“I’m sorry but I just can’t keep up with this Mike. You should already know, this relationship has long been over-strained. We should end this now before it affects the kids,” a light green-haired female with unwavering spring green eyes stated as she placed a piece of paper on a table.
A male looked up, under his eyes were dark circles that were very distinct on his pale skin, he looked sickly with a pair of bleak red eyes that screamed extreme tiredness from a clear lack of rest.
“Are you sure about this Eleanor? Even though this was only arranged, you’ve always wanted the best for the kids despite my lackluster behavior and I wouldn’t want you to make a misstep now,” he stated before wearily stretching out his hand to grab at the pair of spectacles he had placed on the chair.
Eleanor stared at the pitiful figure of the male before her and couldn’t help but shake her head in disapproval. He had always been extreme especially when it came to things regarding his family.
His enthusiasm to keep the Johnson’s name on a high pedestal was so much that he always overlooked himself, everything from his health to his family.
She had been the one carrying out the family duties all this while and it was getting strenuous, she needed a break or at least a true companion who could look at her like a lover and not some partner in whatever crazy contract that had been signed between them.
“You really should stop doing this to yourself Mike, our relationship might have been… awkward but seeing you like this saddens me a lot. And don’t act like you’re the worst father ever, you might have been a bit unavailable but it’s undeniable that everything you do is for them. Just take care of yourself better,” Elen cautioned with a soft smile whilst leaning forward.
She pulled back Mike’s front hair which was messily scattered all over backward in a bid to plant a kiss on his forehead which was unsuccessful due to Mike suddenly pulled away.
“Elen, I know you love Danison. Stop trying to force yourself into things out of guilt. Don’t forget that I am a proud alpha and although it’s a fact that you’re one of the most amazing helper I’ve had throughout the years, I’m sure I can find my real one eventually,” Mike paused before taking up a pen to sign the papers in front of him whilst ignoring the unsure look Elen’s face held.
“The kids can cope, I’m sure it’s better than putting on a façade and having them find out sooner or later about your other one.”
“I’m sorry, I truly didn….”
“It’s alright. This marriage had never been a happy one anyway, it was a contracted one with our benefits in mind and I wasn’t really expecting a soap opera where we fall in love; although I was pleasantly surprised all these years with how amazing you are Elen. You deserve to be happy and I won’t be obstructing that and neither will the kids; they’ll eventually learn that this was needful.”
Elen sighed regretfully as she signed the papers as well, she flashed Mike one last profound look only getting a lifeless one in response which made her smile in defeat— he was still the same even till the very end.
“Wish you true happiness and try to work less you workaholic.”
“… I’ll try to find a better helper than you then,” Mike responded teasingly.
And that was how Jean began living with his mum along with his other two siblings Jason and Jennifer. Of course, being the daddy girl she was, Jessica adamantly refused to stay with them and chose her father to his distress.
The helplessness in his face was very evident and it was thoroughly explainable, after all how was he to handle a kid— and not just anyone but this bratty spoiled princess of his, without help? Accompanied by his busy schedule?
Well, that was for him to figure out.
***
“SURPRISE!!”
POOOF!!!
The goofy blow of a party horn was heard as Jean whose face was covered in glitter stared at everyone in awe.
They were all present and beaming at him, from his mum to his younger siblings, to his step-father, to his friends, his annoying former bestie now girlfriend— Rita, and even his workaholic dad who never made it to any of his birthdays was here!
“Big brother!!” Jessica exclaimed as she fell into the arms of the transfixed Jean who finally snapped out of his daze only to meet the eager gazes of everyone around him.
“I… thank you, everyone.”
“You heard the boy! Let the party begin!!” Elen exclaimed as she rushed along with Danison to hug her lovely son.
If he, Jean had once disliked Danison before, then the case now would be the opposite multiplied by 20.
Danison was the best father anyone could ask for and even the stoney Jennifer had agreed on that fact. He was kind, attentive, a great listener and best of all had amazing self-control and disciplinary method.
Every discipline he ensued had you repenting of your sins and it was so effective that you wouldn’t even hate him for it, he was that good.
It was such a saddening fact though that good people always had huge problems set in stone to torment them eventually in life. Danison’s was that he couldn’t have a kid unless he was to leave Eleanor.
It was a well-known fact that ancients and humans could never have offspring together, a disturbing factor that had been constantly battled with throughout the years by scientists but to no avail.
Jean had once been scared of him finally getting tired and leaving for another woman, breaking his mom’s heart in the process but after a series of events he had come to learn that without doubt Danison was crazily in love with his mum, it was almost impossible for him to even conceive the thoughts of turning his back on her, ever.
