Painful Smiles

Michael was so right. His father began showing him off and introducing him to the principal and teachers as his son.

Like it was a normal ritual. The teachers acted more by bowing and chanting “I respect you sir” and “I admire you sir”. Being petty all the time.

“Have you met with Clara? Hope you haven’t told her your identity?” his father said in hushes when the teacher gave him some space.

He nodded only as another teacher strikes a conversation with his dad. He hoped his father would just leave so he’ll hurry and settle the problem with Claudia.

He saw some juniors running around with a mop and a bucket cheering about something. “How could someone kill a cat and spill its blood all over?” a girl amongst them had cried.

The rest shook their head and kept of rushing towards the hallway near the garden. He wanted to run after them but held himself. Perhaps Claudia was covering everything up.

But the reason why still bothered him very much. He hung his head in shame for his actions all through his father’s visit.

“Made friends already?” his father enquired as they walked to their car. “No friends yet. They are all too careful with me” he answered.

He slammed the door shut and gritted his teeth as memories of blood tricking down Claudia’s wrist tormented him.

Wright watched him from the school building as he got into his father’s car and drove off.

“Fine” he sighed and returned to take Claudia to her home.

Unfortunately that day, the Larabee’s driver couldn’t pick them up and Wright had to take a taxi to drop Claudia at home.

Mrs. Larabee’s mouth dropped when she saw her daughter being supported by someone into the house.

Mr. Larabee glared at the bandaged hand of his daughter and his mouth fell as well. Claudia smiled at her mother faintly to calm her down as Wright dropped her slowly on the sofa.

“Where’s Clara?” Mr. Larabee yelled at Claudia. She looked up at him in surprise. Was he asking about Clara when she was in that situation. Why couldn’t he bother about her first?

“Excuse me, please, but did her wound reopen?” her mother asked Wright. He nodded and handed her some drugs and bandage he had bought for Claudia.

“The drug’s prescription is in the packet, ma’am. I’m sorry to bother you. She had taken for today already” he bowed and began leaving.

“You didn’t answer me Claudia. Where’s your younger sister Clara?” her father yelled again.

Wright turned to him and a glare was shot at Mr. Larabee. The man made it seem like Clara acted like a younger sister to Claudia. Or was Clara more respectful at home?

“Honey, you know Clara and Claudia don’t come together. Why are you asking about her when we have Claudia injured here?” Mrs. Larabee patted her husband, speaking calmly.

Claudia was grateful to her mother for stepping up for her, for once. But her father’s next action surprised her to her bone.

Despite her mother’s admonition to cater for Claudia as she was visibly injured, Mr. Larabee picked his keys from the table and dashed to go and find Clara.

Mrs. Larabee couldn’t even protest before he ran past.

“We need to take Claudia to the hospital!” she shouted after her husband.

Wright looked away from Claudia as he saw her crying. He could cry too.

Was this what she saw at home? No wonder she was ill-tempered and had a weird way of showing love or concern.

Claudia wiped her tears and went to her room. “Thank you, dear. Can I get your name?” Mrs. Larabee massaged her throat after her shouting.

“Wright, my name is Wright ma’am. Don’t bother, Claudia had had medical attention already” he told her.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

When he finally was outside their gate he looked back at the house and shook his head. Mr. Larabee looked like the father of Clara but definitely not the father of Claudia.

As he walked down, a little boy bumped into him. “Hey, sorry sir” he screamed and continued running. Wright didn’t need a prophet to tell him it was Claudia’s brother because he had seen him once before.

“Why was the boy coming home alone? Didn’t I call Clara and tell her to drop him?” Wright began questioning himself.

Clara was just too unworthy of anything. She would even risk her little brother’s safety.

Memories of Claudia’s tickling blood and the thought of Michael being fully responsible clouded Wright’s remaining thoughts.

For the sake of all the drama that had happened to him for a day, he needed a good sleep.

******

Mrs. Peniel noticed Michael was quiet as they ate dinner. “Another man is on the run. Be careful at your school. He may foolishly come after you, okay?” Mr. Louis said while eating. Michael looked up at him for the first time. What man was his father talking about?

“A rebel. One of Shark’s mafia boys. Be careful” his father answered his look. Mrs. Peniel attempted standing from her table but sank back slowly.

“And why does it concern Michael. He doesn’t handle the hidden business of Bleu Cristal. Only the company not your illegal deals. Why should a rogue mafia be after him?”.

Her face was reddening. All the things she had been forced to swallow, all the dark and shady things she was asked to overlook, she wouldn’t let the innocent Michael be dragged into it.

Mr. Louis didn’t even bother react to her rants. Michael stayed quiet too. If Mrs. Peniel knew he was more involved in his father’s mafia business than he told her, she would cut his head off.

“He would need security in his school then? You have t arrange someone to follow him about” she suggested.

Michael shook his head, “No need. I want a normal life. I need no waiting slave. I’m not a baby”. He glanced at his after for a reaction but he still didn’t give anything.

“Don’t say that.. You need a..”

“I’ve arranged a body guard for you already. That was what I talked to your teachers and principal about” his father interrupted Mrs. Peniel. She frowned at him but still nodded in affirmation.

Michael angrily left the table. A normal life was far from his reach.