SOREN
"Slap it!" I said with a grin as I watched Alexa. She had mastered the song "Unravel" that I taught her on the guitar.
"High five," I said with a smile as she finished. Alexa immediately high-fived me and looked clearly pleased with herself.
"I have a bass guitar and a keyboard. What do you want to learn next?"
Her green eyes widened, "I want the bass guitar!"
"Sure."
I watched my child with a smile. She continued playing, and her joy was evident on her face. She's happy, and I want to keep it that way.
"Mom, what is that?" she suddenly pointed at my exposed stomach. It was hot, so my shirt was pulled up like I was lounging outside.
"This?" I asked, pointing to my tattoo. I gave her a broad smile, "This is proof that you come from me."
She put the guitar down on the floor. She stood up, approached me, and sat on my lap.
"How many tattoos do you have?" she asked, amazed, as she poked at my skin, "They're really cool."
"Hmm, 76," I said, leaning down to sniff her hair, "Your grandma almost killed me because of that."
I suddenly remembered when my mom got mad at me for having a big skull tattoo on my arm. She even pinched my newly tattooed arm, and damn, it hurt. A lot.
But anyway, she supported me. My mom is cool, unlike my dad who is a bit too much.
After playing around with Alexa, she quickly went out to hang out with J. I really don’t know who that kid’s parents are. Elias told me that J's family is Spanish because he overheard J's older brother speaking Spanish.
I once asked Elias to pick up Alexa from a neighbor, and he heard J's brother teaching Alexa Spanish. Since then, Alexa has been learning from me. Now, she's almost fluent.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, facing the new visitor, "I don't have any money, idiot." I continued chopping carrots.
"Oh, what’s for lunch? I brought food."
Fox. I knew it.
"Who’s with you? Who’s that with you?"
I don’t know. I felt that there was definitely someone with him. And I could tell from his tone of voice. Whenever he shows up, he either swears at me or hugs me or hits me.
But now, nothing.
"U-Um..."
I paused my chopping.
"It’s just that..." he said nervously again.
I slowly turned around. I saw Fox’s pale face, and behind him was a large man standing.
Holy fuck.
Why—
P-Papa!
I immediately backed away when my gaze met my dad’s.
But I was stunned again when I saw a woman next to him—my mom!
"Hehe, sorry, sis," Fox said, looking nervous too.
My heart raced. I felt like I was having a heart attack from the sheer panic!
"What are you cooking?" Dad asked firmly. My heart pounded even harder when I heard his deep voice, which sounded like it was dug up from underground.
I glanced at the ingredients on the table that I was chopping.
Seriously? Dad is asking what I'm cooking?
I swallowed a few times before answering, "S-Sopas."
"Obvious," I heard Fox mumble, but he didn’t let it show because he might get shot by Dad. Lol.
I bit my lower lip when I saw Mom looking like she was about to cry. Soon, she approached me and enveloped me in a hug.
"Why did you go to the mansion when we weren’t there?" she cried. I hugged her back immediately. I closed my eyes and buried my face in her neck.
I missed her scent. I used to always be close to her, and I love my mom so much.
She pulled away and immediately tapped me on the head, "You’ve added more drawings on your skin!"
Argh. Come on.
I rubbed my neck. That hurt.
"So, where's our grandchild? Where’s Alexa?"
I was about to answer when Dad’s voice took over.
"Where's McGregor? I NEED to talk to him first."
Oh.
I stared at Dad before answering, "H-He’s still sleeping..."
Dad’s eyebrows furrowed, "Where is he? I’m going to wake him up."
Fox chuckled quietly and whispered, "He might not wake up at all."
"I’ll wake him up," I said, walking out of the kitchen. I felt their presence following me.
"Wait, why are you going outside? I thought you were going to wake up that handsome guy?" Mom asked.
I gave them a wry smile, "I’m going to wake him up, just a moment."
I ran outside. I quickly found Marshall’s sports car parked. When I approached it, I knocked on the window repeatedly.
"Marshall! Open this motherfucking door or else—"
The window rolled down immediately. Marshall, looking sleepy, peered out, "Hey. Is it already noon?"
I shook my head, "It’s only seven. Get yourself together; Dad is at the house."
"What?" He seemed to wake up, "Who’s at your house?"
