Samantha
An uneasy silence filled the vehicle, and I was often watched by Calliope and her brother through the rearview mirror, but I promptly ignored them. I couldn't wait to get to my new home and get rid of them both.
As the road became steeper and surrounded by those big rocky mountains, I began to feel the effects of the altitude, and the fact that the road was so winding was not helping my discomfort. I tried to restrain myself as best I could, but the second time I squatted down on the bench to get a little more comfortable, I felt Theon's gaze on me.
" Samantha, are you all right? " he asked worriedly, finally breaking the silence that had settled over the room.
" Yes, I am," I tried to keep my voice steady, "just…”
" Just? " he insisted anxiously.
" I think I need some air," I explained, closing my eyes and breathing deeply, under the watchful eyes of the two brothers.
" In a few miles there is a lookout, I can stop there," he explained.
" Can you handle it? " Calliope asked.
" Yes, I can," I assured, still with my eyes closed, trying to focus on my breathing.
About a quarter mile later was a deserted lookout. Theon pulled the car over there, unlocking the door for me to get out. I felt my legs trembling as I stepped outside the vehicle, breathing wasn't such an easy task, but I was grateful for the cool breeze that hit my face.
Before I could take a few steps, Theon was at my side, supporting me in case my legs failed, as they had threatened earlier. His concerned expression made me feel a little better for what had happened earlier. He helped me to the edge of the observation deck, supporting me on the guardrail as he looked at me.
" Are you okay? Do you need anything? " he asked.
" She's just not used to the altitude," Calliope approached, "and she's pregnant, so it can't be easy.”
" I'm sorry," I sighed embarrassed, "I just need a few minutes and I'll get better.”
I looked away to the view the lookout offered. There one could see the chain of valleys that spread out at the foot of the mountain where we were standing. In the distance were one or two towns, but this place made me feel small, insignificant in the face of such vastness.
" I'll buy you a bottle of water," Theon decided, pointing to a small convenience store a few meters ahead, "we can wait a little while before continuing our journey.”
" Thank you," I smiled in response as I looked into his eyes.
Theon walked away, leaving me alone in the company of his sister. Before I wouldn't have cared much about that, but after what I'd heard, I'd rather keep my distance from her.
" Are you feeling better? " she asked, checking me out.
" Yes, don't worry," I assured her, returning to the view, "I just needed a break.”
" I imagine it can't be easy," she commented.
I didn't bother to answer, I didn't want her company, I just wanted Theon to hurry back, but he was still halfway to the store.
My initial intention was to remain silent until his return, but in the end, Calliope broke it with a sigh.
" I'm sorry for what you heard earlier. I didn't mean to sound…”
" Like a bitch? " I added, staring at her.
The woman in front of me seemed mortified by the situation in general, and after some brief consideration, I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt and start over.
" All right, I know that our situation is not favorable," I sighed, turning back to look at the valley, "I just prefer that you get to know me before you draw any conclusions about me.”
" Honestly, Samantha, I don't really know what to think," she decided to open up, "your irresponsibility has generated a consequence that is affecting the lives of many people, and they are people I care about.”
" Calliope, I know that we both made a mistake, one that I wish I hadn't made, but I have no way of changing what has happened. I don't want to get in the way, or be a burden in anyone's life, especially not Theon's. I'm just dealing with the consequences.”
" He has a girlfriend, you know. " she gauged my reaction.
I turned my gaze back to her unaffected by her words.
Yes, I know about his girlfriend and I don't think it's any of my business.
" Yes, I know. And I have no interest in damaging his relationship, if that's what you're thinking," I returned stiffly.
" I'm friends with his girlfriend," she explained in a suggestive tone.
Good. That explains the whole show!
" Well, neither you nor she should worry about me. I only accepted this change because I don't want to take care of a child alone," I assured her seriously. Do I have to pass some test to show that I am worthy?
" I just want to make sure that you don't make things worse," she said, "This has all been difficult for my brother.”
