C4 Chapter

Aiden was obviously surprised by what she said, but he did not let her notice that because he did not want Samantha to think that he was like Geneva who would question her. Aiden wanted to say something but Samantha preceded him.

"I only have one request," she said.

"And what is that?"

"A-About us," Samantha cannot meet Aiden's gaze.

Aiden's eyebrows rose slightly and his face became formal. But before the man could speak, Samantha immediately continued what she was going to say.

"B-Because... I t-thought, mommy just died. It doesn't seem right to have a baby at this time. And if I leave here pregnant, I will have a hard time studying abroad especially since I am alone there. So maybe we can postpone our marriage first? I mean, can we just continue when I come back from the UK? Mommy's request can wait... aside from that we are still married..." Samantha wanted to be proud of herself because she literally said those words. She never dared to say what was on her mind before.

Just now.

A few minutes of silence prevailed. Samantha's nervousness is over and her palm is getting cold with Aiden's possible reaction.

He stared at her first before sighing. "For how long, Samantha?"

"M-Maybe only two years. And... d-do not worry. I will always call here and check things. I will go home during the holidays and take vacations here..." she added.

Aiden sighed again and nodded. "Okay. There is nothing wrong with your plan. I hope you will keep your promise. I also have things I want to do but I think the company is more important especially since many employees depend on me now. We can postpone what mama wants,"

Samantha felt the big hollow blocks that had hit her chest disappear with what he said. He will not stop her. After all, she's relieved that Aiden didn't get their mother's character and authority.

Aiden is still a human too, like her.

~

IT'S FOUR AM in the morning. Aiden opened his eyes. As usual, he got up automatically. He did everything he used to do. Without thinking and blinking twice.

When he came out of his room, he glanced at the door of Samantha and his mother's room. Only then did Aiden recall his new situation.

His mother is now gone. And just yesterday Samantha flew to the UK. He is alone now. He was stunned for a few seconds.

Oh, why did he bother to wake up so early? Who else would wake him up and say it's breakfast time?

He saw one of the housemates cleaning the display rack. "Rose," Aiden called the attention of the young girl.

"Yes, sir?" the girl replied as she approached him.

"Please tell Mother Lucy and others in the kitchen, from now on, it's up to them to what food will be cooked for the whole day. Just prepare a sandwich and juice for me, please. Also, tell them, this is how our new daily routine for every day. Even in budgeting and buying groceries, I'll leave it to them. I'll just give them the budget every week. If you guys want to request something just tell me. Is that clear? " Aiden said one after another.

"Really, sir?" Rose's eyes widened and her face seemed unbelievable to what she heard.

"Didn't you understand?" Aiden asked.

"I... I get it, sir. I'm just surprised. All right, I'll tell them." And Rose left quickly.

Aiden returned to his room. He closed the door. But even when he lay down on his bed, he could not restore his sleep and his spirit was still awake.

"What am I going to do now?" he asked himself.

He is no longer drowsy. His body has long been accustomed to waking up at this time. Even if he goes to bed again, he can't go back to his sleep anymore.

He thought of leaving his room and walked down the hallway connecting the large terrace. When his mother Geneva, was still alive, he only came to the terrace when the old woman called him and wanted to say something. He didn't want her to think that maybe he was just planning to watch Samantha there. He knew that Samantha often spent her hours daydreaming here.

Aiden took a deep breath. He filled his lungs with fresh air. He is saddened by the loss of Geneva. Geneva was still a good mother to him. She provided him everything. He was dressed by her and he was thankful he would not suffer anymore from poverty. But, the good feeling will not be taken away from him either. Only now has he become free like this.

Only now has he tasted freedom. Freedom to do what he wants. Freedom to think. Freedom to feel something. To be a normal person. For almost 25 years of his existence here, only now has he really escaped from his own cage. He was 7 years old when he was adopted by the Anderson couple.

But Aiden was shocked by that idea. For him, the thoughts that are running through his mind is already a rebellion. And if he is experiencing this freedom now, what was his condition then? Samantha and his condition back then?

For the first time, Aiden saw under his new perspective his former situation. His knees weakened. He immediately grabbed the table there. And from there, while waiting for the sun to rise, Aiden Parker fell into intense thought. He is thinking deeply. He recalled every moment he remembered in his life.

He may be lucky because his life was comfortable, but his memories were somewhat sad... and depressing. And only now did he think, for so long he had denied himself from the truth. For a long time, Samantha and he lived in the shadow of Geneva. Under her authority hand-cuffs.

But now, their mother is now gone.

He remembers Samantha and their marriage. Aiden's heartbeat drummed like crazy. He felt a new resurrection. An excitement. Two years. It will be just two years and Samantha will return to him and in their home. In his arms, without Geneva. Without Geneva's eyes. Samantha and he can now be the person they wanted to be.

And of course, when his wife comes back, the situation here should be much better than before. Every second count. And he should not waste any minute. How fast time passes. And it should be used for significant things.

He unconsciously smiled. Such a habit seems familiar to him, "every second count". That is probably the favorite motto of the late Geneva Anderson.

But now, the situation is very different. Because everything he does from now on is what he wants and for him, for Samantha. He remembered the last mission his mother had given him, to replace her as the Chairman of the company.

In fact, he did not really want to be a businessman. But it's not also something that he despises. He can take it, especially now that many employees expect him. If only by overseeing the management of the Anderson property, he already knew what he had to do. And his recognized mother will not make a mistake in appointing him in place of her position.

Aiden felt liberated again. He will call Atty. Suarez. He will ask for all the necessary documents. He will also call the people he needs to talk to those who manage their various businesses.

Right now, he will try to be a successful businessman. He knew he could. Geneva trained him well. And he also knows that she will be happy with what he does, wherever she is now.

The sky was now bright when Aiden re-entered his room. His steps are energetic. His face was clear. He was full of plans.

But when he passed by the large mirror of his room he wanted to feel discouraged. He knew in himself that he was not ugly and that he looked good. That case was not given justice by the kind of his clothing and hairstyle he had. He even surpassed the styles in the '80s of discos. "Jeez. Aiden, you're embarrassing, what will Samantha say to you? That you have no taste? That her husband is ugly? She may leave you for a foreigner," the other side of his brain said.

Aiden went down for breakfast. "Sir, are you really just going to eat a sandwich and... a juice?" the cook asked hesitantly.

He nodded. "Yes, I'm okay with the sandwich. Don't worry I will eat more and healthy foods during lunch and dinner," he said.

In the past, he really only tried to eat a heavy breakfast because that was what his mother wanted. Even though, sometimes he gets tired of their heavy meals every morning.

Aiden still remembers something. "Before I forgot, Mother Lucy, I needed to go to the mall. I will buy my personal belongings. I will also buy our new equipments here at home and change the ones that need to be replaced,"

The housemates were shocked. It seemed unexpected that it would come out of his mouth. "Equipment? Isn't the equipment here in the mansion complete?" Mother Lucy replied bravely.

Aiden smiled. "I know. But we will buy modern equipment to make our lives easier."

"A-Alright, sir. It's up to you. Thank you," the housemates replied with a smile.

After the meal, Aiden first called the family's lawyer. He set up a meeting the next day. He also said what documents he wanted them to bring and which of their managers he also wanted to talk to.