CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Scary red eyes stared back at me. Should I just storm out? I'm scared. It's the same feeling as meeting Aleister for the first time. "It's my first time meeting you right?" he said as he approached me and I immediately took a step back.
I kept stepping back until my back hit the door. He reached out his hand and he was about to touch my face when his hand suddenly got slapped away.
"Father, stop scaring her," Xiumin said, much to my surprise. Their father faced him and the aura only got deadlier. I swallowed the lump in my throat as I tried looking at their father once again.
He looked at me once again and he suddenly began laughing. "Sorry dear child, I thought I should have a little fun."
My eyes widened in confusion at the quick change of mood. The heavy atmosphere suddenly lifted up and I saw that the guys were all shaking their heads. "Did you like my greeting?" he asked me.
I still couldn't even fully process the situation. Their father's red eyes suddenly turned back to their normal color. The menacing aura was gone and all I see in front of me is a really good looking businessman. He was wearing a formal suit and he had his hair slick back. Looking at him now, I'm somewhat reminded of Leonardo Dicaprio's in the Great Gatsby.
"You went way overboard. I can't believe you'd pull off such an act when you know what just happened to her." Suho said as shook his head in disapproval.
"He's right father. You know how much uncle Aleister scares her, you didn't need to add." Kyungsoo added. "How insensitive of you."
Their father raised his hand and pointed a finger at them. "I didn't say yes to this meeting just so I could hear my sons nag at me." he chuckled.
"Whatever old man, let's just get this over with," Tao scoffed as he scratched his head. To my surprise, their father suddenly teleported in front of Tao, hit him on the head, then teleported right next to me.
Tao glared at his father in return. "That's what you get for calling me an old man," his father snickered. Their father turned to me and back at the guys. "Hey, does this girl even speak? She's been standing there for quite a while now."
Baekhyun tapped my shoulder and gestured me to go and talk. I snapped out of my trance and managed a greeting. "I-uh... I'm Paige, sir... Mister," sort of...
He chuckled patted my shoulder. I instinctively stepped away when he touched me. "Ah, don't worry. I have control over myself. Sit down and we'll all talk." he said.
"How should I address you... sir?" I asked awkwardly.
"Xerxes, my name is Xerxes." he answered but he suddenly got elbowed on the ribs by Chen.
"You can't expect her to just be that casual with you, idiot." he said.
"I'm not like other demons and don't call me an idiot." he scratched his head. "Just call me Mr. Damon, it's what everyone in the company calls me. See the pun there? Damon is exactly like demon!" he then cackled.
I looked around the room only to see everyone already seated on their chair and eyeing their father as if he has gone insane. "Take your seat, Paige." Luhan told me.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Damon." I said with a bow before taking my seat. I was seated in between Luhan and Chanyeol since it was the only seat left. Mr. Damon also took his seat at the end of the table.
He coughed loudly at rested his hands on the table. "So... what are we going to talk about?" he asked with a grin.
It was as if everything is on cue when everyone palmed their faces. "Isn't it obvious that it's about Paige?" Suho groaned.
"Right," Mr. Damon nodded. "So Paige, what's the problem?" he asked me. Once again, everyone groaned inwardly on their seats.
"Hasn't Suho talked to you about it yet?" Tao asked.
"Tao," he suddenly called him and Tao tensed up. "Don't act sassy, I'll hit you again."
I couldn't control it any longer. I laughed loudly. Everyone looked at me and gave me a confused look. Why? They're funny! Their father's personality is way too different compared to what I expected.
"Sorry," I coughed. "It's just that... I'm not used to such a set-up." I grinned.
Mr. Damon nodded. "I like this girl," he chuckled. "Paige, I'm not like my older brother. He's uptight, grumpy and way too serious. Meanwhile, I'm just a demon that wants fun and games and usually foolish. That's probably why he never accepted his defeat, he just can't accept the fact that he got defeated by someone with the likes of me." he narrated.
