◈A D R I A N◈

Mom's getting married?! What's happening?

A million questions circled my mind. Things were happening too fast, too sudden. I was going through a heartbreak just a few minutes ago and now I was going to have a new family?

She seemed to take pity on my confusion and decided to shed some light. "James, can you pull over for a minute? I need to talk to my son privately."

"Yes, ma'am," James answered and slowly steered towards an empty parking lot of McDonald's. He got down from the car, nodded courteously at us before walking away and stood a couple of feet from the car.

Mom shifted her posture and faced me. "Charles is a good man. He's willing to treat you like his own son. Only if you agree to do your part," she added with a hint of warning.

So my step dad is called Charles, I thought wryly.

"You want me to play house with a stranger?" I scoffed in disbelief.

"Not a stranger. He's your father," she corrected.

"Bullshit! Dad's name is not Charles!"

Slap!

"Don't mention that bastard in front of me ever again! He doesn't even come close to a thousandth of Charles," she hissed. Her eyes reddened with tears, the usual expression every time I mentioned dad.

I bit my tongue, refusing to let out any sound of discomfort from my stinging cheeks.

"Just once," she breathed. She placed a cold palm against my cheeks and stroke softly. "Can't you let me be happy just for once?"

My eyes widened at the unfamiliar touch. This was the first time she initiated a motherly touch but I could sense a disguised motive lying underneath.

"Won't you be happier without me in your new life?" I confronted.

Her lips pulled into a tight smile. "I need you this time. We need you. This wedding isn't gonna happen without you."

I knew it, I thought bitterly and jerked my head away to avoid her touch.

She retreated her hand and placed it on her knees. "Charles needs an heir. Not just any heir, he needs a teenage son. Only then he can take over Blackburn Corporation."

"And what's that gotta do with me?" I asked dryly.

"Charles' father is very ill and he had written up a will stating that any of his children who has an heir is rightful to take over his business. Charles' brother, Dawson is vying for the company as well. Since they're both unmarried and childless, obviously Dawson is going to get married as soon as possible and produce an heir!" Mom huffed.

She looked over her shoulders to make sure James wasn't anywhere near the car before whispering, "That's when you step into the picture. I need you to pretend to be Charles' illegitimate son."

"Are you out of your mind?!" I bawled. "What if they find out I wasn't his son? They can charge us for impersonation!"

"Charles is an influential man. He has his own means. As long as you play your role well, we can live a whole new life! You won't get another chance like this, Adrian," she pleaded.

I shook my head. "This is a terrible idea. So many things can go wrong. Besides, I don't even look like him!"

"Stop being a chicken! You're underage. Even if they find out, they're not gonna send you to jail."

"What about you?!" I exclaimed. I don't want to lose another one. Of course, those words were left unsaid because I inherited her prideful nature.

Caught by surprise, she was tonguetied for a full minute. Smoothing her dress, she then raised her gaze and said, "I rather bet on this than living the rest of my miserable life regretting for missing out on this one chance."

As much as I wanted to resent her for years of negligence, I still couldn't hate her. She could have left me on the streets but she didn't.

Before I could answer her, James knocked on the window apologetically. Mom jumped in surprise and quickly roll the window down.

"Sorry for interrupting, ma'am. Mr. Blackburn is asking if we've reached the airport," James informed.

"Right, we should head over soon," mom replied. Feeling flustered, she shot me a worried look.

I let out a deep breath and nodded. "Fine. If that's what you really want."

Her eyes lit up instantly. "Really?"

"Yeah. But on one condition," I negotiated.

Her smile fell a little.

"I need to see someone first before we leave."

James heard what I said and looked troubled. "Ma'am?"

"Please! I just need fifteen minutes," I quickly interjected. "Fifteen minutes for a lifetime obedience."

She turned to James and said, "There's one more place we need to go. I'll answer to Charles if he calls again."

