"Hey," Grace said in a low tone as she peeped inside Brandon's room only to meet with a Julie who was sitting on the coach across Brandon's room, while studying the small smart watch.
"Hey." Julie answered looking up as she nodded as a sign of urging Grace to enter the room, which Grace did so.
"Is he okay?" Grace asked referring to Brandon who seemed to be peaceful in his sleep on his bed at that moment.
"Yeah, he is now. He was still kinda in panic but when I asked him to tell me about his buddy, each and every worry of his disappeared and his normal enthusiasm came back in seconds. And trust me, he talks about him with so much adoration and love, the way he'd talk to someone else about me. Makes me wonder what is it with him and HotStuff." Julie said thoughtfully shaking her head. She had seen and heard Brandon talk so highly of HotStuff and she wouldn't deny that she probably saw a spark of love for him in his eyes. Which kept her wondering how possible it was for her son to just meet someone one time and love them instantly. Even worse, it seems there was a deeper connection between them. And she kept asking herself if truly what HotStuff had told her was true;that something had led him to her son. She just couldn't tell what exactly that was
"What did he say about him?" Grace asked curiously, bringing Julie back out of her reverie.
"Apart from praising how great he was and how he liked him and how they were now buddies, well, he also said his name was Chris and apparently he is a billionaire." Julie told Grace while smirking.
"Mmh, so his name is Chris. What about the watch? Did he tell him the reason why he gave him?" Grace asked getting to the point of her curiosity as she took the watch from Julie's hands. From the moment they all saw the watch, she had wanted to know why had he given Brandon such a watch that looked so expensive and very unique.
" That's where the big question is now. Randy says that, HotStuff told him that watch was given to him by his dad when he was six, which was also given by his grandpa to his dad when he was six. So this watch is kind of a family inheritance and as he says, to the firstborns of their family, as in the first of every generation. And now the big question, which am I know you also asking yourself now is, why Brandon? " Julie explained sighing heavily not getting why HotStuff would give Brandon a family inheritance yet, he wasn't his son or even part of that family. She could not get answers no matter how much she thought about it.
" Exactly, why Brandon? If this is a family inheritance thing, then he should have probably been giving it to his son and not a boy he just met in town. I mean why would he just carelessly give it out like that?" Grace asked wondering too. There had to be something they weren't understanding.
" My thoughts exactly. And you know what's funny? Randy says he called him the fourth. Which apparently he, HotStuff is the third. " Julie chuckled while shaking her head.
"What do you mean, the third and the fourth?" Grace asked not understanding what Julie meant.
"Check this diary out and you'll probably understand." Julie said as she took the diary that HotStuff had given to Brandon and handed it Grace.
"Wow, Sir. Parker The Fourth? Given by Sir. Parker The First, and signed by Sir. Parker The Second and Sir. Parker The Third? Goodness!" Grace exclaimed not believing what she was seeing in the diary. The name Sir. Parker The Fourth was boldy printed on the first page and under it, was written that it was from Sir. Parker The First ; Samson Christopher Parker, signed by Sir. Parker The Second; Stephen C. Parker and below it also signed by Sir. Parker The Third; S. Christopher Parker. Each and every name had their signature on it, and the dates signed which made it even look more confusing in why they would indicate the dates they made their signatures.
"Perplexing, right? So apparently since Randy has somehow been magically made Sir. Parker The Fourth he's supposed to write his name against where the bold writings are. See this?" Julie pointed to at the book where there was a space against the bold writings.
" Jeez and write what? Brandon Parker? That's crazy! " Grace said shaking her head in unbelief.
" Ha, and maybe add Christopher somewhere in the middle since it seems to be a family middle name." Julie chuckled in unbelief too. It truly sounded crazy.
"Brandon Christopher Parker. Doesn't sound bad though. I mean I like the name already." Grace said jokingly as she chuckled while still studying the book.
"Never on earth is that ever gonna happen Gee. Don't even dream it. This is probably just some nonsense." Julie said wanting to believe the whole thing was just nonsense but somehow everytime she wanted to think that way, her mind came up with some other thoughts of asking her what if there was not even a pinch of a nonsense in it. And it somehow got her scared, deep down.
