Boss
Keifer's POV
"There's Boss!" Percy shouted, pointing at the group of guys caught in a fight.
He was referring to Angelo. I don't even know where that nickname came from, but it all started when he saved us from a gang war... again.
But honestly, I only call him "Boss" when I need something from him.
"Should we help him?" Yuri asked.
"No need. Big bro can handle that," Aries said.
I looked back at Angelo. That's what he calls "handling it"? He's already wheezing in that fight.
"Let's go... My fists are itching to punch someone," I told them as I jumped into the fight.
They followed right after me. We were basically fighting for no reason. We already knew how to throw punches, but I guess that's not enough.
"What the hell are you doing here?!" he shouted at us.
"Joining your fight!" Percy answered.
"What the fuck?! Go home, all of you!" he ordered.
We ignored him and kept fighting alongside him. This had become my life outside the house. I preferred this than staying home and seeing his face.
"Ow! That hurts!" Percy and Aries screamed.
Angelo was pulling their sideburns like crazy. As usual, he was scolding us again for joining his fight. Since Percy and Aries were the ones who dragged us into this, they got scolded first.
"You're all so stubborn!" Angelo yelled at them.
He then turned to me and Yuri, and we quickly looked away. Not because I was scared... well, maybe a little—
Shit!
"Why do you have to hit people like that?!"
I looked at Yuri who was also rubbing the back of his head. He was fast. Just a second ago, he was yelling at Percy and Aries—now he was already behind us.
"I already told you! You won't gain anything from getting into fights! Focus on your studies!" he lectured us.
Tss...
I didn't want to study. I preferred the streets, where I learned to fight.
"We can fight and still study at the same time!" Percy yelled, earning a deadly glare.
Angelo was about to say something when a phone rang. We all checked our phones, but only one person answered.
"Hello?" Percy said sweetly. "How are you, my love?"
My love?
"Make sure you eat properly, okay? And stay away from your guy classmates. I swear, I'll cripple them!"
We all raised our eyebrows at him while he spoke.
Disgusting.
This was the first time I'd ever heard Percy talk like that.
"Take care! I love you! Ahihi~" he said before ending the call.
He was smiling like an idiot while staring at his phone. He looked so weird. I never thought he'd be like that when he got a girlfriend. It made me not want one if that's how I'd act too.
"You have a girlfriend?" Aries asked.
Percy looked at him seriously. "Sorry, bro..." He even placed a hand on his shoulder. "We really don't have a chance. I like girls."
Aries responded with a strong smack to his head. "Idiot! I don't like you! And I'm not gay!"
We just shook our heads. Percy's antics were getting worse.
Then, another phone rang. This time, it was mine.
"Hello?"
"You need to go home... Now."
It was Keigan.
He didn't wait for a response and just hung up. But somehow, I already knew it was about Mom and that man.
I rushed home and went straight to my mom's room. I wasn't even that close yet, but I could already hear the loud yelling and things being broken.
My heart was pounding. I was nervous and scared—for Mom.
I ran and opened the door.
"I TOLD YOU! THAT'S MY MONEY!" he screamed while holding Mom by the hair. Her lip was bruised and bleeding. I couldn't hold it in anymore—I charged at him and shoved him with all my strength.
He let go of Mom—but now, I was his new target. He slapped me hard.
Damn it!
"YOU TOO?!" he yelled at me.
"K-Kaizer... Don't hurt Keifer!" Mom cried.
That only made me angrier. I didn't want to see her crying again.
Not again, Mom...
"WHO CARES?! GIVE ME BACK MY MONEY!"
"That's not yours. It's for the kids! You know that!" Mom said.
Money again! Is that all that matters to him? Is that why he hurts us? Just because of that? Why is he like this?!
"You're so greedy!" I managed to shout as I stood up.
"What did you say?!" He gave me a death glare. "WHAT DID YOU SAY?!"
"You're—"
I couldn't finish my sentence.
A punch landed hard on my face. I fell down and felt dizzy. My jaw went numb from the impact.
"KEIFER!" Mom screamed. "Kaizer! Please, have mercy on your son!"
"Stay out of this! I've had enough of this kid!"
I tried to get up, but my whole body was shaking. Then he kicked me in the stomach. I almost threw up from the pain.
"Argh!"
"Kaizer! That's enough!"
Another kick. Then another. I couldn't even block it anymore—I was too weak.
"You're just my son! Acting like you're someone special! What are you so proud of?!" he said, still beating me.
This is it! This was the moment I had prepared for all those times I joined street fights—so I could protect Mom from him.
But why can't I do anything now? All I could do was take his kicks.
Suddenly, I heard something break. And he stopped.
I looked up—he was clutching his head and falling down.
Mom!
She came to help me, trying to lift me. "Get out of here! I'll handle your dad!"
"N-no! I don't want to, Mom! I won't leave you!"
"Go!"
"No—MOM!!!"
I screamed, my voice cracking.
He had grabbed her hair again. He looked furious.
I tried to stand, but my body was trembling from the beating.
"I'm so tired of you, woman!" he said and slammed her head against the wall.
"NO!!"
He did it again. And again. Until she suddenly collapsed.
Her eyes were open—staring at me.
"M-mom..." I called out to her.
There was no response. I couldn't stand, so I crawled to her.
My heart pounded faster with each second. Please, no...
As I got closer, I saw tears falling from her eyes.
I held her face. "Mom... Please... Answer me."
Blood dripped from her nose. I panicked and shook her, hoping she was just unconscious.
"Mom! Please!"
But she didn't answer. My tears began to fall uncontrollably.
It was my fault.
They said she died from falling down the stairs... The stupidest excuse for a death—especially for Mom.
And that monster made everyone believe it.
The police. The doctors. They ruled it internal hemorrhage.
That's what killed her. But I know—I failed to protect her.
"Kuya... Where is Mom?" Keiren asked me. That was the most painful question I'd ever heard from him. He's asked me a few times already, but I could never give him a real answer.
"She's in a better place now," Keigan said, forcing a smile.
This was all too hard for me. Too painful.
"Keifer..." someone called me. It was Aries with Angelo and their mom.
"I'm sorry about what happened to your mom. If you need anything, we're always here for you," his mom said.
I forced a smile and nodded. "Thank you."
Next came Percy's family. His mom was carrying his one-year-old baby sister, and beside her was his stepbrother Felix.
"Bro..." Percy said, tapping my arm. "Only funeral I've been to that served salad."
Facepalm.
He immediately got smacked hard by Felix. "This isn't the time to joke!"
If they weren't my friends, I would've kicked them out myself.
"Please excuse him," his mom said.
"It's okay, ma'am. I'm used to it."
They left. Then Yuri's family arrived. Yoichi immediately hugged Keiren.
"I'm always here for you, Keiren," he said.
Keiren, still confused, tried to push him away—but Yoichi wouldn't let go.
"If you need help with your brothers, we're here for you," Tita Yakito said.
"Thank you."
Then I noticed a man who had just arrived. He didn't look familiar like the others. He was carrying a briefcase, and he looked like he was searching for someone.
I excused myself from Yuri's family and approached the man.
Just as I got close, the monster came near too.
"Mr. Brian Ryder..." he said. "You're early. I was expecting you next week."
The man—Brian Ryder—looked at him. "I need to speak with your son. Urgently."
Son? Was he talking about... me?
"I understand... This way," he said, gesturing, but Brian didn't move.
He looked at me. "I need to speak to your son..." Then turned back to the man.
"...Only."
W-why me?!