‘It’d still be nice if I could have a younger sibling from him though…’ Jean thought before he was cut off by a hard slap on his back causing him to look up with a glare at the perpetrator.
Looking up, he saw a red-haired male with matching blazing red eyes who was looking at him stupidly.
“What Daren?” Jean asked with a groan.
“We threw an entire damn party for you and all you’ll do is sit here wallowing in hell knows what? Bruh! Come on!”
“Ah, sorry, just got a bit lost~, let’s go back to the party… by the way where’s Drake?” Jean asked curiously.
After blasting him with the party horn he had not seen the azure-haired male again so he was curious to know exactly what he was doing. But the answer was what he least expected-
“Making out with John,” Daren answered bluntly without a single shame, “I wish I was as bold as John then my relationship with Carl won’t be so stuck!”
“Ugh, whatever, I’m leaving,” Jean muttered in disgust as he sat up, leaving towards the main room where the party was heavily unfolding as he ignored Daren's helpless calls.
“Hey! Hey! Tsk, bastard!” Daren yelled at him angrily before turning away to leave.
‘What a bad-tempered fellow,’ Jean thought as he slammed open the door to face the chaos of the party—his party.
“Big brother~!” “My wittle Jean!” “Jean,” “Jean~”
The sounds of his relations that had been looking for him for a while now collided with each other as they all rushed towards him, dragging him towards the party.
It was quite an exciting yet tiring event.
Eventually, the party ended and everyone retired to their various paths, Jean bided his friends farewell as he received their gifts and their wishes for long happy years ahead. Today had been quite fulfilling but… something was missing.
“What did your dad say to you?” Rita who was leaning on the porch railing with Jean asked as they stared into the beautiful night sky along with the winds softly caressing their presence.
“He said he’s worried about Jason’s recent crush, you know the popular Pure in our school—Carlene Jay?”
“Oh her? The one with the spiritual abilities and stuff?”
“Yeah, He’s worried because apparently, Mum has been complaining about how Jason's entire collections had been revolving around her but even more was Jessica’s issue.”
“What did she do?” Rita asked with a chuckle.
“it seemed that Jason isn’t the only one with an obsession, her recent one is Gerald, Daren’s brother. Father was actually freaking out for the first time in his life when he was complaining about it, guess he does love her a bit extra no matter how he tries to hide it,” Jean stated with a small smile.
“Well, there’s always that one favorite no matter how parents try to hide it. Your mum’s Jason isn’t it? And Danison's is you? I feel bad for Jennifer.”
“Nah, she’s fine,” Jean responded as they both burst into peals of joyful laughter.
As their laughter subsided they suddenly looked at each other with bleary eyes, Rita shifted slightly, and soon they were in a position where they were so close that they could feel each other’s breaths.
“I really enjoyed today Rita….” Jean stated.
“Hm, it WAS my idea so can I have my reward now?~” Rita cooed as she fanned her eyebrows seductively only to be left hanging by Jean.
“Maybe later.”
“Huh?! Why?”
“I would like… some more privacy… with you,” Jean muttered with a blush, indicating something more explicit.
Rita, on realizing flushed up completely, turning away shyly while fake coughing to ease the ambiguous atmosphere.
“But Rita do you ever feel that something’s missing?” Jean suddenly asked.
“No… why?” Rita inquired curiously.
“Hm, nothing, maybe it’s the ‘excess’ sweets and the mood-souring lack of salty, crispy stuff on MY birthday that’s disturbing me.”
“Oh come on! Birthdays are for sweets!”
“Yeah right!”
They chatted a bit for a while before Rita eventually fell asleep while leaning on Jean’s shoulder. He looked towards her with a soft smile while caressing her smooth hair before he suddenly looked away, facing the lonely moon in the sky.
His face turned blue, with furrowed brows, scrunched face, and a pair of pale lips pressed into a thin line, his every expression screamed pain. It was a look completely different from the façade he had put on earlier.
Beneath that façade was a deep-rooted pain hidden and never to be found by anyone, something was bugging him and he didn’t have anyone to rely on with it.
“Jerry… Jack…. am I really the only one who remembers?” Jean started but suddenly paused before letting out a big sigh “I hope, you guys are okay wherever you are.”
And with that, he swooped the sleepy Rita into his arms in a princess carry as his sad, lonely figure walked away.
[Meanwhile]
BAM!
The loud banging of a book as it collided with the floor was heard before a startling fumble over it followed as an unknown personnel scrambled to pick it up.
“How….” the unknown personnel started, her long black hair cascading hazardously to her back as she stood up from her bent position—book in hand, “Does he remember us?!”