Akarana POV:
"Do you really want to do this?," Raniera asked me for hundred time, as we were all placed in a room together "I need to protect myself for when he comes for us, i need to protect my son, and to ensure our family's safety, i need to do this," i spoke confidently. I have to ensure adam safety for the rest of his life, staring at the possibility of Kane finding us, terrifies me but when he realizes how rich my family actually is, his unrestrained greed will have no bounds and the is what scares me. "Officer it so i know i am doing everything i can to ensure my son is safe at all times." i spoke to the female officer opposite us "We will be with you both every step," the female officer stated as she proceeded to photograph, interviewed, swabbed, collected and dissected everything she needed. Due to the severity of this our family lawyer was also present and since we can't extradite kane as he is not a citizen at least the file has been lodged and as soon as he enters the country he will be arrested on sight. Walking out of there made me breath a lot easier, the doctor prescribed pain medicine, cream for the wounds and wrapped my ribs again to help heal them.
My brothers and I, we had a great childhood, great schooling experience, all went to University and we all had a role to learn as we would all join the family business when we graduate. My mother came from a well off family as her father owned a lot of property and managed them all by himself. He then taught his children how to care for the family jewel and split all his business equally between his children once they acquired the Masters Degree of Business and Innovation. Without such document you could not fight for a right to inherit, he built his children's empire little by little and passed it through the generation. My parents made us work at all the locations they owned, whether it would be waiting tables, washing dishes, housekeeping chores, we all had to chip in and learn the basics of the business from the bottom and that is what our parents ingrained on us.
By my third week my ribs were healed enough, my bruises had now faded and my cuts and scrapes were completely healed and now i was dying to see the rest of my family. "I'm ready to come home," i stated as i packed up the apartment, uber adam and I to the airport and flew home to Auckland. Walking through the domestic airport i made a bee line to macdonalds and order a big feed for us while waiting for my brothers to pick us up. When a hand reached in front of me for the burger in my hand while another hand slid my tray away, turning my head sharply i smacked both people across the heads before snatching my food back and opening my sons meal for him, with obvious anger "We were just messing with you,"Sebastian teased as, i picked up my remaining food and threw it in the rubbish bin, "I missed you," lucas spoke as her gave me a hug "im also glad your home," sebastian asked as he scooped up adam "Mum and Dad are at home and have no idea. Also what happened to you?" Sebastian and lucas both asked i looked my son "I had to heal my body before coming home, and keep my son safe," as adam tucked in beside me, "why is he frightened?" lucas asked as he pulled my son to him and adams eyes widened in fear "Its a new country and be gentle," i said as we made our way out of the airport and on our way home.
Arriving to the familiar neighbourhood that we grew up in, i just turned towards my son and softly spoke "This is where i lived as a child and i will keep you safe within this family," i said as i cuddle my son, who barely spoke a word since stepping off the plane. Pulling up outside my childhood home i got out of the vehicle with adam, as i made our way up those familiar stairs and entered the house with my son in my arms. "Mama. are you sure?" adam asked as he slowly looked around "I am very sure," i said snuggling against him as i weaved my way through the main foyer to where my parents would be and as i burst through the door my parents shocked faces were very amicable. "Raana," my mother was the first to speak "Hi Māmā, hi Pāpā," i said as i walked straight in, I placed adam on the ground, as i practically threw myself at my mother, hugging her tightly with tears streaming down my face, "Surprise," i hiccup as i embrace my mother, "Your home," she spoke softly as she held me as i sobbed against her "I am really sorry for everything .... I will never do it again ....," i babbled as i cried like a big baby, when i felt someone untangle me from mother and when i lifted my head my proud father who never showed any emotions to our melt downs over the years, had tears running down his face as he stared at me crumbled against my mother when he plucked me from my mother and enveloped me in his arms that made me cry harder.
