Diverse Love ( Shades of Love Series Book 1)

TRISTAN CLIFF - Many would consider me lucky. Tristan Cliff, the only living heir of the Cliff Empire who lives a luxurious lifestyle in a huge mansion surrounded by numerous servants. But, I would consider myself to be the most unlucky guy.

I lost my parents at the age of 6 and after that my life went downhill. My uncle and his family took over the control of our house, our business, our servants, our well-wishers and even my life. My life which was like a happy dream turned into a terrible nightmare. After that fateful day, there is not a single day that has gone by without the curses and the abuse from my uncle and his family. At home, I am being abused physically and mentally by my Uncle and Aunt and even the servants do not miss a chance to mock me. My only support was our old Butler Reese, who was loyal to my parents, but even he was kicked out from the house for helping me. At school, I am constantly bullied by my cousins Fred and Jeff and his group of loyal friends. I was so scared of them, in fact, all of them, that I would just agree to do about anything they ask of me just to avoid the beatings.

When I was 18 and entered college, a ray of hope came in the form of Evelyn Grace. She was different. She was strong and fearless. She fought with the bullies and always helped me. Soon we became good friends and for the first time, I had someone on whom I could rely. Gradually I fell in love with her, how could I not? She was so beautiful and lovable. But looks like I am always meant to be unlucky and pathetic. While I was fussing over how to confess my love to her, enters another guy Adam, who takes a special interest in Evelyn. He seems to always help her whenever she's in trouble, the same way as she was for me. Now I am questioning myself am I really worthy of her? Whenever she needs help, it's not me but Adam who is always present. I am just a pathetic timid guy who cowers away even when someone talks in a loud voice, then how will I protect the one I love?

EVELYN GRACE - Everyone thinks I am a poor and pitiful girl who has no idea who her parents are and lived her whole life in an orphanage. Some look at me with pity and some with disgust. Even if I have no parents and no blood relatives I am happy and contented with my life. The people at the orphanage took good care of me. I had a lot of friends there and it was like one big happy family. Even the owner of the Martial Arts Academy beside our Orphanage was so good, he decided to train her for free.

When I was 18 and went to college, I met this guy Tristan who was from a rich family but yet he was not like those typical spoilt rich kids whom I have usually seen. He was different. He had no friends and always liked to be alone. He was often bullied and never fought back. His eyes held a lot of pain and I couldn't help but feel protective towards him. We gradually became good friends and when I came to know about his family's abuse, I vowed to myself I would always protect him. But things were not so easy, there were many of them who didn't like me helping him and she soon understood these so-called rich people rely on more despicable means to retaliate, rather than just confronting face to face. During one such incident, she was rescued by a mysterious guy who hid himself under a mask. She didn't know much about him except that he called himself Adam, was very strong and could fight well. Who was this guy? How does he know so much about her? How come he is always present whenever she is in need?

ADAM - I am a mystery and puzzle which is not easy to solve. I myself can't do it nor do I care to. The only thing I care about in this World is Evelyn Grace. She is the sole reason for my existence. I wake up for her and sleep thinking about her. I am deeply in love with Evelyn and could go to hell and back for her. Recently I could see few people targeting my Evelyn and trying various means to harm her, but I would be damned If I let them do that. I will thrash each and every obstacle that comes in her way. She needs someone like me to be with her, to protect her, not someone as pathetic as her best friend Tristan who can't even protect himself.

It was a busy day as usual. Six-year-old Triston Cliff was sitting in his living room and looking at his parent's Trent and Melissa Cliff, giving an interview on TV. It was the day of the opening of a new luxury spa resort of Cliff group of Hotels.

Trent and Melissa were self-made billionaires who started by opening a small restaurant. Trent and Melissa had completed their Hotel Management course and opened a restaurant as soon as they got married. Melissa was a great cook, whereas Trent was good at managing the hotel. Their efforts were fruitful, and they were now the proud owners of various luxurious hotels and resorts around the globe.

