Goodbye
Dr Andesh's eyes widened but she quickly composed herself sipping some more coffee to cover up. Unfortunately for her Jason had already seen her reaction to confirm she knew something.
Jason took off his cap and the sunshade spectacles he was wearing. His face was now in clear view and his features more prominent.
"I found out not long ago, the family I grew up in adopted me from the Coopers. Trying to find my family, I also found out, the Coopers family name was a fake identity used by Steve Strong and Debbie Fynn to move me out of Califonia to Florida where they gave me up for adoption to the family I grew up with," Jason explained further and Dr Andesh sipped some more coffee taking in every inch of him.
"My purpose here is to confirm the rest of the story. I need to know the rest of the story. Who am I?" Jason asked looking at her coldly.
Dr Andesh placed her cup back on the table and realize Jason had not touched his.
"You don't like coffee?" she asked buying herself some time to think so she could handle the situation very well.
Jason's gaze shifted to the coffee on the table and back to Dr Andesh as he had already seen right through her.
"Not ready to tell me the truth?" Jason asked and her colour flashed making him frown.
"I don't know the truth," Dr Andesh replied.
Jason moved forward in his seat
"Twenty-four years ago, there was news about the Wellington missing 8-month-old baby because the nanny got distracted," Jason said and unlocked his tab showing her the news article.
"How did he get this?" Dr Andesh thought and quickly grabbed her cup of coffee.
"You are going to need some more coffee. Good thing I didn't take mine," Jason said pushing his cup of coffee to her as he was reading her every reaction and could also sense her discomfort.
Dr Andesh smiled weakly and placed her cup of coffee back on the table relaxing her back on the backrest of the sofa. She looked at Jason with a composed expression. She only had one thought in mind, she had used strong contacts to get this story out of the public platforms as requested by Mr Wellington, how is it that Jason has a supporting document? She would have been okay if he only had his words. As for Jason, his dominance level had gone up with the current situation Dr Andesh finds herself.
"The news was quickly brushed off as fake and removed from all media platforms. The family that adopted me were equally powerful so I do know about the Wellingtons and the fact that they don't like their internal affairs out in public. Today, everyone believes the missing son of the Wellingtons is in London but not a single soul has seen him. Is that not strange? My question here is, is that true," Jason pointed out.
"I still don't get your point. I am a medical doctor, what has that got to do with me?" Dr Andesh asked.
Jason smiled and relaxed in his seat.
"Dr Andesh Handson, you have been working for the Wellingtons for the past twenty- six years as the family doctor," Jason said.
"I no longer work for the Wellingtons and besides I wasn't the only one working for them," Dr Andesh replied.
"I see. Dr Andesh, I will advise you to practice your lies very well before you say them. Maybe you didn't hear my last name, I was a Haward, for twenty-four years of my life," Jason said looking at her as she averts her gaze.
The Hawards and the Wellingtons were close allies but they grew apart as their business took a different path that didn't allow them to meet anymore. She now knew how Jason got the information that has been wiped from all media platforms.
"What do you want from me?" Dr Andesh asked.
"First, what really happened to the missing boy from twenty-four years ago?" Jason asked.
"Look, the boy is an adult living in London and if no one has seen him it is because it is not time to showcase him to the world. You will see him when the time comes," Dr Andesh answered.
"Okay, I would like an audience with the Wellington and I need your help with that," Jason requested still looking at her coldly.
"Leave your contact. I will call you. There is somewhere I need to be," Dr Andesh said and quickly stood up.
Jason stood up too and smiled.
"He had been so cold since he entered why is he smiling now," Dr Andesh thought.
Jason just wanted to confirm if the Wellington was truly his family and Dr Andesh's reaction had already confirmed that. It was not for him to return to the family. He had lived his entire life without them and he can live the rest of his life without them. He only wanted to know who his true parents were. It may seem insignificant with his level of achievement but to Jason knowing where you come from is very important. He left the estate returning to Melbourne. Dr Andesh quickly fetched her phone as soon as Jason left her apartment and called Mr Wellington.
"Hello, Mr Wellington. I hope you are doing very well. Please do you have a few minutes to spare me? It's important?" Dr Andesh asked as soon as the call connected.
"Sure, go ahead," replied Mr Wellington.
"A gentleman just left my apartment. He looked so much like you. He is like a photocopied version of yourself but younger and his eyes are like that of your wife's," Dr Andesh said in one breath. "He is Twenty-four years old and a Cooper victim," she said. "He is called Jason Haward," she added.
"Yeah, I saw him briefly before going out of your compound. I have no doubt he could be my son. It's good I came to Florida," Mr Wellington said. "Wait, did you say, Haward?" he asked.
"Yes sir," Dr Andesh replied.
