3 CHAPTER 3

SAGE POV

Today started out weird, except for the lack of sleep because of that constant dream, Darren woke me up this morning, Rose's husband, he told me they had something to talk to me about today, that is not the only weird part of my day, but Rose actually invited me to have breakfast with  them, I mean she invited me a lot of time but she never really meant it, I decline her offer but she insisted so I took my seat a chair by the kitchen island, something weird is going on.

"So what do you want to talk about."

I faced Darren who was busy reading the news on his  iPad, the waffles in front of him already cold.

"When you get back from school today will have our chat."

Rose answered, she was busy cleaning up where she cooked, and I looked back to Darren, believe it or not, we used to be close, until he found out that is boss's son bullies me and he did nothing about it, I guess our father and son relationship kinda ends there.

"I got a club meeting at the end of school it might ta.....

" cancel it and come straight home, it important. "

Darren voice was calm and cold, I only nodded my head, I may be taller than Darren but he has larger muscles than me, his dark crew cut hair is something that Tess inherited from him, his eyes are shade of brown and and he always has a 'don't mess with me face', not that he could hurt me, Darren and Rose never abuse me in any way they just ignores me.

Getting to school I did my best in avoiding Lizzie as much as I could, not to my surprise she stood by my locker, wearing a pink and white shirt gown and a white vans, she looks deadly yet beautiful, she was chewing gum while inspecting her nails, all she needs is a nail filer and a headphone to complete her character.

Avoiding Lizzie is easier than I thought, she saw me in some classes and I was also able to avoid her quietly and quickly, Thanks to Deities for letting Sean and his goon to have a major hanging so they couldn't come to school, therefore giving me no challenge at all at avoiding Lizzie, nothing can go wrong today.

The sweet sound of closing bell, had me racing towards my car, once I got to the parking lot I came face to face with Ophelia, is she here because she was worried about me cause of yesterday, I couldn't wipe off the amazing feeling in my chest.

"Ah, Sage, Lizzie ask me to drag your ass to the greenhouse."

She cracked a knuckles like someone getting ready for a fight, the smile on my face instantly dropped.

"Can't you overlook things just this once, I got this super important talk with my parent today."

She hold her chin in a thinking manner, and hummed, then a big smile graced her face.

"OK, get out of here before Lizzie catch you."

I smiled at her and tried to hugged her but she put out her palm in a warning manner making me step back, that was so embarrassing.

"Okkk....well bye."

I got inside my car and drove home, getting home I walked inside, and the aroma of Rose's delicious baked biscuits welcomed me, instantly I was in the kitchen, when Rose saw she was surprise, Weird.

"You are home early."

I hummed, and looked at the tray of freshly baked biscuits and tea, we must have a guest.

"Sage help me carry this to your father studies."

She pointed to the tray of tea while she carried the tray of biscuit, I followed her to Darren's office, when she opened the door I was face to face with Darren who was sitting on one of the sofas in his study, sitting by his right is a classy looking woman.

This woman looks to be in her 20's, she has a diamond face shape, her hair is long, it sets itself over her shoulder to her chest, it also same colour as my hair, it brown and wavy, she looks like a supermodel and I have to focus on the table to stop myself from starring at her.

After setting down the tea, Rose served, a cup for  Darren, a cup for Model miss, A cup for herself and an extra cup making me wonder if it was for me.

"Have your seat Sage."

So it was for me, I sat down opposite the model looking miss, she was wearing a black gown with red heels and a red jacket, those looks expensive.

"Sage this is Adeline your aunt."

I looked at Darren a little confused, I thought he was the only child and as far as Rose family goes she was the only female in the family.

"Your biological aunt."

Rose clarifies while avoiding eye contact with me, I looked at the woman that is called my aunt, she had a warm smile on her face but I ain't falling for it.

"How could she be my biological aunt, when I don't have  parents."

My voice sound harsher than I want it to be, Adeline had a sad expression on her face she wanted to say something but I cut her off quickly before she make a sound.

"What, did they asked you to bring me back now after they fucking abandoned me."

"Sage! Language please, don't speak like that to our guest."

Rose hated swear words, she only uses them when she lost control of her temper, and I laughed at what she said, it wasn't your humorous laugh it was a cold and bitter laugh, I know thing escalated too fast but I'm pissed.

"Did you know about this, is that why you never treated me like a son, because you know that my parent will someday ask of me back."

My voice was getting louder and I know it, I was angry all my pent up anger are released, was I a toy that can be pass from one hand to another, what about my feelings, Rose's eyes were teary, she shook her head wanting to explain.

"Sage we never....

" never what, never treated me like an outside, then why did let this woman in."

I cut her off, I didn't want to hear her  reason whatever it maybe, I was scared of hearing the truth from Rose and from Adeline.

"Your parents are dead, they died 16 years ago."

I did not expect that, chills ran over my body and I suppress the urge to shiver, this was it, this was what I didn't want to hear, a great calm settled in over my body, I looked over to Adeline seeing her sip her tea, her face was blank of all expression I wondered how she does it.

"What do yo....

