Chapter 156 - Strong

Keifer's POV

Nightmare.

That's what I'm experiencing right now. Dad is hurting Mom more and more. It's gotten to the point where it's making him sick quickly.

And it's frustrating that I can't do anything about it. I just don't understand why Mom stays in that house if this is how she's being treated.

Annoying!

"Brother... your friends are here," Keigan called out to me.

He's another one! Something is wrong with him too. Keigan has become quiet and always seems preoccupied. I told him to stay away from Dylan, but I always see them together.

"You don't want to join us?" I asked while getting dressed.

"No. I want to stay here with Mom," he answered and walked away.

I want to stay with Mom too, but I can't. Every time I see her, my heart just breaks. Why does she stay here? With Dad?

I've asked her several times, but she always gives the same answer: "Your dad and I will be okay." But that's obviously not happening.

I walked out of my room. They were already at the entrance door. As usual—Percy with his smiling face, Aries with his serious expression, and Yuri with his poker face. We've been friends for more than a year now.

They always pick me up from the house. No one else can drive with us.

Just as I was about to leave, I heard a very familiar voice.

"Keifer, where do you think you're going?"

"Out with my friends," I answered Dad quickly.

"Are you going out more often?"

"Why? Are you going to lock me up here at home?" I asked, bored.

He looked me straight in the eye. I knew my response was rude, but I couldn't hold it in any longer.

"I don't like the way you talk to me."

"And I don't like talking to you," I said and walked out of the house.

The three of them immediately followed me.

"Aren't you afraid of your dad?" Aries asked.

"No. Why?"

"Because we are," Percy said with a laugh.

I wish it were that easy—to just laugh at everything.

We got into Yuri's car. His driver often accompanies us on these trips, no matter where we go.

Just to get away from this miserable house.

"Where are we going now?" Yuri asked.

"Let's go somewhere fun. We need to celebrate," Percy said.

"Celebrate?"

"Yes! Did you forget what day it is today?" he asked.

Aries and Yuri looked at each other, confused. None of us had any idea what he was talking about.

"What day is it today?"

"Seriously?! You guys are the worst!" Percy said, clearly annoyed.

"Is it your birthday?" Aries asked.

Percy immediately shook his head. "Today is our anniversary! We've been friends for two years!"

"Ahhh..." we all said in unison, nodding.

"What the heck?! Doesn't our friendship mean anything to you?!" Percy crossed his arms and stared straight ahead.

"What is this? A relationship? Are we counting anniversaries now?" Aries asked.

"Yes! That's why you should kiss me!" Percy shouted, trying to shove his face toward Aries.

Aries immediately pushed him away. "Yuck! Stop it!"

"Enough of that... Let's go to my place. Hahaoya will cook for us," Yuri said, signaling the driver to start the car.

We've made it two years—since the day we fought and Angelo punished us.

Later that night, my dad called me.

I had no intention of showing myself to him, but he seemed to be waiting for me.

"Do you need something?" I asked.

"What time is it?"

"I don't know. You're wearing a Rolex—why don't you check it yourself?"

"DON'T YOU DARE TALK TO ME LIKE THAT!" he shouted angrily.

His voice sent a chill down my spine. I was still afraid of him, but I tried to hide it.

"...Is that what you've learned from your friends?!"

I looked away. Now he was blaming my friends. He always blames everyone. Even though, in reality, he should be the one to blame.

"ANSWER ME, KEIFER!"

"N-no."

"Didn't your mom teach you any manners?! Or maybe that's exactly what she's teaching you?!"

"No! Don't bring Mom into this!"

I glared at him. He quickly walked closer to me, and the next thing he did was something I never expected.

He slapped me. Hard. I fell to the floor. I could feel the sting on the edge of my lips, and my cheek went numb.

I couldn't stop my tears or my fear of him.

I was right!

He really could hurt me—not just Mom, but me and probably Keigan too.

"YOU'RE STARTING TO DISRESPECT ME! YOU'RE FORGETTING WHO I AM!" he shouted.

I grabbed my face, feeling the sting from his slap.

It hurts. So much. Not just physically, but emotionally.

It hurts even more knowing that I can't do anything to fight back.

"KAIZER!"

Mom's voice rang out.

