AS A SLEEPING FRIEND

1. Have no choice

On the street, when the traffic light was red, I was peddling some merchandise. I sell newspapers and magazines that are trending.

Today, my sale is almost over. Just a few more. After my trade was completely unnoticed, I decided to go home immediately so that my sales activities today were not known by Liam–Kakku.

"Elin!!!"

Suddenly, a scream from a man was heard shouting my name from behind the window of a car that was accidentally opened.

Hearing my name being called, I immediately realized that it was Liam's voice not far from my current position.

I walked backwards then ran in the opposite direction to avoid being chased by Liam, as I had a glance if Liam almost opened his car door right then, it seemed like he wanted to catch up with me.

Fortunately, the traffic light in front has turned green, so inevitably, Liam immediately closed the door and started driving his car again–because the sound of other vehicle horns began to roar, I can't wait to get through that road.

...*****...

Liam arrived home in the afternoon. I heard the sound of his car and peeked a little through the window. I could see if Liam got out of the car with a hardened jaw. Especially the purpose if not to meet me, which I also guess he will scold me.

I immediately shuffled to find a hiding place.

The sound of the door opened violently was heard, followed by the voice of Liam who I had expected to be angry.

"Elin!"

"Elin! Where're you?"

"Elin! If you don't come out, then don't blame me if I destroy everything in this house!"

The real me who didn't want to meet Liam, inevitably came out of my hiding place.

I know if I can't avoid it because no matter how I hide in this house, Liam will definitely find me and keep choking me all out.

"A-what's up?" I know for sure that my face has changed.

I could also see that now Liam was grinning, he was approaching me who was standing on the doorstep.

Instead of answering my question, Liam grabbed me by the neck until I felt pain.

"Still dare you ask 'what's up, huh?"

"Ma-af, Brother." I'm actually the laziest to call Liam Big Brother. Because he's actually just my stepbrother.

I speak with great difficulty. How not, Liam is now choking me, even my thin body is lifted up, accompanied by my back which is also banged against the wall.

"You know what your mistake was, huh?"

I remember the moment Liam got me selling newspapers on the side of the road this afternoon.

"I-yes, Brother ... lep-as!" I said I tried to fight the power of Liam's hand on my neck.

Seeing my face that was red and tormented by his actions, not making Liam stop his vile activities. Liam smirked in my direction.

"Say you won't do it again."

"D-yes."

I felt that the grip of Liam's hand on my neck was beginning to loosen.

"You promise?"

I nodded quickly. And that's when Liam really took his hand off my neck. After that, I spontaneously coughed while holding my neck which was hot and painful due to suffocation.

"Elin, Elin .. how many times do I say, if you need money, then follow my rules!"

I can only stand still on my fingers that are millions of each other. Where might I follow Liam's rules, while those rules must be very unreasonable and contrary to my little heart that always refuses. It's nothing, I can guess if the rules Liam made are not good for me.

"I don't want to see you selling again at an establishment like today. You hear that?"

I didn't say it, I just kept flinching with my mouth gritted.

"You heard me, didn't you, Elin?"

I don't want to nod. But I ventured to make a sound. Just this once, maybe Liam will open his eyes and conscience.

"How can I not sell at the emperor, brother. And you didn't give me the money? We need to eat too."

"Do I care?" Liam was about to move from that place. But before that, he took the time to ask me for something.

"Prepare my dinner! I'm gonna have some beef rib soup for tonight."

Again, Liam's food demand is always beyond the financial limits I have. If only that guy gave me some monthly money, that's okay. But in fact, Liam didn't give me any shopping money when he shouldn't be in charge of my life–if he doesn't let me work.

It seems that Liam was intentionally, asking for things that are beyond normal limits or strange things that I cannot afford, so that I follow the ridiculous rules of the man who is my stepbrother status.

After being satisfied to teach me a lesson, Liam passed from before me. Leaving me with strange thoughts about the needs of the house that should not be my responsibility.

"She didn't give me any money, but she asked me to cook some pretty expensive food. I sell, he doesn't allow. Then where do I get the money to fulfill his wish?" I muttered in a desperate tone.

When Liam was present and saw the side dishes presented there, I could already guess if he would come back angry because the food I cooked was not in accordance with his expectations.

