Micah

"Micah!? Why is he here?" Ross facial features hardened as he stared deep a Mr Lyon who looked like he couldn't care less.

"Ross, Can we not do this right now?" I literally pleaded, running my hand through my tangling hair. "He dropped me off."

Ross looked unconvinced, His dark stare never leaving Mr Lyon.

"That doesn't explain why he has to be here." Ross spoke, his dark brown pupils fixated on Mr Lyon, trailing his every move.

This was exhausting, I was tried, hungry, sleepy, I needed a break. I wish I could leave all this family drama, all of Mr Lyon's drama, go to another state, another country even, just start over. But I couldn't.

My Lyon's scoff disrupted me from speaking, making him the center of my attention. He dug his hands into the pockets of his coat and walked to the hospital bench. He spread out his long legs before folding them and he folded his arms as well. He looked up at Ross, a daring smirk on his lips.

It was as if he was directly challenging him, saying 'Make Me Leave.'

I couldn't believe the pettiness of this man. Would it kill him to leave!? But no, Kristopher Lyon can never be the bigger person.

'Screw him!'

"Ross, Ross please let it go." I muttered, clenching my fists and biting my lips. The last thing I'd want is for this stupid argument to go on.

I wanted to leave this hospital so bad. I hated hospitals and the thought of being in one, everything ticked me off about it. The smell, the noises, Everything!

**

About fifty minutes had passed since I came here, I'd convinced Ross and Mom to go home and freshen up, Mr Lyon had left to take a phone call less than thirty minutes ago and wasn't back yet. He must've left and I was grateful for that.

I sat on one of the hospital benches burying my head in my arms, imagining what the little boy could be going through. Levi had always been such a healthy kid. I couldn't imagine him slump, that's very rare in children of his age.

I immediately jumped up when the door slightly opened. I rushed to the door, expecting answers from the doctor.

"Er..?" His voice was questioning.

"Micah Harlan, Aunt of the Patient Levi Denzel." My voice was shaky.

A nod was his only reply as he flipped through the papers.

"Has this ever happened before?"

"No, no. Never." The young doctor nodded again.

"Doctor...please I'm scared. Is there a problem?"

"Nothing too serious." He shook his head slowly. "The kid slumped because he was weak, he hasn't been eating. Does he have an eating disorder?''

I couldn't believe this. Levi loved food. That was one of the many things we had in common. We were both foodies.

"No, he doesn't have any eating disorder."

"I doubt a child of his age would have reason to starve himself."

"He would never."

The doctor rose his brows staring at me. "Does he have a mom I can speak too?":

"She's currently unavailable."

"Hmm." He exchanged glances with me and the paper in his hand. "A dad?"

"Doctor, if there's anything you need to say, you can tell me."

"I'm going to have to need a legal guardian."

"Sir, I'm his biological aunt. I doubt he'll need a legal guardian when his family is very much alive." I have no idea why I was getting upset but something about this doctor pissed me off.

"Okay then.." he trailed. "I'll need your permission to enroll him in our counselling class. He's been starving himself and that is very unhealthy."

It all felt fake. I couldn't think of a reason why Levi would starve himself. He was always such a cheerful and bubbly kid.

"This doesn't feel like Levi." I muttered, yet audibly enough for it to reach the doctor's ears.

"Can I get a signature?" He asked passing me a pen. I read the contents of the paper and signed it. The counseling was once in a week so I'd still have enough time to drop and pick him.

"Can I take him home now?" I questioned, after signing.

"Of course. But please make sure he skips no meals."

**
"Hey Soldier." I knocked on the door playfully with a small smile.

"Mic!" Enthusiasm filled Levi's voice as he jumped off the bed, running to me. I squatted, embracing him warmly. He smelled just like the hospital. That unfamiliar familiar smell I hated.

"What are we doing here?" I chuckled, ruffling his hair.

He shrugged.

"I hate hospitals."

"Me too. C'mon, let's get out of here."

After all the necessary paperwork, Levi and I were free to leave the hospital.

It was a little bit darker now and still freezing.

They'd be no cabs now, we'd have too walk home.

"You hungry?"

