Chapter 23
- Jc's POV –
I kicked the door of the house when I arrived. I don't care if aunty hears it, but it looks like she isn't there because the house light was off when I arrived. I hit the switch next to the door with my hand and the surroundings lit up.
I was really shaking with so much anger that I wanted to tear the things that my eyes could see. I clenched my fist harder as if my fingers were going to be buried in my palm. There's really no place for my anger.
"Alright, break the door like it's your house!"
I turned my back with a frown. And I saw Almira with her arms crossed and she was looking at me very badly.
A sarcastic smirk spontaneously appeared on my face, "You're really drunk because you've lost your way."
She only smiled slightly, "And it really came from you."
My night was too bad to argue with her so I just turned my back on her and walked to the room. I could hear every step of her feet behind me.
"What is happening to you?" She began while following me, "You're not the type to fight until your face is bruised."
I didn't move and I might not be able to answer so I just walked straight ahead, without looking at her. And she continued to yell even though I didn't answer.
"Look at how you look! Look m---"
"Shut up, Almira!" I raised my voice to her. The word came out of my mouth along with the anger I was harboring.
My darkened eyes met her shocked reaction. It was the first time I yelled at her, so it was natural that she would be surprised.
"Not now. Not you. And I don't want to hear from you." The tone of my voice is deep and emphatic as my jaw tightens.
I can see in her eyes that she is scared and they are also a little wet.
So before I could see her tears, I turned my back on her and continued walking.
"And who do you want to hear from?" Her voice was weak and I could hear the footsteps of her feet behind me again, "From Aunty's? Or Cesha's?"
I was in front of the door of my room when my body suddenly stiffened. Suddenly my anger was blown away and replaced by doubt and concern. My sister will definitely not be happy when she sees my face full of bruises and wounds.
"Do you think your sister will be happy when she sees what you look like?" She continued without me moving, "Look at yourself, cousin. When did you become a dumbass?"
When exactly? When Crista died? Or when Rhea came?
I took a deep breath to calm my burning anger and turned to her, "Go home before my patience runs out." Even though the tone is calm, it is still obviously threatening.
"Let's bring it on!" Her Philosophical answer then pushed me violently.
Shit! If only this girl wasn't really my cousin…. I just do not know..
"What!?" Her boldness challenge me while still pushing me.
"Almira, stop." My jaw is really tense as my fists are clenched tightly.
"Put out your arrogance!" Did she just punch me in the arm continuously?!
Damn it... She's a strong puncher even though she is a girl. This one really pisses me off.
She still didn't stop me and she kept punching me. And I, on the other hand, frowned, holding back my annoyance with her. But the pain of her punch to me is already painful. If she doesn't really stop, she will really regret it.
"Almira!!" The tone of my voice was sharp and high. It was obvious that I was already cringing at what she was doing. But she still didn't budge and she punched me harder.
The last time she punched my arm, I caught her hand. She was held tightly and leaned against the wall. I pressed her hand against the wall and she moaned in pain.
Even though I really wanted to hit her, I managed to control myself before the alcohol completely controlled my thoughts and movements.
I glared at her as if I was going to eat her alive. She tried to remove her hand from my grip. But it was too tight and her female strength was not enough for it.
"Cousin. It hurts." Her voice was weak but I couldn't hear anything.
I pressed her hand harder against the wall causing her to weaken. While I was glaring, my eyes darkened with anger and one of my hands trembled as its grip tightened.
Later, the door slowly opened and Almira and I turned our attention. Cesha floated through the open door with her eyes slightly open as she rubbed one eye.
I suddenly became weak and my burning anger disappeared like a bubble. My grip on Almira's hand loosened and she immediately pushed me to touch her hand. I looked at my sister dumbfounded as she removed her hand from rubbing one of her eyes before looking at me. She looks worried and surprised.
"Brother? What happened to your face?" It was her innocent question.
I didn't answer. I blinked and avoided the sight of her examining every bruise on my face. Almira caught my eye and gave me a half-smile and she approached her.
She bent her knees and sat on her heels before giving her a reassuring smile, "Don't worry about your big brother. Why are you still awake?"
He smiled lightly at her, "I woke up because I heard shouting."
Suddenly my eyes watered before they blinked one after another. She is so innocent because of all the stupid things I do. So suddenly conscience entered my brain.
Before I acted in front of my cousin, I approached her before Almira could speak again. I picked her up and hugged her tightly. I really love my sister because she is the only family I have after mom died and dad abandoned us.
"Get some rest, cousin. It's already dawn." Her voice was calm then she patted my back as if hesitating.
