Keep Left

All it takes is for one mistake to change your whole life. You see a lot of things when you feel like the world is against you. When no one is in your corner and you just have no where to turn. I was a master at self sabotage. I was labeled a defiant, rebellious soul. I didn’t want to be, but I didn’t like being told what to do.

My name is Chloe Dunn and I am the daughter of President Phix Dunn. My mother died of a robbery gone wrong when I was a young girl. It’s always just been my dad and I. When I was younger, he spent all his time with me. He gave me everything my heart desired. When I turned 12 he met Eva Lyles. She had four sons, Deek, Keith, Caden and Haden. Two sets of twin boys. My dad fell in love with her. She hated the fact I was a girl. She despised me, but daddy told her to find a medium. He only tolerated her because she fell pregnant with my baby brother, Miles.

I didn’t know that he fathered another child until one day he brought him home. He was five and I was 13. He took a liking to me right away. He didn’t like the twins, quads, as I called them. This angered Eva. Daddy was going to marry her, but he caught her trying to weasel her way into one of his many business partner’s bedroom. She blamed me for ruining the game she had going with my dad. He refused to let Miles go and challenged her on custody rights.

I would later learn that I would be responsible for Miles majority of the time. Daddy worked a lot as President and we had security detail just to go to the bathroom. Miles was a good kid, but he wasn't my responsibility. I told dad that on my 15th birthday. Miles was saddened I viewed him as a burden and he pulled away from me.

We had a maid named Olla. She has been with me since daddy became President. She knew I was lonely and she also knew about Miles before I did. She took over caring for Miles. I spent my time in the library, reading. Daddy would send the bodyguards after me everyday. I asked them to leave me alone. Max, the main bodyguard would always stay with me and find himself a book or two. He was my favorite. The media was always looking for a story to publish. So when they fabricated the story that max and I had a secret relationship, daddy fired him. Though I told him nothing was going on, he believed the media. This is how I got the label defiant and rebellious. I kept in contact with Max.

The media was always taking photos and reporters were always surrounding me when I managed to evade security. I would give my honest opinions about how I felt, but it would always be spun differently from how I stated it. That’s how I found myself in the possession of a terrorist group. They were angry my dad didn’t pass a bill on gun control and had grabbed me on my way out of the library.

I was lightly tortured, compared to the others I saw they had. They used me to get my dad to pass the bill on gun control. I begged daddy on the phone call they made not to do it. I paid for it once the call ended. I was roughed up moreso than normal. I spent 16 days captive. In that time I refused to eat and barely drank. I passed out. When I came to, Max was sitting at my bedside. He only smiled and got up to go tell my dad I was awake I’m sure. They exchanged some words and then he returned to my bedside. Daddy tried to talk to me but I turned my back to him. Once he was gone, Max spoke.

"Your dad gave my job back, since I was the one who found you. Chloe are you okay?"

I continued to face away from a I answered his questions.

"I’m okay I guess Max. He didn’t even try to find me sooner. He was going to give them what they wanted. I bet he welcomed you looking for me, but two weeks ago, he was angry the media painted you my secret lover."

"You’re right. Do you know why I have a peculiar liking for you?"

"No. I just thought that you enjoyed my company."

"Your mom was my friend. When your dad treated all the staff like we were peasants, she treated us nicely. Your grandfather was hard on your dad and her, he in turn was hard on us. Your mom, she was always nice Chloe."

"Thank you for always reminding me of how she was."

"No problem. You rest. When you’re ready to talk, I’m ready to listen."

"Thank you."

I laid in the bed and watched as medical staff came and went. They took really good care of me. Daddy would stop by after work, but I continued to give him the cold shoulder. He brought Miles to see me.

"Chloe, I’m glad you’re okay. I’m sorry you were taken. I was really scared. Are you okay?"

"I’m fine Miles. Don’t be sad."

"You could’ve died and then I would’ve never seen you again."

"Yet, here I am. Still your sister. Can’t get rid of me that easy!"

