Chapter 42 Chaos Stirring
Lana’s Point of View
I bought the twins some ice cream, and they insisted on not eating, deciding to settle for some snacks instead.
Father still sent me some weekly money, even though I didn’t listen to him, and went to my present school, so I could tell that he wasn’t really mad at me. Although I didn’t need the money, because the school provided us with everything that we needed, there was food, refreshment, snacks, stationery, and anything at all.
I almost didn’t need to spend my money, so I just saved it instead; and on the other hand, thanks to the money, I could take the twins out on dates like this.
“So, how is the school? Is it like the normal school?” Liam asked curiously, and I just stared at both of them, unable to decipher which was which, but I could recognize them from the way they spoke. Liam talks very fast and in an unserious way. Leon, on the other hand, is a bit more laid back and slow. “Are the boys being nice to you?”
“Not really, but I made a few friends.” I answered, “Like the boy competing in the competition, he is also my friend.”
“Really? I didn’t pay much attention to the contestants.” His eyebrows jumped in excitement, and I sat back, relaxing in my seat.
“I saw him,” Leon finally joined the conversation. He had been more focused on the ice cream instead. “He was wearing the same uniform as you.”
I winked. “Correct.”
“They must be pretty cool then,” Liam said, clearly impressed.
“I guess.” I picked up the glass of orange juice in front of me. “What about mom and dad?”
The tension became thick, and their expression shifted—it’s the kind of look a bride who just got the message that her groom was nowhere to be found would have.
They both glanced at each other, as if they were trying to send a message through telepathy.
“What is going on?” My curiosity was piqued when I noticed the awkwardness didn’t seem playful. Leon was glaring at Liam.
“Don’t.” He warned. “Dad told us not to.”
“Not to what?” I leaned in further.
“Dad told us not to tell you,” Liam snapped. “But things are pretty bad for us now.”
“Liam!”
“Let him speak,” I warned Leon. “Tell me what is going on.”
“Mom’s not improving, and presently, Dad is financially exhausted, and in fact, we recently found out that he has incurred a lot of debt.” I moved closer.
“What?”
“Loan sharks came by the house a few weeks ago, and they beat him up really bad.”
My jaw hung open, my heart slammed hard against my ribcage, and my eyes darted towards Leon. He was the more serious one. I was waiting for him to cut Liam in half and tell me that it was a joke.
But he maintained that serious gaze on his face.
“Leon, they beat dad up?” I asked in horror.
“Not only that, they threatened to come back and beat us up too if he doesn’t pay the money he owed them,” He continued, “And to make matters worse, they will take over the house, because he used it as collateral.”
“Why didn’t anyone tell me about this?” I asked curiously. “And do you know why he borrowed such an outrageous amount of money?”
They all quieted, unwilling to say another word, but then I knew.
“He exhausted his retirement money? And now he is securing loans to keep paying for mom’s medicals?” The twin’s face sunk in, and I let out a bitter chuckle. “And now he is going to make us homeless just because he refused to let that woman die?”
“Lana—” Leon muttered, but I interrupted him sharply.
“I told you not to call me that.” I ran my fingers through my hair. “So, what’s going to happen when they come to take the house? Does he have something planned, and what’s with that money he keeps sending me weekly? Is it for me not to be suspicious of him?”
“I don’t know why he did that, but I think you should calm down.”
My chest tightened as I tried to get the image of my little brothers being roughed up by some thugs out of my mind. I shook my head, trying to get the disturbing image out of my head, and I sucked in a deep breath.
Trying to be calm and rational, I cannot lose my cool in front of my younger brothers.
“I never should have come to this school,” I muttered, blinking back the tears that stirred in my eyes. “If I were at home, then none of this should have happened.”
“No, dad didn’t want you to worry about us.” Leon started. “You can’t give up on school now that you have gotten this far. In two months, you will be out, and all that is left is for you to go to college.”
“College?” I asked, my vision blurry due to all the tears, but I stubbornly refused to cry them. “Do you think there would be any college for me to go to if we end up homeless?”
The table became silent.
“Dad promised to get everything under control,” Leon answered. “You have to trust him and have faith in him.”
I sucked in a deep breath. I won’t make any promises to them, but as soon as I notice things are not changing, I might not have any other choice but to drop out of school.
“Please, promise you won’t tell Dad about this,” Liam begged. “He made us swear to him that we won’t tell you anything.”
I stood rigidly still; I intended to call father as soon as the twins left to tell him a piece of my mind.
I forced a smile on my face as I cupped his rounded cheeks.
“Get on the bus.” I urged him. “You have to promise.” Leon insisted, seems like he was on the side of his twin, and I just sighed.
“Fine. I promise.”
They climbed onto the bus. My lips trembled, but I held it together. I couldn’t break down here.
“Ah!” I gasped as someone suddenly grabbed my arm. I spun around — and met a pair of striking blue eyes.
“Christian? What are you doing here?”