I moved my eyes slightly and saw her smiling at me. A sincere smile despite what I did to her. I didn't say a word and went to bed. I laid Cesha down there before Almira finally closed the bedroom door.
Cesha stared into my eyes full of questions as I sat next to her. I put my hands together as I stared at the floor. I could feel her eyes on me as if she was examining me and she looked restless.
I sighed before turning to her. I have to speak or she won't stop asking.
I tried to smile normally at her and caressed her hair. She also smiled but it looks like she's still making me feel.
"I'm sorry if you woke up to our noise." I was calm and tried to make my voice soft so that she would not worry about me.
I pulled the blanket until half of her body was covered and stroked her hair. I kissed her forehead and she smiled before closing her eyes.
Tsk!
Looks like I need one more shot for how much has happened.
I carefully got up from the bed and walked to the door. Making sure Cesha won't wake up. I slowly opened the door and carefully stepped out before softly closing the door again.
I was walking up the stairs when I heard a noise from the living room. My foot took me there first because of wonder.
When my eyes caught the living room, I just peeked to see what that noise was. The tv was on and Almira was sitting on the couch. Her hand was tucked under her chin as she watched.
I just let her go and went to the kitchen.
I went to the refrigerator and opened its upper part. I took the ice cube molder and placed it in the sink before turning on the faucet and letting the water run through it for a few seconds, then turning it off.
I went to the cabinet under the kitchen table in front of the refrigerator. I opened it and took a clean cloth before closing it. I put the cloth I took on the table then took the ice cube molder from the sink and put the ice on the cloth. Lastly, tied the cloth.
I left it on the table first and then went to the end of the table to get two cups and a spoon from where it was placed. I took coffee from the small hanging cabinet above the cup holder. I opened two coffees and poured the contents into two cups separately. Next, I reached for the Vacuum Flask that was just next to the cup holder and filled them with hot water. I mixed the two cups with the spoon I took earlier and put it in the sink after stirring.
I first took the ice that I wrapped in a cloth, followed by the two cups and carefully walked to the living room.
Almira seemed seriously watching but I don't know if her attention is really there. It's like only her eyes are on T.V. but her mind doesn't exist.
I placed the coffee on the small table in front of her before sitting down next to her.
She was looking down at the coffee but she didn't turn to me and she just looked back at the T.V. without words.
I was ignored by my naughty cousin.. He was really sulking when I yelled at her..
I reached for her hand that I almost broke and put ice on it. Then she glanced at me and looked at her hand. My grip was really strong seeing that it left bruises on her wrist and marks of my fingers.
Later, she grabbed the ice and placed it on my head....
"What---" My eyebrows meet as I stare at her.
"You need that more to stop your blood boiling." She was even more rude then pulled her hand back to her.
Annoyance took over my brain again, "Really? Do you think it's funny?"
"Did I say?" She raised an eyebrow as she returned her gaze to the T.V..
I hissed. If only it wasn't really a girl and my cousin…..
It's good that I have calmed down. I probably hit it earlier.
"Give me." I insist.
But before I could grab her hand, she slapped my hand away from her.
"It's my hand, so don't touch it!" She got annoyed and glanced at me.
I was really frowning and it looked like I was possessed by a spirit of annoyance, "Are you as hard as a rock?"
He faced me defiantly, "Why? are you soft?" Then she punched me in the arm again and positioned her fists in front of her.
I breathed as I hissed. This woman really…
"Stop, cousin. I'm really going to hit you." My tone was weak but threatening.
She lowered her hand and pouted, "Tsk. Don't do it. I'm also grounded when I get home."
"I'll drop you off and then I'll explain to uncle and aunt." I reply.
She hissed and reached for her coffee, in front of her and sip from it, "Isn't there a stronger coffee than this?"
"That he can fight for you?" I grinned.
She chuckled, "As bitter as your relationship is."
I burst out laughing, "Don't start."
"You were the first." Her laughable answer.
I giggled, "Does the red horse struck you hard? Or you were badly struck by him?"
He laughed with excitement. His face is red.
"Did his punch hurt? Or is it painful that you have been friend zoned?" She teased with a smile.
I put the ice I was holding on the table before I reached for her hand and pulled her closer to me then I tied my arm around her neck, "Did you say something?"
"What! I'm choking, cousin!" She shouted while trying to remove my hand from her neck.
I laughed as I pretended to tighten the binding of my arm around her neck.
"Just drink your coffee! That must be cold!" She added more.
"As cold as Lorenz's heart?"
"As cold as Rhea looks at you!"
I burst out laughing, "Say it again. I did not hear !"