Chapter 12: Chapter 12

Richard barged into the house angrily. Despite the way he treated Michelle, he didn't expect her to have the gut to tell her brother about him. He had always made sure to hurt her more whenever she reported him so she won't be able to report another time.

"It's like she's proving stubborn right, I'll show her more of what I'm made of". That was what took over his mind right from when he left school. He didn't even recognize the presence of his mother who was sitting on one of the chairs in the living room. As he was about to enter his room, a strong smell hit his nose.

"Eeew. What the hell!". It was his mother drinking. She's feeling so depressed that she thought of drinking so she could her forget her worries.

"My son is finally back. Come over here. Let mummy have a good look at you" Leslie said in a half drunken state as she gestured for her son to come to where she is seated.

Richard scoffed at her action. "Your son indeed!. Is been an harlot not enough joy for you?, when did you start taking joy in drinking too?" he said with pain in his heart. Only if they could care for him. Only if they would spend time with him. If only they can share his worries and allow him share thiers. Is it too much to ask?. Richard no longer respected his mother since the time she left him to tend to himself. But is it really her fault?.

Struck by her son's word, a tear slipped from the corner of Leslie's eyes.

"Richard please, it's not what you think. I'm also trying to be better. But it's not so easy".

"What is it then?. Explain to me. That you're so busy with work?. That you have problems of your own?. Tell me the same old story you're used to saying" he said in a whisper as he sat beside her. Though, he no longer respects his mother, he still loves her and wishes for her infinite care.

"Just a little more time Richie. I'll stop sleeping around with men and I'll try to make it up to you by being a good mother" she placed her hand on Richard's hand and pleaded instead of explaining anything. With Richard's present character, explaining the situation to him might just make things worse for her.

"It's better for him to stay ignorant. At least, for now" she thought.

Richard felt happy with his mother's words. But the happiness didn't last long. He suddenly remembered that was not the first time his mum will apologise that she'll change but so far so good, there's been no significant change. Like someone stung by a bee, he stood up from he was seated and faced his mum.

"I shouldn't let a moment of pretense make me emotional" he braced himself to his former look. Expressionless and cold.

Leslie was hurt by her son's sudden action, but there's nothing she could do about it. She could only look at him as he left her sight for his room. Her only treasure and source of happiness at that moment.

★★★★

Daisy was on her way returning home with her younger brother Brian. It's been a long day for her. Since Brian currently changed his school to Worthings Junior High, she was tasked with the responsibility of picking him up in the stead of thier family driver whenever he's not available. Today was one of such days. Under the scorching sun, she and her brother made thier way home.

"Sister Daisy, what about your friend?. I thought you said you both leave school together" Brian asked his sister.

"Of course Brian, but something came up. We weren't able to leave together. There are lot of days ahead that we can leave school together" Daisy said, but Brian was no fool. He knows his sister more than he knows the back of his hand. With the way she replied him, he knew there might be something more to what she said.

However, he didn't want to press further by asking what came up. Rather, he pretended like he was totally fine with her answer and said; "I had lot of fun today, I made a new friend, and I learnt new things"

"That's nice. What did you learn today?" Daisy asked sweetly.

Though, he didn't know what happened, as a way of telling his sister to always be a good friend, he told her what they were thought in school that day.

"During one of our classes today, a female teacher told us never to keep malice with our friends". "She said if we are angry about thier any of thier actions, we should always try to sort it out with them within the shortest period of time because we don't know if that's the last you'll be seeing or hearing from them. Every single action we do count, you might not mind or care about it, but history does. Once an action is done, it's forever written in history. If someone was once a bad friend, it can never be erased in history".

"Wow!. Did you just say all that, I can't believe my little brother is becoming wiser. You just spoke like an adult" she complimented and patted his head. She so much love the young fellow beside her. Knowingly or unknowingly, he provides solution to her problems and relieves her of mental stress.

"I'll have to settle the dispute between I and Michelle, but not so soon" she thought.

By now, they've gotten to the bus stop where they'll board a bus or take a cab.

Although, thier family is very famous far and beyond the city, it's difficult for people to recognize them as the children of the Cole family because thier parents never showcased them to the world in order to protect them from the grasp of enemies. This made it easier for them to associate freely outside thier home, thus no one recognized them at the bus stop.

Likewise the Arrowhoods, Scott didn't make his children known to the masses, in order to protect them.

As Daisy was about to flag down a cab, she heard someone call her name from a green jeep that pulled over in front of her and her brother. She was startled and held her brother tightly preparing for anything that was to happen she took a look inside the car and saw him. It was Daniel. Unlike the Coles, he's known among people because of his frequent visits to his father's company. With his beauty and charisma, girls are always around him like a flock of sheep. Therefore, his father never allowed him to go out without taking a private car.

"What's up. Where are you going in this hot sun?" he asked.

"I'm going home. What about you?" Daisy replied.

"I'm supposed to go to my father's company, but I'm so tired right now, so I'm going home. Where are you living?. Let me drop you" he offered.

"Never mind. We'll board the boss"

"I insist. Get in!" Daniel opened the car door for them to enter. Thinking it over, Daisy entered Daniel's car together with her brother and the driver zoomed off.

Soon, they got to Daisy's house, he dropped her off and bid her goodbye.

When they were far away from Daisy's house, Daniel smiled satisfactorily.

"Finally got her!" he's extremely elated.

During the car ride, he had learnt that she's the daughter of the popular Cole family. He collected her mobile number before she alighted earlier.

"We shall talk at night" he had told her while she smiled sheepishly.

"Can't wait to talk to her tonight" he thought smiling wildly.