Triston was busy listening to the story of how his parents achieved their success when he is interrupted by the family Butler Reese. "Triston, you need to get ready for the opening ceremony."

"I don't want to go. These parties are soooo boring." Triston gets up and tries to hide behind the sofa.

Reese chases him around the living room and says, "You promised your parents you would go. They will be waiting for you."

Triston stops himself and agrees reluctantly. His nanny Anna helps him get ready for the party, and Reese drives him to the venue. The resort looked beautiful, and it was busy with the various guests and the invited media personnel. Triston ignored them and started looking for his parents. As soon as he saw them, he rushed and hugged his Mom. Trent and Melissa were ecstatic to see their son. Though both were busy people, they often found time for him. Triston insisted on having a tour of the resort, so Melissa asked Trent to attend to the guests, and she went with Triston to show him around. Once the tour was over, Melissa and Triston joined Trent for dinner, and they all had a great time.

After the guests left, Trent, Melissa and Triston got into their Limousine and left for home. Triston was very sleepy, so he slept lying on his mother's lap. While on their way back, they were attacked by a few goons who suddenly start shooting bullets at their car. Reese was seated in the front with the driver. Triston wakes up hearing the bullet shot, and Melissa holds him and lays down in the car, trying to avoid the bullets. Trent had a narrow escape, but the driver and Reese were shot. Trent soon rushes them to the hospital. The driver was dead, but Reese was safe as the bullet had hit his arm.

This event got a lot of attention from the media as well as the Police. The Police investigated but were unable to find the shooters. Trent guessed it must be one of his business rivals.

Trent was at his home the next day when Melissa came and sat beside him.

"Where is Triston? Is he fine now?" asked Trent with concern.

"Yes, he is fine now. He is busy playing on his PlayStation. What about Reese?"

"He is out of danger. Luckily the bullet hit his arm, and the bleeding was not much as we took him to the hospital soon," says Trent.

"Why would anyone do this to us? We never harmed anyone," says Melissa feeling bad for the driver who lost his life.

"Some people don't need a valid reason to hurt others; they are just jealous of others success."

" I will give away all of this wealth just if they agree to leave us alone. I can't imagine losing you and Triston." Melissa shuddered when she recalled the previous night's incidents.

" I think their main target was me and maybe even you, but Triston is at risk only by being with us", says Trent after a lot of thought.

Melissa was almost in tears now " Do you think they will try again?"

Trent didn't want to accept it, but the recent events were not in their favor. There were already two attempts on their life, but can they be lucky every time. Melissa got her answer, looking at Trent's worried look, and she burst into tears.

Trent hugged her and tried to calm her down. " I have increased the security everywhere, our home, company and all the hotels. I won't let anything happen to you and Triston."

Melissa seemed to have calmed down a bit when Trent's brother Malcolm's family visited them. Melissa was an orphan, whereas Trent had no other family except for his elder brother Malcolm.

Malcolm Cliff was a very ambitious man. He wanted all the luxuries and riches, but he never worked hard for it and always wanted an easy way out. He had made Trent invest in many of his business ideas, but none of them succeeded. Trent soon realized that Malcolm was careless and never really worked to grow the business; instead, he was busy leading an extravagant lifestyle and wasting his money. Eventually, Trent stopped investing in Malcolm's so-called business ideas, and he had no money left with him. He came to Trent begging for help, and Trent agreed out of pity and gave him a key position in his company.

Even after so many setbacks, Malcolm did not seem to change his ways. He was still lazy and often ignored his official work. His wife Nancy was a perfect partner for him. They were exactly like each other, who liked to spend money drinking and partying around with friends. Seeing Trent and Melissa's luxurious lifestyle, Malcolm and Nancy were jealous of them. They wanted that lifestyle. Their jealousy took a deadly turn, and they started to devise plans on getting hold of the Trent fortune. As Malcolm was now working in Trent's company, it was easier to access his documents. He had secretly looked into his brother's legal papers and knew he did not have a will yet.

