CHAPTER 50: I WAS SUPPOSED TO HATE THEM

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One Day Later...

I still remember saying I didn’t want to see any of Rome’s friends ever again.

So what the hell is this?

Why are they here?

"H-Hello, Sylvia. Good morning!"

Alfonso greeted me with an overly cheerful grin, as if nothing had happened yesterday.

We caught them just as they were stepping out of the car at the school gate. He and Alpheus were holding flowers and food—just like they always used to bring every morning to our house.

"Good morning, Uncle Alpheus! Good morning, Uncle Alfonso!"

"Good morning, Paris and Egypt! It’s so nice to see you both again!" Alfonso beamed, thrilled to see the kids. He started to step toward Egypt, arms extended.

But I quickly stepped in front of him, shielding both children behind me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked sharply.

"Didn’t you understand what I said yesterday? I told you—I don’t want to see your faces ever again. So please, just leave us alone."

I wasn’t even trying to hide my annoyance anymore. Just seeing them now was exhausting. I had already quit the restaurant I used to work at, and now even my night shift at the bar was at risk—all because I got involved with them.

Ever since they came into my life, nothing but trouble followed.

"Sylvia, it’s not what you think—and about yesterday, we’re really sorry..." Alfonso said gently. "We didn’t mean to hurt you or make you feel that way. It’s just—when he said all that to you, we didn’t know what to do—"

Alpheus suddenly paused mid-sentence, stopping himself before saying more than he should.

"I mean... we’re sorry," he continued, his voice low. "I just hope... you can forgive us—for not standing up for you when it mattered."

"And why would you think I care whether you stood up for me or not?" I snapped coldly, arms folded.

"I don’t. Whether you take your friend’s side or mine—it makes no difference. We’re practically strangers to begin with. So coming here was pointless. It’s better if you never show up at the kids’ school again."

I shot both Alpheus and Alfonso a sharp glare as they exchanged glances but still didn’t move.

"What are you even waiting for?" I snapped, placing my hands on my hips. "Why are you still here? I told you—I don’t want to see either of you again, and that includes your two other friends. Stop visiting the kids. Just leave."

I was trying hard to keep my composure, but the anger was already bubbling under my skin.

"Mommy, you can’t do that to them!"

I froze at the sound of Egypt’s voice—she was no longer behind me. I turned slightly to see her now standing right between me and Rome’s friends, looking up at me with furrowed brows.

"Egypt," I warned sternly. "How many times have I told you not to interrupt when adults are talking? This isn’t your conversation."

Even the kids now were defending them. Tsk. Maybe we really need to move somewhere far away—someplace where none of Rome’s friends could ever find us.

"But Mom, I’m just protecting you!"

Egypt insisted, lips jutting out in a pout as she spread her arms like a shield.

Protecting me? From what—them?

"Yeah, Mom," Paris chimed in, stepping beside her sister and even joining her. "You shouldn’t be mad at them. They didn’t even do anything wrong."

I glared daggers at Alfonso and Alpheus.

Great. Just great. Now even the kids were on their side.

Don’t tell me... did they bribe them somehow? Or say something I don’t know about?

"Whoa, whoa... wait, Sylvia! I don’t like the way you’re staring at us!" Alfonso said, quickly hiding behind Alpheus like a frightened child.

"We swear we’re not doing anything bad to you!"

He peeked out just a little, eyes wide with fear. "If there’s someone you should be mad at, it’s definitely not us. We’ve been trying our best to keep your secret from him, you know! You should at least be grateful!"

Then, as if he hadn’t said enough, he shrank further behind Alpheus, practically clinging to his back like a kid hiding from a scolding.

What the heck is this guy talking about?

I immediately glanced toward the kids, checking their expressions, worried they might have picked up on what Alfonso just said. Thankfully, they looked confused. Clueless.

I clenched my fists tightly. This Alfonso is way too talkative for his own good. One good punch might just shut him up for a while. I was already reaching for his collar when—

A hand suddenly grabbed mine, stopping me, and someone stepped between us.

"Sylvia! You can’t do that!"

Amie cried out, pulling me back before I could even react. She quickly turned to Alfonso and Alpheus, bowing her head in panic.

"I—I’m so sorry, sirs, for what Miss Sylvia just did. Please, don’t take it personally. She didn’t mean it—she doesn’t know what she’s doing."

Then she turned to me with a quick glance, subtly signaling for me to lower my temper. Seriously? Even she’s taking their side now?

What the heck is going on with her? Since when did she start defending those two clowns?

"No, you don’t have to apologize, Miss Amie.." Alpheus said gently, stopping her from bowing again.

"Actually... it’s us who should be apologizing to Sylvia. We understand why she’s angry."

Then he looked at me—eyes calm, sincere and apologetic.

"Mom, what did Uncle Alpheus do to you? Was it really that bad?" Egypt asked while clinging to the hem of my skirt. "If it’s not that serious, can’t you just forgive him already?"

What... again?

I raised an eyebrow at the two men. What was going on? Why did it feel like the twins—and even Amie—were siding with them? Did something happen that I didn’t know about?

I stared hard at the twins. Both of them looked like they were pleading with their eyes, silently begging me to forgive Alpheus and Alfonso.

Then I glanced at Amie.

"What is happening? Why does it seem like you’re taking their side?" I asked with a frown.

Amie awkwardly looked over at Alpheus and Alfonso before slowly stepping toward me and leaning in to whisper.

"Uh... Sylvia, actually, I forgot to tell you this yesterday. You didn’t seem to be in the mood, and things happened really fast, but... something big happened. The fat principal—well, the former principal—tried to bully the twins yesterday because his kid got into trouble with them. Your kids were almost kicked out, but thankfully, Mr. Alpheus and Mr. Alfonso stepped in to defend them. They even went as far as buying the school just to change the system. You should be thankful to them instead..." Amie said.

She paused, looking a bit nervous before continuing.

"Sir Alpheus is now the new owner of the school... and Sir Alfonso? He’s now the school’s biggest investor. So... please don’t be too surprised if you keep seeing them around here."

Slowly, I turned to look at the two men again—who had clearly heard what Amie said and were now standing there with wide, smug grins on their faces.

The heck...?

How the hell did they end up becoming the new owner and biggest investor of the school?

I glanced down at the twins, who were now both looking up at me seriously.

"I already told you, Mom," Egypt said, her tone almost scolding. "You shouldn’t be picking a fight with them. They’re the new owners of the school, so we’re just protecting you from getting in trouble for trying to hurt them."

Her expression clearly said, ’See? You should’ve listened to me sooner.’

"Y-you’re the new owner?" I asked, stammering as the shock settled in.

Alpheus scratched the back of his head.

"Uhm... yeah?" he replied, before handing me a bouquet of flowers along with takeout from an expensive-looking restaurant.

I was too stunned to even protest. My mind was still reeling from everything I’d just heard, so I simply took what he offered without a word.

"Actually, we came here today because we’re planning to visit the school, make some changes, and of course..." he paused before looking at the twins with a fond smile, "we wanted to visit these two, too."

He then flashed us a wide, boyish grin.

And for a second, I froze.

Damn this guy... How am I even supposed to hate him?