"If it wasn't rude for me to ask... may I know where they are right now? I mean... those ladies." Rubini was the first to break the silence as the three of us headed to the vacant guest room on the first floor.

It made me chuckle from the thought that there's already one of them inside this house. "Well... my mother was on a business trip in Brooklyn, while aunt Vaness were currently staying at Cebu. As for aunt Fidesse..." I rolled my eyes to my other side and sighed. "She's upstairs."

"For real?!" I knew they'd be surprised.

Even so, the sweet angelic face of hers that they saw on that painting faded a long time ago. And if I would describe aunt Fidesse now, I'd say she's more like- "What the fuck are they doing here?!" Yes, she's a crazy ass aunt.

"Auntie, don't shout at our guest like that." I hissed and pushed my aunt's shoulders back upstairs.

"W-Wait! Don't touch me, you rascal! I haven't taken a single drop of alcohol yet!" My brows furrowed when she mentioned the word 'alcohol'.

Seriously, at this time? "Don't scare them. You look like a freak who came out of a coffin, and you stink and reek of booze. Go take a shower." I bluntly brushed her off, and it made the three of them, including her, froze. "What? I'm telling the truth!"

"W-Whatever, you fucker!" She grumbled and raged her way back to the second floor. I laughed for a bit, knowing that she felt embarrassed from what I just told her.

I then looked at those two, who were now visibly confused. 'She was not the same as how she was in that painting' is probably what they've thought. "Don't mind us. We've been like this for three years and we still live together." I added with a ruffled laugh.

Rubini and Red didn't say another word and nodded instead, which I take for understanding our situation despite seeing us throw curses at each other. It was never their business to begin with. The night also ended quickly, and I woke up, averting my eyes on the sun that were just about to rise from my thorough glass window. Though, my frail body wouldn't have to get up from the bed if it weren't only for our visitors downstairs. I'm also glad that today is the weekend. For that, I could finally visit my grandmother's grave without rushing any time in between.

"I told you already, my name is Red!" While walking down the stairs, I heard a huge clang on the kitchen floor, whom I presume was aunt Fidesse having another ruckus again.

This is strangely a normal day at the Donovan's. Our neighbors probably got used to us having a fight every day.

"Liar! You're a robber! You came here to steal!" My aunt then threw another set of pan towards the defenseless looking Red as he hastily ran away from the kitchen.

I knew this was going to happen, so I let Red hide behind my back to shield him. "I just want to drink some water!" He yelled, teary eyed.

When she is about to lash out on him, I simply blocked her entrance and pushed her away gently. "Not all people have the same intentions, auntie. They're only staying here for two freaking nights, and they came here for grandma... not for me nor anyone else." My aunt seemed to finally understand what I'm trying to clarify when she glared at me as if she's already planning my murder case. Shame on her. "By the way, what's on your face? You look like a clown."

Red nodded in agreement. "And your hair... did you get in a cat fight with yourself?" Aunt Fidesse frowned once again, aiming for a throw one more time, until our attention suddenly got interrupted when we heard someone knocking at the front door.

Since Rubini was leaning against the doorway of the living room while watching us brawl inside the kitchen, she was the first one to open the door. And to my surprise, it revealed a handsome middle-aged man who was miraculously one of our neighbors and a family friend.

"Doctor Wesley?! What brings you here?" Not that I'm excited to see him, but I immediately ran towards the door the moment I saw him standing outside.

It somehow felt kind of unusual seeing him out of the blue, though, this wasn't the first time. "Well, today's my nephew's birthday, so I'd like to give some of my neighbors' a homemade cake." He gestured the box of cake on his left hand and gave it to me.

Still, I don't believe that's his only intention. "Did aunt Fidesse skipped her therapy sessions again?" My eyes widened from the realization as he nodsin reply.

"Yeah. I was worried about my patient not attending any counseling, it happened four times in a row now for the past three weeks."

That old hag. She always makes me carry all the burden. I'm only seventeen, so why do I have to take care of a fully grown woman?!

"Right... I'm sorry, Doctor Wesley. Would you like to check up on her now? She's only right behind me-... shit." When I looked back to see my aunt, she already retreated back to her room. I sighed, feeling ashamed and bad. She's quite lucky that Doctor Wesley is an understanding person.

"It's okay, Vincent. Let's not give her too much pressure for now." Doctor Wesley smiled once again before glancing at Rubini and Red, making him startle. "O-Oh, sorry. I didn't know there were some guests. The name's Wesley, Fidesse's therapist, and I also live in this neighborhood."

"Hello, sir. I'm Rubini. This is my brother, Red." Both of them let out their hand to Doctor Wesley, and he received them with a warm smile plastered on his face. Such a standard.

"I know you're having a hard time as well, Vincent. I'm very sorry for your loss... and don't forget to take care of yourself, okay? Just know that you can always lean on my shoulders any time." He then gave me a pat in the head before we bid our farewells to each other. I also asked him if he wants to go inside for some tea, but he told me that he already have plans with someone.

"Please, tell Kiel that I said 'thank you', and happy birthday to him!" I shouted as he was about to open his car. He grinned and waved back as soon as he drove off away from the subdivision.

As I turned back my head, I was blocked at the entrance with those two while having a smirk on their faces.

"W-What?" I glanced away.

"You have a crush on him, do you?!" They both asked, suddenly interrogating me.

"There's nothing wrong about it, is there?" This question is not something new. My face wouldn't have shown it otherwise if I weren't, however... "Doctor Wesley was a very nice person. And besides, I only admire him from what he has done to our family until now. Rather than calling it a crush, it's more like I envy him." The feeling is constantly stabbing my back, and I had pitied myself for so many reasons... including the truth that I wasn't of any help to my family, and I myself was a burden to my mother. "It's already quarter to five, why don't we head to the cemetery after breakfast?" For a very long time, I had endured the fact that my existence wasn't needed in this family. My ignorance is my only hope for surviving. Because if I had known what really happened to my family's past, I'm sure it wouldn't end well.

To be continued...