It was Malcolm who had hired the assassins to kill his brother and his entire family. As Malcolm was the only blood relative alive, his brother's assets would automatically come to him.

Malcolm was now enraged. His brother and his family got lucky again. He had planned for this assassination for a long time, hiring the best assassins, but yet again, he failed. A few days back, he had tried to kill them by poisoning their food, but they did not have that food at all.

Malcolm now decided to calm himself, as this was not the time to get angry over what did not happen; instead, he should check whether the Police have got any clues against him. So, he and his family go towards the Cliff Mansion to show fake sympathy.

Malcolm rushed towards Trent with fake tears in his eyes and said, "How are you, brother? I was so worried for you."

Trent replied, "I am fine, Malcolm; the shooters could not get to us."

"What about Triston? That poor kid must be so scared," chimed in Nancy, showing her fake concern.

"Triston is a bit disturbed by all this. He was asleep at that time, and he woke up when he heard the gunshot," says Melissa thinking about the dreadful incident.

"Did the Police catch the goons?" asked Malcolm with a hint of worry.

"Not yet, but they said they would catch them soon," says Trent.

Malcolm and Nancy exchanged worried glances but were interrupted by their son Fred who asked to play in the Games room. Melissa called for her maid and asked to take Fred and Jeff to the Games room where Triston was playing.

Fred and Jeff were both eight years old and were a perfect example of a devil's spawn. Even at this age, the amount of negativity they had in them was immense. It seems like they followed in their parent's footsteps. Both of them go to the Games room and see Triston busy playing on his PlayStation.

Fred goes and snatches the handheld console from him. "That's not the way to play it. I will show you how it is played." Saying this, he moves Triston aside and starts playing. Jeff takes the other handheld device and starts playing with him.

Triston wanted to say something, but he was already very disturbed by the previous night's shootout, so he ignores them.

Later on, Malcolm's family have their dinner at Trent's house and leave. Malcolm was relieved that Police, as well as Trent, do not doubt him.

A few weeks later, the Cliff's had to go to Paris for a conference, but on the day of the trip, Triston was down with fever. Trent and Melissa were about to cancel the trip and stay with Triston, but he insists on not ignoring their work for him. Upon getting assurance from Reese that he would take good care of Triston, Trent and Melissa leave for Paris in their private jet. Before leaving, both Trent and Melissa hug Triston and ask him to take care of himself. Trent was worried for Triston's safety, so he takes Reese aside and informs him not to allow Triston to wander off alone and always stay with him.

The following day, Triston was eagerly waiting for his parents call. He guessed they must have reached by now, but still, they didn't call him back. His fever was still not down, and this stressed him out more.

As soon as Reese came to his room, Triston got up from the bed and asked, "Did they call?"

Reese gave a sad look to Triston.

Triston stared at Reese, who looked like he was crying. His eyes were red, and he tried to avoid looking at him. "What happened? Were you crying?"

Reese suddenly hugged Triston and burst into tears. Triston was confused and asked again, "What happened, Reese? Are you hurt?"

Reese was crying nonstop. His heart pained for the kid. Finally, he mustered up his courage and whispered, "Your parents...." the remaining words seemed to have stuck in his throat in between his tears.

He gently pushed Reese away and asked, "What about them? Did they call you? They must be worried about me."

"The j...j...jet they were travelling in...... c...c...crashed."

Triston gave a worried look and asked, "Crash? Do you mean like how car crashes on the road? How can an aircraft which flies in the air crash on the road?"

"T...t...there was some technical problem, due to which the pilot c...c... couldn't control the plane and it c...c...crashed on the ground," says Reese in between his sobs.

"How did you know that? Did Dad tell you? That was Mom's favorite plane; she must be so sad."

This was the moment Reese was dreading. How could he explain to a six-year-old it was not only the plane which was destroyed.

"Please t...t...try to understand Triston. Y...y...your parents were i...i...in the plane when it crashed. The plane e...e...exploded."

