That week was a rough one. Jennifer skipped school for one entire week, the longest time she has missed school in lifetime. She went to see Adrian about 2-3 hours everyday but her face was concealed. Adrian's was recovering fastly. He had spoken to her a few times but short sentences only. Tomorrow, Adrian's was going to be discharged. Jennifer was so happy.
The previous night, she insisted on spending in the hospital. James told her many times that it wasn't free from danger and that somebody might recognize her but Jennifer was stubborn. Jennifer sat on the chair near Adrian the entire night. They both were talking about random things when James came in and requested Jennifer for some time alone with his best friend. Jennifer got up and left the room.
When Jennifer left, James turned to Adrian. This was the first time he was speaking to him after this incident. "How are you doing?" James started the conversation in a pretty normal way because he was sure Adrian wasn't going to be happy about what he had to say. "Fine." Adrian said. "Look, I'm sorry for this. I didn't mean to hurt you. My feelings overcame me and I let the rage take control." James tried explaining him his side of the situation.
"You don't need to explain. I get it." Adrian said. "That means you aren't angry." James looked up at Adrian. "No." Adrian said. "So, I don't need to drop out of the den." James was starting to feel even guiltier. He wanted Adrian to be angry at him. Scream at him. Hit him. Anything to ease the pain but Adrian was so understanding. He wasn't even scolding him. All he said was "it's okay". "Are you crazy! The only way out of den is death. You know that. Right?" Adrian was shocked at the extend of guilt in James.
"I know but I thought you'd want me to drop out. I mean, given that I beat my boss up." James told Adrian while trying to avoid his eyes as he said the last part. "I can't loose my best advisor and my best friend because of some stupid fight. Idiot! You are too precious to loose. Even if you shoot me in the gut." Adrian reply made James tear up. He hugged Adrian so hard that he almost choked him. "Y-You do kno-w that I'm a-a patient." Adrian said breathlessly.
"Oh sorry. I was just overwhelmed." James said straighten up. "Now that this is behind us, I need to tell you about one more thing." James' voice became more grave. "It isn't behind us. I need to apologize. I also let my anger blind my decision making ability and that ultimately led to you loosing your significant other. I'm sorry. I really am." Adrian apologizing made James feel horrible and blessed at the same time. His best friend was the one wronged here but he was handling the situation so maturely. He was also feeling dreadful because Abby was irreplaceable even by the Angels of heaven.
"You don't need to apologize. Maybe, we weren't meant to stay together." James tore his eyes from Adrian and looked at the window of the room in attempt to conceal his grief. "I don't know how I can ease your pain because I have never been in such a situation but please know that I will always be there if you want to talk." Adrian finished the sentence as he turned James' head to meet his eyes that were moist with unspilled tears.
"Since you are going home tomorrow, I have one more thing to tell you. Promise me that you will listen to me before you react. Please." James was now heading to the most grim part of the conversation. "Don't make it all mysterious. Say it." Adrian hit his shoulder playfully. "Please be serious. You're not going to like it." When James said this, Adrian straightened up and sat attentively. It is then he caught a slight shade of shame in his eyes.
Adrian was already dreading the news that came after. "Jennifer…. Jennifer…" James tried speaking a few times but couldn't say more that this. "What Jennifer? What happened?" Adrian asked. "I will call her in. It's better if she explains it to you." James got up but Adrian stopped him by placing his hand in front of him. "James, what is so horrible that you can't even tell me?" he spoke slowly, stressing on the word 'horrible'.
"Um… umm.. she knows." James hurriedly spat out the words and turned his back towards Adrian. Adrian's eyes widened as the news made sense to him. "Please tell me it is a prank." He spoke as he forced James to turn as look at him. James shook his head in negative. "What exactly does she know? What happened so grave that you had to tell her? How come you couldn't wait till I got up? Do you know the consequences?" Adrian was shooting his questions at full speed.
"You said you would listen before reacting." James managed to slip these lines between Adrian's ongoing rap to make him come to an abrupt stop. "Explain the entire situation in detail. You have 5 second." Adrian ordered. James tried explaining everything that his mind could come up with at the moment. How Jennifer ran from her home and seeked refuge in the hospital temporarily. How she skipped town to shop for her stuff and returned to see the police hunting her and then came running to him for help. He tried his best to justify that his mind could come up with only one place at that moment and that he was truly sorry that he had to introduce it to her under such unfortunate circumstances.
He also mentioned that Jennifer has been living there for a week now but she is unusually quiet about the difficulties she is facing. She doesn't complain, although anybody can see her struggling to cope up with the life of a normal child who is not lucky enough to be born in a super rich household. Jennifer did not ask any questions about how that place come up or who lived here. James also added that she was getting along with most of the members very well but once Adrian reaches home, it is expected that she will seek answers to some questions which was the primary reason he wanted to talk to Adrian the night before he got discharged.
After Adrian got a rough idea of what happened he is was so shook that he couldn't say anything. Jennifer fought with her father because of him. She was suffering because she didn't want to go back. She was already introduced to his dark side which Adrian tried so hard to hide. He even rejected her and went through unspeakable pain just to shield her from it but here she was, already dripping her toes into the most deadly river of the world whose depth was unknown, even to Adrian.