Chapter 48: Chapter 48

Cynthia nudged me when Garren left.  "What was that?"

"What?" I scowled.

"You didn't even look at each other. Are you still in quarrel with him?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "Maybe? But I don't care anymore. He can snub me for all I care."

That's right. I should fulfill the words I affirmed last night. I almost bleared the boundary between us and crossed it, it's time to clear that line.

"Hmmm.... this is interesting."

I ignored her and walked towards the kitchen, where I found Greyson and his father sitting on the table. Aunt Cora and Aunt Esther are there too.

The breakfast was silent and awkward as hell... or at least for me. The kitchen is spacious, yet I feel like I'm moving through a narrow room and walking on a floor scattered with shattered pieces of glass.

It's flabbergasting to think that I suddenly went back to that time when Garren's presence terrified me.

The same thing happened during the ride through Greyson's school. I didn't throw Garren a glance or speak to him. I don't know if he notices that, but nonetheless, I'm pretty sure that what I'm doing is on his favor.

Greyson sprinted inside their classroom after he bade his farewells to his father.

I observed if Garren would walk away right away, but he didn't. I wanted to just make off and leave him there without saying anything, but that would be rude.

I swore that I would be civil with him, not disrespectful.

"Take care, sir," I said and turned my back.

I made my way to where I usually stay during Greyson's class, in the science garden.

However, as if a string bound my body, I stopped and looked back. Much to my surprise, Garren is still standing in the same spot where I left him. He's facing my direction.

I don't know if he can see me because there are people passing by between us, but that doesn't really matter.

Why hasn't he left yet? Is he waiting for something?

I turned my back. I don't care... I shouldn't care.

•••••

"Are you freaking serious?!"

I laughed at my brother's reaction after he opened the present that I gave him. It's his fourteenth birthday, and although I'm not with them, I want to make him happy. So I thought of giving him a gift that he would love, which is a Teraminx magic cube.

I've been stressing over this for the past few weeks, then I remembered that he told me before how much he likes that, so I decided to buy him one.

That cube is quite costly, but I really want to make him happy on this special day of his life.

"Happy Birthday, baby bro! Did you like it?"

"Cleo! This costs almost a hundred dollars! You shouldn't have bought this!" Archeus freaked out.

I understand where he's coming from. We were raised in a household where money is considered gold. We always keep ourselves on a strict budget.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Can't you just be grateful?"

He let out a deep sigh. "Of course I appreciate this. But Cleo, you could've allotted that money on more valuable stuff."

I smiled reassuringly. "Arch, stop worrying about the money. I've been saving up for that gift."

"But-"

"I don't want to hear more complaints from you, or else I'll take that gift away. You're seriously making me feel unappreciated." I put on a distress expression.

He glowered. "Stop making that kind of face. You look like a duck when you pout."

I burst out laughing. "You're so mean. After I gave you a gift, you're saying that to me? How ungrateful."

He sneered. "Sorry not sorry."

A moment of silence rose between us. I can hear the noise of the people on the other line. Perhaps they are his visitors.

"But on a serious note..."

He smiled subtly.

"Thank you this, Cleo. I couldn't be more grateful."

I smiled. "You're welcome. But if you're really sincere, what about giving me a virtual hug? Come on." I got close to the screen and acted hugging him.

"That's unnecessary," he groaned.

"You really have no love hormones in your body. Anyway, you have to take care of that cube. If I come home one day and see it already ruined, I will swat your bottom."

He chuckled. "I'm not a kid anymore to get terrified by that. But yeah, I assure you that I'll take good care of this."

"Make sure of that."

We talked for a bit more before I asked him to give the phone to Mama. He immediately obliged.

"Cleo!"

I felt happy seeing the bright smile plastered on her face.

"You didn't run yourself ragged today, didn't you?" I asked, sharpening my eyes at her.

I told our mother to cook even a little bit of food. My brother was against it at first, but he was left with no choice when the two of us agreed to that plan.

We didn't celebrate his previous birthday last year because of financial problems. So I swore that I'd give him the best celebration next time.

Now that I'm earning more, I'm trying to fulfill my promises to them.

