I took a long sigh before standing on my feet and began walking towards the campus cafeteria, it was just about the time every one of our friends starts to arrive. I placed my phone back in my pocket and made my way towords the cafeteria. My stomach fluttered as I thought of seeing Russell.
I knew it wasn't long before mom got here, and if dad's suspicion was correct, it'd take her no time to find me. I preferred she went home overall, but I know she won't leave until talking to me. I turned onto the building, passing by a group of students talking among themselves. I gripped the glass door handle with a smile. I can see Russell already sitting with Brandon, Kim and a few others.
I was just about to enter the cafeteria when my heart sank at the sound of my mother's voice. "Samantha Adams. Just the girl I wanted to see." I jumped in place as mom calls out my name from behind me. I turned, bracing myself for what was coming next.
But of course, Craig was with her, sporting an evil smirk that gave him away from his ugly deed. It was no surprise, he never failed to point fingers when things did not go his way. "Mom... Craig." I gave him a mocking stare, getting a childish smirk from a bratty kid. It was like I can read his mind, I knew he was thinking he would get his way one way or another. But not this time.
I wanted nothing to do with him anymore, and I was willing to stand up to my mom. I was not going back to Craig, whether she liked it or not, and I definitely was not going to marry him one day.
He smiles as mom stares at me with disappointment written all over her face. Sheposture was impeccable, I don't think there'sanyobe on earth that doesn't feel intimidated by her other than Craig, since he's always been her favorite.
She wore a long black-fitted dress that goes just under her knees, with matching pumps. A pair of black designer glasses and a black handbag hanging on her forearm. Her hair was perfectly styled in loose curls, the sun shines on her silky strands of gold and light brown, making her red lips stand out.
"You and I have a lot to talk about young lady. Now, lead me to your dorm this instant, unless you want the whole alumni to hear our conversation." She orders me, and I know better than to defy her. Hell, even dad will not dare to go against her words when she speaks in her 'I mean business' voice.
I sigh, giving her a hug and a kiss on her cheek, getting one in return. "Hi, mom." I say getting a warm hug in return.
"Hello to you too my beautiful angel. Now, let's go, right now. We have a major issue to discuss."
I turn, walking towards my dorm. I can only imagine my mom's look on her face as we walk towards my dorm.
Her eyes widen in shock and continue to gasp as she walks through the halls of my building. She can see all the students walkabout, getting disgusted at the place. I mean, the lady in charge of these dorms tries her best to keep it tidy, always cleaning. But mom is a perfectionist, and to her, a place can never be clean enough.
I make it to my dorm and open my door. "Oh, my. Look at this place, it's filthy, Samantha. Do you not bother cleaning in here?" She says as she looks around and sees the place. I assure you, the place is impeccable. Bt mom being mom, is not satisfied.
"Mom, the place is fine. Now can you please explain to me why you are here? And with Craig?"
"Samantha, do not use that tone with me. I am the one that should be asking you why you are not with Craig. What is this I hear that you have Craig following you around like a lost puppy? Do you have no shame, Samantha? Look at the poor boy, what are you thinking?"
"Mom, I am not going back with Craig."
His hand raises, pointing towards me, "See? See? I told you, Mrs. Adams, she's torturing me. I've already apologized so many times for what I did in the past. I'm a changed man, I promise, but she has done nothing but prance around promiscuously with her roommate in front of me. She refuses to respect our vow to each other and take me back." he says getting a shocking look from mom.
I roll my eyes at his audacity. "That is not true, and you know it. It's you who's been whoring around with every girl that smiles your way. I refuse to be with a conniving, manipulative assho-"
"Samantha!" mom raises her voice at me, placing her bag down and going towards Craig, cupping his head in her hands to comfort him as he begins to act like I just hit a baby. "Mom!" I whine, she was being so unfair believing him over me. But why am I so surprised? She has always favored him. Even when she knew he had cheated on me, she blamed me for the breakup.
"Poor Craig. It's ok, son," she says as he looks down, acting as if he was completely hurt by my words.
"What is the matter with you, Samantha? Can't you see that your promiscuous behavior is hurting him? I thought I raised you better. But you took advantage of our distance to act uncivilized. Did you forget who you are? You are making our family name look bad."
"Mom, Craig is lying to you. Can't you see he's manipulating you against me? He's lying."
"I am not. Tell her the truth, Samantha. Just last night you were completely drunk at a restaurant, I tried getting you out of there and bringing you home safe, but you pushed me and refused to go with me. Who knows what time she got home last night, she was with that... A roommate of hers."
"What? That is not how it went."
"Enough!" she yells at both of us, making me jump in place.
