Chapter 2

🚩 Adrian's POV 🚩

I saw that one person I no longer consider family....

My father.

He is a man with dark hair and brown eyes. He was putting on a black suit with a blue shirt and a pair of black shoes. He was talking to a maid and when he noticed me, he looked up at me. He gave the suitcase to the maid and dismissed her then he moved closer to me.

"Adrian", he called with his thick voice. "You are back."

"Yes, I am. I'm back from the prison you sent me to", I said and I started to walk but stopped when I heard him talk again.

"You know that is a rude way to talk to your father."

I turned to look at him and said sarcastically, "I'm sorry, Mr Kendall. I meant to say, I'm back from the 11 years adventure." I rolled my eyes and walked away from him. I didn't look back but I know it hurts him to hear me talk to him like that but I don't care because he didn't care about me 11 years ago when he believed when Karen's father said I killed her and he sent me to France for 11 years.

 I got to the dining and saw Aiden still busy looking at his phone. "Hey", I said and he looked at me.

"Hey", he said smiling. "Did you see Dad? He asked of you as soon as he came in."

"I saw him by mistake. You know how much I hate your father", I said the 'your father's in a very disgusting way.

 Aiden laughed and said, "You are saying 'your father' like he is not your father too."

"He is not my father."

"He is your father, Adrie"

"Okay I won't argue."

"You better don't."

"What are you guys arguing about now", Mum said carrying the chocolate cake she baked and placed it on the dining table.

"Adrian was saying-"

"Nothing", I said cutting Aiden short.

Mum gave us a stern look meaning she suspects something.

"Nothing", Aiden added quickly. I don't want Mum feeling bad now. She knows I don't like my father but she wants us to be close like before the incident. My father and I use to be buddies when I was younger but he became my enemy since the day he believed Karen's father's word over mine.

"Adrian, go upstairs and tell your father dinner is ready", mum told me.

"Why should I be the one to call him? Why not send a maid to call him?"

Mum glared at me annoyingly.

"Okay fine. I'll go", I said and Mum nodded. I noticed Aiden laughing and I slapped him hard on his shoulder.

"Hey", he said and I tucked out my tongue at him mockingly. "I'll get back at you for that."

"You deserve it", I called back. I walked up the stairs and got to my parent's room. I knocked gently.

"Come in", I heard him say. I opened the door and went in. The room have not really changed. The room was painted white and the king-sized bed was covered with blue bedspread. He was checking some sheets of paper when I walked in. He looked at me and said, "what's wrong?"

"Nothing", I replied. "Mum said you should come down for dinner", I said and went out of the room. I knew he wanted to say something but I didn't wait to hear. I got to the dining room and Mum was glaring at me. "I told him already. He is coming and why are you looking at me that way?", I asked her.

"Nothing, it's just that I don't believe you."

"Muuuuum."

"What? It's true", she said and Aiden kept on smiling.

"You know I hate it when you smile like that", I glared.

"I don't care if you like it or not. I'm gonna smile anyway", he said still smiling. I wanted to hit him but stopped when Dad arrived.

"Honey, we've been waiting since", Mum told him.

"I'm sorry darling, I quickly had to check something. Let's eat, shall we?", he said and sat down.

"I don't know why we have to wait for him before we can eat", I mumbled under my breath.

All eyes turned to me immediately and I realized I said that out loud. Aiden opened his eyes wide with surprise, Mum glared angrily at me and Dad just sat there like nothing went wrong. Mum wanted to say something but Dad squeezed her hand to halt her.

"Let's just eat", he said and Mum stopped staring at me. I sighed with relieve but I really didn't mean to say that loud and upset my Mum, she doesn't deserve that. I held my friendship necklace tight. Yes, I still wear the necklace Karen and I called our friendship necklace.

We ate in silence but I know Mum is still waiting for the perfect time to scold me but I'm prepared.

"Um um", Dad cleared his throat breaking the silence. "Adrian, you would be attending the same school with your brother by next week. Everything is set but you still have to wait till Monday to resume while waiting, you can just help your Mum and I in the company, how is that?"

"It's good. Thanks but-" 

Mum glared at me.

"But?", Dad asked.

"I wanted to say it's a good idea. I will even use the opportunity to visit the company. It's been a while", I said.

"Okay", he said. "Can the both of you meet me in the study after dinner", he said referring to Aiden and I.

"Okay", Aiden said but I kept mute.

I wanted to say 'for what?' but I couldn't dare with Mum staring at me like she's gonna rip me apart any second.

Dinner was finally over and the maid cleared the plates. Mum went with the maid to the kitchen and Dad stoop up to go to the study. I brought out my phone and started checking my Instagram account which I haven't checked since I arrived. Someone tapped my shoulder very hard and I turned back.

"Hey, watch it", I shouted at the person but it was my mum standing there with her hands on her hips staring at me dangerously. I didn't need her to talk cause I already know the reason behind her actions. "Okay, I know. I'm on my way. Okay?"

"Better", she said.

"Let's go, Aid. I don't want to enter the lion's den alone", I said lowering my voice.

"Seriously? When did Dad become a lion", Aiden said mockingly.

"Just shut up and let's go", I said almost shouting. Aiden just shook his head and smiled.

We got to the study and Dad was checking some papers, company papers I guess. I looked around the study and I saw our family photo on the wall. The picture was from when I was four. Dad carried me and I wrapped my hands around his neck and Mum carried Aiden and we were all smiling happily. I miss those days and I cleaned my face because I was already feeling tears on my face.

"Sit down", Dad said. "I need to quickly check these papers."

Aiden sat and gestured to me to do the same. I sat and continued looking around. Then I saw the painting I painted for Dad when I was 3 or maybe 4.

🕸️ Flashback  🕸️️

"Daddy", Adrian called running down the stairs.

"Yes, my princess. I'm here", her dad replied. "What does my princess need?"

"Daddy, I missed you."

"I missed you too darling but I had to go to Spain for business."

"Daddy, did you buy me a present?", Adrian asked with glee.

"Of course. Why won't I buy a gift for my princess?", her dad said and he beckoned to a maid to bring the box he brought. "Here you go princess, open it. Your gifts awaits."

Adrian opened the box and she saw a princess's crown. "Woah! Daddy, you got me a crown."

"Yes darling. It is lined with Ruby and Sapphire", he said and put the crown gently on her head. "Now you look just like a princess", he said and kissed her forehead. "But don't you have a present for you me too", he said pouting.

"I have two gifts for you", she replied.

"Really?"

"Yes. The first one is a kiss", she said and she kissed her father on the cheeks.

"Thanks darling. But what's the second gift?"

"You will have to close your eyes while I lead you to where the second present is. You trust me, right?"

"Of course, I do", he said and closed his eyes. She led him to the study. 

"Don't open your eyes, yet Daddy or I will cry."

"I wouldn't dare."

She turned and pick up the painting on her Dad's table. "You can open your eyes now. Tada."

"Wow, you drew Daddy and Adrian."

"Yes Dad."

"This is beautiful. It really is."

"Dad I want you to promise me something."

"What is it darling?"

"Promise me you always keep this painting on your table so that when you work I'll always be with you."

"I promise."

"Pinky promise?"

"Pinky promise, he said and they hugged.

"I love you Daddy."

"I love you too baby."

🕸️End of Flashback 🕸️