Chapter 22: Family
Lucas thanked Jamal and walked away from the cottage peaceful for the first time in his life. Maya was quiet throughout the journey back home. Both were lost in their own thoughts. He reached her house around midnight, her house was still brightly lit. She wondered if they were all asleep. She said bye to Lucas as she knew he had things to process on his own as well. She walked into the house. She saw her brothers were the only ones awake at that time.
They were in the living room pondering their own thoughts, Shane was smoking, he only did that when stressed. Ash unable to sit still was thinning the carpet shuffling over them anxiously. She wondered what was bothering them at this time. She walked in and was about to walk to the kitchen when Aryan looked up and saw her. " You're back, we thought you were not coming back. Have you eaten?" asked Aryan cautiously.
" What took you so long to come back?! Do you know what time it is now?!" scolded Ash harshly as he stood before her. " She is 25 years old, stop treating her like a kid Ash," replied Ray in her defense. " You may be 25 but you are still our younger sister and you are to inform us if you are going to be late, not just gallivant with your boyfriend," reprimanded Vince as he pinched the bridge of his nose to release his tension. " Its late, let her eat and sleep first, we can discuss anything else tomorrow," diffused Shane.
Maya looked at each of them and saw each person individually. Each were different but had one thing in common. Each of them loved and cared for her. She knew that in the deepest part of her soul. She knew that even though they were not her blood siblings, the bond they had was stronger and would not waiver under any circumstances.
She smiled and hugged Ash since he stood right before her. Ash was stunned silent but when he felt dampness at the front of his shirt, he tipped her head up to see tears in her eyes. " What did that jackass do? Tell me! I will make him pay for making you cry?" boomed Ash. Maya laughed at how hot tempered her brother was. Looking at her laugh, all of them were silent. " You are such a clown," Maya said as she shook her head. She hugged him again and gave him a peck on the cheek.
She did the same to all her brothers, and walked towards her room after bidding them goodnight. She changed into her pajamas and then walked towards her parents room. She opened the door quietly and peeked into the room, both of them were asleep. She walked in and closed the door behind her. She climbed on to their king sized bed and snuggled under the covers. She turned towards her mother and hugged her. Irene half asleep hugged her daughter and rubbed her back as she did when she was small. Manick patted his daughters head. Maya slept soundly in the cocoon of her parents, free of stress and worry for the first time ever since she got the news.
Maya woke late the next day, She climbed out of bed and freshened up in her room. She then walked down to the kitchen, She spotted her mother cooking lunch. Irene looked up to see her daughter and smiled at her. " Good morning sleeping beauty," greeted Irene with a smile. The familiar nickname brought a smile to Maya's face.
She greeted her father as she hugged him and sat down on the sofa. Her brothers had gone to work and would be back soon for lunch. She felt at home, she realised that no matter what the truth is, the fact that this is her family, has been and will always be is an irrefutable fact.
Once Irene sat down after cooking, Maya turned to both of them and spoke. She told them what Jamal told her yesterday. Irene was shocked while Manick was filled with regret. He had looked at his brother with shame all these years, when he was actually innocent, faithful and loyal man not only to his wife but to all his friends.
Maya also told them that nothing changes for her. Matthew and Fiona may be her biological parents but Manick and Irene were her Papa and Mama. Nothing would change that. Irene cried at that declaration. She hugged her daughter and kissed her. Manick hugged her too and kissed her forehead.
She was entangled in her parents embrace when he brothers came back from work. " Stop rubbing the fact that you're the favourite in their eyes," teased Ray. The others just smiled and walked in. Samantha walked in with Anya in her arms.
Maya screeched in delight and ran towards the bundle of joy. " My bumblebee! Come to aunty," she exclaimed. Maya fed Anya as the whole family sat down for lunch. She looked around and felt everything come back to normal. She wondered at that moment how Lucas was and if he spoke to his father.
Meanwhile at the Damiens…
Lucas stayed at his own place since he returned home. After dropping Maya home, he drove straight to his father's place. He parked outside and pondered whether he should confront his father. He needed closure from his father as well. He then changed his mind and drove home straight.
The next morning, he got dressed and drove straight to his father's house. He knew his father only left for the company around 10. As he drove up the path, Derrick was informed that his son was here. He put down his newspaper and ordered the maids to make all Lucas' favourite dishes for breakfast.
Lucas walked in and greeted his father, He had not seen him since he stormed off before flying to Dusseldorf. Now he knew why his father hated Maya and the Manicks. He decided he would lay all the cards on the table and let his father make his own mind up. He never doubted his father's intelligence.
Derrick preempted his son's reasoning for coming home. He decided to head first and spoke, " It was not me who leaked the information to the media. It was the driver who overheard a conversation of mine. I fired him, if at all you're asking." Lucas nodded his head. He knew his father would not break his promise no matter his emotions.
" I came here to speak to you about Mum. I met her husband, Jamal." Lucas went on to explain the whole story and Derrick listened without saying a word. Only once he heard that Maria was dead, that he woke up from his stupor. " She is dead? She has been dead for the past 15 years?" asked Derrick. Lucas nodded. Derrick thought back to the woman he married, she was a beauty but they were unhappy. They only thing they both loved in the marriage was their son. He was angry at her for leaving him but he calmed himself with the fact that his son was with him.
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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