Luckily for us. The hospital had given Levi a free meal and some drugs that'd help boost his energy.

"Not really."

"Hey, I won't take no for an answer. Let's go get food."

"Mic, we don't have much money, let's not waste it on food."

My heart broke a million times hearing his statement. Could that be the reason why he'd starve himself? Why was he so considerate of a Family who had done nothing but put him in a tight spot.

"Come on Mic!" He called out to me as he left the paved ground leading to the hospital exit door. "We have to start going now or else we are going arrive home when it's dark."

We'd work a few steps when I noticed, My Lyon's black SUV. At first I doubt it was him till I got a little closer, then he wind down.

"Why'd you waste my time?" His emerald eyes stared me.

"I thought you had left."

"Micah, you really have no chance of survival without me."

The nerve if this man!

"Don't think too highly of yourself, you're not all that." I grabbed the handle on the door but it was locked.

I groaned in frustration.

"Open it." He said calmly, the tone of his voice was so serious.

"I can't, it's locked. Damnit!"I sighed loudly . "I've had such a day, Sir, I'm not in the mood."

He snickered.

"Neither am I. Open the door. "

Is this some kind of joke, the door was freaking locked!

"If you didn't want to give me a ride, you just have to-"

"You're locking the door, you're holding both the hand and the door itself." He cut me short.

I looked down slowly and realized what I was doing, my cheeks immediately had a tint of pink. This is embarrassing.

"Oh." I muttered, letting go of the door and only holding the handle, to nobody's surprise it opened. My Lyon cocked his brows, trying to hold back a mischievous smirk but he was doing an awful job at it.

"Come on Levi."I got into the car with Levi who seemed very reluctant.

"So," I tried to break the silence in the car. "What time is your flight?"

"Why? Can't wait for me to leave?" My silence answered his question perfectly.

"Oh, lest I forget, I'm leaving the puppy with Simon. You can come pick it up."

Oh, I forgot about the puppy.

"Pick it up? It was your birthday present. I adjusted my seating position.

"That I rejected."

"You can't reject it."

"I did."

I scoffed.

"You have a private jet. Can't you take it along to Italy?"

"No, I dislike animals"

Oh then you must hate yourself.

"Are you some kind of  Anti Fun dude?"

"Yes. I'm also an Anti Kids, Ice cream, Love, Garden, Picnic guy."

Was that meant to be a joke because neither of us laughed.

"What's your idea of Fun" Mr Lyon ignored my question. I rolled my eyes and leaned back into the soft chair. Pulling Levi closer to me, i pulled out my ringing phone. I promised myself I'll change the ringtone to one of my favorite latest songs- The devil doesn't bargain by Alec Benjamin but I haven't gotten the time.

The caller ID surprised me,  this was someone I had tried his number so many times but it didn't go through, someone I thought had duped me, someone I didn't expect to hear from again.

No one other than Carter Yong.

I leaned closer to the door, not really sure why as I answered.

"Hello?"

"Hello Ms Harlan. It's been a while."

"About two weeks I guess." I shrugged.

I made sure the phone wasn't on loud speaker.

"I have good news."

"Really?" A small smile tucked my lips.

"Yes but I can't discuss it over the phone. I'll send you an address."

"Sure...Thank you...Bye." I think it's safe to say I'm one step closer to cracking the puzzle of the mysterious Kristopher Lyon.

**

"Thank you."  I alighted the vehicle.

"This is a one time thing." He said in a low tone.

Levi jumped out, literally.

"Er, dropping me at my house? This is actually the second time."

"Don't push it Harlan." He murmured before driving off.

"I don't like that man." Levi pouted as we walked to the front porch.

"Neither do I."

"Are you sure?" I was taken aback by his question.

''of course I'm sure. That man is a selfish, money serving frog."

"Hmm, he did help us."

"To be honest, I have no idea why." I rang the doorbell.

"What about you? Why don't you like him?" I rang the doorbell again.

"He looks scary."

"Scary?" I chuckled. I tried to recall what my look scary about Mr Lyon's face. "You wanna see scary? Wait till his eyes darken."

"No thanks" he laughed.

"My love." Mum rushed at Levi as soon as she unlocked the door.

