Later that evening, Sebastian sat at the grand keyboard in the sitting room, letting his fingers glide across the keys as the music calmed him. He had managed to soothe Liza and take her home himself.
"Daddy," Janelle called, walking toward him.
"Janelle… Liza was very angry about what you said," he began, concern etched in his voice.
"I know, Dad," she replied softly, sadness shadowing her expression.
"You have to apologize," he said firmly.
"No way!" she almost shouted, making Sebastian raise an eyebrow in surprise.
"You have to! I love Liza and I'm getting married to her," he explained.
"Okay, Dad… but what about my mom? Where is she? What happened to her?" Janelle asked, sitting beside him, worried in her small eyes.
Sebastian's gaze fell. "I don't know, Janelle… your mom is nowhere to be found. She left you at my doorstep when you were very little. That's all you should know for now."
Janelle sighed, the question weighing heavily on her heart. "But… Why? Didn't she want me?"
Sebastian's chest tightened at the sadness in her voice. "Of course she does. I know your mom loves you very much. It's just… I don't know why I can't find her. Sometimes… I feel…"
"Feel what, Dad?" Janelle asked, curiosity and concern mingling in her voice.
He swallowed hard, stopping himself from voicing the painful thought that Claire might be gone forever. He couldn't bear to shatter Janelle with that fear.
"Sometimes… I just wish I knew where she was," he said softly, keeping the worry contained, masking the heaviness in his chest.
*
Claire had gone to work, leaving Joe at home with Maja. The morning was quiet, almost too quiet, and Maja fidgeted on the sofa, her boredom showing clearly.
"Staying home all day is so boring," Maja complained, her little brow furrowed. "I just wish this holiday would be over so I could go back to school and see my friends."
Joe chuckled softly. "So… you don't like staying with Grandpa?" he asked, a teasing tone in his voice.
"Of course I do!" Maja exclaimed, her face lighting up. "And you just reminded me of something… your stories! I love your stories, Grandpa!"
Joe smiled, amused. "Is that so? Well… anything for Maja," he said, his eyes twinkling.
Maja clapped her hands happily and grinned. "Okay, Grandpa," she teased, making Joe laugh along with her.
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she waited. "Can you tell me one more story today?" she pouted, leaning forward eagerly.
"Alright, alright," Joe said with a warm smile, settling comfortably in his chair. "But first…"
Before he could continue, a sudden knock echoed from the door. Maja froze, her curiosity piqued and glanced at her grandfather.
"Are we expecting any visitors?" she asked, her voice small and cautious.
"I don't think so," Joe replied, frowning slightly in surprise.
Maja's excitement quickly overtook her caution. She hopped off the sofa and tiptoed toward the door.
"I'll just check to see who it is," she said.
Her small hand gripped the doorknob, and as she swung the door open, her eyes went wide. Her mouth fell open in shock.
"Is this… for real?" she whispered under her breath, frozen in disbelief.
Standing there… was someone she never thought she'd see again
Adrian! Maja exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise as she saw him standing at the door, a woman by his side, probably his nanny.
"A... Adrian how did you get here?" she asked, completely astonished.
"My nanny brought me," he said, grinning. "Don't be scared. I told Dad my nanny would take me shopping."
"Is that… Adrian?" Joe asked as he watched the boy walk in.
"Yes, Grandpa! I'm here to see Maja," Adrian said cheerfully.
"But…"
"You don't have to worry," he interrupted gently.
"So, what about?" Maja asked, curiosity mixing with caution.
"She's at home. Will you mind if my nanny takes us to the park?" he asked, glancing at Joe for approval.
"What! What do you mean?" Joe asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, sir. If you don't mind, Adrian really wants this," his nanny spoke up politely.
"Please, Grandpa! We'll be back before Mom arrives! Please…" Maja pleaded, her eyes pleading with hope.
"Please, Grandpa, just this once," Adrian added, his smile earnest.
Joe sighed, finally giving in. "Okay, just this once. Maja, please make sure they are safe," he said to the nanny, who nodded with a warm smile.
"Thank you, Grandpa!" Maja smiled, jumping into his arms and kissing his forehead. "You're just the best, Grandpa! I'll just change into something nice!" With that, she rushed to her room.
"Thank you, Grandpa," Adrian said politely, smiling at Joe.
Adrian and Maja arrived at the park, and Maja's eyes widened in amazement. It had been a long time since she had been anywhere like this. The last time had been on her birthday, when her mother had taken her out.
"You're so lucky, Adrain," she whispered, her voice full of awe.
"Lucky?" he asked, puzzled.
"Yeah, you have the life everyone dreams of," she said.
"Are you not happy with the life you have?" he asked, curious, looking at her.
"Of course I am," she replied with a gentle smile. "Having Grandpa, Mom, and an amazing friend like you… it's more than enough." She reached out and held his hand.
"Here," Adrain's nanny said, handing them each an ice cream. "I got this for you."
"Thanks," Maja muttered shyly.
"Thanks, Nanny!" Adrain said, grinning as he took his ice cream.
Maja hesitated for a moment, then asked, "But… Why does your sister hate me?"
Adrian paused, busy enjoying his ice cream. "Jordan doesn't hate you. She's… just like my dad, and I guess I took after my mom. She's just jealous."
"Jealous? That's crazy! I mean… you're rich, Adrian. Why would she be jealous of a poor girl like me?"
"Yeah… she's jealous. But don't worry, with time, Jordan will change. Just don't mind her, okay?"
"Okay," Maja nodded, a small smile returning to her face.
The rest of the day was filled with laughter and fun. They ran, played, and enjoyed the warmth of the afternoon sun. When the evening came, Adrain's nanny took Maja home as promised.
"Today was amazing, thank you, