Chapter 10 - 'You' are my home

If one want to compare the breakfast lively situation to the present, it's like a graveyard. A graveyard without a coffin but just a deep hole that was dug out and the grave 'guardian' are just waiting the perfect time to make a move. That's what Alicia felt right at this moment when three pairs of eyes are looking at her incredulously while the other pair decided to play innocent. She hated that innocent pair of looking eye right at this moment. Wishing she could dig it out and toss it in the ocean. Or gave it to someone who need it. They've been sitting there patiently waiting for her to open her mouth. And it's one of their 'torturing' method to make her talk without hiding anything. This method...seems to be working no matter how old she is right now. She gave up.

"Alright, alright. I'll talk. Yes, i did find a place for me to stay but that's because it's close to my work place. And i'm sorry for hiding this. As well as the time i arrived, it was a week ago. I've been here since a week ago. Sorry for deceiving." She put on pitiful face which doesn't seem to be working because she really don't have that kind of talent to play as a white lotus.

Mrs Michael sighed heavily. She took her daughter's hand and rubbing it warmly.

"Are you going to leave us?" She asked gently as she stare at Alicia's beautiful face. The first time she saw Alicia, her face was swollen and covered in bruises due to the accident. And after she recovered, her body was malnourished and the face sunken indicating she was not properly fed. It pains her heart to see such a young child being treated that way. Despite her ugly past, it was her beautiful warm smile that caught her attention the most. Now that Alicia's has been under her care, she became a stunning butterfly that can catch anyone's attention. Hearing that Alicia wanted to find another place to stay when she could have stayed with them like she always does, pains her.

"Mom,,,how could you ask me that when you are my home. The place where i'll run to when i'm in fear. The first place that i'll ever think if i'm missing something. And the place where i can call someone my mother and father. Being pampered, loved and hugged by you each time when i needed it the most is what i call a home. The place that i found doesn't deserve to be called my home. 'You' are my home. You always say i'm your butterfly. But mom, surprisingly i always think i'm a stork who needed to fly more but only to return to the same place where i would call a home. No matter how far i go, i would always return to you mom. You, dad, Ralph and sister in law gave me a new life. A life that i never thought i would have. If it wasn't for you taking me under your care, i don't think i'll still be alive to this day."

"Hush. Don't curse yourself. You're alive now and don't you say that again, young lady." Her mother never like it when she hear her saying anything close to death or dying. Alicia smile.

"I know. I'm alive because of your love. But this young lady of yours can't always be protected under you mom. She need to protect herself too otherwise how can i protect the people i love? How could i protect my family if i am weak and ignorant about the 'ugly' people. Which is why i decided to live at another place. I don't want the people in my work place to know anything about my family. I don't want to be treated specially. I want to achieve everything within my own hands and solve whatever problems that i face by myself. And if i think i'm unable to do it, i'll run back to home and cry into your arms before i start fighting again. Everyone here is my treasure. Why would i want to throw my treasure away? Of course i have to fight if anyone wanted to snatch my treasure." She grinned widely while the others were quiet after listening to her. Mr Michael and Mrs Michael look at each other as they glance towards Ralph who nod his head a little, Delilah who already had her tears rolling onto her cheek, they finally sighed. It was Mr Michael who stood up and pull her daughter up before hugging her.

"We will do as you say sweetie. But i just want you to know whenever you're in trouble or needed someone to be by your side, you can always come to us. You are our home as well. Just promise to your mother and me that you'll come home often. If not, i'll ask Ralph to drag you back and you can forget on having your own place." He said softly. Alicia nodded. Her eyes were brimming with tears. It's not that they are never apart. When she study abroad for a few years, it wasn't as hard as this. She was just moving in her own place and she's still in the same city as her parent but the feeling is a lot heavier than the day she went abroad for her study. The feeling to let his pampered daughter to see the world with its ugly side is unsettling. Fear. He fear her daughter will lose her laughter and herself along the way. But this is for her good as well. There's nothing more fearful than being ignorant about the dark side of life.

Her mother also stood up before hugging her as well. She laughed when her mother start crying again.

"Mom, dad. You are my greatest gift that i ever have in my life. I hope you never regret having me in your life, as your family." She said adding another emotional streak.

"Young lady, i'll pinch you if you keep saying that." Mrs Michael warn.

"But you're already pinching me." She yelped when she can feel a slight pain on her arm. Although it's not her usual stinging pinch but it still hurt. Her mom's pinch is lethal.

"Alright, sit down. There's something else that i want to talk to you about. Now that you're going to have your own place, this time mom wants you to listen to me. Otherwise you're going back home with us."

Alicia froze. Why does it feels like she's inviting them to make her do something that she doesn't want to do. She had a really bad feeling especially when she saw her sister in law big smiling face and her brother guilty face. This is no good. Can she still escape? Ah, she should have made her speech more emotional.