Chapter 14
Alex walked into the house to see his mom standing at the kitchen, her arm marked by a fresh bruise.
Now this is nothing new, he should get used to it. He’s been seeing this shit since he was a kid. But no, no matter how many times he sees it, it never makes it better. It always stir something dark inside him.
He wants to fight, he wants punch, he wants to fucking punch until his knuckles go numb
He will never get used to it, and as always a familiar rage rises within him, a fire stoked by years of witnessing his mother and brother’s torment,
He glanced around to see his older brother lying on the couch, eyes glazed and unfocused, clearly high with whatever stupid drugs he took today.
He walks close to his mom, he stares at her, hoping she will tell him what happened, she never does, always covering for that bastard.
“What happened, Mom?” Alex’s voice was tight, barely controlled.
She offered a strained smile, attempting to downplay the situation like always. “Nothing, baby. I’m okay.”
“Mom, I said, what happened?” His tone sharpened, demanding the truth.
She sighed, her gaze dropping to the floor. “I… I hit my arm. Now come, sit down and eat.”
Lies after lies after lies
“Mom.” His voice softened, filled with concern.
She glanced toward the doorway, where shadows shifted with the movement of someone approaching. “It was an accident. I tried to defend your brother.” She whispers
At that moment, his father entered, exuding an air of unwarranted authority. The man’s mere presence was enough to set Alex’s nerves on edge.
If the devil was a person? His father will tick all the traits, characters, habits and behavior.
Alex turn to stare at his father, trying to control his anger
His mother reached out, placing a gentle hand on his clenched fist. Her whisper was a plea. “Let it go, please.”
Alex’s jaw tightened as he locked eyes with his father, a silent battle of wills. The room was thick with unspoken words, the weight of years pressing down on him.
O
He couldn’t do anything, no matter how strong he was, he was powerless against his father.
Without a word, he turned and made his way to his room.
The hot shower did little to wash away the anger burning inside him. He scrubbed off the concealer that had masked his bruises.
He dressed up in fresh clothes, he grabbed his keys not even bothering to say anything to anyone.
The walls of the house felt like they were closing in, each corner echoing with memories he wished he could forget. He needed air, a drink, something to numb the chaos inside.
1/3
Mia stood before the cracked mirror in her small bedroom tying her hair into a neat ponytail. The muffled sounds of her sisters, Ann and Lily, arguing over yet another of Lily’s romantic entanglements echoes through the thin walls.
God! Is like they are cursed, the only thing they talk about are dicks, fucks, sex sex and sex. And that’s exactly what they fight about too, all the time
She took a deep breath, all she had to do was mind her business. Their battles were a constant soundtrack to her life, one she had learned to tune out.
Slipping out of the house, she felt a rush of relief as the cool evening air greeted her. The walk to the diner was her sanctuary, a brief enjoyment of peace before the demands of her shift.
Entering through the back door, Mia changed into her uniform and tied her apron with practiced efficiency. The familiar hum of the popular bar was like a comforting rhythm that allowed her at that moment to forget the chaos at home.
As she stepped into the counter, her eyes instinctively roamed around looking for what she didn’t lose.
There he was-Alex. Definitely what Mia had lost, cause the moment she saw him she quickly looked away. Her cheeks burn like a fucking shy idiot in love.
His presence was magnetic though, drawing her gaze despite her best efforts to remain professional.
Their eyes met, and for a second, the world around her faded. Her breath caught in her throat, a flutter of something unknown stirred inside her.
Quickly, she pulls her gaze away again, focusing on the task at hand. Actually there was no task at the moment but she had to give herself something to do, like looking at the already cleaned arranged glasses.
But……
The awareness of him lingered, making her to be aware of every of her actions and inactions.
She busied herself with taking orders when she was called to two tables.
Mia chastised herself for the distraction. Alex was a customer, nothing more. Allowing her thoughts to wander down that path was a luxury she couldn’t afford.
Still, as the evening wore on, she couldn’t help the occasional glance in his direction, each stolen look sending a shiver of something she refused to name.
She can’t name…
When her shift finally ended, Mia retreated to the back room, leaning against the cool metal of the lockers. She closed her eyes, begging her racing heart to steady.
She gathered her belongings and stepped out into the night. She would return home, navigate the familiar chaos, and push thoughts of Alex to the recesses of her mind.
But as she walked, the memory of his gaze lingered, a silent promise of something more-a promise she wasn’t sure she was ready to explore.
Or maybe she is just being delusional
She sighs holding her bag tight as she makes her way home, she couldn’t shake the feeling that her life was on the edge of a very big change.
The thought both thrilled and terrified her, leaving her standing in between desire and fear.
2/3
Or maybe she is just thinking too much into Alex asking her out? He did ask her out right?
Paid date, stop being a delulu, the rational part of her mind points out.
She let out a tired sigh…
As she rounded the corner to the street that leads to the bus stop, the distant sound of a car engine reached her ears. A sleek, dark vehicle, her heart skipped a beat, a mix of anticipation and apprehension flooding her senses.
The driver’s side door opened, and Alex emerged, his tall frame illuminated by the light from the streetlamp.
He leaned casually against his car, arms crossed as he stares at her.
田
