Chapter 35: Chapter 35
Adrian
It was three days before Christmas. This year we are celebrating Xmas in our own house instead of going to my parents place. Chris wanted our parents and families to be invited here and celebrate Christmas in our house. I would never say a 'no' to my beautiful wife. Whatever she says prevails at home. The preparations started a month ago. I brought gifts for each and every member of mine and Chris's family.
It was six in the evening and I had already received three calls from my wife but I couldn't pick them up. I was very busy. Being one of the top ten businessmen of the country has its own perks and responsibilities. I had meetings lined for the Sunrise industries upcoming projects. We are now going to extend our empire in pharmaceuticals too. On tenth of February next year we are going to launch our first pharmaceutical firm in New Jersey with me and my brother Allesandro Martin as joint partners.
I'm very happy with what God had bestowed me in my life. Though initially there were some hardships involved with Amaira, I believe in the saying all is well that ends well. I'm now a complete man with a beautiful, caring wife and blessed with both son and a daughter, a son with smartness and brain and a daughter with beauty and innocence.
Liam is doing his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Pennsylvania. I had been pursuing my son's education and keeping a keen eye on his studies since he was a child, He is Liam Martin and the future heir of the Sunrise Industries. Since his childhood I taught Liam to be tough, strong and powerful for he is supposed to be a ruler to rule half of the American economy.
Irrespective of my busy schedule, I made it my duty to attend his PTA's and speak to his teachers though suffering the consequences of being a single parent. From the grades he got to the sport events he participated I was with him in his success and his set backs too. I had a watch on my son's schedule, I appointed sincere bodyguards to supervise on him so that he doesn't step into wrong doings of drugs and alcohol. I became his shield not only as his father but also as his only parent.
Liam will be coming home for Christmas while Ria stays with us doing her graduation in Bio technology. Though my daughter is now nineteen years old, I could not let her go independent like some of her friend's parents did. Ria had been a bright student and holds a scholarship since her school days. Her principal wanted her to stay in the collage hostel like all the other top listed students did so that she could utilize the library and lab facilities 24/7 and make use of the expert advice of the professors whenever necessary as they stay very close to university.
But I couldn't let my daughter stay away from me. I missed her childhood and I wish to keep her with me as long as possible. I am a billionaire. I can afford to provide her with all the top end facilities that a university can provide. Investing ten millions, I got constructed a world class library and lab with best facilities for her in our house. I appointed a lab technician to assist her in her experiments. A librarian stays in our personal library from morning nine to evening six who aids Ria with latest research and books in Biotechnology.
My daughter is born with a silver spoon in her mouth and it will stay like that till the world goes to an end. She simply gets the best because I'm not going to tolerate anything below it. I bought gifts for Chris and Liam but I did not know what present I had to bring for my cute daughter. Yes she is a nineteen year old teenager but she will continue to be my little princess who needs her daddy more than her mother when she falls sick.
After driving around half of Sydney markets, I came around a jewelry store which had varieties of necklace sets. A platinum necklace embedded Ruby and Jade attracted my eyes immediately. It had tulip pendent and the matching design went with the bracelet accompanied with hangings. I felt it was the best gift I could give to my daughter for the festival as Ria was very fond of Jade stones. Finally I could find a gift for my Sunshine that truly matched her taste.
With the gift packed in a silver paper I reached back my office in excitement to continue on my work. No sooner I place my phone on my office desk, I see Liam's number scrolling on the screen. "Dad I am reaching home by car. I missed the flight because the result of the internals was announced a little late but the positive point is that"......he takes a breath encompassed in an exuberance. "I topped my university." My son's voice ends revitalized. "Congratulations son..." My happiness was endless. "You made me the proudest dad in the universe by announcing the happy news." I tell him going energized. "When will you be reaching home, so that we could celebrate?" My son chuckles. "After six hours from now dad. I have got an uninvited guest here and she is really a huge headache. I do not know how I will manage this journey coming home in one piece." I land to a hearty laugh. An uninvited guest and a female seem to go felicitous and invigorating to me at the same time.
"Sir, I finished stating our quotation for filing the tender. Can I go home? My parents have come for celebrating Christmas with me." My personal assistant Richa Scandanova spoke in excitement. I couldn't help but smile and nod to her with brightness exhibiting in my eyes. "Yes Richa, you may leave now. Happy holidays, enjoy a great time with your parents and thanks for the decoration. There rests a festive spirit here. The celebration is not only in the house but in the office too." I look around the room and thank her. "Thank you Mr Martin, Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you too." She sings in cheer. One after the other the staff kept greeting me as I leave to the exit and I returned their wishes in equal vividness.
It was ten in the night by the time I finish my work and step out of my cheery decorative studio. On the way to return home I stop at the red light. The snow began slowly skidding down from the rooftops. Every one dressed in warmth peacefully skipped away getting ready for a complete week of holidays. The streets were brilliant with shopping going on in its full spree like a busy hour during the evening though it was quiet late. On the other side of the street I see an elderly woman selling red roses. I hand her a thousand dollars bill telling her to keep the change and the old lady's face glow like a star in the sky. "May God bless you son and may you lead a life of prosperity. Merry Christmas to you..." She wished me in zeal.
I thank her and start my car smelling the heavenly scent of beautiful red roses I bought for my pretty wife. Reaching my destination, I close the door of my car and stare at the door in front of me that was decorated with colourful lights. A Santa Claus was dancing on the top of the white roof. The house was decorated with fluorescent lamps candle lights and balloons everywhere. In the lawn was a beautiful Christmas tree decorated. The Jingle bells song was quietly playing in the stereo at the corner of the room an unknown delectation in my heart. My wife is very caring and sympathetic. She is simply an Angel. My children are equally loving and helpful cherished with the roots of a strong undivided family. Liam returns home shortly making me the most proud father and bringing a whole world of happiness. My daughter is smart and intelligent too. Can anyone have a happier life than this?
"Good Evening beautiful..." I greet my wife with a peck on her lips as soon as I reach home and gift her the red roses I bought for her. Something felt different in the house. I look into Chris eyes where I find most of my answers and to my malaise the glitter in them was missing. My lips that spread in happiness contracted immediately.
"What happened?"