Chapter 20 : Time Before Disaster

The expression on Deandra's face, which was always difficult to define, was in contrast to the other faces seen in this room. Ivan who looked relieved, Devan who looked disturbed, and of course the most interesting thing of all was the look on the officers' faces after realizing who had just arrived.

The attention of the five men in uniform immediately shifted from the teenagers in the corner of the room. In the figure of a man who is still faithfully standing with his hands on his hips while showing off his signature smile.

He is Stevan Houston, or more often called Steve. A top class actor who has starred in so many serials and feature films.

One interesting fact about this forty-year-old man, which no one but him and the people concerned know about is the fact that he is the father of non-identical twins, Ivan Houston and Devan Houston.

"Papa late!"

An annoyed exclamation from one of his sons made Steve chuckle. Seeing his two sons still standing was enough to relieve him. At the same time, the sight of a bruise on the cheek of one of his sons was enough to make a trigger for this forty-year-old man.

"Your papa is a busy man, son. Even after this, Papa still has to go straight back to work."

With a light shrug, Steve tried to make Ivan understand. His gaze was fixed on Devan who looked coldly at him.

The situation changed so quickly, it was obvious that the old faces in the room were confused. Some of them even started to get nervous. Because none of the five of them knew that the teenagers they were threatening were the sons of a famous celebrity.

"Sir Steve? What do you need here all of a sudden?" filled with anxiety, one of the men in uniform started trying to be friendly.

"I'm just answering the summons. Just relax sir, no need to be so tense." In response, Steve gave an equally friendly smile.

He tapped once on the shoulder of one of the men who had greeted him. Then unrestrainedly, Steve stepped through the human wall that had been holding up since half an hour ago. Straight to his two sons, and one other teenager who he also considers like his own son.

"Sir, this child-"

"Yes. I already know more or less the situation. So let's just jump to the conclusion shall we? I'm busy here!"

Interrupting the men's words without hesitation. Even more interested in staring at the branded watch in his hand than staring at the other person.

From his demeanor and the words he spoke, anyone who saw him would know that Stevan Houston was occupying the highest position of the caste that everyone in this room had.

"Like I said earlier, you are indeed protected by law. In fact, I'm willing to help you get to court. You need a lawyer? Fund? Just say."

Even though the look on his face was disdainful, the words he spoke were reassuring. Wealth, position, this man has everything. Then of course it wouldn't be strange if everyone in this room felt like they could believe what he said.

Ivan is no exception. He, who only knew his father, looked surprised when he heard Steve's offer to the officers. Offering help to the enemy wasn't the reason he and Devan had summoned their father here.

"Papa-"

"Shhh… shut up and let him finish."

Ivan's brows knit together sharply. His protest against his father's attitude was restrained by Devan who quickly pulled his arm to step back. Now all they could see was Mr. Houston's broad back looking as if it were protecting them. Although what was spoken in the man's mouth was slightly different.

Slowly but surely, Ivan finally realized something. None of the uniformed men in front of them welcomed Steve's offer. Not only silent, some of the men were even seen hiding their faces by looking down or looking in other directions.

"Hm ... why are you silent? Didn't you guys get excited when you threatened high school kids? Said if they could be prosecuted, they could be jailed. I'm here to help you guys."

It had only been about five minutes since his presence, Steve was already the one person having the most fun in the room. Dean, who was just silent and watching, was left speechless by the way adults enjoy themselves.

"Oh ... I know this! Are you shy? You can already imagine, what if this case actually reaches court. What will this case be called? Maybe ... 'Five officials reported a high school student to court. Because he attacked and immobilized them, while his hands were still handcuffed behind his back.' That's good, right?"

Bingo! The worried expressions that seemed to be getting clearer from them, were enough to make Ivan understand that his father had been playing around all along. Because the man knew that none of these men in uniform, would actually take their case to court.

"Mr. Steve... please don't be like that okay? This matter can be discussed properly ...." Desperate, one of them tried to negotiate.

Unfortunately, they were a little too late. Because even with just a glance, Steve could still see the bruises on one of his sons' faces.

