Flickered By Innocence (Crossing The Line Series 4) ✅

F.B.I-13

Gellian and I were eating silently as our parents talked about their business. I guess it's part of their pride to share their achievements and success with one another, which makes them superior. I'd rather play with my toys at home than listen to them brag to each other.

 

"If you need my help, you can say it now, Simon." prankang ani ni Tito Allen kay Dad nung matapos kaming kumain.

My mom handed the orange juice to dad when he coughed. "I'm fine, Allen. We're doing our best to handle the situation—"

Hindi siya pinatapos ni Tito Allen nung tumawa ito nang pabiro. "How should the situation be handled? You're now broke as hell since your investments are all failures. What do you think will happen to your son's future right here?" He pointed at me.

Aunt Cecil slammed the dining table really hard. "Allen, stop! The kids are here, and it's not the best time to talk about this stuff."

Gellian held my hand under the table. He probably noticed how I was trying to resist the urge to cry. I felt bad for my parents. They don't deserve this. They might be lacking in giving me attention, but I know how much they care.

"Why?" Uncle Allen's shoulders shrugged. "I'm just telling the truth, honey. They shouldn't be hiding this from their only child, especially now that I found out that they were trying to beg for the other companies to invest in their one last resort—" 

Mom disrespectfully stood up from her seat, which made Uncle Allen pause. "I'm sorry, but we have to go. M-my child needs to sleep early due to his class tomorrow. Let's chat again next time, Cecil.

Kaagad akong tumayo nung hawakan ni Mom ang palapulsuhan ko. Sumunod naman si Dad palabas ng mansyon ng mga Zamora. Binaling ko ang aking tingin pabalik bago ako sumakay ng kotse nung marinig ko ang sigaw ni Tito Allen.

"Gellian!" hiyaw niya nung makitang sumusunod sa amin ang kanyang anak.

Gellian was breathing raggedly. "D-dad, k-kailangan ako ni Zein."

Bakas ang pag-aalala sa mukha ni Tita Cecil habang pinagmamasdan ang kanyang anak. She's trying to send signals to Gellian to obey his dad. Uncle Allen is known for being stern when it comes to his family and work, so I understand how she feels.

"Son, just... stay here. Zein is gonna be okay." awa ang siyang namayani kay Tita Cecil.

I saw him whimpering and it broke my heart. I rarely see him cry, so it's breaking my heart to see him like this. Gellian had such a contagious smile, but he also had the most pitiful face whenever he was sad.

"G-gellian, I'm... fine." I lied to stop him from following us. "See you tomorrow..." is what I said before I went inside my dad's car.

Maaga naman akong nagising kinabukasan para mag-prepare. Hindi ako masyadong nakatulog kagabi kaya umpisa pa lang ng araw ay pagod na ako agad. Hanggang ngayon ay bumabagabag sa akin ang sinabi ni Tito Allen tungkol sa kalagayan ng aming resort.

I sat on the vanity chair as I talked to myself in the mirror. "Should I stop studying? I should help my parents, right? But how? I'm only 14 and I haven't yet graduated from highschool."