Bab. 21. Can You Hear Me?

"Alright then, Aldiano wants to go play with Xia and Ethan first!" the child said cheerfully and then strolled off just like that.

"Be careful and don't fight again, okay!" Dominic called out with a half-serious tone, watching the back of his only son as he walked further away.

Azka observed the phone screen with a flat expression. "He... is still playing with that kid?"

Dominic turned his head towards the phone, frowning in confusion. "That kid? Who do you mean?"

"Ethan," Azka replied, his tone sounding sharper than usual. "Didn't he push Al into the swimming pool some time ago? Are you really okay with Aldiano still playing with him?"

"Why are you bringing that up?" Madeline asked, looking at Azka with a suspicious gaze.

"Just curious, Ma," Azka replied, feeling afraid of his mom's stare while slightly moving his seat further away.

Dominic fell silent for a moment. His face looked a little dark. He clearly remembered the incident, when his son came home soaking wet and with swollen eyes from crying. At that time, he almost forbade Aldiano from seeing Ethan again after finding out that Aldiano had fallen into the pool because of that kid's doing. But somehow, the next day they were playing together as if nothing had happened.

"I was indeed angry at that time and forbade him to play together," Dominic finally replied. "But Aldiano himself insisted it was just an accident and he still wanted to remain friends.

Azka sighed softly, then chimed in, "Even so, I still feel worried, Bro. Considering Ethan has acted badly towards Aldiano many times. You also can't let them play together too freely."

He looked at Dominic for a moment before continuing, his tone sounding deeper. "Besides, that kid's father is also a business rival of our family. That man even once tarnished our reputation through a scandal in the media, spreading negative rumors that almost made the company's shares plummet. Mom and Bro still remember, right?"

Dominic and Madeline exchanged glances, then nodded slowly. Their faces showed that the memory was still clearly etched in their minds.

"I still remember everything clearly," Dominic said calmly. "And believe me, I was also bothered at that time. However, we can't constantly associate the mistakes of parents with their children. Ethan is indeed stubborn and a bit of a rascal, but he's still a child. Just like Aldiano."

Madeline followed, her voice soft but firm. "Dominic is right, Azka. We can't judge a child solely based on the shadow of their parents. Sometimes, their attitudes are completely different, even if they are blood relatives."

Dominic took a deep breath, then added, "As long as Aldiano feels comfortable and safe playing with him, I don't think there's anything to worry about. Unless Ethan starts showing serious bad influence, then I will intervene."

Azka fell silent. His gaze wasn't completely softened yet. Worry was still visible in his eyes. For him, too many things could be hidden behind the innocent face of a child, especially if that child came from a family with a dark history with the Xaviers.

Dominic noticed the change in expression on Azka's face displayed on the phone screen. His younger brother's eyes seemed to hold many thoughts, even though his lips were tightly closed without a word.

"Azka," he called softly, "I know you're worried, and maybe you're right to remain vigilant. But for now, I don't think there's any harm in giving it space. You'll understand when you have your own family later. Besides, shouldn't you also be trying to find that woman?"

Azka nodded, then looked down. His mind was in turmoil again.

Madeline chimed in, her voice calm but firm, "And Mom will keep waiting for you, Azka. She will keep asking you to find them no matter how long it takes, until all the questions in her heart are answered."

Azka sighed. "Yes, Ma. Azka will do it. Even if I have to grow old, Azka will still look for her and bring her before Mom."

A message notification from Damian appeared on the screen. His secretary asked Azka to immediately check important documents.

"Alright then, I'll hang up now," Azka said, his tone starting to sound tired. "Damian asked me to look at the incoming documents immediately."

"Alright, see you," Dominic replied. "Don't forget to keep looking for the woman and the child, I'm waiting for the results—"

Tut.

The call was disconnected before Dominic could finish his sentence. He stared at his phone screen, which now only displayed the call ended icon.

"Hah... as usual," he muttered tiredly, seeing his younger brother's behavior. "Just cut off like that."

Meanwhile, Azka was getting a stern reprimand from his Mom for hanging up the phone abruptly when the other person hadn't finished speaking.

"Yes, Ma. Azka won't do that again," Azka replied, while avoiding the barrage of attacks from his mom and quickly fleeing to his room.

Azka lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling. He massaged his temples, holding back emotions that were about to explode. The names "that woman" and "that child" had been haunting him lately, making him feel like he was being hit by a past that was not yet resolved.

"This is really making me tired..." he whispered softly, almost inaudibly.

In a large room lit only by dim, flickering lights, the smells of dampness and fishiness mixed into one, piercing the sense of smell of anyone who was there. The walls looked dirty. Screams echoed, heart-wrenching, making the hairs on the back of one's neck stand up.

Several people huddled and hugged themselves in the corner of the room. Their fear was so real, as if half their lives had been lost. One of them had just received terrible torture as a warning for trying to escape.

In one corner, Jeremy sat hunched over. Cold sweat dripped from his temples and his body trembled violently. Both his eyes were tightly closed, unable to look at the suffering in front of him. He was still too shocked and confused by this terrible place.

Even so, his ears remained alert. He caught the faint sounds of other children trapped with him. Suppressed cries, panicked sighs, and whispers full of anxiety filled the air.

Even though he hadn't had a chance to meet Azka Xavier, the man he believed to be his biological father. Now he was trapped in a nightmare more terrifying than anything he had ever imagined. He was kidnapped, locked up, and was now with other children his age, some even younger than him.

Heavy footsteps approached. Jeremy could hear the thud of boots hitting the wooden floor. Warm breath and the smell of tobacco spread through the air.

"If you're smart, don't mess around. Watch your dirty mouth when you speak or you'll get more than this." The voice sounded cold and sharp like a blade. We don't need spoiled brats who pretend to be heroes like you.

Jeremy gritted his teeth, trying to hold back his fear as the person in front of him again received violence from the kidnappers. If only he could get out of this place.

Heavy footsteps were heard, followed by a firm command echoing in the hallway.

"Put him with the others, but treat him a little more gently. He is our key. The boss doesn't want anything to happen before the time."

Not long after, the door opened. A large man appeared, carrying a black-haired boy. Roughly, he threw the small body into the room. All the children there flinched in fear, including Jeremy.

Jeremy swallowed hard. His breath hitched as the body of the newly thrown child groaned softly, almost unconscious. Fresh blood flowed from his temple, his hair was disheveled.

"Obey. Be good children. If not, you will end up like them... or even worse than before."

No one objected. All the children just nodded weakly. With trembling bodies, they began to check the condition of their friend who had just been tortured, as well as the newcomer, who looked injured, confused, and scared.

"He's... still alive," whispered one of them, a pale-faced boy with a voice barely audible. His face showed a hint of relief.

Jeremy moved forward slowly, his knees trembling. He crouched beside the newcomer, then gently patted his cheek. "Hey... can you hear me?"

The boy squirmed, opening his eyes faintly until their gazes met. "It hurts..." he murmured softly.

"Where does it hurt? Oh my god, your head is bleeding!" exclaimed a girl when she saw the boy's condition. Fresh blood flowed from his temple, as if it had hit something.

Skillfully, the girl tore off a part of the dress she was wearing and wrapped it around the boy's head, hoping to stop the bleeding. However, the effort could only help a little amidst their limitations, while the boy continued to moan in pain.

Second after second passed, minutes and hours felt like they were moving slowly for those trapped in suffering. As if time refused to move, and the pain and tightness seemed to never end.