Rue

Of course, that love never came as time passed, and when I graduated, I decided that I would do whatever I had to in order to try to win him over.

That's why I went to college to get my teaching degree and joined a gym where I worked my ass off to lose weight and tone my body.

I also watched many tutorials on how to do my hair and started wearing contacts.

I did everything I could to become someone who wasn't that miserable girl that Mr. Owens knew.

Instead, I would be this cool, confident, elegant new teacher at his school.

I planned to approach him thereafter, after getting a job, and make him fall for me; after all, we would no longer be teacher and student. We would be equals, which would make it possible for us to be together, but all of that was ruined when my mother announced that she met someone and that they were going to get married.

During the course of the planning, I wasn't able to go home and meet the man who would soon be my stepfather, but I didn't think that it would be a big deal.

I was in my last year of school, had an internship to complete, and had so many assignments I didn't even have time to do much but study and prep.

That's why, when I came home for the wedding, I was met with the biggest shock of my life, and now here I was watching my mother and the man that I loved for eight years kissing and smiling happily at one another while the crowd around me cheered.

While it was the happiest day of both of their lives, it was the single worst day of my own, and I couldn't even go home and lick my wounds because I was the daughter of the bride and had to be present.

Now, I tear my gaze away from the two and look down at the glass of champagne in front of me.

Deciding that maybe a little alcohol would make things less painful, I grab it and then swallow the liquid within in one gulp and motion for a waiter carrying a tray filled with cups to come to me.

As I do, my mother and Mr. Owens move toward the dance floor and wait until the string quartet that sits in the corner starts playing a slow number that they are meant to dance to.

"Oh, how lovely," a woman I barely recognize as my mother's colleague murmurs. "Aren't they just perfect together?"

"They really are." Another chirps.

"I'm so jealous of Annie for being able to bag such a man." A third joins.

Me too. I think, downing my next drink and then watching the happy couple as they move along the dance floor until the song ends and the DJ for the evening calls everyone to the floor.

Sighing, I remain in place while those around me rise and move, joining the happy couple as they dance to a pop tune, and when another waiter approaches me, I don't hesitate to take the alcohol he offers and down it in another gulp.

"Another," I announce, starting to feel my emotions numb from the alcohol.

"You should be careful, miss." The waiter tells me. "You don't..."

"Another," I counter.

Frowning, he hands me another, and as he moves away, I hold it up in front of my eyes, blocking the painful view.

I don't know how long I sit there, staring at the contents of my glass, until hands grab my shoulders and I feel a body press against me.

"Sweetie!" My mother coos as I lift my gaze to hers. "Why are you just sitting here?"

As she speaks, I shift my gaze just to the side of her, and I find Mr. Owens standing there too.

He's watching me with that unreadable look, and I can't help but wish that I could read his mind.

"I wanted to properly introduce you to Leo. Everything was so busy before the wedding, and you waited so long to come home that neither of you got to meet until now!" she says, and my bad mood only deepens.

Leo.

So, his first name was Leo, and she could know that because she wasn't his student but his wife.

"Leo, this is my daughter Rue."

"Rue," he repeats, eyeing me. "Ah, so that's where I know you from."

Frowning, I watch as recognition flashes in his eyes, and I find myself wishing that the floor would just open and swallow me.

"You were in my homeroom class eight years ago, right?"

"That's right," I confirm. "I looked a bit different back then, so it is understandable that you wouldn't recognize me."

Dammit.

I just wanted this exchange to end because each passing minute felt like torture. Not only because they were together, but also because my new stepfather was certainly remembering all my embarrassing moments.

"I wonder if you were the one." My mother murmurs, and my eyes widen. "You know, our Rue has been away at college studying to become a teacher! When I asked her what sparked that decision, she said that there was a teacher that she really looked up to and wanted to see again!"

"Mom," I hiss, realizing too late that she was a bit tipsy. "You don't have to talk about such things."

Please. I beg inwardly. Please take the hint and stop.

"She had a really hard time in school." My mother continues. "She always looked so miserable when it was time to get up and go in the mornings, but then one day it was like a weight had been lifted. I wonder if it was because of that teacher."

"Mom," I repeat, standing. "Today is your special day. You shouldn't waste it telling such stories. Come on, why don't you dance with me?"

Come on. I think to myself, grabbing my mother's hands while Mr. Owens stares at me with that unreadable expression.

"Isn't it proper that the bride and groom dance with their family?"

"You're right," my mother agrees, smiling. "But I didn't think that you would be up for it. You hate being the center of attention."

"Today is special!" I counter, starting to lead her toward the dance floor. "I'm sorry, Leo, I mean Mr. Owens, but you're fine with me borrowing her, right?"

"Of course," he smiles, and my heart comes to life just from the sight. "You go on; I'll go greet my parents."

"Great," I smile and then turn, dragging my mother behind me while hoping that the rest of the evening would go by quickly so I could escape and go back to the safety of my college and my dorm.

But luck wasn't because as I moved along the dance floor with my mother, she dropped a bomb that I was never expecting.

