and trying to hold back her tears. You may be curious about how I know that. Well, who else but me can know better? I could see her biting her lip and pressing her nails to her palm, a gesture to prevent something else from happening.
"How could they keep you inside for years? You never been out?" Her voice was cracking, but she was really good at keeping herself from crying. "They," I started, but this had no end. I always tried to find a reason for their behavior towards me. This was only my assumption. "Just did," I said, not really trying to find a reason for them this time. "You never saw the beach and never went to the cinema?" she asked.
"I have," gulping down, I continued. "When my father was alive."
A tear escaped from Flora's eye, and I, once again, couldn't believe that someone was really feeling sorry for me. This wasn't pity; this was concern and guilt. I knew those feelings. My father looked at me the same way every night after he was back from work. He used to tell me, "Stella, we should run away, I should've never brought you in here." But what difference would this make now? He could've done it, but he didn't. Because he would've left his sons behind as well. Not just Charlotte, my stepmother.
Flora hugged me close to her. "I would never let them near you again, never." My heart warmed up, and I felt the tears prick my eyes as well. Was this what happiness looked like? I had someone by my side who could take care of me because she cares about me. Hugging Flora back, I let my tears free. I had no idea how much I needed to feel this safe and confronted.
"I will be taking care of that," Brandon's voice brought us back. We stopped crying and turned to look at him at the same time. I grabbed a tissue from the box on the table and gave one to Flora too. "What do you mean? What are you going to do?" asked Flora. She wasn't annoyed with her cousin anymore; I could see that. Brandon wasn't showing any mimics. However, his eyes were on me, and this time I was looking back at him. He was interesting, yes, but what made me more curious about him was that, after everything, he only showed one emotion other than his usual emotionless facade. Well, he showed Flora concern when she hugged me too, but that was for only a second. Other than that, there was anger that I couldn't really get that face out of my mind. He was going to help me, but how could he do something when all I make him feel is angry and annoying.
"My job." His words brought me back. I blinked and kept my eyes fixated on his face. What? "What?" asked Flora, mirroring my question exactly.
"I'm going to help Stella get her ID first and then the inheritance." Oh, that would be perfect if I had my income and place. Then I would be free, like really free. "But what about the paper Stella's stepmother has about her?" Oh, my happiness died faster this time. She was right. My stepmother had a paper from the doctor that wrote about my mental health. I should tell you, it's not good. Thanks to that letter, she was going to get my inheritance, and she had kept me at home for years, never letting me go out. Thank God, uncle Jack had never skipped a day's lesson and brought home the teachers.
"Stella would need a new guardian that would take full responsibility for her." Biting my lip, my eyes changed their direction and now were inspecting the carpet. I wonder how much it had cost him. It looked so expensive, and the texture under my socked feet felt amazing.
"Oh," said Flora. She was obviously thinking about what Brandon said and where the hell they would find a guardian for me. "Can anyone become her guardian? Can I?"
Brandon sighed, "You can, but you would be a weak guardian."
We both turned to Brandon, looking a little taken aback. "What do you mean, a weak guardian?" Flora's voice was determined. Admiring her from afar, I gulped. I was being a lot of trouble to these people. They had a normal and good life without me.
"I mean that your income is barely enough for you, and you share a home with three girls. Stella needs someone who has a great income enough for her as well. And a safe place for her."
Flora was confused now, and so was I. I had my inheritance; I didn't need anyone's money, really. I wasn't sure how much my dad had left me, but uncle Jack used to tell me that after I got the money, I could run away and have a new life, which I don't even have to work to live like a princess. This must be a good deal of money, or uncle Jack was just trying to cheer me up, like he always did.
"I don't understand. Doesn't she have her inheritance? After I become her guardian, she can live with the money she gets from there, can't she?" Brandon shook his head. "Flora, Stella's stepmother has a paper about her that she's not mentally stable. The judge would want to know if her new guardian is trying to benefit from her or really protect her." He was right. Completely right. I lowered my head and sighed sadly. Does this mean I should prove to them I'm not sick in the head or go back to the ones who actually were sick in the head?
"What am I supposed to do?" I asked, not really able to hide my shaky voice and fear.
They didn't answer me. I looked up and saw Brandon with his furrowed brows. Great, I thought, I managed to make him angry again!
"I will be your guardian, Stella." Flora made a weird squeaky sound just like the one I made last night while trying not to fall on the ground from the bed. Meanwhile, I was looking at Brandon like he had two big horns coming out of his head. "You will?" I whispered. But he had heard me and nodded his head. "Oh, my cousin!" Flora jumped up from her seat and went to hug Brandon, but he didn't respond to her hug. "Enough, Flora," I heard him say. Flora didn't care though; she was making happy noises and hugging Brandon on her way because Brandon was trying to push her.
"So, let me get this straight," Flora said after a while. I was still looking at Brandon and playing with the hem of my shorts. Yes, I was happy but also nervous. Why was he being this helpful? Literally saving my life all by himself. He had let me live here until I have my inheritance and now declaring that he's going to be my guardian? Oh, also he said he was going to help me be free from my hateful family once and for all. Was he really that good of a person? I thought they don't exist.
I caught onto Flora's words before Brandon started to talk. "And Stella would be free?" I wished I didn't lose myself in my thoughts while Flora was talking. This was about me, and I should be the one to hear everything. "Yes. Even if they question me, they wouldn't find anything because I don't need Stella's money." Before Brandon could continue, Flora giggled and said, "Rich bastard." That didn't surprise me; his house was literally screaming rich. Brandon rolled his eyes and glanced at me before he turned to look at Flora, "As I was saying, they would check it and see that no amount of Stella's money would be enough for me. Since I've got more."
This made me roll my eyes, but I did it secretly so he won't see it. Looking at him again, I saw a surprised and delighted Brandon looking at me. I guess I didn't do a good job hiding. But at least he wasn't mad. "What if Stella's money is more than what you own?" asked Flora. Everything aside, I really didn't want this to happen. I need his guardianship, and even if I'm richer than him for a dollar, I would give everything to him so he can keep the position and save me from them. "Flora," said Brandon. His face wasn't showing any emotions, and the delight I saw just seconds ago had vanished and replaced with a stern look. "Do you think that's possible?"
I looked at Flora to see what her response would be. She was biting her lip, and her cheeks were flushed. "No," she murmured. How rich is he?
Just when I was ready to ask my curiosity out, Brandon stood up and took his phone. I looked at him, taken aback. Where was he going?
"I'm going to finish the paperwork and start the case. I'm guessing you don't have to go to work, so you can stay with Stella until I get home." He was talking to Flora and not looking at me at all. I saw Flora nod her head and stand up too. I guess I should stand up as well; otherwise, it's just weird being the only one who sits. Standing up, I must've caught both of their attention; they just stared at me. How stupid I was! I searched my brain for something to say, and it popped immediately, "You told me I had to write a letter for the power of attorney." I murmured.
Brandon nodded his head, "Yeah, let's write that." He made a gesture for me to follow him. And so I did.