The creaking sound from the hinges were unbelievably quiet. Only an exasperated breathing is audible as the door finally revealed a person's figure.

Double-checking for any inconspicuous presence along the dimlit corridors from side to side, the person from inside the bedroom tried to eased her way out with so much caution afraid to cause anymore unnecessary noise and disruption around the area.

She indeed appeared to be vigilant and determined to leave. Or escape as she dares call it, to be more specific.

...

Hmmm.

It does really seems like no one is still awake.

All good for now. The woman thought.

A relieved sigh can be heard after the discreet inspection.

Allowing herself to fully leave afterwards and shut the door close behind her as she walked along the hallway silently and stealthily, in her lithe movements. She clasp her hands together hoping she won't get caught or it'll be over for her.

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...

Laurice just could not help but sneak out.

d.a.m.n right, she was really going to leave tonight. By hook or by crook. Well, It was already dawn to be exact. She had been waiting for hours and hours without batting an eye and may not have anything planned out after this attempt however, she really just plainly wanted to leave. She'd go mad by herself if she stayed any longer than she had endured. It was torture enough to not be able to speak a word while she was inside her room.

Indeed, it was terrible.

Laurice felt that same stinging in her chest once more while recollecting.

...

Hours ago, in Laurice's room.

Finally, a moment with herself alone.

Laurice somehow felt constricted and confused. She may have escaped the clutches of those people for now but she wasn't actually relieved at all. What about tomorrow?

She was worried sick already thinking she might not keep the facade of an obedient and polite fellow. It was extremely difficult on her part to tolerate her own mother's and grandmother's att.i.tude in particular. Not to mention, dealing with the other relatives seems troublesome too. What an unpredicable family, indeed.

Family huh?!

A soft bitter smile escaped Laurice's lips.

It was rather distressing than heart warming for her.

The mere thought was invoking a sense of envy and insecurity that she had long kept hidden in her heart. As fas as she was concerned, she doesn't have one.

The animosity she felt towards the people she met today was one thing. But it was real and evident. There was clearly no mistaking it.

Why did she even bother seeking them? No, she wasn't exactly looking. However she did allowed herself to come out from her hiding didn't she? But how is this situation any different from before? She still felt motherless and fatherless above anything else.

Laurice forcefully, with her fists slightly trembling, covered her mouth afraid that a sob might unconsciously escape from her quivering lips.

How dare they make her feel so small and insignificant.

How dare her mother act up on her.

Despite her eagerness to control the urge not to cry again, Laurice was basically helpless.

Her eyes glistened with tears streaming down her face.

After years of living by herself, this is how her mother treats her? Like an object at her absolute disposal? And she have the gall to declare that she needed her? What for? Use her to her own conveniece?

Laurice wanted to burst out laughing.

As if her mother's words were enough to compensate for the years she had lost.

She was clearly ... Laurice was actually ...

Since that inauspicious day, had been in the dumps for the longest time she remembered. And now it was as if it didn't happened at all. Like nothing did happened. So are they back to square one, then? Was her mother that oblivious of her circ.u.mstances over the past years that had gone by and desired to just move on a whim?

She knows nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Laurice cleared a lump in her throat while she wipe her face dry.

As she stare across the empty vast s.p.a.ce in front of her, Laurice held her limp body in her own arms, while sitting behind the door unmoving.

She couldn't even move away from the cold tiled flooring.

Laurice didn't want to touch anything or she might end up breaking things unintentionally with her own bare hands. She didn't even bother lying on bed, taking her rest as she was told and just ignore everything. She isn't like that.

Laurice wasn't that insensitive.

But she couldn't quite recognize herself that much anymore.

What really changed? She wasn't this defenseless before. It's rather pitiful.

No.

If she can't rely on anybody else but herself then so be it. For the sake of her goal, she can atleast endure this much or maybe a little more.

Summoning up the courage to stand on both of her feet, as she ought to wash up a little while her emotions are still winding down, Laurice's phone vibrated the second time around. However, she was lacking the interest to check upon it as if she doesn't care anymore. Laurice tried ignoring it at first mindlessly believing it was her mother sending her another text when it actually didn't stop alarming.

It was a phone call.

Like the beat of the drum, her heart started pounding against her chest in both worry and antic.i.p.ation.

The name of the person trying to reach her appeared on screen.

Laurice looked somehow surprised.

But weren't she actually waiting for this?

She held her phone tightly without accepting the call. Why was she hesitating to answer?

As it was cut off in the end, there was another one incoming as soon as the first call ended unsuccessfully.

Laurice still did not move a finger at all, not knowing what to do or even say if she ever gets to talk with him.

Ding! A notification instead went through.

Sid sent her an impatient text. Or rather, a worried one.

The message read: "Why aren't you picking up? Call me back if you're not busy, ok?"

Ok?

What the heck. He sounded like a doting husband.

A few minutes past with Laurice mulling over what to do when her phone vibrated non-stop.

Ding!

Another message was received from the same sender.

"Call me please. You're making me worried, Liz."

And another read: "I'm near your place. Want me to pick you up? On second thought, just come out already i'm taking you back."

And the last one:

"Little Louie is with me. We're waiting for you."

Laurice: " ... "

She was now undeniably and completely dumbfounded.

d.a.m.n it. d.a.m.n it.

Laurice washes off her face with her own palms in frustration.

How can that man be this intolerable?

Isn't this considered foul play?