"I expected that you're both serious and scary and that you're always at each other's throats since you were young." I honestly answered.
"Not at all," Mr. Damon shook his head. "I only got serious when I had to fight him for their mother." he said as he rested his head on his palm. "Ah... the things you do for love," he said as if he was reminiscing.
"Father, you're missing the point." Kai interrupted.
"Oh how I miss my dear Helena," he then looked towards me. "How about you Paige? Are you in love?" I was taken aback by the sudden question.
"How on earth did we come to that question?" Lay asked in bewilderment.
"Are you dating anyone or some sort?" he asked once again.
"Can we just please stay focused on the subject at matter?" Suho raised his voice. Mr. Damon grinned and made a gesture for him to proceed.
Seriously... they're one heck of a weird family.
"As you know father, uncle has been messing with us... particularly Paige. Your former employee, Paige's stepfather, is now working with him and they're planning on eliminating all of us." he explained. Suho then faced me. "Explain the rest Paige. Tell him about what Aleister did."
I gulped. I wasn't even prepared that I have to do some explaining. "Well weeks ago, I met him and he said that he," I pointed at Sehun. "Is getting way too strong for his own good and that he's becoming a threat for him, that's why he wanted to get him killed... which he managed to talk me into doing. When I tried avoiding your son, he came into the picture once again and brought us into a situation which we couldn't control." I narrated.
"So my hunch is right. Sehun had something to do with the murder of those university students." Mr. Damon said and I slowly nodded.
"I wasn't fully aware of what I did. I never even knew about my situation." Sehun gloomily said. "I know that's still inexcusable though, it doesn't change the fact that what I did was horrible."
"And I believe you understand why we kept such a thing from you."
"I understand father," Sehun said with a nod.
We kept silent after that. But it didn't take long until Mr. Damon decided to break it, "You're all probably going to think I'm stupid for realizing it just now but Paige is claimed right?" he asked. Based on the expressions on their faces, they're probably thinking of the exact thing. "Don't tell me that the bastard Aleister claimed you!" he slammed his hands on the table.
"Calm down pops. Uncle didn't claim her, Sehun did." Chanyeol answered casually.
Everyone suddenly shot him a warning look. "I should not have said that yet," Chanyeol slapped his forehead.
"Chanyeol, how many times must I tell you to stop calling me pops?" Mr. Damon exclaimed much to everyone's disbelief. Chanyeol just blurted out that one of his sons claimed me and he complained that he's called 'pops'? Unbelievable.
Mr. Damon huffed and sat back down. His eyes landed on me and they suddenly widened. "Sehun claimed you?!" I seriously find it hard to believe that this man is Aleister's brother. How can a demon be this... this childish?
"I was unaware. I was in my demon form when I claimed her, I didn't know." Sehun said.
"Have you kissed her yet?" he suddenly asked.
I suddenly choked and Sehun just avoided eye contact. Meanwhile, the other guys just groaned in disbelief. "That's a sensitive topic, we should skip that." Xiumin said awkwardly.
"I want to know. My son is finally a man, I have to know." Mr. Damon said. I think I know where Sehun got his stubbornness from.
Everyone looked at me worriedly but I just smiled at them in assurance. I'm quite surprised at myself that I'm not that affected by the topic. I'm just feeling a little awkward for talking about such things but other than that I'm not even feeling scared or mad about it.
"So? Answer me!" Mr. Damon said loudly.
"Yes," Sehun answered uneasily. "But like I said, I'm unaware of what I did." he explained.
"How many times?" Everyone's jaw nearly fell when he added another question. Why is he this curious?!
"Do you expect us to count? Who knows, he's kissed her in front of us a couple of times and no one knows how many times he's done it when they're alone." Kai said with a chuckle.
"Was saying that really necessary?" I shot him a glare and he grinned at me.
"My son," Mr. Damon stood up and went near Sehun. "I must say, you've made the perfect choice of choosing such a fine lady." he placed his hands on Sehun's shoulder.
