We are [ENG]

Chapter 5: Smile

I struggled to carry my bags out as the security guard informed me that the mall was about to close. Earlier in the day, the place was bustling with people, but now it was practically deserted.

I pressed my lips together tightly, seething with anger. Who does he think he is, treating me like this? I was furious at him—at Phum—for making me sit and wait.

But what made me even angrier was myself, for being foolish enough to wait for him. Anger turned into frustration, and frustration made me want to throw everything I was holding. Just thinking that these things belonged to Phum made me want to stomp on them until they were destroyed, but I knew that if I did, he might just come after me and beat me up.

Sigh. In the end, is this really my life now, being under Phum's thumb? It's only the first day, and I'm already exhausted. How am I going to survive this? _

"On Nut, please," I told the taxi driver after I finally managed to drag both the shopping bags and myself into the car. Ugh, Phum isn't even here, yet he's still finding ways to mess with me.

"Wow, kid, you're pretty good at shopping for a guy," the taxi driver teased me with a smile through the rearview mirror.

"They're not mine, haha," I replied awkwardly.

"Oh, so they must be for your girlfriend," he assumed, nearly making me choke on my own spit.

Girlfriend?? Haha, definitely not. They're not mine, and they're not for my girlfriend either.

"You must really love her, huh? Buying all this and even taking it home for her. That's how it is when you're in a new relationship. Back when I was young and handsome like you, I used to do the same thing."

Handsome like me? Uh, well, not to toot my own horn, but the only thing we might have in common is our black eyes. I just gave him a weak smile, too tired to correct him.

I was exhausted and sleepy, and the taxi driver's cheerful mood was just too much. I wanted to nap so badly, but he kept chatting away. Despite my half-asleep state, I somehow managed to direct him to my house. I quickly paid and scrambled out of the taxi. Seriously, this guy should quit driving and become a stand-up comedian—he'd probably give the pros a run for their money.

"I'm home!" I called out softly as I entered.

At this hour, who else would be awake? Uncle Pui was probably asleep by 8 PM. I dragged myself upstairs, practically sleepwalking.

"Ahhh!" I jumped out of my skin when a green-faced ghost suddenly appeared from the bathroom. Any sleepiness I had vanished instantly.

"What's with the scream, my handsome nephew? It's just your lovely Aunt Pui." she said. I stared at the figure, not entirely sure it was human, with green mud smeared all over its face, leaving only the eyes visible. The mouth barely moved when it spoke, claiming to be my aunt.

"Really?" I still wasn't convinced.

"Of course it is! Don't act like you're scared of me. And where have you been, coming home so late? If your mom knew, she'd probably fly here and tear me apart," Aunt Pui said, trying to sound as feminine as possible.

By now, I'm sure you can guess which gender my aunt identifies with.

But it doesn't matter what or who Aunt Pui is; what matters is that she's a good person. A really good person. And just as quirky as she is kind. As for the details about my family, I'll save those for another time.

"I went out to eat with some friends." I replied.

Pui gave me a scrutinizing look. "And what's with all the stuff you're carrying?"