To be honest a day off from work was really nice. Theo was alright by the time Zack left but he wasn't ready to lose the benefits of being sick.

"Can I go pack Theo's bag?" Noel asked eagerly and I glanced at Theo, who was busy having breakfast. He looked better than yesterday.

I raised my eyebrows at him, asking for his opinion and he gave me a sheepish grin as he shook his head. I knew that'd be everyone's answer, school or college, doesn't matter.

But I saw Noel's face turn into a pout.
"I don't want to go alone." He whined.

"You're not alone. You've Brandon." I reminded him and he bit his lips.

"Are you going?"

"No, Maria's busy, she can only come over in the evening. So I think I can make it to work but not the class."

"Where are you going?" He asked as I stood up.

"To call Will." I replied as I showed my phone to him. I know he's not much happy with the fact that we got to have fun while he's stuck in school. Not having fun actually, but at least I guess that's what he thinks.

"Why?" I could see hope in his face when he asked me.

"We should tell him not to pick you up, shouldn't we?"

And I saw that pretty face break into a smile.

"Thank you, Ivy. You are the best!" He came running to me.

"I know." I winked at him and informed Will about the plan.

I guess we could make some free time to enjoy. I really want to. Because all I've been doing is work and sometimes I feel like I'm not giving them the happiness and joy they deserve.

Sometimes I feel like I'm burdening them. Especially Noel.
   

"I want to bake." Little master declared as soon as we finished a game that I've never heard and played before.

"You baked yesterday." I said although I knew it was Zack who made it.

"Yes. I want to do it again. It's so fun." He smiled excitedly.

"Okay, what about a cake this time?"

That's exactly how we spent the morning, baking a cake. I really didn't know how to, so just searched for a recipe and tried following it. By the time cake was ready, we had flour all over us. Thanks to their flour fight.

The cake ended up quite tasty even though it looked like an ancient erupted volcano.

After a heavy lunch and a two-hour nap on top of each other, we were forcing Theo to drink the bitter syrup when the door burst open and someone barged in.

"Hey, kids!"

Our mom said in a high-pitched voice and walked past us into the kitchen.

We three sat still, gaping at her. Theo, out of excitement. Noel, out of surprise and me, out of pure shock.
Not from her barging in, we know she has a key. But from the way she greeted us.

"Is mom here to play with us?" Theo asked, still looking at her, who was eating something.

"I don't think so." I replied, eyes still on her.

"Great food." She said as she walked into her room and came out after a few minutes. No other words, no gestures. She slung the bag over her shoulder and opened the door.

And just like that, she walked away.

I had many things to ask, many to know. But couldn't. I wanted to ask if she really owed him money or if he's a creepy pervert, who just wanted a reason. And many more.

But before I could, she was gone. Again.

That left us completely silent for the next few minutes.

"Why now? She usually comes at night." Noel shot me a confused look and I shrugged.

She wasn't wasted. Her steps were stable and words weren't slurry, like usual. So, I guess she only had a couple of shots. But I'm sure that's not the last ones today.

"Anyway, let's go back to what we were doing." I smirked at Theo, hiding everything that's in my mind.

That's what I'm good at. Hiding. Faking. Pretending that I'm fine.

I'm scared of the day when I won't be able to pretend anymore. I'm scared of the day when the walls, I built around me, would collapse.

But right now, nothing can stop me from loving and playing with my boys.

.
.
.

"Get the door!"  I shouted from my room as I pulled my hair into a ponytail.

"Going!" I heard Noel yell back. A few minutes later I hear him yell again.
"It's Sasha!"

I smiled as I went down to see her hugging Theo.

"Why's my Noel here when it'd take half an hour more for the class to finish?" She nudged him and he winked at her.

"I was lazy."

"No. He was jealous." I chuckled, grabbing my bag and his eyes widened.

"No." He protested.

"Yes. He was jealous because we both got to stay here yesterday when he was at school." I explained to Sasha and she chuckled, pulling him closer.

"No! That's not true." He said again and Sasha laughed.

"That's okay. I can understand." She told him as the doorbell rang again.

"That'd be Maria." I said, opening the door and there she was.

"Hello, sweethearts." She came in, hugging everyone on the way.

