Saving the Villain

"Lucas Quinn, I don\'t know why you are doing this. However, do you think you can survive without our family\'s help? Go home now and do not embarrass yourself when you come home because you cannot take responsibility for your decision."

Luke kept his smile but secretly balled his hand inside his pocket. He stared at Asher silently, telling himself lashing out at him was a waste of time. His big brother wouldn\'t understand him.

"Again, brother, I am already home now. I never felt so at peace, which was ironic since this place and my place is worse than a maid\'s quarters." Luke let out a sharp breath and forced a smile. "You said I won\'t survive without our family\'s help? Well… watch me. I\'ll finish school and make a name for myself. Luke — just Luke. I\'ll never use the name Quinn, so don\'t worry. I will bring shame to this distinguished family name."

"If that is all you need to tell me, I\'m gonna go and rest. I have school tomorrow, so I can\'t stay up." He waved dismissively, turning on his heel to walk away.

"Did that guy influence you to do this?" Luke stopped upon hearing Asher\'s inquiry. "I don\'t see any reason ‌you would do this if not for that guy. After all, this place isn\'t where you belong."

Luke looked back at Asher but this time, his eyes were on fire. "And where do you think I belong? In your shadow?" he laughed condescendingly, offended at the indirect insult thrown not just at him but also at his good friend Maxen.

"Did I tell you? Sometimes, you have the funniest joke. It\'s irritating." Luke shook his head in disbelief, looking at Asher from head to toe. "Don\'t come here again. You don\'t belong here."

"Ahh…" he raised a finger just as he took a step. "One more thing. If there\'s one thing that Max influenced me about, that is I shouldn\'t throw my fist so easily. It\'ll graze my precious hand."

With that being said, Luke sauntered off before his blood reach its boiling point. He was already used to Asher\'s bluntness and harshness in words, but there was just something in his last remarks that truly irked him.

"Damn… I never want to punch him in the face until now," mumbled Luke, shaking his head.

Meanwhile, Asher watched his little brother walk away while mumbling to himself. He stayed at that stop even when Luke already jogged his way up the stairs, raising his eyes at the rundown apartment building.

"I did my best." He shrugged, running his tongue across his cheek. "Like always."

Asher shook his head, treating this as another of Luke\'s tantrums. His little brother had attempted running away multiple times, only to return home after a week or two when Luke had no more money to feed himself.

"He\'ll come by," he mumbled, turning on his heel to return to the car. However, as soon as he did, he halted. He turned his attention to the street, recalling the sight he saw earlier before deciding to come and meet Luke.

Asher had been here earlier. When he came, he saw the dirty Luke, Cosette, and Maxen walking away from the apartment building. Cosette and Luke were loud, teasing and even insulting each other, only to seek help from Maxen.

He followed them and found the three stopping by the food stall to buy foods, which the three ate in Luke\'s apartment. He didn\'t see them eat, but their interaction… showed Asher that his little brother was enjoying their company. Not just Luke, but Cosette and Maxen were equally enjoying their time as well.

"How annoying," Asher mumbled, staring at the street where he could see the image of those three walking side by side while chatting loudly as if they were the only people in there.

Shaking his head, Asher resumed his steps and hitched at the back passenger seat of the black sedan. As soon as he was inside, the car moved slowly, as the street was rather cramped.

Bzzt! Bzzzt!

Asher quirked a brow and shoved his hand inside his suit pocket, placing it in front of his ear without checking who it was.

"Yes, Father. Mhm…" he glanced at the window, seeing they were exiting the narrow street to the highway. "This weekend? Alright."

"Good, good!"

"Dad," called Asher before Maynard hung up the call. "Luke doesn\'t want to come home."

"What?! Why? He should come this weekend as well since it\'ll be important for him! Doesn\'t he want to get married?"

"He said…" Asher trailed off, deep lines appeared in between his brows. "... he wants to be a man and live independently. I don\'t think setting him up with a marriage is what he wants. Moreover, why are you always so persistent in marriage?"

"Because!! There are only a few candidates that suit my sons! And there\'s only one I really like to be my daughter-in-law! I want a grandchild while I\'m young."

"..." Asher was rendered speechless for a moment, pinching the bridge of his nose. They talked about this a million times, but Maynard just seemed to forget about them. Or he was just being really stubborn.

"What should we do to Luke? He moved into this apartment near his school and…"

"Let him be."

Asher slowly opened his eyes, arching a brow as he listened to his father.

"My youngest is a brave boy, just like his dad. For him to become a man, I should let him explore the jungle! Haha!" Maynard\'s voice sounded proud, only to suddenly grow solemn on his next remarks. "Son, don\'t help your brother and let him grow on his own. I\'m pretty sure my boy will make us proud."

Asher\'s jaw tightened as he clenched the phone. When he loosened his grip, he nodded and breathed out.

"Sure," Asher said.

"Alright. Prepare for your trip this weekend. It\'ll be fun~!"

Asher slowly put down the phone, but his expression wasn\'t anywhere near Maynard\'s current energy. He looked at the window and kicked the seat in front of him.

\'Should I just run away too?\' he wondered, thinking he had been doing everything to protect Luke, only to hear Maynard say such reckless remarks. \'Really… annoying.\'

"Take me to the Emerald Lounge," Asher ordered, which the driver executed, making a U-turn to drive the young master to the bar he had been frequenting recently.