"Is he Johan's adopted son?" Mr Wellington inquired.
"Yes, sir. He did say that" Dr Andesh replied. "Would you like to meet him? He requested an audience with your family. He is searching for his family," she asked.
"No, not yet. I do feel a strong connection with this one but I need to confirm first. You know why we took that news down and made people believe my son was in London twenty years ago. Have someone monitor him. Report everything to me," Mr Wellington said.
"Okay sir, I will do that. Would you go back or you will stay a while?" Dr Andesh inquired.
"I was planning to leave tomorrow but I think I will hang around for a while. I want to know if he is my boy or not," Mr Wellington replied.
"Okay, sir, I will have my people on it," Dr Andesh replied.
"Dr Andesh, remember discretely," Mr Wellington warned.
"Sure, sir," Dr Andesh acknowledged and the call ended.
Dr Andesh lowered the phone from her ears and shifted her gaze to the untouched cup of coffee she had served Jason. If he had touched it she could have confirmed everything right now.
"Jason Haward" she mentioned his name and pressed her lips.
In a car going back to Melbourne, Jason was satisfied with the outcome of his visit. He had found his family. He now knows who his birth parents are. The side of his lips curved upwards but another thought crossed his mind and the smile faded from his face.
Earlier on in Dr Andesh's office, his skin crawled and he felt uncomfortable having two women in the room with him but when Dr Andesh started exhibiting signs of discomfort and losing her confidence he became dominant and his discomfort vanished. He was uncomfortable with Julia until his presence started scaring her and he suddenly wanted to see her every day. He frowned deeply recalling something Henry his therapist had said to him before suggesting the date with Julia. This means he can only be comfortable around women if he dominates them, their fears make him comfortable.
"This means with me, Julia will never be free to be herself," Jason thought.
He pulled his phone out of his pocket and went straight to his gallery and stared at the only picture he had of Julia. He wanted to see her again but knowing why he always wanted to see her he felt it was best to let go of her so she could be free.
"I need to see her for the last time," Jason said and gave the driver another destination.
It was just a few minutes after 10 a.m. and Julia was still at home getting ready to leave for her job hunt. Jason stood behind the door of the apartment for a while before knocking on it. Mary opened the door and smiled upon seeing Jason. If wasn't for Jason she wouldn't have any job so she was grateful.
"Welcome sir," Mary said with a smile but Jason's gaze went behind her.
Mary turned to see Julia standing on the stairs.
"Ma'am, you have a visitor?" Mary said looking at Julia.
Julia slowly descended the stairs and walked towards Jason unsure about how to feel seeing him. She was happy to see him but at the same time mad at him.
"What do you want?" Julia asked with her arms folded across her chest.
"Can we talk briefly?" Jason asked his voice very calm. "Please," he added and there was a trace of sadness in his voice.
Julia couldn't say no to him so she rather asked Mary to go out for a while so they could have some privacy.
"Ma'am, I will go to the market then," Mary said and Julia acknowledged.
"What do you want?" Julia asked as soon as Mary exited the apartment.
Jason stared at her not sure what to say. His eyes shifted to her belly. She was carrying his child and now she had lost it because of James.
"How are you doing?" Jason managed to ask.
"I am good," Julia replied and turned to walk away from him as they were still standing just a distance away from the door.
Jason grabbed her hand stopping her from walking away. He pulled her into his arms making her tremble and her heart started racing. He stared into her eyes and her fears were evident. He lowered his head and kissed her. Julia protested briefly but gave in and relaxed his arms. She had equally missed him so much. She wrapped her arms around his neck as she responded to his kisses. Jason pulled her closer deepening the kiss.
"I miss you, Jason," Julia said when Jason pulled away from the kiss.
"I miss you too," Jason replied in a whisper and Julia's eyes widened hearing what he just said.
Jason had never said that to her. He had never acknowledged his feelings in her presence. He was always stone-cold and showed no emotion. With her hands resting on his chest as she held on to his shoulder, she stood on her toes and wanted to kiss him again but she was not sure if she could so she was hesitant. Jason inched closer and just stared at her feeling unsure of herself.
"Don't be scared. You can go ahead," Jason whispered urging her.
Julia blinked twice hearing the words coming out of Jason's mouth and slowly inched closer. This time she kissed him and he allowed her to, responding to her kisses. Jason pulled away from the kiss and kissed Julia's forehead.
"I have to go now, you are free to be yourself," Jason said and slowly let go of Julia.
Julia watched Jason walk out of the door before his words registered in her mind. It suddenly dawned on her he was saying goodbye. She runs out of the door to see the taxi driving away.
"Jaaaaaaaassssson," Julia called out to him and broke down in tears holding her chest.