EPISODE TWENTY 20:UHHG

ASHLEY'S POV

After football practice, I decided to go out with some friends and just chill. After hours of our hormones running wild, I decided to get some fresh air in front of the party room. After several hours of isolating myself, I looked up at the sky and smiled at the moon.

I checked the time and realized it was getting very late. Reluctantly, I decided to go back to the hellhole I call home. Honestly, if it weren't for my baby brother, I don't think I would ever step foot into that house again. She controls every aspect of my screwed-up life. Every girl's mother is supposed to be her best friend, but mine is my nemesis. If there's another word I can use to describe my feelings toward my mom, I loathe her.

Going to parties, seminars, meetings, all because she wants to make guns to take people's lives. Can you imagine the fact that some of her friends try to set me up with their sons? How disgusting is that? No matter what I do, it's never okay.

I checked the time and saw it was 9:30 pm, which was past my curfew.

Slowly, I entered our mansion, guarded by hefty men in black. I've tried multiple times to make those suckers laugh, but I just wasted my time. Anyways, it was worth a try.

I walked into the living room that led to the dining room. I tried sneaking into my room, but those pair of glasses reading a newspaper made their way to mine. Who reads newspapers at this time of night? Maybe she came home late today, I thought.

"Where are you coming from, young lady?" she asked, taking off her glasses and folding the newspaper into two.

I thought before answering, but I hate lying, so I went ahead and told the truth.

"I went out with some friends and I lost track of time," I answered as politely as ever.

"One more late night out, and I'll cut off your allowance this month," she said.

"Understood?" she asked.

"Understood," I said affirmatively.

"We have dinner with some work friends tomorrow. Get ready for it," she said.

I only walked off without replying.

"Do you get that, young lady?" she said.

I looked back and snapped.

"Mom, why don't I get a say in my already shitty life? I have friends who go on vacations for weeks with or without their parents. But we, as a family, when was the last time we went out together or even on vacation with our mom? Even if you don't care about that, why can't I have my life? Why can't I just live my life the way I want?" I said as tears started to well up in my eyes.

"If dad was here, then I wouldn't have to deal with this shit alone. I wish he was here; he was way better than you'll ever be. Why are you so hard on me, huh, mom? What did I ever do to you? My dad..." I said as tears finally made their way down my cheek.

"Don't even go there. Don't even go there. I'm here, not your father. If you want your freedom, then go and join him wherever he is," she said, and immediately, a wave of tears flooded my eyes. Now I know the true meaning of a bad mother-my mom, Mrs. Hawkins.

"I hate you," I said as I made my way to my room. My door slowly creaked open as I hit it back with my hand. I saw my personal maid, a year older than me, dusting off some things on my computer.

"She must have had to work late overtime, or she forgot to do them on time while attending to other things," I thought.

"Miss, you are home," she said.

"I have a name; it's Ash," I said and I jumped on my bed.

"I mean Ash," she said.

"Sounds better," I said, trying to wipe away my tears.

"Looks like you had another argument with your mom," she said.

"Does that sound new to you?" I asked, chuckling.

"No, it doesn't," she said, bowing her head in respect.

"I'm not my mom, and you are older than me. Speak casually," I said.

"It's not that easy," she said.

"It's easy; try it first," I said.

"Okay, I'll try," she said.

"Let's be good friends from now," I said.

"Okay," she said, and I heard a buzzing sound from her phone.

"It's my curfew. I'm off work now. I have to leave; my older brother is probably here to pick me up," she said.

"Okay, we can talk some other time," I said.

"Thank you," she said as she left.

My older brother, I miss him so much; it even hurts to think about him.

If only my mom did not drive him away with her nagging, complaining, and trying to make everyone around her perfect, then he would still be here with me. I would still have my big brother Tyson with me; he wouldn't be gone.

I slowly heard my door creak open.

"What the fuck do you want?" I shouted in anger; everything was just pissing me off.

