Keifer's POV
Nightmare!
That's what I'm experiencing right now. Dad's abuse toward Mom is becoming more frequent. It has reached the point where she gets sick easily.
And it frustrates me that I can't do anything about it. I just don't understand why Mom still stays in this house when this is how he treats her.
So annoying!
"Kuya... your friends are here." Keigan called me.
Another one! Something is wrong with him. Keigan has become quiet and seems constantly preoccupied. I already told him to stay away from Dylan, but I always see them together.
"You don't want to join us?" I asked him while dressing up.
"No. I want to stay here with Mom." He answered and walked away.
I also want to stay by Mom's side, but I just can't. Every time I see her, it only makes me feel worse. Why does she endure this? Why does she put up with Dad?
I've asked her about it multiple times, but she always gives me the same answer.
"Your Dad and I will be okay soon."
Which is obviously not happening.
I walked out of my room. They were already waiting at the entrance door. As usual—Percy with his smiling face, Aries with his serious expression, and Yuri with his poker face. We've been friends for more than a year now.
They always pick me up at home since none of us can drive.
I was about to reach them when I heard a very familiar voice.
"Keifer, where do you think you're going?"
"Out with my friends." I quickly answered Dad.
"You've been going out quite often lately."
"Why? Are you going to lock me up in this house too?" I asked, bored.
He looked me straight in the eye. I knew my response was disrespectful. But I just can't keep enduring this anymore.
"I don't like the way you talk to me."
"And I don't like talking to you," I said and walked out of the house.
The three immediately followed me.
"Aren't you afraid of your Dad?" Aries asked me.
"No. Why?"
"Because we are," Percy said and laughed.
I wish it were that easy to laugh everything off. We got into Yuri's car.
Their driver was the one who usually accompanied us on these outings. We went anywhere and everywhere.
As long as we could get away from this damn house!
"Where are we going now?" Yuri asked.
"Let's go somewhere fun. We need to celebrate." Percy said.
"Celebrate?"
"Yes! Have you all forgotten what day it is today?" he asked us.
Aries, Yuri, and I exchanged glances. We couldn't figure out what he was talking about. What day is it today?
"No one remembers? You guys are unbelievable!" Percy said in frustration.
"Is it your birthday?" Aries asked.
He immediately shook his head. "It's our anniversary! We've been friends for two years now!"
"Ahhh..." we all said in unison, nodding.
"What the heck?! Isn't our friendship important to you?" He crossed his arms while staring straight ahead.
"What is this, a relationship? Are we counting anniversaries now?" Aries asked.
"Yes! So you should kiss me!" Percy shouted, forcing his lips toward Aries.
Aries quickly pushed his face away. "Yuck! Stop it!"
"Enough of that... Let's just go home. Hahaoya will cook for us." Yuri said, signaling the driver to start the car.
So, we've already been friends for two years. Since that day when we all fought and were punished by Angelo.
"Keifer." Dad called me.
I had no intention of showing myself to him, but it seemed like he was really waiting for me.
"Do you need something?" I asked him.
"What time is it?"
"I don't know. You're wearing a Rolex watch, why don't you look at—"
"DON'T YOU DARE TALK TO ME LIKE THAT!" he shouted angrily.
His voice sent chills down my spine. I was still afraid of him, but I tried to hide it.
"...Is that what you're learning from your friends?!"
I looked away. Now he was blaming my friends. He kept blaming everyone else. Even though, in the first place, he should be the one to blame.
"ANSWER ME, KEIFER!"
"N-no."
"Is your mom not raising you properly?! Or maybe that's what she's teaching you?!"
"No! Don't bring Mom into this!"
He shot me a deadly glare. He quickly walked toward me, and what he did next was something I never expected.
He slapped me hard. I collapsed to the floor.
I felt the burning pain on the side of my lips. Along with that, my cheek went numb. I couldn't hold back my tears—or my fear of him.
I was right!
He really can hurt me. Not just Mom, but me—and probably even Keigan.
"YOU'RE STARTING TO DISRESPECT ME! MAYBE YOU'RE FORGETTING WHO I AM!" he shouted at me.
He grabbed me by the collar and slapped me again.
It hurts! So much! What he was doing to me was painful, but what hurt even more was that I couldn't even fight back.
"KAIZER!" Mom's voice.
