5. Chris

It is so awkward, yet so right. Shit. I'm not supposed to feel like that. That chick just got away from me with her fiery little speed. And what's that in the basket? Loads of red velvet cookies. Did she make them herself? Considering she had only a basket full of them, I suppose only a neighbor was all she planned to visit. Too bad, it's me, not some fairy tale guy.

I munch on it while working through my social media comments. The positive ones have been increasing by the end of each day. Many companies reached out. I think I'm finally getting a stable ground. I just hope this time I win against my family. They have been suppressing me so far. Seems like "someone" stirred up trouble on purpose, and now they're too busy handling their mess and saving the Donovans to bring their attention to screwing my life. Tax evasion, accepting bribes, SA charges against shareholders—things are about to get interesting.

I pick up my phone on hearing an incoming tune. Seems like mother dearest couldn't wait to shield her dearest adopted daughter from my claws.

"Why are you messing with Zoe?" she yelled. That direct? As expected of Mrs. Catherine Donovan.

"Mom, don't expect me to be kind to a stranger. And most importantly, she offended me first. She's just getting the payback of what she sowed." I hung up on her, realizing there's no way my mother would take my side, especially when the opponent of her precious little daughter is me. She never shielded me. Why would she now, right?

That's right. Zoe. She broke my family apart. She should reap what she sowed.

My doorbell rings right up next. This time I'm pretty sure that it's my horrible family's upcoming attempt at kidnapping, but this fast? Nonetheless, I open to get attacked by a pretty sight. It's...her? "Why is it you?" I grumbled.

"I suppose you were expecting someone else." Cute.

"Nah, that's not what I mean." She's cute when jealous. I should tease her more, but I'm about to lose it.

"I found these." She quietly hands me over my bracelet and leaves. I stare at it for minutes straight and sigh. You should've been mine. That bracelet was what my late father left me. A compulsive gambler, killed by debt collectors—how more pathetic of a life would you expect from this man? If my mother hadn't taken me in, I'm not sure if I'll even be able to follow my dreams.

I light up my cigar, and delve into my thoughts.

He wasn't an ideal figure.

However, he was a good man, and a good father. Treated his wife like goddamn royalty, and himself like her butler. Thankfully, his stocks were enough to clear his debt and last us a lifetime. I needed a legal guardian, and there she was, smouldering all his wealth like I'm about to with this cigarette in an ashtray. I still wonder how I'm in this mess.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***