[ Adeline ]“Xav, I have to tell you something. I didn’t get chance in last two days since we both are really busy.” I said as we sipped our morning tea in the garden in the pleasant Sunday morning. The winters are approaching so the sun feels good with chilly breeze.He placed the newspaper down and shifted his full attention on me, “What is it, Ade? You seem off. I have noticed it since the dinner night but I thought I should give you time so you open up to me.” He said and dragged his chair closer to me.“I talked to my mother during the dinner when you and Travis were busy with Mr. Paul. She told me that my father has been disappeared. I mean we can’t call him missing or disappeared but according to her, he isn’t responding to her mails or calls or even to her lawyer.” I told him and sighed.“Are you worried for him?’ He asked me.“No, I am not worried for him. In fact, I am curious. What if he has joined hands with our enemies? I don’t trust him as well.” I said with a shake of m
[ Adeline ]“Don’t be nervous, Travis’ mother is a good person. She is actually very cool.” Xavier whispered to me as we stepped out of our car and a guard led us inside a small but very modern and beautiful mansion.“Why there’s more security than our house. Travis’ house looks more like fort than a house.” I said scanning the whole area.“He runs a media channel, Ade. He has more enemies than us.” He told me and I nodded my head in acknowledgement.“Hello, my sweet and handsome boy. It’s really a surprise to have you after months.” Aloud feminine voice startled us and before we could understand anything, Xavier was crushed into a middle aged woman’s arms.“Hey, Windy, how are you?” He greeted her while trying to catch his breath.She released him and looked at me, I bowed to her in respect. Her striking resemblance with Travis gave me a hint that she’s his mother.“Hello, Ma’am. I am Adeline, Travis’ friend and Xavier’s wife.” I introduced myself.“Of course, I know you, sweetie. In
[ Adeline ]“I am going to talk to Addison, Xav.” I said as soon as we drove out of Travis’ house.It came like a huge shock to me how my best friend had fallen for my sister who actually doesn’t deserve him but we don’t fall in love by the logic, it happens.He turned his head in my direction with a frown itched between his brows, “I don’t think it’s a good idea. You know your sister, she isn’t one of the kindest persons and she is definitely a fan of yours. She’ll humiliate you and I don’t want you to go through it again. Just drop this idea, Ade.” He tried to convince me with the obvious outcomes.“I am not doing it for her, Xav. It’s Travis. I saw pure emotions in his eyes and the way he expressed himself, it wasn’t just sex or infatuation. He seems pretty smitten by Addison and I think she also deserves a second chance in her life if she really repents for her past mistakes.” I stated my own arguments.He sighed and held my hand, “Ade, I agree with you but isn’t she the one who p
[ Adeline ]“Wha…what do you mean? How..how..did you?” She stammered and looked away.“It doesn’t matter, Addison and it’s none of my business to meddle in your personal matter but I met Travis today and what he told me, I think you should know.” I stated as naturally as I could because I don’t want to overwhelm her.She raised her eyelashes and gave me a blank look, “Did he send you here?” She asked me flatly and I knew if I don’t handle this matter delicately from here, it might backfire and complicate everything.I shook my head negatively, “No, he doesn’t even know that I am here but he told me because he thinks I should know before someone else tells me. For him, you’re my sister so he thought it might affect our friendship.” I clarified.She looked away again.“It was a mistake. We both were drunk and one thing led to another. I told him first thing in the morning that we should move past. It wasn’t the first time I slept with someone like this. You know me well.” She said, she
[ Adeline ]“Ade, I think I have found a lead on your father.” Xavier, who walked inside our room after a long call with someone while I was reading a book to kill the time.I closed the book and put off my reading glasses. My heartbeats suddenly increased. It had been over a month since I last shared my dilemma about my father’s disappearance but I never raised the subject again because my mother insisted me to just leave him in the past, she was happy with Paul, their relationship was blooming. We even met Paul’s adopted daughter.“Where is he now?” I asked while trying to keep a straight face but it was useless because my husband knows me and can read me like an open book.He sat beside me and held me hands gently, he does it whenever he has to say something unpleasant.“Tell me, Xavier. What have you found about him. I am ready to hear anything.” I said looking straight into his eyes.“Adeline, your father is dead.” He said with a deep sigh.My hands slipped from his grip, I felt
[ Adeline ]“How can you this much careless? Unbelievable! I did not expect such recklessness from you, Adeline.” My husband scolded me whereas I kept quiet and listened to him because it was actually my fault.“Ma’am, please move your hand slightly, I have to check if you have hurt yourself anywhere else.” The maid who was cleaning my wound, asked me.“No, I am fine, it just the small scratch on my head and elbow. Put a bandage, it’ll heal in a few days.” I said to her and she resumed my primary treatment.My husband glared me murderously as if I had said something horrendous.“You call it a small scratch, Adeline. Wow! You are great, my dear.” He mocked me. I thought he was overreacting.“We all get small scratches and bruises in daily life, Xavier so stop fussing. Even she cut her finger last week, right?” I said pointing at the maid with a roll of my eyes. I was scared, he was panicking by seeing the cuts on my elbow and forehead, I fear what if he found out who had given me these
[ Adeline ]“It was easier for me, I don’t know how am I going to tell this to Mom. She spent thirty years of her life with that man.” I said to Addison who was with me. I went to her office first after my meeting which I couldn’t postpone. She took it like she’s listening about a random robbery news on the T.V.“Can’t you see her love life is blooming. I am sure She and Mr. Paul are having a steamy relationship. You should have seen her in the last week. They looked like couples in their twenties. I felt gross.” She gagged and I rolled my eyes.“Eww, don’t talk about our mother like this. Have some decency.” I gave her a disgusted look.“Then they should consider their age before flaunting their affair in front of me and specially Adam. He is growing and what effect they’d cast on an intelligent boy.” She said. Meanwhile, someone opened the door of Mr. Paul’s apartment.“Mom! What are you wearing?” This time I exclaimed and closed my eyes.“I told you.” Addison muttered under her bre
[ Xavier ]“Come on, Travis. You’re behaving like typical tragic hero of a romance novel. Addison is a free spirit and one of the most complex personalities I ever met. She isn’t interested in you, brother.” I said annoyingly to the man who had been talking about Addison Greyson nonstop.“I pity on you, Xavier. You have found your true love. Just imagine yourself on my place. How would you feel if Adeline doesn’t reciprocate your feelings?” He asked me in a sulking voice and it was something which forced me to think that he’s right.I’d die a thousand death in a moment if Adeline becomes cold and distant towards me. In fact, I find it hard to be away from her when we work.“I think you got your answer, buddy.” He smiled faintly.“We can’t do anything for you if she isn’t ready, Travis. You know Adeline tried to convince her maturely but Addison is a stubborn and strong willed woman, it’s another case that most of the time she’s either foolish or impulsive.” I put my opinion about Addi