A slight drizzle still accompanied Eden's steps home. The girl slowly pedaled her bicycle towards the tiny house at the end of the road.
Usually, Eden felt lazy to go home. But today, Eden felt excited when she remembered the towel and Ace's knight attitude when defending Eden this afternoon.
"I have to wash it quickly," Eden said. This towel could be Eden's reason to talk to Ace at school tomorrow.
Arriving at the house, Eden was immediately greeted with shouts and curses.
"Why does little girl just get home at this hour???" Vica grabbed Eden's hair as soon as this teenager entered. "Do you want to be a harlot??"
"Ouch… it hurts, Mom. Let me go!" Eden begged Vica to let go of her pull. Just ten o'clock; it wasn't midnight yet.
"Where have you been, huh?"
"Eden just went to work, as usual, Mom," Eden answered.
"Work?? So you brought money?? Buy Me a bottle of alcohol, Sweet Girl!!" Vica's attitude immediately changed when she found out there was money in Eden's pocket.
"No, Mom! You had been drinking a lot today. Your face is red. You must be drunk." Eden replied she saw a lot of beer cans strewn under the sofa.
*SLAP!*
Vica slapped Eden's cheek.
"Ignorant child! Little bitch! How dare you scold your Mom, huh?" she screamed.
Eden held back tears. Isn't this normal? Wasn't it normal when Vica slapped her once or twice because Eden didn't want to buy her some alcohol?
"I'm sick of you, Mom!!" Eden had better run, locked herself in her room before things got worse.
*BUMP!*
The door is closed.
Vica still didn't give up and knocked roughly on the door. Eden just covered her ears and hoped that her Mom would get tired soon and leave.
.
.
.
After midnight, Eden sat on the edge of the bed.
"Ah, my income is not much today. But at least I can pay for the study tour to the museum next week." Eden took a deep breath she hid her money inside her shoe. A safe place, her Mom and big Brother would never know.
Her bad mood immediately changed when she saw Ace's towel. Eden inhaled the scent of perfume mixed with the smell of Ace's body that was still left behind.
Eden smiled. Her mind started to fly to think about Ace. "Ace, why are you so cool?"
Eden finally fell asleep while hugging Ace's towel and making it a blanket.
Unbeknownst to Eden, her older brother entered the room. He searched Eden's wardrobe, desk, and school bag for money.
[Where did she hide the money?] Marvell thought, he searched the wardrobe again, but couldn't find any money. Marvel scratched his head, annoyed because he couldn't find the money hidden by his sister.
Marvel was Vica's son with her first husband, so he and Eden had different fathers. Marvel had a very bad attitude, liked to gamble, race, and fight.
Marvel didn't love Eden like most of the other brothers. Eden didn't know why? Maybe, Marvel thought Eden was the reason his mother divorced his father. Vica chose Miguel Grey as her life partner and left her first husband. At that time, Vica was already pregnant.
"Where is the money?? where is this bitch hiding all her money?!" Marvel could not find it.
"Argh!" Marvel kicked a chair and made Eden wake up. This twenty-five years old man looked mad.
"Marvell?? what are you doing here??" Eden was shocked; she covered her body with Ace's towel.
"Money!! give me some money!!" Marvel grabbed Eden's hand so tight until the girl moaned in pain.
"Let me go!! I don't have money!! not even a penny!!" Eden struggled.
"You liar!! I know you are hiding it somewhere!" Marvel cried so harshly with his hand raised. Marvel went to slap Eden.
"No... Please don't! I don't have money." Eden closed her eyes in fear.
"Where is it??" Marvel slapped Eden several times.
"Please stop it, Marvel, please, don't hurt me!!" Eden was crying. She kicked Marvel in self-defense.
Marvel stopped when Eden protected herself. He went outside, leaving Eden's room. He was swearing in annoyance because he couldn't get money from Eden.
*******
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