The Queen of the Underworld

Chapter 18

"Akira," Pops' voice brought me out of my own thoughts. When I looked over at him, he was smiling gently at me. "You seem happy today," I chuckled and went back to stocking the shelves. "Did something happen?" I shrugged at him, trying to avoid telling him what exactly happened. He left the conversation alone and let me be. 

" 'Sup, f***er," Kenny came in the shop with a smile. I laughed at his entrance; he always does that. Rio and Kei attacked me in a hug.

"We missed our best friend!" Kei said, hugging me tightly. I felt discomfort where there were bruises under my clothing, but didn't make it obvious because I didn't want to be questioned. 

"You saw me two days ago," I said quietly as they let me go.

"Yeah, but we still miss you all the time." Rio shrugged and started to grab snacks after making Pops take a twenty. "So, what are the plans for today?" He asked as he ripped into a bag of candy. 

"Go home and sleep?" They gave me a look, making me sigh. "Go home and sleep while you two play the game console?" I tried again, and he nodded. So, we all switched to going to the condo instead of our old house. Vincent doesn't seem to mind at least.

"Well," Kenny interjected. "We have to make a quick stop before I drive you guys to her place." When we pulled up to a place I didn't know, I felt uneasy. "Relax," Kenny sighed and parked the car. "You'll like who we see."

We all walked quietly into the house. I stood behind Kei as we followed Kenny. He pushed open a set of doors and made his grand entrance. 

"Kenny, don't be rude," I whisper shouted at him, making him laugh. When I looked to see who was in the room, I was shocked to find Vincent and his father. Vincent looked at Kenny in shock. 

"Are you stupid?" Vincent snapped at Kenny, making me flinch. "I thought I told you not to bring her here yet." I watched him in confusion. My heart rate picked up, as did my feeling of anxiousness. He didn't want me where? And why didn't he?

"Well, I listen to mom first." Oh, Vincent's mom. Oh, no. Wait!

"So she did put you up to it?" Vincent's dad said quietly with a sigh. I don't like other women, not after Amber. I heard the sound of heels, making me move away from the doors. I watched a beautiful woman enter the office who was wearing a gentle smile. I felt immediate panic start to circulate my body. I felt my body begin to tremble, making Kenny look at me in confusion. Kei and Rio looked at me and sent me a look to calm down. 

"Hello," Her voice didn't hold contempt. "I'm Carmen, Vincent's mom." Her voice was gentle, as was her appearance. "You two must be Ronan and Kieran." She held out a hand to the two boys who shook her hand politely. "I hear a lot about you from Kenneth and Chance." The boys nodded once at her.