12. Way Back Home

Fany

The morning sun in Glendale feels warmer when it hits your face. Kim's humming voice made me open my eyes lazily. He's wearing clothes.

"Morning sis. Let's go take a shower, Alfred will be back in town this morning, his work awaits."

"Oh?" I sat rubbing my eyes. "Where's Adrian?"

"What?" asked Adrian, standing wrapped in a towel, his hands folded against the wall of the door. "Miss?"

"Put on clothes, it's disgusting to see you like that," I said.

"Yeah, disgusting, but you don't close your eyes."

I threw a pillow in his face, causing him to chuckle away into the next room. You son of a bitch, wherever he is he always makes me angry. After taking a shower, I put on new clothes, a Sabrina T-shirt with long jeans.

I stepped outside, to find Alfred was dressed in a work uniform, a black suit. He cuddles with his aunt, Adrian, and Kim.

"Adrian, Alfred, you must always get along," said Aunt, she turned to me, waved a little, said, "Come on Fany. You are Aunt's fourth child. Here, son."

My heart melts. Slowly I joined them in a tight hug. Oh God, protect my family. Although we are not related by blood, our relationship is thicker than blood.

After that Alfred drove his car away. Adrian and I went home. Adrian drove casually, giving me a chance to wave to Kim and Aunt Nicole.

Family is everything. I know it's not over, but at least Alfred and Adrian can make peace in front of Aunt. That's the most important thing, make Auntie calm. I hope Alfred doesn't complain again.

I tried to take Adrian to church, but he refused with the excuse, 'Praying to God doesn't have to be to church, the important thing is that the heart is connected to God'. I can't argue with that. I thought of something else to make him promise in the name of God, to keep his promise.

"Ok, stop this car now," I said in a firm tone.

"Why?"

"Just do it."

He parked the car on the side of the road. I must be crazy to do this. God, I hope what I did was right. Without removing the necklace I lifted the head of the necklace. "Kiss the head of my necklace."

"It's a formality, the important thing is that our hearts really go straight to God--"

"Do this formality, now. If I violate it I will die."

Adrian snorted in annoyance. He was silent. I won't move either until he does.

Adrian's almond-shaped eyes closed. A face with a hard jaw slowly approached. My chest tightened suddenly as his lips drew closer. I pointed the necklace so he could touch with those sexy lips. Slowly he opened his eyes.

God, I always feel weak when I look into his eyes up close, especially when the two of you are like this, without any disturbance. Focus, Fany, Focus!

"Promise me," I whispered. "You'll turn into an adult. For your family and yourself."

"I promise to God and Mother Mary, to the angels who forced me to do this to change into a better person."

Oh my God, my chest is rising and falling. Adrian, you bastard. Angel? Why pray like that?

He continued to whisper, "I wish I could have kissed you, your lips, or your neck."

I pushed his head. "You pervert!"

He turned back to the car, laughing casually.

God, he's still a pervert Adrian!

I tried to check the device that I turned off yesterday. Many incoming messages from friends and one of them from Mother's number.

I deleted the message in annoyance. After fifteen years of ignoring me, why now text? I hate Mom.