Lexi's pov;
Dora, Max's sis was on summer break so she came to visit us.
Max also had a day off.
So, Max, Dora, Nelson and I went into the garden to put the final touching on our little house.
' I'm proud of it. It's so cute, I already make up my mind to always make the place my comfort zone'.
" Nelson, don't you think we did a very good job?". I said as we made our way back into the house.
" yes Mom, you were the best".
Dora had a perplexed look on her face and Max just shrugged.
I smiled, I knew what was going on in her mind.
We all went to freshen up and met downstairs.
" Guys, don't you think we should celebrate the completion of our super pretty house?". I said breaking the silence.
" Yeah, I think it deserves a name too, right?" Dora replied.
We played music, clinked glasses, drank and dance.(Nelson drank juice instead)
I and Dora got along real good, she's such a sweet soul.
Then the door bell rang. I turned to Max," expecting someone?".
" Nah,let me check it out".
I continued dancing with Dora as Max went to answer the door.
I didn't even knew Max was back with the visitor at first until I heard his voice.
" Xandra, it's your visitor". I looked back only to see the biggest nightmare of my life looking me in the face.
' DREY WILLIAMS'. I was terrified to say the least.
" What the hell are you doing here? How did you even find me?". I said with a tremble to my voice. Trying to control my fears.
I managed to turn my fear into anger, I thought,' even if he's here to kill me, I still won't give him the satisfaction of seeing me cower'.
" Dora, take Nelson upstairs,no eavesdropping". Max said sternly.
I slowly walked towards Drey giving him a deathly glare. If looks could kill, I'm sure he would be 6ft under already.
When I got to him,he gave what seemed like a nervous laughter. But I knew he was a master of disguise, I shouldn't trust what I see.
" Hi there". He in a seemingly trembling voice that I believed was fake.
" Why, what you did before wasn't enough? What are you gonna do now,kill me?". I said in a completely indifferent tone which was used to conceal what I really was feeling.
" Ann,we need to talk. I have something to tell you". He said calmly.
' damn him'. I thought,' how could he be so calm'. I clenched my fist in anger.
" Xandra,why don't we hear what he has to say first,we can always take action after that,ok?". He held my hand and I slowly unclenched my fist.
I went to sit down and they joined me. He sat adjacent me while Max sat beside me and placed his hands on mine.
I was still furious,' all this years,why did he come now to disrupt the peace I now have,the happiness I now enjoy'.
Drey's pov;
I felt guilty when I saw her that way. She was scared of me. I could see it even when she tried to mask it with anger. She's terrified of me and it's my fault.
I cleared my throat. " Ann, I know what I did was irreversible. I've hurt you and I know nothing can change that. I just want you to try to forgive me".
I knew under that tough exterior is a soft kind heart but I've hurt her way too much to deserve her forgiveness.
" I'm deeply sorry Ann, I regretted ever doing that to you. I don't have excuses. Although it wasn't in my heart to do that, I couldn't help you. Any attempt to help you would have only put you in danger. I didn't want that for you Ann. It was better if you lost everything than lose your life. I'm really sorry Ann".
I explained to her how I joined 5 star underground to the time when I was set up with her, the shant I planted,how I helped her remove it. Everything, I told her everything.
She was in tears by the time I finished talking. It hurts me to see her cry, especially when I knew I was the cause I couldn't bear it.
" Please, I'm sorry. Don't cry".
Max held her hand trying to calm her down.
" Ok, Drey, I understand from what you said that your life will be in danger if you do anything out of line. But why did you come now? I mean,are you safe now?". Max asked.
" Although I'm not any safer than before, I have to come. Let me tell you my story.
We were a family of four. My Mom, my Dad, the three year old me and my baby sis, Diamond, she's just a year old then.
We were not rich but we were the happiest of families. Everyone was happy. There was love in my family. My parents loved and cared for my sister and I so much. Infact,we all doted and loved Diamond.
My Mom went through several difficulties,insults from families and friends for having only one child with her age. She finally birthed Diamond. Diamond has been bringing us joy even before she was born. My mother believed Diamond is heavens blessing to us. The day Diamond was born, my Mom used every last penny of her savings to employ a very skilled personnel to help her make a diamond pendant,a special one.
