FOUR

The next few days, avoiding my mother's calls, I finally dared to call her, and boy, she was wailing on the other side of the line that I could practically hear her from the other side of the world. She asked if Leo and I were okay. I reassured her everything was fine and that my cousins treated me with love and kindness. I didn't tell her I was also living with five other boys. She will send her ass here in a few minutes to bring me back home.

After making her not worry, I told my mother why I left. The reason the engagement party didn't happen. I told my mother what Eddie did to me and Leo. For once, she stayed quiet on the line listening to me. She apologized and cried for the first time in my life. She blamed herself for not being a mother who was blinded by her high status. I couldn't agree more.

Growing up with a helicopter mom wasn't easy. I attended pageants, went to good schools, graduated with honors in college, and; had a bachelor's in business, and my first choice was opening up my restaurant.

My mother wasn't too happy about my choice of career. Instead, she wanted me to marry a rich man. She got her wish when I started dating Eddie, she saw my future with him, but there was a crack in our relationship with my first bruise on my face after talking to a guy. The first time I told my mother Eddie had been hitting me, he told me next time, I should not make him angry.

What kind of mother says that to her daughter?

My father never beat her, but her father did. I heard my grandfather from the Philippines was strict. He wasn't an abuser but punished my mother and her sister, Diana.

Now, my mother starts to believe me after my runaway act. My mother told me that Eddie had been looking for me and she's been lying to me about my whereabouts.

I don't want him to know. I don't want to cause trouble with my cousins and new friends.

I don't want to be a burden.

I sigh and look at my phone. There's a crack on the screen, and when I open it to look, to see half of it is black. It is still active, but I couldn't see the other half. Eddie threw it at the wall once he learned I was having dinner with an old high school friend. Jesse Fleck was my first boyfriend, and I had my first kiss with him. Our four years of dating were beautiful. Until he broke it off, saying he was born with the wrong body. Jesse Fleck turned into Jessi with an I.

Yup.

Sex changed.

I knew the first time I was in his room; it was nothing but Spice Girls all over his walls, especially with Victoria Spice. I thought any man was obsessed with her because she was the sexy one in the group, but reuniting with Jessi shocked me. I thought they were Victoria: posters, doll figurines, and a collection of concert tickets the group has ever performed.

Eddie hit me after reading my text and asking me about Jessi. After two broken ribs, a bust-up lip, and a broken arm I had to wear for three to four weeks, Eddie apologized by buying me a replica of Princess Diana's Seven-strand Pearl and Sapphire Choker. I hesitated to accept the gift, but he wanted me to show off at his wealthy friend's elegant party.

Each apology would come with expensive gifts; a Hermès bag, Prada shoes, and a Versace gown. I couldn't say no because he would get mad and hit me, so I accepted them but never used them unless asked.

I sigh, looking at my phone again, then pull out my purse pouch and count the pounds of money I saved. I need more; even if I convert it to American dollars, it will only give me ten dollars.

I need a job to earn money. But, if I were to leave the house, Eddie would find me.

"Leo!"

"Yes, Mum," my son says once he appears with a toy car in his hands.

"What do you think of mommy working?" I ask him and look into his eyes, waiting for a response.

After Leo was born, the only job I've ever taken was motherhood and housewife. But I miss working out in the open, especially in the kitchen.

Leo made a face. "Did we run out of money?"

"Well, I used the money to buy you that Disney Cars toy you wanted from Disneyland."

"I'm sorry, Mommy," it melts my heart to see him sad. "You can sell it."

I shake my head. "You don't have to, darling. You deserve something like this for being a good boy. Like all the other stuff you bought from your aunties and uncles."

Leo had so much fun at Disneyland last weekend. I remember his bright expression like he had entered a dream. He couldn't stop jumping and screaming out his excitement. He went from ride to ride and ate the food there.

He sometimes rode on Donovan's and his brother's shoulders and Ares'. Then during the night parade, he sang and danced along. I had never seen him this happy. I wanted to capture each moment, but my phone was broken; I had to use Thea or Effie's phone. On our way, Leo fell asleep on Donovan. This was the first time I saw him sleep more deeply in another man's arms than his father. Eddie had never held Leo before. He wanted our son to do things on his own.