Dad stopped and looked at her angrily. Keigan stood beside him, showing no reaction.

"M-Mom!"

He immediately ran to me and hugged me.

"Kaizer! Even children—"

"That's why he's stubborn! Because you tolerate him!" Dad pointed at Mom.

"But you don't have to hurt him!"

"And what am I supposed to do?! Praise him for his behavior?! If your son doesn't change his ways, I'll cripple him!" he shouted before walking away.

I hugged Mom tightly, finally letting out all the tears I had been holding back.

"Sssshhhh... Mom is here. He won't hurt you anymore."

"Mom! Let's get out of here! Please!"

"Damn! Your dad did that?!" Percy asked in shock as he examined the bruise on my face.

"What else do you want? A picture for proof?" Aries said sarcastically.

Percy shot him a death glare.

"He hit you, too. Aren't you going to report him? You can send your dad to jail," Yuri said.

I shook my head. I wish we could do that, but Mom doesn't want to. Even though she saw what Dad did to me, she still refuses to leave him.

"It's so frustrating! Why is Mom putting up with that man?!"

"You wouldn't understand because you're young," Angelo suddenly joined the conversation. "...Just pray that nothing worse happens to you, your mom, or your brother."

I didn't even realize he was listening. I thought he was inside the house. Right now, we were standing outside Aries' house. He didn't want us inside, so we stayed in the front yard instead.

"But what if praying isn't enough?" Percy asked.

Then what? What about us?

"That's just how life is," Aries added, only to receive a strong smack on the back of his neck from Angelo.

Great. That's exactly what I don't need right now—jokes.

I need a way out of Dad's grasp.

If we can't leave, at the very least, I want to be able to protect Mom.

"Go home already! Do you know what time it is?!" Angelo suddenly yelled at us.

I looked at him seriously.

"Angelo..." I turned to him and the others. "...Teach me how to be strong."

"Huh?"

"I want to be strong! If Mom won't leave Dad, then I'll find a way to protect her! So please, help me!"

Angelo crossed his arms and faced me, clearly unhappy with what I was saying.

I've seen him fight multiple people at once before. He was alone, yet he took them all down. That wasn't a joke.

And that's exactly what I want to learn.

"It doesn't work that way. I can't teach you," he said seriously.

"Just teach me how to fight!" I insisted. "...Please, Angelo!"

"Keifer—"

"Me too!" Percy suddenly joined in.

"We should learn too!" Aries added.

"STOP IT!" Angelo shouted angrily. "I have nothing to teach you! Go home!"

Without another word, he turned around, stormed inside, and slammed the gate behind him.

We were left standing outside.

"If he won't teach us, let's go somewhere else. There's a karate school near my place," Percy suggested.

But karate takes too long. They only teach the basics at first. They say we're too young, that our bodies aren't strong enough to learn advanced techniques.

Annoying.

I need results fast.

What if Dad hurts us again?

I collapsed onto my bed, rolling over in frustration. But exhaustion took over, and soon, my eyes shut on their own.

I don't know how long I was asleep when a voice woke me up.

"Keifer... wake up..."

"Mom?"

"Get up, please... Pack your things," she ordered as she walked into my closet.

I sat up, rubbing my eyes. That's when I noticed Keigan and Mom packing my stuff.

"W-what are you doing?"

"We're leaving," Keigan answered quickly.

Leaving?

Was I dreaming?

Was this real?

Were we actually leaving?

"Please, Keifer... Get up and help us," Mom said.

I immediately stood up and started packing. I didn't plan on taking everything—just the essentials. The rest didn't matter.

I just wanted to get out of here as soon as possible.

Finally.

We hurried outside with our things. The maids and butlers helped carry them to the car.

"Mom... What's going on? Why are we leaving?" I asked.

Mom didn't answer, so I stayed quiet. Maybe she wasn't ready to tell me yet.

Then, after a deep breath, she finally spoke.

"I've had enough of your dad."

I stopped and turned to look at her.

"...I thought long and hard about what he did to you. And I can't forgive myself for allowing him to do that."

I watched as Mom wiped away her tears.

And it hurt.

It hurt more than the slap Dad gave me.

And I hated myself for making her cry.

"I'm sorry, Mom."