34. Garber's POV
From being her precious son to this.
The day had already started on a bad note, and it only got progressively worse from then on.
“Do you think I don’t know, Garber?” She didn’t look satisfied to be stopped. “He has severe anger issues. Don’t you remember what happened last time?” she asked as she glared at me.
It was unforgiving. “I’m sure he hit you over a small thing. But you can’t go around with a bruise on your face. How about you take a break from work tomorrow?” She returned all her attention back to Rolly.
“I just resumed. You’ve already pampered me enough and gotten me a job even though you didn’t have to.”
“How could I show my love without helping you? Plus, it’s you who had the first-class degree in education. Of course, you deserve it.”
He deserved it, so what? Why was I being pushed aside? Why was she taking the love and attention that belonged to me?
Didn’t I deserve those too?
I was done! Angry and frustrated were understatements for how I felt. In fact, I couldn’t properly describe my own feelings.
What I truly felt was an emptiness and longing that even my mom couldn’t fill. The absence of this warmth that I desperately needed was like two blows on me. I just wanted to escape, to find some space to breathe.
“Garber, my son,” my mom called as soon as I turned my back.
I turned around swiftly, a smile almost leaking from my face. I didn’t care that I looked starved for love and attention.
“Apologize to him.”
It took me a full minute to process what she meant, and when I did, a lone tear dripped down my face.
“Why does everyone want me to apologize to you?” My reluctance clogged my throat. Heavy and dry like stone. It hurt.
Rolland’s smile softly faded when I asked.
“Maybe if you knew how to control your anger. Now apologize. Don’t you remember that he saved your life? My Rolly jumped into that pool despite not knowing how to swim. He raced the streets that night to find you after your reckless escape from the hospital. I almost became a laughing stock amongst my friends thanks to you.”
I snorted and let out a stream of hysterical laughter. I bent backward to let it all out before looking back at the both of them.
It was now clear to me.
My mom didn’t exactly love me, despite all my efforts to look the best. The only thing she wanted was someone who could make her proud.
Someone to show off. Not a son. Not someone to love.
And I had been perfect all this while just for some love. Only to be called out like this.
“Apologize now,” she insisted.
They were both sitting on the couch now. My mom on Rolly’s thigh, her hand wrapped around his shoulder.
“So what if he saved my life? I don’t owe him anything.”
“You—” She shot up to her feet and raised her hand to hit me a second time.
I would be stupid to wait.
I sidestepped her so she slapped the air instead.
“You could have just left me there if you were going to abandon me like this. If I apologize to him, then you might as well kick me out of the house. That way, I won’t embarrass you in front of your friends,” I said and turned around.
He had stolen so much from me, and I was still asked to apologize to him.
What kind of life was this? Was he my karma or an enemy from my former life?
I pushed the door open, snatched the key from the driver’s hand, and got into the car.
I didn’t have a destination or a direction. But I knew I needed to get away from here. As far as possible.
The tears threatening to spill didn’t make me feel any better. I felt weak. Nervous. And I hated it.
It was wrecking me so much I wanted to bang my head until I passed out, but knowing it would only give them a reason to mock me held me back.
Rolland was obviously two-faced. My mom and Luis had fallen into his trap, believing everything that came out of his mouth.
I reversed the car and was about to make a U-turn out of the house when the gate suddenly opened from the outside.
Someone had to be coming in for that to happen, and in the situation I was in, I wasn’t in the mood to face anyone.
Worse still, the number of people who could do that were countable with just five fingers.
My dad, my little sister, the family lawyer… And whenever I saw either of the three of them, it always meant bad news.
I gulped and prepared my mind for who was about to enter.
My most fervent prayer and hope was that it wasn’t my little sister.
But when the door opened and the customized plate that belonged only to her showed, my body felt heavy.
My hands on the steering wheel froze, while my gaze remained on the car.
Maybe she didn’t come back yet, maybe…
It was useless deceiving myself because she got out of the car at that moment.
My anger, fear, and nervousness all turned into a bag of weights hanging from my neck. My head felt heavy, and I wished I wasn’t here to receive this devil in human form.
If I thought life was already tough, then it was just about to take a turn for the worse.
Guys, who do you think it is?
Can you guess why he is so scared of them?