Shattered Illusions

Chapter 17 - Dance the night away

Allysa's POV:

I was really glad to see Alex have a breakthrough with his dad's death. I was proud of him for letting his emotions out and finally accepting it. There is nothing braver than that in the world. I hope Marcus is able to do that too.

We finally reach their home and saw Marcus sitting on the staircase with his head in his hands. I looked up at Alex holding an unreadable expression. "I promised him before that I will always be there for him. But lately, I have been feeling he is drifting away and getting lost. I don't know why though and it's making me feel utterly helpless." Alex muttered. I gave him a sympathetic look and urged him to go there and remind him that he is there. Alex nodded and we went to him.

Marcus slightly perked up on seeing us. He came and hugged me tightly. I was surprised, but I hugged him back with equal affection. He let out a sob. Alex rubbed his back. "What happened?" He asked Marcus. "I went inside to sort things out, but I couldn't. Everything reminds me of him, but when I try finding him, he is never there anymore. Alex, he is playing hide and seek with me again but I cannot find his hiding spot this time." His voice cracked and he fully broke out crying and sobbing. My eyes watered too listening to him. No one deserves to lose their parent at such a young age as he did. But it can't be helped. Alex wiped his eyes as his eyes filled with tears too. He was trying to stay strong for his younger brother. I admire their relationship so much. We just sat down there with him until he stopped crying. He doesn't need sweet words to be whispered to him right now, but he just needs some company letting him be himself.

After a while, he whispered as his throat hurt due to crying and screeching. "I'm sorry about that." I flicked my finger on his forehead. "Oww!" He glared at me. "Never be sorry for needing us or crying to us. Family is supposed to be there for each other in thick and thin, right?" He gave me a half smile and hugged me from the side kissing me on the temple. "Right." Alex smiled slightly on seeing us, glad for my positive relationship with his brother.

He brought out his father's letter from his pocket and gave it to Marcus. "I found his last words to us in his study room in the farmhouse." Marcus looked at it for a while and took it in his hands to read it. I got up and excused myself giving the brothers some space to discuss it among themselves. I got inside the house and looked around. It was so elegant and cosy. The decorations and colours gave it an aesthetic touch which was so calming to look at. And it was pretty clean. I guess unlike the farmhouse, Alex had decided to hire a regular staff to take care of this place. I remember him saying he cleared out this space before moving out, so maybe he kept it as the last memoir of his father.

I went inside in the kitchen to look for something that we could eat. Everyone is hungry since the morning doing all the work. I rummaged through the cupboards and found a packet of noodles, so I decided to cook it for everyone. I looked out the window of the kitchen to see that Alex and Marcus had come in the garden, hanging out around a tree and talking. They were laughing about something. I smiled on seeing them and continued cooking. It's been half an hour and the noodles were getting cold, so I decided to go call them.

When I reached the garden, I saw them arguing about something and Alex hit Marcus on the head. Marcus scowled and went to hit him back, but Alex ran away. Marcus started running behind him and just like that, they started playing and running to catch each other in the garden; reliving the moments of their childhood. I laughed and slapped my forehead. They can be such kids sometimes. Marcus suddenly tackled Alex on the ground and Alex groaned. They started fighting there, trying to get in a punch on the other. God, what do I do with them?! I went over there and hovered around them. "Enough of it, you two! Get inside the house." I yelled at them. They immediately ceased fighting and gave me a sheepish smile. Marcus saw noodles on the table and ran to serve a plate for himself. "Wash your hands first!" He groaned. "God, you sometimes act like our mom." I glared at him. "God, you sometimes act like you have never grown up." He rolled his eyes and went to do as he was told. I smiled triumphantly and Alex laughed.