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Drake’s POV

The atmosphere is tense, everyone was trying to stay out of the living room, and even the guards and domestic staffers were being extremely careful because no one wants to be mistakenly dragged into this matter. I parked my Porsche in the garage, then I walked into the house, my heart beating nervously as I heard their raised voices. It was mostly dads voice, I guess he is still the same, he still operates those strict rules of his. 

Damn, he can yell all day when he is pissed, I always try to avoid him on days like this when he is about to explode in anger. I’ve been away for so long, and the real reason why I chose to come back for Riley’s wedding was that I wanted to show up when everyone is the mood of celebration. I chose this day because I thought that everyone would be too excited to think about my past rebellion. Who would have thought that I would be facing something worse than I have ever imagined?

I walked through the familiar hallway as I headed to the sitting room. Everything in this house is still the same, nothing has changed. The portraits of the elderly Osbornes that lived before us are still hanging on the wall in the hallway. They are so many, and they are lined up on the wall, starting from the first entrance to the second entrance that leads to the sitting room. Dad had always said that our family thrived and succeeded because we had the blessing of our ancestors. I used to admire these great men in these portraits. Sometimes, when I go against the family rules, I try my best to avoid this hallway because I can always see the judgmental looks on their faces, and at such times, it always feels like they are all glaring at me through the picture frames. 

It used to bother me and make me feel a bit uncomfortable, but not anymore. I don’t know why dad chose to be so superstitious, I never understood why he chose to keep those portraits and preserve the legacies of our ancestors. But after living far away from home without their judgmental looks and certainly without their protection. As I walk down the hallway after so many years, I realize that I still idolize these great men, but I’m too tough to be scared of anything or anyone. I’ve had live a very dangerous life, I joined the American Mafia because I needed to be able to protect myself and also run my businesses without interference from mob bosses and drug lords. It took me years to rise in the ranks and become the godfather. I’ve seen enough war and bloodshed to wipe off every fear that resided within me.

My dad was still screaming and yelling at Riley, no maid was hanging around, so my presence was not announced in advance. When I walked into the room, everywhere went silent immediately and they all turned to gaze at me in surprise. 

“D… D… Drake?” my mom stammered out, still in shock. I turned in her direction, grinning widely. She stood up and ran to me, hugging me so tightly. My sister came running to me as well, and I hugged them both, holding them so tightly. God, I’ve missed them so much. Dad made sure they didn’t contact me while I was away, and I know they were upset with me as well. It’s so good to be back home, I never knew how much I was missing my family until now.

“How could you leave that way, why didn’t you come sooner?” Casey let out in tears as she kept hugging me tightly.

“I’m here now, that is all that matters.” I responded calmly, pecking her on her forehead and then repeating the same motion for my mom as well. 

“I didn’t know you were in town.” Riley let out firmly. He looked furious, and for a moment there I thought he was not happy to see me. I squinted my eyes at him, arcing an eyebrow as I gazed at him fixedly, trying to figure out why he wasn’t happy to see me.

“Hahaha. Got you bro!” he laughed excitedly as he came over and snatched me from my mom and my sister. He hugged me firmly, gripping me in a beat hug. Then he leaned forward and whispered in my ears,

“Help me, dad is threatening to cut me off.” I scoffed and pushed him aside gently. I wonder how he wants me to help him when I don’t even know how he got himself into this mess in the first place. He seems to be forgetting that I have a bigger issue to settle with my father. 

“It's your wedding, Riley, and I wanted to surprise you. Besides, I figured it was high time I came back home and spend time with my family  I miss you all.” I responded calmly, a smile plastered on my face. 

“That is it?

You only came back for his wedding?” my father asked sternly

“Hi dad, good to see you too.” I responded casually, ignoring the fact that he had just raised his voice at me.

“Don’t you patronize me, Drake!

You neglected your duties to your family, you disappointed this family with your actions. 

This marriage was never supposed to be for your brother, it should have been you!” he yelled out furiously before standing up from his seat. He did not say one more word to me, he simply walked out of the sitting room, going up the stairs angrily.

“What the hell is he talking about?” I inquired, but no one cared to answer.

“Tell me you don’t mean what you just said, tell me you will never abandon your family again. Promise me, son. Promise me!” my mom pleaded sadly, with tears in her eyes. 

“I never abandoned my family, mom. I kept in touch with Riley and all this achievement you see in our business was all my idea, I did it all from overseas. Riley has worked so hard for this family, he is more than capable to handle everything that concerns this family and our company. He has done so much…” 

“Riley will never be you!” mom yelled out angrily, cutting me short.

“You have no idea how much we need you back here. All your brother does is bring shame and disgrace upon this family. Please, Drake. Don’t leave us again.” My mom pleaded sadly, and this time, the tears flowed down her cheeks and she wouldn’t let me wipe them off. She just hugged me tightly, and I pulled her into my arms, letting her tears drench my shirt.

