The Morrow's Yesterday

Chapter 2: Familiar

Chrysan’s POV

Living our lives like criminals sucks. Whenever there was someone banging on the door to find Dad, we didn’t waste any second moving out. I really don’t understand why are we doing this, I asked Mom and Dad about this issue, tons of times but they didn’t even bother to give me a sensible answer. They always say, “It’s for your own sake.” Yeah, whatever. I know they’re hiding something from me― and I’m itching to know what is that.

I sighed as I put my hand inside my pocket. I looked around, to somehow ease my anxiety. Green trees and plants are everywhere, you can barely see cars, trucks, and other vehicles that emit carbon monoxide that can affect the atmosphere, leading to air pollution. This is the place we’re staying right now, away from the city― away from people.

That's why I kind of like it here.

I flinched as my phone rang. I sighed and picked it up from my pocket. I raised a brow when I saw Mom’s name flashing on the screen. Mom never calls me.

“H-Hello?” I stuttered. My lips are trembling and my other hand was a clenched fist while holding the hem of my shirt. My introverted side was turned on.

“Chrysanthemum, where are you?” I gulped and immediately stopped walking as I heard the authoritative voice of my father― Dr. Adrian Anderson, from the other line. He said he was a professor at a university, but I knew he isn’t. I’m tired of pretending to know nothing.

Of course, he is the one who will answer. What am I even expecting?

I panicked as if I don’t know what to do. I unconsciously wandered my eyes to find a street name or a landmark for me to know where I am right now. I’m not giving any damn about my surrounding, I just want peace.

I know what my mistake is. I left home without even telling anyone or I didn't even ask the permission of my parents. It's just that...

“Acacia Street,” I answered politely as I spotted the street name facing me directly.

“Go home,” he commanded, making me frown. There he is again, treating me like a robot to follow his rules every single day. It’s cloying.

This is why I escaped because I know that they will say no again and again, even though I start crying with blood.

“No, I don’t―!” I suddenly stopped speaking when I realized I have raised my voice because of annoyance.

“When have you learned to answer?!” he thundered. I took a deep breath to restrain myself and remained silent.

“Is that what you got from your pals?! To answer your dear father in an unmannered way?” I gritted my teeth and clenched my fist. My eyebrows furrowed because of what he just said. Now I’m mad.

“Please, just leave me alone! Even just one day! I’m so sick of being your puppet! And don’t incriminate my friends! Cause honestly, I feel like I’m more loved when I’m with them,” I snapped and ended the call immediately because of my recklessness. I was literally panting when I finished saying those words― a long time hiding in my heart. I don’t know if I can still go home after what I’ve said.

My knees are trembling and my hands are cold as snow. I put my hands on the nearest wall where I am, as a support, for me to not completely drop. I inhaled and exhaled to calm myself, repeating the scenarios that just happened a while ago. I’m an id*ot!

“Chrysan? Are you alright?” I lifted my gaze as soon as I heard a familiar voice calling my name.

His face was painted with worriedness as he stares at me. He has mousy brown curly hair and a pair of obsidian eyes, contrasting his fair skin. His squared face shape helps to define his jawline. He’s indeed handsome.

“Uncle Samson,” I greeted him with a smile and do our usual fist bump every time we see each other.

“It's a rare sight to see you outside," he commented and wandered his eyes around, "Where’s Adrian?”

I shifted my gaze as I remembered what happened earlier. “H-He’s at home,” I mumbled while staring at my blue doll shoes.

“Oh,” he just said and I could feel his eyes staring at me directly right now. Wow, I have a nice pair of shoes.

“Then, what are you doing here?” he asked again, suspicion in his tone. I gulped many times and slowly lifted my gaze, his smiling face greeted me, making me slightly calm.

“I was supposed to meet my chums,” I can’t help but tell the truth.

He’s Uncle Samson after all, aside from my friends, he’s the one I can count on. Unfortunately, he has no spouse or child, making him give his full care and attention to me. I can't myself to ask him if he has plans to have his own kid.

