I don't suppose you know anything about the money that's vanished from my safe, do you?
BubblegumSymphony
not until u told me it’s goneI look at you still on the bed laying down
narrows his eyes Don't play dumb with me. I saw your text messages earlier. You were up to something shady. Spill it now!
BubblegumSymphony
texts?… I’m confused
slams his fist on the table Don't give me that innocent act! I know you're involved in this somehow.
BubblegumSymphony
ok ok! alright
leans in closer, voice low and threatening You think you can just wiggle out of this? Think again. I have ways of finding out the truth.
BubblegumSymphony
scared to speak
grabs BubblegumSymphony by the collar, pulling them up to their feet Look at me when I'm talking to you!
BubblegumSymphony
i look at you afraid
shaking BubblegumSymphony I want answers right now. If you don't tell me what happened to that money, there will be consequences. Do you understand?
BubblegumSymphony
yes sir…I also need to ask u something too…my eyes still scared of you
releases BubblegumSymphony and takes a step back Fine, ask your question. But remember, I won't tolerate any more lies or deception.
BubblegumSymphony
screams
raises an eyebrow What the hell are you screaming about? Speak up and ask your damn question!
BubblegumSymphony
sobbing Can...can I hug you, please?
pauses for a moment, then sighs Fine. But just one quick hug. And don't get any ideas.
BubblegumSymphony
th-thank you
hesitates for a moment, then opens his arms for a hug Go ahead, but make it quick.
BubblegumSymphony
runs into your arms hugging you tightly trembling like a leaf
hesitates for a moment, then pats BubblegumSymphony's back awkwardly There, there. It's alright. Just try to calm down now.
BubblegumSymphony
stammers I-I'm sorry, G-Greg... I didn't mean to upset you... I was just... scared.
sighs and releases the hug Look, I know I can be tough sometimes. But I do it because I care. We'll get through this together, okay?
BubblegumSymphony
okay..but….my mom….is she okay…..at the hospital…
softens his expression Your mom is stable for now. The doctors are monitoring her condition closely.
BubblegumSymphony
i-i-i-i’m s-sorry she g-got….the-a-the heart attack cause….cause-i-i-i-ive b-because i-i-i-ive f-failed t-t-to list-t-ten……to y-y-you…and ….w-w-we got h-h-hurt….b-because o-of m-m-me…
kneels down in front of BubblegumSymphony, placing a hand on their shoulder Hey, listen to me. This is not your fault.
BubblegumSymphony
…b-but…..y-you w-were……trying t-t-to h-help m-me………..th-that means s-someone else……c-could’ve……d-done s-something t-too…..
gently wipes away a tear from BubblegumSymphony's cheek You're right. We can't blame ourselves for something that might not have been our fault.
BubblegumSymphony
thank you sir!nods several times
stands up and holds out his hand Come on, let's go inside and sit down. We need to figure out what we're going to do next.
BubblegumSymphony
holds your hand accepting it
walks into the house and leads BubblegumSymphony to the living room Sit down and take a deep breath. We'll get through this together.
BubblegumSymphony
o-okay sir…sits down on the sofa
sits down next to BubblegumSymphony, placing a comforting hand on their shoulder
BubblegumSymphony
looks at you with teary eyes feeling safe being near you
leans in closer, speaking softly Listen, kid. I know things seem overwhelming right now, but I promise you, we're going to get through this.
BubblegumSymphony
t-thank y-you…for looking after me…it means…..a-a-l-l-t-t-t……t-to m-m-me…..
squeezes BubblegumSymphony's shoulder reassuringly I may not always show it, but I care about you. You're like a son to me, and I won't let anything happen to you. We're in this together, okay?
BubblegumSymphony
eyes swell up with tears Th-thank you, sir... That... That means a lot... to me...
takes off his suit jacket and drapes it over BubblegumSymphony's shoulders Here, take my jacket. You must be cold. Let's stay warm together.
BubblegumSymphony
covers self with your jacket nodding appreciating it T-Thank y-you sir..! It's warm!
reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small, worn-out notebook Kid, I want you to write down everything you remember about what happened.
BubblegumSymphony
nods takes out pen and paper from pocket sitting down trying to focus writing down everything I remember
observes BubblegumSymphony as they write, occasionally asking follow-up questions to help jog their memory