"You don't have to worry about me. It was your Aunt Isabella and Uncle Hector who cooked. I just helped with some basic stuff," she replied.

Those two are our kind neighbors in Arranmore.

"That's good to hear. What about your meds? Are you taking them?"

She laughed, and that's the most beautiful and angelic sound that I have ever heard.

"Who really is the mother between us?"

I giggled. "I have to remind you."

"I'm doing well, Cleo. I'm really sorry for making you feel worried last time."

I breathed deeply. "Ma, how many times do I have to tell you that you shouldn't apologize because of what happened? It's not your fault."

She was fortunately discharged three days after she was hospitalized. I've been calling them every day after that to make sure that she's in good shape.

We talked for almost half an hour. I also greeted Archeus' friends and our neighbors, who are in our house today to celebrate his birthday.

I really wish I'm with them at this moment.

When I ended the call, it was in time that someone knocked on my door.

"I'm coming! Wait a minute."

I hastily fixed myself before rushing towards the door.

"Greyson! Do you need something?"

"It's dinner time already!"

I frowned. I looked at the wall clock, and my eyes were on stalks when I saw that it's past seven already.

"I didn't notice the time. Come on."

He chortled. "Don't be fretful. The dinner is just about to start."

That allayed my worries. But that ease didn't last long when I saw Garren already sitting on the head chair.

I usually arrive before him.

"You're late," he blurted out.

He wasn't even looking at me, but I know damn well who it is for.

But tell me why I wasn't surprised at all that he's kicking a fuss. I guess I'm already used to his capricious nature.

I apologized and sat down on the chair beside Greyson and prepared his foods.

"Finish your veggies, alright? You can't always have nuggets," I said when he made a face after I put green beans and corn casserole on his plate.

"Fine."

I tousled his hair. "God doesn't like it when kids look petulant at the dinner table. He'll take away your nuggets and fried chicken."

With that, he removed the creases on his forehead and smiled brightly.

"I'll finish this vegetable in a minute!" he shrieked.

That made me laugh. But the smile on my face quickly disappeared when I saw Garren eyeing me.

Don't tell me he's got something to say about me again?

Gladly, he didn't open his mouth to berate me or anything.

It's been almost a week, and obviously, Garren and I haven't settled the dispute between the two of us. Until now, he's still giving me an unwelcoming attitude, and I'm giving him the same energy, but in a discrete way.

I'm tired of dealing with his crap.

I was pulled out of my stupor when Greyson snapped a finger right in front of my face.

"W-What? You want more nuggets?" I asked, stammering.

"No. I wanted to ask if you're alright because... look at your plate."

I did as he said, and a flush crept up to my cheeks when I saw that I had unconsciously murdered the chicken.

I laughed awkwardly and didn't say anything.

"I have something to tell you, buddy," Garren blurted out, diverting his son's attention from me.

"What is it, dad?"

"I'll be gone for almost a week because of work. But I promise to FaceTime you as much as I can, hmmm? I'll also bring a lot of toys when I get home."

That made him smile. "I'll expect that, dad. If you won't call me then I'll get really mad."

His father laughed, and they resumed eating.

That dinner went through like every other awkward dinner that we have had in the past few weeks.

When morning came, while I was walking upstairs to check on Greyson to see if he was still asleep, I came across his father who's about to leave.

He raised his gaze, causing our eyes to meet. I greeted him, but what baffles me is that he just keeps on looking at me directly.

The stairs suddenly feel like an endless loop.

When we walked past each other, I felt him stopping in his tracks.

I was bewildered, but I fought the urge to look back.

When I reached the last staircase, my eyes looked at the spot where I left him. He's still standing there.

I squinted my eyes at him, and the lines on my forehead deepened when I saw his lips moving.

"Is he talking to himself?" I asked myself in disbelief.

He's shaking his head as if he's having an internal discourse with himself.

I wonder what he's thinking.

"Why are you so invested, anyway? I thought you didn't care about him?"

The subconscious voice in my head made me realize the insanity that I'm doing.

For the last time, I shot the jerk one last glance. I saw him let out what seemed like a deep and heavy sigh before he resumed walking.

I huffed. "What a weirdo."