"Hello," the three said together.

"Bye, everyone. Have fun." I smiled opening the door and Maria stopped me.

"Can you come a bit earlier, dear? Perhaps around seven?"

"Oh,"  I breathed out, thinking about it. My shift ends at eight, so I really don't think I could. "Yeah, it's fine. Do you need any help?"

"Oh, no dear. Karen, my daughter's friend, invited me for a dinner." She smiled and I smiled back, nodding.

"I can stay." Sasha said and I looked at her, confused. "I've nothing to do. And, what else is awesome than spending time with these two."

"That's great. Thanks." she rolled her eyes at my words.

"When will you stop saying that?" She groaned and Maria laughed.

"Probably never. I've been with her for the last few years and she still thanks me." I heard her say just before I stepped out.

On the way to café, the thought of him following me crossed my mind. But it didn't last as I knew he'd be somewhere getting wasted, just like my mother. And I sure knew he only waits for me in the dark lonely street, not in broad daylight.

"Hey, kiddo feeling better?" Marissa asked as soon as I entered.

"Yup,"

"That's great. Now come on help me with those horrible school kids." She said shaking her heads and I joined her, smiling.

Things were pretty good as Jake came with his witty charms and we ended up having fun, like most days.

"I think I heard the sound of opening the door." Marissa said and Jake sighed.

"Tell me if it's a girl else you can take the order." He said and I kicked him on my way.

"Hey,"

"Hello, wha-" I stopped, recognising the voice and turned from whining Jake to look at him.

"Hi." I smiled, taking a look at the time. "You're early."

"I am. The party was lame and boring.  Thought I would wait for you here." Zack said, hands tucked in his pockets.

I nodded, smiling. I knew he'd come, but wasn't expecting him to show up half an hour early.

"Is it a girl?" Jake yelled and I sighed before shouting back a no.

"Have a seat." I gestured to the empty tables and he nodded.

"Sure. I'd like to have a coke." He smirked at me before turning and walking towards a table.

"Who's that?" Marissa whispered behind me and I smiled.

"Zack."

"Oh, your friend's brother. Or should I call him your friend?" She asked and Jake poked his head in,

"Or should we call him something else?" He added with a smirk.

"I swear, Jake. If you play any of your dirty tricks, I'm gonna kill you." My warning goes wasted as he smirked evilly.

I shook my head and grabbed a coke, heading towards him but before I could move, Jake grabbed me back.

"What?"

"I was looking at your competitors." He whispered.

"My what?"

"Competitors. Those swooning girls." He gestured at the table where a group of girls were settled.

And when I look at that, out of all these empty tables, Zack chose to sit only one table far away from them. And they all were looking right at him. Not swooning though. That's Jake's bullshit.

But they were totally checking him out and giggling, which I hope is a result of their inside jokes.

"There's no competition." I hissed at Jake. "He's my friend and he's got a crush."

"On who?"

"Some girl from old college."

"Oh, then you better inform them." He chuckled. "And if you want them to take their eyes off him. You can tell me. I'll step out from this hidden place and guess who will get all the attention?" He wiggled his eyebrows with a smile.

"Why would I want that? And also you're an ugly duckling, so stop acting like you're a mod." I smiled politely at him before walking.

We both know it's not true.

"Here you go." I placed the coke on his table and he tore his gaze off the phone.

"Thank you." He smiled, gesturing me to sit and I did. Exactly opposite to him, blocking their pretty view.

"No sign of Tyler?"

"Not yet." I smiled. It's been two days since I've seen him.

"You weren't in college today." It wasn't a question. He knew I wasn't.

"Yeah." I wanted to say more but couldn't. The girls were whispering very professionally that it wasn't whispers anymore. I could hear them and I think he could too.

They were discussing his eye colour. I could hear them.

He was looking right at me and I think he's listening to them, too. So I decided to ask him something. But the something that came out wasn't a planned one.

"How's Rosaline?" I blurted out.

"Who?" He frowned in confusion for a moment and then nodded, "Oh, Rose."

Yeah. Rose. Wasn't it Rosaline? Either he didn't know her real name or that's what he's comfortable and familiar with.

I think it's the latter one.

"She's good. Great, I guess." He nodded smiling and I gave a nod back.