"It's me, Ashton," my brother's little voice said.

"Hey, I thought it was somebody else. Hope I didn't scare you. Did I wake you?" I asked as I motioned for him to sit on the bed with me.

He climbed gently and sat on the bed.

"Your arguing made me wake up," he said.

"I'm sorry," I said, kissing his forehead.

"Does she have to be like that all the time? I miss my mom," he said.

"Me too," I whispered.

"But then again, how did your playdate go?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Bad; mom didn't show up," he said.

"Oh, how about we have our own playdate? Don't worry; it's going to be fun," I said.

"At this time of night? Are you okay, Ash?" he asked sarcastically.

"Yes, I'm fine, my little Bunbun," I said.

It's a nickname my dad gave him before he died. I only used it whenever I wanted to tease him or whenever I missed my dad. For today, I think it's the latter.

"Eew, I hate it when you call me that. You make it sound like I'm a baby," he said, and I held him close, repeating the same words.

"When dad called you that, you used to love it," I said.

"Well, that time I was five. Now I'm ten years old. Look at these big guns," he said, kissing his baby biceps.

"Yeah, keep it up, Thor," I said, trying to match his childishness.

He ran around my room, and I had fun with him. This was the only time I felt like me-when I was with my baby brother or playing football.

I finally grabbed him close and tackled him on the bed.

"You are such a baby. Where did your big guns go?" I asked as I laughed at him.

"Wait till I'm bigger than you; then I'll be the one who laughs last," he said, smirking.

"We'll see about that," I said, and as I tried to run after him, my hair fell on my face.

"Who's laughing now?" he said, sticking his tongue out.

"I tried to straighten my hair because he had removed my rubber band.

"Hey, give that back," I ordered.

"No, you look way prettier with your hair down," he said.

"That is if I have any boy to impress. Sadly, there are none. Now give it back," I said.

"No," he said, letting it slide under my bed.

"Seriously, you had to do that?" I said.

"My sister has to acknowledge how beautiful she is," he said.

That statement made me blush, and I never blush. I mean, never.

I gently sat on my bed, and he also sat beside me, a wave of silence rushing over us as we both gently stared at the picture hanging on my wall.

"I miss them," he said, pointing to the picture of our dad standing beside my big brother, who was wearing army attire on his school's career day.

It was a lot, losing my brother and dad in the same year. Like I lost the two people who made me whole. My mom changed drastically after dad died. It was a huge change for me and my brother, Ashton. Everything came rushing through us like a tsunami wave. Nothing can ever be the same again-never again.

"Can I sleep here tonight?" he asked, as cute as ever.

"Sure, you can, scaredy-cat," I said, leaning on him with my side.

"I'm not scared," he said, trying to play the big boy role.

"Sure, you aren't," I said.

"Let's have a good time, little Bunbun," I said, hugging him tightly.

"Okay, Ash," he said, snuggling closer.

😴😴😴😴😴

ETHAN'S POV

The sound of forks clanking on the plates clouded my head, making it impossible to focus on anything else.

The next thing I heard was a loud crash as the plates fell from one of the helpers' hands.

She hurriedly bent down to pick up the tray.

"Are you crazy? Now you've got those poor wretched hands of yours on my clothes. Are you going to pay for them?" my sister Alex asked rhetorically.

"No ma'am, I'm so sorry. Miss, it won't happen again," the helper said, her eyes glued to the ground as tears flooded her eyes, dropping to the ground with the tray clutched tight to her chest. It was Nicholas, one of my friends among the helpers.

"Alex," my mom shouted.

"Apologize now," she said.

"You're joking, Mom. Me apologize to a mere slave who is living off of our leftovers? Never," Alex said.

"Alex," my mom shouted again.

"Beatrice, let it go," my dad said.

"But," my mom said, but he cut her off.

"I said let it go," he said sternly.

"You, you are dismissed," he said, and the helper left.

I'm glad he didn't say fired.