Rue

"A Trip?"

My voice comes out much louder than I intended it to, and when a few pairs of eyes come to rest on my mother and me, I give an apologetic smile.

"Rue, honey," my mother sighs. "Is it really that hard for you to go on a vacation with us?"

"Of course not," I tell her, but inside I'm screaming yes. "It's just that I have my internship and..."

"And you're on spring break right now." My mother counters, stopping me before I can even make an excuse. "And the vacation is only for five days. We are going to a paradise island that Leo's family owns."

"His...family..." I hiss, eyes widening. "His family owns it?"

When I was in high school, I heard rumors that Mr. Owens came from a very well-off family, but I didn't necessarily believe it.

I mean, how could I when he was working as a teacher?

If he really was born with a silver spoon, then wouldn't it be better for him to go and work for the company that kept his family rich?

"That's right," my mother beams. "Everything has already been taken care of, from lodgings to our flights. We just need to bring ourselves and enjoy."

"Mom," I sigh, wishing that I didn't even hear this. "Wouldn't it be better for the two of you to go without me?"

I mean, wouldn't this be considered their honeymoon?

Even as I picture them sleeping together in a room beside me, my heart feels like it is breaking into a million pieces.

How could I bear such a thing?

It was bad enough having to watch them be lovey-dovey here and now, but to see them all over each other while we vacationed as a family was just...

"It would be a good thing." My mother pushes. "Leo has already said that he would like to bond with you since we are a family now."

"We aren't family."

The words leave my lips before I can stop them, and when my mother's smile falters, I regret them.

"I mean..." I try, wanting to just disappear. "I'm an adult now, so it isn't like he has to act like a father toward me."

I didn't want that. I absolutely didn't want that because the thought of being in love with a man who was supposed to be my father left me uneasy.

But being in love with your mother's husband doesn't? The small voice in the back of my head counters.

Fuck. How was it possible all of this was happening?

Why him?

Why me?

Why her?

Fate was such a fucked-up thing.

What did I spend all those years doing now that there was no way that I could actually win over the man that I was secretly chasing?

"Rue, please," my mother says, and I see a desperate plea in her eyes. "Please, do this for me."

For a moment, I don't speak as I try to stop the torrent of emotions that are rushing through me, and when I swallow, I know that I'm going to regret the choice that I'm about to make.

"Okay," I sigh.

And that's how I ended up on a plane two days later with my mother and Mr. Owens sitting beside me.

Of course, they are all over each other like the happy new couple that they are, and that just makes me wish that I didn't agree.

The flight is long and torturous, and by the time the plane lands, I'm rising from my seat like it is on fire. And when my mother and Mr. Owens look at me, I simply shake my head.

"Stiff legs." I tell them, smiling. "I've never been good with long travels."

"That's true," my mother agrees, and I'm thankful that she can't hear what I'm thinking. "Even as a kid she was always whining about how much longer till we got where we were going."

"Mom," I hiss, flushing. "Could you please..."

"No," Mr. Owens says, smiling. "I'd actually quite like to hear more about your past."

Eyes widening, I stare at the man in front of me as he smiles, and once again I see that strange look in his eyes that I saw at the wedding.

"And since she doesn't do well with sitting still for too long, how about we start disembarking?" He continues, rising. "The sooner we reach the resort, the sooner our vacation starts."

"That's true," I agree, appreciating that he was at least humoring me. "Let's get going."

"What to do first?" My mother murmurs as Mr. Owens grabs our carry-ons and starts to carry them off the plane. "We have the pool, the beach, and oh, I heard that they teach people how to snorkel!"

"No need to rush," Mr. Owens laughs. "We can do it all within the time we have."

"You're really spoiling me." My mother sighs, throwing her arms around Mr. Owens's arm and snuggling in.

"Only the best for my lady."

Grimacing, I try not to watch the two in front of me too closely because if I did, I knew that I would end up breaking, but when we reach the resort and are led up to our lodgings, I find that instead of having separate rooms, we have a large condo with two bedrooms.

"Dammit," I growl as I move across my own room and slam my luggage on my bed. "What are the chances that something like this would actually be happening?"

Swallowing, I try to ignore the sound of movement just beside me as I realize that if Mr. Owens and my mother did anything, I would certainly be able to hear it.

I was going to have to buy some earplugs while I was out to ensure that didn't happen, but before that, I needed to find a way to escape so that I could actually enjoy this vacation without them.

Sure, I agreed to come because of my mother's pleas, but that didn't mean that I had to spend the whole five days with them, right?

It was normal that we all went out and did our own thing.

If I could fill my schedule with activities and avoid the two of them for the entire vacation, then I could go home and start getting over the man that I pined after for so long. And eventually move on to another love that wouldn't be so out of reach.

[Rue's POV]

For the next hour or so, I busy myself unpacking my luggage, and once I'm settled in, I head into the living room and find my mother sitting on the plush white couch that sits in the middle of it.

She's flipping through a fashion magazine, and when she hears me, she sets it down and turns her gaze to me.