"You know her?" He asked and I looked at him. His eyes were narrowed, maybe he didn't want me to know.

"No, but I've heard Sasha mention her name once or twice." Maybe more than that.

By this time, the girls moved onto his hair colour. I heard them arguing over brown and black. But before I could speak or hear anything, the door opened and Mr Jones walked in.

"I gotta go. I'll be at the counter." I stood up, slowly moving to the counter and Zack looked confused.
"Tyler's dad."

"Oh." He said, analysing the man who came in with a cold expression.

"Jake, he's here." I nudged him and he stood up, knocking down a few things.

"I was trying to take a nap." He sighed.

Tyler's dad sat down and lighted a cigar, just near Zack.

I couldn't help but laugh at Zack's expression. He looked at me with a raised eyebrow and shrugged.

I spent the next half hour at the counter, chatting with Jake while Zack sat there watching me. I raised my eyebrows at him a couple of times but he just shrugged with a smile. And finally, when it was eight, I grabbed my bag, ready to go home.

"Are you leaving?" Jake asked and I nodded. "How?"

"That guy-" I pointed at Zack, who was now heading towards us, "-is here to pick me up."

"Oh, I see." He did that evil smirk again and I kicked him.

"You ready?" Zack asked me and then I gave him a nod.

"Where exactly are you planning to drop her?" Jake raised his eyebrows at him and he frowned.

"Her home?"

"Okay. Not at that street, right?"  Jake asked again. I know what he's doing and I love him for it.

"No. But at home." He nodded again and that flipped Jake's expression from a serious brotherly look to a smug friend one.

"Okay, bye. See ya tomorrow." He winked at me as we got out.

"Who was that?" Zack asked, opening the car door.

"Jake." I chuckled, it's been a few times we mentioned him and he still forgets.

"Oh!" He turned to me, "I remember. The guy you two always talk about."

"Yeah, that's him. Not gonna forget again, are you?" I smiled as I got in and searched for a certain creepy figure anywhere near me. To my surprise, he wasn't here.

Maybe he gave up trying. That's great.

"Never. Specifically after that little session." He chuckled. "Well, I was kinda relieved that I won't have to deal with the brother warnings since you only have two younger ones who are quite fond of me. But I have a feeling that's him." He sighed.

I chuckled, scanning the place again. "Yeah, Jake is sort of my big brother. But sometimes he's a lot younger than Theo."

"I assume the talk he gave me is because of that drunk man?"

"Yeah, it is." I sighed as I just made sure he isn't anywhere here.

"I can't see any drunk person here." He said and I turned to see him looking out of the window.

"Neither can I. I hope he gave up." He turned to me and gave me a small smile.

"Everything's going to be okay." He said as he started driving.

We talked a lot on the way, mostly about his friends. That's a great topic, though. Talking about them can last for hours and you still won't feel it.

"Sasha said she ordered something." Zack said as we got out. But stopped right in front of me that I almost crashed into him.

"What?" I asked him but knew why as soon as I saw a man leaning onto the fence.

"Ah, accompanied today, I see." I heard his slurry voice. "Don't challenge me, sweetheart."

"Can you move, please? And also, she's not your sweetheart." Zack said before I could.

"Oh, I will move. Just pay me." I heard him say.

"This is not the time or place for this stupid shit."

He made a sound, which I assume is a laugh. "You are much younger than me, son. I can easily pin you down and show you what hell looks like."

I winced at the thought of that. It's not completely true, I know Zack can. Including the fact that he's trained.

"Oh, I agree, you're much stronger than me. But right now, you can barely stand. So stop threatening me and leave. Also, don't call me son."

He showed no sign of moving but his bloodshot eyes moved to me.
"Give me what I want."

And I'm not sure if he's talking about money.

"I told you, I'd pay you more. More than what she owes, I'll pay you double of that. Now please leave." I said, waiting for him to say something, but he didn't. He just stood there or to be precise, swayed there, looking at me.

Zack sighed, "Come on, let's go."
He said and we took a step before he spoke.

"That's the deal then? You need a different body every day? I think I can help with that."

I cringed at his words. Zack searched for my hand behind him, eyes still on the man and I let mine slide into his.