Seeing how serious she was, he tipped his hat in acknowledgement and asked for the address.

*

We rode in silence, both caught up in our own thoughts. That was probably the longest conversation we ever had.

James made a left turn at the junction. This should be close enough, I thought when the red hydrant came to sight.

"Drop me off here," I patted James shoulder. He nodded in response before pulling over by the sidewalk and putting on the emergency light.

I held up a palm facing upwards to my mom. A slender brow cocked in curiosity. "Can I have a twenty? Wait, make it fifty."

She tutted and rolled her eyes but pulled out a couple of bills from her purse. "Fifteen minutes," she reminded before placing the bills on my hand. "And hurry up."

I took them and dashed out of the car. If I remembered correctly, there was a convenience store before reaching the workshop.

Entering the store, I ran up to the chilled section and looked for the item I wanted to buy. Once I found it, I grabbed a tub and a yellow post-it on the way to the cashier and dumped them on the counter. The cashier shot me a dirty look.

"Can you make it quick? I'm in a hurry," I asked, my feet tapping impatiently.

Once he rung up the post-it, I tore open the plastic immediately and snatched the pen behind his ear.

"Hey!" the cashier yelled in alarm.

"Just a minute," I mumbled and scribbled on the yellow paper.

He had just finished scanning the tub when I slapped a twenty and his pen on the counter. "Keep the change."

I ran as fast as I could with the items under my arms to the workshop. He should be there at this hour.

Just a glimpse, I told myself. One glimpse and I'll leave.

I tiptoed quietly and hesitated in front of the shop, hiding behind the wall. With a deep breath, I slowly peeked into the shop.

I found Mike, hovering behind Bones and watching him whispering to the machines. I rolled my eyes and scanned the rest of the shop before I noticed the office door was slightly ajar.

Logan was sitting on the edge of the table. It looked like he had guest because he frowned and said something to someone behind of the door. Then, a figure stepped closer to him and I recognized her profile.

It was Kara.

If you can forgive her for cheating on you, why can't you forgive me for loving you?

Looking down at the chocolate mint ice cream in my arms, I chuckled at how pathetic I've become.

In choked desolation, I placed the ice cream tub on the floor and fished a twenty from my pocket.

With a final lingering look, I walked away, leaving the chocolate mint ice cream with the money.

And a note that read: I owed you.

*

"Let's go," I muttered to James and slammed the door.

Mom shot me a sideway glance but said nothing otherwise. I melted into the luxurious seat and curled up against the door, my eyes staring into nothingness.

The ride to the airport took about an hour and dear daddy had called thrice to check up on us. Needless to say, rich people were beggars when it comes to patience.

Since we would be flying in a private jet, we had to go a couple of miles further than the airport. We rode along the runway until we reached the hangar.

James parked beside of a sleek Bentley and mom had started to straighten her coat over a teal dress. She turned to look at me and pursed her lips.

"Sit up straight," she ordered and ran her fingers over my unruly hair trying to smooth them out. Her deft fingers moved down my neck, folded the collar of my jacket properly and pulled down my rolled up sleeves.

I looked out of the window and saw a man dressed in a three piece suit got out of the Bentley. His face showed a hint of displeasure. Such a proud man must be Charles Blackburn.

James came over to my mom's side and opened the door for her. With effortless grace, she placed a foot out and rose from the low seats.

"Charles," mom greeted and hugged the man. She put on her winning smile and pecked his cheeks. "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

"I'm glad you made it on time, darling," he smiled warmly, his eyes fixated on me.

Rocking on my heels, I stood awkwardly by the car. I wanted to turn to James but he had put a respectful distance between us.

Mom noticed Charles' inquisitive stare and motioned me to come closer. Since I promised her a lifetime obedience, I trudged towards them reluctantly.

Mom left Charles' side and placed her hands on my shoulders, presenting me like a prized collection.

"Charles, meet our son."

✈

{Song: 5AM by Amber Run}