12
Mr Gordon tightens his grip on the window as memories of his dead wife flash through his mind. He bows his head in sorrow and tears pour down his gemstone-green eyes.
He sighs loudly as balls of sweat emerge from his forehead.
“I never wish for any of these.” He mumbles to himself. He strides to the study room that is located in his room, closes the door behind him and falls to his knees.
“I’m sorry Archie.” he cries bitterly as he couldn’t help but wonder what he must be feeling at the moment.
“I hope you don’t forgive me for everything I’ve done to you.” he groans and stands up to his feet.
He walks to the mini cabinet in the study room and brings out the album that contains his dead wife’s pictures.
“Selena!” He mumbles and cares the first picture with his thumb.
It was the picture they both took together in their final year in high school.
It was the day he confessed his feelings to his best friend, right on the school balcony. Selena was his childhood friend and they’d been having feelings for each right from their junior year, they later let their feelings out on one bright afternoon in their last year at senior year.
That day, they were coming back from the garden where he had taken her to confess his feelings for her. His happiness knew no bounds when she told him she felt the same way.
He put his friendship on the line to propose to her and she never disappointed him.
‘Let’s take a selfie and show it to our kids in future.’ he could recall what Selena had said to him, that day, right in the garden.
“I’m sorry that things turn out this way.” Mr Gordon smiles bitterly as he dries his tears off the picture.
“I hope you never forgive me, Selena.” He says and closes the album. He drops it back inside the cabinet and closes it back.
“I know it will be selfish of me if I should care for Archie, I don’t deserve his love.” He mumbles and walks out of the study room.
He walks to the balcony and stares at the view of the city from up there and he smiles sadly.
“I don’t know how you’re doing and I’m here smiling without you by my side, I’m so selfish, right?” he sighs and turns to walk away from the balcony but quickly moves his gaze to the side of the compound.
There sat Melanie and Archie sat by the waterfall with their feet in the water.
He slams his hands on the rail “What the hell does it think he’s doing by messing around in my spot?” Mr Gordon fumed and hike angrily out of his room.This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.
Back to Earlier❔
Archie bumps into Melanie, who stood dead on her track with her mouth open.
“Did you hear that? He’s not my father, and I’ve been waiting for the wrong twist.” Archie cries and throws himself at Melanie.
Melanie moves her hand to his back and stroke it lightly not knowing when she started crying.
“Hey, stop crying,” Melanie whispers to his ear and rubs his back gently.
“He didn’t mean all that he said, he’s only mad at you, you should know better.” Melanie smiles cutely, sniffing in her tears.
“Let me take you to the place I found amazing in this mansion, shall we?” Melanie smiles, releasing Archie from the hug and he nodes slowly.
“Let go!” he sniffs.
Melanie take his hand and lead him towards the stairs. They both descend the stairs and walk out of the living room, through the exit.
Getting outside, the cold night hits their skins and Melanie squeezes his palm with her hand.
“Have you ever stayed up late outside here before?” Melanie raises a question and Archie shakes his head negatively.
“Nope! I was always stuck in my room. Either drawing or doing my homework.” he mumbles and she smirked.
“You’re not fun at all. You’re acting all nerdy but it doesn’t suit your look.” she twists her lips to one side and Archie scoffs at her remark.
“How do I look?” he asks and Melanie shrugs her shoulder.
“You don’t look your age. Also, you act like an adult when you’re just a kid.” Melanie said losing her grip on his hand and he slip his hand off her palm.
“Is that supposed to be a compliment?” Archie glared hard at her, Melanie didn’t notice his glare because she was not looking in his face.
“Here we are!” Melanie stops in front of the waterfall and Archie takes a few steps back in stock.
“I shouldn’t be here.” He mumbles, leaving Melanie to wonder what is wrong with him.
“You okay?” she asks.
Archie runs his hand through his hair “Yes, I’m absolutely fine, but father… The owner shouldn’t meet me here.” he stutters and Melanie sits down on the floor and pulls him to sit beside her.
“Mr Gordon must have retired to bed already there’s no way he can know that we’re here unless he checks the footage which I bet he’s too busy to do,” Melanie says with a smile.
Archie found assurance in her tone and he sits down quietly beside her.
She dip her foot in the water and started moving her legs up and down at a high speed which result in the water splashing over her body.
Archie watches her giggle happily as she continues her play.
“Can you teach me how to be happy?” Archie found himself blurting out what he’s been wanting to ask ever since she stepped foot in the mansion.
His question catches Melanie unaware which makes her stop abruptly. She glance at Archie and couldn’t help but wonder how he has been feeling since he was a child.
“Happiness is free. It is not something that can be taught but can only be felt. You can feel happy for people the same thing goes for sadness.” Melanie sighs looking up at the sky.
Archie chuckles, he places his hands on the floor, supporting his body with them.
“Then why can’t I feel happy?” He asks with his eyebrows raised.
Melanie smiles, understanding where he’s heading with his question.
“It’s simply because you never allow yourself to be happy and you’re not ready to submit to happiness.” Melanie pouted and Archie bow his head tiredly.
“Let’s not talk about this anymore. Let’s talk about talents, shall we?” Archie changes the topic with an eye roll.
“I saw that.” Melanie nudges his shoulder and they both laugh heartily.
‘I’m glad he’s laughing already.’
Melanie thought and smile at him unconsciously.
“Well, I can sing perfectly.” Melanie smiles and Archie scoffs.
“I can never agree with you to sing with that voice. Your singing will hurt my ears.” Archie rolled his eyes and Melanie scoffs at him.
“How ridiculous you can be?” Melanie glare hard at him.
“Whatever! Let’s hear your song, Michael Jackson in woman form.” Archie teased, earning a glare from Melanie.
“I bet you only know him through history.” Melanie scoff. She lifts her right hand to his head brushing his brown hair backwards.
“Know who? Who’s that?” He asks, not getting her point.
Melanie grinned “I’m talking about Michael Jackson, you kid!” she says.
Archie slaps her hand off his hair in annoyance.
“I’m not a kid, huh? He’s a legend I heard people speak about as I grew up.” He says, splashing the water with his foot.
Melanie smiles.
“That doesn’t change the fact that he was already dead by the time you were born.” she click her tongue at him.
“No way. He died when I was two.” He bangs his fist on the floor, and Melanie waves her hands in surrender.
“Whatever you say. But don’t forget that you’re just thirteen…”
“No, I’ll be fourteen in a few weeks.” Archie corrected, grinning from ear to ear.
Melanie laugh in a way that show only her upper teeth.
“Don’t act to big, age is just a number.” she say in a sing song manner.
“Does that makes us mate?” Archie asks and Melanie widened her eyes in shock.
“What the… I’m old enough to birth you.” Melanie scoff feigning angry.
“I know right.” Archie yawns tiredly.
‘I’m glad his mind is finally off his father’
Melanie thought and smiles.
“Don’t you feel hungry…
“What are you two doing here?” An angry voice ask behind them, interrupting Melanie from completing her speech.