"Your father name is Jared Stronghold and your mother's name is Nadia Jones."

I wanted her to stop talking, but she cut me off, she knew I was scared, she offers a warm smile, that holds pity.

"They were both in love with each other when they weren't suppose to be, fearing that our families won't accept them they ran away."

I was all hear, I wanted to know more, how they died, I was scared but I wanted to know more, I'm I really worth something to them.

"After two years of running away from home they came back, Nadia had already given birth to a child then a baby boy, the whole family was happy for them

They were travelling back to their home when it happened, they didn't survive the accident, their car was crashed and burned, and there was no remains or sight of a baby."

She was losing her composure, she pick up the cup of tea to sip, letting out a shaky breath she put the tea back on the table.

"Do they love me?"

My voice was like that of a scared child, I'm scared, scared of the answer I'm about to hear, but seeing Adeline's smile, I know that I was being paranoid.

"More than anything you could ever imagine, when they brought you to the family, some people critics their love and you, but they never regretted it, they didn't regret falling in love and having you, you were the happiest thing that ever happened to them."

I didn't even know I was crying until the hot tears dropped on my left hand I'm a man, I shouldn't be crying.

"Sage I looked everywhere for you and now that I found you I can't tell you how relieved I am, that why I want you to come to Briar Hills with me."

"WHAT!"

Roses shouted and her face was red with anger, I don't understand, I thought they will jump in joy at Adeline's offers.

"You are not taking my son anywhere, the only reason I gave you permission to see him in the first place is because I want him to know about his parents."

Adeline scoffed and cross her arms on her chest, she raised her right eyebrows at Rose in a 'are you serious manner'.

"You have no right to com....

"actually I do I'm Sage legal guardian therefore I can ask him to come live with me anytime I want."

Adeline cut Rose off sharply, Rose was furious, she smacked her hands on the table to intimidate Adeline, Adeline didn't even flinch, I was speechless, was this all because of me or I'm I just imaging it.

"You have no fucking right to ask of him, he is my son, I'm his fucking mother, i raised him what the hell have you done."

Rose was harsh and loud, if looks could kill Adeline will be six feet under, I expected Adeline to react like Rose did but she only glared at Rose sending her a murderous look.

I was confused, did Rose really meant all she said about me or was she just kidding, she doesn't sound like she was joking and if I said yes to Adeline what will change, surely I will leave my adoptive parent and this town, but  was it OK to really learn about my past.

"Enough"

All attention were turned to Darren, he sighed, clearly tired from the fighting.

"Both of you are missing the point here, I mean even if you bicker and fight all day the decision will be made by Sage."

Adeline looked over at me with a warm smile while Rose had a guilty expression on her face.

"Sage you have until tomorrow, I know it not enough time to think but it all we've all got."

I nodded my head and Adeline stood up to leave.

"It was nice meeting you Sage."

She hugged me and I breath in her lavender like smell, she rubbed my head and left, Rose scoffed and left the room in anger leaving me with Darren who was shaking his head at Rose's behavior.

***********************

Dinner was awkwardly silent, there was a huge tension in the air, unknown to us all we didn't know that Tess was home this afternoon so she heard all that we said in the evening, she was not with her phone this time around, which was a big surprise to us all, but due to the tension in the air it was not mentioned.

"So are we going to address the elephant in the room, by the way I think you should go with your aunt."

"Tess!"

Rose said in a warning tone telling her to back off the topic, Tess only scoffed

"What did I say wrong I'm only saying that maybe the reason Sage never felt like a member if this family is because he never knew what it like to be a family."

"Excuse me?"

I looked at Tess like she grew a second head, she glared at me like I took her candy or something.

"What, it true that we made mistakes, such as giving up on you on trying to be a member of our family, do you remember when I was four and you were eight, we went ice skating and mom tried everything to get you to skate but you only sat down on the bench watching us have fun

Or the time that was your birthday and mom want to take you to Mickey's World but you locked yourself in your room and pretending that you were sick, or the time where dad wanted to buy you a new car but you declined cause you don't want to be a burden, I could keep this up all day, you all felt like you weren't part of this family even when we tried."

Tess was full on sobbing now and my mouth was wide open in  surprise, did I really ignore all their efforts to make me feel like a family, but to me they have been cold and non interested in me.

"What I'm trying to say is, truthfully, we might have ignore some things about you but every time we tried to get closer to you you just shut us out like how you always spend your Christmas working jobs even when mom forces you to take breaks you always lock yourself in your room. "

The table was silent as Tess cleared her throat and composed herself, clearly she has so much to say, I'm an idiot for not seeing her pain.

"What happens in the past shapes the futures, an apple tree root can not help a mango tree grow, I really think you should go with Adeline also, see what family really is, if they are not for you, you are always welcome back to us."

Darren voice held so much emotion, one that I noticed in particular was regret, Rose stood up from the dinning table and walked to the kitchen I didn't really know that they carried so much with them or that I was the cause of it.

I always thought I was the victim, I didn't know that I was also hurting others, I was always wallowing in my self pity that I believed that The Hamburgs were bad people, I'm such a fool, what do I do now.