Chapter 5
873 Words
The question Adrian had heard too many times in his life struck him like a blow.
Patricia had shown up on the Cross’s doorstep just as heavily pregnant as the madam twenty-seven years ago.
She had declared herself as Chairman Cross's woman, claiming she was there to claim her soon-to-be-born son's place.
The chairman had been away on a trip and some grappling had happened between the two pregnant women.
The madam had gone into premature labour and Patricia had gone into labour too.
The two women eventually gave birth at the same hospital but the madam passed away from complications.
Since Patricia had broadcast for all to hear that he was the father, the chairman had to accept her into his home.
Her name was never entered into the family register, though.
Same as Adrian, who was only a Cross in name.
Yet one would think Adrian was not Patricia's son.
She vented all her frustrations on him while he was growing up, telling him on many occasions that his existence dragged her down in life.
Ironically, she treated Daniel like her ticket to acceptance.
So after the initial wave of pain, it didn't surprise Adrian when she snapped, “Call your brother here, and get out of my sight! Is that how any sensible young man should look?” She pointed at his dishevelled appearance, not caring to ask what had happened.
With a hint of a resigned smile on his face, Adrian dialled Daniel's phone, putting it on speaker.
The call rang again and again, but it was not picked up.
She rolled her eyes at him, saying, “Of course, he wouldn't pick up. How could he know maybe you want to ask him for money again?”
Adrian never had, not that anyone would believe.
She looked around frantically, her weak hand protesting when she tried to turn her wheelchair around herself.
Two years of no movement is not easy to snap back from just like that, after all.
“Well, don't stand there like an i***t. Come and turn this for me. And get me my phone!” she snapped.
He had a mind to leave her right there, to just leave her and never look back.
Just as he had wanted to do two years ago.
Instead, habit made him unlock the wheels and turn her around, saying, “Your phone is not here. I took it home to keep since you wouldn't need it here anyway.”
“How dare you? Who told you to touch my things?” she snapped.
“Give me the phone!” She snatched the phone out of his hand, her movement more sluggish than she intended.
That angered her more and her nose wrinkled in distaste at the smell of the wonton.
“How can you bring such a cheap thing here? Are you trying to suffocate me? Get it out!”
The contempt on her face was glaring when she saw his cracked screen; still, she dialled the number.
Ring. Disconnection.
She dialled it again.
“He must be very busy, unlike someone who…”
It was still light outside but heavy bass and raucous laughter spilled out as the call was picked up.
“Why are you blowing up my phone, i***t? Did someone die?”
Daniel's voice could hardly be heard under the bass but it was clear enough.
Adrian was disgusted by the sudden smile that had replaced Patricia's scowl.
A chuckle came from the other end as Daniel said, “Wait, don't tell me your clingy mother has finally di…”
“I am alive, Daniel,” Patricia said sweetly. “I know you must have been worried about me, my dear boy. I just woke up, and…”
“How is that my business?!” Daniel snapped before the phone went dead.
“Hello, I… oh,” the indulgent smile on Patricia's face as she stared at the phone made Adrian want to gag.
Her gaze turned ferocious as she looked at Adrian, saying, “Well, don't just stand there! I need to go home! Go and get the release form.”
Adrian nodded and stretched out his hand to collect his phone. She swatted his hand away, saying, “I still have to call your father to come and get me. Take that stinky food with you.”
Good luck with that, Adrian thought as he took the wonton with him.
His stomach growled at the close smell of the food, as he had not eaten anything since the night before, but the bitter taste in his mouth and the tightness in his chest did not allow him to think of taking a bite.
At times, he wondered if his mother had incurable delusions.
Everyone knew that Richard Cross would never leave whatever he was doing just to come and pick her up.
Her years of desperate devotion had not changed that.
Yet she wouldn't stop.
In the end, it was one of the drivers who came to take them home.
Patricia was scolding Adrian for being clumsy and not handling her wheelchair properly as they entered the massive double doors of the Cross mansion.
Adrian was surprised to see him waiting.
- Writer
