Crush  caught

Chapter 7

I looked at the wall of my father's room and saw a small photo of us there. I cried when I saw his smile, my father's sweet smile. That's a picture of us when I graduated from high school and now...

I'm about to graduate and he can't not come to our graduation day. Dad must be present that day. I need him on my special day... Because that's the day I'm going to graduate. I just saw his smile and hope returned to me.

"I still won't give up, Dad. I'll get you out of jail and clear your name," I said without emotion.

Because of my tiredness today and crying, I didn't realize that I fell asleep.

I was just distracted when I heard a bang from outside our house.

When I looked at my watch I saw that it was 7 PM. I got up and fixed myself.

I also try to listen to the noisemaker. I wasn't nervous that there might be bad people out there.

"Have you called our family attorney, brother Asher?" It was Alley's voice.

The noise is not coming from outside because they are already inside our house. I better change my clothes before I face them. I'm wearing our school uniform because I didn't even change before.

I was wearing a plain dirty yellow shirt on top and black jeans underneath.

I caught up with the brothers in our living room and they were looking everywhere. Maybe they are also wondering why our belongings are almost gone inside and the damage is already visible.

I walked closer to them and brother Asher looked at me so he gently patted his brother Alley, causing him to look at me as well.

His eyes widened as he stood up and greeted me with a tight hug. I was shocked at first.

"Jam! You really want to give me a heart attack a second time?! We found out what happened to Uncle Jasper!" he exclaimed and I even heard his soft sobs.

I hugged him back. Somehow I felt relief in my chest. Just in the presence of my friend.

I'm glad because I have a friend like Astralley, you can really feel her concern for you. He's the type to be scared and cry in your situation. You really feel that he is always there if you need a friend to lean on. Who is ready to do everything for you and lastly, he will not make you feel that you are alone and without compassion.

I'm still lucky to have him. I was very lucky because Alley was given to me as my best friend.

I stroked his back, I had finished crying earlier but I couldn't stop myself from accompanying him because I was also overwhelmed.

"Sorry, Alley," I apologized to him. He slapped my back softly which made me laugh.

"Why didn't you tell me you were in trouble again, huh?!" he ordered and he also separated from me. He wiped the tears from his cheeks.

Brother Asher remained silent and just watched his brother and I's drama, but I knew he was just observing.

"It's a witch, you always worry me!" he said and pulled my hair down so I grunted in pain. We both heard his brother's soft laugh.

"I'm sorry. I was going to tell you, eh. But I lost my mind because I fell asleep cleaning." Even though I finished my work.

He patted my shoulder. "Didn't I tell you, Jam? If you have a problem, don't be shy to tell me and we'll talk about it. Don't be shy to ask for help from me. I'm your best friend and even if you're not ask for help from me, I will do it anyway, no!" he said long and I appreciated that.

"I can't forget that, Alley. You were the first thing I remembered earlier, but I was so tired and crying that I didn't realize I fell asleep. How did you get into our house?" I asked them curiously and Alley pulled my hair again.

"Ouch!" I moaned softly.

"Your door isn't closed! Gaga, what if Brother Asher and I didn't enter your house? Oh, I'll be the first to die when I find out that you're doomed again, Jam Kirsten!" he shouted.

I looked at our door. With so much going on in my mind and fearing what will happen to my father, I will actually forget about closing our door.

"I forgot. Sit down first, Alley... Ah, do you want something to eat, Brother Asher?" I asked and he shook his head.

He held up the paper bag branded with an expensive restaurant logo.

"We already bought it, Jam. And your friend didn't have anything to eat either. We're waiting for you to wake up so you can be together," he reasoned out.

Alley pulled my arm and we sat on the small sofa. Brother Asher is opposite us. They brought out the food they bought one by one that I can't even name them because of the quantity.

"Eat you two," he told us.

"Is it you, Big Brother?" I will ask.

"I already sister earlier, oh," he said and sniffed our small trash bin inside. In the amount of clutter, you can actually see the traces of what he ate there. I nodded in response and took the disposable spoon then Alley and I started eating.

"How did you know what happened to my Father Jasper?" Alley took a drink from the bottled water before answering.

"Brother Alked called us," he answered which surprised me.

"Brother Alked?" I said in shock at that name.

"Brother Alked, that handsome police cousin of ours who also grabbed you that day? Do you still remember him, Jam?" he asked me.

"Why did he tell you that? It's surprising..." I said to which Alley nodded and Brother Asher grinned.

It's really amazing. Because what does he care about me, right? He doesn't know me. He even grabbed me then and now it's Daddy Jasper.

So how did it happen that he even announced it to his family?

"He's ready to help, Jam. He said he didn't know that it was your father and that his older brother was the owner of the company your father was accused of stealing and copying toys," Alley explained to me and I looked at Brother Asher

He nodded his head. "He's willing to help you, Jam. He said he could talk to Keo, his older brother. The owner of that company. He's a policeman, Jam. He also has his own principles. That if he knows something is wrong or a sin of his family he will still do everything and get the truth out. We are here and ready to help you," he said at length.

Is it possible? Can I trust that man? How can I be sure that he will really help us? What if his family is more in favor of him and that is the real culprit?

Do I believe in the principle referred to by Brother Asher?

"We know Brother Alked, Jam. Your cousin has a heart unlike Kuya Keo," said Alley.

I thought about it. I really want dad to get out and clear his name again.

So... can I trust Alked Herran Fortalejo?

I need to find Daddy Jasper's sketching book," I said to the two of them.

I have finished eating but Alley looks like he is still very hungry so it takes him a long time to eat.

"What was that, Jam?"brother Asher asked me.

"I can give that to them and present it as evidence that Dad is an innocent person and that he is the original of the toys made by the said company," I explained. The brothers looked at each other before looking back at me.

"Did you find it, Jam?" brother Asher asked me weakly, I shook my head because I didn't see a sketching book in my father's drawer.

As far as I know, Dad doesn't remove that thing from where he put it and no one moves there, except me and Dad Jasper. But now, it's not there and maybe he put it in another drawer? But I explored the cabinet inside and the sketching book wasn't really there. I am very worried that we might be overtaken. Maybe someone will take it?

Or can the police take it? But is it impossible? Why did they mess up our whole house? What if there was a policeman who was also paid off and intended to take the most valuable thing my father had?

I really can't stop thinking about something, especially if it's possible that that's what's happening.

I sighed and pinched my hand. "Nothing. He just puts it in his drawer... I wanted to talk to Dad earlier but I wasn't given the chance and they sent me home immediately," I said.

"We'll talk to Alked. For now, you'd better get some rest. We'll talk about that tomorrow, Jam."

"Brother Asher and I will sleep here," said Alley.

"But...why? I'm fine, Alley. Just go home and rest," I said.

"We're going to spend the night here, Jam. You can't be left alone here. Because if they're planning something bad for your father, the reason why he robbed him in the first place is possible that person will approach you as well," he said seriously.

I didn't do anything that night but let them sleep at home. brother Asher stayed in the living room and only slept there even though I said he could rest in my father's room.

He emphatically refused because he said he couldn't sleep yet and would be watching. So I just got a pillow and blanket for him. With the size of his body, he can barely fit on our sofa.

Alley will sleep in my room. He also fell asleep first but I fell into deep thought again so it was a long time before I fell asleep.

The next day I still woke up early and I was thankful that we didn't have class so I had time to visit dad again at the precinct. Alley is with me.

To Be Continued...