Mr. & Ms. Hill

Nodding my head, I agreed.

She then guided me to the dining table as Lola Nanding came to make us tea.

"Mom said that you're close to my son so I’ll just ask you something.”

I nodded, "Okay, what is it?”

She sighed, "Can you tell Phoenix that we need to talk to him? Please. How many calls have we had with him for the whole year, we just met. And I don't want this to happen to our family. Please, I hope he gives us a chance to talk to him. I hope he forgives us. "

I sighed. ”You hurt him and he left so he can be free from you. But now that you’re asking this sincerely, I’ll do my best to persuade him.”

She smiled at me, "Thank you."

Returning to Phoenix’s room, I said. "Give them a chance."

"Oh so now they sent you here to get me? How amazing.” He said sarcastically. “I know my parents. They wouldn't simply come  here without needing something from me."

I bit my lip, I want to help them fix their family, but Phoenix is still hurt. I don’t know who should I side with now….

Phoenix saw my troubled expression and sighed, “Fine. I’ll give them 5 minutes to talk.”

I grinned at that, feeling like I just achieved something.

***

Thankfully, with all my powers, I managed to make Phoenix go out of his room and give his parents a chance to talk.

We were now all sitting at the living room.I could feel the tension lingering around as awkwardness enveloped us.

I'm not part of this family but why am I here?

Phoenix somehow made a condition that he would only get out of his room if I will be by his side so I have no choice but to abide by it.  I feel like I’m the only one who can control him now. I sighed, feeling pressured by the family's fate.

I hope they’ll solve their problem now…

"Son, thank you for giving us a chance to talk.” Started his mother and he scoffed.

"Don't beat around the bush, mom. Speak now and tell me what you came here for.”, l

His dad sighed. "Son, we want to apologize for everything we did. We didn't realize that we were wrong so I'm sorry son."

"Yes, son. I'm really sorry. So please, I hope you'll forgive us. We won't pressure you into doing something you don’t want.” His mother added, her tears starting to fall from her eyes. “We missed you. Please, go home."

"Is that all? All right, you can leave now, I still have work to finish."

"I hope so-"

"Don't call me a child because we all know that you didn't consider me that before. I was only your slave for your dignity. I was never your child, to begin with!” He yelled in rage, now huffing. His sharp jaw clenched and I watched as he glared at them.

I held Lola Nanding’s hand from beside me as I looked at the scene in front of her. How heartbreaking it is for her…

"Son, we didn't raise you-"

Phoenix cut off his mother’s sentence. "That's enough! I don't want to go back home. You can act all you want and pretend that you finally changed but that has no effect on me."

With that, his father stood up, "You're overreacting, Phoenix!"

He shook his head, "No, you’re overdoing it! I'm already living peacefully here then what? You're here again to destroy  my life.”

His father pressed his lips into a tight line and inhaled and exhaled. "We came all the way here to ask for your forgiveness. If you continue being stubborn, then fine. From now on, you’re no longer our son anymore."

Phoenix’s mother gasped at that. "Arthur!"

Lola Nanding stiffened beside me.

Arthur, Phoenix’s father faced his wife calmly, "No, he needs to know. He’s really got no manners now, talking to you like that.” He said and turned to his son. “You can live on your own for all you want but soon, you'll come begging for us to help," he said. “I know your land is undergoing  bankruptcy.”

Phoenix fell silent. “How did you know? Was it you who asked the investors to quit?”

"That’s not the point, Phoenix.” His father said. “You know we can help you. I have an offer to make.”

“What is it?”

“Your business will bloom but in exchange, we want you to marry the daughter of Mr. Buenaventura."

At that, disbelief was on his face. The Veins on his neck were popping out from frustration. "What?!”

"Arthur! We talked about this, don't make the situation worse!" His mother stopped her husband but Phoenix’s father was already done with him.  "No, Leticia. He should know.”

Phoenix quietly goes up to the stairs slammed shut the door. He probably needs time to think.

I put my ears on his door, wanting to make sure he’s not going to kill himself or something.

Minutes later, I heard sobbing inside and him cursing and things getting broken.

I just waited for him to open the door but he didn't. Sitting on the floor, I looked at his door to see if he would open it soon.

I didn't realize that I had fallen asleep from waiting for him. I felt the door open and I was woken up with a pair of strong arms carrying me to a soft bed.

I breathed in and smelled Phoenix’s scent. And when I realized it was him, I pretended to close my eyes, not wanting to break this moment.

I pretended to stir in my sleep. And deciding to open my eyes, I saw Phoenix sitting by the edge of the bed.

He seemed to be thinking hard and when he noticed that I was awake, he spoke up, “They finally left.”

He then lied on his back and looking at the ceiling blankly.

I cleared my throat. "I'm sorry for forcing you to talk to them…”

He put his finger on my lips, shushing me, "No, it’s not your fault."

I went closer to him and wrapped my arms around him. He seemed taken aback at first but he laid his head on my shoulder and made himself comfortable.

I rubbed his back lightly, trying to comfort him.

Damn, how could parents treat their child like that? I clearly remember his dad disarming him in front of us.

Now I understand why he’s acting like that. No child deserves to be treated like that. They need love from their parents.

I played with his hair, feeling my tears from falling. He had it rough all these years. He deserves to live freely.

"A hug is so powerful, do you know that? Because it can take away all the pain you feel." I said, still patting him on the back as we hug.

I could see tears starting to form in his eyes.

"Let it all out, Phoenix. If you need help, I’ll always be here for you." I said and he looked at my eyes, searching for an answer.

"You won't leave me? You won't drive me away?" He asked.

“Yes, I won’t,” I said.

He smiled at that, "I’m really lucky to meet you. Thank you, Sereia.”

Now returning to my room, I felt my phone ringing so I answered it, not looking at the caller ID. "Hello?"

"Is this Ms. Sereia?" The voice from the other line asked, it was low and from a man's.

"This is Sereia speaking. May I ask who this is?" I answered.

"It's Arthur Hill. Phoenix’s dad."