Chapter 4 Alexander

I didn't know what to do. The line went dead and I tried calling him back to no avail. I decided to just to go home and find out if everything was okay because I knew something wasn't right.

I hated driving at night but I didn't want to disturb Dave. However, before I could grab my keys, my phone rang again. It was Dave.

"Hey, are you okay? Patricia just called me now and said that I should come and get you. Is everything alright? "

"I don't know. Patricia usually never calls me these days unless she wants to ask me for money so this is completely out of character for her which makes me think that something really bad must have happened. "

"I'm on my way. Stay put." Dave said and hung up

I was so glad that I didn't have to drive back alone to my parents' house at this time of the night. The main reason why Dave and I were best friends was because we would do anything for each other.

Dave got to my place a lot quicker than I expected and I just hopped in his car and we set off for my parents' place. I really hoped my dad was okay. He may not have been the best father figure but he was still my father regardless of everything and I wasn't ready to lose him.

We got to the house in about ten minutes because Dave was in a hurry. I burst open the front doors and found Pat waiting for me in the main living room.

"You're here. Dad has been waiting for you. "

"Is everything okay? " I asked

"No, he's dying and he requested to see you one more time before he passes. Go on, he's waiting for you. "

I sprinted to my father's room where I saw him looking almost lifeless on his bed. He was a shadow of his former self. I could barely recognize the person in front of me.

"Alex, you came" He said weakly

"Yes, I'm here. Stay with me. "I pleaded

"It's too late for me son. My time is almost up."

"Dad don't say that."

"I'm tired of fighting. If it wants to happen, I have to let it happen. I can't hold on for much longer. I've only waited all this time to see you married before I die. You will meet with my lawyers tomorrow. I have already instructed them on what to do in the event of my death. I love you my son."

"I love you too dad."

It killed me to see him like this, knowing this was probably the last time I would ever see him like this.

He developed cancer two years ago. He started treatment and got better but unfortunately the cancer came a few months ago.

"Alex, look inside that drawer. There is an envelope inside. Do not open it until after I have passed."

I opened the drawer with trembling hands and found a brown envelope.

"I love you my son. I always have even if I didn't always show it. You were always my favourite child and I will always love you. "

I held his hand for as long as I could until I felt them go numb. I looked up at my father's face. Anyone who walked in right now would think he was sleeping. But I knew better.

He was gone. Forever.

I let the tears flow freely. I couldn't hold them back anymore. Dave and Brad came in a few minutes later to check on me. Brad started crying as well while Dave came to console me.

I went outside a few minutes later to find my mum. She was crying on the couch.

"It's okay. He's in a better place now. " I said, trying to comfort her

"Why? Why did his cancer have to come back? Why did he have to leave me?" she asked as she continued crying

I hugged her because she was already shaking and I didn't know what else to do. I had just lost my father but she just lost her husband. They had been together for almost thirty years.

We called our family hospital and an ambulance was brought to carry his body out. I held my mother so she wouldn't faint at the sight of her husband's lifeless body being carried out.

I spent the night in my old room because I wanted to be close to my mother. Dave stayed on an air mattress in my room. There were several other rooms in the house that he could have chosen but he insisted on keeping me company which I was grateful for.

"I still can't believe that he's gone, just like that. I should have spent more time with him."

"It's okay. I understand how you feel."

"I'm sorry you have to see me like this."

"Hey, it's okay. We're basically brothers. I spent more time with your dad than I ever did with mine."

This was in fact true. Dave and I had grown up together so when dad suggested that I make him my personal assistant, I happily obliged.

Dave slept off around 3am but I just couldn't fall asleep no matter how hard I tried. At 4am, I gave up on sleeping and went out of the room for some fresh air and to clear my head.

My phone was in my pocket and I didn't realise until it rang. I quickly answered the call so as not to wake up the rest of the household.

"Hello." I said

"Hey, it's me. I just thought I should confirm if I had the right number."

I smiled to myself.

"You definitely have the right number. If I may ask, why are you still awake? "

"I just woke up actually. I have to get ready for work. The bakery opens by 7am and I have to be there by 5.30. I hope I'm not disturbing you. "

"No, not at all. I'm actually glad you called."

"How's your dad? Is he okay?" she asked

I almost started crying again but I managed to control myself.

"He's okay. He's resting. " I replied

At least it wasn't a lie. I couldn't bring myself to tell her the truth yet even though she was going to find out later today.

"Okay then. I just called to check on you and confirm if you had saved my number. I have to get ready now. I'll see you later."

"Wait, what time should I pick you up from work? " I asked

"My shift ends at noon so you can swing by after."

"Okay then. I need the address of the bakery you work at."

"I'll text it to you. Bye." She replied and hung up

I felt a bit better after talking to her. I started feeling sleepy so I went to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water which I drank and went back to bed.

I woke up quite late.

Aurora's POV

I was surprised he actually answered the call as I expected him to still be asleep. There was something about the way he sounded on the phone, like he was trying to hide something. Anyway, I was going to find out as I was seeing him later in the day.

I could hardly concentrate on work because I was thinking about him. I almost burned a batch of cookies and my boss scolded me for it.

Finally my shift was over and I changed out of my work clothes. I waited a few minutes before Alex texted me to let me know that he was outside. I said goodbye to my workers and left the bakery. Alex got out to open my door which surprised me a bit but I got into the car and shut the door.

I said hi to Dave who was in the driver's seat before we left. Alex shut his eyes immediately we started moving and I wondered if something was wrong. I wanted to ask but I didn't want to overstep so we continued the ride in perfect silence.

It took us a bit longer than expected to get to our destination which happened to be his father's company.

I couldn't believe I was back here after all these years. It made me sick to my stomach when I remembered everything that happened. I didn't want to get down from the car but I didn't have a choice as Alex had already opened my door. I didn't even realise he had already gotten out of the car.

I finally got a look at his face and there were dark circles around his eyes. He looked exhausted but also sad.

He held my hand in his as we walked into the company. I was scared that someone might recognize me but fortunately we didn't run into anyone I knew. Maybe they all no longer worked here.

We finally made it to his lawyer's office.

"Welcome, Mr and Mrs Kingsley. I've been expecting you." He said as he offered us seats

"So these are the documents that you need to sign before we proceed." He said, handing some documents over to Alex

I stared at Alex as he signed the documents one after the other. He finished signing them about ten minutes late and handed the documents back to the lawyer.

"Oh there is one more thing I forgot to mention. It is the most important condition of all. "

"What is it?" Alex asked

"Your father told me to inform you that if you break any one of his three rules, you lose everything. "