"All done unpacking?" She asks, a smile spreading across her face. "Then do you want to go shopping with me?"

"What about Mr. Owens?" I ask, looking around as though the man himself will appear. "Don't you want to spend time with him?"

"He had some business to take care of." She pouts. "Even though he didn't take over his father's company, they still bother him all the time, you see."

"Oh."

Her words are like a knife stabbing into me as I start to realize how much more she knows about Mr. Owens than me.

"That's a bummer," I say quietly.

"But it gives us some time to hang out." My mother says happily. "We can catch up since we haven't really seen each other recently. You've been so busy with school, sweetie."

"It isn't like I don't plan on coming back home once I finish." I sigh, suddenly feeling guilty. "You know what, alright, I'll go out shopping with you."

I guess that would be better than being cooped up and torturing myself over the way things turned out with Mr. Owens, and since I didn't have a bikini to wear to the pool or beach, I could grab one.

Maybe I could find something a little on the sexy side. Even if there was no way that I could have Mr. Owens, it would certainly feel good to have him look at me.

Eyes widening, I realize too late what I'm thinking, and when I turn my gaze to my mom once more, I feel a wave of guilt crash into me.

"I need a bathing suit." I say slowly, feeling so bad that I actually consider covering up my body. "I didn't bring one."

"A suit," my mother repeats, eyeing me. "Why on earth would you wear a suit when you should be in a bikini? I bet there are a lot of handsome men here. It's about time that you actually got out there and tasted the world of dating."

"I'm not interested." I tell her, heading into my room to grab my purse and coming back out. "Come on, let's get going."

Smiling, my mother rises from her seat and then wraps her arms around mine while I lead us out of the room and down to the lobby.

As we move, I don't miss the stares of these eligible men that my mother mentioned, but if I was being honest, none of them compared to Mr. Owens.

Hating that I was even thinking this way, I continue out of the resort and toward the street, where I lift a hand to hail a cab, and then we are moving, heading toward the island's shopping district, where my mother swears there is the perfect boutique for all of our needs.

When we arrive, I'm dragged inside so my mother can start shoving bikini after bikini at me. And when she insists I try them all on, I know that there is no denying her.

I knew my mother well enough to know that when she was in shopping mode, the best thing to do was go along with what it was that she was wanting.

In the past, I would avoid shopping with her, because everything she wanted me to try on looked horrible on me due to my weight, but even then she insisted that I try them on.

"Oh, that one is lovely!" My mother says as I step out of the dressing room with a lacy black number that shows off too much of my skin. "I think that is definitely the winner."

"Isn't it a bit too revealing?" I counter, examining myself in the mirror and realizing how much of my ass was showing.

"That's the point!" My mother laughs. "You want to lure the men in with your skin."

"You're making it sound like you're trying to pimp me out." I point out, deciding to just buy it so we can leave. "Do you not consider me your daughter?"

"Of course I do," she responds. "And that's why I want you to get out there and find someone."

Sighing, I just shake my head and head back into the dressing room so I can quickly change back into my sundress.

Once I finish, I head back out and pay for the bikini my mother chose.

After that, we explore a few more shops, grabbing gifts for friends back home, and once that is done, we move to a small bar that overlooks the ocean.

"Isn't it too early to be drinking?" I ask my mother as she orders us two margaritas. "Won't Mr. Owens be mad?"

"Why on earth would he be mad?" She asks, taking a sip of hers. "We came here to vacation, not to be uptight."

"Right." I sigh, deciding not to argue. "Then cheers."

Smiling, I lift my glass and clink it with my mother's before taking a few sips and turning my gaze toward the ocean.

I had to admit, this was pretty nice.

The ocean breeze, the blue sky that wasn't marred by a cloud, and the sting of alcohol that slowly numbed my emotions.

Maybe my mother was onto something. If I could just stay drunk the entire trip, then I wouldn't suffer from the pain of losing my first love to my own mother.

"Careful, sweetie." My mother says as I quickly down my drink and then lift a hand for a waiter. "You don't want to get too drunk."

But I do. I counter inwardly, ordering another drink. I want to get so drunk that I forget everything for the time being.

A few hours and many drinks later, I stumble back to the resort with my mother, where we find Mr. Owens waiting.

When he spots us, he moves forward, but when I stumble ever-so-slightly, he falters.

"Is she okay?" He asks my mom as she helps to steady me.

"She's fine," my mother laughs, her own tipsiness showing. "Just one too many to drink."

"Will she be okay?" He asks, showing the same concern he showed for me in high school. "Maybe we should order in instead of..."

"No!" I announce, a smile spreading across my face. "I'm fine. Everything's fine. The world is spinning a bit, but that's no big deal."

Ah, this was the best.

Right now, I could look at Mr. Owens without feeling that damned sting in my chest. This just meant that until I could get over him, I would have to be drunk when I went to visit.

"We've got reservations for dinner, right?" I push as Mr. Owens continues to stare at me. "Let's get going then!"

"You heard her." My mother smiles, releasing me and touching Mr. Owens' chest. "She's fine. Let's go."