Can't - Mark Tuan Fan fic

22 - What Do I Do Now?

I wake up in the morning without even realizing I have slept in the living room, waiting for dad to come home. 

I quickly look at the time and groan. It's already ten in the morning. My dad would have left by now. 

I get up and head to the kitchen without thinking of washing up. My stomach is growling again. Lita, my nanny since I was young, notices me as I sit at the high chair on the island counter. 

"Your mom wants you to drop by the restaurant," she says as she prepares to cook something for me. 

I stretch one arm on the countertop and rest my head on it. I have a terrible headache and my body feels weaker than ever before. 

"So, what happened to you? Why did you come home all of a sudden? Didn't it work out for you there?" I know she's just concerned. But, I'm not in the mood to talk about Seoul right now. 

"Lita. What has been happening in the house while I was gone?" I ask her, sighing. "It seems like I've been kept in the dark for a long time."

"Sweetie," she looks at me and, even if I can't see her face, I know she is looking at me with pity in her eyes. "Is that why you're here? Because you're worried?"

I nod slowly, pouting. "We're losing the firm, aren't we?"

"I don't know, Cris. You know I can't possibly find out about those things."

I just sigh again. She's been with the family longer than I remember. She'd never snitch, especially on a sensitive topic like this one. 

"When did you know?" I ask her still. "Why didn't they tell me?"

She puts a plate of eggs and bacon on the table, patting my arm gently as she seats across from me. "You're too young to worry about those things, Cristina."

"What happens then?" I ask, more to myself. Trey told me during our talk yesterday, that the firm is losing partners. It's dropping the small firms that have associated themselves with the firm. And if the trend continues, we'd go bankrupt, if not sued. 

I suddenly regret going to Korea and quitting law school. It would be too late to go back now, wouldn't it? Even if I miraculously graduate in two years, there's nothing I can do. 

It's obvious Lara and her dad, plus Sean and his dad are in this together. But, there is no proof. It's a different story with Mr. Tuan though. But, does Mark know? Is he part of this, too? Could he have come to Korea to distract me? 

But, that just doesn't make sense. I saw him mope over Lara not going with us. But.....because of him, I became distant with Lara. 

What the heck. Why are there so many people involved in this? I thought I wouldn't have to worry about Mark for a while because I want to concentrate on this case. But, why does his father's name come up? 

Well...that's also one of the mysteries. Why would he risk his name when the two are safely hiding under different accounts?

"I need a phone, Lita." I say, pushing the half eaten plate towards her. 

"What are you planning again? Aren't you already in trouble?"

"If nobody in this fuckin' house doesn't tell me what's happening, then I would just need to find out for myself." I snap at her. 

Her eyes grow bigger at how I talk to her. "Watch your language young lady." 

"Just get me a damn phone." No one gives me any respect in this house. For the first time, I feel alone...isolated...out of place. Like I don't belong. I hate this feeling. I hate my dad for lying about Lara. I hate my mom for letting him. I hate Lita for not saying anything. I just hate everybody right now.