Chapter 8 Come home

A phone could be heard ringing, jolting Donna awake. She opened her eyes forcefully, realizing that there was something preventing her from getting up. Looking down, she noticed a strong arm wrapped around her and a familiar face so close to hers. Memories from the previous night flooded her mind, causing a blush to creep up her cheeks.

"Why am I thinking about this?" she thought, trying to push the thoughts away. Although she had been in similar situations before, this one seemed to stir up familiar emotions she didn't want to acknowledge or try to feel. Determined not to stare at the captivating face beside her, she carefully moved his arm aside, struggling but eventually succeeding.

Slowly, Donna descended from the bed and managed to regain her balance despite feeling weak in her legs. As she steadied herself, she noticed her phone lying nearby and noticed she had missed six calls from Ariana.

Letting out a sigh, she glanced at Oliver, who was still soundly asleep, before deciding to dial Ariana's number.

After a few rings, the call connected.

"Hey, Ariana," Donna whispered softly, careful not to wake Oliver up.

"Donna, finally! I've been trying to reach you. Are you okay?" Ariana asked with concern.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Donna replied, although her voice hinted at something being wrong.

Ariana could sense that Donna wasn't being completely honest. "Are you sure you're okay? You don't sound like yourself, Donna. Did you just wake up?" she inquired.

Donna hesitated before answering, "Yeah, I just woke up. I was feeling a bit feverish and decided to rest today. So, you don't have to worry about me."

"What about your workplace?" Ariana questioned.

Donna paused and bit her lip. She hadn't planned on lying about her job from the beginning, but she wanted Ariana to have a normal life after losing their parents in one tragic night. However, now she had no choice but to continue the lie.

"Well, I took a leave from work today. Enough about me, why did you call? Is something wrong?" Donna said, trying to shift the focus away from herself.

She heard a soft sigh on the other end of the line.

"That... Mr. Alex, the principal..." Ariana began.

"Not again, Ariana!" Donna interrupted, knowing exactly what her sister was about to say. This wasn't the first time Ariana had gotten into trouble, and Donna couldn't help but feel a mix of anger and concern.

"I told you to avoid getting in trouble, you..." Donna sighed deeply, trying to control her frustration.

"I'm sorry, sis, I was just trying to..." Ariana started to apologize.

"When?" Donna interrupted again.

"Tomorrow," Ariana replied softly. She never intended to make her sister so angry. She understood the hardships Donna had been through, but she couldn't simply sit back and watch this happen.

"I'm sor..." Ariana's voice was cut off as the line disconnected. She stared at the payphone in frustration and let out a sigh.

Meanwhile, Donna placed the phone on the bedside table and turned to look at Oliver, who was still sleeping. She quickly got dressed and quietly left the room.

Unbeknownst to her, Oliver had been awake the whole time. He had pretended to be asleep while Donna and Ariana had their conversation. Now that Donna was gone, he slowly opened his eyes.

There was a glint in his eyes but it was within a second before disappearing.

>>>>

For the past two hours, Jake had been relentlessly pestering Oliver to explain what had happened the previous night. However, Oliver, undisturbed, just sat there, looking out of the moving Rolls Royce.

"Why... Forget it," Jake finally gave up asking and instead focused on driving.

Last night, Oliver had entered a room with a stripper, and Jake had to book a room closer to them. When he heard the sound of the door closing, he had approached and not long after, Oliver followed. He knew what had happened.

Jake grew frustrated with Oliver's inability to open up about himself. He remembered how Oliver had a troubled relationship with his father, who would often hurl hurtful words at him. Jake sighed and continued driving.

As they arrived at Oliver's apartment, the expensive car appeared striking parked in front of the building. Both of them got out, and Oliver noticed a car parked across the street. He recognized the car and turned, pretending he hadn't seen it, and entered the building with Jake.

Knock! Knock!!

A knock came from the door. Jake, who was in the kitchen with his upper body exposed, paused his movements.

"Oliver, are you expecting anyone today?" Jake asked, and Oliver replied, "No, I'm not."

Jake, wearing an apron, walked up to the door, opened it, and encountered a man in a black suit followed by an elderly man with a walking stick. Jake immediately realized who it was and stammered a greeting.

"Gr-grandpa, what are you doing here?" Jake said.

This was Oliver's grandfather, Grandpa Frank.

The old man furrowed his eyebrows and said with stern eyes, "Is that how you greet your elders?"

"Move aside, boy. Where is that punk?" Grandpa Frank said, walking past Jake.

"Oliver??" Grandpa Frank called out angrily.

"Grandpa, you need to calm down. Getting angry won't be good for your health," Jake said, attempting to soothe him. Oliver emerged from his room, his wet hair indicating he had just taken a shower.

"You..." Grandpa Frank said, pointing at Oliver with his walking stick. Oliver smiled and approached him, asking, "Grandpa, how have you been?"

Grandpa Frank, about to unleash his fury on Oliver, quickly calmed down upon hearing his grandson's voice.

"You rascal, you're always so stubborn. I can't be fine knowing my time is coming," the old man said, preparing to sit down. Oliver quickly helped him by providing support as he sat.

"Grandpa, stop saying that. You look so healthy, young, and handsome," Oliver said with a smile.

"Are you mocking me?" Grandpa Frank asked, looking at Oliver. Oliver quickly defended himself, saying, "No, Grandpa, I'm telling the truth. Don't you believe me?" Oliver asked, still squatting beside him.

Grandpa Frank hummed and then turned to look at Jake, who stood silently nearby.

"Since the last time I saw you, you've grown up well. Ahh, time flies so quickly," the old man said.

"Grandpa, of course, I've grown up well because of how well-behaved I am," Jake replied, glancing at Oliver, who pursed his lips.

"Well-behaved? I..."

"Grandpa, why are you here? You can't just be here to check on how we're doing," Oliver interrupted his grandfather, who was about to continue the conversation with Jake.

Jake and Oliver had been friends since junior high school, and Oliver would occasionally stay by his grandfather's side, with Jake often visiting. However, when Oliver's mother passed away, circumstances changed, and it became difficult for the grandfather and grandson to see each other, which was what Oliver wanted. He never disclosed his whereabouts to his family and decided to make a living doing what he loved most.

Oliver knew that seeing his father at his place meant that sooner or later, his grandfather would also be there.

"Can't you be filial for once? I'm getting so old, but you won't stop making me worry," Grandpa Frank said.

Jake quietly left the two to give them some privacy.

"Grandpa..."

"Come home..."

>>>>>>>

In a magnificent mansion within the estate, a tall figure stood on the balcony, a nearly finished cigarette between his fingers. He took a puff and then turned his head slightly upon realizing someone was behind him.

"What?"

"Your parents are here, Master Desmond..."