Secretary Andrew's Boss Gets Arrested

Maybe it was only Andrew who had found the whole situation hilarious, because Sir Allen's glare behind the prison bars could kill a bear. He was sitting down on the ground while glaring at thye other detainees near him. It was funny because he was still in a uniform of a known prestigious school.

While Andrew sat with the presiding officer in his desk. He had already explained everything to the officer to avoid any criminal record. All charges were dropped and both were clear to go, but Sir Allen didn't know that for now. He had paid good money to ensure that the police would only let him go when his guardian arrives.

"Are you sure 'bout this, Drew?" Uncle Karlito the presiding officer asked, sitting forward in his seat. Concern written on his face. He jerked his head towards Sir Allen. "If he's forcing you into this weird fake boyfriend situation. Just give me a signal or a wink and I'll fuck him up with my boys here."

Andrew couldn't resist the urge to wink, but it looks like some divine intervention had stopped his eyelids from winking. He opted for a sigh.

"No, it's all consensual. Don't worry, he's paying me good money to do this whole elaborate scheme of his. Seems weird I know, but that's rich people for you."

Uncle Karlito leaned back in his seat, scrutinizing Andrew. "You don't like him?"

Andrew gagged and bent down in fake disgust. "What? Ew, no, gross! How could you even think that?"

"Well, you said he's powerful because his family owns the company. Has angelic parents that would accept it even if he just told them he didn't want to inherit said business. And he's swimming in money. These are exact phrases you told me earlier. What's not to like?"

"Gross. Stop." Andrew glared at him and curled his upper lip in disgust.

Uncle Karlito was unimpressed. "That blush on your face says otherwise."

Andrew had just about it with these fat policemen. Andrew was about to lose his shit. He stood up with resentful rage in his eyes. He was about lay down some serious smack talk up in this joint when a windswept Mr. and Mrs. Lopez burst through the station doors. The genuine panic they had displayed for their son had drawn Andrew to dash towards them and comfort them. Mr. Lopez scanned Andrew from head to toe as Mrs. Lopez patted him down.

"Are you okay, Alfonso?" asked Mr. Lopez. "No injuries?"

"No, we're both fine," Andrew replied with a comforting smile. He led them to Uncle Karlito's desk. They had signed the documents and listened to what had caused their eldest son's arrest.

"We got a report that two students pickpocketed around town then entered a motel. The witnesses had initially thought that Allen Lopez had brought an intoxicated minor."

"Mom, dad," Sir Allen walked up to them, back straight and a serious expression. "Mr. Karlito, may I ask for the bathroom?"

"Yes, yes," said Mrs. Lopez. She smiled, but she kept fiddling with her bracelet. "Go relieve yourself first. It must've been a terrible experience. Mr. Karlito, would you mind showing him the way?"

Uncle Karlito nodded and stood up. "Not at all." He rounded the table and escorted Sir Allen out into the hallway.

Andrew swiveled in his seat and faced the family. Auntie and Uncle are not good liars. Though he flirted with risking losing his five million. Should he ask what's been bothering him ever since they've met?

"Auntie, Uncle? I know this is weird for me to ask, but why haven't you reprimanded your son? Like ever. You just got called to a police station because your son got detained for a possible crime."

The pair exchanged worried glances. There it was again. The silent communication they were capable of. Mrs. Lopez reached out and enveloped Andrew's hands with hers as she tried to find the words.

"You see, Alfonso. Before you came along," she said in hushed tones. "We weren't like this. Our children grew up with cold and distant versions of us. Versions we're not proud off. How could we? We didn't even know one of our sons is in a committed relationship. We don't know their favorite colors."

"We never talked to our children," added Mr. Lopez, staring at a spot on the ground. "We clothed them, feed them, but we never showed our love for them. Our house grew cold. Only now can we talk like this with our sons. We don't want to jeopardize that my reprimanding him on his mistakes."

Andrew held Mrs. Lopez tight. "You say you want to change your family's lack of your communication. Yet here you guys are. Not saying your piece and letting your son do whatever he wants. While you just accept it with a smile even though you really aren't smiling."