"What food are you serving this, huh? It's all rubbish! You think I'd eat it? You forgot what I wanted to eat?"

I clasped the spoon tightly. My appetite was also lost because of Liam's words.

In fact, even in front of food–which people say is susteki–Liam back tega yelling at me.

I stood up from sitting. Even the chair that I sat on until it was dragged backwards and fell on the floor, the worst case I had on Liam.

Enough is enough for me to be patient with my stepbrother's attitude.

I've always been determined to stay in this house as long as Liam doesn't flirt or commit physical abuse. In fact today, Liam treated me very harshly, even this afternoon Liam had a chance to strangle me.

"Listen, Brother! You don't give me money, you don't let me sell either. But, your food taste is very high. Where do you think I got my shopping money from? You think leaves can be spent!" I end with explosive emotions.

Liam looked flabbergasted when he saw me being able to fight him like this. It seems like he didn't expect at all if I was able to oppose him.

"You dare to fight me, huh?" Liam hit the table, causing the plate containing the dishes on the table to instantly lift, then slammed back into place.

I shrieked, Liam's anger is indeed not something that is balanced for me to fight. Apparently fighting Liam's violence with the same violence was a rash act. I was wrong, I was too emotional.

"You want me to punish? You're getting brave apparently!"

Liam moved, approaching my position. He pulled my arm very emotionally.

"I'm just saying my head, brother. Is it worth your treatment like this to me? You don't even give me money and I'm the one responsible for your bowels! Isn't that not necessarily? You're my brother, not the other way around!"

"Omong empty! That's what you're gonna be my sister for. You do have to take responsibility for my wishes, let alone my father dying in bankruptcy. You and your mother it just troubles me!"

Liam pulled me up to enter his room. There he picked up a belt that he used to wear around his waist. Liam seemed to prepare that and suddenly plowed him into my back.

Plaque! One.

Plaque! Twice.

I grimaced in pain. Liam really hit me without using his conscience.

"Punish me, Brother .." I said. My tears just came out. This is my first time fighting Liam. Usually if he nags, I prefer to go and dodge. But lately, Liam's getting annoying, I'm not even allowed to work. He's in control of my life.

This was also my first time being rewarded by Liam with a belt whip.

As I groaned withstanding the pain, I suddenly felt no more lashes. Liam didn't continue his third blow. However, he still stared angrily at my face.

"If I continue to be treated like this, then you better let me go, I won't trouble you anymore!" I said with tears.

Hearing that, Liam chuckled loudly, as if he was making fun of me.

"You sure you want to go? Are you ready for any consequences? So what about your mother's life? Do you have all the tools that support his life on the sickle bed released?"

I'm getting breathless with sobs. From the beginning I survived with Liam's life, not because I was afraid to leave, but because I needed the cost to continue my mother's treatment.

"You can't answer, huh?" Liam grinned full of ridicule.

I tried to suppress the pain in my heart and the pain in my body. How long do I have to be in a toxic life like this?

It should have been a time that I went through beautifully. Studying with friends my age enjoyed what it was like to be a student. Apparently, this year I have to go through with regret, sobs, inner wounds and coupled with physical injuries that Liam deliberately incised on me.

Suddenly I regretted why my mother had to marry Liam's father who in the end after he died, this son even tortured me– who was his sister's status–when my mother was in bed assembling.

"I told you, you should follow all my rules. You can get money, I can get money, Elin. That way, we can both be happy."

I wiped my tears. Liam never appreciated me.

"What by following that rule you said, then I can get away from you and make you stop torturing me, sister?"

"Of course."

"Well, I don't have a choice, do I?" pasrah.

At first I had wanted to run away from Liam if it continues like this, but again the condition of the mother who was in the Hospital actually held me to stay on the side of this baj*ngann.

Moreover, Liam has been talking about 'following the rules' lately.

When I heard that, it made me feel very unhappy.

But, how will you? Whatever Liam did to me, my mother's medical expenses that were not cheap, were still fully borne by the man.

"Yes, you have no choice, Elin. Tomorrow, come with me! I'll show you how to make the right money. You don't have to embarrass me by selling at the company. Nor will I expose you to sunlight that will damage your skin. We'll both benefit."

Liam smirked at the end of his sentence.

...Connect …...