012
Arcana arrived at their dorm by Midnight.
Theo
Lea was a life saver. If it weren't for her food, we wouldn't be eating the whole day.
Jae
How'd she know we like Kimchi Rice?
Ren
Probably saw a fan site that stated how we like our food.
Harry
I don't think she's kinda like that tho.
Jim
Probably just a coincidence.
Jae
Is it me or does every conversation we have goes right back to him wanting to see her?
Harry
So our Leader's the type to always talk about her girlfriend.
Theo
I vote to forbid Leader to talk about Lea for more than twice when he's with us.
Ren
Majority votes against leader. From now on, you're forbidden to talk about Lea for more than twice.
Harry
He will be forbidden to see Lea for a week.
Zeke
That's ridiculous! Who would agree to that?
Theo
Brother's code number five section two.
Jim
A brother who's in a serious relationship shall follow the majority of votes unconditionally whenever an annoying act may potentially become a habit.
Harry
And those, Leader, are your actual words.
Zeke
Stupid Brother's code.
Ren
Haha. We're watching you Leader.
Daybreak came and Zeke's excited that its tuesday.
It only means that they will spend an hour at Lea's work and afterwhich, she'll stay with him overnight.
While he's highly motivated, Lea on the other hand was busy checking her mails.
Checking the movement of her stocks on her investments and policies.
As soon as she saved enough to invest to atleast double her money effortlessly, she studied thoroughly on how to invest and earn more.
Lea
I think I need to buy more stocks soon.
Lea looked over at the portrait pinned at her refrigerator door.
Its a simple sketch of her ideal house.
Lea looked at her calendar and sighed.
Lea
Guess I'm working overtime tonight.
Ken
Lea, please bring this coffee over to the gentleman in booth four.
Lea's heart sank as she laid eyes on her estranged father.
Henry looked cool and calmly tasted the coffee.
His face was plastered with smile.
The cafe was filled with work that's why Lea forgot about Henry while working.
Evening came and Arcana came in early.
Ren
Dashing as always Uncle.
Henry
Looks like Arcana decided to make this cafe a hang out spot.
Theo
Yep! The coffee they serve here is good.
Henry
Yes. I took the liberty of tasting one.
Theo
Ah! Dad wait. Let me introduce you to someone.
Theo browsed the cafe and searched for Lea. He saw her carrying a stack of paper cups.
Lea pretends to not hear anything.
Theo came over the counter.
Theo
Boss! Can I borrow Lea for a minute? I need to introduce her to my Dad. Please?
Lea
A-Ah. Theo, I'm s-still working.
Ken
I don't mind. The cafe is pretty much empty now anyways.
Theo dragged her towards Henry.
Theo
Dad! I'd like you to meet my friend, Lea. Lea this is my Dad.
Lea
N-nice to meet you sir.
Henry
Pleasure is all mine.
Henry offered a handshake.
Lea hesitantly took it and as soon as she did, Henry pulled her in a tight embrace.
Theo
Dad! You can't just do that!
Henry
Hahaha. Sorry. She looks like you so I naturally want to pull her in an embrace.
Theo
If you say it like that...then.
Theo hugged her while Henry was still embracing her.
Lea felt so conflicted that she shut her eyes.
Zeke
Oi. 💢 Isn't that too much for hugging someone's girlfriend in front of them?
Henry
Oh. Are you my Lea's beloved boyfriend Zeke?
Zeke
Your Lea? Uncle, she is MY Lea.
Zeke
Even if our families are friends, I won't back down if you gun for her.
Henry
Ahaha. Be at ease Zeke. I merely see Lea as the daughter I didn't have.
Lea
💢 Its rude to just hug someone you just met Old Man!
Lea
And Theo you must not hug people so easily in public! I don't want your die hard fans throwing eggs at me!
Lea
And you my precious boyfriend! Stop glaring. You might form wrinkles!
Lea
Get settled in your usual booth and let me work!
Lea
You really are a handful bunch! 💢
Ren
Arara. Someone made her mad.
Zeke
Ha?! Its Uncle's fault for hugging her without permission.
Theo
Yeah! Dad's to blame.
Brent
Theo's to blame as well.
While they moved to a bigger booth, Lea felt weak as she entered the kitchen.
Her knees weakened causing her to fall on her knees.
She trembled as she looked at her hands.
Little did she know, tears fell from her eyes.
Lea
I hate them. I know I hate them...
Lea
W-why? Why must he embrace me like that?
Lea
It felt warm and loving.. Why? If he was capable of such warmth.
Lea
Why? why then would he abandon me?
Lea find it difficult to process her feelings. The mix of happiness, longing and hate are all muddled.
Her feelings almost made her puke.
It took a while before Lea regained her composure.
Ken
Are you okay? You look pale.
Lea
I'm fine. I was just... A-are these the orders?
Ken
Its okay. Mind the register for now. I don't think I'll be able to leave you alone so its better that I keep you to where I can keep my eyes on you.
Ken
Its okay. Clearly something's up. Talk to me later okay.
After closing the cafe, Lea explained things to Ken although she was vague about it.
He didn't understand since it was vague but he gave her a warm head pat.
Lea
I really need to get my act together.
Lea
I can't keep worrying Boss like this.
After locking the back door, Lea stopped on her track when she saw Henry waiting for her.
Henry
Just for a little while.
Lea
I still have prior engagements after work. Sorry.
Lea attempted to walk out.
Henry
Stop running away from me.