“Thanks, mom,” Riley let out sadly and he stood up and left the room angrily. This is not how I wanted our reunion to be, I don’t know why I’m getting this weird feeling that there is something going on here that I don’t know about. I know my mom has always been emotional, but she seems more volatile than I remember. Or maybe I’ve been away for too long that I don’t even know my family anymore. 

I was able to convince mom to go upstairs and take a nap. She made me promise not to leave again, and I did. I had to say anything she wants just to make her go up, and after she left, I turned to my sister and asked, 

“What was dad talking about, what did he mean by that?” I asked her firmly, leaving no room for arguments and she would have answered me, but we were interrupted by a stern voice coming from the top of the stairs, 

“Why don’t you ask me instead?” my father let out in a firm, stern tone as he walked down the stairs, coming back to the sitting room. 

“Sorry,” Casey mouthed to me as she stood up and walked away, making a flimsy excuse about going back home to check on the kids. I huffed and turned to dad, wanting to make an excuse to leave, but he was smiling at me and that took me unaware so I couldn’t react immediately, I just stood there and gazed at him like a moron, trying to figure out why he turned soft all of a sudden.

“Your mom told me you promised to stay back, you have no idea how excited I am,” he confessed. I huffed one more time, pulling my hand through my hair in frustration. I should have known that mom would tell him that I promised to stay. 

“Look, dad, I don’t know what mom told you, but I need to make it clear to you that…” 

“You lied to her, didn’t you?

How on earth could you be so stupid and selfish?

Our family is falling apart, but all you care about is yourself. Is that how I raised you?

Do you want to know what I was talking about?

Well, I’m going to tell you. Mia was the girl I chose to be your bride several years ago. I had her betrothed to you, but you canceled your engagement even before you met her and you ran off to pursue your selfish dreams. At first, her father canceled his business deals with me, and gr severed all ties with my family. He was my best friend but because of you, we went our separate ways and he took his daughter away. 

He only agreed to this deal because his business is crumbling and he needs my help. I was so happy to have my friend back, but now your brother has done the same thing again. Why do you boys keep doing this, where did I go wrong?” he let out sadly, and for the first time in a very long time, I saw sadness on my father's face. Too bad I can’t help him, 

“I’m sorry dad, I never knew how much this union meant to you. But, I don’t want to…”

“Don’t say it, son. Don’t reject my offer so soon. Why don’t you go back home and take your time to think about it? The villa on the beach is still vacant, and it is still yours.” He smiled and walked away, tapping me on the back in his usual loving way. I smiled when he mentioned the villa, I thought it would have been taken by Riley or Casey. I guess they always knew I would come back for it someday, they all know how much I love that house.

It is the first house I had ever bought with my money, it is so beautiful and classy. It has a private beach, a swimming pool, a gym, and everything else that I need to live comfortably. But I don’t want to head up to the villa, at least not yet. I have too much information swirling around my head, I need to process this information. The only thing that can help me think straight is alcohol and some crack. 

I know just the right place to go. It’s called Avalon and it is the best club in town. I know the owner, we go way back. She sells cool party drugs and she sure knows how to make a brother forget about his issues at home. I’ve dated her before, and I don’t intend to go down that path again, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t share some crack and screw each other till morning. Trust me, one night with a beautiful morning would help me clear my head, then I can figure out what to do about my family, especially, my brother Riley, who doesn’t seem to know that he is in danger.

Mom came down and walked me to the door and she promised to send some maids to help me settle in nicely at the villa. I did not realize how late it was until I stepped outside. It’s past eight and everywhere is so dark. I called Liam as soon as I got into the car and I told him to move my things from the hotel down to the villa. 

“Mom is sending some maids over to help me while I’m there. Please keep your dick in your pants, don’t screw anyone!” I warned sternly and I ended the call before he could respond in his usual sarcastic tone.

I drove straight to the club, and I called Vikki to lead me to a private table where I won’t be bothered by anyone. I could feel everyone staring at me, they don’t understand why the boss is personally serving me.

I ordered for a bottle of Hennessey and some party drugs and cracks. She obliged me immediately and she flirted with me while she served me but I acted ignorant to her seduction. In my heart, I already know that I am going to screw her tonight. But I need some time alone to clear my head of all these thoughts. I poured myself a glass of Hennessey and I dropped two pills into my drink before gulping it down. I poured some coke on the table and I took a sniff at it, letting it go into my brain and reset my thoughts.

Many whores were flocking around me, flirting and partying with me. I let them flirt with me, I even shared my party drugs with them and we were all having fun. Then all of a sudden, my eyes caught sight of an angel that was walking into Avalon with another girl by her side. She walked straight to the bar and she almost staggered while walking, but she regained composure and kept on walking until she got to the bar and sat on the barstool. She was looking so stunning in a short red gown that hugged her figures and highlighted her long perfect legs that did perfect justice to the stilettos on her feet. She had full makeup and her Auburn hair was falling down her shoulder in waves. I fell into a trance as I watched her order for shots of tequila and before I could say jack, she gulped down the four shots and she laughed excitedly as the other girl cheered for her. I’m guessing that is her sister or her friend, I really don’t care. The only question on my mind is

“What the hell is she doing here?”