Grandfather Lester felt he was going to have a cerebral haemorrhage. Richard has an illegitimate son that they don’t know about? How’s that possible?
“Are you saying that Luna was innocent and it’s all Anna’s plot that brought her down?” Grandfather Lester asked, his hands trembling.
Ava was accused innocently and she lost her life. Luna was also accused innocently, and who knows what has happened to her too?
“Yes. Anna has confessed to me and with her information, I’ve tracked my son. But father, my life is in disarray. I don’t know how to get my son to accept me and I will have no option than to hand Anna to the police” Richard explained.
He has to take justice for Luna. Anna has to pay for what she’d done to Luna. He has to be fair to his son from Luna. But now, Anna is dying from cancer.
“This isn’t your fault then. I remembered you were warned to stay away from Luna’s case as requested by her. I also remember that her lawyer was going to get even with you over it that your mom said you should back out.
About your son, since you’ve found him, let him understand your helplessness about the whole incident. And for Anna, you’re not being fair or unfair, the right thing should be done!” Grandfather Lester concluded.
If she’s good at plotting, what’s the big deal if she is held responsible for her actions? How can she subtly walk into their lives and take a foothold without her sins being unravelled?
“How about Adrian, what’s going to be his take on this? Welcoming a brother he has known all these years as a friend and his mother’s involvement in the whole ordeal and her arrest? How will he take it?” Richard confessed.
“He’ll deal with it wisely. He’s a grown man and would defend the truth. The new Adrian will only be on the side of justice. But then, who is this grandson of mine?” Old man Lester asked.
He’s having two grandsons eventually. Not just Adrian but his brother too. He’s happy but it’s going to bring a little shaking before acceptance and inclusion into one big happy family.
“It’s Patrick, he’s my son,” Richard replied, looking away, not interested in meeting his father’s gaze.
“Patrick? Which Patrick?” Grandfather Lester asked, his mind running wild for who he supposed Richard should be referring to.
“Patrick Connor, Adrian’s friend?” He blurted. Yes, his son’s friend, who has now turned into a brother. How so close he’d always been to his family all these years and none of them recognises the other.
“Patrick Connor?” Grandfather exclaimed quietly.
Few hours later, before dawn the helicopter landed on the soil of X-city and Clem called Adrian. He drove to the hospital and was dazed to find him lying on the hospital bed as a patient.
“What happened to you, Boss Adrian?” Clem asked. On the hospital bed? He’d been working with Adrian for many years now, but he’d never seen him on the hospital bed. The height of it was inviting his doctor to check on him at home and that’s all.
“I had a bullet injury. But I’m getting better now” he replied flippantly. He felt a depressing pain but didn’t want to make it look excruciating before those around him.
“Who dares it, who has the temerity to do it?” Clem asked. He expected his boss to get really furious but he doesn’t seem to be at all.
“That’s not important” Adrian said, he waved it off. He gave Clem instructions and in no time, his items were retrieved from his hotel room and Clem returned.
But when he got back, Santiago was there and Aurora too. When Clem saw her, he was stunned. What the heck!
“Ava Leon! You’re still alive?” He asked and Aurora smiled. “How’re you doing Clem? It’s been a while” she replied.
Clem just nodded and didn’t say anything else. The one everyone thought was dead and a funeral made, was actually still alive? What about the yearly remembrance? What about the pain and guilt that Adrian carried in his heart all these years? He glanced at Adrian and their eyes locked.
“Adrian, the doctor insisted that you are not fit to leave now. Why don’t you stay back, for a few days more?” Santiago advised.
“Stay back doing what? Lay with my back flat on the bed? Do you know what has gone wrong for the number of days I was unconscious? I can’t stay back” Adrian refused.
“How about getting you a handful of medical team to go along with you” Aurora suggested. She’s just being concerned because she shot him. He didn’t make a case out of it nor did he accuse her of trying to murder him.
“I would have done that already, if I wanted to,” Adrian replied, beckoning Clem to give him support. He tried to raise himself but his belly hurts and he shut his eyes, briefly but still he stood up.
“You’ve always been stubborn, Adrian,” Aurora blurted. And there was a silence that followed. Santiago turned and glanced at her speechlessly.
Adrian opened his eyes and stared at her with a poker face “Yes, I’ve always been. I’ve always been like this and I’m glad that you know me for who I truly am.
But can you say that about yourself? Where’s that pure innocence that you used to have, your sweet nature and lovelines, where are they, gone with your old identity, I guess.
Today I am so free, the guilt and pain of my past actions towards Ava is gone. I searched everywhere in my heart and conscience but I can’t find it anymore.
I’m glad I paid in full. We both have a second chance. You survived my harsh treatment and meanness and your personality changed along with the survival.
Today I have also survived, but my personality remained. I know there was a glimpse of death that took place but I got a second chance just like you got. We’re even now, on the same page. We do not owe each other anything.
And henceforth, I don’t know you. We’ve never met. We’re strangers, Aurora Blake” Adrian Lester declared and took his first step.
He clenched his palm. His complexion reddened but he took another step, he endured it. Now, Aurora didn’t say anything, her eyes welled up. They’re even, yeah, they’ve offered death to each other and now, the grievances have been settled.
Santiago came over and supported him and Adrian said “Thanks buddy”. Santiago nodded. He’ll definitely check on him soon. He sounded different, he doesn’t seem to be the apologetic Adrian anymore.
As he got to the car, the helicopter landed at the hotel premises, he needed to get to it via a car. Adrian turned and said “Thank you for everything, Santiago. I hope our paths crossed again in this life”
“Sure buddy. We’ll always cross paths as long as there’s Aurora and Elsie” Santiago chimed.
“I doubt it, Santiago. A new me has emerged just like a new Ava Leon emerged. What ‘death and come back’ does to someone’s personality cannot be put into lines of words” Adrian declared.
Santiago Blake couldn’t retort back. He watched as Adrian’s car got farther into the distance.
He felt a line had been drawn, a parallel line that had separated them both.