He climbed in bed with me and went to sleep. Daddy came in minutes later to find him resting in my arms. He looked as if he wanted to say something to me, but I rolled my eyes and rolled over to face Miles more. He sat quietly in the room until Miles awoke some time later. Miles gave me a tight hug and then we bid our goodbyes.

I had to stay hospitalized for an additional week. I’m sure it was my dad who made them keep me. I felt weak when I could finally stand on my legs again. I wanted to go see my boyfriend of 3 years, so I had Max drive me there. He didn’t say much, but he drove as I requested. Kev hadn’t called me since the week after I went missing.

I also noticed that Lilith, my best friend since grade school, hadn’t phoned either. I was going to ask her what was up when I got free later. We pulled up to Kev’s place and his mom and sister greeted me. I did note that Rylee, his sister looked weird at me. After our hugs, I went back to Kev’s room and noticed the door was shut. He always has the door opened so Rex, their dog could roam freely. I’m so used to being over here with the McDouggs, I didn’t knock I just opened the door and went in.

"Hey, you should’ve kn-"

Lilith and Kev were having sex in his bed. She scurried off the bed. I stood frozen in place as Kev turned around to see me. He could see the hurt in my eyes. The two people I was worried about coming to see. The two people who made it seem like they hated each other.

"Chloe, let me explain. Kev and I thought you were dead."

"You were comforting each other, cool."

"Chloe, I’m sorry you had to find out this way. Lil and I just connected when you went missing."

"16 days was all it took for you to go to bed with my best friend, Kev. You two were pretty intimate for two weeks of me missing. But it’s okay. Don’t let me stop you two. Enjoy yourselves."

"Chloe-"

"Chloe!"

I returned to the front room. I gave Ms Mcdouggs my key to her house.

"Oh Chloe, I’m sorry. We heard the words you said to Lilith and Kevin. We thought they knew you were coming."

"They’ve been seeing each other for awhile. I didn’t want to believe it, but seeing them in the act was more than enough. I hope I can still come by every now and again for your pies."

"Of course you can."

"I now understand your look Rylee."

"I thought you knew."

"I do now."

"I’ll see you all later, okay."

I returned to the car and Max opened the door for me. I felt his gaze on me. He turned to look at the house and there stood Kev and Lilith. I saw the gears turning in his head by their appearance. I saw his angry gaze meet Kev and he visibly shrank in his spot on the porch. Lilith blushed as Max looked her over with his eyes. He closed my door and returned to the driver seat.

"Did you catch them in the act?"

"I did."

"I’m sorry Chloe. Where would you like to go now?"

"Home. There’s no where else for me to go."

He drove the twenty three minutes to the mansion. The gates opened and reporters surrounded the gate trying to get a picture of me. Luckily, Max blacked out the windows and all they were able to get were blackened windows. I gathered my things as we pulled around the semicircle. The door was opened by one of the butlers for me. Lucy, a maid, ushered me into the house.

"Where’s Olla?"

"She has a family emergency and has requested off for some time. I’ll be taking her place madam Dunn."

"You can call me Chloe. My mother has passed away. Miles and I are dad’s only children."

"So, Eva-"

"No! Is she here?"

"Yes ma-, Chloe."

"Ugh! I want to go to my room and be left alone. Don’t bother me for anything."

"As you wish. Would you like anything in particular for lunch and dinner?"

"No thank you. Look after Miles. Make sure he is well cared for."

She nodded as she left me at my door. My room felt empty. I showered and climbed in bed. I let my heart beat lull me to sleep. I was more tired than I thought because I awoke the next day to Lucy telling me physical therapy was here for me. I quickly showered and pulled on comfy workout clothes.

I completed my therapy and walked to the kitchen an hour later. Lucy had made me a fruit bowl and provided bottled water. I ate the fruit and water in silence. Daddy came into the kitchen with a giggling Eva. I looked up for a second and lost my appetite immediately.

"Hello Princess."

I pushed my bowl to Lucy and got up from the island. I walked out of the kitchen.