Dad stopped and glared angrily at Mom. Keigan stood behind her, expressionless.
"M-Mom!"
She immediately rushed to me and hugged me. "Kaizer! Not the kids, please!"
"That's why he's so stubborn! Because you're enabling him!" He pointed accusingly at Mom.
"But you don't have to hurt him!"
"And what should I do?! Praise him for what he's doing?! If your son doesn't straighten up, I'll cripple him!" he said before walking away.
I hugged Mom tightly. I finally let out all the tears I had been holding back.
"Sssshhhh... Mom is here now. He won't hurt you anymore."
"Mom! Let's leave this place! Please!"
"Damn! Your Dad did that?!" Percy asked in shock as he examined the bruise on my face.
"What else do you want? A picture for proof?" Aries said sarcastically.
Percy just shot him a deadly glare.
"He hurt you too. Aren't you going to report him? You can have your Dad imprisoned." Yuri said.
I shook my head. I wish we could do that, but Mom didn't want to. Even after seeing what Dad did to me, she still refused to leave.
"So frustrating! Why does Mom keep putting up with that man?!"
"You wouldn't understand because you're still a kid." Angelo interjected. "...Just pray that nothing bad happens to you, your Mom, or your brother."
I didn't know he was listening to our conversation. I thought he was inside the house. We were outside Aries' house because his family wouldn't let him leave, so we were stuck here.
"But what if praying isn't enough?" Percy asked.
What if? What would happen to us?
"Then fight fire with fire." Aries added, but he immediately got a strong smack on the head from Angelo.
Tsk! I don't need jokes. I need a way to get us away from Dad.
And if we can't leave, then I need to learn how to protect Mom.
"Go home already! Do you even know what time it is?!" Angelo yelled at us.
I looked at him seriously. "Angelo..." He looked at me, as did the others. "...Teach me how to fight."
"Huh?"
"I want to be strong! If Mom doesn't want to leave Dad, then I'll find a way to defend her! So please! Help me!" I pleaded.
He crossed his arms and faced me. It was clear he wasn't happy with what I said.
I once saw him fight multiple people at once. He was alone, yet he managed to take them all down. That was no joke! And that's exactly what I wanted to learn.
"It doesn't work that way. I can't teach you." he said seriously.
"Then just teach me how to fight!" I insisted. "...Please! Angelo!"
"Keifer—"
"Us too!" Percy interrupted.
"We should learn too!" Aries added.
"SHUT UP, ALL OF YOU!" he yelled angrily. "...I'm not teaching anyone! Go home!"
He suddenly went inside and slammed the gate shut.
We were left standing there, dumbfounded.
"If he won't teach us, we'll train ourselves. There's a karate school near my place." Percy said.
It was too much...
This karate training is taking too long. They're only teaching the basics. They say it's still too early, and our bodies are still too young to be taught advanced techniques.
So frustrating!
I need to learn quickly. What if Dad hurts us again?
I flopped onto the bed, nearly rolling over in frustration. But exhaustion took over, and my eyes shut on their own—I fell asleep instantly.
I didn't know how long I had been sleeping when a voice woke me up.
"Keifer... Wake up..."
"Mom?"
"Get up, please... Grab your things." she ordered as she went straight into my walk-in closet.
I sat up and rubbed my eyes. That's when I clearly saw Keigan and Mom gathering my things.
"W-what are you doing?"
"We're leaving..." Keigan answered quickly.
Leaving?
Am I dreaming? Is this real? Are we really leaving?
"Please, Keifer... Get up and help us." Mom said.
I immediately stood up and helped them. I had no intention of taking everything—just the important things. I left behind whatever wasn't necessary.
I just wanted to get out of here as soon as possible.
This is what I've been waiting for. It's happening!
We hurried outside, carrying our belongings. The maids and butlers helped us load our things into the car.
"Mom... What's happening? Why are we leaving?" I asked.
Mom didn't answer, so I just kept quiet. Maybe she wasn't ready to tell me the truth yet.
"I've had enough of your Dad." She finally spoke, making me stop and look at her. "...I thought long and hard about what he did to you. And I can't forgive myself for letting him do that to you."
I saw Mom wipe her tears. That hurt more than the slap Dad gave me.
And I hated myself for seeing her like this.
"I'm sorry, Mom."