KAISER

I drive right to the health center to see Reagan. As she had urged in two or three text messages while I was with Daisy.

At the reception, I head for Reagan's office, with Airpods obstructing the universal noise around me, and purposedly what the receptionist might be yammering behind the desk.

After having an amazing time with Daisy, there's no way in hell I would let some bloody bitch ruin that memory for me.

With sunglasses on and numerous progressive details, I have for Reagan in my head, I turn the doorknob, eyes close behind the tinted shield, knowing how much disappointed she must be, for ghosting her.

Not letting guilt in, I started: "I know what you'll say and that's not it, I've been quite occupied and preoccupied la..."

"Son."

The voice was luxuriously deep and not very subtle. It woke turmoil in me and my eyes swing open. It was none but my father's.

I turned my head just the slightest toward him.

Surprise, I guess; it wasn't just him, it was my both parents sitting on my favorite couch.

Son of a bitch.

Unease formed like a ball of ice in my chest, and resentment spurt through.

"What the hell are you two doing here?" With steaming fury, I demand an explanation for the shit laying in this office.
"The last time I checked we didn't have a great relationship you know." I shrugged with mock astonishment, and plopped into the armchair, leg crossed, both hands on each side of the chair, and gaze pointed at the two people who thought they know how to play guts.

"Baby, we decided to check on your progress and Reagan said..." Mom began with a controlled smile, but I cut her off at the mention of Reagan's.

I turn my accusing scrutiny to the unease woman behind the desk.

Wow! What a snitch.

"I always thought you're someone I could rely on. It wasn't until now and I realize what you're after did I see the signs as apparent as crystals of what you've been doing."

"What do you mean?" Reagan stuttered, her eyes blinking as if she can not comprehend the meaning of my statement.

Is this some joke? Calling me here and playing mind games?
I became even more irritated at the expression on their faces.

I mean do I need their pity?

"Don't give me that face." I slam the desk with my palm, causing the two women to flinched and dad, well dad did nothing. "You've been telling on me to these people, you've been exposing the secrets I entrusted you with." I scoffed in a casual tone.

"I didn't tell anyone, KC." Reagan softly renounced and sighs.

"It sure looks like it." I retorted.

Then again my mom who doesn't know how to stay away from my firm, went on and begun in a voice soft with deceitful affection: "She wouldn't tell, that's why we insist on this meeting."

Great. I straightened and plaster a big smile as they would ask for when it's time for the end-of-the-year family portraits.

"Okay, good." I started with a satisfying grin. "Because I can't stand the both of you right now. Don't you two have better things to do than punishing yourselves to abuse your time on me? I mean, please. Get going, I wouldn't get offended. Is not like we're used to this shit anyway. So it's my pleasure seeing you in the next decade." I requisitioned with a smug and started for the door but Dad's utterance interrupted me in my stance.

"Oh, Son, what do we have to do to satisfy you?" He proposed.

I scoffed and swallow, thinking of a simple process for both of us. So I pleaded: "Nothing. You've always done nothing."

A sad grimace flashes across mom face, and she inquired with a sense of guilt: "Will you keep holding that against us?"

Seriously? That's what she has to say? I mean a little apology even if I wouldn't accept would've been better than being all big-mouth, b. I mean bitch. Yes, I said it.

"I have very little patience and I swear it will all get worked out if you keep speaking the worst mother that you are."

"You can't be talking to your parent that way KC." Reagan prompted.

"Oh I can, is not like they played an important role in my life." I mentally shrugged, thinking back to all the pain they had caused me.

"Don't be ungrateful." Dad abruptly boosts to his feet.

And there he is, the actual asshole wrapped in an expensive black suit, diamond wristwatch, shiny Italian shoe, and perfectly arranged hair, called a father.

"Whoa, I must say I'm so honored, we solemn the genuine side of you Dad." I ridiculed the angered man standing across the room.

"You see Reagan, my father here always says I'm ungrateful." I laugh coldly, beckoning towards him. "Funny how you don't understand the word, ungrateful. But I will interpret it to you."

I stepped closer to him until our gazes are leveled and those green eyes we share, are nothing but intense black.
It wasn't hardfacing him since he's only two inches shorter.

