He pulled his robe over his bare body and dragged himself to the sitting room only to meet Santiago and Jimmy. He squinted, yawned and mumbled words that sounded like greetings.
“Sorry we had to wake you up from sleep. I insisted on seeing you” Santiago informed. They were standing and Adrian requested that they take a seat.
“It's okay. Thanks for the condolences, and please extend my appreciation to your parents” He declared, taking the sofa opposite the brothers.
“Just my parents, how about Aurora and your daughter?” Santiago demanded, watching Adrian as he poured himself a glass of water.
Adrian paused, placed back the glass of water he was holding and chuckled softly. He didn't offer the brothers any drinks because he found them holding glasses of wine when he stepped out.
“She didn't come to New Jersey because of me, she's here with Patrick and being present at the funeral was simply coincidental. As for having a daughter, I don't have any” Adrian was blunt.
Adrian's facial expression darkened. Can't the brothers say things without having to taunt him about their sister? They didn't see him as a good guy when she insisted on divorce nor find it inappropriate that she's now dating his once best friend.
“Are you going to deny your fatherly rights over Elsie too?” Jimmy asked, but regretted saying anything to him. He was in his bad book two days before. He shouldn't start a conversation with him so casually.
“You know what Jimmy, I tried to dislike you, but I find it difficult to do so. And I won't like it, if I keep seeing reasons to nurture dislike for you until it grows into a full blown hatred.
Elsie is not my daughter. I thought she was, but I was wrong. Aurora was right when she insisted that her daughter was not mine. I was battered back then,but now, I don't feel that way anymore.
But I'll love her as an uncle should. So I plead with you, that you don't take me back to the unpleasant past. If there are other reasons why you came here this late, please speak and if not, I'll like to retire to my bed” Adrian declared.
He doesn't want to have anything to do with the Blakes but somehow, they kept finding ways to get to him. Being away for a few months was actually a good idea for him.
“I'm sorry, Adrian” Jimmy apologized. A lot has happened that he could send them away from his house, especially him. But letting them have a seat was generous enough for him to keep his lips shut.
“We're here to apologise on behalf of our parents and others. Mom and dad wanted to do it by themselves but it's late already and they needed to rest before going back to X-city tomorrow.
About the scandal back then, we are sorry to have accused you. My family requested a public apology from you but you refused. We should have known that you were innocent,but we didn't realise it.
Ray Grimard sponsored it because he wants to have Aurora by all means. Honestly for Aurora and my parents, we're sorry. I do hope you can put the past behind you and let's return to being friends again…” Santiago pleaded.
For a long time, Adrian didn't respond to him. No one believed him,not even his father. His best friend doubted him because of the unpleasant past their mothers have.
Patrick turned out to be someone he doesn't know anymore. His dad was not better and Aurora was the worst. Did any of them ever think about how he was going to feel?
It's only his mom, May her soul rest in peace, that didn't turn her back on him. And at the time, she was helpless, unable to do anything to support him emotionally and he didn't get the chance to see her alive again.
“And for saving Aurora, thank you. I don't know the kind of heart you possess now, but please, don't exchange it for anything…”Santiago concluded and stood up.
Adrian stood up to see them off. He still didn't respond to all Santiago said. As they got into the car, Santiago stepped out and hugged Adrian tightly “I missed you, Adrian” he said trying to touch his head that was still bound in gauze.
Adrian just glared at him, still didn't say anything. Santiago became worried “Why aren't you saying anything Adrian? With everything that happened, I have never been against you, I've been your friend even at your back.
If you are mad with Aurora and Patrick, it's justifiable. But not me, Adrian. We've known each other for long, please don't avoid me, I love you and Charlotte extends her regards.
I do hope you will be there for our baby shower. Charlotte and I are expecting a baby and you'll be his godfather…” Santiago stuttered. For the first time that evening, he saw a faint smile on Adrian's face.
“I'll be there, and it's an honour that I'll be his godfather,”Adrian chimed. He was happy for Santiago and his wife. He looked forward to when the baby would arrive, being a godfather is a dream come true.
As the brothers left, Adrian felt unhappy again. If he had accepted his marriage with Aurora back then, they probably would have had two kids already.
And now, even the one he thought he has, he isn't sure if she's his daughter. He wished she was, but it could still be Patrick's. He's just confused.
But then, can Patrick really betray him back then? There were a few times Aurora was with him alone. What if something happened between them, what if it's by accident?
He can't deny the fact that he took her for the first time. He thought it was Lola, he didn't have the memory of it but it happened. What if that singular time together was actually Elsie?
He's so confused about the whole scenario. Only Aurora and a DNA test can certainly tell whose daughter Elsie is. And that, he's not interested in facing.
Few months later
Adrian had left New Jersey two days after his mother's burial and traveled far. Penguin breweries were making waves in the market. The more the company grows, the less time Adrian has to spend.
Eventually he contemplated on where he should have the company situated. He doesn't want New Jersey nor X-city. Maybe, he would have to choose another great city, Italy, and settle in this capital of Rome.
Several times, his dad had tried to reach him but he gave him no chance to say anything else besides hello. Their relationship seemed estranged and Richard felt depressed about it.
Only grandfather has the chance to talk to Adrian for as long as he wants to, on the phone. He had told him to forgive his dad and come back home but Adrian said, his dad has got Patrick and Luna, he doesn't need to bother coming over to stay around.
Two days later,he took a flight and came to X-city for the baby shower of Santiago and Charlotte's baby. He'd decided from here, he'll go see his grandfather, the latter had told him he's not feeling well and has been seeing his grandmother in his dream lately.
As Adrian arrived at X-city, Santiago sent men to bring him home. Adrian refused, insisting that he would check into a hotel first before coming but Santiago said his parents insisted on having him at the Blakes family as a family friend.
Reluctantly he agreed, not wanting to displease Simon Blake and his wife. Santiago's men brought him home and he was taken to the guest room.
Just as he settled in, someone came knocking on his door. He went to it and opened the door and there stood his ex-wife, staring at him with admiration