Alistair's Pov

We stayed in that position for a good 5 minutes, our breaths fanning each other, our eyes glued and hands curled across each other's bodies. If there was anything close to heaven on earth, it would be in the arms of someone you dearly care for and love. Oh, wait. Did I say, love?

I refused to talk as I rubbed her back. She refrained from talking as she kept her lips pursed. I gasped looking at her devastated yet beautiful state.

"You want me to take you away from here? You know I can", I assured placing my hands on top of hers as I gave her a tight-lipped smile.

"I'm no runner, Arnold. I must stay back and fight. She can't treat me like this. She has no right to treat me like this", she looked at her scar and I gently stroked it with my thumb "Are all mothers like this?" she questioned with innocence in her eyes finally giving up on the firmness and releasing the ocean which was being blocked.

I kept silent as I listened to her speak further, "What did I do to deserve this? Why is it that I am given this life? Why can I not stay like an ordinary girl? Why can I not achieve education like her? Why could I not lose my virginity with all my willingness? From the person, I actually loved or cared about? Why do I have to sell myself every day to people who treat me like an object? What is my problem, Arnold....?" she became hysterical and started sobbing.

I stayed silent as I fell short of words myself. "...or am I the problem?" she continued as she choked on her own words.

I couldn't help the situation or her. I couldn't come up with a plan. I couldn't rescue her. Now that the elections were in line, I had to be more cautious than ever. But I had to help her and figure out the way myself. I knew that I was going to.

"I'm here. I'm always here. I'll stick with you. I'll stay by your side. I'll be there whenever you need a hug. I promise", I smiled as I kissed her hands. She chuckled softly at my words. I didn't ask her to stop being sad as those words add no solace to a person who is suffering. It's as vague as it can ever be. I meant every word I promised. I will look after her, no matter what. Even if she didn't have the love from the mother, she had me and I was willing to sacrifice anything for the love of her. Yeah, the love...

"I still think you must consider getting away from here"

"Not alone"

"As and when I could untangle the situation, I'll help rescue the rest too. For the time being, you have to make up your mind. Sleep on it. But please give it a thought", I kissed her forehead as I uplifted myself to leave the place. I didn't want to but I had to.

Sauntering through the place puffing on my cigarette, I turned around when I heard my name being called. My real name....! I wasn't much fascinated by the sound of the voice as it was Jane. I greeted her with a smile as I continued to take another puff. "Alistair"

"Jane" I imitated.

"I don't know if you've paid enough heed to the situation around, but, I guess you must know that Rosaline is up to no good. I swear on my life that she's going to do something. She behaves differently these days. I know what her silence before the storm is. I know her. I do. Trust me on this, please"

"Why do you help me?"

"Because you've helped me"

"Are you playing?" I questioned again.

"Why do you say so?"

"Just", I shrugged as I turned my face around and walked away carelessly. I couldn't trust Jane, even though she had helped me a lot. If she can't stay loyal to her master, then what am I to her?

I decided to drive towards Chace's apartment again because it was a while since I'd had a proper catch-up. I mean I did meet with them some hours ago, but that meet was pretty fucked up. I turned on the radio to solace myself with some slow music. Evelyn's ethereal face was always in front of my eyes, whenever I opened my eyes it yearned to see her. When I closed them, I was already holding her in my arms. I didn't want to deny what I was feeling anymore. It was love. In true terms, love!

I didn't care how I was going to hold on to her but I was sure that I was going to keep her. I regretted making out with Chloe even with Evelyn being by my side. I could've denied the adrenaline rush for sex but I didn't. But, I guess, mine and Evelyn's relationship was different from that. She wouldn't mind me fucking around with someone else. However, someone would. I was knocked out of my thoughts when I remembered the bro code. I broke the bro code and I had to confront my brothers about it.

I was guilty. I really was, more because now I had to face the consequences. I had to let Chace sleep with Evelyn. That was the rule. The fucking rule! I either had to choose my girl or my brothers. I didn't have a way out. A part of me hoped that Chace would refuse to follow the code but the other part knew that Zack won't let him. It wasn't Zack's fault either. When he broke the code, I made sure that her girl was laid.

Regrets. That's what my life was full of.

I clicked on my Bluetooth to receive the call. "Yes, mom..?" I questioned as I continued to drive.

"Sweetheart, I need you to be home as soon as you can", Mom cried and her voice shook as she spoke.

"What's wrong?" I interrogated as I made my way towards our house. I was scared when I received no answer. "What's wrong, mama?" I questioned again.

"Your father...... He's unable to breathe. He's having an asthma attack. Please come home"

"Have you called for an ambulance or shall I?"

"It's on its way", she hung up as she continued to cry. I banged on the wheel hard, my fist turning sore because of my actions.