"We just want him to be comfortable around us. We've already missed our chance at providing them a warm and accepting childhood. We don't want to lose more."

"Families fight when they argue. Friends argues. Even you two have argued in the past. Fights are important because you both get to say what's on your mind. But arguments caused by bottled-up emotions rarely leave both sides without scars."

"We don't even know how to start," Mrs. Lopez said in hushed tones.

"Buckle up and start acting like parents!" Andrew yelled. "Your son just got imprisoned for stealing, day drinking, and sexual harassment. And he's sent you, not one, but several photos of him getting wasted and drunk out of his mind. You should be telling him off and smacking the living daylights out of him."

Determination washed over their faces. They caught each other's eyes once again and agreed via one decisive nod. Mrs. Lopez swiveled towards Andrew with pressed lips and flared nostrils. She smacked Andrew on his arm.

"Why are you drinking in public," she exclaimed. "Day drinking should be done indoors. Drinking in public settings are only acceptable when the sun is out!"

Andrew tried to fend off the incoming smacks. "But it was tequila rose."

That earned him a thwack on the thighs. "The doesn't matter. But it's good that you're always together with our son. You two always need to be together, alright? One should always have a clear mind when the other is drunk."

Andrew only nodded. Afraid of earning another thwack.

Mrs. Lopez sighed, relieved. She grinned. "That felt good. Come here son." She took Andrew in her arms and enveloped him in her warmth. Andrew froze in response. He must have been stiff all over, yet Mrs. Lopez only patted him in the back until his body sagged in acceptance. His arms lay lifeless in his side.

"After dad beats some sense into your boyfriend," said Mrs. Lopez. "Let us have dinner."

Andrew, still shell-shocked at the sudden affection, just nodded. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Sir Allen come in with Uncle Karlito. Mr. Lopez displayed an angry face.

"Is this good?" he asked them both. A chuckle slipped out of Andrew. "Angrier, Mr. Lopez. Do it like in one of your meetings?"

"That's it dear!" Mrs. Lopez praised him.

Mr. Lopez shot up from his seat and rounded on Sir Allen. Andrew forgot that he wasn't supposed to know how Uncle looked liked in a meeting because he's not supposed to be a Lopez Co. employee.

-#-

Andrew and Sir Allen stood side-by-side as they strolled along Sir Allen's lawn.

"You got a pretty big scolding, huh."

Sir Allen rolled his eyes. "They were exaggerating. It was all misunderstanding in the end. Plus, one record is not going to destroy my future. I am the youngest Vice President in the company! And that's saying something."

Sir Allen was smiling even though he was complaining. It made Andrew curl a smile of his own lips. "Well, you know how parents get. You also got a scolded, are you alright?"

"Of course, I'm alright. Words like that won't cut me." Andrew snorted. "I work for you after all." It was a mild scolding. Andrew would give it a six out of ten. But it had been fun. Being in a sort-of family. Like he was in a sitcom.

Sir Allen responded with a side-long glance. "We accomplished something huge today. Mom and dad have finally—as you would say it: popped off—now we are one step closer to our goal."

Andrew wasn't completely sure with this thought. But Auntie nad Uncle might let Sir Allen pursue his dreams if he just said so. Even though it's late and they were misunderstood, they both want what's best for their sons. Andrew sighed.

"It is pretty bomb that I got mistaken for a minor," he mumbled.

"Maybe it's because you're cute," said Sir Allen, absent minded.

Andrew scratched his nose. Shit. Were they having a moment? They were having a moment.

They reached the gate. There was already a cab waiting outside. They bid their goodbyes and Andrew poured himself into the cab's backseat. He turned and they caught each other's eye. The corner of Sir Allen's lip curled. He waved goodbye while he slid his other hand into his pocket and leaned on the gate.

They didn't tear their sights away from each other until the cab had turned in a corner. Andrew swore he left a packet of marijuana that he swiped from the evidence room in Sir Allen's jeans. He stared and stared but couldn't remember. But never mind.