Elijah's P.O.V

I flipped through the files my Dad dropped earlier, sighing. I have been in my father's study ever since I left school. My eyes threatened to drop close but I kept them open, I wanted to be done with this work as fast as I can.

"Honey?" My mom called, peeping her head through the small opening.

I looked up at her, smiling. "Mom" I answered.

She smiled back and entered, closing the door behind her. "It's time for dinner so be fast with your work, you know how serious your father takes family meals" she said and petted my head.

"Okay, I'll be done soon" I nodded, tiredly and continued working. There was silence for sometime as she still stood, watching me.

"Elijah" she broke the silence as I looked up. "We.....we need to talk to you about something. You dad and I" she said.

I furrowed my eyebrows at the way she looked at me. It was almost an apologetic gaze " Okay. I hope there's no problem?" I raised and eyebrow at her and she shook her head, smiling.

"Meet us in the dining table soon" she said and kissed my forehead before leaving. I could still hear the clicking of her heels against the tiles after she left the room.

I resumed my work, tiredly. I quickened my pace although with inputs of occasional yawning and stretching. Half an hour later, I completed the work. I neatly arranged the files and set them aside in the desk before leaving the study. I locked the study room and headed to the dining.

"Took you long enough" My dad said as soon as he saw me coming towards the table. He was neatly eaten the food in front of him as he sat on the end of the long table. My sister sat in his right side while my mom sat on the left side.

"It's okay darling. Let's eat" My mom quickly said to prevent any argument which had become a daily routine in the house.

I gave my dad a hard look and made my way to the seat beside my sister. I sat down and one of the maids brought my food. It was Medittarenian Shrimp Kabobs. Just like Alex had ordered at the restaurant. With a little smile, I picked up my cutlery and began to eat.

"I heard you got the highest in your exams" My dad said, directing his gaze at my sister. Kelly shifted uncomfortably I'm her chair and cleared her throat.

"Yes" she said, looking at my dad. Sometimes I just wish she got better. She deserved better than the way he was treating us.

"That's impressive. Now you're truly showing that you're the daughter of the Perkins" My dad smiled proudly. Kelly pasted a fake smile and nodded, as she continued her meal.

"Good job sweetie" My mom said, smiling at my sister warmly and my sister smiled back. I gave a slight nudge and raised a thumbs up under the table, she grinned at me before continuing her food.

"Elijah, what have you achieved?" My dad suddenly said, shifting his gaze to me. His gaze felt like daggers burning holes on my face. I cleared my throat as I sensed the tension in the air.

"I completed the files you asked me to-" He cut me off before I could finish.

"But it took you more than three hours to do that and you call that an achievement?" He said, dropping his cutlery and focusing on me. I gulped down my food and clenched my jaw in anger.

"I'm not a robot. The work was bulky" I said with a stone expression. My dad chuckled darkly.

"You call that bulky? As the next CEO of my company, that should be a piece of cake to you!!" He roared at me. My mom and sister gave each other a look. My sister quietly stood up and went up the stairs while my mom placed a hand on my dad's shoulder.

"It's all about time honey. He'll get the hang of it, don't worry." She said, trying to comfort him.

"We are meeting up with Mr and Mrs Jones tommorow at the office to discuss about you and their daughter" He said and my eyes snapped up to meet his. What?! Why??!

"What?" I blurted out of shock. My mother looked at me guiltily.

"I thought your mother told you. We decided to help The Jones after striking an advantageous deal with them. So we're going to discuss about your engagement to their daughter for the betterment of both companies" My father explained and all I could feel was the burning rage inside which begged to be released.

My mother slightly nudged my father "We were not supposed to tell him this way" she whispered to him.

I pushed my chair to the back, intentionally making a screeching sound as my father glared at me, then I stood up. "You we're not supposed to tell me at all. I never agreed on this and you never asked for my opinion so I will not go the meeting tomorrow" I said, as calmly as I could, meeting my father's glares.

"You are going to that meeting tomorrow Elijah Perkins and that's final." My dad said, dangerously low, his gaze fixed on me.

"I will not-" He cut me off with the sudden slam of his hand on the table loudly, causing the whole house to go silent, only our heavy breathing could be heard.

"I am your father and you will do as I say!" My Dad roared, before standing up, adjusting his suit and storming out of the room.

