FALLING FOR MY STEPDADDY

FFMSD – 30

YOLANDA

Day two in Seychelles. I am not in the mood for anything. My stepdad just made this whole vacation so uncomfortable for me. I hate him so much I wish I didn’t come with them at all. I should have stayed in South Africa and spent this quality time with my only boyfriend. God, I miss him so much already, and I just cannot wait to go back home.

Right now, I just got out of the bath just after everyone. They are all probably having breakfast right now, but at least when they are all done, I can have a peaceful meal all alone.

I sit on the bed and take my phone to see if Kyle had replied to my messages from yesterday with my photos. He was hardly available, so I am hoping that he had replied to me at least today. Thankfully, he did, but I am not happy with his response.

A thumbs up, and that’s it? I don’t like this set of moods from Kyle, and it is flipping annoying just like my stepdad. Maybe I should just call him and hear his tone. This w******p texting makes me feel too insecure.

“Good morning. Are we okay?” I ask as soon as he answers my call.

“Why wouldn’t we be? Shouldn’t you be enjoying your vacation, love?” I cannot really tell his mood, but he sounds chilled.

“I don’t know, Kyle. I just thought that you would like my pictures,”

“Which is why I’ve sent you a thumbs up. Why are you making a big deal out of this?”

Because I thought men loved it when their women sent them selfies unexpectedly? But I guess I am wrong; Kyle is not every man. He is a really special case this one, but to be honest, it is so disappointing.

“So, what are you up to?” I ask, dismissing him.

“Sit on my wheelchair all day doing nothing. I would ask what you are up to, but I know that you are probably getting ready for an exciting day. Let me not hold you back and let you go and have fun. We will talk,”

Before I could even say another word, he hangs up. Only if he knew that I would rather sit in the villa and just talk to him, but he hung up on me. I am not feeling this vacation. I think that I am going to pretend to be sick because I don’t want to see Daniel’s face – not today.

After I apply lotion on my body, I put on my green floral bikini and a green fishnet cover-up before I slide into my flip-flops. I grab my straw hat and thank God I brought a novel with me. I didn’t think that I would ever read it here, but here am I, heading to the beach.

I walk past the dining room where Thando is taking pictures of her food. This is Thando’s life, and no one will ever take it away from her.

“Good morning, Thando,” I grab a bowl and throw in some fruit salad because it looks so good. Just a few bites won’t hurt, plus the person I was avoiding is not even here.

“Mmh, I thought you would still be sleeping. You were up all night, and I think I heard you crying. Relationship problems?”

Oh, God. Did she hear me? Well, after what my stepdad said to me last night, it kept me up, tossing and turning. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It makes me wonder if this is how he has been looking at me all these years. So, disgusting! I was still a minor; I still am a child. What the f**k is wrong with this man? She is disrespecting my mother and their marriage.

“If you must know, I am homesick, but I will be fine. Where is dad and Anele?”

“Dad is in his room, and Anele is already at the beach. Where the hell are you going with that book? Please don’t tell me you are going to read that book on a vacation,” She walks around the table and unexpectedly snatches the book off my hand.

“Thando!”

“You are not going to kill my vibe, Yolanda! We are jet skiing today. I know that you are not sick, and I will not let you ruin our vacation. Live a little,” She argues.

I quietly sit down and eat my fruits. Only if she knew that this vacation is already ruined for me. I wish I could tell her what her dad is doing to me, but I would be selfish to ruin both Thando’s and Anele’s holiday.

***

Dad meant it when he said that he will let me be. He has been distancing himself, but it is probably because that he has been distracted by something, and whatever it is, it is big. I have never seen him this mad on phone calls, but what makes me even happier is that he does not let whatever it is get between him and his family.

As much as I think I hate him, I won’t lie; he has made this vacation worth it. I never thought I would forget about his stupid crush on me. Four days in Seychelles and I am quite happy and comfortable even when it is just Daniel and me. We have done a lot of activities as a family, and right now we just got back from a private tour of another island, and we are getting ready for cruising. Thando is going all out with her makeup, but I am just going to do cat eyes, apply my lashes, and red lipstick. I settle in my pink Gucci cotton viscose jumpsuit that reaches seven centimetres above my knees and my Louis Vuitton sandals. In these past few days during our tours, a hairstylist offered to do my hair, and he gave me the most stylish haircut and curled my hair. Oh, and he added brown highlights. I look so effing cute. I have an urge of sending Kyle a few photos, but I am scared he will disappoint me with his response.

I ask Anele to take a few pictures, and we end up taking selfies together.

“If Kyle was here to see you, he would run out of words. You are so stunning,” She says, leaving me speechless.

“You know about Kyle?” I ask.

“I may be twelve, but I am smart, sis. You guys are really cute, but don’t worry; if dad ever finds out, it never came from me, but please be careful,”

“Aw, Squishy… When did you grow up? Thank you, baby girl,” I hug her tight.

I finally get the courage to send Kyle my pictures with a caption saying “New look” with a happy face. He instantly replies and I eagerly and excitedly open his text, only to be slammed down and lose my confidence.

‘I don’t like it. You look like you are one of those girls who roam in the streets for nothing. You could have just installed a weave, or done an upper slick ponytail because that is what sophisticated girls do lately. I cannot wait for you to come back so that we can change that, baby. You are having too much fun there and I don’t like it because you are doing things that send you astray. I love you.’ – Kyle.

I shake my head continuously in disbelief. This was not nice. Kyle just tore my self-esteem apart. How do I get it back? He was mean! Couldn’t he just tell me in a polite way? What irks me is that he is so chilled that he even tells me that he loves me without caring if his words would harm me or not.

“Are you ready to go, Yolanda?” Dad startles me.

I look up at him, holding back my tears.

“Dad, does this hairstyle suit me?” I ask. He tilts his head, frowning.

“Why are you asking? I thought you liked it,”

“I do, but…”

“No buts. You were happy to have that hairstyle and I love the change… you are absolutely gorgeous and there is nothing wrong with it. Did anyone badly comment on it?”

Shamefully, I look down and shake my head.

“What are you still doing with him?” He sternly asks.

“Not now, not today,” I roll my eyes. He sighs and nods his head.

“Fine, my beautiful girl. Let’s get going,” He steps closer and brings out his hand at me. I look at it, and then at him. “Come on, baby girl. It is only a hand.”

I shyly smile and put my hand on his hand.