Lea
What are you saying Sir?
Henry
Don't play innocent.
Lea felt tired and fed up. The blood ties that forcefully connects her to him makes her disgusted.
Lea
What do you want after all this time?
Henry
Did you deliberately befriend Theo cause he's an idol now?
Lea
Is that what your wife told you?
Henry
What she told me doesn't matter. What matters is your intention. Are you planning to have revenge?
Lea
You think you're that important to me?
Henry
Mina said you convinced Theo that it was okay to quit his work.
Henry
I don't care if you try to reconnect with us, but I won't tolerate you meddling with our finances.
Henry
I can't have you trampling all the years of my leeching to that Old Man just to get to his good side.
Lea
Don't be too self-important.
Lea
You and your family should just go and die somewhere. I couldn't care less about your lives.
Henry
So you learned how to talk back.
Henry
Quite the tongue you have there.
Lea
Let's cut to the chase.
Lea
Seeing your face enough makes me want to puke blood.
Lea looked at Henry with deadly glare.
Lea
YOU ALL ARE DEAD TO ME.
Lea
Its your son who found me so don't blatantly assume things.
Lea
If you want to protect him, I suggest you chain him to your waist.
Lea
You don't know what I'm capable of. I've got nothing to lose so you better watch it.
Lea
Also, don't you dare come near me again. You might meet your creator earlier than you expect.
Lea left him baffled and unable to process what happened.
At a distance, Zeke was waiting for her.
Zeke
You can't talk your way out of this.
Zeke raised his hand and his car came.
While they were silently waiting to arrive, the driver felt uncomfortable with the silence.
Zeke reached for her hand and held it.
Lea interlaced their fingers.
As soon as they arrived, Zeke carried her towards the sofa.
It was then that Lea's tears fell.
Zeke pulled her close and embraced her as she silently cried.
Lea clenched her fist until her fingernails pierced her palms.
Zeke patted her back while she cried.
Wanting to console his girlfriend, Zeke think of the only thing he's good at.
Zeke
🎶Lift your head, baby, don't be scared..🎶
Zeke
🎶Of the things that could go wrong along the way🎶
Zeke
🎶You'll get by with a smile🎶
Zeke
🎶You can't win at everything but you can try.🎶
Zeke
🎶Baby you don't have to worry🎶
Zeke
🎶Cause there ain't no need to hurry🎶
Zeke
🎶No one ever said that there's an easy way.🎶
Zeke
🎶When they're closing all their doors🎶
Zeke
🎶They don't want you anymore🎶
Zeke
🎶This sounds funny but I'll say it anyway🎶
Zeke
🎶Girl, I'll stay, through the bad times🎶
Zeke
🎶Even if I have to fetch you everyday🎶
Zeke
🎶We'll get by with a smile...
You can never be too happy in this life🎶
As Zeke sang the song, Lea found herself calming down.
Every pat on her back felt comforting.
Lea lifted her head and looked at Zeke.
He wiped her tears and kissed her eyes.
Zeke
I don't like seeing you cry like this.
Lea responded with a small smile.
Zeke
Though I don't mind since you were willing to be in my arms.
Lea traced his lips with her fingers.
She reached for his neck and gave him a peck.
Zeke
I could get used to this.
Zeke tucked Lea's hair behind her ear.
Zeke
I don't want to force you. Though I would lie if I said I wasn't thinking about it.
Lea
I trust you so its okay.
Zeke placed a quick kiss before he asked.
Zeke
Tell me whenever you're ready.
Lea
What do you want to know?
Zeke
Why was Uncle Henry talking to you?
Lea
He was warning me about Theo.
Lea
I guess I have to tell you more about me before you can understand.
Zeke
Let's start with you then.
Lea
I am an abandoned child.
Lea
I grew up in an orphanage and was let out when I was sixteen.
Before he could finish his question, he decided to wait for Lea.
Lea
They are alive if that's what you're asking.
Lea smiled seeing Zeke's reaction.
Lea
You know him well actually.
Lea
I'm sure you've noticed.
Lea
How our resemblance was uncanny.
Zeke
I never considered it since we always knew he doesn't have any twin.
Lea
Yes, well, he doesn't know about me either.
Zeke
It doesn't make sense.
Lea
We have a mysoginist grandfather. He used to beat me when I was young because I'm a woman.
Lea
Whenever he sees me, he will start throwing a fit and verbally attack me.
Lea
He would always say that I'm useless and weak.
Lea
Once he shoved me inside a sack and hang it at a tree inside our backyard.
Zeke felt a budding anger inside his stomach.
Lea
I lived under a broom cupboard until I was four.
Lea
Mom had to wake me up before he wakes up and leave me at a nearby park until late at night.
Lea
It was only at night that I have to walk back and wait until they all are asleep.
Lea
Mom would leave a small plate of left overs for me to eat when I get home.
Lea
But one unfortunate night, I had a fever.
Lea
It was so bad that they had to rush me to the hospital.
Lea
I was out for three days, and when I finally came to, I heard from my neighboring patient that no one visited me.
Lea
The staff said that my hospital bills were paid in full.
Lea
I didn't know where I was, and the hospital didn't care if I leave or not.
Lea
I walked around town and found the orphanage.
Zeke hugged Lea and held her preciously.
He found himself crying along with her.
It must've hurt her opening her old wounds again.
Comments
Anonymous
So now its her Dad! I swear her family is crazy.
2020-06-12
4