" It's been hard on him? " I raised my voice, finally releasing all the irritation I felt about that conversation " As far as I can tell, I'm the one who lost my job, I'm having to move out of town, I throw up at least three times a day, I can't eat the things I like anymore, and I'm seeing my body change every day!”
" Samantha.”
" No, you want to act like he's some kind of victim, but believe me, he didn't complain for a single second while he was in bed with me, so the least he can do now is take responsibility that is also his," I retorted angrily before walking away, leaving her behind.
I walked stubbornly to the store, almost bumping into Theon, who was leaving with a bag in hand.
" Sam, what happened? Are you okay? " he asked alarmed.
" I'm fine," I muttered, sidestepping him and entering the store, making my way to the refrigerator.
" What are you doing? I already bought the water," he followed me completely lost, "I also bought a juice and chips in case you…”
" I'm capable of buying everything I need, thank you," I returned, grabbing a bottle of water and a pot of yogurt.
Theon held my arm, causing me to look in his direction. His gaze was confused and perhaps even fearful. It was clear that he did not understand my outburst of anger.
" Samantha, what happened? " he asked, ignoring the store clerk's curious look at us, "Come on, you know you can talk to me!”
" What happened? I happen to be changing my whole life and yet I'm accused of making things difficult for you," I returned, trying hard to keep my voice down, "I'm starting to think it was a bad idea to take your suggestion, I'd be better off somewhere else!”
" Making things harder for me? " he widened his eyes " Who told you... Callie.”
I shook him off, walking over to the counter to pay for the items I had chosen. Theon followed closely behind me, looking upset by the whole situation.
" I'm sorry for her," he ordered, "don't pay any attention to her, she was just taken by surprise.”
" Really? You know who else was taken by surprise? Charlie! And yet she treated you well when she met you," I returned, reaching for my wallet.
" Sam, I already bought all this," he took a deep breath.
" I have enough money to buy my own food," I took out some bills, "I don't want anyone saying that I got pregnant just to get money from the first guy who came along.”
" This is ridiculous, Samantha " he rolled his eyes.
" Really? " I raised my eyebrows " Are you going to tell me that your family didn't imply anything like that?”
I didn't need a verbal answer. The expression on his face revealed everything I needed to know. I turned and walked out of the store, leaving him behind.
If he thinks he's going to take me away from everything I've ever known just to be humiliated, he's sorely mistaken. He’d better keep that in mind!
" No matter what they say, I don't think that way," he reached for me easily, "and truthfully, my sister's opinion does not translate the opinion of my entire family.”
" Just let's go, Theon, I'm tired of this subject and I'm tired of being here," I decided to put an end to it, "all I want is to get home soon, lie down for a while and forget this day!”
I walked to the car, getting into the back seat and ignoring the suspicious looks Callie was giving us both. I should have called my parents and gone back to Texas with them. I would have all the help I needed and not have any strangers judging me.
I'm used to the judgment of both of them.
Theon took his place once more in the driver's seat, motioning us on our way, then started to have a little discussion in Greek with his sister, which I tried to ignore by putting on my headphones and turning up the sound to maximum. I didn't care what they were talking about, I just wanted to be alone.
In the end, I made an effort to sleep the rest of the way, controlling the nausea and shortness of breath that came over me from time to time as we drove up to Aspen.
The road became steeper and narrower, and was surrounded by the high peaks. We passed the entrance to Aspen three hours after leaving Denver, and I felt exhausted by the trip and all that had happened on it. What I wanted most of all was to lie down and sleep.
Theon drove through the charming streets of the city, enthralling me as he gazed down them. I could make this place my home. No matter if Theon, Calliope, or all the Adamos of the world hate me, I will fight to find my own place without needing their approval.
We made our way to a residential area while I observed the numerous stores with the Adamos name scattered around the city. Is it just me or has this family infested the town?
Theon stopped in front of a beautiful wooden house. This was certainly not the house he showed me, and the fact that he didn't even turn off the car engine indicated to me that this was not our final destination. Calliope jumped out of the vehicle, mumbling a few words in Greek before waving at me.