"What could you have possibly gained from doing all of these, mother?"

It's been a while since I last saw that face, makes me want to puke.

"I have plenty of things to gain. More than you could ever think of, darling." She scoffed a bitter laugh, lips pursing. "And if I were you, I wouldn't resist. The owner of this house no longer lived to begin with, and we should dispose any remains of her in this world... right?" Rubini, Red, and I froze on the spot the moment she mouthed those words.

I couldn't believe her. This was far beyond hatred. "It hasn't even been ten days since the day of her death, how could you be so disrespectful to your own mother?!"

"Well, I don't consider her as any part of my family. Not even me, your father, and your aunts.... So Vincent, before you regret having any reckless decisions, just do as I say!" She shouted while smacking the edge of the coffee table beside her, which startled me.

Unfortunately, I can't give this house up yet. This is mine, I want to make it mine. I want to continue living here 'til the day I fucking die. "What about aunt Fidesse?"

My mother raised a brow. "What about her?"

"Where would she live now that you're trying to dispose of this house?" I may not know more about that old hag, but I sincerely cared for her, even though she's quite troublesome sometimes.

"Oh, well, don't worry about her. Fidesse has her own villa in Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. She could move to New York whenever she wants, she bought it herself after all..." My eyes widened even more from the sudden information that I just heard.

I've always known that aunt Fidesse acts as if she's some part of royalty, and I never expected that she's actually self-employed. I thought she's just like those crazy freaks on the streets who're unemployed that doesn't possess any job skills, like a free rider.

"Unbelievable..." My knees started to tremble as I hold onto the door frame to grab some strength.

This can't be happening to me. How could my only will to live be taken away this easily? I've never felt so powerless before...

"I have to go. I still have some business with my other clients. While I'm gone, clean the house and don't make any trouble for the next two days." She then reminded me as she stood from her seat and walked past me.

It confuses me how everything felt rushed and unjustified... but, "Why?"

I saw her smirk at me, halting from making out of her way through the corridor. "There's already someone whose interested on buying this house. They'll come here tomorrow to check on the house's status and location. Be prepared until then." Her words sent shivers down my spine, eyes shows intimidation. And in someway, I'm almost impressed of how a great manipulator she is. Subconsciously, though, her gaze landed upon Red and Rubini. "Oh. As for our guest, I'm terribly sorry for seeing us fought like this. If you have any concerns, feel free to call me." Talking as if nothing happened while giving them her business card, we all knew she's a faker.

"We totally understand, Ma'am." Red complied while grabbing his sister's shoulder. "Sorry for overhearing your argument." They both apologized, though she just shrugged the two off and told them it was 'fine' before she left, leaving me paralyzed. "Wow... she was nothing like the girl we saw on that painting. What's wrong with those sisters anyway?"

"I've been asking the same myself, too." Rubini agreed, still shocked to even comprehend what she just witnessed. "Vin... what are you going to do now?"

"To be completely honest, I don't know." I sighed and sat on the floor, hugging my knees. "But if there was someone who can stop my mother from selling the house... it will only be one person..."

"Your aunt?" Red continued.

I nodded. "That's right." If there was a hope that I could reach with these hands of mine, even if the chances were little, will I be able to save this house?

It may look like an abandoned old house in their perspective, but in my eyes, it was a place I could proudly say 'my home', 'my humble abode'.

"Do I deserve this?"

Is it because of my ignorance... that I was once happy? Is it now my time to suffer the consequences?

"But... what did I ever do wrong?"

Now that I'm slowly getting a hold of what's going on, I realized how fragile I actually am. Pretending to be strong and independent. Yet in totality, I'm sensitive, weak, and dependent. And the more I become lonelier, the deeper I create a hole in my heart.

Sorrow; Grief; and Hatred. As long as these emotions won't disappear, by that, I would never... ever understand my mother.

"Open the door, please..." A few minutes later, I found myself standing in front of her room. Knocking four times in a row, my voice sounded helpless as I beg. Amidst resting my head to the side, I knocked one more time while hopelessly pulling the door knob. "Just... open this goddamn door for a sec. Talk to me!" I yelled, crying.

"Let it go already, Vincent." She mumbled in monotone, causing me to frown. "My life here is over now. You might as well just give it up and move on. You're only wasting your time... because there's nothing you can do about this."

"Fuck! You expect me to just accept this?! You expect me to just do what my mother tells me, for what?! Why do I have to obey her?! She can't just sell this house out of fucking nowhere! You got to help me, please..." It didn't take long when I started kicking the door itself, but it was too sturdy, so I stopped midway and punched it instead. "I swear to god... if you don't open this door... I would hate you... and this whole family for the rest of my life."

Even after saying that, she never opened the door. I was stupefied about the intensity of her pride, and it somehow made me disappointed. A part of me really hoped that she would help me with this... turns out, she was just like my mother.

"You all made me look like a fool." I sent a death glare in front of the door that was right before me as I wipe away all my tears, feeling betrayed. "I may not know... what the hell happened to you fuckers, but... you don't have to tell me. Because this is already enough proof that we're never a family." Tilting my head while trying so hard not to cry, I replaced them with a scornful laugh. "I guess I'm being overdramatic, who wants an old lousy house anyway?" It's infuriating, I feel so overwhelmed with anger. "But I'm telling you this now... I won't give up just yet. Mark my words."

Someone, please tell me, what should I do?

How could I overcome this?

"Fuck." I groaned.

Meanwhile, I saw eyes staring at me. Looking at myself, I'm a mess. They probably heard everything that I said, too. How embarrassing.

"You should try to calm down, Vin." Rubini walked closer and sat beside me.

Red then gave me a glass of water, which I gladly took and drank it. "Thanks." I said.

"No worries." He gave me a small smile in return as he sat beside me as well, trying to scooch over.

I gazed at them full of hope, and I thought of something so delusional. "Hey... can I ask for a favor?" That question instantly piqued their interest, instinctively waiting for an answer. "I know that you're planning to leave tomorrow, but could you help me out instead? For two days... please help me. I beg you." There was a silence in between my quiet sobs.

For a brief moment, they thought about it carefully, trying their best to make up an answer that would not offend me.

"I'm sorry for what I have to say, Vin, but we never intended to intervene. As much as possible, we wouldn't want to get involve in your family's affairs." Rubini gave an honest reply. "No matter how much we respect you and your family, I don't think we would be of any help to you."

Red nodded in agreement. "We wouldn't want to be any more of a bother to your family. I'm truly sorry, Vin..." I then shook my head and disagreed with them, suddenly feeling bad.

"You don't have to do anything actually... just... please, stay with me until then."

There was a deep silence again, however, both of them hugged me very tight this time. "Just for a day. Are you okay with that?" Red asked.

"Yeah." I answered simply, a smile forming across my lips. "It's more than enough."

To be continued...