The pendant is connected to Diamond's brain and as long as her brain impulse is okay and she's not brain dead,the diamond pendant will keep glowing. Any danger posed to her brain will make the glow unsteady or even flickering and the glow will die out when Diamond's life pulse stops. We love Diamond so much we wouldn't let her out of our sight for once. Then, everything changed one fateful day". I sniffled,tears already forming in my eyes as I recall the incident.
I forced myself to continue because it's something she must know.
"My Dad took Diamond with him for a walk while my Mom and I was with the pendant at home. To me then, I regarded the pendant as I would Diamond herself. The pendant was glowing in our hands and we were happy even though Diamond herself was not there. But then,they didn't come home the usual time,they were taking too long.
We waited till late afternoon but we still didn't see them. By evening, my Mom was panicking already. Where could they be? The pendant in one hand, I on the other,we went into the streets to look for them but we couldn't find them. We had to go back home.
I slept late but Mom didn't even sleep at all. Holding the pendant and lamenting. The next day,we set out again to look for them and behold we saw my Dad on the side of the road, lying in the pool of his own blood. He was almost unrecognizable. The passerbys said a car ran him over. But the most bothering thing was that we couldn't find Diamond anywhere. My Mom broke down into tears. She held the pendant like her life depended on it and I can tell you that my Mom could live till today only because of the pendant.
That was the last we saw of Diamond. But the pendant kept glowing. It was the only hope we had that Diamond is still alive. It was the only thing that kept us living.
There was this time, about three years ago, the pendant flickered. Diamond's brain had either being infiltrated or her brain was infected. I was scared when Mom told me that.
Also, my Mom once told me that whenever it flickered like that. Diamond would have nightmares. She would feel as though her head is been hit real hard. It's a sign telling her she's in danger, trying to let her know she's in danger. ". Ann had a look of horror on her face. I smiled sadly and continued.
" Recently, I found Diamond's fingerprint in one of her picture books from when she was still a baby. I was so happy. My buddy helped me analyse it and compared it, like he said. To my surprise, the only person's who matched with it was you, Ann. ". I concluded.
Realization dawned on her, she was weeping.
" No,no,no that cannot be. You are a liar, you must be lying. Definitely, it's a lie". She was hysterical.
" I also found it hard to believe. But, Jade will never make that kind of a mistake. To be on the safer side, I suggest you go to the hospital with me for a DNA test. It'll be your choice hospital". I thought about moving close to her to comfort her but I figured she would hate that.
" No,no,no,no, it's a lie. You must be, you must be lying. Bloody liar ". She shouted and blacked out.
Lexi's pov;
I woke up to find myself in my bed with Max beside me. I hugged him tight, relieved to find him with me.
" Max, I had a very terrible dream. So terrible, I was so scared. I'm glad I'm awake now". I mubbled as held me in his arms, comforting me.
He sighed. " Why, what happened". I asked him.
" I, it's not a dream Xandra. Drey is waiting downstairs". He finally said.
Then,the reality hit me. ' it's not a dream. Drey might be my biological brother. Not possible'. I started crying all over again. I was hiccuping badly as Max rocked me.
" I know it's hard to take in. But you have to take it easy on yourself, you can't keep crying, please".
When I seemed to have calmed down,we went downstairs to meet Drey. I still can't stomach the thought that he might be my brother.
Right then, I didn't think I was mad at him anymore. I was mad at whoever was it that broke my family apart.
" Ann, I know I'm not worth it. But think of my mother, our mother. She's aged than her actual age due to thinking and high blood pressure. Since the day we lost you, I've never seen that cheerful smile of hers again. You are her very essence of living. Please, make her smile again. You don't have to acknowledge me. Just my mother, she...". He said weeping as he held my hands,his eyes pleading.
I pulled him closer and hugged him, surprising him.
" I'll do it. Let's go tomorrow". I finally said as I let him go so I can wipe my tears.
" Thanks so much. We love you so much. Seeing you again is my greatest wish come true". I smiled.
" We are not even sure yet".
" I'm more than sure. Thanks for coming back, Diamond". His phone vibrated in his pocket.
Without even checking it out," I'm sorry, I gotta go. Jade's calling". He hugged me one last time before leaving.
I guessed he must be very close with Jade.
I leaned back into Max.
" I want to sleep. I'm exhausted".
He carried me back to my room and patted me to sleep. I've gotten addicted to it now I can hardly sleep unless he pat me.
Max insisted on following me to the hospital and Drey met us there and we did the test.
