Chapter 22:

ARIA'S POINT OF VIEW

We went to Odette's office since the deadline was far away. We saw Odette sleeping on her couch. She looked tired; maybe she worked all night last night. We went out for a while and went to the cafe.

"Did you hear Sir Kiel went here last time, but he went out with Dalle, Trisha's son? Maybe Trisha was flirting with Sir Kiel by using Dalle. What a poking kid he was." Morisette and Clay look at me. I know my stepbrother was kind of a jerk, but Dalle was not his son, and I know that. I'm the only family member who knows who his father is.

"I think I should leave now; I forgot I have something to do." I turn around and leave the cafe. I step into my car and driveway back to my office. Kiel and I seemed to not know each other, but since I was 10 when my dad got me to my mom, Kiel and I live under one roof. But when his friends came to the house, he didn't want to know we were related. He even decided that when they come, I will leave an hour before they get there. So I can stay in a condo. I understand why he doesn't want to know I was his father's daughter with another girl. It can affect his image not just as an idol trainee way back then but also his popularity. His popularity was way more important to him than his family. Just like what happened before when his twin brother was still living with us. Kiel hated to see that he was rejecting everything just because of one girl. I remember what he said at that time.

"Just for a girl, you will leave everything behind. Why?" Let me think about why you need to sacrifice for her sake. Who she is for you to choose her over us. She had nothing against us. Always remember that KX. Choose the most important thing over those useless scumbags." KX punched his face and went on top of him.

"She was not a scumbag; if there is someone who is a scumbag, it is you. Do you think following in your dad's footsteps was the right thing to do? He controls us; he controls everything we want to do. Even who we want to love. He even arranged a marriage for me with a woman that I didn't know or like. That old jerk didn't even listen to me express my opinion. In this house, you will be opinionless if you obey him. Disobeying him will make him regret every decision you make in your life. But that's not what I want. I want to be a father to my child. Not a kid who can't stand on his own two feet who needs someone to take care of you So if you choose to follow him, I'll tell you this: You will regret everything in time."

Dad punched KX in the face.

"You don't know why I'm doing this. For your own sake!"

"For our own sake or just for the company's sake! I will not get shocked when, in the future, I hear Kiel, Aria, and Kali get married to your friends just for their sake, right?"

"Get out of my house; you're no longer my son!" KX just smirked at Dad and grabbed his phone and bag.

"That's the only good thing you did as my father; oh, I forgot I was not your son anymore." Aunt KX held KX's hand.

"Please, son, let's talk about this; we are all just feeling emotional. We can talk about this tomorrow when everyone is calm. Don't leave me, Kent!" He smiled at Mom, let go of her hand on him, and walked out to the house. Auntie turns to Dad.

"If anything happens to my son, it's your fault! I can't forgive you!" She ran towards their room, and Dad sat on the couch just like nothing happened. He even grabbed his whisky and drank it. Kiel just looked shocked standing in his place. Maybe it was right for Kent to leave. KX was exhausted after being in this place for such a long time. Since we were kids, he always wanted Dad to see him. When he got into trouble, that's when they saw him. I left the living room and went to my room.

End of Flashback

That's the last time I saw KX; after that, we didn't hear anything from her. If Trisha's ex that she always mentions was my brother, I need to do something before Dad finds out.

I finally arrived in the office when I saw Dad sitting in my chair.

"You finally arrived; let's talk." I place my bag on the couch and sit.

"So did you hear Kiel went out yesterday with a kid? Tell me, do you know why he looks similar to someone?"

"No Dad." He threw the vase on my table.

"I know you both are still seeing each other." He went after me and slapped me hard in the face.

"You both are a disgrace in the family; I didn't know what I did to both of you to give me this whole problem. I want to see that child and get him from his mother. I don't want him to be a disgrace, just like his father. We will provide everything to that kid; did you understand?"

"No Father! I don't understand why we have to get the child to his mother. He can be part of the family even if he is not with us."

"Can you see his mother was nothing but just a secretary? I will do anything to get custody of that child!" Dad, step out of my office. I sighed and sat on the couch. I need to do something, but what?

I dial Kiel's phone number.

Calling...

He picks up the call.

"Kiel, we need to talk; I have something to tell you."

"Sure, message me where we will meet; I'm still in the hospital, but I can go out and talk to you. I also have something to tell you."

"Okay, I'll reserve a table for us in the nearby restaurant in my office. Is that okay with you?"

"Sure, that's fine with me."

He hung up the call, and I browsed Ello Restaurant and reserved a seat for us.

I messaged him to meet me after two hours.

I slowly cleaned the broken glass. I don't know if Kiel will be on my side or my dad's side. But I need to do anything for that kid. I promise that in KX.

After cleaning the broken glass, I sit in my chair and sign all the pending documents on my table.

I look at my phone, and I only have thirty minutes before I meet Kiel. I fixed my things and went to the bathroom. I retouch my make-up and comb my hair.

"Done." I kissed them before I left, I blow a kiss in the air. I was walking along the pathway when I saw Dad talking to my mom. I look at me I can't come close to them. I need to see Kiel. I rushed and went to the parking lot. Drove the way to the restaurant.

"Shit!"

After parking my car in front of the restaurant, I walked fast and went inside the restaurant.

"Good morning, ma'am. May I get your name for the table reservation?"

"Aria Lopez, I reserve a table for two."

"This way, Ms. Aria." She held me at my table and made me sit in the chair. A few minutes later, I saw Kiel waving at me.

"Hey, what's this meeting about?" He sits in front of me.

