Pieces

Chapter Six

I was almost done with my shift and he has been taking it easy on me this time. It has been awfully suspicious, he could just have been busy with other work lately or something. I was about to get my pay when I was stopped by my manager. Uh oh, please don't tell me he remembered....

"Don't think I would forget about your punishment~" he cooed. I froze, refusing to look at him. He held my chin up with a cold look on his face, "Look at me when I'm talking to you!" I shuddered to the cold touch of his hands. "I-I'm sorry, Sir. I w-won't do it again, Sir." I whimpered. He chuckled, patting my back. "Hahaha, I was just kidding. Here's your pay, you earned it son." I hesitantly thanked him. I'm no longer scared, right now, I'm furious. I am no one's son, not now, not ever.

I was about to head off but then was greeted by a painful sting at my back. I turned around, to see him smiling innocently. I looked at him wearily, expecting another blow. It didn't came.
He handed me a small note before waving goodbye. I nodded then waved back.

That could've been better, it was an accident. I didn't mean to mess up the order, at least he was fair with my punishment. I sighed, rubbing my back. Kyo is definitely going to kill me if he found out I worked there again. That place is a fine establishment and all, but the staff don't exactly get the same treatment as the customers there. Which is why the only staff there are his family members or relatives of some kind.

I barely made it out the last time, and that time Kyo saved me. Ouch, my back is killing me. It stung at first but now the pain is unbearable. I better go and get something to ease the pain down, it's probably at home. Well, I better get there before Hana or Kyo comes home.
No, I need to send the money to my aunt first.

"Finally, what took you so long. I have been waiting almost all day, it's rude to keep a lady waiting. Hmph, well what can you expect from the son of a failing mother..." she yapped. I'm pretty sure she was saying other things about disappointing her, yada yada yada. I can't be bothered to listen till that point, mostly because I've heard this song and dance before.

Man, I'm exhausted. I groggily walked home and dived headfirst on the living room floor. The lack of sleep and painful back really did me in. Speaking of which, I haven't treated that injury properly yet. I tried to get up but failed, groaning back to the cold wooden floor.

"Uh, what are you doing?" I looked up to see Kyo and Hana. They seemed to be bothered by something. "Nothing, just taking a nap. What is with that look? Is there anything wrong with a man trying to sleep?" I remarked. Hana was silent and just walked pass. Oh no, did I upset her? I must apologise immediately.

I stood up, ignoring the terrible pain. I walked past Kyo, who is just standing there as if thinking about something. I'll have to worry about that later, I opened Hana's bedroom door. She is mesmerised by something she is holding. I looked over her shoulder to see a painting of the ocean we went for a holiday when we were little.

"She painted this and I helped to pick the colours. She told me I have always had good taste in seeing the big picture. Like the whole world is my canvas, and the colours are roads we choose to take on. I wonder if what she said was true..." she murmured. I just stood there, trying to take in what she said. Is she talking about mother? She stared at me with a longing look on her face. I then apologised for my disgusting behaviour, trying to hold back the pain on my back and the swelling in my throat.

She brightens up, "I'm not upset, I was just startled is all. You really had me there, bro. For a moment, you looked exactly like..." she trailed off. I waited patiently, expecting her to continue but she just looked at me and smiled. "If you excuse me, dear brother of mine, my gaggle of friends awaits me in the mechanical carriage to do our shopping of the clothes and other junk. Welp, see ya later!"

I chuckled as I waved her off, seeing a bunch of girls in a neon car. That must be her friends, hahah, some car. She smiled at me sweetly before looking back to her friends. Well now, I'm going to take this opportunity to have a discussion with Kyo. I may be going off to what we agreed but there won't be another opportunity like this.

If I'm not mistaken, Kyo is in his room because I heard our bedroom door click when I was in Hana's room. I entered the bedroom to see it dark and empty. Funny, I could've sworn Kyo was in here. Maybe he's outside. As I turned to leave, Kyo stood in front the door with his arms crossed. He looks dead serious. "Uhm, Kyo. Is everything alright?" Kyo tensed and snickered. "Hmph, funny you asked when I should be the one asking that question." he snapped.

I slowly walked towards the door, only to be aggressively pushed back. "What is your problem!" I angrily said. He pinned me to the wall and gravely looked at me. "I told you to never go there again..." he growled. "I don't know what you're talking about," I lied. "Besides, you wouldn't understand." He narrowed his eyes then said, "What I understand that the guy could've fucking killed you! Don't play dumb with me, I found your little note on the floor. Now you're going to tell me where did that bastard hurt you and why did you go back to that godforsaken place, this time, I am getting my answers. Understood?"

I remained silent, looking away from his gaze. I could see it in his eyes, he's broken, no, crushed and frantically worried about me. I feel guilt creeping across my body, even my back feels numb now. I didn't want him to know, not like this. I turn to look at him again, only to see Kyo's body shaking. He then lunged towards me, as if to hold me down again but instead was met with a hug. His body is shaking less now as I embraced his hug. He brushes my hair, playing it around for a bit. I just stood there, unable to comprehend what just happened.

Then I heard him spoke after some long silence. "I-I'm sorry, i-it's just you made me r-really fucking worried." he stammered. I broke the long hug and stare at him, he stares at me as well with a big smile on his face. I grinned, "Kyo....?" I asked. "Yes?" he inquired. I then kissed his cheek and said with a sly smile, "Watch your tongue, young man." He stares at me dumbfounded, his face turning crimson red. I laughed at his reaction, only to make his face redder.
Man, is he adorable.