"Did you notice that, this logo in the cover of this diary is the same logo in the middle of this smart watch and the same logo in the t-shirt Mr. Hotstuff gave you?" Grace said as she studied the book keenly and comparing the logos with the one in the watch.
"Mmmh, hadn't noticed that. And there are some writings below it." Julie said pointing at the words encrypted below the logo on the diary.
"Parker's don't walk, nor run. They fly high. While the leaders of the Parker's fly highest." Grace read the words aloud while trying to decipher its meaning.
"Mmh, probably explain the wings on the logo." Julie suggested thoughtfully as Grace nodded in agreement then went back to looking closely at the signatures.
"Julie, did you notice something about this signatures?" Grace asked her seemingly to have discovered something and she sounded petrified that Julie also studied the signatures intently wondering what Grace might have discovered.
"What? The fact that Sir Parker I signed this 10 years ago and the II and the III signed it seven years ago on the same date?" Julie asked noticing that, and she wondered if that was what made Grace sound petrified. She didn't find anything petrifying about people signing a book on the same date.
" No, that's not it Julie. Are you seriously that blind?" Grace asked her wondering how she wouldn't just see the obvious thing that was now making her heart beat in some kind of fear.
"Then what is it? Just tell me already!" Julie didn't miss the exasperation in Grace's voice so she instantly became exasperated too.
"Dumb you. Isn't Brandon's birthday on 21/04/2015? The exact date that Sir. Parker II and III signed against this book Julie. This can't be some mere coincidence! " Grace exclaimed suddenly feeling the urge to shout. She had also thought that this whole thing was some nonsense but seeing how the dates of the signatures was the same date with Brandon's birthday made her change her thoughts.
" No way. It can't be." Julie said in a petrified whisper as she held the book closer so she could see if her eyes were faking the dates, but unfortunately it seemed so true. How was that even possible? Why would Hotstuff tell Brandon that he was the IV and then somehow the diary signed to him on the same day he was born? It was definitely not a coincidence. And that made her immediately get up from her seat and started to pace up and down.
"What? Why are you suddenly pacing up and down?" Grace asked even though she knew the information was starting to get into Julie's nerves as well.
"Because, Grace, this isn't just some nonsense as I earlier thought. Come on tell me, how would you explain the fact that someone just met your son for the first time, and gave him some family treasures then made him his heir and then you realize a diary was signed to him the exact date you gave birth to him? Tell me Grace, how would you explain that? It's definitely not a coincidence either. " Julie answered in exasperation as she hit her forehead in frustration. Grace couldn't explain either, so she just sighed heavily trying to fathom what was all this thing.
" And you know what's even crazier Grace?" Julie continued when Grace didn't answer anything. " He, Hotstuff, Sir Parker III told me that when he met my son, he knew he was mine. And even further went to say that, he didn't just meet with my son but something had led him to him. Trust me, I had taken in lightly but now, it's so obvious this isn't some joke Gee. There's definitely something. I mean how would you explain that for the first time in history, Brandon connected so intimately with a stranger? And hell not Brandon alone, even I personally as much as I hate to admit it, I feel like a share some kind of connection with him and I can't explain that damn shit Grace. God, am so running crazy right now. " Julie said while holding her head feeling the urge to scream too. She definitely wasn't understanding what all this thing was.
" Wait, he told you that something led him to Brandon and what, you have a connection with him too? You hadn't told me that. " Grace said seemingly shocked with Julie's revelation.
