Down System

Chapter 50

ALEERA VERNIZE

I did not blink my eyes for some time, staring at the boy who was sitting in the dining area and eating with my mom and dad. So, they never bothered visiting me anymore in the room because of him? What the hell.

"Aleera, come here now," Daddy Perseus invited me to sit with them.

I remained silent until I reached their place. I gave them pleasantries before having my seat, as well as to the young boy who was there; if I didn't do so, Mom and Dad would surely get mad at me. I was not mad though, of his presence, just a bit confused about his purpose here.

"What are you doing here, Ferno?" I asked him for I could not hold it anymore. "It's so early. Who's with you?"

"No one, just me," he answered, still smiling at me. "I know your location because someone said it to me. I just want to visit you because I wasn't able to meet you yesterday on campus. I think I've missed my friend."

Before, he would stay away whenever I was there for him, but now he would come even without my permission. And, what? Just because he had missed me? It was a little weird how the world turned upside down, but it was the reality I had to face; however, I was thinking if the changes were natural or someone was just controlling things to fool me.

I took the glass of milk that was already prepared and drank a little before talking again. "You've really missed me that much?" I asked Ferno, folding my brow.

The young boy nodded. "You may think I'm lying, but it's true."

"I didn't say anything. But anyway, have you already presented yourself to my mom and dad?" I asked.

"Already done," Ferno answered. "Your parents were really kind. I don't still want to go because of them."

Mom and Dad chuckled.

"This boy is also amiable, Aleera," Mom said. "I remember you telling me of how he saved you from Keevan. That's very heroic, huh! Until now, I'm still loving it."

But, that was before. If only my parent knew how much he had changed, their perspectives towards him might have changed; if only they knew the truth behind Ferno, they would not think good of him. And if only I had the opportunity to tell them the future, I would but I knew they would not understand.

"Won't you go to the office, Mom and Dad?" I asked them, trying to change the topic.

"It's too early, sweetheart," Daddy Perseus replied. "Besides, we are enjoying talking to your friend. I can't believe he would walk this far just to see you at this point."

"A good friend indeed, right, honey?" Mommy Morrigan told him.

My father nodded his head, still showing a wide and shining beam. "How I wished I had a friend like him way back when I was in secondary," he said, and that was also the time that his smile faded.

Mommy hugged him and said. "What will you ask for for a wife who is a complete package?" she asked. "I'm a friend to you as well, okay? Don't you ever try to forget that!"

"I appreciate you, honey, but what I was telling was in high school. I have friends though, but that one you can call a best friend was hard to find."

"Well, that was true," Mommy frowned. "I can still remember when I was also in secondary, nothing was there between people but just competition. I was so over with the nonstop battle between the minds of the humans, but I can't do anything since it was the reality and I had to face it."

"People really like competing," Daddy sighed. "And that's because people also love power and position. They won't contend just for nothing."

Dad was right when he said people only contend because of power and position; humans were that obsessed with these things that they were willing enough to do everything just to get what they want. I just hated competition, too! Because of this, people's minds were being brainwashed, just like Ferno.

Just like others, Ferno also loved contending, and that explained his future of being the cruel king of Hades. The worst part was only that he had fought in a wrong way, which lead the whole land to an uncertain condition but assure himself of everything.

And now, I hated him much even more!

"By the way," Mommy mouthed, "when did you two become friends, officially?"

"Well, at first, we're not friends, Ma'am," Ferno said. "To be honest, I did not want her by my side because she was irritating but that was before. Now, I just realized that she is good and that it's much happier to be with her."

I paid attention to everything that he would say. With the first words he had mounted, I didn't know what reaction would I show. Should I be grateful now that he wanted to be friends with me, or should I remain confused because he wanted to be friends with me all of a sudden? It was two different things, and they were both giving me a hard time thinking of what I should pick.

Again, I took the glass of milk and lent my ears to Ferno who was still talking. I did not take my gaze away from him this time because I was witnessing all the words— even the simplest, that would come out of his mouth.

"I just thought she's different to any other girl on the campus, Ma'am and Sir. I like Aleera's attitude and that's why I want to be friends with her in a lifetime," Ferno said.

"There's nothing wrong with that, anyway," Mommy said. "It's actually good that someone can appreciate our daughter. Just be friends with her whenever you want."

"Who would not appreciate her, in the first place, Ma'am?" Ferno asked. "Your daughter is such a nice girl. I pity myself for realizing it late."

"It's not too late to fix things, young boy," Daddy said. "But, anyway, we thank you for your compliment for Aleera."

"That's not the only thing I want to say, Ma'am and Sir," Ferno said. "I also wanted to invite her to a celebration in the house, honestly."

"Oh, we see."

The young boy hemmed. "So, will you let her come with me?"