The Undercover Bad Boy

Chapter Twenty Four - His Family

Chapter Twenty Four - His Family

The tension that had built up prior to entering Zach's house all disappeared in a matter of seconds.

How? I hear you ask.

Well, I managed to trip over the front step and fall face-first into the carpet.

That deserves a serious round of applause.
Zach tried to hide his amusement as he stood at my side but failed, resulting in him exploding into a fit of laughter while I clambered back onto my feet and dusted myself off. In the process of tripping up, I also knocked over a heavy umbrella stand which made a lot of noise when it hit the floor.

"Zachary," a startled voice called out from another room. "Is that you?" I heard a series of fast footsteps before the door at the end of the hall opened.

A woman, bearing a striking resemblance to Zach, blinked at the pair of us. Her dark hair was a mess. It was as if she had been running her hands through it constantly. She looked stressed, frightened and worried, but as she laid her eyes on Zach, there was evident relief on her face.

"Zachary, you're here," she said.

She took a hesitant step towards us. She scanned over her son, taking in every detail as if she was afraid that he would disappear. After a minute, she turned her probing gaze to me and then to our intertwined hands with a questioning expression.

Zach's mother took a few more steps before embracing him with a tight hug. Instinctively, I released the grip of our hands and directed my gaze somewhere else.

"Don't ever do that again, Zachary," I heard her say.
He remained rigid in her grasp, immediately becoming emotionless and distant.

"You shouldn't have run away like that. I've been worried sick - I'm sorry. I really am. We didn't mean what we said to you that night. A lot had happened," she rushed to apologise.

"Of course," he said bitterly.

She pulled away from him. Her face contorted into a sour expression. "Look, it's perfectly fine for you to be angry, but that doesn't mean you can just walk out of our house like that. We could have got the police involved to find you."

A girl, maybe two or three years younger than me, peered down at the scene from the stairs. She was probably Zach's sister. She made eye contact with me and pressed a finger to her lips, indicating for me to keep quiet. I gave her a small nod and then she continued to hide behind the banister.

"Yes, you could have got the police involved. But you didn't. I obviously wasn't important enough to you," countered Zach. He was becoming angrier by the second. I couldn't help but think that he was being slightly unfair on his mother's behalf, but what did I know?

"How long did it take for you to realise I had ran away? Three days? Four?"

"Don't give me that attitude," she snapped at him.

"Even after all the problems you give us, you're lucky that your father and I still let you live with us. We should have kicked you out ages ago. You belong with your brother-"

I heard the girl - his sister - gasp loudly.

Mrs Edwards sprung upwards in shock. She turned around to face her daughter. Her expression softened immediately. "Melisa, you shouldn't be listening, go back upstairs," her tone was almost soothing.

"You don't mean that," the girl persisted desperately. "You shouldn't have said that, Mum."

"Upstairs."

"But-"

"Now," she said, sterner this time.

Melisa scowled at her before she trudged away. This was followed by the loud slam of the door which made the house shudder slightly.