Nicholas left with tears in her eyes. I felt really bad for not being able to take her side.

"Did you really have to slap her?" I asked, setting my fork down.

Table manners are very important to your dad. You have to do everything perfectly

"All you ever do is take their side all the time. Aren't you tired of feeling pity for their miserable lives?" she said.

"But you are not any different from them. We are not different from them. Let's treat them good. Do you think you are going to be like this forever?" I said, feeling angry. It felt like I was the one being mistreated.

"Now, that is where you won't go. We are the Hunters family. We are going to stand strong forever. We are going to be rich forever, and we are going to thrive forever. The Hunters family will never fall," he said, cleaning his hands with a napkin.

"But Dad, you are indulging her bad behavior," I said.

"Ethan," he said sternly.

"She was merely showing her her place," he said as he stood up to leave.

"And if showing her her place makes her look bad, then so be it," he said, and I saw a smirk play on my sister's face.

He turned back, smoothing his clothes, but then he stopped abruptly.

"And one more thing, we have a business meeting tomorrow. Wear that green tuxedo I got you," he said.

"But I'm going out with my friends," I said.

"You are coming with me tomorrow, and you will smile and look your best," he said.

"What if I refuse to come?" I said.

"What did you just say," he said, moving closer to me.

"Rodriguez, he didn't mean that. Let it go," my mom said, not wanting things to escalate.

"Apologize now," my mom said.

I hesitated, but I didn't want to get in trouble.

"I'm sorry; I wasn't in my right state of mind," I said, putting my face away.

"Good," he said, and he left for his office.

My mom gently soothed my arm with her hands.

"It's fine, Mom," I said, setting her hand on her lap, and I left for my room.

I sat on my bed, thinking about my relationship with my dad. I can't even have a strong father-son relationship.

He wants me to be like him, but that's not happening, and it's never going to happen because I will continue to be me.

I need one thing: courage.

This was me, a coward. I couldn't even stand up to him. Just one day, I wish to voice him out and show him that he is not the boss of me. But I don't even have an ounce of confidence or courage to do it. I feel lost, and I can't wait to find myself, my true self, which I'm sure I'll do.

I need to call Rose and tell her that I can't come for the date. I feel so messed up. This is the fifth date I'm canceling this month. She is going to be so mad at me; she probably won't talk to me for a couple of days, and then we would get over it. But trust me, those couple of days, I'm going to miss her so much.

Me: Hey, how are you doing?

Lina💖💖: I'm good, and you, babe?

Me: Fantastic.

Lina💖💖: Glad you are doing just fine. I'm at the park with my sister. Could you please hurry up? It's been a long time since I've spent some time with her. We are still going to meet tomorrow, remember?

Me: About that, we have to cancel. I'm sorry; my dad said I have someplace to go with him. I'm sorry. Can you please let it slide? I promise I'll make it up to you.

Lina💖💖: Exactly what you said last week. But anyway, I understand. We'll have it another time, like you always say.

Me: I'm so sorry.

Immediately, she went offline. I wonder how mad she would be with me. She's mostly quiet when she's angry. Only when she is livid does she show her true colors.

I lay back and rested on my pillow, all the thoughts still running through my mind as I felt the weight of responsibilities on me.

I heard a knock on my door, and I wasn't ready for any visitors.

"Don't come in," I said.

If it were the helpers, they know not to defy my rules. But instead, the door opened, revealing my mom. My angel. I love her more than anything in this world. She's one of those people who truly know and understand me.

"How are you?" she asked in the sweetest voice ever.

"Do you even need to ask?" I said.

"Armando, you don't have to be like that. He is still your father," she said.

"Like what? I do anything he literally asks me to do, but will he ever acknowledge me? I do not think that is ever going to happen, because I never do anything right," I said, gripping my hair angrily.

"Mando, calm down. I know your father can be like that, but you just have to keep trying your best, okay, mi amor?" she said.

