Chapter 9 - The Past

"Are you sure you wanted to do this, Lana?"

"Well, I'm really determined to make my sister happy; wasn't it obvious enough?"

"Yes… but..."

"It's okay, I'm pretty confidence in this one. So, don't get yourself worry too much Nick." Lana give Nick a wink as their car was about to approach Erica's resident.

"Sister; I'm back!" Lana run through the front door and rushes to Erica that was sitting in their couch; been taken by surprise.

"And where have you been?" Erica's question her literally panic till Nick bug in.

"We were just finishes with your reservation for the cruise."

"Cruise?" the woman raise her eyebrow.

"Business cruise… the one you're supposed to attend by next week."

"Ah, yes! That's what we're doing!" Lana finally has the guts to spoke as she sits still besides her.

"O…kay, I do understand if it was you; Nick. But, what does Lana have to do with all these?"

"Well, I was just wondering what it was like to be working like Nick, here. That's why I decides to tag along with him."

"And? What do you think about his job?"

"It's not that exciting yet, not boring… just a so-so."

"Really?"

"Nah! It's bored and tiring at the same time; we were supposed to keep our straight face all the time even when we're tired. I wonder how he could manage to do all and kept his sane at the same time!" Lana finally gets all of her thoughts out as she sighs.

"Now you know why I need a raise?" Nick sneers at Lana as takes a sit opposite them; Erica smile at the scene.

"What about the cruise? Are all of the preparations being complete already?" Erica suddenly turns on her work-mode as Nick handed her some files about their next project.

"Yes, of course and just for your info, both the Qin's share holder and the-soon-to-be partner will be attending the cruise as well."

"Qin's? Are you sure about this info?"

"Yes."

"By means, my uncle will be attending as well… and I've been trying to avoid him for all of these years."

"Do you want me to cancel it, then?"

"No… I think we don't need to do that since it's going to be a month cruise. I'm sure he won't going to be staying there for the whole month and will eventually leave right after the deal was made."

"Are you sure about this, Erica? You do remember the last time you bump into him, right?"

"Yeah… but I can't just let this opportunity to slips out of our hands; this is one of our chances to help grandpa rebuild his legacy in hotel management since uncle took away almost everything from us. I'll just have to avoid being bump into him when he is on board." Erica tried to put up a smile as Nick was still looking worried for her.

Since she ever knew; her biological Grandfather; Victor Robert Qin was the only successor of the Qin family legacy that was a business based on hotel managements and restaurants branches from around the country. She was the only legal heir according to the law as she's the only blood-related heir after the death of her parents.

But at the same time, her uncle; that was her father's cousin from an adoptive son have a better idea. He wanted to take over of the whole legacy on his own. He has been trying to get to Erica since she moved into her grandfather's house; but her grandfather never let him touch her nor even met her.

That was one of the reasons why her grandfather agrees on announcing her title as his adoptive granddaughter rather than his biological heir; and even took in Nick for that propose.

10 years ago;

"Here she is, Mr. Qin. The girl I was talking about in the phone earlier." Mr. Oliver, the orphanage director leads young Erica to meet her grandfather for the first time of her life. The young lady just peeks curiously behind the well-build director as he introduces her.

"Erica!"

"Eeek!" The elderly man suddenly rushes to the clueless Erica and gives her a hug.

They both decided to sit and talk afterwards as the directors makes the procedure for Erica to be taken out from the orphanage.

"Erica Phoebe Qin?" The calm yet manly voice of the elderly in front of her startled her for a while. A warm smile embraces his wrinkly face, she just nods in return.

"Why don't you ask my name before hugging me earlier?"

"I was really confident in what I see; sorry for my sudden approach by the way."

"What you… see?"

"I saw my son's reflection in you." Silence. Erica was eagerly wanted to know more about the so-called father this 'grandpa' was talking about.

"So... you're supposed to be my grandfather?" Victor just smile as holding her hands; he was thrill with the meeting and couldn't help but keep smiling.

"Yup… didn't we resemble each other?"

"I doubt that, for now. Since I'm not sure about your true intentions on doing this yet."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Are you really sure I'm the one you're looking for; what if I was just a fake 'Erica' who wants to take over your properties by disguising to be your heir?"

"Are you?"

"Nah… Too much trouble for me; but, what if? You can't trust just anybody, you know?" Erica just lean on her chair as stares at the old man in front her.

"But you're not just anyone, Erica." Mr. Qin still sense some doubt in her eyes.

"If you don't mind, we can do a DNA test; just to stop your doubt."

"DNA… test? Then, what if it was a negative? Will I have to stay here again?"

"Why? Don't you like it here?"

"No… that's not the point. It's just…"

"Hahah! Don't worry… even if you're not my real granddaughter, I'll still take you in as my own. I always wanted grandchildren before."

"Then, why don't you take the both of us?"

"The both of us?"

"For how long are you planning to keep spying on us?" Erica stand from there and walks slightly towards the door before pulling out a teenager boy from behind it; the boy keeps his head down as hesitates to spoke. The old man got stunned for a while before came to relax after that.

"Nick?"

"I'm sorry Erica… I was anxious when Mr. Oliver said someone wants to adopt you. I was worried that we might not going to see each other again." The boy still hangs his head down as he spoke.

"Geez… didn't I've told you before; that I won't be going anywhere without discussing anything with you first?" Erica looks annoyed as she trying to console her crying friend.

"If I say I'll take in the both of you, will you agree on that?" Both of the teenagers were stunned by Mr. Qin's request.

"Are you sure about this? I mean… we're completely strangers."

"…who's about to become a family, now; right?" The elderly smiles again as holding Erica's hands in his. His words does get to her in some way; making the girl just sit silently without any questions until they arrive at Qin's resident.

"From now on, Erica Phoebe Qin and Nick Garner will officially in Qin's family; and will live in this house with me as my grandchildren." Mr. Victor held both Nick and Erica's hands with a smile before introducing them to the workers in the house party. The Qin's President held a welcoming party to

"But… why you have to be the adoptive grandchild too? I do understand if he says, he's going to adopt me… but you?" Nick voice was slow as if he was whispering behind their grandfather.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Didn't you guys get your DNA test done already; a few days after we arrive here? Why do you still have to hold the title 'adoptive'?"

"You won't understand it, Nick. Just shut for now; I'll explain to you later." Her best friend just nods obediently and didn't utter a word about it after that; until a man suddenly approached him.

"So, you're Nick Garner? One of uncle's new grandchildren?" Samuel Qin; Mr. Victor's only nephew approaches Nick in a sudden.

"Ah… yes, I'm Nick… nice to meet you, Mr…"

"Samuel Qin. I'm Mr. Victor's only nephew."

"Ah, sorry Mr. Qin. I didn't know."

"Hahaha… drop the casualties, just call me Uncle Sam instead. We're families after all."