"Adrian? What are you going to do now?" Jennifer asked. Adrian raised an eyebrow in confusion. "I meant, your mom." "Oh, she isn't my mom." these words left Adrian's mouth and at the same time he put his hand on his mouth as though he had just said something inappropriate. Jennifer's jaw dropped as she heard those words.
What did Adrian mean by 'she is not my mom'? "She is not your mother? That lady we just walked on was not your mother?" Jennifer spoke these lines carefully, emphasizing on each and every word. "Actually it is past. You need not dwell in that." Adrian tried to sound casual but Jennifer caught the hint - that he was trying to hide something. She carefully held his hand and told him "You know you can trust me, right?"
"I know I can. I really want to tell this but it is a dark past of my life and I don't want it to touch you ever." Adrian spoke. "My darkness need not ruin your purity." He thought to himself. Jennifer knew she was about to touch a really sensitive topic of Adrian's life, but she was curious and curiosity usually got the better of her scruples. Moreover, she was driven by her desire to help Adrian out of his obscurity. "Please trust me." She insisted. So, Adrian started his story with a sigh.
"It all started when I was eight. An innocent child, unaware of all the evilness of the world. My father, the owner of Rains Association is a really influential man. He also has multiple side-businesses. Some of these are illegal. Please don't tell anyone about this, Jennifer. He's the only one I have as family." Jennifer was a really righteous and hiding something like this was against her morals, so she pursed her lips in a straight line and said "Please continue." So, Adrian continued his story. "My dad also sold drugs. When I was eight, one day the police got to know about this. They raided our house and put my father under arrest. In the court, my father used his money and resources to falsify all the charges against him, but one proof was overlooked. So, when no chance was left, he framed my mother and since that time, my mother was in jail. She died last year."
Adrian could not hold back his tears anymore and started crying uncontrollably. Jennifer's heart melted at the poor sight in front of her. Though crying, Adrian sobbed on. "I grew up without love, without a mother. Dad was always busy at work. I only had James by my side all these years. After my mother was taken to the prison, my Dad fell in love with another woman. That woman was the same one we just walked on. To save the prestige of the company and to fulfill Dad's love, he decided to enter a relationship with her on one condition: that she will never show her face to anyone. Everyone calls her Mrs. Rains but my Dad is not married to her. She is just a gold digger but my Dad loves her blindly. So, I can't even tell him about the truth, he will not trust me."
Adrian got up, wiping his eyes on his sleeve and went into the washroom without another word. Jennifer saw him go. She was an empathetic girl and seeing her friend suffer brought tears to her eyes. She was angry at Adrian's father and the lady for making him suffer so much. Her protective side took control of her and she mentally promised herself to help Adrian. She made a decision – she would always be by his side. Always and forever. Just then she heard the doorknob turn, indicating that Adrian had come out of the washroom. She quickly wiped her tears, laid down on the bed and covered herself with the sheets. She heard Adrian come and lie down beside her. She spoke "I'm so sorry."
"You don't need to apologize." Adrian replied. "I'm sorry for not being there with you when you went through so much pain. But now I promise that I shall never leave you." Jennifer said. Then she continued "You can trust me from now on. I'll keep your secret." "Thank you." This was all Adrian could say.
"What is that lady's name?" Jennifer asked. "Crystal." Adrian replied. This was the last thing he said before both of them went to dreamland.
Next day, when Jennifer woke up, she saw that Adrian was already awake. He was typing something on his phone. "Good morning Adrian." She said as she sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Good morning." Adrian greeted her back. "OH MY GOD! I'm going to be late for school today. I have to go back home." Jennifer gasped in shock as she looked at the clock.
"Calm down. I have already told my servant to fetch your uniform and books from your house." "Oh, thank you Adrian." Jennifer replied as she felt relieved. "Now, go and freshen up." "Right." Jennifer said as she went into the washroom, brushed her teeth and had a bath. Since she had promised Adrian to support him she was determined to stay with him from now on and since she hadn't forgotten about Winston she mentally made a note to ignore him.
When she got out of the washroom, she found Adrian was already dressed up. She opened her mouth to ask how he got ready when she was using his washroom but as if Adrian had already read her mind he said, "I used the washroom next to the guest room. Now can we please go and have breakfast? Ms. Curious" Jennifer smiled and went to have breakfast with Adrian. The table was well set. A lot of dishes were prepared to be chosen from.
"Choose what seems appetizing. Okay? Eat properly. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day." Adrian told Jennifer as he was worried that she might not have food as she didn't want to seem like a burden. "You sound like my mom." Jennifer teased Adrian. Then they both sat down to have their breakfast. Jennifer had cereal with milk while Adrian had butter and toast. Jennifer noticed that Adrian's so-called mother, Crystal was not present at the dining table.
She felt sad at the thought that her mother daily greets her at the dining table during breakfast but Adrian was not so lucky. He always had breakfast alone. Then they both went towards the black Porsche that was ready on the frontage. Jennifer again noticed that nobody sees Adrian off. Unlike him, Jennifer's mother always made it a point that she sees her off to school. They both sat in the backseat and the driver drove them to school. They both stepped out together and were greeted by James.