c h a p t e r – s i x

First thing in the morning, I was awaken by the sudden bright light that hit my sight as the figure of someone pushed aside the large curtains in my room that is covering the glass door that leads to the balcony. At first, I thought that the person in my room was Ace to bother me again on my sleep this early. But as my sight adjusted from the sudden bright light on my room, I've seen a figure of a woman, instead of a man. She was familiar, but my mind isn't functioning that well to process things. When she turned towards my direction after doing her thing with my curtains, I've realized that she was Mom in a very unusual outfit. She's wearing a formal blouse and skirt as if she was going to attend on a court hearing.

It was Mom; it was just Mom who's in my room. As the information sunk in my mind, I immediately pulled up my blanket to cover my lover body since I was just wearing my underwear and nothing more. It is very unusual for her to be here inside at this hour. Most of the time, she wasn't entering my room and just knocks on the door if she needed something. Mom giggled a bit on seeing how I reacted when I realized that she was here.

Most of the time, this is what I am wearing after taking a shower at night since I'm being comfortable on sleep with just it. Since I don't have to worry about someone would barge into my room, except for Ace.

"You don't need to do that, Son. I've been taking care of you since you we've a kid, why would you be shy now?" Mom said and I think it made me blush in embarrassment.

"Mom now's different from before." I countered while diverting my sight on the side. "By the way, why are you here? I mean, it is very unusual for you to be here inside unless you have something to do or say that is really necessary and urgent."

"I just wanted to check out on you…" She answered. "And I also wanted to watch you while you we're sleeping. You look very calm and I can't even imagine that you have suffered on things that worse." I think I blushed again in embarrassment as she said that she was watching me in state being almost fully naked. However, as she said those words, I've noticed that the tears from the corner of her eyes started forming.

"Seeing all these bruises on your body really hits me." Mom continued and her tears started pouring down her cheeks and her eyes became more swollen. I thought since last night, she has been crying excessively.

"I've never noticed before that you've been through things like this. I am really a terrible parent. I'm really sorry Alex. I'm really, really, sorry son." She's been crying a lot more this this and her cries became louder. Without minding how I look, I walked over her and gave her a very tight hug.

"Mom, please don't take all the blame because of what happened to me." I said with rubbing her back to comfort her. "You and dad are always the best parents ever mom, always remember that." When she calmed down and stopped from crying, I parted myself from her and held her on her shoulders.

"But—"

"No more buts Mom, just promise me you'll never blame yourself and doubt your parenting. Okay?" I said when she was about to shoot me another excuse.

"O-okay." She replied while stuttering and wiping her tears. "You better get yourself ready because Atty. Leones will be here this morning to discuss what we can do regarding what happened to you." So that explains why she's in that outfit. But we aren't going to the court today right?

"Is that really necessary to be this far and deal with it with a lawyer? I'm going to be okay mom." I said while walking towards my walk-in closet to have something to wear since walking around in my room like this with my Mom is really getting more awkward.

"Of course Alex, we'll never know if they are going to do that again to you. And I won't let it happen to you again." I heard mom saying from the room. "I'll be going son, see you downstairs for breakfast." Mom added then I heard the door clicking and closing. Since Mom already left, I decided that I should just take a shower first. I didn't reply and just continued walking towards the bathroom that is connected to the walk-in closet where I entered.

As I finished taking a bath, I started looking for something to wear while slowly falling into deep thoughts about what would happen later. I really think things will just became complicated if it would be taken to the court.

Suddenly, I heard my phone sounded notifying me that I got a message saving me from getting swallowed in deep thoughts. Until now, I'm still in my bath robe and haven't picked any clothes and the water on my hair is still dripping down my face. As I reached out my phone on the bedside table, I saw a message from Ace.

"I'll be going there to play the game I left yesterday whether you like it or not." He said in his message. I didn't bother giving him a reply since he already said whether I like it or not, he'll be going. As his messaged sunk in, I realized that he mentioned the game he handed yesterday. I tried remembering where I placed it yesterday since I'm really pre-occupied when I went back into my room after the talked last night, but then I disregarded the thought since I'm sure that it was just here in my room or anywhere inside the house. I just turned back to dress-up in the walk-in closet to get ready on meeting Atty. Leones and to have a breakfast.

As I went down to have my breakfast, the table is already arranged for everyone. Dad is already there browsing over his phone about something and when he noticed that I've arrived, he then turned it down and asked me to sit down to have the breakfast. I thought Atty. Leones was joining us in our meal but it turns out that she's not here yet.

The morning went well like the usual. The meal was great. We talked about some random things that come-up to our minds and even laugh on some jokes. Even before they knew what happened in me, we are mostly doing this to lighten up the mood and keep the negative energies away. That is what they say. But compared to before, I think they are bringing out more of doing it for me, which I really appreciated.

Like what is expected to happen, Atty. Leones has arrived to discuss the matter about what happened and what we can do for it.

I actually don't wanted for this to be this far but my parent really wanted to do something about this matter. Atty. Leones suggested to them that we can give them restraining order to everyone that is involved on what happened to me. But I insisted not to because it would just make things complicated.

"Mom, we really don't need to bring to court with this restraining order." I said when they still insist on filing a Civil Harassment Restraining Order. "This would really be a hassle for all of us attending the court hearing and the likes."

"Son, we don't mind the hassle as long as we can assure your safety." Mom countered.

"Why don't we first address this matter on the schools' organization, Mom? Since they are the primary responsible on ensuring the good environment for their students, and it all started in the school as well. Then they decide what punishment they would give to the others." I added while still hoping I would convince Mom on my point.

"Haven't you've done that already? And your request has been discarded because of their guidance counselor."

"Then we directly report this matter to the Headmaster of the school also for them to deal with the issue with their guidance counselor."

"Hon, Alex is right. This issue should be resolved primarily with the internal organization, and if they haven't handled it wisely, Atty. Leones will always be one call away to help us with this matter, right?" Dad said and asked Atty. Leones who is seating with us with her format and professional posture.

"Yes sir, I'll be helping you with it." Atty. Leones said while flashing her great smile with us.

"Okay fine, but if ever this thing happened again, I'll be going to beat you down to death Damien." Mom said as he let go of a sigh and glare at Dad. Atty. Leones and I haven't controlled ourselves on giggling as Dad flashed a shocked and frightened look on what Mom have said even though we all know that she was just kidding.