Chapter 05
I stood in front of the huge castle,a castle befitting of a diplomat and a judge. Everything about the mansion is perfect except the people living in it.
My family is a shitty family of four. My money loving father, my 'I don't care about who's wrong, I only care about who pays more', mother, and my perfect prosecutor of a sister who's the combination of both of my parents, Queenette, including me, their imperfect gay son and gross, disgusting brother, as they have said.
If not because of what I want to say I wouldn't have to be here.
My family is the type of family that the corrupt rich people want to curry favour with but the normal justice seeking citizens despises and it's understandable. Cause that's what my family is, corrupt.
The Royalles is a big name in Starise but for the wrong reasons only.
Which is why I'm ashamed to carry such a name, I'd rather be known as a nobody, even bullied for it than to identify as a Royalle, not happening.
There are definitely people out there who will go as far as eliminating us, for the injustices done to them and I don't want to bear that cross for them, especially when they don't even want me nor do they acknowledge me, just because of my sexuality.
I stepped into the building, feeling chills at the unsettling quietness. Everywhere is pristine, clean and orderly. The whole building is a contrast of black and white. No other colour, except a shade of gray, here and there.
I couldn't believe I had lived here from childhood to the end of high school when I got kicked out for coming out of the closet which was why I had waited till then to come out, despite having known my sexuality for years.
I paused at the huge nontransparent glass door, took a deep breath before stepping in. Everywhere looked the same as the past two years ago.
My father and sister were at the dining table, my mom nowhere to be found but by the smell permeating the place, I could tell she's cooking. My mom has always been a good cook, something I've missed a lot for two years now.
"Hello Ash". My older sister called out with a smirk, not a kind or sexy one, no,a full on dark evil grim, smirk.
She started calling me the name because according to her, I'm no longer a man, I'm a woman now, so I should change my name to Ashley.
"Hi Queen, hello Dad". I greeted but my dad didn't even acknowledge me, someone that had been talking so animatedly when I came in. It's so obvious that my presence isn't welcomed here at all, so why did they tell me to come,if they're going to be such homophobes?
I sat down quietly, not even trying to make another conversation. I just respected myself.
My mom came out of the kitchen,a smile on her face, which immediately disappeared when she saw me. She regained her smile but it became strained and stiff.
I sighed in exhaustion, I'm already tired before the conversation even began.
She sat down after serving the meals. I was surprised she even gave me a share. The last time I had eaten her food was the day before I came out.
While everyone was eating, they made small talk, not even trying to include me in their conversations, which I'm fine with because I don't think I can handle any homophobic comments.
With the way they were ignoring me, my appetite quickly waned, the food tasted of hatred and disgust and I couldn't bring myself to eat it.
"So… why am I here?". I wanted to leave there as soon as possible.
"Couldn't you wait until we've finished eating?". My mom snapped, her eyes blown out wide with disappointment and obvious hatred. My chest burned, my eyes stung but I pushed back the tears not wanting to give them the satisfaction of seeing me cry.
"No mother, I can't wait". I replied, my voice strained from holding back from crying out.
She shook her head in mock pity,"We want to know why you haven't awakened?".
My eyes widened in surprise. I wasn't expecting that. Out of all the reasons why they wanted to see me, I hadn't thought of that.
"I don't know Mother". I shrugged, still stunned by the unexpected question.
"You don't know why you haven't awakened at twenty?". She mocked.
"How am I supposed to know". I wondered.
"You should know because all your friends have awakened their powers". She went on, her voice raised.
"She meant, all your normal friends since you have chosen not to be normal". My sister inserted, with contempt.
"What's wrong with me loving boys instead of girls". I blinked back the tears that were starting to pool in my eyes.
"Everything is wrong with it, we told you it's not normal which is why we sent you out of the house so that you can regain your senses and decide to be normal again but you refused, you chose to commit such immoral acts against our advice and upbringing". My mother continued, acting like kicking me out was a righteous act.
"Mom, you're the one to talk about immorality. There's nothing more immoral than collecting bribes from people just to judge a case in their favour. I'm sure the abandoned case files of countless rape victims that you left in the basement will judge you on the account of immorality. None of those rape victims got the justice they deserved because you were blinded by money despite the fact that you already have everything, yet you want more money". I fumed, having had enough of their act of righteousness.
"This generation is something else. You were lucky you never met your grandparents, they would have beaten the gayness out of your system were they still alive to witness this". She said, referring to my maternal grandparents, that is, her own parents.
"I guess we will never know, thanks to you killing them after awakening". I snorted but she wasn't even fazed,as if I just spoke about the weather instead of accusing her of murdering her own parents. It's the truth anyway and she knows she can't deny it.
"Oh King, did you hear him? He's talking back. Your son has grown wings and now has the audacity to talk back at me". She screeched, wearing her victim mask.
"You don't talk to your parents like that, apologise now". My dad shouted and I unconsciously flinched, hard, before backing away.
He hadn't spoken a single word to me since I came in, not even an acknowledgement and now, he's angry at me because I talked back, despite hearing everything mom had said to me.
But I'm not surprised, that has always been the dynamic between my parents. My mom is the talker while my dad is the one that acts on behalf of my mom which is understandable.
My mom is a judge who helps the rich and wealthy. Any meaningful connections my mom makes, my dad benefits a lot from it. Talk about a perfect match.
I stood up to leave. I got to the door when I remembered what had brought me here, even with their invitation.
I paused and turned around,"The reason I came here is because there's a guy I like a lot and I'm trying to pursue him except he's avoiding me. I know it's not your business but just know that if he agrees I won't hide him away from the world. I would want everyone to know that such a beautiful man is mine and mine alone, so brace yourself because there will definitely be an article titled 'The Royalle's golden son, is not so golden after all, he have been spotted in an intimate position with a breathtaking man and it is confirmed that they are both in a gay relationship' I do genuinely wonder what such an article would do to the perfect image you've been trying so hard to build". With these parting words, I turned around and left triumphantly, the thought of Samiel accepting to be my boyfriend occupying my mind the whole ride back to the dorms.
Except there's a clear difference between imagination and reality especially when he's ignoring me and I can't deny that I know exactly why.