Chapter 240 - Two Hundred And Fourty: Kidnap The Owner (1/2)
The third point of view
Niklaus stared at the figure who made his way out of the crowd of relatives causing his jaw to clench reflexively.
His father, that man Adam.
It's been so long since he last set his eyes on him and it was obvious that age has taken its effect yet that brilliance In his eyes was still there. His aging process was maintained hence the presence of few wrinkles on his face. Though there were now traces of white in his hair, Adam was obviously better than most of his pals out there.
However, Niklaus wasn't here to admire his physique. His fist clenched and unclenched by his side as he received memories of the past seven years, this man was the reason why he had lost Maya and his child.
If only he had accepted their relationship, then those unfortunate events that preceded wouldn't have happened. That man was his father; someone who was supposed to make sure his happiness mattered, however, the reverse was the case - Adam was after his own happiness at the expense of his children's.
”Long time no see, son” Adam said as if they were even on talking terms. He tried to hug Niklaus who stepped back, regarding him angrily.
”What's the meaning of this? Who gave you the right to barge into my house and plunder it the way you want?” Niklaus was furious. They had not shown him an ounce of respect at all.
”Don't be such a pain in the ass,” Adam said to him, ”You left home for seven years and no one has set his or her eyes on you since then. So when you returned, we decided to come to visit since you wouldn't do so. What's so wrong with it?” he summarized with a cocky grin unbothered by the lack of warmth on his son's face. His tantrum would end pretty soon.
”I don't need your visitation, return from wherever you all came from” His eyes rove across the crowd coldly.
”Cousin,” Niklaus heard Eden's voice from behind.
Contrary to his expectations, Eden didn't look what he expected at all. Yes, facially, his handsomeness didn't diminish but the look in his eyes told Niklaus something else.
Eden looked tired; not the kind of tired one gets after a long time at work but the kind of tired one gets when sucked up with life or situation. Sure, Eden looked mature than in the past - which comes with that kind of responsibility - but the gnawing feeling in Niklaus's heart told him there was more to that.
”So you were a party to this?” He asked Eden, clearly not pleased.
”You decided not to come to the mountain so the mountain decided to come to you,” He spoke idiomatically.
”I made it clear to you guys that I want nothing to do with the Spencer family,” Niklaus reminded him but those words were directed to his father in particular.
”So you want nothing to do with your sister too?” Emily made her epic appearance.
They came prepared for him.
”Sister,” Niklaus tried to smile but winced in the process.
”I would have given you a good punch on the face but whoever gave you that black eye did me a favor,” he couldn't believe she was supporting his assaulter.
”Fine, I've always been an asshole anyway,” He dragged her into his arms, hugging her tightly.
”I've missed you,” Emily said, savoring this brief reunion.
”Yeah, me too. I'm sorry for failing my brotherly responsibilities towards you Emily, ”
Niklaus owned Emily a lot; he wasn't there when she got married nor was he there to grace the birth of her first child. He was just engrossed in his problems to help with hers.
”It's alright,” She sniffed, ”All that matters is that you're back now,”
His mouth twitched, why does everyone think he was here for good? Well, they'd know the truth soon.
”Where is he?” Niklaus asked, pulling away from her.
Emily looked to her right calling, ”Akim” and a boy supposedly seven or so hurried over to her side saying, ”Mom,”
”Here” she faced the little boy to him, ”That's your uncle, Niklaus. Say hello to him,”
The boy glanced up at him with his blue eyes he inherited from his mother, ” Hello, uncle Niklaus”
Niklaus lowered himself to the boy's height, ruffling his hair, ”Hello Akim. How are you doing?”
”I'm fine,” the boy replied right away with a smile. He was a smart one.
Niklaus smiled back at him before his eyes connected with Emily's who bit on her lips nervously, he knew already?
He didn't need to be told, just a glance at Akim and he understood the child wasn't Ahmed. The boy was a copy of Judy no matter how hard they tried to dye his blonde hair black. Ahmed must have known that the child wasn't his and for protecting his sister so far, the man has earned his respect.
”Niklaus, I -” Emily was about to ask him to keep his discovery a secret when he squeezed her shoulder softly.
”You have suffered so far,” His comment made tears roll off her cheeks, ” Thanks for keeping him alive,” and hugged her once more.
Judy might have been his shadow guard but he was the closest thing to a brother he ever had. So Emily keeping his lineage alive was a huge joy to him.
Emily wanted to break down in tears but composed herself. Her father and other relatives were watching and though Akim had grown up and wouldn't be taken away from her easily, she still couldn't trust her father. But it was satisfying to know that someone - her brother - understood the hardship she had undergone all through the years.