" It'll take up to two days before the results are out, Miss". The doctor said.
" Ok , thank you ma'am".
We bade our goodbye and left for our separate houses.
A meagre part of me wished it'll be negative but a big, larger part of me wants it to be true. I'll have a mother and a brother,no matter how the brother is.
When we got home, I made to go to my room but Max stopped me.
"I-erm-i-i-w-want to see you". He seemed quite nervous.
I turned back expecting to hear him out.
" Uhm,after dinner". He said and walked away briskly.
I was confused. I went to my room thinking,' what could he want to say that got him all fidgety?' I shrugged and went to change before going downstairs for dinner.
" You eat like a rat". Dora said to Nelson.
" And you eat like an elephant". He fired back.
I chuckled lightly.
" How dare you crooked nose talk to me like that,huh?".
" Stop insulting me, broomstick". That riled her up.
" Better watch your mouth".
I decided to interfare.
" Nelson,no talking while eating".
" I'm sorry Mom, she started it". He pouted.
' so cute', I smiled.
" Dora,be the adult here and and eat your food". She nodded grumpily.
I glanced at Max. He wasn't really eating. It was better to say he was toying with the food, turning it around in the plate, lost in his own thoughts.
" Max". No answer.
" Max". I called louder this time.
" Yes?". He looked at me and took off his gaze just as quickly. I wondered what was wrong with him.
" You don't like the food big bro. Is it because I prepared it?". Dora asked pouting like a baby.
" No,no, not at all. It's really good. Infact, your cooking skills have improved by a whole lot". He said and took a spoonful.
After dinner, Nelson and Dora went upstairs leaving Max and I behind.
None of us talked, the silence was akward.
" You said you wanted to talk". I finally said, breaking the silence spell.
" Yeah, yeah, that's true".
" I'm all ears".
He took a deep breath.
" I really don't know how to put this properly. Just accept it anyway". He smiled nervously.
" Ok?". I was unsure.
" Actually,the thing is, I like you and I-erm-i-w-want you to be my girlfriend". He stumbled over his words. " You don't have to answer now, think about it first". He added a little too fast.
I kept a straight face but my inside was mushy. I was elated that he even asked me.
" I thought you'd never ask. But what about your supposed wife to be?". Wincing as I said the word.
" We are over. She found her love, I found mine and there's nothing our parents can do about it". He said quite happily.
" I'll gladly be your girlfriend, Maxwell Kim". I said and went to sit on his lap.
" Here you go". The doctor said as she handed over the test results to me.
I was nervous as hell, I couldn't bear to open it so I handed the envelope to Drey. I guess he was nervous too,his palms were sweaty despite the air conditioning. Max was there with me as well. Drey took the results out and opened them.
He stared for a while and then I saw obvious relief and happiness written all over his face. He was paralyzed with happiness.
I snatched the paper and looked for myself. It read,' positive'. I wiped my eyes and looked again,' still positive'. I felt tears run down my cheeks, tears of joy.
I hugged him tight. " Brother". I muttered.
" I miss you Diamond,so much". He sniffled as he hugged me back.
" We should go great mother, right?". I said as he released me.
" In, She'll be so happy to see you".
" I'll try to trust her with you". Max said to Drey before facing me," I'll wait for you at home". He pecked me on the lips before leaving.
I and Drey went to mother's place.
" Son". She had said," is this my Diamond?". It was as though she had been expecting me. She was already old looking but she's my mother I think I love her already.
"Yes Mom this is Diamond".
Tears were falling down her cheeks. Despite how weak she looked and I was sure she was, she managed to stand up from the bed and I went to support her. She looked so fragile, like she could break anytime, I sniffled.
" Diamond, my Diamond. You came back to mother. Is this really you?". She said touching my face.
" Yes mother". Happiness flooded me as the term rolled from my mouth. I hugged her. I could see the diamond pendant Drey had been talking about on the pillow. It was glowing so brightly.
" Don't ever leave mother again,ok?". She said as she broke into tears again.
" Ain't going nowhere". I said hugging her again. Drey was also weeping and smiling at the same time, I didn't know that was possible.
" Drey come here, let's hug as one big family". I beckoned to him.
We all hugged. " We love you Diamond". They both said simultaneously with tears in their eyes. My own tears was running faster. This is my family and I love them already. No doubt,they love me too.