Chapter 18

**Michelle**

“How was the date?" My mother asked immediately i got into the house. They were standing at the door, met me at the door almost before I got in.

“It was fantastic." I said with a fake smile on my face.

"That's good, tell us the fill gist.” She said enthusiastically, pushing me towards the couch in the living room.

I sat down, still keeping the fake smile on my face. Both my parents sat before me with anticipation on her face.

“Well, I found out that he's not really who I think he is.” I started, still keeping that calm exposure.

“I knew it, I knew you'd like him. You were just being adamant because you didn't know him." My mother said with fondness in her voice.

"Yes, I guess I was just that. Anyways, I found out just the most important thing about him while still on the date."

I watched as they both listened with rapt attention, both really sober so their eyes were clear.

“He didn't borrow you both the money he said he borrowed you. It turned out that the money was actually from the government, there was a sponsorship form you both signed during that time.”

"You mightn't remember, but the government gave you the money at that time. But he deceived you into thinking that he was the one who borrowed you." I said.

"You're lying.” Was the first thing my father said, even my mother nodded in response.

“Really? Why am I not even surprised that you believe him over me. It's up to you to believe what I said or not, all I know is that the marriage isn't happening.”

It hurts a little to even know that the reason they haven't been drunk is because of Matteo.

“Matteo wouldn't lie, who else do you think we'd think would lie?” My mother asked.

I inhaled deeply, closing my eyes then opening them back again, “I have a question for you both, and I want a really honest answer."

I didn't wait for them to give me the go ahead before I asked, "Why do you both hate me this much, and don't give me the same reason you've been giving me.” I asked in a hard tone.

"You've said it all. But since you really want to know the main reason, I'll waste my time to reply you.” My mother started.

The way she's the one talking tonight is really suspicious.

"I personally hate you right from the moment you were given birth to. Why? Because right from the day you came out of me, it was like you came baring bad things.”

"A lot of failures started showing up, my own business went down, your father lost his job. Even the house we were living in at the time was demolished.” She said with a lot of anger in her face and voice.

"And you want to know the worst thing about it? You had a lot of health complications when you were an infant too.” My father added.

"You know, I wonder why I didn't kill you when you were still a child. I hated you so much and I still do.” My mother completed it.

~

The night's air wrapped around my body, making me hug myself more as the air swayed my hair and loose clothes on me.

I had run out of the house after giving my parents a piece of my mind. I just couldn't stay in that house, and I don't think I can bear staying there for tonight.

I've considered getting an apartment myself but paying rent is the main problem I have. I'm still trying to save money for college and I'm nowhere near the expected amount of money yet.

It's really suffocating in that house and I felt like I was going to run crazy if I stayed in that house for another minute.

I walked down the street, the only source of illumination being the street lights, the only sound I could hear was the distant chirping of crickets.

I stopped when I got to the park in the neighborhood. This place contains a lot of memory that I've never been here since my brother died.

I just needed a space, also anything that would make me feel closer to him. I was so concentrated in thoughts that I got so lost in the surrounding.

It was when I felt someone watching me that I started feeling scared. I looked around me, the whole park is empty and I'm the only one around here, or so I thought.

“What are you doing here alone?” The voice asked.
I jolted up, my heart beating really loudly in fear at the voice.

It sounds so familiar but I didn't see who talked so I couldn't ascertain who it really was.

The figure soon came under the lights and I could see the face very well.

“Vincent." I breathed out.

He was dressed in black, his hands were in his pockets with his lips drawn in a straight line as though he was angry.

“Yeah." He muttered as he rested on the pane I was resting on too.

I heaved a sigh of relief, resting more on the pane.

“You scared me there. You were in sync with the darkness that I didn't see you at all.” I said.

"I'm wearing black.” He said simply.
I could feel that something is wrong with him, from his composure and replies, it was just so obvious.

It was quiet between us for some moment, neither of us said anything, just watching the empty park ahead of us.

"What are you doing out here at this time of the night?" His voice broke the silence.

“I needed some time alone. What about you?” I asked.
"Same reason."

I resisted the urge to ask what could be bothering him but I kept shut. He's just always so good at controlling his emotions that one could barely know when he's angry or not.

Judging by his normal facial expression, one would think he's always angry, but tonight's just so obvious.

“You know, I used to think everyone has it all."