Chapter 5: Get Your Things

"Smile often. You look more beautiful when you smile." Alfred uttered. His cold, steely blue eyes were staring at me.

My heart skipped a beat. I couldn't fathom why I always feel like I was deeply absorbed in his stare. Then, I suddenly withdrew my hands as I felt awkward.

Hypnotized by his cold gaze, I shifted my eyes and sat up straight. Fortunately, my phone rang. I quickly answered the phone when I saw that it was my younger sister.

"I already packed your things. When are you going to pick it up?" Juliet muttered on the other end of the line. I could feel the irritation in her voice, and I could see how she rolled her eyes as she spoke.

I told Juliet earlier that I would leave as I found a new job far from our house. And that I need to leave as soon as possible. Thus I asked her to help me pack my things. However, even though we're sisters, we didn't become intimate towards each other. That's why asking her a favor was a bit much for her. 

"Alright, Juliet. Thank you. I'll pick it up in an hour." I answered as I glimpsed at my wristwatch and saw that it was already eight in the evening. I thought it's still early. I could still ride a taxi going home.

Then, Juliet hung up the phone without saying any more words.

Afterward, I turned to Alfred. "I'll just pick up my things at home."

"I'll go with you." Alfred volunteered as he stood up.

"No need. I can--" I was going to oppose, but he didn't let me finish my words.

"No, I insist. It's getting late now." Alfred mumbled with determination in his voice. I was not able to refuse anymore as he walked past me and went straight to the door.

After an hour, we arrived at our house. Alfred acted to go down, but I stopped him. I told him to just wait for me in the car as I was afraid of what my parents would say when they saw me with a man. Then, I got down and walked towards our house.

As I entered the living room, I saw my parents and Juliet sitting on the couch like they were waiting for my arrival. I saw my luggage as well in the corner. Then, my father stood up from his seat. I thought he was going to thank me for paying his debt, but he welcomed me with a,

'Slap!'

"How dare you show up here? You're such a disgrace to this family!" My dad shouted furiously.

I held my face as I looked at him fearfully. "D-Dad, what have I done?"

"What have you done? Where did you get the money to pay William Shaw? You traded your body for money, didn't you? That's why you're pregnant now!" My dad squealed. He was so angry. His face was flushing in rage.

My eyes widened in disbelief. Although I knew that they would learn about it from Robert, I didn't expect that they would know about it so soon.

"That's what you get. You're thinking highly of yourself. Look at what happened to you!" Juliet commented harshly as she gazed at me in disdain.

I glimpsed at Juliet. Her words stung in my heart, but I ignored her. Then, I glanced at my mom, who was sitting silently. I looked at her with pleading eyes to defend me anyhow. However, I couldn't read what was on her mind. 

"D-dad, you don't understand." My tears tumbled down helplessly. My heart ached. I paid his debt, but why do I look so bad in his eyes? Didn't I deserve to be appreciated?

"Don't tell me that I don't understand. It's very clear that you got pregnant by whoever man you traded your body with!"

"Please, dad. Let me explain first. I-It's not--" I begged. I wanted to explain, but I couldn't find the right words. How could I tell them that I was not really pregnant? I was certain that they learned about it from Robert, and if I told them that I lied, Robert might know the truth as well.

"Shut up! I don't want to hear your explanation! Now, you're going with the man that we didn't even meet! You, shameless brat!" My dad roared and lifted his hand to slap me again. I automatically covered my face with my hands as I shut my eyes in fright. To my surprise, his hand didn't land on my face after a few seconds, so I slowly opened my eyes.

I was shocked. I saw Alfred holding the hand of my father. His brows deeply creased while the muscles along his jaw clenched. But somehow, his action warmed my heart. It's the first time that someone protected me from my family.

"A-Alfred," I mumbled anxiously as my heart was in a flurry of wild beats.

"Get your things," Alfred ordered bitterly without throwing me a look.

Then, my dad violently pulled his hand off from Alfred's grasp. "How dare you?! Is this the man who got you pregnant?" He asked fiercely as he pointed his index finger at Alfred. 

"Y-yes," I replied tensely. 

My dad smirked as he gazed at Alfred from head to toe with mocking eyes. "Look at you. How are you going to feed my daughter, huh?"

Looking at Alfred's ragged appearance, I grimaced as I held my forehead. He was wearing a casual shirt over a ragged pair of old jeans. If only I knew that this would happen, I asked him to wear something better.

Then, I heard Juliet laughing contemptuously. 

Alfred's dark brows shot up. "You're mad at Hannah because she got pregnant or because you are afraid that she would no longer support your family?" He asked in a deep cold voice as he gazed intently at him. 

I stared in a catatonic stupor. I couldn't believe that Alfred would be able to say those words directly to my dad.

My dad gritted his teeth. "What rubbish are you saying?"

Alfred didn't answer him and turned to me instead with his knitted brows. "Get your things."

However, my dad became more furious. He grabbed Alfred by his collar. "Don't be rude! I'm still talking to you! What do you mean, huh? That we only depend on Hannah? What do you know?"

In a snap, I got my luggage. Then, I tugged at Alfred's sleeve, but my dad didn't release him.

I took a deep breath and gathered courage. "Dad, let him go, or I will no longer send you money." I threatened him.

Surprisingly, my dad relaxed a bit. He didn't utter any word. He let go of Alfred. I could see how his eyes suddenly changed from being hostile to serene. Alfred was right. My dad was only mad because I was going to leave. They are afraid that I will no longer support them financially.

Sigh. What should I expect from them? What's important to them was MONEY. Not me. Nonetheless, they were my family. I love them, and I care for them.

Then, we left the place and went back to the condo.

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It's already dawn, but I couldn't sleep. I was lying on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. I could still see Alfred's exquisite face. He looked handsome even when mad.

I don't know, but an unexplained joy tickled my heart when he defended me to my father. I realized that he was not a pervert as I first thought. I found him cool but quite scary when angry.

Moreover, Alfred let me sleep in the other room. The room where I slept the night when he saved me. I felt relieved that we're not going to sleep in the same room but a little disappointed. Where could you see a husband and wife sleeping in different rooms? Wait, disappointed? I instantly brushed off the idea.