"Chloe, I know you’re mad at me for unknown reasons but I have a guest in which you didn’t speak and that’s very rude of you."

"No, you brought trash into the house and I’m not obligated to speak to something that belongs at the city dump."

"Chloe Nicole!"

"Furthermore, I gave you the kitchen so you didn’t have to feel awkward with your “guest”"

"Chloe, Eva and I are getting married, you will need to show more respect to her"

"If you can wait just a few more month I will turn 16 and graduate high school. I’ll start looking to move out. I don’t want to be apart of this shit show and I won’t be nice because you asked me to your new interest. If you don’t want to wait that long daddy, I’ll move out as soon as I can."

"Princess, you don’t have to leave-"

"Yes! I do! She used you! Made a fool of you publicly. And now you want to marry her. You’re that desperate for someone to love you"

"I don’t have to explain my decisions to you Chloe."

"You’re right you don’t. I wish you well, daddy."

I walked off to my room. I had asked Max to find me an apartment the day he dropped me off. He had yet to get back to me. I phone uncle Mike who was dad’s best friend to see if he could assist me with finding a place of my own. He gave me a list of places that I could afford. He informed me that my mother had left me plenty and anywhere I wanted to stay I could afford. I asked for an apartment until I decided what I wanted to do college wise.

It was three days later when uncle Mike got back to me about an apartment he found for me. I didn’t even need to see it beforehand. I knew he would get me what I wanted. I asked Max to help me move my things. I only packed what mom bought for me or I for myself. It took all of an hour to gather my things.

Daddy met me at the door.

"Princess, you don’t have to leave. You still have two months until you turn 16."

"I don’t want to be here and there isn’t enough mansion for me and your guest. Guests because that means the quads are coming to stay as well."

"Princess..."

"Get out of my way. Have a good life with Eva."

"Ch-Chloe you’re leaving?" Miles asked through a trembling voice.

"Yeah Miles, but you can come and visit as soon as I get situated. Maybe even stay a day or two."

"I love you big sister"

"I love you too little brother. Don’t cry, I’ll always be available for you. Just call me okay.?"

"Okay.. Can I go with you?"

I looked up to see Eva fuming. Daddy was at a lost for words. I knew if I left Miles he would be subjected to the same treatment as myself.

"Sure, you don’t deserve to be isolated."

"Princess, he’s only ten"

"He’s no trouble at all daddy. We’ll be okay. Grab a bag Miles and let’s go."

"You’re not taking my son anywhere! Phix! You’re just going to let her take him? You’re not the man I thought you were. Me marrying your father is this bad that you need to leave and try to take Miles too?"

"Yes it is. I know you’re no good and you do too. Daddy loves you and I refuse to put on a fake I like you in public. I won’t hold back since I don’t live here anymore."

"Why don’t you like me Chloe? I’ve never done anything to you"

"Maybe you hit your head Eva maybe you’re just playing dumb in front of daddy. Either way we both know how you treated me. The quads were treated like royalty while you treated me like trash. Miles too. My dad is financing the lifestyle you want to live and his rank in society is appealing to you. So much he chose it over his kids. You’re going to let Miles walk out of here with me and he’ll come visit when he chooses or I’ll cause so much talk in the media you’ll go into hiding. Now, get out of my way before I move you!"

"You don’t know anything Chloe Dunn! Your father has needed my money to pay for this lavish lifestyle you live-"

"Me? I have paid for everything I do own and use. According to uncle Mike mom left me plenty! So I don’t need anything from you Eva!"

"Good! You’re still not taking Miles! He’s our son and we will raise him."

"It’s okay Chloe, I’ll come to visit you soon"

"You sure Miles, I have no problem telling your mom where her place is!"

"No sis, I’ll be okay. Thank you for wanting me-"

"Always! I’m a phone call away. Now get out of my way Eva!"

"I’m still the woman in your father’s life!"

So was my mother, his wife, and look where that got her! Now move, bi-"

"Eva, let her go."