Chapter Text
» Clack clack clack clack «
In the empty church hall, filled with deep silence that creates an aura of spirituality and faith.. Every time the leather heel of my shoe hit the wooden floor while crossing the dimly lit corridors, it echoed a sound that made me feel humble and desirous of surrendering to God.. The sound of my footsteps merged with the solemn silence of the church, creating an atmosphere for contemplation and focus..
As I passed through the narrow paths towards the confession room, the sounds faded, and silence transformed into a language that spoke to hearts, forming a bridge between the soul and faith.. The last remnants of dim light vanished, enveloped by the tapes of darkness in serene contemplation.. When I reached the door of the room, my heart settled, and I entered with confidence and humility, ready to reveal my inner secrets before God..
The confession room was filled with tranquility, mirroring the ambiance of the church.. As I sat on the simple wooden chair, I gazed at the silent image of the priest across from me.. Words began to flow slowly from my lips..
"Father.. "
"Speak, the Lord is here to listen to you.. "
After swallowing and gathering my courage, I said..
"I have committed a grave sin.. "
As I was explaining what was in my heart, I watched the priest's eyes attentively, as he listened to me with focus and deep contemplation, trying to understand the words to shed light on the path that would lead me to inner peace..
A month ago.…
"こんにちは"
Which is pronounced "Konnichiwa" and means "hello"..
I took a deep breath of the air around me and then smiled brightly.. I lowered my sunglasses slightly to let my eyes see the view clearly.. The airport was full of energy, with people eagerly waiting for their loved ones to arrive.. I raised my sunglasses back up and walked toward my designated waiting gate..
Among the people holding signs with the names of those they were waiting for, I spotted a sign with my name written in large letters.. I chuckled softly before Julia noticed me among the travelers.. She was wearing her usual formal suit, and I felt a great sense of relief upon seeing her..
I walked towards her with steady steps, while Julia beamed at the sight of me.. She said with a smile..
"Welcome back.. How was your flight?.. "
I replied as I pulled my bags..
"It was good, thank you for asking.. "
Julia extended her arm and took one of the bags from my hand.. I smiled lightly and said after noticing the sign again..
"Did you really have to do this?.. "
Julia looked at the sign in her hand and said..
"I wanted to try it out.. "
I looked at her in surprise while she shrugged her shoulders in despair and said with a smile..
"But I don’t think I needed it.. "
"Of course, it’s not hard to find me.. "
I surrounded my cheeks by my hands to indicate my handsomeness as I blinked my eyes.. Julia nodded slightly before smiling and heading towards the airport gate.. She was parking the car in a nearby area reserved for V.I.P.. Julia placed the bags in the car trunk as I got in and allowed my body to relax..
"Finally, home.. "
Julia closed the car door, looked at me through the mirror, and smiled together.. She fastened her seatbelt, started the engine, and said while gripping the steering wheel..
"Is there a place you’d like to visit first?.. "
Certainly, there are many places.. But I felt there was a purpose behind her question, so I looked into her eyes reflected in the mirror and asked..
"Is there a place I must be?.. "
I could sense Julia's cautious gaze as she nodded slowly and said..
"Mr.Moore requested to see you.. "
I sighed heavily and rested my head on the headrest.. Julia turned her head back and said after staring at me for a moment..
"We can postpone the visit a bit.. "
I looked at her with despair as she smiled and nodded, giving me a positive dose.. I sighed again and closed my eyes, feeling the car finally moving away from the airport.. Which for a moment, I felt I would regret landing in..
"Take some rest.. "
Julia left my bags in my room and left.. I allowed my feet to touch the cold ground and started wandering in the main hall, noticing familiar things around me.. I stood in front of the large window as the sun rays penetrated my eyes, momentarily blinding me.. However, the warmth of its rays made me smile spontaneously, and I opened the window slightly.. I finally settled into my wide and comfortable couch, allowing my body to relax as exhaustion set in after the long journey..
"Finally, my own place.. "
As I lay in my place, I listened to the quiet sounds of the house.. The gentle ticking of the wall clock, the soft hum of the fridge, and the faint sounds coming from the open window, accompanied by the gentle breeze caressing my face.. I closed my eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, then smiled with contentment.. I felt happy to return to this home that I considered my shelter, refuge, and safe place..
"Cheers to Louis.. "
We clinked our glasses together and downed the whole shot.. He refilled the cups again, and as he was clinking his glass against mine, he smiled at me and said..
"You should have taken me with you"..
