People pointed at my mother with shock in their eyes. Some of them ran toward her and asked for autographs. I had no idea that my mother was a famous violinist. I knew that she was a musician. Ayaka and I were raised in a forsaken village where having a television was considered a luxury. We were considered the richest family because my mother owned a car.
My mother smiled politely while Christie yelled at them to move away. Two security guards arrived and pushed the crowd away. Mother grabbed my hand and hurried toward the exit while Christie followed her. The man standing near a black car opened the door when he saw my mother. My mother pushed me into the backseat and took a seat beside me. Christie took the pa.s.senger seat.
In the car, I heard them talk about the concerts. I was bored because I could not understand much. I looked at pa.s.sing buildings and people who were busy in their daily lives. I saw a man in a colourful attire dancing on the street while the crowd watched him. My eyes widened when I saw the gigantic tower. I wanted to know what it was like to look at the city from the top of the tower. Ayaka would have liked seeing that.
After the car turned right on the road, I could no longer see the tower. I was a little upset. At that time, my mother said to me, "Don"t get enchanted by what you see. If you look deeper, you will notice that all the beautiful things are arranged in a way that they distract you from seeing the ugly side of this city."
If she was alive now, I would have asked her. Wasn"t she the same?
The car stopped in front of the metal gate for a moment. The poker-faced driver drove the car on the road in the middle of the outstretched yellow fields of flowers. I saw a mansion at the end of the road. I wondered if it belonged to my mother. I didn"t ask questions. I couldn"t forget the way she looked at me at the airport. I could tell that she was satisfied because I didn"t ask any questions.
I took a glance at the white marble fountain before I followed my mother into the mansion. Christie kept a little distance away from us. She met my eyes and smiled. That nervous smile only made me jittery.
The men and women in plain black clothes welcomed us. I was a little dazed. The hall was so big. It was bigger than our house in the village. I saw a man coming down the stairs. He was a lot older than my father. His hair was stark white and his face was full of wrinkles. He wore a grey suit that matched the colour of his eyes. I pinched my lips together, wondering if that man was related to us in some way.
"Dionne, you are here." He had a deep voice. He hugged my mother and patted her back.
"I was a little busy, Father," My mother replied. Her eyes softened. "I missed you."
So, that"s my grandfather.
"You should stay here with me if you truly miss me." My grandfather made a face at my mother. "This place is never the same without you."
The way he talked to my mother, I did not doubt that my mother was his most cherished treasure. If I had heeded the advice that she gave me earlier, I wouldn"t have been astounded by the revelation.
"Who is this?" My grandfather"s eyes gleamed with doubts. He looked at her with a questioning gaze.
"My son." She answered him, "Christopher Ash."
"An Ash." The man grinned. Whatever he was doubting, it seemed to wash away from his eyes because of my mother"s words. "My sly daughter hid away my grandson for a long time."
My mother only smiled, not bothering to say more. If my grandfather didn"t know about my existence, then he didn"t know about Ayaka either. I had many questions and my mother kept adding more.
But I wasn"t allowed to ask before her permission. I was sure that she would do something to me that I would like for sure.
My grandfather was inquiring my mother about my age and education.
"He"s eleven year old. He goes to public school."
Christie gasped. My grandfather"s expression wasn"t any better. I couldn"t understand what was wrong about going to a public school.
"We can talk about it later." My mother uttered before anyone could question her.
Behind the pillar, a small head was peeking at us. Our eyes met. The kid hid behind the pillar again.
"Adrian, why are you hiding there?" My mother laughed. Christie and my grandfather looked in that direction. My grandfather"s face was still sour. Christie lowered her head and adjusted her gla.s.ses. The boy emerged from his hiding spot and looked at us with hesitation and fear in his eyes.
"Come here." My mother smiled at him with kindness.
The scrawny boy was about my height, but we looked quite different. He had Christie"s eyes and hair. He peered at my grandfather once.
"How long do I have to wait for a hug?" My mother teased him.
He walked like a snail until he reached my mother. My mother pulled him in an embrace. I felt a pang of jealousy. She was Ayaka"s and my mother.
"Sister, where were you for six months?"
I blinked my eyes. I couldn"t wrap my head around that boy"s words. I wasn"t shocked that he asked my mother why she was away for six months. I was confused by the word that he used to call my mother.
Sister.
The boy was Christie"s son. Then, why?
"I was taking care of your nephew." My mother pointed at me. "Christopher, come and meet your uncle."
I looked at Christie who wouldn"t look up. My grandfather gave me a nod. I didn"t understand what that nod meant. Was he confirming that Adrian was my uncle?
"Christopher." My mother"s voice was cold this time. I stood up and walked toward the boy who watched me with curiosity.
"h.e.l.lo." I gave him a slight bow. "My name is… Christopher."
I was used to introducing myself as Kiris.h.i.+ma Heiji. The new name felt a little strange in my mouth.
The boy"s eyes brightened up. "Christopher, I am Adrian Ash."