"This is about KX and Dad."

"What about KX? I thought you didn't have any news about him."

"I lied; we usually talk every year when he gets home here in Korea. But that's not what I want to tell you. Kiel's dad knows who Dalle is. He wants to get Dalle to his mother and be his guardian. I don't want that to happen." His eyes are slowly wide open in shock.

"How did he want to get Dalle? And why he will get Dalle from his mom."

"Don't you see how similar his face is to KX's or yours? Kiel, it's not just a kid or child of Odette's secretary; he's part of our family. Dalle was our nephew in KX. KX's son, whom he will not see anymore if Dad gets him. We knew Dad restricted KX's ability to get within 10 feet of him. So how could we see him if he was in our house? Kiel: Help me to make Dad understand Dalle's need to be with his mom, please."

"I'll see what I can do, but if Dad doesn't want to cancel his plan, I have a backup plan for that. I hope it's okay."

"Thank you for listening to me. I hope this helps KX and Dalle. I will do what I also can do. I'll message you when I get news from KX about his coming home this year."

"So you mean he's not here yet?"

"Nope, because if he's already here, I'm the first person he always calls."

"When I dropped off Dalle and Trisha at their house last night, there was a person behind the light pose looking at their house. So I thought he was already here when you said he was coming home here in Korea every year."

"Nope, he's not. If a person is looking at their house, I think we should give them security for their safety, especially Dalle."

"Don't worry, I will ask Ivan if he can look for a security guard for them. So let's order?"

"Sure." Kiel raised his hand to call the waiter's attention. When the waiter saw him, he came to our table and gave us a menu.

"Roast veal sweetbread and caramelized apple tarte tatin for one; how about you, Kiel?"

"Raspberry souffle and ravioli, that's all. Thank you." The waiter repeated our order as we nodded at him, and he left us alone at the table.

"So how are things going on with you and Odette?"

"I'm trying to fix everything. You know what maybe KX was right before when they fought with Dad?"

"For his company's sake, all of us will be in an arranged marriage. That's why he was against what Dad wanted for us, and he left us. Maybe, that's the main reason why he didn't want to marry Sofia, the girl that his dad wanted to marry for him."

"Yeah, I remember what her parents said to Dad. If he didn't show up on their date three times and let her wait for almost three hours, then he would say there was an emergency. That's the reason why Dad blew up in the madness that night."

"That's the reason why you date my best friend when you hear about the arranged marriage you will have with her. Just to make Dad feel like his only son will always choose to follow him. But are you sure you've been happy following him all your life? You're just following him. Even when he asked you to become his idol, did you know he decided to transfer everything to you? Even the company after your wedding with Odette."

"I know it was Dad's plan, even way back when KX was still with us. He always puts that topic out there, even if his friends didn't come up with it. He will suddenly put that topic out of nowhere."

"Because he was proud of you, his only son was following everything he said. You followed his footstep even though you didn't notice. Soon you didn't know that slowly you would be like him by just following him. Choose your path, not your dad's. You're different from him, okay, Kiel?"

"I'll keep that in mind."

The waiter came back with the food cart.

"Here's your raspberry souffle and ravioli, together with roast veal sweetbread and caramelized apple tarte tatin." He put on the table our order. While eating, I saw in the corner of the restaurant on Kiel's left side a person taking photos of us.

"I think there are paparazzi following you. Don't look around. Let's eat fast, then we will separate, okay?" He just nodded, finishing his dessert.

After finishing our food without talking to each other, we separate ways when we leave the Ello Restaurant. I got in my car and drove to Odette's office.

I don't know if Trisha will accept my offer, but that's the only plan I have in mind.

When I arrived at Odette's company, I immediately went to her office. I saw Odette playing with Dalle while Trisha was not in the office.

"Hi, Oddyyyy! I miss you." She rolled her eyes when she saw me.

"What are you doing here?"

"I came here for my Dalle and Trisha."

"Oh, what's this about?" I held her arm, pulled her up, and distanced ourselves from Dalle.

"This is for Dalle and Trisha's safety. Since I saw her in your office, I know who she is. She was my stepbrother's girlfriend before."

"Wait, so it means you know where your stepbrother is? Are you giving them to her?"

"Nope; on the other hand, I will hide them from Dad. Dad wanted to have full custody of Dalle when he found out she was just a secretary. He will do anything to have him. So if you don't mind, I need to hide them at any cost."

"But how can you do that? What if he found them first before you got Trisha's approval to come with you?"

"That's why you are in my plan. Let her leave your side in the meantime. While we are still thinking about our next step."

"Next step with whom?"

"With Kiel."

"Daddy Kiel?" We both turn our heads, seeing Dalle standing behind us while Trisha just gets in.

"Mommy, Mommy Odette, and Auntie Aria know Daddy Kiel too."

"Of course, they know him; Daddy Kiel was Mommy Odette's boyfriend." "Did you remember now?"

"Oh." He ran and played around the office.

"We need to talk, Trisha."

"Sure, what's this about, Ms. Aria?"

"I know who Dalle's father is." She was shocked, looking at me.

"How did you...?"

"This is my stepbrother, Kent Xavier Lopes, whom you know as KX, right?"

"Please, we will leave if you want." I held Trisha's shoulder.

"No, that's not what I want. Come with me; we will hide you from our father. He wants to get full custody of Dalle, and we didn't want that to happen, so please come and listen to me."

"If Dalle should be with your father, why won't you give him?"

"He will not be in good hands, I assure you, Trisha."

"If I were you, I'd give my grandson to me."

"Dad?"