Clem’s excitement was short-lived as he glared at the doctor. Why is there a “But” when He said he was free from harm’s way? This is contradictory.
“Until he gets better, he has been warned not to take alcohol and he needs to see the doctor often because one of the bullets brushed the sides of his liver.
He needs regular checks to ensure he is not in any form of future danger. But for now, we can’t say anything” the doctor explained.
Old man Lester was quiet, not able to say anything. What’s going on with his son? Adrian is in danger, they should have just said it point blank and not to be so careful in the selection of words they use.
“Is my grandson in danger, just say it already?” Grandfather asked, his old hands shaking and when Clem saw the trembling hands, he held him into an embrace.
“No. He is not in any danger but we can’t say these same words in a few months’ time if he engages in alcohol and doesn’t come for check ups” they explained further.
“Adrian is fine, grandfather. They are only telling us things that he needs to do to help maintain his health and bring it into stability” Clem paraphrased.
The next few hours, Adrian was having a bed rest. Clem was standing by and he called Richard Lester. The latter was pleased that Adrian was back.
By evening, he got back home. Anna locked herself in her room. No one was saying anything to her except Clem. She doesn’t know what is wrong with Adrian. She went to his room, but he was sleeping peacefully.
She has her own troubles to take care of. Richard had requested that her bank account be frozen. She practically doesn’t have anything to her name at the moment.
When Richard got back, he went to see Adrian. The latter was awake and he tried to sit up. But the pain from his belly didn’t let him so he stayed calm.
Prior to when Richard stepped in, Alice brought him a meal, the doctor prescribed a soft nutritious meal for him until there’s a healing in the internal structure and that’s exactly what Alice prepared.
When she placed it by his bedside, Adrian said “Thank you Ms Alice for looking after my parents. How’s my mom doing?” He asked.
“Everyone is fine. Besides, I was just doing my job and we all are worried about you, young master”Ms. Alice stuttered. She was more concerned when she saw the doctors stepping in and out one after the other.
“I’ll be fine” Adrian assured, nodding his head and forcing a smile. Alice smiled back. It’s nice to see the young master smile.
As Alice was about to leave Adrian said “She’s Alive, Ms Alice. She changed her identity. I found her again but the level of hatred in her towards me was such that mere pardon cannot wipe it off” he said and shut his eyes.
Alice paused, turned back and asked “Who are you talking about, young master Adrian?”
“Ava Leon. She’s not dead like we’ve always thought. She’s alive and I saw my daughter too. I apologised to her but she had refused to forgive me” Adrian stuttered, his facial expression changed to a sorrowful one.
Alice couldn’t say a word. Is Ava Leon still alive? How come? She didn’t die back then in the fire that engulfed the whole place?
This is hard to believe. If this isn’t coming from Adrian and the fact that he said he apologised to her and that she hates him very much, she wouldn’t have believed it, or if it was someone else who said it.
“I hope everything will be fine, that everything will fall into place,” Alice said. She still cannot believe that Ava Leon is alive. And she didn’t bother reaching out to her and grandfather?
If everyone else were unfair to her, she knows how grandfather loves her. And she never acted bad towards her. Couldn’t she reach out to them?
“I hope everything falls into place, Ms Alice. But I guess things can only fall into place when I do the needful. I’ll think it through again and do what is expected of me” Adrian concluded and waved his hand, dismissing Alice.
But for the rest of the day, Ms Alice felt lost. How can it be that Ava Leon is still alive? How did she survive the fire, how did she end up forgetting everyone, how can that be?
When Richard saw Adrian he was dazed. He had gone on vacation and came back this way? What happened to him?
“The doctors included it in your report that you had a bullet injury. You were shot, Adrian. How did it happen?” Richard asked.
“I had an injury , dad. As for how it happened, it’s none of anyone’s business” Adrian replied, not interested in giving details.
“Alright, I’m glad the doctors said you are recuperating fast” Richard helplessly replied.
Patrick Connor lost his usual flavour of excitement after he met with his parents. He was supposed to be happy. All his life, he imagined what it’s like to look into the face of a woman and call her his mother, the one he shared a bond with.
The same goes for his father. But he met them that day and he wished it was different. It could have been alright and perfect if the man whose loins he came from was someone else but Richard Lester.
Wouldn’t it be that he was making life uncomfortable for Adrian and his mother? If they got to know about this relationship, they would flare up, especially Adrian.
He’s yet to make him understand why he didn’t tell him about Ava before meeting them together in X-city. Now, this one coming up, Adrian would blacklist him from his circle of friends forever.
He doesn’t want this at all. He had never envisaged it, imagine it, desire it, that Richard Lester should be his father. Are there no other ways to go about it?
They could keep the relationship secret from the others. He doesn’t need Richard Lester like a newborn would always want his mother. Having the knowledge that they share a relationship was enough.
He would get close with his mother but not Richard. They remain distant and he would always refer to him as an uncle. That would be better for them all.
But then, how sure are they? What if there’s a mix up somewhere, what if they took him to be their son instead of someone else?
He would request for DNA. Richard Lester was right, he would request for DNA from them both. He was still thinking about these when his phone chirped.
It was Aurora. He sighed softly. Their partnership is at the verge of collapse because she fails to listen to Adrian’s pleas. If she insists on divorce, he cannot force her otherwise, but at least forgive Adrian. He regrets his actions and apologies, but Aurora wouldn’t listen to him.
“How’re you doing Aurora?” Patrick asked. He hopes they return to being friends and not let a simple disagreement ruin their new found partnership.
“I’m not fine at all” she blurted and before Patrick could ask what’s going on, she explained “Adrian is in a delicate condition, I need you to check on him for me” she requested.
“Isn’t he in X-city?” Patrick asked. The last time he checked on him, he was still in X-city. She would be in the best position to check on him.
“No, he’d return to New Jersey and he’s in a delicate condition. Please check on him and let me know” Aurora pleaded, her voice hasty, her tone restless.
“What happened to him?” Patrick asked. She appeared worried. It’s nice that she shows signs of being concerned for him. That’s sweet, he likes it.
“I shot him twice Pat, It wasn’t…” Aurora was saying when Patrick interrupted her sharply.
“You did what Aurora? Do you have to kill him before his sins can be atoned for?” He scowled.