I glanced at him from the corner of my eye as I swallowed my drink and he continued while refilling his glass again..
"Your skin looks amazing.."
"Is that the reason?.."
Nico laughed mockingly, shook his head in expression of his inability to respond, and returned his focus to his drink.. Silence engulfed the luxurious bar table.. I listened to the serene music, waiting for what he had to say.. I knew this guy was here for his personal interests.. It didn't take long for him to speak again..
"I found a very beautiful fashion model.. When do you want to meet her?.."
"I’m not sure.."
He slammed his glass forcefully on the table, turning his body towards me, and said angrily..
"I faced a lot of difficulties to reach her and talk to her.. She agreed only if you are her partner in the ad.."
I looked at him sharply, raising my eyebrow, making him realize his loud tone towards me.. He quickly softened his tone and gently placed his hand on my shoulder..
"It's a coffee ad, it will be quick.."
He forced a smile at me while I sighed lightly and took my own sip.. When I arrived home, I felt a bit annoyed, and it had been a while since I felt that way.. I was happy to be back, so what was happening to me now?.. I stared at the ceiling for a moment, then straightened my back and shook my head vigorously.. I wouldn't let this feeling invade my heart now.. I nodded confidently, got up from the couch, and headed to my private gym on the ground floor.. I changed my clothes, put on my gloves, and started boxing.. Exercise always succeeds in removing negative thoughts from my mind..
I felt the sun rays piercing my eyes, so I turned my face to the other side, trying to go back to sleep..
"Come on, get up.."
I remained still for a few minutes before opening my eyes, lifting my head, and seeing Julia waiting for me to wake up.. She opened the curtains because she knew I couldn't sleep with the light.. I smiled at her as she nodded for me to join her.. I sighed lightly and got up..
"Your breakfast is ready, sir.."
I smiled at her and sat at the dining table, took a sip from the fresh orange juice glass.. Then I picked up the fork and knife and started cutting the omelet.. The house was livelier today than yesterday.. As the servants seemed to have been busy since morning doing cleaning tasks, preparing breakfast, and organizing my bags.. Julia approached me and remained quiet in her place, waiting for me to raise my head to her.. And as soon as I did, she said..
"It’s your test day.. "
"I’m well aware of that.. "
I said while chewing my food, then took a sip from the juice glass, smiled, and said..
"That’s why I’m here.. "
Julia smiled and said before turning away and leaving..
"I'll get the car ready.. "
After finishing my tests, which was a tough and busy day, and after succeeding as expected.. I had to reward myself.. So as soon as we arrived home, and Julia parked the car in the garage, I got out and headed straight to the house, took my sports car keys and walked towards the garage door while Julia entered, surprised, and said..
"Again??.. "
I smiled, shook my head, and said..
"I’ll go alone.. "
I gently placed my hand on her shoulder and then left.. Finally, driving my sports car in this evening atmosphere is the best thing to do in Austin.. Then comes shopping.. I entered the mall and started looking around at the displayed fashion.. Until a distinctive suit caught my attention from afar.. I smiled brightly and started walking towards it.. I bumped into someone's shoulder forcefully.. And my eyes shifted to him in surprise as he began to apologize..
"I’m sorry, I was distracted by my phone.. "
I was in a good mood, so I smiled and gestured for him to continue his way while I refocused on that suit and continued walking confidently until I entered the store.. I signaled to the saleswoman to bring what I came for.. And many outfits in this store caught my liking.. Still unsure if the clothes were truly exceptional or if my mood was helping me today..
Being alone, I had no one to show the clothes to except the saleswomen who were applauding in admiration.. I mean, a handsome and wealthy guy like me consulting them about clothes must make them excited.. And I felt happy to have people around me, even though I knew they would say nice things to make me buy.. And as I said, my mood was very good today, so I said directly and confidently..
"I’ll buy them all.. "
The girls began to clap enthusiastically and happily as I reached into my inner jacket pocket to pull out my unlimited balance gold card, but I couldn't find it.. I started feeling around the rest of my pockets in my clothes, but I never found my wallet.. The girls turned to me, looking surprised, as I smiled nervously at them and said..
"Just a moment.. "
I stepped away from them a bit, took out my phone, and immediately called Julia, who then went to the garage, checked the car we had been using, and found my wallet in it.. I sighed with despair and said in a low tone..