"Ungrateful is when one had loving parents who put you to sleep every night, and you denied it. Ungrateful is when your parents didn't choose their job over you, and make breakfast and dinner for you, and you denied it. Ungrateful is when they wouldn't dump you at the neighbors, pleading them to drive you to school because they're late for work, and you denied it. Ungrateful is when your parents attend each one of your presentations at school and you didn't have to get bullied for being alone among the other children, and you denied. Ungrateful is when your parents watched over you, you didn't have to drown in pools, and you denied it. Ungrateful is when your parents bath you because you're scared of water, but you denied it. Ungrateful is when you're not dying inside because your parents are always there for you and you denied it. Ungrateful is when your mother baked you cookies and your father took you fishing, and you denied it. Ungrateful is when you're broken and your parents felt your pain, and you denied it. Ungrateful is when you are not confused and left out, and you denied it. Ungrateful is when your parents retired as promised and didn't go on into election, and you denied it. Ungrateful is when your parents didn't act like they have a perfect life inside, and you denied it. Ungrateful is when they would mind their business and stay back from yours, after ruining your entire interest of life, and you fucking denied it."

I was panting by the time I halted by a soothing touch behind my back, and another around my arm. "KC... Calm down." Reagan pleaded.

I yank off, a sly lopsided smile on. "I don't wanna calm down. I have a lot of lists here." I turned back to face the speechless man in front of me, my hand patting the spot where Daisy believed my heart is and my eyes lowered, I stepped back from his face.

"I have a lot of lists here," I repeated a little lower, bringing back my eyes to the two broken faces before me. Mom will always produce feigned tears, and dad, well he looked different compared to that tough and pride man he was a couple of minutes ago, right now he looked powerless, defeated to be precise.
"And it pains like a motherfucker." I added.

Scoffing at their speechless reaction, I reach for the doorknob. "So if you'll excuse me, I need to get far away from you."

***

After the excruciating meeting, genius Reagan gathered.

I had an agonizing ride to Malik's apartment. He wasn't available at the time to ask, so I scattered the fridge, cabinets, and even the bathroom cupboards in search of anything that could grip me for the day.

Luckily I found an insufficient amount of whiskey left by the nightstand and I thank God for it.

With just one swig, I finish the bottle and collapse in the bed.

A slap on my back woke me up from the slumber and I groan, rolling over to come across Malik's set of teeth.

"That's some bad impression to wake up a person." I moaned and closed my eyes.

"But it works on all the girls."

"Well, I am not all the girls."

"That's the problem, but you look like one."

My eyes lazily opened, I gave him a satisfying glare that he took hint as a warning.

"Fuck off." I shove his shoulder and he stumbled back, laughing.

"What are you mopping over?"

My elbow supported my body as I help myself sit upright, slightly wincing from the unexpected somnolence. "I am not mopping over anything."

"Don't tell me Daisy rejected you again, I saw you two earlier, you couldn't wait for me to leave so you could fuck."

My fingers stopped in the middle of my hair at his absurdity, I rise my eyes in his direction.
"Pervert much?"

"I'm serious, did you?" He grinned, leaning against the wall.

"Did we what?" I wondered.

"You know." He said with burgeoning excitement. "The thang. When I left?"

My eyes narrowed at him but my head went to places it shouldn't. For instance, naked Daisy beneath me, moaning in my ear.

"Bro?" I called again.

"We haven't fuck bro."

A certain level of comprehension flashed across his features when he mutters: "That must be so hard."

"You tell me. Why am I waking up to sex talk with my best friend anyway?" I asked quite amazed.

"Aww, I have to say I'm emotional. You're my best friend too, bro." His hand is bandaged around his chest, and he is smiling that brooding smile again.

Of course, he would be fucking dramatic about it.

"Don't take it too personal. Unusual things occur, Best friends could disappear for eight years." I know I sounded mocking just as I intended.

"For God's sake." Malik protested while I grab my mobile phone.

Double-tapping the screen, my eyes fled the nineteen missed calls and leveled to a very alarming message from Andre.

"Shit." I stood bolt on my foot, trying to slip into my boots.

Oh, did I took off my shoes earlier?

"What?"

"I have to go." That was all I could explain while dragging my exhausted body out of the house.

"Where?" He followed behind me, sounding disturbed but I don't have the time to waste on words so I just barked: "Stripping club." And jump into my car, starting the engine and ignoring his 'whats'.