Chapter 3 No.3

"How could you be my son? It's such a disappointment that I wasted my sperms for you. You are just a waste of space.�� Vincent said by griping a fist full of his brown hairs and lifting his head high to see the face of brunette. Aiden saw the disgust and hate clear in his father's eyes but he was not getting that why is it happening again? He was home at time, he did dishes before going to school. Cleaned the house and....?

The Beer? Oh God did I forgot to bring the new pack? He knows I didn't go to the store yesterday. I'm a dead meat. First, I missed his beer and second, I didn't attend my shift, means one day salary cut mean more beating mean....

"Why Aiden? Am I not a good Father? Why will you shame my name? How could you do that after everything I have done for you?" Vincent pulled his hairs harshly and pull the boy to get on his feet again. Well Aide was more like hanging in his father's grip. He didn't even have to understand what was his father saying and a slap landed on his face. He was pretty sure that if his father was not holding him, he would��ve hit the wall by face.

With a stinging pain on his left cheek and desperate try to hold his tears back he spoke "I'm s-sorry D-Dad. I��ll be more c-careful next t-ti...." he didn't even finish the sentence and another slap echoed the small living room and this time Aiden did hit the wall.?

"Next time? So, you don��t regret it? You are not guilty of your behavior and you are going to continue shaming my name in front of everyone" Aiden didn't got enough time to think what was happening before a bulky punch landed on his jaw and Aiden was sure if slap didn't, this will definitely leave the mark.

He was not processing it what is his father saying he just apologized for his mistake, how is not bringing beer can shame his father's name. Still, he didn't argue because he knew he will get an extra pair of punches so he looked up at his father's face with questioning eyes. His father gripped his jaw harshly leaving the boy hissing in pain and a small whimper left Aiden's mouth.

"What? Don't act innocent because you are not. You really thought you will continue this behind my back and I won't know about it? Now you don't know what I'm saying? May be his father read his eyes because Aiden really was clueless what was happening so he finally dared to speak.

��D-Dad I'll be regular I p-promise I won't take any more l-leaves and w-will do whatever you say j-just p-please st-stop" Aiden felt tired and he hoped his father will understand. Will he??

"Leaves? Regular? What are...... oh so you didn't even go to store yesterday? You really need the lesson to get in line boy" with that his father kicked him in the stomach that left Aiden fold on the ground holding his stomach. But this didn't stop he got one after another and another and another may be until his father got tired and he heard his labored breathing.?

He didn't know about that. Wow so what is he talking about? Did I do something else? When? Did I? I don't remember...?

He felt another cramp in his body and he remembered something may be this could be the reason today.

?"J-Ji-Jimmy?" he said and looked at his father who may be wanted the boy to remember himself.

"There! Now you know huh...�� he moved toward his son again but Aiden crawled a little backward to step away from his father he knew this is not over. It was just getting started.

"D-Dad l-l-listen just p-please listen. It's not w-what you thi...."

"Oh boy! Don't tire yourself by telling the lies. I have seen enough to think and know so save it". He didn't even give him the chance to explain. "You are just 17 and God you are getting out of my hands what will you do when you will get independent. Boy you really need to learn the basics first." He launched another kick to boy's shoulder and brought his face closer to the boy.

"D-Dad p-please just stop. I p-promise I didn't do anything. I didn't break my promise. H-he was just going to the festival so h-he came to say good-goodbye. I'm sorry I'm sorry D-Dad I promise I'm telling the truth" he said pleading holding Vincent��s feet to stop him and to his luck his father did?understood or maybe not but he stopped.

Vincent took a long breath and turned to walk upstairs but before climbing stairs he glanced at his son last time and said "Get changed and attend your shift. I'm sure you don't need to get any new bruises"?

Aiden was thankful. Yes he was thankful to the universe that it didn't get much. "Thank you" he said practically to no one and drag himself against the wall to get the support to stand up. It took few attempts but he stood up and with slow steps moved toward his room to get ready for his?Job.

?It hurts. Every inch of his body hurt with even a slightest movement but he doesn��t have the time to rest. He needs to earn. He needs to learn his responsibilities. (After all he has a father to feed) He didn't get to shower, he just washed the evidences of today��s episode, he was already late so he just took his blazer off and put the zipper on and moved out of the door and started walking to the familiar road to the store busy thinking and letting his steps to take him to his destination. He looks up at the sky and said:

"Life is not the bed of roses, it's the circle of pain and suffering. No doubt LIFE = PAIN same number of letters and almost same meaning"?

He lowered his gaze and kept walking to the store. His hungry stomach was not at all helping and after that beating it got worst. He didn't eat anything since yesterday and neither was the circumstances coming to the point that he can eat so he kept his head low and kept walking. After a walk of 10 min he reach there. A bright flash light of the store was illuminating the area around it and the crowd of the people was as normal as always. He looked around while crossing the road and went to the front door of the store.?

"Hello" Aiden greeted in his cheerful voice as always not letting anyone guess that the worse happened with this boy a few minutes ago. But he frowned while greeting when he saw an unknown face behind the counter.

A new employee, did I got kicked out? Damn. No, no, no please no. Not this, not now.?

Aiden thought and felt the urge to cry but he held it back as the owner came out of the restroom and walked toward the counter.

"Ma-Maddie!" Aiden shuttered while talking and placed his hand on the owner shoulder who quickly turned around and gave him a brightest smile and engulfing the younger in her arms. Aiden felt a little bit relaxed and separated from Maddie and looked at the stranger and then back to the owner. "Sh-should I leave?" He said again looking at both of them turn by turn yet with confusion clear in his eyes.?

"Why? Are you resigning? Well contract didn't finish yet you still need to work for me 3 more months" Maddie said diverting all her attention to the younger and saw that resistance and confusion in his eyes so he quickly turned to the counter and placed his hands around the stranger��s waist.

"He is not your replacement" she said and chuckles softly while tracing the stranger��s waist and said "I��m sorry I didn't introduce him. Aiden this is Peter, and Peter this is my sweetheart Aiden" The owner introduced both of them and younger released the breath which he was holding back since he entered the store. With that he greeted the stranger and smiled.?

"Well, I thought I was your sweetheart? Ouch" Peter said dramatically placing his hand on his heart and squeezing his shirt on left side of his chest.?

"Stop it Pete. You are such an actor. Why don't you try it out huh?" Maddie smacked at the other��s head and walked towards the younger.?

"Where were you? You didn't come yesterday, is everything alright?" The owner said to the younger in soft voice and caressed his cheeks.

"Oh come on he is an adult. He doesn��t need to explain everything to you. He must be doing something private. Right bud." Peter winked at the younger who didn't get it at all and looked uncomfortable.

"Just look at him man he got great looks. He doesn��t even seem real" with that peter came toward the younger and traced younger's?lower lip with his finger and pecked at the corner by holding his chin.?

~~~~~~~~<<<<<<<<<<~~~~~~~~

"Did you find him? Anything?"

"N-No sir. I'm sorry. It's like he got vanished from the plain site"

"You have two days. Find him? Or else get ready to see your family die"?

"S-sir...."?