My mom gave secret glances at me as I stared at where my father was sitting earlier. I was so mad. How could they do this to me? How will I inform Alex about this?

"Honey, I--" she started but I raised my hand, signalling for her to stop. She sighed and looked down guilty before leaving and walking up the stairs. I stood in the same spot, vibrating with anger.

I angrily swiped the plate in front me into the floor and I watched as it shattered just like my life. I don't have a life anymore, it belongs to my dad now because all he does is control it. I watched as some maids rushed over due to the noise that the breaking of the plate caused.

They all started at me. I gave them a deadly glare "What are you looking at?" I growled and they dispersed immediately. Some came to clean up the glass on the floor. I felt someone touch my palm so lightly that I could barely feel it. I snapped my head and saw one of the maids, reaching for my now bleeding palm. I snatched it away from her angrily and stormed up the stairs.

I got into my room and slammed the door behind me. I sat on my bed, placing my head between my palms. What am I gonna do?, I thought. I could slowly feel the burn from the little cut on my palm. I ignored it and laid on my back on the bed.

I picked up my phone and clicked on Alex's contact. It started to ring. It rang a few times but she didn't pick up. I became to panic, is she okay? Is she hurt?

Nicholas's P.O.V

I watched the boys as they played Ludo while drinking and smoking, as I took a drag of my cigarette. The boys were seated in a circle as the board lay in their middle, on a stool. I was waiting for Venom to show up. I never hanged out with the boys unless we had business to do.

I saw Danny smirk at me as he walked into the room. He walked over and plopped down on the couch, beside me. I didn't spare him a glance, as I continued to watch the boys play. "I know something that you don't" he whispered, catching my attention as I met his dark eyes.

"What do you mean?" I said, feigning lab of interest as I kept my expression blank.

"You know what I mean" he smirked and leaned forward, grabbing a can of beer and popping it open. He took a few gulps and cringed. "You know exactly what I mean" he smirked one more time before standing up and walking towards the boys that were playing Ludo. What did he mean by that? He's probably bluffing.

I watched as Danny gulped down the entire can and crunched it up in his hand. "Who's ready to loose?" He smirked at the boys, pride lacing his tone. I chuckled in disbelief.

The  boys laughed, mocking him and making various comments about how horrible be is, in the game. He threw the crumpled can in the floor and sat on one of the stools. I had to fight the urge to throw him a punch for dirtying the environment "I'll play with you. But don't cry if I beat you" Kim, one of the seated boys, smirked, causing the other boys to roar in mocking laughter.

Danny expression turned deadly. "If I win...." He trailed off and glanced at me, making me raise an eyebrow in question. "I'll kill you right here, right now with everyone watching" Danny completed smirking. The smirk on Kim's face dropped and silence spread around the room.

"Deal" Kim said, surprising everyone, including me. What is he doing? Kim is not new here, he came a few months before me and we talk on some occasions. "And if I win, you shoot yourself in the head right here, right now" Kim said, glaring at Danny.

Danny smirked. "What are we waiting for? Let's play!" Then the game begun. After a few minutes, Kim was leading, the silence in the room was deafening. I was on the edge inside but had a calm expression outside as they rolled the dice.

It was obvious Kim was winning. He was even smirking because he had just one token left and he was in the second-to-the-last column. I was very uncomfortable with the sight of someone being killed in front of me. I jerked up in my seat as Kim rolled the due and he got the exact numbers her needed to win.

Kim gave Danny a long look before playing his token and smirking. "I won" Kim leaned back and stared daggers at Danny. Danny didn't look the slightest terrified. He tsked and brought out the gun that was in the band of his trousers. He pointed it to the side of his head.

"Too bad, I lied" he said and as quick as a flash, Danny pulled out a gun from the waist band of his jeans. A bullet shot through Kim's forehead and I saw his lifeless body drop to the floor, his eyes empty.

My eyes widened as I watched blood seep out slowly from the hole on his forehead. Danny grinned and put the gun back in his pocket. I couldn't tear my eyes away from Kim's lifeless body. The silence in the room was deafening as everybody stared at Kim's body.

"Orders from Venom. Done" I heard Danny say. I looked up and saw him talking on the phone with a smirk. He hung up and met my gaze. I kept my expression blank as I glared at him. With one last glance, I stood up and left the room.

