“You are such a whore!”
Mom keeps on kicking Ayle on the corner of this room. I was tied dead to the chair and couldn’t move. I tried wiggling my whole being, so at least I could fall from the chair and crawl to Ayle. But no matter how hard I struggle, I feel like the rope is getting tighter around my hand and feet. I could only watch mom practically kill my sister.
Ayle curled up with both hands covering her face. She cries so hard that triggers mom more.
“I told you he isn’t a good man, yet you still ran away with him! You dumb bitch!”
SLAP!
Another hard blow landed on Ayle’s cheek. My sister is howling in pain. Mom looks like she is possessed. She didn’t even care with the blood running from the corner of Ayle’s lips. She keeps on slapping and calls her names.
“Mom stop! You are killing her!” I shout but nothing comes out. My throat is sore and I feel like losing my voice.
Mom grabbed a fistful of Ayle’s hair and pulled it near her. “Now, I want you to abort the baby. No one should know you’re pregnant. Am I making myself clear?”
“B…but mom-”
“Stupid bitch!”
I saw mom strangled Ayle’s neck with her right hand. Her veins are popping out. I can’t imagine how hard she squeezed my sister’s neck. Ayle’s hand is tapping the floor repeatedly, asking for mom to release her grip. Mom doesn’t seem to mind. Instead, she smiles and move closer to Ayle.
“You’ll kill the fucking baby, or I’ll kill you. Your choice.”
“MOM STOP!”
--
A loud buzz shook me up before my dream went too far. I glanced at the table clock, it shows a number of 9:00. I sit up leaning on my headbed before turning the alarm off. I checked on my phone and it has two missed call and a text from Bryan.
From : YDUM Bryan (8.15 AM)
‘I’m heading to your house for breakfast.’
I ignore his text because he is most likely here now. Who knows how many plates he has finished. I’ll kill him if he ate my portion.
Since my head is still pounding, I decided to lay here for some moments. I’m glad I didn’t drink much last night. I even manage to drive Bryan home. Now it makes me wonder how come he didn’t have a hungover? He was wasted last night.
Speaking of last night, I haven’t got her name yet. Why is it so hard for her to tell me her name? Should I go to the bar again tonight? If it wasn’t because of Bryan whining to go home, I could’ve waited for her shift to be done. And we could talk. We can introduce ourselves properly. Maybe I could ask what perfume did she use, I really like her scent. Don’t let me start with her toothpaste. She smells like mint. And those plump lips…
“Yo bro! Who got you smiling like that?”
Bryan loud voice breaks my thought. I saw him standing at my bedroom door, together with Ayle who is smirking at me. Those two must have been badmouthing me earlier. Remind me again why haven’t I banned that annoying little dipshit from coming to my house?
“You see that, Ayle?! He is probably thinking about that blonde, right my dear friend?”
“So, who is that girl, bro?” Ayle added. I can hear the teasing tone from her.
I scoffed and get up from bed, “stop feeding my sister your gossips, Bryan.”
Those two walk towards my bed. Ayle sit on it while Bryan stands behind her. It’s like he knows I’ll kick his butt once he got near me.
“At least tell us her name? I could help you find her background. You know girls could be a good FBI.” Ayle wiggles her eyebrows. “It’s been a while since you bring someone home.” She added.
Since my last breakup, I’ve never seen anyone. It’s been what? Three years I guess? I’m twenty-four and it’s getting somehow tiring to meet new people. Imagine going through such adjustments with someone new, meeting both families to see if we’re compatible, not to mention my mom is a hard pass. I’m not going through those tiring circles.
“I can already hear mom’s rejection.”
I stood up and walked towards my bathroom sink. I took my toothbrush and spread the toothpaste on top of it.
“Yeah, go live your boring life and lose chance on your potential lover. Just sit and wait until mom introduce you to one of her colleague’s daughter. Then get married because mom ASKED you to. Sounds like a great plan to be alive.” Ayle mocked.
I didn’t reply because she is right. Even my ex-girlfriend, Cindy, who is a straight A’s student and currently studying law, doesn’t pass her ‘standard’. It’s all because Cindy’s parents aren’t as wealthy as us. Well, we aren’t rich. But mom has worked hard as a single parent to make sure we have a good life. She just doesn’t want her kids to be used by another person. Moreover, after what Ayle’s ex did back then. She becomes extremely protective, sometimes it’s terrifying.
“Yeah, stop being such a pussy, man!” Bryan added.
That bastard knows everything. I accidentally spilled everything to Bryan about my family’s condition. It was the night after Ayle got her abortion done. I was really drunk that time. Actually, we were both drunk. I didn’t expect him to remember anything, therefore I talked my heart out. But the next day, he remembered every detail clearly. Lucky me, he is reliable enough and keep it to himself. Bryan isn’t the type to show his pity. And I’m really grateful for that.
After rinsing my mouth and washed my face, I glared at both annoying people. “Stop it, okay? She isn’t a match.”
Ayle heave a deep sigh and proceed to let out a fake smile. “Sure, continue being awfully obedient until mom realize she is such a psychopath for differentiating people because of their past.”
With that, my sister stomped out of my room. As we made eye contact, Bryan shook his head. He looked at me disappointedly before going out of the room.
I sighed and face the foggy mirror above the sink.
You are such a dick, Alex.
