Counsellor Lira hit the coffee table with her open palm. "You are diverting the issue, Mr. Hontiveros. How could you defend those ugly creatures while the bright future of our sons is in ruins? We will be sending Winston to the US. And I will run for the next election as mayor. You are ruining our reputation."
"Ma'am, if your son has basic education, it won't come to this. You should teach your children some manner and compassion before you put the blame on me," Deive said with a tremor in his voice while his fist curled. "You are a government official. You should be apologizing to the victims instead of intimidating us. And don't use that guilt trip on me. You are ruining your reputation because of your family's actions. You should be thankful that this hasn't reached social media yet. If you will keep on intimidating me, I could ruin you so don't test my patience."
Counsellor Lira suddenly shut her mouth in shame. She wanted to clap but she feared she might be discovered.
The counselor's husband spoke up. "Why don't you discipline your son? You spoiled him too much. He always brings trouble. Maybe we should just let him go to jail so he will learn his lesson."
"Stop blaming me. He became rebellious because of your womanizing ways!" the counselor retorted. "This is all your fault. You are the one who ruined our family."
"Ma, Pa, stop it! Can you just fight at home? We are not in our own house," Lindsye reprimanded her parents and maybe she wanted to bury her head under the sand in shame. "Deive, how could my brother and his friends make it up to you? If it's about the money..."
"We don't need your money. I want those kids to apologize to Callea, Marina, and Luna," Deive cut her off.
There were murmurs of protest from the parents. While Callea smiled because Deive was on the right track. The best way to make sure that those kids would change is to make them realize that they committed a mistake.
"You mean, they will apologize even to the hunchback and the ugly cat?" asked Lindsye in a high-pitched tone.
"Of course. They were violated so a sincere apology is a must. I want a public apology here. And I want them to post it in social media as well and confess their sins so others may learn a lesson from them. If you have a problem with your pride that you can't let those kids apologize properly, I will bring this to the media. I have powerful connections. They hurt my fiancee and her friends. And have you forgotten that Calllea's family helped your mother win the election and helped your father with his business. I will wait for the personal apology and the social media apology until tomorrow at lunchtime. And I want them to serve at an animal welfare group for a month and go counseling so they would realize the error in their ways. Until tomorrow."
I felt chills on my spine. Deive was scarier than any monster she had created. She reminded herself not to cross with him because he knew how to crush his opponents. She didn't want to be his enemy.
The group left after they promised that they would deliver tomorrow. Deive showed them out then went upstairs. Maybe he was planning to see her. She stood up and waved at him. "Deive!"
He looked up, his eyes bulged in shock, and nearly tripped the stairs. "Drat! I thought you are really a white lady on that dress." She was wearing a white lacy dress and because she was in a hurry to check out the commotion, she didn't bother to comb her hair.
"Fine. I will just fix myself," she said.
He took the stairs two steps at a time. He rushed to her and took her elbow to lead her back to her room. "Why did you get up?"
"I heard the noise."
"You shouldn't have left the room," he said in a grim voice. "I could handle them just fine."
"I am glad I peeped at the conversation." She tapped his arm. "Thank you for us defending us from their bullying."
He smiled sadly. "I used to be one of them, remember? External beauty defines who you are in my books. If you are good looking, you will get further ahead in life. But things are different now. It is true. In God's eyes, we are all the same. Only humans create their own standards."
She breathed deeply. "That's a sad story, really. And those people who thought themselves beautiful and superior have no qualms about hurting others. They are just cruel. They are the one with disease that can't be cured by any medicines. Their souls are rotten and I despise them. And to think that people like them dominate the world."
Deive made her sit on the bed and combed her hair, carefully noting her wound. "You don't have to be scared just because you are different. As long as you know how to fight for your right. We will teach those bully teenagers a lesson but I guess, their family needs to have a rude awakening, too. They influenced those kids. As much as I want to be mad at them for hurting you, I hate their family more for enabling them to be monsters."
"Lindsye, your crush is one of them," she reminded him.
He kissed her forehead. "What gave you the impression that I have a crush on her? Jealous much?"
She crossed her arms on her chest. "I am not!"
"She's not my crush. We just met at a party and I don't like a woman who has no respect whatsoever in a relationship. The way she ignored you at the church then took me away from you pissed me off." Then he pecked a kiss on her lips. "Even if you turn into a vampire by your BFF bats and suck all my blood, I will choose you. Maybe you used a gayuma on me." (Gayuma is a love potion in Filipino)
"I didn't use a love potion on you. You don't have to sugarcoat it, Deive." Maybe he is just choosing her because they have a deal.
"I am just being true here. Did you remember how I nearly choke Sidney because he said he wants you to cosplay on a vampire character because he has a crush on you?"
"You sound jealous."
"I am. So, stop thinking that I would choose a superficial girl over you. So, do you want to eat breakfast here?"
"How about at the verandah?" she suggested.
"Okay, boss," he said then saluted.
She smiled as he promised to return to fetch her once the table is set. She felt his sincerity when he had chosen her. She'd treasure that moment in her heart.