A sense of dread filled Triston. Though he was only six years old, he was definitely more sharp than the kids his age, but he did not want to accept what he was thinking. It can't be true.

"Are they hurt? What are we doing here? We must go and see them. Let's leave now."

Reese gave a pained look to Triston and hugged him again. He whispered in between his tears, "T...t...they are g...g...gone."

Triston pushed him away again, not gently this time. "W...w...what do you mean they are gone? T...t...they had promised me they would c...c...come back soon."

"T...t...they are n...n...not coming back, Triston. They are n...n...never coming back."

"NO... I don't believe it. T...t...they c...c... can't leave me. They p...p...promised," screamed Triston. Tears started pouring down his eyes, and he seemed to be in a panic. Reese tried to hug him and calm him, but Triston was pushing him away.

"They a...a...are not g...g...g...gone. Y...y...you are lying." Triston was crying and screaming and slowly lost consciousness.

Reese was worried for Triston. He already had a fever, and this news was too devastating for him. He laid him on the bed and called for the Doctor to check over him.

Reese waited for the Doctor and stared at the unconscious kid whose eyes were still filled with tears. Why did this poor child have to lose his parents at such a young age? What would happen to him now? He remembered Trent's last words to him. Before leaving, he had asked Reese to always stay with Triston. He held the unconscious kid's tiny hand and promised him, "Don't worry, Triston. I will always be there for you."

While the people at the Cliff Mansion were filled with sorrow, it was time for celebration for Malcolm and his family. He was rejoicing at his victory and asked his wife to put on the television to check the progress. The death of the Cliffs was all over the news.

Malcolm heard one news anchor say, ".......private jet owned by the Cliff family crashed while enroute to Paris from Chicago. The aircraft exploded as soon as it crashed. The reason for the crash is still unknown, but it is suspected there was some technical glitch in the aircraft. The investigations are on, and we will update you on the progress. Our resources have confirmed that all the passengers on board the flight, including Mr. Trent Cliff, Mrs. Melissa Cliff, their assistant Mr. Will, two pilots, and two crew members, were found dead. Our heartfelt condolences to the family....."

Malcolm abruptly gets up from his seat. Looking at his shocked expression, Nancy asks, "What happened?"

"What about the boy? Wasn't he supposed to be on the flight?" Malcolm asked, annoyed.

Nancy was confused. "Who? Which boy are you talking about?"

"The boy, what's his name? Trent's son?" asked Malcolm. He was continuously switching from one channel to another to confirm whether the boy was dead or not. Another news anchor was saying, "....Mr. Cliff is survived by a six-year-old son Triston Cliff. We deeply regret....."

"Oh yes, Melissa said Triston would be going with them,....but the news says he is alive," says Nancy.

Malcolm threw the remote in anger. "I can hear that"

"Why are you getting angry at me? "asked Nancy irritated.

"Don't you understand? I planned and executed everything to get hold of the Cliff family fortune. After so many unsuccessful attempts, I was finally able to kill them, but yet again, that little brat managed to escape death. Now the entire fortune will belong to him, and we get nothing," roared Malcolm.

Nancy tried to calm him down. "Don't worry, honey, he is just a little boy; why don't you get rid of him now?"

Malcolm thought about it and said, "Now is not the right time. The news is all over the media; if something happens to Triston now, then the Police will surely suspect some foul play."

Nancy agreed with him and asked in a worried tone, "Then what do we do now? Won't we get anything?"

"Not at all. All that planning and plotting were not done just to lose everything at the end. We have waited for so long, so we just have to wait for few more months. Once this matter is cooled down, we will get rid of Triston."

Nancy was relieved and hugged Malcolm. He broke the hug and said, "Now, let's start with our act again. We must go to the Cliff Mansion and act like concerned relatives."

Nancy gave an evil smile and said, "I am an expert in that regard."