"Please bring it quickly.. "
"Don't worry.. "
I closed the phone and slowly put it back in my pocket, calmly turning to the girls who were smiling at me.. I smiled back nervously, feeling embarrassed by the situation.. It was the first time I had been in such a situation.. I turned my face away from them again and took a deep breath.. It's okay, It's not like I wouldn't end up paying for them in the end.. I nodded to myself with confidence, and my eyes fell upon a scene happening in front of me.. A man collided with a young woman, causing her to fall to the ground.. I took a step towards her to help, but the man beat me to it..
"Oh, it's that guy.. "
Strong collision *
"I’m sorry, I was distracted by my phone.. "
Memory rushed back instantly.. I focused on what he was doing until I noticed he picked up the young woman's wallet that had fallen with what was in her bag, then apologized to her and started to walk away slowly..
"Oh, that thief.. "
I muttered angrily to myself.. Coincidentally, the man raised his eyes towards me, and our looks were enough for each of us to understand that we both fully understood what had happened.. Suddenly, the man started running, and I found myself chasing after him.. In the heart of the huge shopping center, under the bright lights and calm music, it felt like a scene from a movie.. We navigated through narrow aisles amidst a crowd of people who were surprised by the spectacle.. I ran with steady steps, a stern expression reflecting my focus and seriousness.. The thief moved swiftly between stores, attempting to escape.. We exchanged quick glances, which made me collide with a lady..
"Oh, what are you doing??.. "
The lady shouted in astonishment as I tried to apologize to her..
"I’m sorry.. I’m really sorry.. "
I glanced at the thief, who was already starting to getting away.. I turned back to the woman, who was muttering angrily, realizing I don’t have enough time to explain my situation.. So, I quickly looked around, then back at the woman, and said again..
"I’m sorry.. "
I turned my head and started running again.. We reached the back part of the center, and the thief had escaped through the emergency exit.. However, I was determined to catch him, and I'm good at running.. So, I started running faster, and the thief avoided looking back while I shifted my focus between him and the surrounding paths, trying to avoid another collision and figuring out the best way to approach him without being noticed..
Suddenly, as we ran through the narrow passage, the thief stopped in his place.. He had reached a dead end, and he was surprised to see me standing behind him.. Both of us were trying to catch our breath after the long chase.. The thief pulled a knife from his pocket and pointed it at me angrily, asking..
"Damn, are you a cop?.. "
I cautiously looked at his hand while gesturing with mine to calm him down.. I smiled and said..
"Yes, so stop at this point for your own good.. "
"Damn you.. "
The thief yelled angrily, waving his knife in front of me.. It seemed being a cop wasn't going to help me deal with him.. I tried to calm him down again with a friendly smile, but he aggressively lunged at me with his knife.. I swiftly sidestepped him and the epic struggle began.. Both of us displayed our strength and skills.. He was furious and reckless while I maintained my calmness and focus, trying to use my combat experience to overcome him..
The exchange of punches continued, his body rising in the air with each strike I forcefully aimed at him, accompanied by sounds ranging from screams of pain to shouts of anger.. Frustration started to show on his face as I kept pushing back with all my strength..
In a crucial moment, I managed to dodge his strike and forcefully brought him down to the ground.. However, his eyes fell on the knife lying nearby.. He tried to reach for it, but I was quicker and grabbed it, regaining control of the situation.. Looking at the knife in my hand, I said..
"You were just supposed to be a thief, why carry something as dangerous as this?.. "
Once I turned my face towards him, I received a powerful punch from him.. I raised my hands and gently touched my lips, noticing a red spot on my finger..
"Blood.. "
I closed my eyes tightly, forming an angry and heated fist in my hand.. I gritted my teeth and said angrily..
"Do you know how precious my face is to dare to touch it?.. "
I slowly opened my eyes and shifted them towards him.. With tension, he took a step back, thinking of attempting to escape again but to no avail.. My decisive punch knocked him unconscious, and I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself..
"What are you doing?.. "
I heard a voice coming from the beginning of the alley, so I turned my face in that direction.. My eyes moved between the girl and the thief, understanding the situation.. So, I laughed lightly, raising my hands to calm her down.. But I had forgotten something in my hand.. As soon as the girl saw the knife, she pulled out a gun from behind her back and pointed it at me.. I said in astonishment..
"Whoa, wait.. This is a misunderstanding.. "
"Put the knife on the ground.. "
The girl said calmly, still aiming her gun at me.. I began to bend down calmly until the knife touched the hard ground, then I straightened up again.. The girl gestured with her gun for me to step away from the knife, so I took calm steps while cautiously approaching and she moved the knife away from me with her foot.. She glanced at the thief, so I immediately said..
