Darn Stupid Brother You Are

(Cylan's POV)

As I sat on the stairs, hidden from view, I dialled my mom's number. I waited for her to answer. Finally she picked up.

"Cylan, darling, how are you?" my mom asked, her voice sweet and cheerful.

"I'm fine, Mom," I replied, trying to sound casual.

"How's school?" she asked, her tone light and conversational.

I hesitated for a moment before launching into an enthusiastic response. "It's great, Mom! I'm really loving my classes and I've been making some amazing friends. We're always studying together and-"

My mom cut me off. Her tone shifted and her voice became cold and detached. "Cylan, don't play dumb with me. I know the truth. You're not in school right now, are you?"

I felt a chill run down my spine as I realized I had been caught. "Mom, I... uh..."

"Don't bother lying to me, Cylan. I know you're in a wellness center. I know all about your little 'condition"."

The worst and the feeling I hate the most is the feeling of shame. I was the one who had made the mistake. I had trusted someone I shouldn't have, and had contracted a disease. I realized my mom had been pretending to be clueless all along. Why didn't I figure that out? Mom knew everything the majority of the time. I tried to defend myself, but my mom wouldn't let me get a word in edgewise.

"You're throwing your life away, Cylan. You're wasting your potential on... on... whatever it is you're doing. And now you're being treated for an STD? It's a shame, Cylan. A complete and utter shame." She sighed. "I'm extremely disappointed in you."

My mom's words cut deep, and I felt a stinging sensation in my eyes. I tried to hold back tears, but they began to fall anyway.

"I'm sorry mom. I really am. Mom, please understand," I said, my voice shaking. "I'm trying to get better. I'm trying to figure out who I am and what I want."

But my mom wasn't having it. "You're not trying hard enough, Cylan. You're throwing away your life on foolishness." she said, her voice laced with disgust. "You're being treated for an STD, for goodness' sake! What were you thinking?"

I loved my mom, but it really broke my heart when my mom insisted I was being delusional for saying I'm gay. Now the STD had only managed to make things worse. I wiped my tears and spoke.

"Mom, it's not a big deal. It's just a minor setback. And it's not like I'm the first person to ever get an STD."

My mom's voice rose in anger. "Minor setback? You've wasted your life, Cylan! You've thrown away your future because of your... feelings for girls. It's unnatural. And now look where you are. You're being treated for an STD and you're still insisting on living this... lifestyle."

I felt anger at her words, but I tried to remain calm. "Mom, my relationships are none of your business. And my health is my own concern."

I tried to interrupt, but she wouldn't let me.

"Well good luck with that, because now, your father is threatening to disown you unless you marry the first son of the Lloyd family."

I felt like throwing up. "Wha-What?" I managed to say, "That's ridiculous. I won't do it."

My mom's voice was firm. "You will do it, Cylan. You will do it because that's the only way to secure a merger between our companies and save our family's reputation. And if you don't, you'll be cut off completely."

I felt a chill run down my spine as I realized the extent of my parents' control. But I knew I couldn't give in. I knew I had to stand up for myself.

"You want me to marry a man? Come on, Mom. I told you guys that I'm gay. I won't pretend to be something I'm not."

My mom's voice was venomous. "You're not gay, Cylan. You're just confused. And you'll do what's best for this family, even if it means marrying a man." She sighed, "It's a phase, honey. Maybe you're worried about it being an arranged marriage."

I tried to interrupt, but she laughed. "Look at your father and I. We were introduced to each other by our parents."

I wanted to argue that they were not happy together, but I held my tongue.

"Oh, my dear Cylan. You need to focus on what's important. You need to continue the family line. You need to get married and have children."

I felt frustrated. "Mom, that doesn't mean I have to marry a man. I can still have a family, still have children, without compromising who I am."

My mom's voice turned stern again. "You're not thinking about the family, Cylan. You're only thinking about yourself. And that's not how it works. You'll do what's best for this family, even if it means sacrificing your own stupid desires. You'll marry the first son of the Lloyd family, Cylan. And you'll do it with a smile on your face."

"Mom, I'm sorry but, I won't do it," I said again, my voice firmer this time. "I won't marry someone I don't love. And I won't pretend to be someone I'm not. Besides, I refuse to be used as a bargaining chip to secure your merger. I won't agree to it."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and for a moment, I thought my mom had hung up on me. But then she spoke, her voice was harsh.

"Fine, Cylan. If that's how you want to play it, then so be it. But don't come crying to me when you're all alone. And know this: you're bringing shame to the Cooper family name, and you'll regret the day you ever chose this... lifestyle of yours." I groaned, but before I could respond, I noticed a girl coming out from under the stairs, carrying a bucket and mop. She was stunning, with long, curly brown hair. She wore the uniform of the cleaners in the center, even though I hadn't seen her before. A new hire probably. Her name tag read "Emily". She was my exact spec, and I felt my heart skip a beat as she passed by me without a word. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down.

My mom's voice brought me back to reality. "Cylan, are you listening to me?"

I tried to focus, but my eyes followed Emily as she moved up the stairs. "Mom, I... uh... yeah, I'm listening."

Emily passed me again, this time on her way back down under the stairs to get some washed towels. She caught my eye and smiled, and I felt my heart flutter. It looked like she would be there awhile and I didn't like someone listening in on my calls.

"Mom, I have to go," I said quickly, ending the call.

As Emily climbed back up and reached the door leading to the hallway, she turned to me momentarily. "You don't have to get married to anyone if you don't want to," she said, her voice soft. "It's your choice. You have to allow yourself to make your own decisions, not let someone else make them for you."

I scoffed.

What the hell?

I narrowed my eyes at her, feeling a mix of emotions. Who the hell did she think she was, and why was she telling me what to do?

"Why is everyone telling me what to do?" I muttered to myself, shaking my head as I stood up from where I sat on the stairs. Her words still hung in the air.

I eyed her and she eyed me warily too. She looked about my own age, in her twenties. She was stunningly pretty, watching her up close, and she had that aura about her that made me want to know more about her. But I was too annoyed to appreciate her looks right now. I felt my face grow hot with anger as I thought about her words. Why did everyone think they knew what was best for me?

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. I didn't need some stranger telling me what to do. I needed to focus on my own life, my own decisions.

I looked at the girl, her expression calm and serene. "You should really mind your own business," I snapped, trying to keep my cool. "Also, it's wrong to eavesdrop on people's conversations."

The lady shrugged, her shoulders barely moving. "Just trying to help," she said, her voice soft.

I watched as she walked away.

My eyes were still fixed on the door the girl had walked through. I didn't know who she was, but I knew I didn't need her advice

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. I didn't have time for this. I had to focus on my own life, my own decisions. Not let someone else dictate what I should do.