Chapter 23: Chapter 23

I don’t want anyone else to see me cry. After all, I know they’ll ask me why am I crying, and with that, I have to lie again...I want to lie because I don’t want them to know the real reason why.

I tried to settle down, but I just cried even more.

Stephen grabbed my shoulder and help me to stand up. “What happened?? Why are you crying! Are you dreaming of your dad again? Tell me Alyana?” He seemed concerned about me. It’s been so long since someone else is concern for me. Only Xenon, Madam Nessy, and Nash were the only people who care about me and now I’m happy to know that Stephen added to them.

“Nothing.” When I lie to him, he frowns while staring at my cheek.

“What happened to your cheek? Why’s there a little blood on it?! Did someone hurt you??!”

“N-No, t-that’s because of my nails.” I lied. I don’t want to lie because I know it’s bad, but I don’t want to tell him the truth.

He might interfere and make things worse. I’ve been experiencing this for many years. I can handle this. I can endure it all.

All I need now is to cry, to release the pain and anger I feel. It is better to cry when your anger than to hurt others because of the anger you feel.

_

Stephen Wilson’s Pov.

“I don’t believe what you say Alyana, just by looking at you I know you’re lying Alyana.”

“C-Can you just not ask, please.” I saw that she closes her eyes tightly and gently touch her head. I immediately hold her on both shoulders when I noticed that she’s about to fall.

“Are you okay?” I asked, and she nodded as an answer.

“I’m just s-sleepy.” She replied. We went inside, but I was surprised when she suddenly fainted.

I picked her up and took her to the car, and drove her to the hospital.

She always faints. Maybe this woman is sick or whatsoever! Damn, she’s giving me a headache.

_

“What happened to her, doc? Why did she faint? Is she sick? What’s wrong with her? Will she still be here in the world? How many days, months or years will she last--“

“Just relax, Mr. Wilson, don’t you think you’re overreacting right now? She’s not in pain, not sick.“ that made my thoughts about her is sick just go away.

“Then, why did she pass out??” I asked, confused.

“Her body weak, so she fainted. She only needs to take care of herself, eat on time, and don’t let her sleep late at night,” she said. I breathed a sigh of relief.

We turned our eyes to Alyana when I heard her sob, but her eyes were still closed.

“She always dreams of her dad and when she dreams she cries just like that.”

“There are many reasons about that. Maybe she’s dreaming of her dad because she misses him or maybe she’s always thinking about it. Maybe, she wants to be with her-- By the way, how are you and that woman know each other huh? Who is she Stephen?” she asked me and look at me intently. Looks like she’s waiting for a good answer.

She’s actually a friend of my mom, they’re best friends since college.

I thought about her question. I bit my lip before answering. “She’s... she’s someone special to me.”

“Well, Stephen, didn’t she tell you her problems?”

I shook my head. “No.”

What kind of problem? Problems with money? Well, if it’s just a money problem, I can solve that. I can help her with that.

“I feel like she’s depressed.” What the f**k? Depressed? Why?! She doesn’t look depressed--okay, who the f**k will show themselves that they’re depressed, like telling the world that ‘I AM DEPRESSED!’ of course I think no one would do that. Depressed people mostly hide their pain, don’t share what they thought.

I just remembered what my mom told me before. She was depressed before, but so she knew the pain and how hard it was. But then she recovered...I guess that’s what she told me, that she’s okay now. I don’t know. You know, depressed people are good at hiding. Smiling outside but dying inside.

“By the way, where did she get that little wound in her cheek?”

“She said it was because of her nail. Earlier I saw her outside the gate of my house, crying. I asked her why, then she didn’t say anything to me at all. The other day, her leg was swollen and there was a part of his back that was swollen too. I really don’t know where she got those bruises.” I crossed my arms while looking at Alyana again. She has settled down now.

“I think someone is--“

“Doc, we need you right now. There’s an emergency!”

“Stephen, I’ll go ahead, send my regards to your mom.” I nod.

I look at this woman when she spokes. “Hmm, where am I?” Alyana turned her eyes around.

“You’re in the hospital,” I said, then her eyes widened.

She stood up and was about to leave, It but I held her hand. “Where are you going?” I asked, confused.

“I am going home.” She’s obviously still weak.

“Where is your home?” I ask while raising my eyebrows at her. I guess, she realized what I am talking about because she walk back and sat down. She probably remembers that she lives in my house and I own her.

“I don’t want to stay here in the hospital Stephen, I’m not in sick. I’m completely fine.” She said coldly.

Damn, I can’t read what she’s thinking right now. It’s like she’s hiding her emotions. She is controlling it. What the hell? She even knows how to do that. I should be the one who does that. I’m the one who should be cold, not her! It’s so annoying, I feel like she’s imitating me!

“No, I won’t let you leave here until you tell me everything.” He looked me in the eye.

“What?” she asked. It looks like she’s confused. That she doesn’t know what I am talking about! This woman is making me upset for real.

“What happened to you? Why are you crying? Why do you have a wound on your cheek?! What about the bruises you’ve got, tell everything to me!”

“I-It’s nothing...” Why is she always like that?! My question is simple! She has a mouth, so why can’t she answer those simple questions?! Is my question difficult for her? I think even a little kid can answer that!

What is more difficult, exam or my question? It’s just 4 questions, while the exam is over 30 or 50 questions!

“You’re lying. It’s too obvious. Tell me Alyana if you don’t want me to be mad at you.” I calmly said.

“It’s just--“

“Tell me!”

“I hurt myself!” She suddenly shouted, so I was a little surprised. The other people here inside the hospital also looked at us in surprise.

“What?! Why are you doing that !?”

“Because I hate myself! The person I hate the most in this world is myself!” Her voice is loud.

“Are you happy now?! Happy? Is my reason good enough to let you stop asking me?!” Her voice is cracking, looks like she has a hard time talking about it.

I was left here.

She hates herself?

Tsk, I can’t believe it! She’s a real liar! But... mom’s friend said earlier, she has depression?

I just shook my head. She wasn’t sure about it. She said ‘I feel like she’s depressed’ that’s just her feeling. That Alyana, I believe that she’s just fine, she’s not depressed at all.

When I came out, I saw her in the parking lot, just crouched next to my car.

“What are you doing there?” She raised her head and our eyes met. She immediately averted her two eyes. “I’m waiting for you obviously, I live in your house don’t I?” I just sighed and opened the door for her.

When we got home I cooked for her because when we just entered the house I heard her stomach is demanding for food already, tsk so annoying! She should be the one who will cook for me because she’s the girl!

I want to ask a lot of questions, but I know that she won’t tell me or she will just lie. I get upset immediately whenever she lies, why are all women are liars?! They’re all just the same.

Where can I find a woman like mom? It looks like I’m old enough to be alone, damn! I suddenly remembered that Vanessa! F**k her, I hate her so much!