"Negotiations? You should have done that a long time ago. Instead of hurting my children."

His words, accompanied by a grin, put an end to this long debate. It was so easy that even Ivan and Devan were silenced by the power of their own father.

***

"You are lucky that your internal organs are fine. But the wounds on your face will take time to heal, and so will your fingernails. It will grow back in a week or two."

Deandra nodded his bandaged head. Plaster has also decorated some parts of his face. While the wound on his thumb has also been treated. Even so, the beautiful woman in front of him still couldn't get rid of the anxious glances at him.

"I've already contacted your mother. Steve had also explained the situation to them. So don't worry, go home and rest." Said the woman while touching Deandra's shoulder.

"Thank you Auntie."

Their brief visit to the hospital ended after Deandra managed to get medical treatment. Even though Ivan and Devan did get a bit of a scolding from their mother – who was none other than the doctor there, for coming in with facial injuries. All ends well.

A shiny white car moves through the busy highway. Too many lives for the driver to worry about, making this forty-year-old man drive his expensive vehicle with such care.

Occasionally he would glance in the rearview mirror, just to make sure all three passengers were okay. A smile spread across his handsome face when his gaze caught Deandra's figure sitting in the middle.

"He sleeps?"

"Apparently so." Ivan answered his father's question, while turning his head and watching the face of the young man by his side.

Steve's smile didn't fade. Even though he had returned his focus to the road.

"Leave him be, he just had a long day."

Ivan just nodded. He also had no interest in disturbing Deandra's slumber. Especially when the young man looks so comfortable.

After much debate and intimidation, in the end the matter ended up being negotiated. The officers let Deandra go and chose not to discuss this matter anymore.

"Thank goodness this is over. Right Dev?" Ivan flashed a relieved smile. Then turned twards Devan in the right corner.

" ... Yes"

Unfortunately, Devan was slow to respond to Ivan's words. Even the look on the young man's face did not look relieved. Devan actually looked like he had other things on his mind.

"What is it?" Ivan, who was sensitive to his twin's mood, asked.

" ... Nothing."

Devan turned his gaze out the window. While cradling his chin with his right hand, he tried to think about what to say next.

"I just have a strong feeling... that this problem won't just go away."

Ivan fell silent in confusion at his brother's words. Meanwhile in the driver's seat, Stevan listened intently to the conversation of his two sons.

"As always your intuition is strong, Devan." Stevan said in his mind.

Fifteen minutes passed, the white car parked itself in front of a simple house. Soon, they could see the occupants of the house coming out because they were provoked by the sound of the car engine.

Stevan went down first. While Devan chose to stay in the car, and Ivan tried to wake up the young man who was still sleeping next to him.

"Dean... Deandra, we've arrived."

A jolt to his shoulder managed to wake Dean up. After gathering enough awareness, he moved to catch up with Ivan who had already left. But for a moment Dean stopped. Just as he heard Devan's words sitting next to him.

"Good luck."

Deandra smiled sadly. His gaze for a moment was fixed on Devan who was sitting and leaning back while closing his eyes. He knew that Devan's words were not a good sign.

"Pray for me."

Right after saying that, Deandra actually got out of the car. Even though he hates to admit it, Deandra knows that Devan's intuition is never wrong.

Sure enough, right after he got out of the car, the gloomy look on the mother's face was what he saw first.

"Dean! Oh boy! Why could it be like this? Mr. Stevan, thank you very much for bringing my son home! Is the wound serious? How are Ivan and Devan?"

"Don't worry sir. Ivan and Devan are fine. Dean's wound is not that bad, my wife has also given medicine for Dean. Don't forget to tell your child to drink it."

Deandra could only be silent when his father groped his shoulders while saying a lot of gratitude and worried sentences. Meanwhile, this young man's gaze was fixed on a woman who had been unmoving while staring at him.

In contrast to his father who immediately came to him full of anxiety, his mother just stood still on the terrace. With hands folded in front of the chest, and eyes fixed straight on him.

Deandra felt like he was being skinned alive at this moment. It's difficult to express in words. But for some reason, Deandra felt that his mother was not on his side right now.

To be continued....