I reached my mansion just on time when they were about to take father. I sprinted towards him as he was accompanied by mom. He looked vulnerable and my mom looked even worse. As soon as she saw me, she wept even more. I couldn't help the tears which took birth in the corner of my eyes. They placed dad on a stretcher and allowed my mother to stay by his side in the ambulance.

I followed the ambulance to the hospital. Christine and Charles, her so-called love, accompanied me in my car. Fear penetrated within me as negative thoughts paved the way inside my head. I wiped the tears with my sleeves as I drove.

A father's presence is like an umbrella that never fails to protect you from the weather, be it the sun and be it the rains. Our lives depended on him. My father has had asthma for a while but it was his actual first attack. His body has always been strong enough to be resistant. He even survived a deadly accident in his late thirties. I knew he'd survive this. I was positive.

"Dad will be okay, right?" Christine sobbed, her eyes started to become red and puffy.

"Why wouldn't he? You know how stubborn he is, right? It'll take more than an attack for him to be gone" I tried consoling her, but it didn't work. She cried throughout the way. Her boyfriend gave her his shoulder nothing calmed her down.

We waited a good 3 hours whilst dad was being operated on the inside. Mom rested her head on my shoulder. She wept continuously. I stayed silent as I knew that no amount of words could console her. Right now, she needed to hear only two words, which were, Ashton's okay.

The doctor marched outside the operation room after a while and came towards us. Mom straightened herself as she pretended to fall back to her conscious state. "How's he?" she interrogated the doctor, without waiting for him to remove his gloves and mask. Her impatience justified her vulnerable state.

"He's going to be alright, Mrs. Dickman. Please join me in my cabin after 15 minutes", the doctor gave my mother an assuring smile as he sauntered towards his cabin. My mom's eyes beamed as she hugged me tightly. Christine joined us as she extended her arms towards us. Charles watched us from afar.

My mother anxiously tapped her slippers, her eyes stuck towards the wall watch. As soon as it was quarter to seven, she marched towards the doctor's cabin. I followed her. The doctor was learning the contents in my father's file and nodded as soon as we grabbed his attention.

"I'm really thankful to you"

"It's his good deeds which have saved him. His charitable houses have always backed our hospital and thus the lives of many people attached to this place"

"When will he be okay?"

"Going to take a long, long time", the doctor flipped the page of the file, made eye contact with my mother and me, "I'd recommend him complete bed-rest for a period of at least 3 months", he looked at me, "Maybe the want of the seat is you, at the moment", he shrugged.

If someone else would've given such a personal recommendation, I would've been annoyed but it was Dr. Salts. He was an old family friend and apparently a distant cousin of my mother. My mother had cut ties with all her family members, but she kept in distance touch with Alex Salts, be it for the sake of a greeting.

I looked towards my mom briefly as we exited the doctor's cabin. Dad was still unconscious because of which we couldn't meet him. "You know, Als", mom broke the silence.

I nodded signaling her to go on, "Your dad is the backbone of the house. He might act stubborn and mean sometimes but that's who he is and maybe it is for our own good. You either motivate people when you want them to perform better or criticize them. Like every teacher has their own way to articulate their thoughts, your dad has too. He may have criticized you or have behaved a bit strict, but I swear he loves you as much as I do"

"I know, Mom. I know", I placed my hands over my mom's as I consoled her.

Christine and Charles sat on the seats in front of us. Their hands intertwined. It was already late 10 at night. "You can take my car if you want to. Please take Christine home", I threw my keys towards Charles as he caught them whilst giving a slight nod.

It was almost half an hour while they were gone. Mom was allowed to stay by dad as he had been shifted to a private room. I stayed outside, my chin resting on my knuckles as I continued to think. A wallet caught my attention on the seat in front of mine. I quickly grabbed it as I believed it was of Charles. I refrained from opening it but my curiosity held no boundaries.

I opened it, slowly and carefully, making sure to examine the contents. It wasn't like I was stealing anything. Charles' character was always shady in front of my eyes and right now I was about to find out whether my instincts were correct or it was just a doubt.

There were no identity positions in his wallet which made me even more skeptical. I went through his credit card and was more than shocked to find an all-gold star privilege card like mine. The thought of him standing in front of his garage cum house crossed my mind. I by no means meant to brag about my riches, but only premium family members can unlock that card.

Who was Charles?

I, on sudden realization, that he was alone with my sister in our mansion, uplifted myself and ran towards the exit. I booked myself a cab and climbed aboard bribing the driver to pay double the amount to drive fast. I tried connecting my sister and Charles, but both of their phones were switched off.

What would I answer my mother?

What would I answer my father?

I had one job, one. To protect my sister and I failed at it. I hoped for the best as staying assertive was the only choice I had.

***

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