4 - New Home

ERA’S POV

“D- Dad, this is Sir Mikhail. He is my professor. Is Mom here?”

I let Sir in, while Dad just gaped looking at him. What's going on inside Dad's head? Hold on! Shouldn't that be the question I'm asking myself?! Why do I have my professor in our house?!

I casually sat on the sofa while removing foot socks and shoes. Sir Mikhail just smiled politely as he sits across from me. And to our surprise, our dapple dachshund Tisoy hugged Sir, kissing him and gently wagging his tail. Wow. Tisoy, does he appear to be your owner?

“W- What can we do for you, Sir? Did my Era do anything?”

Dad handed him a glass of cold water. Mom was just leaning against the table. My parents began to exchange glances as Sir Mik drinks their offer because they were already thinking something. They're having a telepathic discussion. I exhaled a sigh. God, this is such a nuisance for me.

“Is she being suspended, Sir? Or getting expelled?!”

I let out a sigh as I locked my gaze on Mom. She's overreacting already!

"No, no, no! In fact, she is the president of their block. Era is responsible from every angle, after all."

Wow. Is he praising me now? Because earlier I was wondering what kind of black bubbles he was spewing. I think this professor is ill-minded.

“Because this is the first time Era has brought other people with her, and you are her professor. She didn't bring any of her pals here. May I ask what your purpose is?”

My father seemed to be distressed and frustration is written on my mother's face. My breathing pattern starts to get rapid as if I was competing for a marathon.

“I want Era to be my maid. Personal maid.”

Dug. Dug. Dug. Dug. 

I don't even want to write down the sound of my heartbeat, but I have to do it to emphasize that I'm like a ticking time bomb that could explode at any moment. I'm going crazy! Why did he direct his intent?!

"C- Come again... Sir?"

"Era," he signaled for me to leave the house first. He doesn't want me to hear what he has to say. Crap, he's calling my whole given name. But go ahead. I'll leave for now. To somewhat reduce the tension in the house.

I put on my black slippers that were a bit muddy and went to the nearest store. I bought some polvoron and candies to raise my blood sugar. I also stood for a few minutes.

“Do you have a visitor, Era? There is a car on the other side of the road just across your house.”

Ahaha... One of the 'Marites' has shown up. The one with an itchy tongue. This type of disease necessitates the use of formic acid. I'm sure we have it in the school supply room. Is now the time to steal a bottle? I'll just keep her mouth shut for now so she can't say anything else. I couldn’t help myself but to put a fake smile on my face.

“Ah... Perhaps a car just passed by. Perhaps someone parked there.” That's right, Era. A very safe answer, it is. Maybe she won't f*ck with me anymore?

“Perhaps it's your boyfriend’s?! I saw you with a man earlier! He looks so handsome, by the way! Ooh! Does your father know about this—" I can’t listen to her bullsh*t anymore!

"Aling Puring, have I already told you about the shadow that follows me when I walk down in your dark alley?"

She aggressively covers both of her ears with her hands and shakes her head in trauma, “Oh my God! I don't want to hear any of that! Didn’t I tell you not to reiterate that crappy story?! I’m getting goosebumps just from your voice!"

"You should install some lamp posts!" I fired back. Freaking b*tch. Did I mention that they are the new era of live CCTV?

I rolled my eyes after she left. If it wasn't just old people, I might say something worse. Elders want to be respected; they should give a behavior that earns respect. That's just my mindset though, it's that simple.

As Bea of PBB madly invoked; respect is earned, not being imposed.

Suddenly my cell phone chimed— ‘COME HOME AND WE’LL TALK.’

Badum tss! There you have it! My dad texted me! And it's also caps locked!! AAAH!! Will he shave my head?!

I was so nervous to walk, with each step of my feet so heavy, my chest was pounding harder. But I was even more frightened when I saw my brother Kevin put the two suitcases into the compartment of Sir's car! What the hell is happening now?!

"Hey! What are you doing?!”

“You have my regards! Dad is giving you away! I'll continue your Harvest Moon on our PSP, okay? Don't worry about it!"

"HUH?! W- What did you say?!”

Wow. He even pouts just to annoy me. Seriously, what is it about his mocking that works so well? Also, why would Dad force me to stay at my professor's house? That's sketchy, right?

"Dad?!"

"Go ahead. Pack up your things now.”

"Mom?! What are you doing?!"

I noticed Sir came out. Maybe he felt that my blood was boiling in rage and decided to leave us.

“Mom?! What is this? Why are you the one packing my belongings?!”

“Era. You have a brighter future with him. And you can help us, too. We just have to endure it... us being away from you.”

A future? A freaking future with him?! They already sold my soul to Sir?! Is Sir that wealthy that he can afford someone else's service?! They gave up right away?!

“Just follow us, Era. We don’t want you to work either, but we can afford to endure being away from each other. We won't be able to give you tuition if all of us are at home. Even your allowance every day is difficult for us to provide. No one, my dear. We have no one else to turn to. They have already turned their back on us. So, rather than being angry with your professor, thank him instead."