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At the Cliff Mansion, the Doctor was checking Triston, and Reese stood there worried. The Doctor checked him and said, "There is nothing wrong with him; he got unconscious due to shock. He will be fine soon."

Reese was relieved and thanked the Doctor.

Once the Doctor leaves, Reese sits beside Triston. His eyes were filled with tears when he thought about Mr. and Mrs. Cliff.

Mr. Cliff always considered him as a younger brother, not a Butler. Reese's father was working as a servant for Trent's dad.

Reese's entire family died when their house caught on fire. He was still in college, and he had lost everything within a day, including his family and his house. Trent had readily welcomed Reese to stay with him.

Reese's thoughts were interrupted when a maid came to inform him that Malcolm and Nancy were there at the Cliff Mansion. Reese left Triston's room, allowing him to rest, and went to meet Malcolm.

"I heard the news. Is it true?" Nancy asked Reese.

"Yes, it's true. Mr. and Mrs. Cliff were killed in the crash," said Reese sadly.

Malcolm gave a sad look, whereas Nancy was crying her eyes out, which looked fake. Reese never liked this family as he could feel the negative vibes from them. Their concern never seemed genuine.

Malcolm held his wife as if trying to console her and asked Reese, "What about Triston? Where is he? I heard even he was supposed to go with Trent. Is he...safe?"

"Triston was supposed to go, but he couldn't as he was not well. He is sleeping in his room now," said Reese.

Malcolm released a breath of relief to show that he was concerned for his nephew. His acting was definitely better than his wife's.

At that time, the family lawyer Robert Kent arrived at the Hunt Mansion.

Malcolm was a bit anxious seeing the Lawyer. Why is the Lawyer here? The last time he checked, Trent did not have any will.

Even though he was nervous, he managed to hold his dejected look and welcomed the guest warmly.

Robert greeted him back and said, "It's good; I found you here. I wanted to meet you too."

"What is this about?" asked Malcolm, concerned.

"It's about Mr. Trent's Will," said Robert calmly.

Malcolm's heart skipped a beat. Nancy gasped in shock but still managed to hide it by a fake cough.

Malcolm couldn't help but ask, "Trent had a Will?"

Robert nodded and said, "First, he did not have any Will, but the recent attempts on his life compelled him to do so. It was created just a week back."

Malcolm clenched his fists, trying to suppress his anger. He cursed the assassins who had failed to do their job. If they had been successful in their first attempt, there would have been no Will.

Robert then continued saying, "Also... the day Mr. Cliff left for Paris, I had received an Internet call from him while he was on board the flight."

Malcolm was tensed. Did Trent know something? He reluctantly asked, "W-What did he say?"

"The line was not very clear, so I couldn't hear him properly, but I am sure he said he wanted a few changes in the Will. He even asked me if I could board the next available flight and come to Paris," says Robert dejectedly.

Reese was alert when he heard that. Surely Mr. Cliff knew something about the attacks. They had been investigating for a long time. Reese even felt the plane crash was planned and not an accident.

"Did he say anything else as to what changes he wanted and why?" Reese asked Robert.

"No, before he could say anything else, the call was disconnected." Robert suddenly remembered something and said, "And, I also heard him saying something like 'I need to keep him safe."

"Who was he talking about?" Reese asked.

Robert thought about the phone call and said, "I think he was talking about Triston."

Malcolm was sweating with worry. Now he is sure Trent knew something before his death. Did he get to know that Malcolm was behind those attacks? Did he tell someone about it? Nancy saw Malcolm getting nervous, so she squeezes his palm asking him to control himself.

Malcolm gets back in his act and says, "Don't worry about Triston. I will take care of him like my own son."

Robert was a bit relieved to hear Triston is not alone. He pitied the little boy who lost his parents at such a young age. "How is Triston now?" He asked, looking from Reese to Malcolm.

"He is sleeping now. He didn't take the news well," Reese said sadly.

Robert nodded in understanding and spoke to Reese and Malcolm. "Regarding the Will, I want you two to come to my office tomorrow. I will read out its contents to you."