"He attacked me first…. "
The girl interrupted me and said..
"You can explain that at the police station.. "
I looked at her in astonishment and pointed to myself, saying..
"You mean me?.. "
"Is there anyone else conscious here?.. "
The girl returned her gun to its place and said..
"Turn around.. "
I adjusted my jacket and smiled confidently, then said..
"You must not know who I am.. I am.… "
Before I even had a chance to introduce myself, the young woman grabbed my arm and twisted it forcefully, causing me to scream in pain..
"Ah, ah, this is painful.. "
She pushed me towards the wall and then put handcuffs around my wrists.. She took out her phone from her pocket and made a quick call..
"I need an ambulance.. "
Instead of me being in the hospital and the thief in the police station, the opposite happened.. The thief was taken to the hospital for treatment while I sat in the interrogation room with my handcuffed.. I tried to see through the glass but could only see my reversed reflection and the bloodstain on the corner of my lip.. I sighed with despair as the door opened, and the young woman entered.. She sat across from me, opened her laptop, and started asking questions..
"Name?.. "
I looked at her in astonishment, waiting for her to lift her eyes to me.. As soon as she did, I gestured towards my face and said with surprise..
"Do you really not know whose face this is?.. "
"Name?.. "
She calmly repeated her question.. I looked at her serious face, realizing that dealing with her wouldn't be easy.. I chuckled sarcastically and said, annoyed, while turning my face away from her..
"I’ll speak in the presence of a lawyer.. "
She looked at me for a few seconds, then closed her laptop, stood up, and approached me.. She grabbed my arm, forcing me to stand, and said..
"As you wish.. "
As she dragged me towards the room's door, I asked in astonishment..
"Where to?.. "
"The cell.. "
"What?.. "
I said in a surprised tone, pulling my arm back from her grip as I took a step back.. She replied impatiently..
"You said you’d wait for your lawyer.. "
"Right.. "
"Then wait for him in the cell.. "
She approached me to grab my arm again, but I stepped back further and saw the chair next to me, so I pulled it and sat on it, saying..
"I’m going to talk.. "
The young woman looked at me in astonishment, so I gestured for her to sit too, and to begin the investigation.. She sighed lightly, then pulled her chair and sat, reopening her laptop.. This time she asked a different question..
"Why did you hit the man?.. "
"I told you, he attacked me first.. "
"And why did he attack you?.. "
"Because I saw what he did.. "
"And what did he do?.. "
She typed calmly on her keyboard, asking her questions.. I raised my cuffed hands and placed them on the table in front of me, saying..
"He stole a girl’s wallet, and I chased him to catch him.. "
The girl stopped typing and looked at me as she took out a plastic envelope from her pocket and slid it across the table toward me.. As soon as my eyes fell on it, I exclaimed emotionally..
"Yes, that's it!.. "
"It was found at the crime scene.. What proves it didn’t fall from you?.. "
I looked at her with surprise as I felt speechless..
"Wow, do you really think I stole a wallet?.. "
"Who knows?.. "
She said this question quietly to herself, but made sure I heard it clearly.. So, I said in astonishment..
"Wow, that’s unbelievable.. "
"You know, it’s part of the investigation routine.. Just answer my questions.. "
I took a deep breath and leaned my head back.. I couldn't believe that by trying to help a stranger, I would sit here trying to justify myself for a crime I didn't commit.. And suddenly, I remembered the evidence that proves my words.. I lifted my head directly and said emotionally..
"There’s a camera in front of the store.. It must have captured what happened.. "
After explaining exactly what happened and finishing writing down what she heard, she closed her laptop, stood up, walked over to me, grabbed my arm, and forced me to stand and walk again, just like a few minutes before.. She spoke before I could even think to ask..
"I’m going to verify your story while you wait quietly in your cell.. "
"Wow, I can’t beli…. "
To my shock, I couldn't even finish my sentence.. As she dragged me towards the cell, I said with frustration..
"I need medical attention.. "
The young woman stopped, turned to face me, and asked..
"Are you hurt?.. "
I nodded quickly, pointing to my injured lip, and said sadly..
"It hurts.. "
The young woman moved closer to my face, examining the wound, and said with a hint of sadness..
"It must really hurt.. "
I nodded again, showing a sad and a despair expression, but she responded indifferently..
"But you’ll live.. Come on.. "
She grabbed my arm again and started dragging me, and I said with frustration..
