Harieth Zarie Fedencio POV

Instead of three o'clock in the afternoon we left, it was twelve o'clock. Throughout the trip we were just quiet, I crouched down while periodically glancing at Ryker. His face was dark, and his mouth was murmuring something. He was constantly stroking and ruffling his hair, as if he was annoyed of something. I could also hear his weak moans and swearing. I just sighed.

A few hours later we reached the alley leading to our house. I got out of the car and waited for him to get off. Both sides of my eyes warmed up as he didn’t get off, instead he quickly drove the car away. I barely looked up at the setting sun and blinked. I ran into the house.

I don’t like the way I feel. Heavy, heavy on the chest.

When I got to my room, I fell on the bed. I cried because I was feeling so bad.

Is he mad at me? He said, he will buy me a new cellphone, not that I really want to accept, but he said those as a promise. Is he tired of me because he already got me? Did he think I was too young for him? Will I never see him again? Will he trade me for someone else?

At that thought, I cried even more. My brain thinks of many things.

I just think that he will have another woman soon, I feel heavier. It was as if someone was squeezing my heart, with the thought that I would never see him again and that he would exchange me for someone else, my heart was breaking.

I WOKE UP at noon. Fortunately, my older brother Kenie didn't knock or wake me last night. I don't know what to explain to him in case he sees my puffy eyes. I just sighed. I also kept a peek at my cellphone because Ryker might have called, but nothing, not even a blank.

What if I go to Ryker and apologize? But I did nothing wrong to him. But where can I find him? I didn't even know their house. It would be embarrassing if I asked Mayor Ariel.

I looked at the door when I heard a loud knock.

Who is that?

My lips parted, and my heart rejoiced at the thought of Ryker knocking. I opened the door with a smile but immediately disappeared when I saw two men with a big body, they looked like a bouncer at the bar, in the middle of them was a fat woman.

"W-what do you need?"

"Is Kenie Fedencio there?"

"Nothing, wh-" My lips parted in shock when they suddenly left. I called them but they walk fast.

I went into the bedroom and got dressed because I got wet on what I was wearing earlier while eating. The road is close to us, so I was able to get there easily. I even saw the men knocking on our door earlier. They got into a long van. When the comrades entered, they immediately pulled over their vehicle.

The strength of my chest pounding.

Why are they looking for my brother? Why are they so many?

My hand was numb, and my tears welled up.

I was crying to leave that place. I'm afraid of what might happen to my brother. I tried to call my brother kenie, but he didn't answer my calls, so I was even more worried about him.

I kept wiping the tears on my cheeks but nothing seemed to be happening because my tears kept falling. I was really scared. I can't stand if my older brother leaves me too.

"Zarie!"

I looked up when I was called by Aleng Merdie and blocked my way.

"Zarie, why are the police looking for your brother?"

I was surprised by her question. Police?

"Police?"

"Yeah, aren't those police? Aren't they? When there's a raid, those police always come here."

"I-I don't know."

"Oh no! Does your older brother have a case? Is he already on drugs? Has he lost his way too?"

My lips trembled. "That's not true! My brother is kind, and he doesn't do drugs." I am disgusted with Aleng Merdie's accusation. My brother can't do that.

She scratched her head so hard. "Eh, why are they looking for him? Aren't the police on those drugs?"

I can't answer because I don't know anything about that.

"Aleng Merdie, my brother is not doing anything wrong. He works with dignity. I know him well, and my brother will not do a bad thing if he knows he will be ruined, or I will be ruined."

I clinched my jaw while my eyebrows met as I left Aleng Merdie. She wanted to say something more, but I did not listen to her, instead I covered both of my ears and left in front of her.

My brother won't do anything bad!