"Who is this roommate? I need to have a good talk with the administration. I don't understand how they could have given you such a poorly maintained dorm. If possible, you will move out immediately, I will see to it that you and Craig, move in together to a nearby apartment."
"Mom, no. You can't do this, Russell is not,"
"Russell? So that's his name. Not another word Samantha. I forbid you to see this boy. As of now, you are to restrict yourself from talking to him. And you will... Move out with Craig as soon as I find a place for the two of you, is that understood?"
"Mom, I am not a little girl anymore. You can't just force me to move with him. Craig and I are not even together anymore. And Russell is a great guy, if you just gave him a chance, I'm,"
"Not another word I said." she was refusing to hear me out. I was feeling so overwhelmed by her reaction. Can't she see Craig is a complete asshole? And Russell is an amazing guy. He's the one I want, the one who understands me, protects me, and cares for me.
"Mom, please, just listen."
"Craig, I want you to keep an eye on Sam. And this... Russell. I don't want him around my daughter. Soon as you two graduate next year, our companies will join, and soon after, the two of you will be married."
"I will never marry you," I yelled at Craig making him smirk as if he had defeated me.
"You will do as I say. And you will keep away from this Russell, or so help me God, Samantha."
"You don't even know him. He's a great guy mom. I really like him, he's amazing and caring, and if you just gave him a chance,"
"No, Samantha. It's you who doesn't know this boy. You've only been here for a few months, and look at you? You were such a proper girl." she says making me feel like the lowest scum in all existence.
I lowered my head, gulping down my ego and fisting my hands. "For all you know he's just pretending to be a nice guy so you can sleep with him. He's a scoundrel, a womanizer and probably looking to date a rich girl to get his way through life. I've seen his kind before, and will not allow for him to use you."
"You have Russell all wrong. He would never,"
"I thought the same of you. That you would never be as naive, but here we are." Craig bit on his thumbnail, crossing his hands over in entertainment.
"I never thought you'd be so weak to let some random guy play with you and get in between you two. You and Craig were destined to each other, Sam. Why can't you see that?" I kept silent for the rest of her talk. It didn't matter what I said or how hard I tried to change her mind, she was not going to hear me out. I had enough of standing here and listening to her and looking at his stupid smirk.
I was not going to do as she says, and though I know there would be consequences, I was ready to finally stand up to her.
"You know, dad was right," I said placing my hands down on either side of me. I straightened my back and held my head high. "You are being manipulated so much by Craig that you can't even see it." my eyes began to water as I became emotional.
"But you know what the worst part is?" I tilt my head to a side as she looks at me, "You act like Craig is your son instead of me. You always take his side, refusing to listen to me. And you act as if I was your puppy..." she stares at me confused, silent.
"A puppy who needs to obey her master or suffer the consequences of my actions. But no more. I will not. Marry him. You want to join the two companies? Go ahead, but you marry him. See how long it'll take him to go fuck every maid and secretary you hire."
Though my voice was calm and steady, my nerves were a wreck. Her eyes went wide in shock at my words. I felt the sting of her slap on my face, making my eyes water.
"How dare you?" she says as if I was the one who had disrespected her.
"Me? How dare you? I love you, mom. But that doesn't mean I will allow you to keep treating me like a prized possession. I will not, I repeat, I will not marry him. And I will not move out and stop talking to Russell, or any of my friends. Please leave my dorm."
Her eyes widened. I knew she had a lot more to say, and she had never allowed anyone to win a debate against her, nor talk to her like I just did. But she cleared her throat, held her head high, and straightened her back, brushing imaginary lint off her dress.
She grabbed her purse and turned on her heel. She opened the door and stood for a second.
"This isn't over Samantha. You are my daughter, and as my daughter, I just want the best for you. You will see I was right one day." she says before walking out of my dorm.
"Craig looks at me, completely pissed off as he fists his knuckles. "You can leave too," I say making him angrier.
"I don't get you, Samantha. What the hell do you see in that guy? He's not worth it. He'll never be like me."
"Precisely why I want him," I say smiling at him.
He walks out, bumping into Russell as he gets to the door.
They exchange looks, furry written all over Craig's face as he turns back to look at me and then at Russell. He leaves, leaving me in the living room still feeling defeated.
Russell slowly closes the door, placing his backpack on the floor and engulfing me in a tight hug as he sees my tears.
"Sam. Did he hurt you? Why didn't you call me? I swear I will kill him if I ever,"
"No. I'm fine, Russell. Just... Just hold me, please." I say as I nod my head, burying my face in his chest.
He held me, hugging me over my shoulders and kissing the top of my head as he takes in a long sigh.
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