A novel of salvage high chapter 27
Jeremy’s POV
I sat on the hospital bed next to mum, watching her sleep.
This isn’t the first time this is happening, that m0nster that I refer as my uncle always look for the slightest reason to hit mum whenever he feels like it. I got fed up and confronted him once before I left the house in anger. There is nothing I could do to rescue mum from her predicament, and it hurts. It makes me feel useless. I couldn’t think of anywhere to go, so I went to a bar to drink, and I met Dan there. We got drunk together, and went to his house. I pleaded with him to allow me spend some days with him afterwards because I had nowhere to go. I left my phone and everything behind, so asking for his help was my only choice. I can’t go to Alex or Gabriel, because I have to be honest about everything with them, and I feared their reaction if they discover who I truly am. Ending our friendship is for the best, and I hope I finish high school peacefully and never cross path with them again - although I doubted if that will ever happen.
.
I woke up the following morning and met mum already awake.
“You cheat, I was so worried last night.” I scolded, and embraced her.
“I’m sorry, sweetie. You must’ve been scared. Oh, look at your handsome face.” She whined, cupping my face in her palms.
“When you look at me that way, I just feel like kissing you.” I teased, and pecked her cheeks before running out.
“Come back here, you are a cheat.” She shouted after me.
•
I went out of ward and saw my uncle by the doorway accompanied by two of his men carrying flowers and gifts.
“I’m sorry, sir. I can’t let you in. I won’t let you ruin her mood.” I said, blocking the way. Although I knew I had no power over him.
“Jeremy, I’m sorry. Just take those in. The doctors said she could be discharged, I’ll send a driver to come pick her up later.” He said, his voice calm.
This time, I’m not falling for it. That’s just how he is, he is always trying to play a sympathy card. He claimed to love mum, but his temperamental nature can never be controlled. We were both grateful to him for bringing us in when we were helpless, and I regard him as my uncle since I couldn’t refer him as a dad - because he didn’t marry my mother. They have been together for years, but due to his line of business, he refused to have a weakness, so he didn’t plan to have a family any time soon, neither would he let my mum and I go.
.
“Baby, are you still there?” Mum asked, and joined me in the doorway.
“Venessa.” My uncle called, and she hide behind me.
“Sir, you should leave.” I said.
“Venessa, I’ll send a driver to come pick you up later.”
“You shouldn’t, and leave with those things you brought.” Mum fired, still hiding behind me. I could tell that she is sacred, but she is just trying to act brave because of me.
“Don’t refuse my kindness. The driver will be here soon. I’ll leave, if that’s what you want.” With that he left. He might sound calm while talking, but his words were intimidating. They sounded like a threat to me.
*
Mum freshen up later and I helped her brush her hair.
“Wow. Mum, you are looking even more younger, very soon others will think you are my girlfriend rather than a sugar mummy.”
“Sugar mummy?” She repeated, unable to hid in laughters.
“Of course. Because you are so beautiful.” I whispered in her ears, and embraced her from behind.
“That’s ticklish.” She whined, already blushing.
“Let’s leave the hospital before uncle returns. We should go have fun while we can.” I said, winking at her.
“What about your school? You will be late for school.”
“Let me just take today off from school.”
“No, I refuse.”
“Don’t be like this.” I whined.
“Why did you returned yesterday? When we met the last time, we agreed to meet this weekend, you didn’t say you would return.”
“Yeah. I really needed to embrace you this way, so I could feel better. You know you are my only true love.” I muttered, and embraced her.
“What happened? Did something happen at school?” She asked, and I nodded like a pitiful child.
I might act all though with others, but there is no way I could act around her. She is the only one that can make me feel better, so I always share everything with her.
*
She listened to my story, and held my hands with a smile.
“Baby, I already told you to be honest with them from the start.”
“Mum, you don’t know these children. Alex and Gabriel are really scary. They can’t be taken lightly.”
“So are you.” She teased, pinching my cheek, and I whined.
“Mum, they are going to bully me. They could even open the black list for me, and tag me as a lair. I h@te it. This is for the best. Let’s all be on our own. I never fit into that circle to begin with.”