Wiping my face clear as i turned to face my son, "I am home for good, i have a lot to catch you guys up with and its very important, but i have to put Adam first and help him adjust," i said as i pulled adam to sit on my lap, "You boys take your nephew to find us some food," my mother spoke as she ushered the three boys out of the room, "But i want to be in there," lucas grumbled as he scooped up adam and followed my mother obediently out the door while shooting daggers at me, i stared at my father and took in his appearance, how much he had changed over the years, my once prominent and proud man, now sat a quiet and reserved man as he silently stared at me too. "I left him," i said as i looked at my father, "I don't deserve to be treated like that especially when i come from a proud family, but because of Adam," i spoke as i tried to swallow the lump in my throat, taking a deep breath i spoke again "I flew to wellington to recover from my injuries before facing you guys. Raniera and Quinn helped fly us home and cared for adam, while i got better and when i knew i was okay to come home, here I am," i said "I've got one more thing to take care of regarding Kane, but for now i am rebuilding our lives and I am doing it here in New Zealand," i said as i faced my father who sat quietly concentrating on what i just said, "So you are home for good? What if he comes for you both, are you sure you will stay?," my father asked "Yes, he will kill me if he gets the chance," i said "I saw him hit Adam, I just made a plan and ran with it. Started separating my finances, I started ensuring I had everything I needed and when I got the chance, I ran like I was on fire with my son in tow," I was mid explaining when the door opened and in walked all four of my brothers, "We need a plan," Quinn spoke as he took the seat too my left "Pummeling the little cockroach will be fun," Lucas stated as he sat next our father "If he steps in the country, we will deal with him then," Raniera spoke as him and sebastian had a silently conversation "Fine but i will still keep tabs on him," Quinn said as he pulled out his phone and started typing furiously that i just got myself comfortable on the chair.
The door opened and Adam poked his head in "Dinner is ready," he spoke loud and clear with a triumphant smile on his face as he ducked back out, i just smiled and stood making my way out of the room, "Mum that smells amazing," i said as i sat down at the table and and started filling my sons plate up first before tucking in to get me some "Wow can tell she hasn't changed," sebastian teased as he sat next to me grabbing himself a plate "Says the one who can't cook," i teased as i ate with abandon "Try not to choke, rāana," Quinn continues to tease as i couldnt be bothered to glare at him, so i flip him the bird, my mother walked towards my brother and slapped him upside his head, mean while Adam was taking it all in as he silently atl his food. Glancing around us, i sat watching my family with my son tucked up against me as we watched my baby brothers trying to talk over each other, i laughed at Raniera and Quinn trying to interject their views in the conversation on the two younger ones, I was just simply watching the baby brother lucas and my second big brother Quinn arguing, my parents talking with each other and i was really appreciating this moment with Adam, i knew in this moment that everything was going to be okay, i lent over my son and gave him a hug.
The rest of the night went smoothly, my room is big enough for Adam and I, my room seems the same but the few times i came home i had changed a few things around to suit me and as i snuggled under my blanket with my son, i was out like a light. Waking up I knew I had to finish registering Adam to the closes school and then started updating my survey and made an appointment with Raniera about working at Rebecca Douglas Property Management and finally put my degree to use. "Māmā, I'm hungry," adams sleepy voice spoke as he moved closer to me "What are you hungry for my darling?," i said lovingly as I stared at my beautiful child "I would like Pancakes with strawberry and cream please and chocolate milk please," he mumbled as his eyes opened and stared at me, "Sure baby, Im assuming Nanny showed you the pantry?" I said as i stretched my body out "Yes, she said I can have anything, but I had to ask you to make it, she said i'm too small to make my own cereal," he sounded annoyed, as i let him make his own cereal, he just can't use the kettle. "Okay baby lets have a shower and then Ile make you breakfast," I said as i dramatically exited the bed and slowly made my way into my shower with adam trailing behind me.
My mother loves to cook and she made us beautiful dinners, we always had pantry full and freezer full. We all know how to cook and its great to be able to do this again. Spending time with my family and being so carefree, its been three months since I ran away from Kane. All my physical proof have now healed, my bruises have finally faded, my ribs have been doing a lot better, they are healing great and I am just doing great. Adam has come out of his shell, he isn't so closed off anymore, that he started hanging with my parents during the day, learning the old ways as they explain it. He became a lot more talkative to my brothers and started hanging out with them without me there, but always returns happy and carefree.
His first week at school went surprisingly well, I didn't really associate with the other parents as I am there to drop him off and pick him up. I also haven't let my family do that just yet as that will attract attention to us. Keeping myself on a routine and Adam is elevating my stress, walking around freely. Although I am always on guard, i have yet to associate myself into his school, as I am testing it at the moment. His school is at the end of our street, of course we had a side gate that my siblings and I used as children to get to the school.