Sehun only shook his head. "You're forgetting the point that no choice was made. I claimed her by force. I hurt her and she despises me for that. I did claim her, but that's all there is to it... I wasn't in control of my actions." Sehun said as he looked down.
"Paige, do you despise my son?" he asked. "I'm sorry for opening up such a topic. I want to apologize in his behalf." It's like déjà vu. I remembered that their mother told me the same thing.
I cracked a small smile and I shook my head. "I don't. Although I'm not totally okay yet of this whole mate situation but I could only accept right? Besides... I've realized that demons are not all bad. Your sons aren't bad, and so is Hun."
"Hun?!" everyone including Sehun suddenly asked.
I covered my mouth in embarrassment as I hit my head on the table. Why did I even say that aloud? Saying it in front of Suho was embarrassing enough, what more if I said it in front of the whole family?!
"It's a nickname Paige came up with since she doesn't know how to properly address him and she still has to be careful." Suho laughed.
"It's like an endearment or something," Chen teased. My face has completely turned red by now. Why did I even say such a thing?
"Use it then," everyone's laughter died out when Sehun suddenly spoke. "It'll help. If it's a way to keep me from changing forms, then it's fine." he said.
"Then Hun it is! Paige, please call him Hun from now on." Mr. Damon said as he clasped his hands.
"Anyway, we also need to ask you if you know why Sehun suddenly changed forms." everyone got serious after Suho opened a different topic. I mentally thanked him for that. "Sehun," he then looked at him.
"All I remember is that I heard my name getting called and next thing I know I saw Paige crying. She was hurt and suddenly everything that I did while I was in my other form flashed in my mind." Sehun explained.
"I also remember someone telling me that Hun's demon and human form are unstable, because of his growing power," I interrupted. Everyone gave me a confused look.
"Who told you and when?" Right. I never mentioned anything about meeting their mother, huh?
"Well, I had a dream that I met the ghost of your mother. We had a short talk and she mentioned that." I answered.
"You met our mother's ghost?" Baekhyun asked.
"Yeah, weird right? But it really happened." I said sheepishly.
"I wish I saw her too," Baekhyun replied. "But it's amazing that you got to talk to her and you managed to get information as well." he said.
The room fell silent once again. It made me think if it was okay to mention their mother, it seems like they all miss her. "Well that's it then. Helena told you that Sehun is getting stronger, and as he gets stronger the more his powers become unstable. But we have some good news here," Mr. Damon said.
"What do you mean?" we all asked.
"Her," he pointed me. "She's Sehun's weakness. Sehun returned to his normal form because of her, she's the trigger. With enough help from all of us, we can help Sehun control his power. That would be more than enough to go against Aleister."
Everyone seemed to be enlightened with what Mr. Damon said. It actually made sense, although it would be hard. Controlling Sehun while he's in his demon form would be tough, even if everyone is in there.
"Let's ask Paige first. Would you be willing to take this risk?" Sehun asked. I could see the worry in his eyes.
"What do you say Paige? I am here to help. Would you trust me and my sons?" he asked.
"I guess I could. You wouldn't let me die right?" I said as a joke and they all chuckled.
"If I hurt Paige again, don't hesitate to fight me." Sehun said as he stood up.
"They don't have to. I trust you. We'll all do this together." I said and a smile formed on his lips. "We'll do this right Mr. Damon?" I asked as I looked at him.
"I think you should call me something else from now on," he said with a grin.
"What?" I asked.
"You can call me daddy," he cackled.
"This man is insane." Tao groaned.
I could only cover my face in embarrassment. Their family is indeed weird. Twelve mysterious sons, a caring mother and one childish and playful father. How fun.
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The call me daddy thing came from the comeback rumors which was apparently really Call me baby. X'D
Anyways I gave a different chapter today. I thought I should add some humor here, so expect some funny scenes whenever daddy Xerxes is around.
Was the chapter fine? I'm kinda worried since it's different from all the other chapters. Haha
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