“Is that so? Wanna have a ride?” he invited me while pointing his thumb at a white Lamborghini parked in front of us, making my eyes sparkle due to amazement.

I looked at Uncle Samson and nodded many times, enthusiastically like an excited kid with a full smile. He chuckled and ruffled my long and silky hair. I followed him with my eyes as he pressed the car key remote and at any minute, the white door of the Lambo slowly opened. He turned his gaze to me and signaled me to hop in the car. I’m leaping, and as soon as I set foot in the car, Uncle Samson closed the door and entered the driver’s seat.

“Are you good?” he asked me again, I just nodded as a response and put my seatbelt on. Perks of having a rich uncle.

I told him where I was supposed to go and he just nodded and started maneuvering the car. We’re enveloped by a deafening silence. I just averted my gaze and looked outside the window as if I’m in a music video and suddenly, I turned back my sight to Tito Samson when he opened a topic.

“Did you know that I have a son?” he asked while smiling, sticking his gaze on the road.

My jaw dropped and my eyes widened because of what he said. Did I hear it right? Or my brain is just tricking me?

“W-What? How?” I unbelievably asked. I blinked many times while my mouth remained agape. I can't process what my ears had heard.

He let out a soft chuckle before answering my question, “He’s shy though. You're the same age as him,” he stated, making me think of all the things he did for me. I thought it was only me!

“He? A boy?” I asked again.

He nodded and smiled. “Yeah, a man. His name is Favian,” he described his so-called son.

“Man of wisdom, huh?” I commented, remembering the meaning of the name he stated. He just nodded as a response. Silence surrounds us again, we’re both thinking.

“But how did that happen? I thought you don’t have a wife or girlfriend something?” I asked for the nth time.

Is he holy or gifted?

Uncle Samson smirked and glanced at me. “You can do anything, thanks to modern technology,” he proudly said making my forehead crease.

“Does Dad know about this?” I don’t know why but suddenly, the atmosphere changed.

It becomes heavier than before, for me not to breathe well. I took a deep breath to catch some air and do some things to hide my state right now. I glanced at Uncle Samson, his grip on the steering wheel became tighter. He’s pissed.

“Uncle?” I tried to call him to get a grip of himself. He can’t control his emotions.

In just a snap, the heavy air vanished and the atmosphere became lighter making me breathe easier. Uncle Samson looked at me and faint a smile.

“We’re almost there,” he said, not answering my question. I just nodded and shrugged my shoulders as I look outside the window.

The car finally stopped and my heart was clapping because of excitement, knowing that I and my friends will meet any minute from now. Good thing I got away from my parents.

Uncle was the first one to leave the car and he turned around to open the door beside me. I closed my eyes and inhaled and exhaled as soon as the cold breeze of wind touched my face, the moment I got off the car.

“Dad, you’re late,” a manly voice said, making me open my eyes. A pair of seductive topaz eyes greeted me. I tilted my head to study more about his facial features, thin lips, fair skin, and a few freckles on his cheek. He’s cute though.

“Favi,” Uncle Samson greeted him and tapped his shoulders.

He’s taller than Uncle. Suddenly, he looked at me with no reaction as if he was studying my face too.

“Chrysan,” Uncle Samson called me, making me shift my gaze to him. He smiled and put his hand on the shoulder of the man he called Favi.

“Meet Favian,” he said while pointing his hand to the man beside him, making me raise my brow. So, he’s Favian?

“Favian, meet Chrysan,” Uncle introduced me to him while pointing his hand at me. I smiled a bit, for me to look more presentable.

I extended my arms, hoping for a handshake. “N-Nice to meet you,” I greeted, restraining myself from freaking out. I’m not fond of this kind of stuff.

I received silence as a response, making me awkward. He just stared at me intently as if I was a newly discovered species. What was he thinking?

“Have we met before?”