Falling for the Forbidden

light through the closed curtains. The room was filled with the scent

mchair, his head slumped against

on the center table. It was well covered as

mom to leave him. She tried to take me with her, but my dad wasn't like this then. I thought it was probabl

e sound. I was already getting late to work, and my boss is a sucker

round the house to see if I was forgetting anything. Just

My father's voice was raspy, the af

ace as neutral as possible. "

ed. He struggled to sit u

Li

I was c

up to? Running around, thinking you're better than me

ard it, but each time, his words cut deep. I blinked back the tears threatening to spill out

reakfast.

d in a swift motion, he pushed the tray down from the

lan all along, hasn't it? So you'll leave me

e tears were so close now. No, I'm not going to cry i

my voice cracking, and I slammed th

ld gears providing a momentary distracti

" I said, tryin

ying not to think about what had happened. Every day, I thought m

ent. My eyes widened in fear as I spotted a car coming straight at me out of nowhere. I

voice barked, getti

heart. I couldn't believe I almost had a

. A lean, wiry man in his mid-30s with a quiet, intense presence. He had

, trying to collect myself

dain. "Do you know how expensive this car is?

ce morning suddenly swirled and morphed

g late for work. I don't have time to argue a

k on my bicycle and started pedaling. My boss was definitely going to

frantic ride. I pushed through the huge double doors of the restaurant, and I was immedia

e snapped, arms

, trying to catch my breath. "I

e cut me off. "All your excu

, it'

to hear it. You're lucky I'm not firing you on the spot, but I

nodded, my hea

apron. I slipped behind the counter,

ked through the opening that con

like that."

better." he said, t

ank

rving them, and clearing up after them. I got lost in t

who had just left, I overheard some loud-mouthed

nshots yesterday?" The

bed. It was absolutely terr

ough to act like I was working but

nts gang and some other s

here are a lot of gangs in the city. The police have been doi

dies. When I came out of my home, I still saw traces of blood o

. It's getting too common." the man concluded,

y boss ca

kitchen. I prayed I wouldn't have any problem