Reese was surprised. "Why do you want me to come? I am just a Butler here."

"You are one of the beneficiaries named in the Will," says Robert.

Malcolm was genuinely annoyed. All his efforts might be in vain because of this stupid Will.

Reese nods his head and says, "Ok, I will be there tomorrow."

Robert nods and then looks at Malcolm. "Triston is still a minor; I won't ask him to be there, but you are his only living relative, so you will be his guardian."

Malcolm was pleased to hear that. Even if Trent has given everything to Triston, the Cliff Empire will be under Malcolm's control. So, he will bear with the brat for a few months and then get rid of him permanently.

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The next day, Reese and Malcolm were at the Lawyer's office for the will reading. Roberts greets them and starts.

"Last Will and Testament of Trent Cliff

I, Trent Cliff, of Chicago City, Illinois, United States, revoke my other former Wills and Codicils and declare this to be my last Will and Testament.

I declare that I am of legal age to make this Will and that I am of sound mind. This last Will expresses my wishes without undue influence or duress.

I am married to Melissa Cliff, and all references in this Will to "my spouse" are references to Melissa Cliff.

The name of my child is Triston Cliff, and all references in this Will to "my child" are references to Triston Cliff.

I appoint Robert Kent to be the executor of the Last Will. If this executor is unable or unwilling to serve, I appoint Mike Hall as the alternate executor.

Bequests

I bequeath onto the person's named below, if he or she survives me by thirty days, the following property.

Name: Reese Johnson

Relationship: Friend

Address: A-B-C, Chicago City

Properties: 1. Estate at D-E-F, Chicago city.

2. Restaurant "Eat and Repeat" at G-H-I, Chicago City.

3. Restaurant at J-K-L, Paris.

Name: Malcolm Cliff

Relationship: Brother

Address: M-N-O, Chicago City

Properties: 1. Estate at P-Q-R, New York City.

2. Hotel at S-T-U, Chicago City.

3. Resort at V-W-X, Florida City.

4. Hotel at Y-Z, London

Name: Melissa Cliff

Relationship: Spouse

Address: Cliff Mansion, Chicago

Properties: I do bequeath to my spouse all my personal effects and all my tangible property, including the Estates, Restaurants, Hotels, Resorts, Companies, Bank Accounts in my name, and the automobiles owned by me and held for my personal use at the time of death, but excluding the properties mentioned above given to other persons.

In an event my spouse shall not survive me, then I give and bequeath all such tangible property to my child, Triston Cliff. My child will be solely responsible for taking care of my business and its decisions from the age of 21.

In an event my child shall not survive until he is 21, all the tangible property will be given to the charitable organization "Feed the Babies."

After reading out the contents of the Will, Robert looks at both Malcolm and Reese. Reese seemed very emotional, as if he was about to cry, whereas Malcolm had a blank expression. Though his face was expressionless, his heart was filled with rage. He wanted to kill Trent again.

Robert handed a copy of the Will to both Reese and Malcolm and said, " As you can see, Mr. Trent has left properties for both of you. I need your approval so that we can proceed with the transfer process."

Both Reese and Malcolm nodded.

Robert further added, " Also, a few properties belonged to Mrs. Melissa Cliff, which by default will be transferred to Triston as an inheritance."

Robert now specifically spoke to Malcolm. "Triston is the sole owner for the rest of the Cliff fortune, but he is still a minor. Mr. Cliff has not specified any guardian for him in the Will, so you will be responsible for his inheritance until he is 21. I will make the arrangements for the same."

Malcolm gritted his teeth in anger but tried to stay calm in front of the Lawyer. Out of the numerous hotels and properties Trent owned, he had left him a few measly hotels. What displeased him, even more was that now he couldn't harm Triston till he is 21. His dreams of getting rid of the boy and being the sole owner of the Cliff Empire were ruined by a mere piece of paper. But he wouldn't give up so easily. He will not let a little brat wreck his plans.