Claim Me, Daddy

Gerald arrested

I didn't turn back; I walked straight inside, and as soon as I reached the reception, I asked for her.

“I've heard a lot about you; wow, you're so big now.”

“Yes, I am. Can I see my aunt now?” It was so awkward; I didn't know the lady, and my life was falling apart. I didn't have time to chitchat.

“She's with a patient currently; just give her five minutes. In the meantime, I'll have someone bring you a hot beverage.”

“No thank you, I'm fine; just call her and let her know I'm here.” I just wanted to see her, and I couldn't wait.

“Alright,” she finally picked up the telephone, and it looked like she was speaking to my aunt and after a few seconds; she said my aunt can see me now.

She had someone escort me, and even the person was so excited to speak to me, saying the same thing: that she'd heard a lot about me and that my aunt had talked about me.

I wasn't surprised; like I said, I was the only like child in the family. It was really just my aunt and mom. Mom removed herself from the family. Aunt couldn't have kids. Those are from the arguments I heard, how my mother would tell her it wasn't her fault she couldn't have kids and now wanted to steal her daughter.

The same thing went for my grandparents; they were so obsessed with me that they basically went sick when my mother refused to let them visit.

With how their family loved each other so much, it was natural my aunt introduced me as the apple of her eyes despite not being around me, so these nurses speaking about me like this made sense.

We reached a door, and she knocked. Once she heard my aunt instruct her to come in, she opened it and allowed me to go in first.

“Thank you.” My aunt told the nurse, and once she left, my aunt rushed to me and wrapped her arms around me; she hugged me so tightly that I nearly passed out. “Oh my god, Zurich, I can't believe you are standing in front of me right now.” She pulled away. “Come sit, or do you want me to take you home now? Your grandparents will be so happy.” Her voice was high-pitched.

She went on and told me that as soon as she heard from the receptionist that I was here, she sent her patient away mid-session; she was a therapist.

“I take it my husband called you. I didn't think you'd be so happy to come live with us.” She looked at the small bag I was carrying. "Those are your only things?” She got it wrong, "That jerk,” she cursed, “but don't worry." She was suddenly smiling. "We will get you everything.”

“Aunt…” I had to say that even when I wasn't used just so I could have a high chance of her saying yes to my request, I knew it would touch her, and I wasn't wrong.

“I feel like I'm going to cry.” She placed her hands on her chest. At this point we were both seated on the couch; she wiped imaginary tears, and I looked around, realizing she had a few photos of me from when I was little. I guess my mother sent her those.

“I don't want to leave Gerald.” She froze. "I'm in love with him, and I want to live with him.” There, I said it outright, and she seemed to be in shock as she didn't even move an inch. “Please say something; I trust you. That's why I'm telling you," I pleaded.

“Honey, Gerald is your stepfather, right?” She tried so hard to sound calm; I nodded.

“It's not his fault; it's no one's fault. I fell for him.”

"Of course, baby, so… you don't want to be away from him, right?” She sounded like she understood; I quickly nodded. “And you want me to revoke my custody application, right?” It's like she was reading my mind. I nodded again.

“Okay then, alright, um, I understand.”

“You do?” I knew she would.

"Of course, baby, I do. You're nineteen; love is something you can't escape now.” She playfully pinched my cheeks.

“So you will let me live with Gerald?”

“I will.” Her voice sounded like a promise. I honestly was glad she agreed so fast; I didn't even need to cry or threaten to end my life. “But do me one thing.” I nodded quickly. “I want you to visit your grandparents and stay with us for three days; we miss you.”

“Three days?”

“Just three days; your grandparents are sick, and I know seeing their granddaughter would lift their spirits.” She explained, and I understood as I nodded.

Then she stood up as we had to leave now. Well, three days were not bad, plus they would give Gerald a chance to realize how much I meant to him, well, I hoped.

Soon we were in aunt's car; she drove us straight home. My grandparents were there; they were so happy to see me. They literally cried, and I won't lie, I loved how much I was loved, but I was not used to them like that; I didn't shed a single tear.

I excused myself later to go to the bathroom; I was given a room, and I had my own bathroom. See, my family wasn't always wealthy; they even refused Mom's money, the one she was making from being a porn star, but my aunt, not only did she marry a wealthy man, the lawyer, but she also became so successful that she was treating celebrities' kids and celebrities themselves; she was making millions in a year, so she improved their living conditions.

In the bathroom, I was washing my face when my phone rang. I thought it was Gerald, so I picked up quickly, ready to tell him I was living with my aunt for a few days. I wanted to hear his reaction only to hear Whitney's voice.

“Where are you? You know you're the only one who can calm Destiny.”

“What's wrong with her?”

“Dad was arrested for some reason, and Destiny was already not well with Mom's scandal, so come home now.” Whitney hung up, and I felt the whole blood drain from every part of my body.

Why was Gerald arrested?