Sara entered an old looking four storey building. All the buildings in this block looked almost identical to each other. The only difference being brick color or paint.
Sara’s building didn’t have paint, or more like it has worn off and the landlord didn’t bother to paint it back. So now it is just a red brick building. Doesn’t look that bad to be honest.
Arthur didn’t think much of it and followed Sara up the stairs silently. He kept his gaze down respectfully.
They climbed up to the third floor. The hallway was quiet, with old bulbs illuminating it.
Arthur was quite astonished that there are still places that use these bulbs.
They strode through the hallway and from Sara’s trajectory, she was going towards the room, 305.
Even from outside, the door exuded sadness and alcohol. Since he could smell a faint scent of alcohol.
Sara paused for a moment before twisting the door knob and opening it. The door opened with a scraping sound. A strong scent of alcohol hit his face, making him hold his breath for a moment. He frowned involuntarily from displeasure.
Sara entered, she looked back at Arthur with caution and fear in her eyes.
Arthur understood why. But she really didn’t have to worry about her father hurting him, since he already had a plan for that man. Whatever, he first needs to meet this man first before taking any steps.
Arthur entered right after her. The lights were turned off. The curtains were pulled in. Almost nothing could be seen.
Sara turned on the lights and the living room came to view. It is a small two bedroom apartment. But the house still had the underlying luster of life it had lost. The care and love that decorated this house could still be felt. But it also felt like something was missing.
Arthur gazed at the man sitting sprawled on the sofa, with many alcohol bottles sitting on the small table.
He stirred awake from his sleep because of the light. It took him a while to regain his senses. He looked around and finally locked onto the two people who had arrived.
"Ho? Has my daughter arrived? I was thinking about you. You see honey, I ran out of money for alcohol. Give me some."
He said deliriously. He was still tipsy.
Sara frowned, her breathing hicked, but she gathered her courage and spoke up.
"I‐Pleaee behave father, we have guest."
At her mentioning Sara’s father finally realised there was another person in the room.
"Ho? Who is this? Hmm... Is that a man? Did my daughter finally listen to me and get herself a boyfriend~?"
"That she did."
"Khuahahah! Good. Good. Now Mr. Boyfriend, do me a favour and go buy me some alcohol."
"Why?"
"Heee? Cause I need itttt?? Why are you asking me questions? If you love my daughter, you can at least do this much for her family right? Now go. Go go go go go. Be fast."
Arthur gazed at this smug old man and at Sara, who looked worried, afraid and ashamed at the same time.
"Well, si, I think you need help more than you need alcohol. I will be sending you to a rehabilitation center for you to turn into a better man your children can look up to. Don’t fear you."
Arthur said calmly. He put down the bags he was carrying to the side. Sara’s father stopped his head from dropping back and forth. He frowned and turned to look at Arthur.
"Oh? You barely entered my house and are already planning to kick out? Boy, you need to be taught a lesson."
He said with concealed anger. He got up and walked up to Arthur and raised his hand, ready to slap him.
Sara was about to jump in between them when—
*Slap~!*
A crisp sound of slap rang out. Sara’s father lost balance and fell to the side, his head buzzing from being slapped so hard.
Before he could recover, he was grabbed by the throat. Pressure building up and slowly choking the life out of him. He grabbed Arthur’s hand, trying to free himself from his grasp but Arthur’s grip was too strong.
Sara tried to pull Arthur away but he pushed her back as effortlessly. She looked distressed.
He looked over to Sara’s father, his face was turning blue and only then he let go.
He waited for him to recover. He stood there, looking down on the man like he was looking at a bug with hands behind his back.
Sara on the other hand was angry. She was not pleased on but about a stranger beating up her father. No matter how bad he was.
He gazed at her and realised this woman had two brain cells fighting each other for third place. So he took out his phone, put her bank info and sent $10,000 with a note saying, " Stay put, this is necessary, I will explain later that this is good for your whole family."
Sara’s phone buzzed inside her side bag. Arthur gestured to her to look into it. She took out her phone, saw another $10,000 but didn’t freeze because she was pissed. She saw the note, thought for a second and calmed down a bit.
Arthur also received the cashback. He now has over $30,000. He couldn’t even get excited because of the situation.
Sara’s father recovered and glared at him with venom in his eyes. But he did not attack. He knew for a fact that he would be folded like a paper and he was no match for Arthur.
Arthur crouched down, looked him in the eyes and said.
"I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to but you forced me. But since you have gained a bit of reasoning, tell me, do you really love this life you’re living? Rely on your daughter? Destroying not only hers but your other two children as well? Don’t you want them to live a good life? I can tell that a certain situation turned you into what you are now, and I won’t parry, I’m just a stranger."
"But is it really wise to be stuck up in the past and destroying the future? Do you want your daughter to be some public utility? Because that is where you’re pushing her. What about your other two? Do you think they are having the time of their lives? Think about them. Go to a rehabilitation center, become a better person and return to them as the parent they deserve. Not some monster they will have nightmares about."
Arthur then stood up and went outside to call the authorities for help. Giving space to Sara and her father.
Tears were streaming down her face. Her father was looking down at the floor, realising all the things he had done. And all the people he has failed. All sorts of emotions overwhelmed him. He gazed up and saw his daughter, the fruit of his and his wife’s love. The one he swore to protect and make her happy. He looked at her sunken eyes, malnourished body, tears streaming down.
Remembered all the times he had hit her, forced her to give him money. He could not look at her and turned away in shame. His heart felt like it was being pierced by thousands of needles. Then his eyes fell on two little heads sneaking out of the bedroom, fear, discomfort and worry written all over their face.
Seeing that, he felt like the worst human alive. He has failed his wife. His daughter. His children.
Those two never saw their mother, and their father never showed them his love, he could not imagine just what their little hearts went through all these years.
A while later, sirens rang and police came to take away Sara’s father. He did not offer any resistance. Before being taken away, he turned to his children and said.
"I— I know I have been a terrible father. I failed you. And I have no right to ask for your forgiveness after all I have done. But— but know this, I love you all. And I’m sorry. I will try— no, I will turn into a better human. A person whom you can feel safe near. I don’t know if you will accept me then, I will accept whatever you decide. I have no right to say otherwise. But I just hope you guys give me a chance when I return."
He finished slowly and turned to Arthur.
"Please take care of them."
He said quietly. Arthur nodded. Sara’s father smiled and then police took him away.