Have you ever been told to never get into a stranger’s car?
Am I stupid?
Dominic sat in the backseat stiffly, arms kept to himself.
Why did I get in the car?
What if I’m being kidnapped?!
He glanced at Cassandra.
She sat quietly next to him, staring at the window, while humming the song being played.
The car is moving at fifty-eight mph… It would be impossible to jump out without breaking something… Why didn’t I take Adrian’s invitation to be taken to work?!
“Relax,” Cassandra said calmly.
“I’m not planning on holding you captive.”
Yet…?
“Right… Um—”
“You don’t have to force a conversation, either.”
“I’m sorry for coming across as awkward,” he apologised, his head hung low.
Are you happy?!
She noticed!
“Um… I hope you don’t mind, but I have a few questions,” Dominic said.
She glanced at him.
“Ask away.”
Wow… I almost expected her to turn down questions.
“Why are you just appearing now?”
“Pardon?”
“I mean,” he started.
“I know you said my mother kept me a secret, but I hardly believe that,” he said.
“It’s obvious you know me, about me… I don’t know how much, but, weirdly, a representative of the Hellbourne family comes to me with no warning.”
Cassandra didn’t respond for a while.
Is she going to ignore my question?
“Your mother made a contract with our father,” Cassandra said.
“In exchange for leaving you with your father, she agreed that once you awakened, she would return to the family willingly.
Our father wished to raise you properly.
As a Hellbourne.”
Dominic imagined his life if he were raised by the Hellbourne family.
It didn’t seem too bad.
Worse comes to worst, I might end up like Adrian…
Then he remembered Adrian’s life.
On the other hand, I don’t think that’ll be a good idea.
“Awakening at such a young age would mean you could be a prodigy, and I believe she didn’t want the responsibility of raising such a child, so she did what she does best and left you with your father in hopes of probably awakening there.”
Is it weird if I feel conflicted?
“But that doesn’t stop you guys from visiting,” he said.
“I suppose my father wants to respect his precious daughter’s wishes.”
Oh… family drama… Okay, here’s what I’m getting from this vibe… Is she jealous of Catherine because their father prefers her?
“But you’ll awaken soon, meaning your mother will return soon, aren’t you excited?”
“I don’t know how I’ll feel,” he replied.
How would I feel…?
Would I be angry?
He thought of all the time he spent waiting for her to return.
He spent a long time blaming himself for his abandonment, crying himself to sleep, knowing that he was unwanted in the house he was raised in.
He also spent a long time hating her when he found her social media pages that showed her living her best life.
“Maybe ten years ago I’d be pissed off, but I don’t think I’d feel anything in particular if she were to return…” he responded honestly.
“That’s a fairly mature take,” Cassandra responded, nodding.
“Although I am curious as to what you guys are like,” he said honestly.
“Can’t say we are as curious about you,” Cassandra replied.
“Ouch,” he responded dryly.
“That’s expected, I guess.”
The silence stretched for a long time before Cassandra spoke again.
“Do you feel like it’s your duty to the Hellbourne family to reawaken?”
“A duty to the Hellbourne family?” Dominic scoffed.
“My duty is to stay alive; your family hasn’t helped much with that.”
Cassandra smiled.
“I see,” she said in a low voice.
“We’ve arrived,” she said.
Thank goodness.
As the car stopped in front of the B.O.G.S building, Adrian could be seen standing on the sidewalk with a cane in hand.
“Thanks for the ride,” Dominic said, getting out of the car and walking to Adrian’s side.
“Were you waiting?”
“Not really,” Adrian replied, his attention turned to Cassandra.
“Good morning, Mrs Lanchester,” he greeted her in a friendly tone while waving.
The window came down, and Cassandra wore a polite smile.
“Mr.
Morvant—”
“Adrian.” Adrian was quick to correct her.
“Mr.
Morvant is my grandfather,” he joked.
“Adrian,” she said, smiling in amusement.
“I must get going.
It’s nice to see you doing well.”
Adrian smiled.
“Send my greetings to William,” he said.
“And send mine to your cousin,” she said.
“Bye,” he said while the car drove away.
Once the car was out of sight, Dominic spoke: “You know her?”
“Yeah… she’s a pitiful woman,” Adrian replied.
“She didn’t try to threaten you, did she?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Good,” Adrian said.
“To flex,” Adrian replied.
“Let’s go, we’re late for work.”
“Why are you in my office…?” William commented dryly.
“You hurt my feelings.
I’ve been here for two days… I can’t stay in a hotel room to rot away.”
William frowned, his eyes never leaving his laptop’s screen.
This woman…
“Your cousin is a rather odd young man,” Cassandra said.
“You met him?”
“I was curious… He’s far more stable than I imagined,” she stated.
“His reawakening might not kill him as predicted…”
“Is that so?” William responded.
Must be from the purification from two days ago.
“He’s also familiar with Adrian, you remember him, right?”
“Morvant, yes… what about him?”
“I found him by the road waiting for Dominic,” she said.
“They seemed familiar with each other… Do you know anything about that?”
“They live together.”
Cassandra blinked in surprise.
“Is that so?
How unexpected.”
“You don’t suppose that they are—”
“No,” William said sharply, then exhaled lightly.
“Dominic is staying with Adrian because of the threat sent by Gerald,” he explained.
“I see,” she said, nodding.
“Oh well, I suppose I should go.”
She stood up and walked away.
“Is that all you came to do?” William asked, raising his eyes from the screen finally.
“Well, I have no other choice, do I?
You are treating me like I’m bothering you.”
“Oh…” he said, guilt settling.
“Hold on a bit, I will take you to your hotel,” he said.
“There’s no need, I know you’re a busy man… Just keep an eye out, apparently Gerald is becoming impatient…”
“What do you mean?” William asked.
“Your uncle is coming to Saesburg.”
William held his breath.
“What is he coming here for?”
“Who knows… Not I… Perhaps it is to finish the job himself, or maybe he’s coming to see you… Anyway, take care of yourself, son.”
He wished to call her back, demand an explanation, something that would tell him what was going on.
I should be grateful she told me anything… But you never do this kind of thing unless it benefits you.
Cassandra smiled weakly as she left.
She looks pale