11. The Fault
1224 Words
I was still up in my bed at eleven o'clock in the evening. The teacher's remarks continued to reverberate in my mind. Austin was poor; he may have been surrounded by money, but the very thing he needed was denied to him, and I was referring to his mother 's care. It's no surprise that his eyes were chilly and gloomy. I understood it wasn't my job to feel sorry for him any more. In any case, I couldn't help but be affected by his situation.
What the hell would I do?
Part of me said I must stay away from their problems. But still, I found myself walking out of my room, aiming to speak with Natalia about Austin’s problem.
I was stepping down the stairs when I spotted Lydia in the living area. As usual, she was still in her office attire, her eyes fixed on the laptop resting on the coffee table. I walked towards her and faked a cough to get her attention.
She paused from typing and glanced up at me. “Yes?”
“Oh, sorry for interrupting you, Lydia. I just want to ask if Miss Natalia has arrived.”
She frowned. “Do you have any concerns regarding your benefits?”
“Oh, no. No.” I shook my head.
“Then why? If you are going to approach her, it should be really about something important.”
I stared at my feet and whispered, “I wanna talk to her about Austin. I believe the kid is an important topic too, right?”
Silence occupied. But after a couple of seconds, the door opened and the sound of heels clicking on the floor echoed across the room. When I turned around, I saw Natalia heading towards us. Her makeup still looked fresh, as if she had just been retouched. Her eyes, however, looked tired.
“Charley? Why are you still awake?” She asked, passing her coat to Lydia, but her sight remained focused on my face.
Her gaze was truly intimidating, I almost wanted to say, ‘nothing’ and spun around to shove myself back to my room. But on the other hand, I really wanted to bring up the issue about her son. I didn’t know what to expect or how she would take my concern. It’s now or never. This is my only chance before things get worse.
I took a deep breath before uttering, “It’s about Austin…”
She seemed caught off guard, but she raised her face. “Lydia, wait for me in the study room.”
The assistant nodded without asking anything. She gave me a warning look before proceeding to the room she was ordered to go to.
When I was alone with Natalia, she lounged on the sofa and began to massage her temples. “Did he do something terrible… again? By the way, have a seat.”
I looked at her amused as I took the settee across from her. So, was she aware of the child’s problems at school? Yet, she wasn’t doing anything.
“The teacher said, he hit his classmate and—”
“If this is only about Austin’s other problem, you don’t need to go directly to me. Lydia will call the school tomorrow and pay for the damage he caused… including the medical needs of her classmates. You don’t need to worry about what your teacher told you. I guess she was new to the class,” she said and sighed.
My mouth opened but no words came out at once. I couldn’t believe she just said that.
“Is that all, Charley? Because if you are no more to report, you can get to your room now.”
“Wait!” She was about to stand when I slammed my hands on the small center table. Goodness, I was surprised by what I did. But I really had no choice if that was the only way to get her attention.
She returned to her seat and raised a trimmed dark brow. “What is your problem?”
I shook my head. “Austin — he’s our problem, Miss Natalia. Everyone in school thinks that he’s a big bully. A threat to other kids.”
“Just like what I told you, Lydia will settle everything. Expect that when he attends school tomorrow, no one will bring up the issue. If this happens again, I’ll pay the amount they demand.”
I could feel my cheeks getting heated. And it seemed that my blood was starting to boil in irritation as well. I was hurt, not for me but for Austin. Oh, hell. I couldn’t believe I was hearing this. “You think this is all about money?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?”
“Forgive me, Miss Natalia, but as I perceived the situation, I think Austin was having trouble in school because of you. You are too focused on your company, your only child was left behind. That’s the reason why he’s rebelding. Poor Austin, he’s only seven but already troubled because he’s not getting any attention from you!”
Her hands balled into fists. They began to shake but she remained them resting on her lap. I was really expecting one of her hands to land on my cheek. But I don’t care a damn. She needed to know what I had in mind.
“You have no right to speak to me like that even though I owe you something,” she said in a low voice, gritting her teeth. “I can fire you on the spot if you continue to get into my personal business.”
“You can forget about what I did once. I don't even care if you kick me out of this house now,” I said, staring straight into her moist eyes. “But you can’t stop me from explaining what you don’t understand about Austin… about your son.”
“Do not lecture me about motherhood, Charley. You’re not even a mother in the first place!”
“You are right. But I know the feeling of being ignored and abandoned, as if I’m just a piece of rag. But, I realized I was luckier because I experienced Mom’s love before she died,” I said, my chest even getting tighter. “Austin still has his mother, but he feels unloved and alone.”
I had no idea where that strength to talk back came from. But the courage I displayed a while ago had turned to anguish. Great, Charley. Expect that tonight, you are sleeping on the street together with those homeless fellas.
Natalia was silent for a couple of seconds. Her face was blank but she was breathing really deep. What was she thinking now? Murdering me inside her mind?
I stooped down, staring at my feet. “S-sorry. I just—”
“Nooo!!!”
Both Natalia and I tensed when we heard a scream coming from Austin’s room.”
“W-what’s happening? Is… is that Austin?”
Natalia just stared at me, her eyes filled with terror.
“Leave me alone! Don’t kill me!”
“Holy sh*t! Austin!” I jumped off the couch. Natalia, on the other hand, was already racing towards the stairs. She was crying Austin’s name.
- Writer