"Okay, Mom. Can I ask a question?" I asked.

"Go on, dear," she said.

"Why didn't you just settle down in Mexico with an average man? Maybe being all rich wasn't made for us. For me, I'm fed up," I said.

"Armani, your dad was the average man I settled with. He was the sweetest as we lived in our small but cozy apartment. But then, he was sure he didn't want his children to live the kind of life he lived. So, his love for money grew as time went on. I still loved him, but I know he still does us," she said.

"Well, you got everything right except for the last part," I said.

"Don't be a killjoy," she said.

"I'm not, Mom," I said, resting my head on her shoulder.

"I miss this handsome kid," she said.

"Who?" I said, raising my head up, confused.

"That one," she said, pointing at Michael in a picture we took in middle school during a cookie sale.

"I do too, but you said I was your most handsome boy," I said, whining like a little boy.

"Yes, you are," she said, drawing me closer.

"No fair. You said Trevor was your most handsome kid," I heard my brother's whiny voice.

"Trevor was my baby brother who is ten years old. He is an autistic boy who can't identify himself. He can't say 'I,' instead he says 'Trevor.' I know that one day he will get better. But sometimes, I'm happy for him because Dad can't nag him like he does me," I thought.

"Can't compete with this face, can you?" I said, teasing and sticking my tongue out.

"Don't mind him, Antony, darling. You boys are my most handsome boys in this world," she said, kissing both our foreheads.

MICHAEL'S POV

The loud talking of my family members couldn't even make me understand the taste of the food I'm currently eating.

I sighed as I took a sip of water from the cup.

"So, who wants to follow me to my next meeting, which is today?" Papa asked.

"Me! I love the taste of the last croissant they served. It tasted like it was actually from France," Maria squealed.

"No, I'm going. You went last time. I really need to see someone," Marion said.

"I wanna come! Me, me!" the twins squealed.

"I'm going to choose who is coming with me, and I choose Michael," my dad said, and I choked on my food.

"What?" the three of us chorused.

"I never offered to come," I said.

"But I want you to come," he said.

"You can go on ahead with Maria or Marion. I'm not interested in going out," I said.

"Maria went last time. The twins are too small. Everybody knows that Marion only wants to see Melody," he said, looking at my brother.

"Seriously, Papa?" Marion said, putting his head down in embarrassment.

"Melody is Marion's girlfriend. They will soon get engaged to be married. He is head over heels for her, and I know he loves her genuinely," I thought.

"Michael hasn't gone out alone with me in years. Today is a good day for that," Papa said.

"It's not like I have a choice," I said, mumbling under my breath.

"Get ready; we leave in an hour," Papa said.

"Okay," I said, and I went to my room.

I got into my bathroom and had a shower.

I looked for a suitable attire to wear.

I walked into my closet, which literally is so big. I haven't set my eyes on some clothes in years.

I opted for blue combat trousers, a black body-hugging shirt, and an overall blue leather jacket.

I gently placed on my neck the necklace my sister gave me before she died. It is shaped like a full moon, white in color-my favorite. She used to have the other half until she died.

I waited until my dad said he was ready, and we both walked outside to the car garage. He picked a key from the key rack. He wasn't even sure which car owned which key.

The sound of a blue car ran through my ears.

"Yeah, this is the one," Papa said.

"Are you sure you want this car?" I asked.

"Don't worry; you'll find out soon enough," he said, and we both hopped into the car.

We drove through the streets of Scotland, and where we stopped made my heart sink.

A desert in the heart of Scotland.

WRITER'S NOTE :

This is a sneek peek on Ethan's and Ashley's life. Everybody as issues of their own nobody is perfect among all off them. This is just a tip of the iceberg. What do you think Michael's dad wants to tell him.

QOTD : What do you like about yourself.

I like the fact that I can speak confidently in crowd and I'm proud of it. Allah as given me that blessing.

Feel free to vote and comment.

PEACE.✌️✌️✌️✌️