I walked outside and inhaled fresh air. I saw someone move fast in between the pillars of the house. I caught a strand of brown hair before it disappeared behind another pillar. I narrowed my eyes and walked closer. Before I could take another step. I heard Pablo's familiar deep voice boom with authority.

"Hey! Who are you?!" I halted in my step and did a face palm as soon as I recognized the person who just froze in her steps due to Pablo's loud voice. Of course, Alex...

I walked over to the bulky men and nodded at them. They nodded at me back and I faced Alex, who was still frozen and her back was facing me. I walked over to her and tapped her shoulder. She slowly turned around with wide eyes which became even wider when she met my gaze.

"N-nick?" She stammered as she saw me. She visibly gulped, her eyes focusing on the two bulky men that were behind me.

"You know her?" Pablo asked and I rubbed my temple, throwing the cigarette in the bin.

"Unfortunately, yes" I sighed. Alex scoffed at my response and glared at me, folding her arms over her chest.

"What is she doing here? How is she related to you? You know the boss doesn't like strangers wandering around here. I don't want issues with Venom" Roberto, Pablo's partner with a grim expression. Alex squirmed.

"I'll get rid of her. There's no need to report anything to Venom" I said and grabbed Alex's wrist. Pablo and Roberto nodded then walked back to their post. I glared at Alex and pulled her after me, out of the building.

She struggled behind me, trying to remove my fingers from her wrist. "Let me go, you jerk!" She hissed. I continued to pull her until we got to the end of the street. I stopped and she jerked her wrist away from my hold.

"I told you to go home" I said, staring at her brown eyes. She narrowed her eyes at me and placed her hands on her waist.

"You have to be fricking kidding me. Go home? After seeing all that? No, Nick! I'm not going home!" She said to me and I closed my eyes rubbing my temple.

"Listen Alex, whatever you saw there is none of your business so it's advisable for you to just go home." I said, as calmly as I could, opening my eyes. I watched cars pass by.

"No! What is going on here Nick? What's this place? Why was Danny here? Why were you here? Who are those men--" I cut her off with a yell.

"Alex!!" I yelled. She flinched and I met her gaze. "Stop poking your fucking nose into my business!" I growled. I called a cab that was passing by. The cab stopped.

"I'm sorry. I'm not going anywhere" she said with a firm gaze on me. I raised an eyebrow.

"What?" I said. I leaned down towards the cab driver who was impatiently tapping on his headboard "I'm sorry. You can go" I apologized and the driver hissed before speeding away. I stood straight and glares at Alex "Why the fuck do you want to know so bad?!" I asked.

She was quiet for a while as if she didn't know the reason herself "I....I don't know...." She trailed off. "I'm just scared" she said quietly.

I furrowed my eyebrows and grabbed her wrist. I begun to walk down the sidewalk. She stumbled after me. "Don't fall" I muttered as I continued to drag her.

"You can't tell to not fall when you're the one dragging me down the sidewalk. Where are we going?" She said. I ignored her and continued to drag her towards the place.

I stopped when I got in front of the building, dropping her wrist. The building had just been renovated. There were some lights that glowed from the rooms through the curtains. The name of the building was written in block letters on a sign board. KINDNESS HOME OF THE ORPHANS AND HOMELESS.

I watched her confused expression as she stared at the building. "You wanted to know everything right?" I said and she met my gaze.

"What is this place?" She furrowed her eyebrows. The wind blew her hair from side to side as she stared at me, expecting an answer. My hand was already tucking a strand of hair behind her hair before I could stop myself. She cleared her throat awkwardly and I retracted my hand, shifting my gaze back to the building in front of us.

"This is where Granny found us. This is where Zoey and I grew up" I said, with a bitter smile.

×××××××××××××××××××××××××××××
Writer: Hello sweethearts,
How are y'all doing? How was this chapter? I hope you enjoyed it! As you can tell, this book is coming to an end little by little *tears up*

Nick: *appears* Don't forget to vote-

Eli: *is shirtless* -comment, share-

Eddy: -and follow. Enjoy! *Winks*

Alex: Ew! You're all hurting my eyes! *Disappears*

Writer: *glares at the boys* anyways, it's still the usual, As soon as this chapter gets ten votes, I'll update. Love y'all <33
6/1/2021