Chapter 2 Last Night

"Let's go, honey! Say goodbye to Lean, we're going home."

The two children run down the stairs. Connie is obviously happy again. Child are like that, they forget things quickly because what's more important to them right now is playing.

"Be careful on the way home," said Alice to us.

I just nodded in response. Half an hour before we reached the house. The house I built was big with a height of three floors. There were two maids who greeted us. Connie's gear was immediately taken.

"Ma'am, shall I prepare dinner?" Nelia asked. It is quite old, its job is to cook food for us. While her young friend Lara is the one who takes care of Connie when I'm at work. The two help each other in the housework.

"Just take Connie to eat with you. I'm still a bit full, I'm going up to the room first." I said goodbye to the two before I went down the stairs.

The two were left staring at each other. Concern can be seen on their faces. Because I am close to my housekeeper, I consider them to be real family. They won't last a few years with me if I'm a strict boss. I get along well with them, when I have a problem, I always just go into the room. And when I'm happy, I buy food and we share it with the four of you. I have a habit of harboring problems, insisting on being strong even though the truth is that I am really weak. Entering the room, I lay down on the bed again. Staring at the white ceiling again. I remember Connie. I don't want the time to come when my daughter blames me. But I'm afraid to say that she was just the result of a mistake.

The past is coming back again. [Flashback]

"Daddy, that's right! Stop!" I love Daddy. He was holding the long belt that he was showing to Mommy. Mommy was lying on the floor. He was writhing in pain from Daddy's repeated beatings on him.

"You silly child! Get out of there but you will also be hurt by me!" he said with glistening eyes staring at me.

"Enough, Franco! That's right... forgive me for what I've done. Don't empathize with our daughter. I didn't mean to embarrass you in front of your friends." Mommy was crying and explaining.

"Damn it! You are not satisfied that I give you money. Then you will go there to pick me up! Aren't you ashamed of how old you look! What will my friends tell me- that I'm a careless husband that's why you look like that!"

Mommy's body is bruised because Daddy always hurt her. He is also always awake because she can't sleep every night because he gets home from the office early in the morning. Sometimes he didn't come home yet, because he was finishing up some work. Daddy has no time for us. We don't always get along with him because he is supposed to be busy with his work. But one day I overheard their conversation. They were in the garden, together with his three friends. They drink there. I thought about playing there but I stopped when I saw that Daddy had a visitor. I just hide behind the thick vegetation but I didn't expect to hear their conversation.

"How is Luisa?" asked one of Daddy's friends.

"She's pregnant, she wants to abort the child if I can't take responsibility for her. He wants me to leave Clarissa and she want to live together." Daddy's story to friends.

His friends laughed. They are very fond of Daddy.

"You're really impressive man, girls will really chase you." His other friend's admiration.

That's when I discovered that my daddy had another woman. My father, whom I admired and idolized because of his hard work, suddenly lost everything. I cried when I found out. I ran towards my room, not caring who saw me. I just locked myself in the room and didn't eat dinner. Mommy was worried about me. They thought I was sick so they went to my room and talked to me. Because I couldn't bear it, I told her what I found out. But she just cried when she found out. I never heard any anger from it. But I could feel the pain caused by the tears falling from her eyes. Both of us are harboring problems. We can't bring it out and admit to others that we are hurting.

"Mommy, doesn't Daddy love us anymore? What if he leaves us?" I asked Mommy.

"He won't do that honey, I know he loves us so just trust him."

Trust? Is Daddy worthy of trust? Mommy and I kept everything. Endured everything just so Daddy wouldn't leave us. Until the day came when their relationship ended. He was very angry because Mommy and I went to his office. It's been a few nights since he didn't answer the call, that's why my mom is worried. It's late and there's almost nothing to eat before going to the office. All the employees that Mommy and I met looked at. She is with me in the office. I insisted on going, because Mommy promised that the three of us would go out for dinner. When we entered the office, his two friends were there. There was also a woman sitting at Daddy's table. It is very sexy and full of body jewelry. Daddy's friends were surprised. Mommy was stunned to see. While the woman stood up and quickly adjusted herself.

"W-what does this mean?" Mommy asked Daddy.

His friends made excuses one by one. Hastily said goodbye and left the office with the girl. We were left with three. Mommy was crying but no one could hear her cursing or anything.

"What are you doing here?!" Daddy asked angrily.

"I was worried about you that's why I came."

"Worried? What do you think of me boy? I'll go home when I want! Why? You didn't have anything to eat at home, so you came here?!" it approached angrily.

I was scared for Mommy so I was the one who got nervous when I saw Daddy holding Mommy tightly by the arm.

"That's not like that... so-sorry if I'm going without saying." I could clearly see that my mommy was hurting but she still managed to endure everything. Until Daddy drags him out of the office. Daddy brought us home. Thinking that the fight between the two was over, that's where I was wrong. At home, Daddy will once again continue the anger he feels. He took off the belt he was wearing and beat Mommy. I could clearly see Mommy begging Daddy... But he mercilessly hurt Mommy. I cried until I couldn't stand it anymore. I stopped him to stop hurting Mommy.

"Stop it, Daddy! Enough!" I cried. But it only made me angry, I wish it was meg turning his anger but Mommy caught the stick that was supposed to be for me. Mommy's bruises haven't disappeared from the laughter that has increased again. It has no mercy for us and seems to have no love for us. I run out of the house. While Mommy was left alone. I was only twelve years old then. I am not able to defend myself and Mommy yet. That was the last time Mommy and I were together. When I got home, I found Mommy lying on the floor. While Daddy was stunned on the side. I was surprised that I still came closer to Mommy. But I was very surprised to see it was lifeless.

"Mommy?! Mommy!" I wake it up but it won't wake up. I looked at Daddy. He was obviously very scared and his face was pale.

"I didn't mean to, daughter..." This is the first time he called me daughter. This is the first and last time he will call me daughter.

"W-what happened Daddy? Why doesn't Mommy want to wake up?" It shook its head as it wailed in front of me.

"I didn't mean to... forgive me. Please forgive me!" said Daddy to me. I turned to Mommy again. I woke him up again but failed. I don't know what happened, all I know is that Daddy is to blame for why Mommy died. Things happened quickly.

Daddy was jailed after he surrendered to the police. Mommy accidentally hit her head on a sharp object when she tried to run away from Daddy. So it didn't wake up worse than it's fall. I was the one who took Mommy to her last destination. I hate Daddy so much. Almost all of my respect for him is gone. A few days before Mommy's burial. Daddy was attacked in prison. I didn't go to his mind. I was under the care of my Grandmother who put Daddy in prison. Even when my daddy died, I didn't cry. I did not feel sorry for him. But I'm still thankful because finally no one will hurt me. He won't be able to hurt Mommy anymore because she is in heaven. Bad things are not allowed there, so Mom and Dad will never meet there. That's why I don't want to trust men. I imagine that they are just the same as Daddy. I don't want to be a martyr like Mommy. I can live without a man in my life. I can support my child without relying on a man. So many have flirted with me, but no one passed because I just rejected them all. Even if their intentions are good, I can't handle it because I know that they are good at first. At first they are gentle, and only at first they will respect and honor you. That's how I feel about all men who offer me love.