Warning: Disturbing non-consensual moments.
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At that moment, I knew I was in trouble. I couldn't deny that I craved the same. Leo was someone I wanted to get closer to. My life was complete and utter chaos. But I really did want to be with him. I could hardly believe the offer the Kenaris had given me about living with them.
Leo seemed like he didn't want to pressure me. Mrs. Kenari also hadn't demanded an answer from me, which I was grateful for. When I got home, I had a lot to think about.
Wait, home!
I stood up with a loud gasp, and Leo rose to his feet, as well. How could I have been so stupid to have lost track of time? My arms wrapped around Leo in a good-bye hug that I also hoped would give me a boost of courage for what I needed to face. Though I had intended it to be a quick one, he held me tightly as if he didn't want to let me go. Feeling our bodies flushed together caused another warm blush to rise to my face.
But Leo let me go a moment before I said anything. His face was as sad as mine when he realized I had to part from him. I held a hand to his cheek. "Hey, I'll think seriously about your offer," I comforted despite feeling no comfort myself. "Pass on my thanks to your mom. I never did get to say I was sorry for running out on her yesterday."
"Then tell her yourself," Leo insisted. "It's yet another reason for you to come back to us."
"Okay, I will," I agreed before grabbing my things and heading home.
Not only was I late getting back home, but I had also forgotten to stop by the pizzeria to pick dinner up for my father. I had no idea what to expect when I walked through the door. But, the rising fear had me trembling again. Why was it that I felt like I could set off a landmine with every hesitant step?
"D-dad?"
I found my father in the kitchen with a random array of junk food torn open and strewn across the table. He was leaning back precariously in the chair, rocking on the back two pegs. When he caught sight of me, he rushed over, and the chair clattered onto the floor behind him. The sound made me flinch.
"Edlene, you've come back?" He drawled as he took hold of me by the arms. His eyes darted about, the pupils dilated. The last time I saw him like this, I thought he had been close to death and was talking to the ghost of my mother.
With a bit of research throughout the years, I realized that he was merely high off some sort of drug, likely Ketamine or some other kind of hallucinogen. When I was a kid, I felt heartbroken over how much he seemed to miss his wife, to the point of wanting to escape reality for a bit. As an older teen, I was angry that he hadn't chosen better ways of coping.
"I'm not Edlene," I countered through clenched teeth. "I'm your son, Momoiro."
"Momo…" The taller Takiwa shoved me back until I was slammed against the wall of the hallway. "You hid him from me, Edlene. Why?"
His words were partially slurred, but the forearm he pressed against my collarbone pinched so tightly that it hurt. I curled my hands around the limb and tried to tug it free without much success. My breathing hastened. Was I entering a panicked state? Now was not the time to hyperventilate!
I then felt the disturbing sensation of my father's hand sliding suggestively along my upper chest.
"What the- Dad! Stop it!" I cried out.
"Have you lost weight, Edlene?" He whispered as he leaned down to press a kiss to the crook of my neck. "Are you trying to leave me again? It doesn't matter. Clever of you to hide him in plain sight, but it's too late."
After a sharp tug, my father gave the side of my neck a vicious bite. "Stop!" I shrieked. With a strength I didn't know I possessed, I shoved him back with all my might. He stumbled back, lost his footing, and hit the back of his head against the wall.
I hadn't realized it was raining outside until I bolted out the front door. Fear, anger, and an invasive amount of sadness fought for dominance within me as I ran. Shame, guilt, and hesitancy followed when I reached the front steps of the Kenari household. My gasps of air didn't seem to be helping me get enough oxygen to my dizzy head.
The expression on Mrs. Kenari's face when she opened the door to a drenched, trembling teen was one I would never forget. Despite the initial surprise, she ushered me in and looked absolutely livid. I knew that none of it was aimed at me. That's why I was floored by it. She took one look at the bite on my neck and looked like she was ready to march right into hell on my behalf.
Was that what my own mother did? Had she taken me to Grandpa Genbu to keep me hidden, safe? Had she been trying to protect me?
In a state of shock, I took no notice of what the Kenaris were yelling back and forth to one another.
When they ushered me to sit down, I did it as if on automatic.
But, when I felt Leo drape the large, warm towel over me, that's when the floodgates were opened. I clung to him as I wept, unsure of when we had wrapped our arms around each other. My bawling was endless and ugly. Yet, the Kenaris remained right there beside me until the hiccups and sniffling subsided.
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