"Shut the fuck up, you motherfucking bastard! She's your daughter's age." Zack yelled.
I haven't heard him swear like that.

"Oh you think you're the only one?" He laughed. "No, son. This darling over here is not so innocent. You're not the only one. I saw another one yesterday, who acted the same way you did."

I could feel my eyes burning up. He's talking about Jake, I know he's. How could he think like that?

"I just told you to shut the fuck up." Zack's voice rose again and I could feel the tears beginning to escape.

Why do I find myself in these embarrassing situations?

"Why do you care?" He spat back trying to yell. But he was so wasted that he couldn't.

And the next moment, the door to my house opened and I saw Sasha stepping out. But what caught my eyes were the sight of my brothers following her.

I think Zack noticed it too, because he gestured her to go inside and she did.

I hope she'll not let them hear anything.

"When Shirley's okay with this, why do you care?" He spat again.

That's the last thing I heard.

I faintly heard them both arguing, but not clearly. Because the words kept on ringing in my ears.

When Shirley's okay with this, why do you care?

Mom let him?

I wiped the single tear off my cheek and tried to hear them. It was getting worse and worse. The man tried proving I'm a slut and then, I saw him moving towards me.

"Don't fucking touch her!" Zack said, slamming his fist right into his face. He stumbled back a few steps and ended up on the ground. And in record speed, Zack tackled him, arms around his throat.

He tried to move, but his legs were in a knot, which Zack's other arm held. Him being drunk was an advantage. Zack knowing some weird martial arts too.

"Zack," I tried moving him. Only because the man was so drunk and tired that one more move and Zack might actually kill him.

He stood back, cursing under his breath and kicked him, right on his chest, causing him to cough a bit. I looked at the bruise on his face, which, he entirely deserved.

Zack turned back, holding my hand and moved aside, pulling his phone out.

"Dad, I need help." I heard him saying into his phone. "Yeah, a drunk, wasted stalker. Anything and everything, just so he ends up in jail"

I waited for him to say everything to Alex. But he didn't and I'm grateful for that.

"Thanks, dad. I will."

A wave of emotions passed through me as I recalled every word he said.

"He was talking about-"

"Jake." Zack nodded. "I know."

Thank god. And now, I really wish Noel hadn't heard any of these exchanges.

"Lock the door. Don't open until you get my call." He said into the phone, which I assume is, to Sasha.

"Get in. I think you need to calm down a bit." He asked me to get into his car but I stood there gaping at him.

"Do you want to meet Theo and Noel now?" He asked when he noticed that I wasn't moving.

Point.

"No. But we can't leave Sasha and boys here when we know he could try getting in."

I don't care what he says to me. He can call me a slut, a whore or anything be wants. I'll be hurt, I know, but I'll heal. That's how it is. But I can't be relieved if he says something remotely as this to them. I don't want my brothers to hear stories about their mom. I don't want this pervert anywhere near Sasha.

"Evelyn, we're not going anywhere. At least until the police take him. We'll sit in my car and just let you relax." He said, placing a hand on my shoulder. "And if this son of a bitch tries to barge into your house, we're gonna try to not let him."

That's good.

We both sat in the car, eyes on the man who's sprawled across the ground. He tried to stand back and take a few steps. It was a success until he fell again.

"He won't take more than two steps. He's too drunk and stoned to have a balance." Zack said, watching the man struggling to stand. "Plus, I think I broke his leg."

I turned to him quickly and saw him casually watching the guy struggle.

"How?" I didn't see anything apart from his punch and kneeling down to lock him.

"I may have a few tricks for that." He shrugged with a faint smile.

We sat there, watching him until two cops came and took him away.

"Do you want to go somewhere else?" He finally asked when everything was clear.

No. I want to get in and lock myself in the bathroom so that I can think and maybe let out a few tears. But at the same time, I don't want my boys to see me looking like a wreck, who just found out her mom doesn't value her.

"Can we?" I asked him, expectantly.

"Of course, we can." He said, starting the engine. "I know you heard something you never thought would. Let's go somewhere and let you relax, yeah?"

I nodded as he started driving. My thoughts swirling at how a beautiful day I enjoyed, turned into a disaster in just a few minutes.