CHAPTER 45: ARE YOU HIDING A KID?

"W-What? W-Who are you with again?!" Alpheus exclaimed in disbelief.

"We’re with Rome. So get out of the school now before he storms in himself. Dave’s doing his best to hold him off." Calyx said in an almost-whisper on the other end of the call.

Alpheus could clearly hear Rome’s irritated voice in the background.

"What the heck, Dave? Why won’t you let me go inside?" Rome snapped impatiently.

"Man, it’s an elementary school. You can’t just barge in without even knowing where you’re going. Let’s just wait for Alpheus out here." Dave replied, trying to stay calm.

"Hey, Calyx. Who are you talking to? Is that Alpheus?" Rome asked suspiciously.

"H-Haha... no, man. I’m just talking to one of my bitches..." Calyx replied, then quickly turned his attention back to Alpheus on the phone.

"I’m gonna hang up. Hurry up and come out."

Alpheus sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration before glancing over at the twins, who were now staring at him with curious eyes.

"Uhmm... kids, I think this is where our visit ends today. So, just stay in the office no matter what happens, okay?"

"Why, Uncle? Did the old principal come back with the police?" Egypt asked.

"Nope. That principal’s never coming back with the police. You don’t have to be scared of him anymore," Alfonso assured them. "That fat guy will never set foot in this school again. And even if he does, we’ll deal with him immediately."

"Then... who came?" Egypt asked again, her eyes narrowing with concern.

"Uhm... someone scarier than the old principal," Alpheus answered carefully. "He’s a scary guy, which is why it’s best for you both to stay here and wait for your mom to pick you up. Your Uncle Alfonso and I have to go out there now."

Before leaving, Alpheus turned his gaze toward Amie, who still couldn’t bring herself to look at them in the eye.

"Teacher Amie, about the school—my secretary will be arriving tomorrow. She’ll be the one in charge of the upcoming changes here," Alpheus said. "There will be a new administration, so I hope you’ll help guide her well."

"Y-Yes, sir..." Amie replied shyly, lowering her gaze—something that made Alpheus chuckle.

"Haha, no need to be shy around me and Alfonso anymore," he said with a grin. "We’re not going to eat you. It’d be better if you just treat us the same way you used to."

"Alpheus, let’s go!" Calyx cut in impatiently while glancing nervously at his phone screen.

"Alright. Kids, we’re heading out now. Be good to your teacher, okay?" Alpheus said, gently tapping each of the twins on the head before turning toward the door.

Just as he reached the entrance, he felt a small tug on his shirt, making him stop and glance down. It was Paris.

"Uhm... Uncle, are you coming back?" she asked quietly.

Alpheus looked at Alfonso, and the two exchanged a glance before smiling.

"Of course," Alpheus said warmly. "I’m the new owner of this school now, remember? That means I can visit anytime I want." He paused, then scratched the back of his head nervously. "But... don’t tell your mom yet, okay? Let’s keep it a surprise. She’ll be shocked for sure."

"Bye, kids!" he added with a wave before he and Alfonso stepped out in a hurry.

Once the door shut, Egypt turned to Paris with a curious look.

"Paris... do you think the scary person Uncle Alpheus was talking about is someone bad and ugly? Worse than the old principal?"

"I don’t know," Paris replied with a shrug. "Why are you so curious? Do you want me to peek outside and check if that person really is bad and ugly?"

Egypt quickly nodded.

"Yes! Yes! But I also want to see that person with my own eyes. Let’s go!" Egypt exclaimed excitedly, tugging Paris’s hand as she started heading for the door.

But just as they were about to step out, Amie quickly blocked their way.

"And where do you think you’re going, kids?" she asked, arms crossed.

The two girls froze and exchanged a guilty glance.

"Teacher... we just want to see the person Uncle Alpheus was talking about—"

"No." Amie cut in firmly. "Didn’t you promise Sir Alpheus that you’d behave today? So let’s stick to that. Besides, you kids shouldn’t get involved in grown-up matters. You’re still children, and there’s nothing you can really do to help. The best thing you can do is behave. Alright?"

Both Paris and Egypt pouted in disappointment.

"Okay, Teacher..." they mumbled in unison.

-----

Meanwhile...

"What took you so long?!" Calyx called out the moment Alpheus and Alfonso stepped out of the school gate.

"Where’s Rome?" Alpheus asked, noticing the tension in Calyx’s voice.

"He’s over there." Calyx replied, gesturing toward where Rome stood and shooting a glare at Dave.

As soon as Rome noticed Alpheus and Alfonso, he stormed over, his expression still dark and intense.

"What took you so long? And what’s with these two?" he asked coldly, motioning toward Dave and Calyx.

"They were trying to stop me from going inside," Rome said, eyes narrowing. "Why? Are you hiding something in there?"

The four men exchanged glances for a brief moment before all of them looked away awkwardly.

"H-Haha... Why would I be hiding anything?" Alpheus replied nervously. "Maybe they were just concerned because you were about to enter an elementary school with that scary face of yours. The kids might get frightened, you know... h-haha..."

But Rome’s glare only sharpened.

Alpheus quickly avert his gaze in defeat.

"Tsk. You’re not thinking of backing out on what you told me, are you? That you’d help me?" Rome said irritably.

"H-haha, chill, man. Of course not!" Alpheus replied, forcing a laugh. "When have I ever broken a promise to you, huh? You know I’m serious. I’d even go as far as removing my uncle from our family registry just to make sure no one bothers you again. That’s how far I’m willing to go to help you."

Rome calmed down a little upon hearing that, his expression softening.

"Good. Then let’s talk." he said, stepping forward to enter the school gate.

But before he could take another step, both Alfonso and Alpheus moved in front of him to block his way.

"W-wait, man! Where do you think you’re going?" Alpheus said, holding out his arm. "We’re not gonna talk inside. There’s some sort of reorganization going on at school today, so it’s kind of a mess in there. Why don’t we grab some coffee and food nearby instead?"

"Y-yeah, Rome," Alfonso added, nodding. "We’re actually hungry too, so it’s better if you two just talk at a restaurant nearby."

"I also agree.." Calyx chimed in. "And it’s not just Alpheus who’s going to help you deal with your wife. We’re all in this together. We’ll help you too."

Rome paused, narrowing his eyes at the four of them. There was something off about the way they had been acting since earlier. He glanced briefly at the school behind them, then back at their uneasy expressions.

"Are you hiding a secret kid in there or something, Alpheus?" he asked suddenly.

"W-what?!" Alpheus exclaimed. "Where the hell did that come from?! Do I look like someone who’s secretly raising a child?!"

The other three couldn’t hold back their laughter at Alpheus’s overly dramatic reaction.

Rome, however, remained suspicious.

"You four are definitely hiding something from me..." he muttered.