For the next few seconds, Adrian Lester stared at Clara Leon calmly. He held his temper in check. This woman refused to forgive him, she wouldn’t accept his apologies because of her daughter, and yet, that daughter didn’t really die.
He wanted to go past her when the latter said “Adrian,” she called and paused. Now, she’s the guilty one. She’s the one staring at Adrian with her lips sealed, having no idea of how to begin.
“It’s not what you think, Adrian” Clara Leon blurted without thinking through. She really doesn’t know what to say. Now, Adrian has seen Ava and knows she’s alive. How can she explain things to him now?
“You mean you know what I’m thinking, Mrs Leon? Then tell me what it is” Adrian snapped at her. Not what he thinks, does she know what he is thinking?
“About Ava. I’m sorry that you’re just getting to know that she’s…” Clara Leon began but Adrian interrupted first, with a chuckle.
“I’m glad that your daughter didn’t die, Mrs Leon. I’m also happy that the guilt I have carried in my heart for four years has ended. Ava Leon is still alive, which implies that I’m not a murderer.
But can your conscience still be without guilt? You wouldn’t accept my apologies back then. You despise me and detest my family because you blamed us falsely about the death of your daughter, which in reality was still alive and you know it?
My grandfather thinks highly of you and always says you and your late husband are the purest of people he’d ever met. It appears that he also was wrong.
So many of us have been guilty of one offence or the other. I owe you nothing now, Mrs Clara” Adrian stuttered.
Clara stood stiffened. He was right about her conscience. It’s all Ava’s decision and desire to have her identity concealed.
“I’m sorry, Adrian…” Clara Leon said when Aurora walked over to them and went to her momma, “I need to talk to you, momma” she said and crossed her arms around Clara’s shoulders.
“Aurora” Adrian muttered and the latter paused. She glanced at him with a forced smile. “Thanks for honouring our invitation, Mr Lester ” she chimed.
“I’m happy to see you again, Ava Leon. But please, put the formalities aside and call me Adrian. Since you are still alive, why didn’t you let us know that you’re alive?” Adrian asked. If for nobody else’s sake, she could have done it for grandfather’s sake.
“You’re taking me for someone else, Mr Adrian” Aurora replied, forcing a smile but her eyes shooting daggers at him. What the heck?
Why did Santiago bring this fellow here? Of all the people he could invite without her consent, must it have to be this swine?
“Cut the crap, Ava. Don’t try to pretend before me. You are Ava Leon and no matter how you try to put that name aside to take your family name, you’re still the same person.
You’re still denying your identity despite standing before your foster mother? And you expect me to act alongside you even after seeing Luna as well? Please put that aside, and be straight with me” Adrian cautioned.
How come he never knew the Blake’s have a daughter, a missing daughter for so many years? And Aurora indeed is a spitting image of Nancy Blake, Santiago’s mother.
What happened in between?
“I said, I am not Ava Leon, are you stupid not to accept what I say? Who let you in here without an invitation? Santiago did. He will have me to contend with” Aurora seethed.
She said she’s not Ava Leon. Why couldn’t he accept it that way? What is wrong with the bastard that he wants to act domineering before her again?
Turning to Clara,”Come with me momma” she declared and pulled Clara along. What nonsense. She’s not Ava Leon. She’s Aurora Blake and he doesn’t want to accept it that way.
As they turned and left, Santiago walked over “Thanks buddy, I feel excited about your coming” he said walking over and taking Adrian’s hands, intertwining his fingers with his.
Adrian nodded without a word. His thoughts were filled with something else and his head was muddled up. He knows and is very certain that Aurora is the same person as Ava Leon but why is she denying it?
Santiago felt something was off. As he walked Adrian back to his car, he asked “For the sake of the long friendship that exists between us, is there something that displeases you?”
Adrian glanced at him briefly. He chuckled softly and said “I need you to do me a favour…” he requested
Santiago nodded, anything for his friend Adrian. “Spite it buddy?” He asked.
I want to meet with Ava and Patrick privately. I want you to be there as well” Adrian demanded. Using the name Ava, he expects Santiago to correct him that his sister wasn’t Ava but the latter didn’t.
“I’ll make that happen tomorrow, lunch time” he assured. What’s the fuss about Aurora and Patrick that Adrian wants to talk about? He saw the looks on their faces when he introduced them.
Was he already conceiving a business partnership with them? Anyways, he would ensure that happens.
Or perhaps, Adrian is one of those people who thinks she’s dead for real. Seeing her now, might send a cold shiver down his spine.
“Thank you Santiago. Just let me have the address, I’ll be there” Adrian appreciated and drove off. It’s time he meets with Ava and gets things settled.
She might not take him back, but one thing is certain, he’s not going to get a divorce with her. Secondly he wants her to accept the fact that she’s Ava Leon and forgives him when he apologises.
Elsie is his daughter, he’s certain but if her mother doesn’t agree that he should be a part of her life, what can he do, especially considering the fact that he never accepted her as his wife back then.
When Santiago retired home, Aurora snapped at him “Why would you invite that swine to the launching without my consent?” She was furious.
Swine? Santiago looked around, what swine is she talking about? Besides Adrian, he didn’t really invite anyone else. But because the latter is his friend, that’s why he wanted him around.
Seeing that her brother doesn’t understand what she meant she came out plain “What is Adrian Lester doing at the launch?”she demanded, she gnashed her teeth and snapped her fingers in agitation.
“Adrian is my friend. Do you have a problem with that?” Santiago demanded and Aurora stamped her feet and went upstairs. She doesn’t want to say anything else.
Nancy Blake had been observing her daughter and knew she was furious. As Aurora went upstairs, she sighed and glanced in the direction of Clara Leon and the latter was quiet, having the looks of a guilty person.
“Is there something we are not getting here, Clara?” Nancy asked, fixing her gaze on Clara Leon and the latter looked away.
“Adrian knows Aurora and was more than certain that she used to be Ava Leon. Adrian wants to meet her privately and Patrick” Santiago disclosed, staring at his mother.
“Adrian and Aurora were actually…” Clara Leon paused. She looked away, now feeling restless within herself. Adrian’s words kept poking her heart and the guilt was heavy upon her.
“Talk to us please, I beg you Clara” Nancy pleaded.