He was three.

"So, I can keep it?"

"Yes, you may."

"Yay! Thank you, Mommy." Leo reaches and kisses my cheek.

"You're very welcome. Watch cartoons while I use your Aunt Thea's laptop to look for a job."

"Okay." Leo runs to the living room, and I hear the tv on.

I open the laptop and start searching for jobs close to here.

I wrote down possible open jobs and calculated the wages an hour later, but I still needed something. I cross out the last option, slamming the pen and my head on the kitchen table.

"Hello? Is anybody home?" I look up and see Clark. "Oh, hey Claire. Are the girls home?"

Clark Mason is Effie and Lily's gay best friend. I've heard stories about him, especially his action towards Effie. I wanted to claw his eyes out for hurting my cousin, but he had his reasons. Though, Effie forgave him too quickly, just like her mother.

"No, they went out for groceries, and the guys are at their gym."

"Really? Dang." Clark made himself a cup of water. And take a sip. "I wanted to ask the girls out for a musical night. Sam's aunt has low staff at her bar. I was wondering if Effie and Lily can work before college starts."

That's right.

Effie is starting community college while focusing on her singing career, and Lily is going to Cal State Long Beach. Logan is training to become an MMA fighter with Rex as his coach and trainer. Although he isn't a fighter, people say he has potential. Liam attends the same school as Lily because he wants to be close to her so they will be together. The two other Wolfe brothers, Seth and Donovan, will manage their mechanic workshop and gym.

Wait, he says he needs the girl's help.

Sam's aunt and her wife own a bar in downtown Long Beach.

"Say, Clark, is it okay to help at the bar?"

"You know anything about waitressing?"

"During college, I used to waitress at my grandma's restaurant before...she passed away."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It's been a long time. I miss her dearly and that restaurant." I smile, bringing up happy memories of Nay Nay. "So, about that job. I need the money and can't always depend on my cousins to buy me things. I have a son to think of."

"I guess you can help. If you do a good job, my aunt can give you the job permanently.

"Oh, thank you, darling." I hugged him. "Now, I don't need to search for any open jobs online."

It became quiet for a moment until Clark opened his mouth.

"So, how long are you going run from him?"

I look at him. "I'm sorry?"

"Don't give me that innocent look, Claire. I know abuse when I see one."

I gasp but keep it calm. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Claire, your sudden appearance during the graduation party with a faded bruise under that foundation you had on. I know a black eye when I see one."

I walk to the sink and close my eyes.

"I understand you're scared," Clark says. "My mom, she was beaten by my dad every day. I couldn't stand living with him and hurting my mom. I decided to have me and my mom move out and live with my fiancé."

"But isn't your dad a lawyer?"

"Yeah, but thanks to Odin and his team of lawyers, my dad lost his license, and we put the bastard away for good." He sounded proud, but I saw he missed his dad even though he was a prick.

"If you want someone to talk to, I'm available."

"I can't," I turn around.

"Why? Is it because of what I did to Effie? I said it a million times-"

"No," I pull out my phone and show him the screen. "My phone is broken, and I needed money to buy a new one."

I needed one and the other for two reasons so Eddie won't find me.

"Oh, well, you will earn extra working at my Sam's Aunt bar."

"That's great. When can I start?" I say excitedly.

"Tomorrow night, I can come pick you up."

"You don't have to trouble yourself."

"But I want to and because I'm working there tomorrow night. This house is on the way." He smiles.

"Thanks, Clark, I appreciate it."

"Your welcome," Clark looks at his watch. "Got to go; Sam is waiting for me at the mall to look at tuxedos for our weddings. I don't understand why he's acting like a bridezilla when we have a small wedding with close family and friends."

"Well, I'm sure he just wants everything in order."

"We are wearing tuxedos, not dress unless he wants to because he's the female in this relationship." He groans, and I chuckle. "Anyways, I'll see you tonight."

"See you, bye."

Clark left, and I went to the living room to find Leo sleeping on the couch. It's no wonder he's quiet. I picked him up and went to our rooms, placing him on the bed. Pull a blanket over and kiss him before returning to the kitchen, thinking of tonight's dinner.