Chapter 4 - I am proud of my son, Caddaric

Ariana, who was in the company of Juliet, was swarmed with complicated emotions, seeing the three men coming from the other direction. She wanted to talk to him but recalled that the masked man was the one who saved her. This man didn’t tell her his name and warned her to not expose his secret identity. If she did anything to show that she knew him, it would create suspicions.

Wiping her tears with the back of her hand and with her head lifted high, she grabbed Juliet by the arm and pushed her towards the stairs, knowing that the men were going walking towards the elevator.

Caddaric, who was worried about her and confused as to whether to ask her reason for crying, thought that she was avoiding him and felt pained altogether. A part of him wanted to go after her but he was already late for his introduction ceremony. Throughout the drive, it was hard to get Ariana’s red eyes out of his mind.

When they arrived at the Blade Towers, it was swarmed with media reps. However, they never gave any answers and squeezed their way through them to the elevator. When they reached the conference room with the help of the bodyguards, not only their parents and siblings were there but also, their betrothals were waiting for them.

Caddaric's father was sitting at the head of the semi-rectangular conference table, which shone under the lights from how polished it was. Due to her father’s eye problem, he wore his usual sunglasses with his legs crossed.

The media wasn't allowed to broadcast yet so they waited behind the door. Caddaric's mother, Jenna was sitting on the right-hand side of her husband while Cassandra, his sister, sat on the opposite side. Carter and Colton were welcomed by their parents.

Miranda, Cadaric’s betrothed, sat beside Cassandra. Two other women from the Wreath family waited for Colton and Carter too. The Blade family elders, the Wreath family, some directors, and top managers of the Blade Towers were also in attendance.

As soon as the three men walked through the door, Miranda flung herself over Cadarric. He was tall, 6 feet, two inches, and she, 5 feet. She pressed her head against his chest and looked at him with red teary eyes. "I searched for you after the graduation party but you had left. Where did you go?" she pouted and asked.

Caddaric felt irritated by her childishness and before he responded, Cassandra pushed Miranda away and hugged him. "You are late and Dad is pissed." Miranda didn’t try to fight for Caddaric’s attention with his sister. She already knew how deep their bond is, swallowing the jealousy cruising through her.

Caddaric looked at his dad, then his mum. Jenna stood up and hugged him proudly. The last time she saw her son was about nineteen years ago when his sister Casandra was born. Last night at the party, he was lost before she got close.

He had grown into the exact copy of his father, harnessing his strength and seemingly none of his weaknesses. For instance, while his father couldn’t stand bright lights, Caddaric soared in them. His father had a hard time showing his emotions but not Caddaric. However, no one knew that Caddaric was eviler than his father.

It was even more dangerous because his father was already known and feared for his ruthlessness but Caddaric appeared like a Prince Charming but would kill with his fake identity. To his mother, he was gentle but only the men knew what he was capable of.

Lastly, Caddaric had a soft side for women and would protect them, making them fall in love with him but his heart never gave in to love. He hated the word. Whereas, his father only loved one woman, Jenna. With time, he fell in love with another woman - Cassandra, his daughter.

"Cadda, your father doesn't joke with his time,” Jenna said while dragging him to his seat. Last night, they had a great time together but Caddaric and his cousins disappeared before things got interesting. No one expected them to be late for the most important occasion of all.

"I know mum, I was caught up in something important,” He looked apologetically around and took his seat beside his father, where his mother was sitting before.

His father, Casper Blade, signaled for the media to come in, meeting them halfway. When Caddaric left last night, he thought the young man hated parties but arriving late for such an important event was uncalled for. Casper wasn’t going to forgive him.

Caddaric was upset but looked on indifferently. He needed to speak to his father before the announcement but since the man was equally upset, he didn't give him a listening ear before addressing the media in a domineering tone.

"It's good to have you all here. My words are few. My daughter, Cassandra Blade, will be the acting CEO of Blade Towers until her elder brother, Caddaric Blade, completes his assignment. When that is done, the wedding will be discussed as well."

The announcement was like a drop of a bomb. Caddaric seemed emotionless so no one knew what was going on in his mind. Everyone was bewildered and Cassandra was upset. "I have something to say," she voiced out to get the media's attention but her father cut her off.