"Oh, I think I broke my hand.. "
This time, the young woman ignored what I was saying.. I watched her face closely to see her reaction.. When we reached the cell, she asked the officer to open it.. I said again..
"You broke my hand when you handcuffed me.. I need medical attention immediately.. "
She grabbed my hand firmly, causing me to let out a pained sound, and said calmly..
"It doesn’t look broken.. "
"But it hurts.. "
I said in amazement, while she gave me a cold smile and said again..
"But you’ll live.. "
"What??.. "
I exclaimed in astonishment as she pulled me and gently pushed my body into the cell.. The officer unlocked the handcuffs from my wrists and closed the door.. I watched her walk away, unable to say anything.. I had never been so stunned that I couldn't express myself.. I blinked several times in a row and sighed in despair, then looked around the place.. Could I really be imprisoned with drunks and criminals?.. I leaned my back against the wall and let my body slowly slide down until I was sitting on the ground..
As I happily flip in my spot, hugging everything my hands touched and smiling, feeling like I was in paradise, I heard a gentle voice calling my name..
"Mr.Moore.. "
I turned over in my spot, my smile growing bigger, and the same voice repeated my name again..
"Mr.Moore.. "
I felt a hand gently trying to wake me, so I slowly opened my eyes and looked up at the source of the voice.. As soon as he smiled at me, I looked around and then opened my eyes wide and jumped up in shock.. The things I had been hugging so happily were the drunken men, and the paradise I was in was the cold cell floor.. And, and, and that gentle voice calling my name belonged to that man..
"Mr.Moore, please come with me.. "
I jumped between the sleeping men, and when I reached the cell door, I remembered my jacket, so I looked around until I found it.. I approached it and slowly pulled it out from under one of the men's heads.. Oh, if he only knew how much this jacket costs that he's sleeping on with his greasy hair.. I held it with the tips of my fingers and walked out of the cell.. I followed the man who was trying to flatter me as much as possible until we entered a large office, and my eyes fell on someone I didn't expect to see here, or at least not in this state.. My hair was disheveled, half my shirt was out of my pants, there was a stain on my lip, and I smelled awful..
"Please, have a seat, Mr.Moore.. "
The man gestured for me to sit, and I obediently complied.. Slowly, I approached and sat on one of the couches.. Then I heard a knock on the door, and someone entered.. When I looked up, the image of that young woman formed before me.. I scrutinized her as she looked at the man, who immediately said to her..
"Apologize to Mr.Moore right away.. "
"I was just doing my job.. "
She said boldly, while the man slammed his hand forcefully on his desk and said angrily..
"Don’t defy me.. Apologize now.. "
I looked at her, raising my eyebrows in triumph, and she sighed in resignation before looking at me and saying in a low voice..
"I apologize.. "
I adjusted my posture, crossing one leg over the other confidently and said..
"I didn’t hear what you said.. "
She looked at me with anger, but I smiled cunningly at her, and the man's voice intervened..
"Come on, apologize to the Mr.. "
After a long stare between us, the young woman surrendered to the situation, slightly bowing her head and saying clearly..
"I apologize.. "
"I forgive you.. "
I said directly, as the man laughed and applauded me gently, saying..
"He's a very gracious gentleman.. "
At that moment, I heard a voice I hadn't heard in a while..
"Since the misunderstanding has been resolved, I will rely on you for what left.. "
He stood up just like the other man did, who reached out to shake his hand.. Then he moved from his spot heading towards the room's door, followed by four men, some of the town's top lawyers.. Meanwhile, I grabbed my shabby jacket and tried to walk confidently behind them..
As we walked, Eric stopped in his place and turned his face towards me.. He glanced at me for a moment, then walked towards me, adjusting my shirt buttons and some of my disheveled hair.. He gently placed his hands on my shoulders and said..
"The press is outside.. "
My eyes widened in astonishment and said..
"So quickly?.. "
He nodded desperately and said..
"That's what happened.. "
I lowered my head slightly, this wasn't good.. I felt Eric's hands applying some force on my shoulders to encourage me, and he said with a smile..
"Don't say anything, leave it to me.. "
I looked at him with annoyance while he nodded to me confidently, and started walking again.. I glanced at my jacket, although it was dirty, I had to at least look presentable in front of the camera.. So I put it on and tried to walk confidently beside Eric as much as possible.. As soon as we reached the police station's door, the press gathered around us, cameras snapping photos, and questions started pouring in..
