Embracing the Troublemaker

Chapter Fourthy

Jael's Point of View

I couldn't help but swallow hard as Mr. Alaric grinned at me, as if finding my words amusing.

"Okay," Mr. Alaric wiped his mouth with a napkin. "I'm just making sure you're not bringing just anyone into my house." He looked at me again, as if accusing me of robbing their home based on the way he stared.

"When did you start caring about other people's lives?" Ross smirked. "And now, suddenly, you're cautious? Hindi mo ba naisip yan kapag dinadala mo mga babae mo rito?"

I nearly jumped from my seat as Mr. Alaric slammed his hand on the table, causing plates and utensils to clatter, and it felt like my heart stopped beating for a few seconds as I stared at Mr. Alaric, almost expecting him to explode.

"Watch your fucking mouth, Percival! I'm still ypur dad!" He shouted, pointing at his son.

The two siblings continued eating as if they were used to this kind of act from their father. "Why?" Ross grinned. "Natatakot ka na may ibang makaalam ng baho ng pamilya natin?"

"Oh, come on, Dad," Ross said, leaning back in his chair. "Wag na tayo mag malinis dito na parang isang masaya tayong pamilya... kinasusuklaman kong naging Ama kita."

"Mahiya ka sa kapatid mo, Percival! Wala kang respeto!"

I closed my eyes briefly as Ross suddenly stood up from his seat. "Why, dad?" His voice was a blade. "Aren't you the one who should be ashamed?! If we're talking about respect, you don't deserve any." Ross clenched his fist, veins almost popping from his hand.

"Parehas lang kayo ng Kuya mo. Parehas kayong mga basura."

Agad kong nilapitan si Rio nang biglang lapitan ni Ross ang kanyang Ama at kinwelyuhan. Tinakpan ko ang mga mata ng bata na kanina pa tahimik sa kanyang kinauupuan. Nanginginig ang labi ng bata at naka tulala na lamang sa kawalan.

"Huwag mong dinadamay si Kuya! Damn it, you know you're the reason why Kuya is gone!" Ross shouted angrily. They exchanged fierce glances, but Mr. Alaric remained unfazed, even flashing a mocking smile at his son.

"He deserved it, Percival! Ephraim was weak."

Sa sobrang bilis ng pangyayari nakita ko nalang na naka salampak si Mr. Alaric sa sahig dahil sa pag sapak sakanya ni Ross na halos umapoy na sa galit. Nanliliksi na ang kanyang mga na parang handa na pumatay habang naka tingin sa kanyang Ama.

Lalapitan ko sana si Ross nang bigla kong maramdaman na basa na ang mga palad kong naka takip sa mata ni Rio. Walang ingay na umiiyak ang bata. Pumantay ako sa kanya at agad itong niyakap, mukha itong takot na takot.

"I'll take Rio with me," Ross declared.

"You can't take him away, Percival!"

"Ross..." I called out to Ross, nearly breathless. I noticed the bruises on Rio's arms, barely concealed by his clothes.

Concern filled Ross's face as he approached and held Rio. "Why? What happened?" he asked his brother, who remained silent, so he turned to me for answers.

Punong-puno ng pag aalala ang bumalot sa mukha ni Ross. Dahang-dahan kong tinuro ang braso ng kanyang kapatid kaya agad nitong tinaas ang manggas ng t-shirt ni Rio na naging dahilan kung bakit ito napa daing. Napasinghap ako nang makita ko ang mga pasa sa braso ni Rio.

"Damn it!"

Napayukom ng kamao si Ross habang naka titig sa braso ni Rio na agad namang hinablot ng kanyang kapatid. "D-don't touch me."

Hindi nag patinag si Ross at agad na tiningnan ang ipa bang parte ng katawan ng kapatid n'ya. Halos mapapikit ako nang makita ang iba pang pasa sa katawan ni Rio, mayroon sa kanyang leeg, tagiliran pati na rin sa hita at hindi rin naka takas kay Ross ang sugat sa labi ni Rio, mukhang matagal na iyon dahil hindi na masyadong halata at naka hilom na.