"What I said is final. I am proud of my son, Caddaric Blade." He held out his hand and Caddaric stood up and walked proudly towards him. He showed no form of offense for what his father said earlier and seems to agree to it all.

Casper handed him the microphone and he spoke boldly. "It's just as my father has said. My sister will be in charge of the affairs of Blade Towers since I have a lot on my plate at the moment." Cassandra was as white as snow. She met a man last night but he left so early. She intended to pursue him since the man seemed afraid of her because of her family. With such a huge responsibility, she won’t have time for anything. Was her father punishing her or Caddaric? It seemed unfair.

"Mr. Blade,” one of the media reps called out. Both Caddaric and Casper turned in the direction of the voice. The rep instantly rephrased, “Junior. Are you covering up for your father?"

Both men in black understood that the question was for Caddaric. It was good that his father grew some silver hairs on his head. If not, someone might think that they were twins. The sunglasses also did a great job of differentiating them, coupled with Caddaric’s long, thick and heavy hair.

"What my father said is final. You should all leave now,” he said calmly but sternly. The media was in an uproar. They came because of Caddaric and not Cassandra. Miranda was saddened by the turn of events but Cassandra felt worse.

The Blade seniors were confused and couldn't speak. Grandpa Rex, who was the leader of the elders, had aged beautifully and was assisted by Casper at the Blade academy. He calmed the Blade elders while trying to clear the confusion in the mind of the media. After all, they were being broadcasted live.

"Every Blade heir has at least three months to prepare for their marriage, as well as taking over the company. If Casper has an assignment for his son, what has that got to do with us?" He asked the other Blade elders whilst addressing the media. He saw in the academy how Casper was extremely hard on his son when he accepted the duty of helping to train in the academy five years ago. His wife Jenna, helped to manage Blade Towers when he was away. She had her own company too but made the sacrifice.

The Blade elders were not in agreement and one of them by name Phillip said, "Do you want history to repeat itself? Caddaric met Miranda twice while in the academy and already decided to marry her so it shouldn't be delayed. You know the blood of these youngsters runs."

He was drawing their attention to Casper and Jenna, and how they fell in love when Casper’s evil grandfather gave him deadly tasks. He hated Casper for marrying for love, loving that Caddaric was more cooperative. Rex was awed by the news. "Caddaric, is elder Phillip telling the truth?"

Everyone seemed interested in the answer and silently awaited his response. Miranda was curious to know if Caddaric would change his mind as his father did.

"Yes. I met Miranda when she found Cassandra’s missing boot and brought it to her. I already saw her name and picture from the Blade diaries before then that she was betrothed to me from birth and I also accepted her. My father's decision changes nothing between us,” he announced firmly. Relief sighs followed his words and the atmosphere warmed.

Jenna looked at her husband and he was calm. She could tell that the man was up to something. Rex was pleased with Caddaric’s response and announced dutifully,

"Let it be known to the media that Caddaric will assume his rightful position as the CEO of Blade Towers after completing the assignment given to him by his father, Casper Blade."

Miranda wasn’t happy with the turn of events. She thought Caddaric would be given his rightful position and their marriage planned instantly but his father had changed everything. Was it because Caddaric was late? He didn’t seem to care anyway. Miranda was upset and knew she had to discuss this with Caddaric.

The media seemed satisfied with the news and added a few words to the live coverage before ending it. At the Club's lobby, Ariana watched the announcement with Juliet. She felt a strange pain in her heart but also an unknown fear. No wonder Caddaric was the masked man. Ruthlessness runs in his blood. Atleast, she knew his name but also knew that she had to quench whatever fire was being started in her heart.

Caddaric wasn't from an ordinary family and though a former mafia Don's daughter, it would be safer to be away from him. She hadn't realized how paled she was from the news, while some of the workers at the club began to gossip. "I saw this man in the club's hotel. What was he doing here? The Blades don't like places like this."

"You should be careful if he is a Blade. He might just be a devil like his dad."

"I don't think so. He looks kind. Didn't you see how he related to his sister? His father is emotionless. Caddaric is different."

"All Blades are the same. They marry from a stereotyped family and give birth to look alike children."

"But his father married the woman he loved. Caddaric's mother isn't from the Wreath family."

Hearing that Caddaric's mother wasn't from the Wreath family, Ariana gained a little hope. However, with Juliet's revelation, everything changed.