"What are your plans today Rāana?," my mother asked as she entered the kitchen where we were chowing down our breakfast, after swallowing my food, i answered her "Well I had no plans just chill with Adam, why what you doing?," i asked curiously, "Going to lunch with Lucas and Sebastian, would yous like to come?," she asked as i stared at Adam with a hopeful look, he just rolled his eyes "Of course, we would love to come," i said enthusiastic and practically skipped to the car, I quickly rode shotgun since my mum was driving, when we arrived at the Douglas Ree restaurant, i was taken aback by how much it has changed, jumping out of the escalade, i reached for adam and pulled him out and we both headed straight inside.
Standing still i looked around at the restaurant that my brothers and I had designed and how it came to life, moments in time had been preserved over the years as I looked around i couldn't help the tears that flowed freely down my face. The black and silver color scheme, the gold woven ceiling lights and golden lights placed around the wall, i was stunned, "Come on sis," lucas accosted me further in then the front door. "I am just stunned," i said choked up at the lay out, old photos splattered the wall, my mother had wrapped her hand around me and ushered me to where we would be seated. Our seating was very meticulous as i had always preferred to look out and see how the restaurant operates, how the waiters deal with the patrons and that we are seated away from the rest of the restaurant, in a private room with a doubled sided mirror to give us some privacy.
Staring around the place i took in all the details of the place that took us four years to design, argue opinions, long nights and continously badgering each other right until i graduated and chose a different path. Sitting here knowing my family still held on to the hope I would one day realise my worth, cut my loses and come home to where they needed me just as much as I needed them.
My mother ordered all the new dishes that will be sampled in the restaurant that will make it on to the specials board for the month and then will be added to the main menu. Every plate that darkened the table filled my nose, made my mouth water with the delicious aroma, that i couldnt help picking at every dish before my family even had time to say anything. "Who prepared these, mother?," i asked as i chewed each piece carefully and tasting the different flavours that each dish was prepared with "Quinn has been testing all the new chefs to make their signature dish and every month if it is placed on the specials board earns the copyright to that dish they created, with an additional bonus if he reaches the menu. If the chef at anytime.decides to leave we can either buy the rights to continue using the dish or we pay them to not trademark the dish to any competitors except themselves.," my mother answered as i scored each dish accordingly as i could, as well as my brothers and mother. Adam on the other hand ate and complimented which dishes he liked and i took note of his answers too. Over the years i only ever ate certain foods that wouldn't expend over my budget but also very good cuts. i prepared all sorts of dishes that i had used with little next to nothing ingredients but with my mothers persistence to teach all her children to cook we all know what to expect.
My mother and I had a very lovable relationship that i cherished like gold and refused to see me in a bad state to prevent her from protecting me with her life. "I like them all and i have noted which one we all agree to the last five dishes," my mother spoke as we all read out our opinions on each dish, which flavors didn't blend well enough and what dish could need a different flavors added. As we sat around the table sipping on some new drinks that have also been suggested to add to the dishes when the door flew open and in walk Raniera with a face of fury when he stalked in and started huffing and puffing as he grumbled to himself as he sat in the only spot left, "What happened?," my mother spoke as she was startled but my eldest brothers sudden appearance when his eyes lifted we were all shocked to see a bright red hand print on his face "WHO THE HELL DID THAT," my mother all but screeched as she leant towards my brothers face "She tried to quit today, like hell too when hell freezes over," my brother grated as his hands turned to fist "Who tried quitting?," lucas asked with a curious look "Olivia did," he growled, i on the other hand just reached over and patted his hand "Well what does she do and why would she leave?," i asked as I'm not aware of who we are speaking off "Olivia is Raniera personal assistant and has been keeping him running smoothly these past 4 years," lucas answered with a smirk "She is also the one who keeps Raniera in line when he's too arrogant for himself," sebastian added when my brothers glare turned to him "Your brother is rude and obnoxious towards Olivia regarding her work, so its no wonder she feels like leaving," my mother sighed "She isn't quitting, and did you not hear me say she slapped me!!," my brother pointed out to my mother who just rolled her eyes at my older brothers dramatic reaction. "If she slapped you, would you tell me why?," my mother enquired as she stared at my brother who all of sudden lost the colour in his face "She isn't leaving, she can hate me all she wants," my brother stubbornly muttered as he reached for a glass and drank all the contents, i just watched as my brother kept muttering and drinking. As i watched my family trying the drinks before Raniera demolished them in front of us, my mother collated the information she needed and pack us all up and left.