From the window, I grabbed his shirt collar. I caught his covert glance at my lips, but I ignored it because his interest in me was normal.
"Dad. Hurry up. He doesn’t like to be kept waiting, moron."
He nodded and moved away from me. It wasn’t long before he came out, looking presentable with slightly wet lips, clearly after brushing his teeth.
"Your hair is messy."
He just grinned, "It's okay. My women want it that way."
Tss.
Since I was in a hurry, I quickly pulled his wrist to get us to the house faster.
"Where’s Alexa?" He suddenly kissed me on the cheek, "You smell so good."
Tsk.
"She’s at J’s. I’ll pick her up later when this is done."
He calmly squeezed my hand, "Alright."
Before we entered, I faced him angrily, "Look, my dad is a great puncher. If he hits you, you’ll be crippled. So get it together, okay?"
He stared at me, wide-eyed, as if in shock.
"Marshall!" I yelled at him, "Compliment me later, okay?!"
He seemed to snap out of it and chuckled lightly, "Yes, ma’am."
I smirked. I opened the door. Dad was sitting on the sofa with Mom next to him, seemingly tormenting him again. But despite that, he remained calm. He was just hugging Mom’s waist while being bullied by her.
"Look at that white hair, Ferny. You’re getting old, ew," Mom said, pulling Dad’s white hair.
I wanted to laugh because Mom called Dad Ferny. Like, damn, my dad is such a big guy, and you call him Ferny? I really admire my mom.
"I need to find a younger man. How about the husband of our friend Jingjing?"
Dad remained silent but stared intensely at Mom.
Jingjing’s husband is toothless, balding, and a drunkard. While my dad is still hot af. He’s still strong and active. If you know what I mean, hehe.
And Mom? Man, we look like siblings. She’s dark-skinned and very Filipino. It’s frustrating because I don’t have her skin tone.
"Dad," I called to the King Kong sitting on my sofa.
Our attention shifted to Mom and Dad. Mom smiled when she saw Marshall and me holding hands.
Like, ew. I didn’t want to hit Marshall in front of them because Dad might get involved.
"Good morning, sir, ma'am," Marshall greeted politely, shaking hands with Mom and Dad.
I swallowed.
Dad’s stare is intimidating.
"Why did you sleep outside, son?" Mom stood up and kissed Marshall on the cheek.
"Because I said," I interjected with a subtle smile.
"What?" Mom asked, "Why’d you do that, Jane?"
I rolled my eyes, "Because I’m heartless like Dad."
I saw Marshall’s subtle smile. Tss, he was actually pleased.
"Now, where’s Alexa?" Dad asked, and his gaze towards Marshall and me seemed somewhat calmer.
"She’s at the neighbor’s, sir," Marshall answered politely, "I’ll go get her."
Dad nodded. Fox immediately accompanied Marshall. And once they left, I sighed with relief.
I really thought there was going to be chaos.
Mom hugged me, "He’s a good man, baby. Why don’t you give him a chance?"
I scratched my head.
"He’s not that hard to love, I know," I answered with a grin, "Err. I don’t know."
Mom leaned on my shoulder, "I love you, dear. Whatever your decision is, you’re still my baby girl."
I smiled and hugged her head. I’m taller than her because she’s only 5 feet tall. She’s a petite woman.
My gaze shifted to Dad.
He shrugged, "He’s a good punching bag," he said.
"Marshall got beaten up by your dad when you suddenly disappeared," Mom whispered to me, "You should treat him better. Your dad literally turned him into a punching bag."
I winced.
Oh no.
He got beat up? No. Damn it, I know how heavy Dad’s fists are. I don’t even want to think about it, but we all know my siblings are scared of Dad. I am too. Mom is the only one brave enough to tease him.
I nodded, "Okay, um... fine. I won’t let him sleep outside anymore."
I saw Dad nod.
"Grandpa!" I heard Alexa call to Dad. The child ran towards him and immediately climbed onto the sofa, kissing his cheek.
"Mama was right, you’re really big and tall!"
I smiled.
"OMG, your child is so cute!" Mom squealed with delight and quickly joined Dad.
I immediately looked for Marshall. Our eyes met.
He approached me and put his arm around me. His heavy arm draped over me, but instead of complaining, I imagined what he looked like when Dad beat him up.
I just exhaled, "Help me with the cooking."
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