"I'm okay." The house pet giggled.

"I was so scared."

"We all were."

"What was wrong with him? Who paid the bills." Ross questioned.

"The doctor said he hasn't been eating well. That's what caused the slump and don't worry, I covered the bills."

"Oh Micah." Mom embraced me.

"It's no big deal. I mean, he's my favorite nephew."

"I'm your only nephew." Levi giggled.

"Not eating well?" Mom asked getting up from her kneeling position, pulling Levi Into the house. "I got a whole pot cooking."

I'd have to tell Mum that he's been starving himself but for now, I'll let them eat and laugh for a moment.

***
I had just taken my evening bath, the towel lay firmly above my breasts, stopping at my upper thigh. My wet hair was packed into a messy born and I was just about applying some powder before an incoming facetime call interrupted me.

It was a group facetime with my three friends including.....Zion.

Tori, Brianne and Luther Don't know what happened between Zion and I. It might break our friendship and I would hate it if I was the reason.

I threw on a large pajama shirt and ran to my laptop.

"Hey guys." I smiled cheerful, watching thier face pop up. I haven't seen or spoken to them for a while, I've been overwhelmed with everything going on in my life.

"Hey" they all said collectively, just as enthusiastic as me.

"Guess what guys, I'm back in town!" Tori squealed. She had travelled out for her cousin's wedding but now she was back.

"I have great news for you guys, let's meet up tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" I bit my lips.
"I have a busy schedule tomorrow." I had to go to work, had to meet up with Carter, had to take Levi for counseling.

"Ugh Micah." Brianne scoffed "Come on girl, you're always working too hard. Take a break."

"I can't." I had a lot going on but I couldn't tell them, I didn't want to be in the same space with Zion. Memories of that night resurfaced as I shuddered.

"What does a waitress do anyway, is there something you're not telling us?" Zion folded his arms hinting at something, I haven't seen him since that day Mr Lyon dropped him off. "The other day I saw you come out of the car of that man you introduced to us at the club."

"Yeah, my friend dropped me off. You got a problem?" I couldn't stop my voice from sounding so saucy. It just rolled off.

"No. We just care about you-"

"Drop it. Zion."

"Whatever"
His end went dead.

"What's going on between you two?" Luther paused " I thought you guys were cool after the whole break up."

"We are. He just really pisses me."

It was silent for a whole minute.

"Well, ..Micah, we'll be waiting for you by five, bye." Simultaneously all thier ends went dead and I couldn't help but wonder if this was a set up.

I slipped Into a pyjamas trousers and left the room, I was anything but sleeping.

I heard footsteps in the kitchen and decided to check it out. Levi stood on his tiptoes trying to reach the counter.

"Anything I can help you with Soldier?" I walked to him.

"I need a cup please."

My hands gripped the cold nob, I pulled it open with one hand, pulled a small plastic cup with the other and passed it to Levi.

"There you go soldier"

"Why are you calling me that?" He giggled.

"What? Soldier?.... because you are one."

"No I'm not."

"Today, when I saw you on that hospital bed, unconscious, I became convinced that you are one."

He smiled a little, fetching some water.

"So, soldier. Why haven't you been eating?"

"No reason." He shrugged while sipping the water.

"You can't tell me no reason. What you did is dangerous, your mom has lost so much already, she can't afford to lose the most precious thing ever given to her. Do you know how scared your dad was?"

"It's no point, mommy hasn't spoken to me for a year now, all daddy does is sit in his room playing video games, he never takes my anywhere. Grandma has a job now, she's busy, Cameron and Corner go to school or play with thier friends and you you're always busy with the man who wants us out."

His words pained me, it went deep and sent shivers down me.

"So what? Starve yourself? What if you left? What if we never got to see you again? Huh? You never thought about me, how this would affect me? I always thought you were considerate but you're selfish."

"I don't want to die." A tear rolled down his cheek.

"You won't." I pulled him into a hug.

This world is painful and wicked and Mr Lyon was right, hope is vile. I hoped I could give thus family a happy ending but you can't give something that never had a stable beginning a happy ending.

Everyone had thier own problems and as much as unbelievable at it seemed, Even Levi.