Chapter 32: Chapter 32

We gaze at the driver's seat when the door opened and Nathan entered.

“Snacks guys. We're close to Jane's subdivision.”

I nodded. I got a snack for myself and opened it. I eat quietly while thinking some things. What if, Cheska didn't left? What if she just told us her reason? And is there really only one reason for her to leave or there's something else? What could have happened if ever she hadn't rejected Zaine's confession? Will it give a change?

Even me, I can't seem to find the answers to that questions. She has her beautiful life here. She has friends and family here that are willing to be with her.

I can't understand myself, the first day she left, I understand her situation but as days passed by and many questions weren't answered, I'm confused. Is it because I envy her for having the things I wanted to have or is there something else?

I hope this feeling won't change my relationship with her. I really want to know her reasons so badly. I felt this feeling that I feel will made a damage between me and Cheska.

I hope it won't.

A few minutes passed when we reached the opposite house. Ethan and Nicole were awake that I could hear them talking or letnme say trash talking at each other. I just bid my goodbye to them.

“Be careful, guys. And thank you for this day.”

“All right, Jane. We'll go first.”

Their car pulls away. I went inside and found Dad in the living room. It looked at my direction and give me glares. Its serious and cold stare made me nervous.

"Good evening dad." I came closer and kissed his cheek.

“Why are you late, Jane? It's already passed six in the evening. ”

I was stunned and frowned at what he said.

"I don't know dad that I have cur—"

"You're still a minor, Jane!" I startled by the loudness of his voice. My foot trembled and went away from him. Dad also seemed stunned when our eyes met. He stood up and approached me just in time.

"D-dad, I got permission to Jack." My knees softened as I slowly walked away from him. I do not know what to do. I was trembling while walking to my room.

I quickly locked the lock on my door. I immediately went to my bed and covered myself. I almost softened by dad’s expression earlier. Never in my entire life did he shouted at me or even with my siblings like that. Just now.

i asked permission to my brother because they are not here and they are so busy with work. It was even harder for me to say goodbye.

I can't understand daddy anymore. He's cold but he never do that. Shouldn’t I be the one to be angry with him for what he did to grandma Flores? I can't understand his actions to why he's doing it.

I know he's been busy but why would he be like that? Is there no hope for this family? Will it always be like this?

I heard a knock on the door. I ignored that and just let it go. I don't want to face anyone. I'm done with this.

I felt foot steps as it went near my bed. I just sighed and didn't entertain it.

"Jane. I'm sorry.” I heard daddy's baritone voice as he touched my hair.

"I want to be alone, dad."

It immediately got quiet. I qam acting like an immature and rebel kid but I just want to be alone now. I can't even understand myself.

"I'm just worried, baby." He said as he caressed my hair. It feels comfortable that it made my tears fall again because of dad.

"I didn't see you for a couple of weeks and when I got home, you weren't here so I got paranoid."

I took a deep breath and immediately removed the blanket cover. I faced dad with a worried look. He looks tired as I stared at him closely. I want to cry so bad right now but I convinced myself not to.

“Dad, I can handle myself,” I said calmly. “You don't need to be mad at me going home late than usual. I'm already 16. ”

“You’re sixteen and also prone to…” he sighed as he didn’t finish what he he said. I hugged him instead.

“I’m fine, daddy. I enjoyed my day with my friends.” I smiled, hiding the pain I am keeping for now.

"I'm sorry, Jane."

I just nodded. I feel like this is not the reason why he's saying sorry. There's another reason. And I felt uncomfortable about it.

***

I am silently eating my breakfast while in front of my family. It would be great if they would talk about their business again but no, they're just also silent.

My brother and sister were in front of me while my parents were at either end. I want to be glad that we ate breakfast together today. At last, I am with them right now, that even just today I was able to eat with them again but I don't know why I'm getting bitter at this time.

I heard my older brother cleared a throat. He finished his food when I looked at him.

"What's your plan for today?" he asked.

“Why Jack? Where are you going? ” my mom asked him.

I just finished my own food and drank some water. I will stay after they eat.

"Let's have a vacation, then." We looked at Dad as he spoke. He has those calm look at he give a look at us.

"Excuse me?" mom said.

"We'll have a vacation in the U.S." Daddy said and then look at me. I instantly look away as I don't want to met those eyes.

“Dad? Are you sure? Aren’t you busy? ” Jace asked.

“It’s settled. My secretary will book a flight for us. It would be two weeks. ”

"Why the sudden change of plans, Joaquin?" mom asked.

"We also need to bond." dad simply said. I felt him stood up first and went gone. I sighed. I don't know why he need to do that.

" Did something happen?" My sister asked. I just stayed in my seat for a moment.

"Jane, what happened?" Jack, my older brother asked again. I looked up at him.

“Nothing, Jack. Dad just shouted at me last night. ” I answered and forced a smile.

"Are you okay?" Mommy asked. I looked at her and nodded slowly. "Why did he do that?"

"I came home late," I replied and sighed. "I just asked permission to Jack because you're gone."

They seemed to be quiet so I immediately stood up.

"I'll go first." I bid goodbye to them. I hadn't turned my back when mommy suddenly spoke.

“Just understand your dad, Jane. He's just being protective of you. ” I looked at her side before I smiled and nodded. I don’t know if what I showed was forced or true smile. I also feel the way my siblings look at me.

“Yes mom,” I answered before I went to my room.

I passed dad's office as I climbed into my room. I want to say sorry to him too. I became immature just the way I acted last night. It just that, something's telling me that I am not someone who will just follow their orders.

I even asked myself, am I being a rebel to them? Am I exceeding my expectations? I can't even know myself. I can't figure out the things I did wrong and the thing that I made right.

I went to my bathroom to take a shower. Maybe a cold water might ease my thoughts. It took almost half an hour before I went out and prepare myself. I dried my hair and went outside our garden.

I sat down on one of the benches that mommy rearranged because it is refreshing breeze on this side. Many flowers that mommy bought were in different places. She loves flowers but she is not the one who takes care of them but our helpers. She's in the hospital most of the time.

Mommy told me that I need to prepare myself. We will return to Manila after three months. I don't know what will happen there, especially since I don't want to go back to where I was. There is a chance that I will see my old friends again.

I hope not.