“You lie, baby. You wish you could turn hand time, and continue being friends with them, because you are hurting.”
“No, I wish I could turn hand time and never become friends with them. I pleaded you to transfer me when I was in elementary school, but you refused.”
“So, is this my fault?” She teased.
“No, it’s mine.” I whispered, my head bowed.
“It’s no one’s fault, sweetie. You lied to them while you were younger because you were scared of them. But think about it, did you regret all the years you have been friends with them?” She asked, and I shook my head.
“That’s because you are no longer scared of them. You already form a bond with them, and I’m sure they are hurting as much as you are.”
“So, you want me to be honest with them? You think they would still accept me because of the bond we shared?”
“Your friends are not asking for too much, they just wanted you to be honest with them. So if you ever regard your friendship, then you should consider their request.”
“I h@te this, mum. I h@te this.” I whined, throwing my fist in the air.
“I love you.” She said, playing with my cheeks.
“I’ll think about it. But, I’ll still skip school today. Let’s have fun.”
“No, I refuse.”
“Come on, you can’t have it all. You already convinced me to be honest with my friends, so you have to give in to my request to skip school today. It’s give and take.”
“Give and take?” She repeated, with a chuckle.
“I already thought of a style that will make you look even younger. I need a girlfriend, not a sugar mummy.” I said, and took the hairbrush.
“Then you will hear a handful from your little girlfriend.” She teased, and we both laughed.
I wish our lives could be as peaceful as now, arguing over silly things and ending the argument with laughters. I wish we wouldn’t have to return to my uncle’s house, I wish we could return to living peacefully as before; but I knew I was wishing for too much.
•
•
📌 Alex’s POV 📌
•
School didn’t feel the same today, and the only thing missing was Jeremy. I admit, I missed him even though I was the one who cut ties with him.
Gabriel and I went to our hangout later during recess, and I couldn’t stop complaining about Keisha who left the class with Chris, with excuse that they were going to the library together to find books for their group work.
“Don’t you think those two are taking this group work to another extent? We haven’t even started working on ours.” Gabriel said, and I looked at him.
“I’m thinking the exact same thing. This was Chris plan after all, so he could be closer to my Keisha.”
“At this point, Alex. I’m losing my vote for you.”
“Vote on what?”
“What do you think those two are doing alone together in the peaceful library? Remember, I got my first kiss in the library. It’s just the best place for a romantic moment…” He said, and I stood up immediately.
“Where are you going?” He asked.
“To the library.” I replied, and he chuckled.
“To do what?” He teased.
“To read of course. What do they do at the library.” I said, and intend to leave but he dragged me back.
“We have more things to worry about.”
“Things like what?” I shouted.
“Jeremy. Do you think he will transfer?” He asked, and I shot him a glare.
“How is that our business? I made myself clear when I said he is out.”
“Yeah. He is not at school, and there is no way we could reach him. I can’t even imagine what he is hiding.”
“That’s none of our business.”
“I found out something yesterday.” He said, and I look at him.
“About what?”
“I don’t think you will be interested, since it’s about Jeremy.”
“If you want to talk, split it.”
“His uncle’s car. I was able to get the plate number from the cctv footage in the parking lot.”
“Then what do you find?”
“His uncle is likely a mafia.”
“Mafia?” I repeated, and controlled myself from laughing.
“Yes. The car belongs to NS Group, and I have once heard that the company is led by a mafia boss, his name is Nelson Lane.”
“What did you find on him?”
“It’s funny to say, that nothing about him is relating to Jeremy. He has no family, neither he is married. He is a 40 years old bachelor. I can’t still figure out how he is Jeremy’s uncle.”
“So, Jeremy’s uncle is a mafia.” I repeated.
“Buddy, you shouldn’t mess with Jeremy anymore, we you should mend things with him. If his uncle is a mafia, then that explains why he is strong and ruthless. He might be plotting something. I’m so scared now.” He whined.
“Why are you such a crybaby?”
“What did you say?” He shouted, and dragged me by the collar.
“Get off me, man. Recess break is over.” With that I jab his hands away.
“F¥ck you.” He cursed.
“Jeremy’s uncle is a mafia.” I thought, still wondering how Jeremy is related to him.