Chapter 20: Chapter 20

BLAST FROM THE PAST

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NARRATORS POV

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“Stop pacing and stay still, you are making me dizzy.” Sophie scowled, she was in a bad mood, the business proposal she sent out was rejected and her lawyer had assured her she had a good chance and now all her effort had gone down the drain.

Caleb stopped but he still fidgeted, his mind in turmoil.

“What has gotten you so worked up Caleb, spill it out or go elsewhere. I'm not in a good mood.

“That's not new.”

“Excuse me!”

“Never mind.”

Relaxing her sore back on the cushion. Ella rubbed her temples with both her fingertips... Her migraine had resurfaced again and she hated the way it made her feel powerless. She loved being in control of her body and the situations around her.

“I haven't heard from your father's lawyer in a while.”

Shutting her eyes, before drawing a long breath “he has been busy.”

“He still working on my case or has it shoved aside.'' Caleb tried not to sound angry or frustrated, those emotions had never helped him before.

“I don't know.”

“You don't know or you don't want to say.”

“Both.” Sophie shouted, “ leave me the hell alone, I told you am in a foul mood”

“I don't care.” calming himself down, he spoke slowly “I’m tired of all this already, if you can't meet up with your part of the deal then I have no choice but to back out.”

“What deal are you guys talking about.” Sam came out of nowhere looking dapper as always in his red shirt and black leather jacket and a pair of black jeans trousers, he wore his favorite air Jordan canvas to compliment his look. He had always been about the way he looked. He was a sucker for good clothes and good looks, his mother Helen had always told him while growing up that the way you looked was the way you would be addressed and that had stuck with him ever since.

“Sam, I didn't hear you walk in.'' Sophie jumped to her feet.

“You know I'm the smooth operator, I walk like royalty and royalty walk with practiced grace.’

‘I hear you, your royal majesty.'' Sophie retorted, bringing a smile on the lips of all present in the room.

“So what are you guys talking about?” sam looked from his cousin to brother in law

"Business.” Sophie replied and changed the topic immediately. “I wanted to discuss something important with you, and since you are here let's go down to the living room .”

“Sure, Caleb, are you coming too?.”

“No!'' Sophie said hurriedly and loudly. “I meant to say that he must have something else to do.”

“I have to visit my parents.”

“Alright then.” placing his hands on Sophie's shoulder and pulling her closer to himself. They both walked out of the room.

Caleb couldn't hide his frustration, he wanted to scream at the top of his voice, but doing that here would only cause more havoc and gain him another round of degrading word attack from the family.

Resigned and helpless he made his way to his father's house in Brooklyn, where he was sure to get some respect and love.

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“We have been expecting you since, what took you so long.” Mrs. Thompson hugged her son so tight. “I missed you.”

“I missed you to mum,” Caleb replied, he missed the warmth of his home, the peace, and respect. The rich indeed had lots of baggage he had come to realize since his marriage to Sophie.

“Where is dad, the urgency in his voice made me worried.”

“You have a visitor. He is waiting for you in the living room.”

“Who is that, is it the lawyer handling my case. I have not been able to reach him.”

Mother and son talked in hushed voices.

“No.” his mother looked at him worried

“It's your grandfather's lawyer. Your birth mothers father.”

“What?” Caleb's eyes narrowed.

“Yes, apparently, your father's mother was the one that arranged for you to be dropped in front of the church.”

“This can't be happening, I already have enough to deal with.” his face flushed in anger

“Just hear the lawyer out first, we need to know the reason for his visit.”

“He didn't tell you and dad, why he came.”

“No, he insisted you must be here since you are of age and can make decisions for yourself.” planting both her palms on her son's face, she smiled at him and urged him to wear a smile before they went into the living room.

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The lawyers stood up when Caleb walked in, they were both in black suits and cream-colored shirts. Both lawyers were not in their prime though they still looked fit.

“My son Caleb.”

“I'm Clement and this is my colleague Justine. We are lawyers from Skadden, Clement LLP. we are here on behalf of your grandfather Mr. Harry Delacrioux.”

“I know you are wondering what's going on and why we decided to reach you now.” Mr. Clement said. “But the truth is that we have always been there but from a distance.”

Leaning forward “remember your scholarship to Harvard.” Justine said, looking straight at Caleb.

“Yes, what about that.”

“It was all paid for by your grandfather Mr. Harry Delacrioux.”

“Have you heard of the Delacroix group of companies?” Mr clement added

“Yes, they are one of the biggest companies in new york, if not the whole of America. So?”

“That company belongs to your grandfather and your mother was his only daughter.”

The silence that followed the revelation was deafening.