c h a p t e r – s e v e n

After convincing Mom that it is better if we talk first to the school's headmaster, Atty. Leones bid us her goodbye since she's still have some other report of work to finish. Mom has already contacted the secretary of the school's headmaster to set an appointment since my parents wanted to discuss the matter in person with him. It is also because we can't directly go and barge into his office without an appointment since he's really a busy man.

"Don't you really want to take this to court?" Mom said as soon as Atty. Leones stepped out of the door. She even displays her worried and bothered look to us.

"Hon—"

"Mom—" Dad and I said at the same time.

"Mom, I thought we've already convinced you." I continued.

"I just—" Mom started but suddenly she was stopped when Ace barged into the living room where we're at through the front door.

"Good morning people of the Jacksons' residence!" Ace yelled energetically as soon as he entered which gained all of our attentions.

"Fine, fine I won't fret about it again." Mom said to us after giving off a heavy sigh. Ace, on the other hand, looks confused on what we are talking about.

"Have I arrived on a bad timing?" Ace asked.

"You always arrive at a bad timing Ace, even before. Nothing's new." Mom replied.

"I mean, have I arrived at a very bad t— Wait, what?!"

"I'm just kidding, but I'm glad that you're aware that you always arrive at a bad timing." Mom joked again that made us all laugh.

"Oh! Before I forgot, I've got some good news for you Alex." Dad suddenly interrupted everyone from laughing on what Mom said to Ace which suddenly caused our attention to divert to him. He has been displaying a very great smile with Mom.

"What is it Ho— Oh, is that—" Mom haven't finished any of her sentences as Dad continues displaying his great smile and nodding on Mom's realization. Maybe Mom already knows what Dad's about to say.

"What is it Dad? Seeing the smile on both you and Mom's face, I'm hoping this is really good news." I said while flashing back the smile they've been giving me. On the corner of my sight, I saw that Ace started walking our direction and sat beside me.

"Your Uncle David is coming home." With that being said, I suddenly lost the great mood and great smile that I've been having a while ago as I hear and process the words that came out directly from Dad. "Maybe by this week or in the first day next week, he'll be here." He continues and waited for my response.

How come this is a good news for me. Is he kidding me? Are they kidding me? Everyone in this house knows how I don't like this guy. Uncle David is actually the younger brother of my mother which stays out of the country most of the time. And when he was here at home, he always acts like the most superior of all and more of an authoritarian father who's been always been over-protective, treats me as a baby, and doesn't even allow me to do thing without his permission and supervision. I don't know how but he can even manage to manipulate my parents' decisions to follow what he demands all the time he is here. It's like he's manipulating and controlling my life in his hands. I know it is a bit shallow reason for hating him, but I really don't like this guy.

"Um, excuse me. I'm going back to my room. I don't think I'm feeling so well to talk about that." After a while of being stunned and speechless, I've made myself said something. I really can't handle things like this right now. I needed some time to process things. I rose from my seat and starts walking away from them as fast as I could in my current state.

"I'll try to talk to him." Ace whispered to them but I heard him quite clear since I haven't walked that far away from the living room. I didn't turn to look at him but I know he's been following me from behind and keeping his distance from me.

"No, I'm not going to talk to you." I coldly told him when we got to start walking up the stairs and he is still following me from a distance.

"I'm not talking to you yet." He said and I glared at him and just continue on my tracks to my room.

"Will you leave me alone?!" I blurted out to him.

"Not a chance. I, being you heavenly good friend, will stay with you especially in this situation." He then just follows me silently after saying those words until we reached my room. I walked directly to the single couch that has been placed in my room right beside the window and glass door that leads to my balcony.

I get myself relaxed and comfortable in my couch and I got a book from the mini table beside. As for Ace, he just sat on the corner of my bed and still not speaking. Before I have closed my eyes to cool down my mood, I've seen him pulling out his phone from the pocket of his jeans. Later on, I've heard a loud sound of firing guns. I know that it's coming from the phone game Ace has been playing. It's a known fact for the both of us that we love action and gun firing games and movies.

"Would you at least keep the volume down?" As I look into him after saying that, I've seen he's enjoying the game which would be the same in me if only I were in a good mood.

"Sorry." He said and lowered the volume of the game he was playing.

After having an almost silent moment, I closed my eyes once again and tried to relax myself in the couch while still holding the open book on top of my chest.

"Aren't you going to say something?" I asked him while still wondering in the dark that I saw with my closed eyes. I'm also getting bothered with his silence.

"Something." He said. "Just kidding, I won't be talking unless you wanted me too. But I'll be staying to give you company for you to have someone talk to when you decided to talk about it." He continued. I slightly smiled for what he said. I'm just glad that he never pesters me to say something, especially on things that I'm not in mood to talk about.

"Ace can you explain to me how come that was good news for me?" I asked him then face towards his direction as I calmed myself for a bit from the annoyance of hearing the news about my uncle.

"Um, maybe he brought some treats and souvenirs?" He replied sheepishly that made me give him a sharp glare as he placed down his phone. "Come on Alex, he isn't that bad. In fact, I find him cool and—"

"Ugh! Then why don't you bring and welcome him in your house and give him hundreds of thousands of your hugs and kisses? You can have him freely."

"Alex, I know you and this guy don't have that good relationship. But haven't you considered giving him a chance to prove you that he is a nice guy? Also, maybe telling him the things you don't want about him would change his approach to you then you forgive him and forget. That's what I've been wondering since I heard the news from your parents." I don't know how I am going to reply on what he has been pointing out. "Come to think of that Alex, it isn't too late for you to change how to treat him."

"Just shut up. I shouldn't really have asked you." That's all I have in mind to say to him. I don't know how to feel or react or even think of what he has been saying. And I don't want to stress out myself thinking of nonsense things.

"Okay, fine." He said while raising both of his hand in mid-air. "I'm just saying, you know. The decision is still in you." He added as he walks towards the near bookshelf from his position. He started browsing for a random book but did not even pick any.

"Hey, isn't it the game I left yesterday? Why is it here?" He said while holding paper bag that he handed me yesterday.

"So that's where I misplaced it yesterday." I replied while looking on what he was holding.

"Can I play this on your secret room?" He asked while giving me a huge smile.

"Like the hell I can stop you from doing so."

"Good answer." He then started pulling several books from the shelf to unlock the hidden door behind it that leads to my secret room as stated by Ace, which is also my leisure area.