"Yeah he said that, even said it's the spirit of the Lord that led him. I didn't want to believe him and yes, Gee, apart from him giving me the butterflies, I also felt that other inexplicable connection with him, from that first day I met him and I didn't tell you coz I didn't want to accept it myself. Now it scares me the more, that Brandon seems to be sharing that connection too. Goodness, I'm freaking out Grace." Julie said feeling petrified. She was seriously freaking out as a lot of mixed feeling erupted in her system and yet she couldn't even explain any one of them. Grace also didn't know what to tell her. Deep down she felt like there was something more to Julie meeting Hotsuff and later on him meeting Brandon. Looking at things, it didn't seem like a coincidence anymore. There was some blank space somewhere, that they had to fill in, yet they didn't know. She tried to think that maybe Hotsuff was stalking Julie but their security team would have noticed since they had a heavy security team that always trailed Julie everywhere she went and also guarded the mansion heavily. That was what came with being a celebrity. You had to be having security everytime and everywhere you went. And besides she wouldn't really say Hotstuff stalked Julie because if he did then it had to be from 6 years ago when Brandon was born, at least as per the dates signed in the diary. At that idea sounded as almost as crazy and very impossible. And then as she tried to think around all these, she suddenly seemed to have thought about something. It was another crazy idea and an impossibility but she just had to voice out this to Julie. What if there was something.
"Julie," Grace called out strongly making Julie snap out of her thoughts. " I know this sounds crazy but have you realized that Brandon actually look so much alike with your Hotstuff? I mean, the similarities of their countenance are so obvious. It's as if they are blood related." Grace said thoughtfully making Julie look at her with eyes almost popping out of their sockets, seemingly she came to realization too.
"Goodness. I.... I... my God," Julie said in a stammer not knowing what to say. Grace was right. Hotstuff and Brandon looked so much alike. Someone who didn't know would probably claim them as blood related or even Hotstuff being the father of the kid. The only difference they had was that Brandon's skin was a little bit darker and his hair wasn't as soft and curly as Hotstuff's. And yet, even that, she couldn't explain why. Everyone had always told her that Brandon looked like her, since to be honest, the kid didn't have any similarities with his dad, Carlos, well, apart from the shape of his head. Just that. And now seeing how much Brandon resembled Hotstuff, she felt so confused that she had to lean on the wall for support since her legs were starting to get weak as her mind swirled with a million confused thoughts.
"Julie, would you care to explain to me, why Brandon doesn't look anything like his dad Carlos, and we've been wondering why, and the now years later some dude who looks exactly like Brandon shows up and seemingly claims him as his heir? And funny enough Brandon instantly connects with him as if they've known each other for ages? And then now you too also feeling the same connection? Julie, are you sure you have no idea about all this shit? " Grace asked bewildered, and for a moment wondering if truly her friend didn't have any clue of the happenings.
" Trust me Grace. I don't know! I don't understand any single thing about this. And I know what you are thinking, that maybe Brandon is his son and not Carlos's. Come on Gee, you know me too well. If those times I would have met such a Hotstuff I would have immediately told you. So forget it, coz I know to well, that 7 years ago, I went to Carlos's house and he convinced me on breaking my virginity which I gave in and a month later I discovered I was pregnant. So don't try have that idea in mind coz I am so sure, Brandon is biologically Carlos's. " Julie answered as her thoughts swirled back to those days. She remembered it clearly and she was so sure about it since she was sober. If she had been an alcoholic, she'd say she probably went to a club and had a one night stand with a stranger and got pregnant, but no, that wasn't the case. Brandon had came as a result of her virginity been taken away and two weeks later she was showing signs of pregnancy, and she hadn't even had sex with anyone else apart from Carlos. So she was sure about it. Hotstuff was just a mystery that was driving her nuts yet she didn't know how she was going to get answers.
"Yeah I know Julie. I mean I also remember that day. You couldn't even walk properly and I remember even asking you if you used protection and you said no which resulted to me telling you what if you get pregnant and you told me not to joke with such things but a month later you confirmed you were pregnant. So, yeah I know, it's Carlos's but I just can't fathom what is all this Hotstuff situation. " Grace said chuckling at the past years events. They had been friends at that time, so she knew every bit of thing that had happened in Julie's life since then. And Julie had never been one to hide things from her, so she couldn't really doubt her.
" See? And honestly Gee, how in hell would I have met someone like Hotstuff yet those days I used to spend my time in church and on the piano? Which is actually where I met Carlos. Maybe if I had gone for an insemination we would be talking otherwise now. But that isn't the case. And this Hotstuff situation is definitely starting to look like a voluminous mystery book that needs to be solved and exasperatingly enough, I can't even seem to find a single formula of solving it. " Julie said in frustration as she let herself slide down on the wall until she was now squatting, her back facing the wall.
