Chapter 4

The sound of me pressing buttons on my controller synced with the audio of the game I was playing on the telly.

To put it simply, I did not get any sleep last night. But that did not stop me from playing a few video games in my room.

My mother and father bought me an Xbox when I was twelve, so that's how I began playing video games. Though I do have a few bad habits while playing.

"DAMMIT!!" I yelled after losing and threw the controller across the room.

Such as throwing my things (mainly my controller) after losing. Because of this, I always end up breaking the gadgets I use for games and always have to buy new ones.

My allowance is hanging by a thread due to how much I spend.

"Bloody game..." I gritted my teeth.

When I was about to play a new game, I heard a knock on the door. "Who is it?" I asked.

"Hunter dear, it's Aunty Aiko. May I come in?" I heard the voice of my aunt.

I stayed silent for a few moments before answering, "Go ahead, Aunty."

The door slowly opened and stepped in a tall and beautiful ginger-haired woman in her late thirties.

"May I have a word with you, Hunter?" she asked.

I nodded as I turned off my game. "What's on your mind?"

"Look, I spoke to all our relatives and we all wanted to apologise that we were all pushing you into something you weren't ready for." Aunty Aiko genuinely apologized, making my eyes widen a bit. "All of us and especially I am sorry, dear. We weren't thinking about how you must have felt. You don't have to worry anymore. My brother wouldn't push you towards something you weren't ready for. We will find a proxy for you and you can take on the position yourself whenever you feel ready."

"Aunty..." I softly spoke.

"You know..." she continued as she sat next to me on my couch. "Your father always told me that even if you don't want to walk down the path set for you, he and Alice would still be dearly proud of you and everything you achieved."

She held my hand and looked into my eye. "You are an amazing young man, Hunter. You're talented, very intelligent, and the most loving brother I've ever seen. Never forget that and never doubt yourself. Please continue to love your sister with all your heart."

The way she described me nearly brought tears to my eyes.

"No need to ask me, Aunty." I smiled and squeezed her hand. "I already promised myself and Florence." I looked at the ground and continued, "And...thank you for understanding how I feel. I was thinking that Father and Mother would have been so disappointed in me if they knew I was refusing to take on what they left for me but after speaking to you, I think I feel much better about myself now."

My aunt smiled at me before pecking my forehead. "That's splendid to hear, sweetheart." she softly said. "If you and Florence need anything at all, you both can come to me."

"We will keep that in mind, Aunty."

After our short conversation, Aunty Aiko stood up and walked to the door. "Aunty!" I called after her, making my aunt stop and turn around. "There is...one thing I need."

"And what is that?"

I scratched the back of my neck as I awkwardly asked, "Can I...have a few extra pounds to buy a new controller...?"

Aunty frowned and answered no before walking out of the room.

I cursed under my breath, feeling so stupid that I thought she would say yes. Even Father and Mother made me save up on my own to buy my luxuries.

I sighed and stared at the black screen of the telly.

"That conversation pulled some weight off my chest, but...I still can't stop missing you both. No matter how I try to distract myself."

Despite how relieved I am to hear Aunty Aiko agreeing to find a proxy for me, I still feel empty, knowing that no matter how many good things happen to me, two crucial people will forever be missing from me.