Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 19

(Cylan's POV)

As I sat on the stairs, hidden from view, I dialled my mom's number. I waited for her to answer. Finally she picked up.

"Cylan, darling, how are you?" my mom asked, her voice sweet and cheerful.

"I'm fine, Mom," I replied, trying to sound casual.

"How's school?" she asked, her tone light and conversational.

I hesitated for a moment before launching into an enthusiastic response. "It's great, Mom! I'm really loving my classes and I've been making some amazing friends. We're always studying together and-"

My mom cut me off. Her tone shifted and her voice became cold and detached. "Cylan, don't play dumb with me. I know the truth. You're not in school right now, are you?"

I felt a chill run down my spine as I realized I had been caught. "Mom, I... uh..."

"Don't bother lying to me, Cylan. I know you're in a wellness center. I know all about your little 'condition"."

The worst and the feeling I hate the most is the feeling of shame. I was the one who had made the mistake. I had trusted someone I shouldn't have, and had contracted a disease. I realized my mom had been pretending to be clueless all along. Why didn't I figure that out? Mom knew everything the majority of the time. I tried to defend myself, but my mom wouldn't let me get a word in edgewise.

"You're throwing your life away, Cylan. You're wasting your potential on... on... whatever it is you're doing. And now you're being treated for an STD? It's a shame, Cylan. A complete and utter shame." She sighed. "I'm extremely disappointed in you."

My mom's words cut deep, and I felt a stinging sensation in my eyes. I tried to hold back tears, but they began to fall anyway.

"I'm sorry mom. I really am. Mom, please understand," I said, my voice shaking. "I'm trying to get better. I'm trying to figure out who I am and what I want."

she said, her voice laced with disgust. "You're being treated for an STD, for goodness' sake!

heart when my mom insisted I was being delusional for saying I'm gay. Now the STD had only managed to make

setback. And it's not like I'm the first person to ever get

of your... feelings for girls. It's unnatural. And now

words, but I tried to remain calm. "Mom, my relationships are none

to interrupt, but she wouldn't let

because now, your father is threatening to disown you unless you marry the first son of the

like throwing up. "Wha-What?" I managed to say,

will do it because that's the only way to secure a merger between our companies and save our family's reputation. And if you don't, you'll be

control. But I knew I couldn't give in. I knew I had to stand

Mom. I told you guys that I'm gay. I

even if it means marrying a man." She sighed, "It's a phase, honey. Maybe you're worried

but she laughed. "Look at your father

were not happy

You need to focus on what's important. You need to continue the family line. You need to get

doesn't mean I have to marry a man. I can still have a family, still have children, without

turned stern again. "You're not thinking about the family, Cylan. You're only thinking about yourself. And that's not how it works. You'll do what's best for this family,

time. "I won't marry someone I don't love. And I won't pretend to be someone I'm not. Besides, I

was a pause on the other end of the line, and for a moment, I

and you'll regret the day you ever chose this... lifestyle of yours." I groaned, but before I could respond, I noticed a girl coming out from under the stairs, carrying a bucket and mop. She was stunning, with long, curly brown hair. She wore the uniform of the cleaners in the center, even though I hadn't seen her before. A

to reality. "Cylan, are you listening to

but my eyes followed Emily as she moved up the stairs. "Mom, I... uh... yeah, I'm

She caught my eye and smiled, and I felt my heart flutter. It

I said quickly,