"What’s the reason for your presence here?.. "
"Did you really hit a man hard?.. "
"Do you admit to committing a violent crime against a citizen?.. "
"What’s Mr.Moore's opinion on what happened?.. "
And the last question made me nervous in a weird way.. All of this is a misunderstanding, but I can't explain my situation.. I gripped my hand tightly.. And Eric was finally the one who spoke..
"We will issue an official statement about the incident.. Now please excuse us.. "
Eric put his hand on my back and urged me to walk while the police and personal guards tried to keep journalists away from us until we reached Eric's car.. Which quickly drove away from the scene once we got in.. I lowered my head in frustrated, with many thoughts swirling in my mind.. Until I heard Eric sigh.. I raised my eyes to him and immediately said..
"I'm sorry, I've caused you trouble.. "
Eric sighed again, which made me feel even more frustrated, while he looked at me from the corner of his eye and said..
"Does it make sense for you to come back to Austin and not come to see me??.. "
I looked back at him as he turned his face away from me and said with annoyance..
"I should have gone to the police station to see you.. "
And I found myself letting out a spontaneous laugh that made Eric turn his face towards me in surprise and say..
"Is this funny??.. "
His facial expressions only helped me laugh more, even making Eric himself laugh.. After the laughter lesson ended, I looked at him and said..
"Sorry for not visiting you.. "
Eric shifted his gaze to me, and after exchanging looks for several seconds, he smiled and said..
"Welcome back.. "
I sighed in relief and tried to forget about the previous night to focus on what's ahead.. I looked out the window with a gentle smile, while Eric's phone rang and he answered after a few seconds..
"Yes, Dad.. "
My eyes froze in the place they were looking at..
"Alright.. "
After Eric hung up the phone and put it back in his jacket pocket, he looked at me and calmly said..
"Dad wants to see you.. "
I swallowed and nodded slowly, hoping the road to the company would be long..
We got out of the car and headed straight to the top floor where the CEO's office was.. Although my appearance wasn't suitable for meeting him now, I remembered Julia telling me that he requested to see me yesterday.. So, this meeting was necessary.. And just to go back a little in time.. I'll consider that the bad situation since last night isn't over yet, and I'll start focusing on what comes after this meeting.. Which started immediately with a slap on my face..
"Dad.. "
Eric said in surprise, while Dad yelled angrily..
"When will you stop embarrassing me?.. Are you a child?.. "
I smiled mockingly, trying to calm myself down..
"I asked you to stay calm.. Can’t you do that?.. "
"I’ll find a solution, so don’t worry.. "
Dad sighed heavily and started walking in his spacious office, trying to control his temper.. Then he looked at me and said angrily..
"How long will you let your brother handle your stupid problems?.. "
I closed my eyes tightly, and Eric spoke..
"Please, Dad, let him rest now.. "
Dad glared at me sharply, then nodded to Eric and gestured for him to leave.. Eric approached me, gently took my arm, so I bowed my head slightly in respect for Dad and left.. After we were a little away from his office, we both stopped, and Eric tried to justify Dad's angry outburst..
"He was in a press conference when the news spread.. "
Ah, it must have been embarrassing in front of the citizens watching him on TV.. And the journalists surely annoyed him with questions he didn't have answers to at that moment..
"You should have called me immediately.. "
I looked up at Eric, who was gently scolding me without hurting me more.. So I smiled at him with despair and said..
"I didn’t want to bother you.. You must have more important things to do.. "
Eric shook his head, placed his hand on my shoulder, and said..
"Nothing is more important than my little brother.. "
His gentle smile made me realize how embarrassed I was.. Trying to break the gloomy atmosphere, Eric raised his finger to his nose and said..
"You smell really nice.. "
I started to smell myself, and it took just a few seconds to realize how bad the odor emanating from me was.. I pinched my nose with my fingers to block the smell while Eric chuckled lightly and said..
"Take a shower and get some rest.. "
I nodded to him and noticed Julia standing at the end of the hallway.. I felt Eric's hand rest on my shoulder as he said again with a smile..
"Don’t worry about anything.. "
I glanced into his eyes for a moment, then smiled back and nodded before walking towards Julia.. In the car, many thoughts were swirling in my head.. I haven't seen my dad in several years, and the first thing that happened when I did was receiving a slap on my cheek.. The same goes for Eric.. After several years, he saw me in one of my worst situations yet.. Not only did I embarrass myself in front of him at the police station, but I also had to endure that slap in front of him.. I sighed with despair, then tried again to push these negative thoughts out of my mind and focus on what's to come..