Chapter 18: Chapter 18

Either it was just his instinct or he just knew that he would be in trouble if he entered his house now. Alex knows very well that he will never get into trouble at his school even if he becomes a troublemaker in his school. But unlike his house, his parents are very strict people when it comes to school. They are always cold, but they never stay silent if something happens at school. Even when his school marks were reduced by a point or two, they would punish him harshly.

Alex also glanced at the clock on his cellphone screen which showed 6 in the afternoon. He also breathed a sigh of relief while stroking his chest which had been beating so fast. Alex realizes that he still has a few hours before his parents come home from work. Even though it's only a short time, and he will still have to face his father's anger, but Alex still feels relieved that he can think of a way to avoid his father's anger.

He then grabbed the doorknob, pulled it, and went into his house. Alex walked casually as the worry he had previously felt had completely disappeared. But as soon as he arrived in the living room, his steps stopped when he saw his entire family members were sitting in the living room.

At first glance, Alex could see his father looking at him with a very sharp gaze. He immediately realized that right now his father was holding back his anger. Alex could only stand there while lowering his head and swallowing all the fear and worry that grew in his mind. He tried to remain calm even though his heart continued to beat fast. Her heartbeat was getting worse when her father walked over to him and grabbed his shoulder.

“Come to my office, we have a lot to talk about.” Said his father in a deep and cold voice that made Alex shiver and swallow hard because he was afraid.

His father walked past Alex. Alex also turned around and glanced at the back of his father who was walking his back to him. Alex wanted to walk following his father, but Gina held his hand. Alex also looked at Gina who was raising her head. Their eyes looked at each other and Alex could see the care in them. The usually cheerful Gina now looks grim and stares at Alex with wet eyes and tears welling up in her eyes.

Alex also held his sister's hand who was holding his hand, and then he rubbed his sister’s cheek. Alex smiled faintly as if to tell his sister that everything was fine and there was nothing to worry about. Mrs. Gretta also approached Gina and held her daughter's hand in prayer

“Come on, it's time for bed.” Said Mrs. Gretta but Gina stared at her while frowning as if to say that she didn't want to sleep.

“I still want to be with Alex, I need to get with him to meet Dad.” Replied Gina refused to be taken to her room.

Alex smiled faintly, and then he hugged Gina because he knew her little sister was distressed about him. Alex stroked Gina's hair and gradually all the worries Gina felt melted away in the warmth of her brother's embrace.

“Don't worry, I'm fine. Follow Mother's words and hurry to sleep. “ Said Alex and Gina nodded her head

Gina also followed her mom's words to return to her room. Her little hand gripped her mother's hand, but Gina was yet feeling anxious, and she turned her head to stare at Alex with a caring face. She could see Alex's smiling face as he waved, Alex looked fine but Gina still felt uneasy about something.

Her age may be petite, but Gina has a greater sense of awareness than most people, especially her family. She easily understands other people's feelings and responds very nicely. Gina knew very well that her father was angry and it made her terrified.

Even when she was in her room Gina was still so anxious that she couldn't sleep no matter how hard she tried. Then when her mother had left her room, Gina immediately got up from her sleep and changed her position from lying down to sitting down. She sighed several times while continuing to change his position until Diana, who had slept, felt disturbed and could not sleep.

“Can't you just sit quietly and let me sleep in peace?!” said Diana, very annoyed because her sleep had to be disturbed by Gina.

“ Now what? Why are you so restless?!” asked Diana with annoyance as she looked at Gina.

“Do you think Father will scold Alex terribly?” asked Gina

“Don't act like this has never happened before. We've seen Dad scold him a few times. His fault why he had to cause so much trouble? We all know that dad hates skipping classes the most. Just because he was already ranked first he had become so arrogant, he thought he would continue to stand at the top when he could fall down anytime. Very reckless ... “said Diana coldly.

Gina could only be silent, listening to Diana's words. Even though she told it in a cold and flat tone as if she didn't have the slightest sympathy, but Gina couldn't deny Diana's words because what she told was the right thing. For his family, the value of the school is critical.

They uphold their great name in school and their school grades as if they are the standard that determines their grades. What Alex has done has tarnished his good name at school, especially because the school has called their parents to inform them of the violations that Alex has committed. This really made their parents angry.

***

Meanwhile, Alex was standing in front of his father's desk with his head down while his father was sitting in his chair, wrinkled his fingers on the table, and stared at Alex with a sharp gaze. The sound of finger tapping sounded one by one as if in rhythm sounded terrifying to Alex as if in the tempo he was counting how many seconds it left. As if it was a countdown before death came.

“Do you realize why we are in this room now? Do you know what mistake you have made? “ Asked his father in his low voice which is very scary.