Chapter 11 - All Too Well (Present)

I woke up and there's no sunlight passing through my blinds, I checked my phone and it's almost six-thirty, the pain is no longer existing and I have thirteen missed calls from my boyfriend. I dialed his number but my call was been directed to his answering machine, then I simply inserted it in my pocket.

I walked downstairs, directly to the kitchen, I saw mom preparing the dinner and I didn't mind as I opened the refrigerator, grabbed the pitcher of water and poured it in the goblet on the table.

“Call dad and your sister, dinner's ready.” mom told me, watching her from the tip of the glass, I raised my brow. I strode through the living room and dad was on the telephone. I gestured that dinner's ready as I opened my mouth and my hand acting like I'm spooning something into it. He just laughed, I know it's somewhat awkwardly and funny. Carly raised from the sofa as she gets me.

I turned my heels, going back to the kitchen, then my phone buzzes, and I fished it. “Mom, I'll just answer this, you guys can eat first, then I'll follow..”

“No, you know the rules.” she opposed, her lips smirked for disapproval and I just smiled. There are few rules in this house and must observe. — Like if it's mealtime – it's strictly mealtime, they're also aware of our school and curfews, and other stuff around the house that should obey — you know? Perks of having Asian parents.

“This is important..” then I stormed off. I'm not a kid anymore and I know that she can't control me like when I was younger – I'm college now.

“Dinner! Where are you going?” Dad said as I walk passed by him but I didn't listen to, as I opened the door and standing on our front porch.

“Hello?” after I swiped the green button, Romeo's august voice had immersed on the device.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, I bite my lip and smiled.

“I'm better now, sorry you've been calling me but I'm asleep soundly. And I tried to call you back and you're unavailable.”

“I dropped my phone and it turned off.” his voice was shaking, I know he was on the phase of crying.

“I'm not okay..” he cried, he was breathing deeply – sniffling.

“What happened? Where are you?”

“Outside of your house,” he told, and I run into our gate with my feet bare, hastily – I opened it. He was sitting on the mini landscape and he looked back at me.

“Oh My God!” that's all I released, I cupped his cheeks as my phone nearly fall, his lips busted and there's a dark area on his left eye caused by being hit hard.

“Romeo, Who did this to you?” and I kissed him on his forehead and to his cheek.

“My father.”

“I told him that I'm quitting school and I'll be having employment,” he confessed so tiredly, tears streaming down his face and I started to cry too.

“And your mom?” I asked, holding his hands, caressing it.

“You know my mom.” his eyes darted at me, lifeless and full of sorrow. Romeo's mom can't fight against his dad, she can't even defend her son, she's so naive – a martyr. And mostly, Romeo didn't deserve to be treated like this, only if I could fight with them, but that's not possible – parents should be respected.

“Was he drunk?” as I wiped his tears and hugged him.

“As always.” and rested his head on my shoulder, as we're sitting on the grass.

“We should come inside, and let me aid you.” rubbing his back and we keep distance, sweat on his eyes. Then we heard my mom calling for me, our hands clutched as we stride inside. She's holding her hips, standing through the door.

“Don't worry, you're not other to them.”

“What happened to you dear?” she asked, her lips hissed, studying Romeo's complexion.

“You should get some ice Kris and do cold compress on the bruises.” and Romeo extended his thanks through a smile.

“Mom, can Romeo stay here tonight?” as we're walking through the kitchen, Romeo remained on the stairs, Carly and dad seated in front of the table.

“Of course.” mom reached my cheek, fondling it, and then opened the freezer.

“In my room?” I smiled cutely and raised my brow, hesitation creased her face.

“Sure.” she agreed, at least. I hugged her.

“Thank you!” then I trailed back where Romeo's waiting, dad's been following me.

“What happened to you buddy?” he asked Romeo, our steps stopped going upstairs and I answered instead of him.

“It's complicated dad.”

My family doesn't know about Romeo's parents' attitudes. How irresponsible they were – for me, but Romeo's love for them was unconditional. How could his guardians do this to him? And pathetic they were for not seeing the light inside of their only son. There is nothing wrong being not straight as long as your heart and intentions are pure, maybe that's enough. — I smiled at him and Dad nodded.

“And just leave the door's knob unlocked.” Mom suddenly appeared behind dad, her hand brushing his shoulder.

“Oh My God Mom!” I almost screamed, drawback my lips as I'm smiling widely. I know what does she mean, but what she doesn't know we already did it, ‘I'm sorry mom and I love you.’

“But use some protection, just in case boys.” dad joked. Romeo's eyes met mine and we both laughed humorously.

“How could you permit your son at his young age.” and slaps dad's shoulder, dad embraced her – locking on his adoring arms.

“Sorry mom, but dad's idea's better.” I laughed and united our hands as I pulled him towards my room.

“Kris no, and please Romeo.” she insisted on the background.

I assisted Romeo, once we get inside my room, he'd taken off his shirt and some bruises visible in his body, he sits on my bed, I handed the icebag as I was holding the first aid kit. He looked at me with his one eye, while the other was covered by it.

“You know you can live with us, you can live here – with me,” I told.

“I know mom and dad would be surprised, but I can persuade them, trust me.” he holds my hand and kissed me softly on my head.

“I've been causing you so much inconvenience lately, and I can't do that.”

“I'm being lucky to have you and I couldn't ask for more,” he added, beaming and concealing the distress and discomfort he's feeling. I breathed out and nodded.

I hugged Romeo and don't want to unlace from him, his body warming me up and I couldn't speak anymore but my heart's been bursting out so many emotions as it started to drown me.

“I love you always Romeo, and I'll do anything just to help you and keep you on my loving arms.” his hands traces my back and I started to sob.

“Thank you Kris, and I will do the same for you.” his hands fondling my cheek sending shivers down my body, he leaned slowly, and our lips matched. I am kissing him cautiously, sensing the lump formed on his lips. His hands track inside my shirt while mine glued on his bruised face.

The door creaks,

“Holy – my – I didn't intend to watch – I mean to disturbed..” mom lurking through the door, I closed my eyes as my lips thinned. Romeo chuckled and hand travels to his lips.

“I just wanted to remind that – ”

“Yes mom, I know, no sex in the house.” I've stopped her, wiping my tears, she just laughed plausibly, my eyes were upright.

“No, I just wanted to tell you both that don't skip dinner.”

“But if that's what in your mind, better keep it.” mom grinned, then closed the door. We both chortle, and I peck on his lips before I walked to my closet to get him new clothes. Romeo may look messed up but he'll always the apple of my eye and ‘king of my heart’.