Lahat ng Kabanata ng Craving Mr. Cane: Kabanata 61 - Kabanata 70

“Yes, you heard me right,” he said. “But, but…” I began, mind blown and reeling from the turn of events. “And before you get the idea of slapping me, can you just hear me out first?” he asked. “Hmm…” “Just, shut up for a bit, okay? Better yet,” he glanced around his office, “ I think we need to talk elsewhere.” I tried to see what he was looking for, hidden cameras perhaps? He nudged me toward the door. I narrowed my eyes at him. “Trust me,” he pleaded. I grumbled as I followed him. The trauma and skepticism over the whole matter left a sizable gap between us as we entered the elevator. When he didn’t press the button for the basement, I raised my eyebrow at him. He cocked his head as we made our way across the building’s lobby. “Come on. Let’s take a walk,” he held the door for me. I let him lead and we rounded a familiar corner. He looked back at me and smiled, a little shy one that made my stomach react. I cursed myself as he held the door to his favorite cafe once aga

He centered the knot of his tie. His crisp white collar contrasts his gray vest in the most attractive way. We stand at the front door of the Cane estate. “All good,” I said to him. His deep gaze didn’t leave my face. He nodded. The door opened and an old man with impeccable taste bowed at Austin. “Sir, good evening. I’ll let Mrs. Cane know right away.” He looked at me and said, “Ma’am,” before stepping back and opening the massive entrance door. “Mr. Peters, could I have a quick word?” Austin glanced at me and I quickly headed inside. I exhaled with every step I took leading to the sitting room. I ventured to open the door, taking a quick look back at Austin and the man murmuring by the corner. He glanced up and minutely shook his head. I retracted my hand and continued walking along the corridor. Across the room and to the left was a glass-paned door that opened to a large garden. At the center of it is a glasshouse.I took careful steps down the corridor, following the paved

After everything that happened, he goes and says something like that. His mega-watt smiles after his confession didn’t go away for the rest of the night. If anything, I was the only one who was stiff and awkward. Why didn’t I say it back? Why did I freeze? “Now that that’s out of the way, are we ready to get back to work?” he asked in an attempt to unfreeze me. He patted my arm as I remained at a loss for words. He slowly scooted away but fixed his gaze on me, careful that he might scare me away. It surprised me, but he seemed to understand the situation perfectly. “I’m going to handle some legal matters tomorrow with the lawyers,” he stated. Back to business, as if he didn’t drop a bomb on me just now. I didn’t get a wink of sleep that night. I tossed and turned, replaying the events of the day. A lamp clicked at the other side of the massive hotel room and the yellow dim light bathed the corner. I peeked at his side profile from my own bed. It seemed that he wasn’t getting any

Austin “That is not my child!” “Don’t be silly, Austin,” my Mother dismissed. “Own up to your responsibilities. That is no way to be a real man, you should be ashamed of yourself.” Trust my mother to deny facts and insult me at the same time in a single statement. I’m not even surprised that she would slither away from the issue. She is a master manipulator and this is her favorite pastime - twisting everyone’s words and reality to suit her own. I don’t know how anyone can argue with her and win, she has her own world. We’re all just living in it. She could wiggle out of trouble and blame it all on you. Plus insult you for your incompetence, all in one sitting. “I saw it,” I said darkly. “The way you dragged me right from this room and injected me with some drug.” “I don’t know what you’re talking about. You must have been so drunk or maybe you were hallucinating,” she insisted. “Really, you should learn how to control your alcohol, Austin. It’s outstandingly weak that you can’t

Austin Sliding my drawer open, I feel for the picture frame hidden underneath the papers. Turning it over, the grinning faces of two boys and an older man stared back at me. It’s one of the rare days Father spent time with us. Sebastian and I were more than ecstatic to go fishing with him. The boat was large, more like a luxury yacht, but nonetheless, it was every boy’s dream. This picture, the only one of us three, I’ve kept hidden because of the pain of seeing Seb’s smiling face. Keeping it close was a tether to him. To me, he will always be my big brother who saved me by sacrificing himself. I take the picture out and notice my Father’s face completely serene and lit up. Now, it’s a tether to both of them. I proudly display the picture frame on my desk. They will remain with me always. Thinking about Seb’s tragic death and Father’s murder would not cease to be dreadful. Nothing will make it okay. The trial currently taking place will not bring them back. Their subsequent convicti