BEEEEEP!!!BANG!SHIT. Did I just hit someone?I pulled out the handbrake and jump out of the car. There’s an old man on the asphalt, wincing in pain while holding his leg. I ran towards him and squatted down to check if there’s blood. Luckily, there’s none.“Oh my, I’m sorry, Sir! Are you okay?”I was about to help him stand up, only for me to feel a cold metal on my neck. A knife is being pressed lightly against my skin, making me freeze. I gulped and try not to make any moves. Move an inch and my throat could be sliced.“Give me all your money.” The old man stated calmly. I see no cars nor people around. It’ll be useless to fight back.“I-I have some cash inside the car.”“Don’t try to fool me.”“No! I didn’t! You could check it yourself!”“You know what will
“You fucking whore!”SLAP!“Mom!”I sprinted to where Ayle is. She was hugging her knees on the floor. Her body is shaking as I wrapped her into a hug.“Stop protecting your sister! She needs a really good slap to wake her up!”“Mom, stop! It won’t get you anywhere by hitting her!”Mom was breathing heavily. She threw the baseball bat she was holding to the floor. Ayle flinched because of the loud thug as the baseball hit the ceramic. Did mom just hit her with that?“Be honest with me. How many has she brought home while I’m away?”“What are you talking about? Ayle didn’t bring anyone home.”“You know I can check everything through the CCTV, right? I’ll ask you one more time, Alex. How many boys has she brought home?”“No one, mom.” I answered straightforwardl
It’s half past six and we are still at the newly opened bookstore across my office. Ayle wants to spend time as much time as she could by staying far from the house. I’m not against her idea, but it’s kind of tiring after a long day at work. It would be great if I could go straight to bed after work. Or maybe, I could pay Rosie a visit. Should I ask for her number if we meet again?“Are you in a relationship or what?”I flinched as Ayle slammed her books to the table. I glared at her because some of the visitors are staring at us.“Why the fuck are you so loud?!” I asked in a whisper-yelled tone.“Stop acting like this is a library.” Ayle rolled her eyes and proceed to sit down. “You’ve been daydreaming for the past…” She glanced at her watch, “ten minutes?”I folded my arms and stare at her unbelievably. “Since when did you become a paparazzi?”
“We’ll have another social experiment?”“Sales department said public has a great feedback about it. Most of them are asking for another experiment.”I haven’t got over the first social task we had. Let’s just hope there’s no certain participant that attracts my attention. Or better, there’s no certain blonde suddenly appears in our booth.“The topic is either the most painful thing you’ve been told or you’ve told. The management is taking votes for that.”“It’s… kinda interesting?”“I know, right. I definitely choose the painful thing you’ve told someone.”I take another bite of my burger. I almost let out a moan since it’s my very first meal for the day. “Why?”“I have listened to many stories where people being victims. I want to see the sides of villains. Ho
“Shit! I’m sorry!”I quickly kneel down and pick the scattered papers all over the floor. I’m in a rush and didn’t watch my step, causing me to bump onto the new intern girl. The meeting with Maggy took longer than usual. Of course, she has lots of complaints. All the way down from works to the tidiness of our office.It’s a little over seven, means I’ll be meeting Rosie in a bit. It’s embarrassing because with just the thought of seeing her tonight, makes me giddy all day. Bryan even notice my unusual behavior and keeps on bugging me today, but I just brushed him off. I’ll tell him when I think I stand a chance with Rosie.“Here,” I handed some of the papers I picked, “I’m sorry, I didn’t watch where I was going.”“It’s okay, I didn’t watch my step too. Thank you.” She bowed politely and avoid eye contact with me. She keeps her eyes on the fl
“Are you sure you don’t want to eat at home?”“I swear if you ask me one more time!”I quickly zipped my mouth and follow this blonde who is walking in front of me. I’m carrying a box full of chicken and two drinks, while Rosie has snacks on both hands. We are currently walking to the rooftop of an abandoned building. Since we parked at the 8th floor a.k.a the last floor for parking lot, it takes forever to reach its rooftop. We area on the last stairs and I can feel my legs go jelly.This building used to be a bar years ago. But its business went bankrupt and the owners probably hiding somewhere, leaving this place unoccupied. But it doesn’t mean this place is unused and haunted. Most of the time, the rooftop is occupied by youngsters to chill and stuff. Its night view is breathtaking, thus worth the effort to reach the rooftop.Rosie pushed the metal door opened. Its creaking sound makes several heads
“AYLE!”As soon as they heard my shout, both pairs pulled away.The plan was I came home to a quiet and peaceful house, since it’s almost one in the morning. But no. I have to witness Ayle and a random guy make out in our front yard.I could see Ayle urging the guy to get inside his car as I fasten my pace towards them. The guy is fumbling around his pants, maybe looking for the car keys. As I walk closer, there’s a strong reek of alcohol coming from both of them.As soon as I grabbed his collar, I waste no time to punch this bastard in the face. Now the intoxicated guy fell headfirst to the ground.This guy grimace in pain. I could see bloods flowing through his mouth. Although it stings, my knuckle doesn’t seem to be stopping soon. I land another punch, and punches, on this bastard.“Alex! Stop!”I felt a harsh tug on my back, thus making me left another kick on him before getting pulled awa
“So, the rumor is true?”“What rumor?”“You are seeing someone here?”I just laughed it off. Bryan has been way too persistent since I asked if he wants to go to the club. And I guess meeting Olive here last Friday, make it worse. The interns are quite active in spreading news.“Tell me, which chick keeps you here?”I ignored him as I pushed the door opened. Shake it off by Taylor Swift was being played out loud, yet no one seems to complain. If anything, the crowds get even wilder when the chorus came. I look over the counter and found Rosie bobs her head, jamming to the diva’s song.“Shit! That’s the blonde?!” Bryan shouted behind me, as we made our way to the counter.As she knows someone is watching her, Rosie turned her head towards our direction. Her lip curls slightly upward, giving me a dominance smile, as we made an eye contact. I wink and in an instant,