Strings Attached

~Chapter 14~

Despite that, I let out a derisive laugh. "You talk like we're coming together after a long breakup, man. Gabbing about updates on each other's lives," and with some venom- "how about you ask the bloody cheat himself, and see how he answers you. You have a phone, right? Use it while the luxury lasts you."

By now, I've attended to my appearance and combed my hair (with my hands, no less) to get going. We've drifted downstairs without knowing. I'm about to pass out of his door, when he stops me from behind, grabbing my t-shirt by the neck and I'm forced to halt in my steps.

I swat his hand away and shrug my shirt back to order. "You can't go out like this, man. Mum will go all agro on me. She wants you to have dinner with us. Besides, Hiba is outside."

"I don't care wherever she blasts herself to. Besides, I don't have all the time in the world. Say sorry to your mom for me. I have to go. I need to find myself a job. One that lasts this time."

"If... I... um... if you need any money, you can come to me, you know." "How dare you?! You talk like I'm bloody homeless!" My eyes are all ablaze now. 

"We've talked about this before, haven't we?" I look at him accusingly, eyes narrow, and I almost spit out my next words. "We agreed that you wouldn't show me the cash, unless it involved keeping my reputation safe."

"This isn't about reputation anymore, Dan! It's about bloody survival. Your phone is dead, for Pete's sake, no bills paid for the last three months. What are you gonna forsake now?! Your Harley? Cause I'm sure it doesn't run on water."

"Trying to rub it in my face, aren't you? I told you, I'm getting a job." I retort a little less acidly now. "Oh, really? I don't see any job waiting for you when you go back," he informs me cruelly, and I feel like bashing his head in.

"It's about time you ask for your basic rights as a legal offspring, Dan. All that your old leech does is pay half your fees and keep you under his roof. That's not how it's supposed to be! Rich's had it a little too easy. He's biting into your share too." And I let out a sardonic laugh at that.

"Shouldn't you know better by now? He's already bit into my share, don't you see? In fact, he's swallowed it whole. What do you want me to do? Beg him?? I won't go down on my knees, if that's what it takes."

"I won't ask that leech for any help, as you called him. Unless hell freezes over, or I loose a kidney. 'Till then, not for a single farthing, if I can help it. And if you excuse me, I have a lot to do. Thanks for the help, by the way."

"Although I don't know why, but I can't help thinking something else happened last night too. Something that's never happened before."

And leaving that insinuation at his doorstep, I remove myself from the house.

_____

Dad's just coming home from office when I get back. He parks his car in the garage and gets out. He's talking on the phone and... laughing.