" I know Julie. But don't sweat it too much. Just sought answers from God. Am sure He'll give them to you. That's what you normally tell me what am confused anyway. And you've always been right. God helps solve the mysteries that we normally can't." Grace encouraged her friend who seemed to be loosing her mind and for a moment she seemed relieved after Grace told her that.
" Yeah, you are right. I don't know why am even almost loosing my mind yet, I can always pray about it. Jeez did I almost went crazy over something God can give answers for? Ha, thanks for saving my mind from going crazy honey. Infact, I'm not sweating this anymore. " Julie chuckled and stood up as if she found some new strength somewhere.
" Lol, I didn't know just the mention of God would get you so energized like that. I would have probably mentioned that long ago. " Grace said while smiling lightly at her.
" Ha, seriously though. Why are we human beings always claiming that we trust God yet we beat ourselves too much with our troubles at the same time? Trusting means believing and utterly letting him handle our problems, which as you can see, we, believers fail so much at that. But now, I am trusting God. Maybe this is even God trying to speak something to me using all this mystery situation. And if he is then I know he'll help me solve it. And as I always say, God's problem requires God's solution." Julie said sighing in relief as she finished her statement with a quote she normally uses when she's stuck in a mystery. And yet coincidentally again, it's the same quote that Hotstuff quoted it a couple of times. Just that none of them knew that they shared a favorite quote. Maybe the situation was truly God's thing. They however had to just wait and see.
"Yeah sure. Maybe God will let you meet him again and you'll get to ask him everything." Grace suggested thoughtfully.
"No I don't want that. I definitely don't want to meet him again." Julie answered, her voice coming out strongly and Grace wondered why Julie would immediately say a no to meeting the guy who probably had answers to their questions.
"Why would you say no? Isn't he the answer to all these mystery?" Grace was curious.
"Ha, because, while we were parting today, he promised me that we were going to meet again and I strongly said no, so he said since I sounded so sure that we weren't gonna meet again, he dared me that if we met again he was gonna make me his wife and I also wouldn't have a choice but to make him my husband and crazy enough, I took up the challenge, Grace. Which is why I don't want to meet him again coz that thougt scares the shit out me. " Julie said as she covered her face in frustration and at the same time embarrassment. And yet, deep down her heart, she felt like she wanted to meet him again but she just wouldn't accept the feeling.
" Haha, my goodness, Juls. " Grace said while laughing at her. " Remind me to put that in my prayer list. I am definitely praying for you guys to meet again, well that's if of course there isn't a tracker in that smart watch which will automatically make you meet him again. Mrs. Julie Parker sounds good on you though. Haha" Grace said jokingly while laughing heartily especially when she saw the horrified look Julie had on her face.
"You are unbelievable! And am definitely having Raymond check that watch if it has a tracker in it" Julie said in horror as she took a pillow from Brandon's bed and playfully started hitting Grace who was now dying with laughter. She wouldn't deny it though. The sound of Julie Parker made her heart churn with some kind of inexplicable feeling that made her want to blush. There was truly something about that Hotstuff guy, otherwise, she wouldn't be feeling all whatever she was. And about that tracker? She hadn't thought about it, but now that Grace mentioned it, he's have the head of his security men, Raymond who was an ex-army check it out. She wasn't going to risk it.
"Okay, Mrs. Parker The III, I mean Juls, stop it. Haha" Grace asked her while still laughing but Julie wouldn't stop. Instead she was starting to laugh too.
"Come on Julie. Stop it now. I have to tell you something." Grace said still laughing and this time round Julie stopped the hitting and looked at her expectantly as Grace sighed in relief.
"What, speak up." Julie asked getting impatient.
"Could we please go to my room. I have a feeling after I tell you this, you'd have the urge to strangle me and I wouldn't want Brandon to wake up and witness a world war three scene." Grace said chuckling in mischief and stood up already heading towards the door which gave Julie no choice but follow her wondering what Grace had rolled up on her mischief sleeve.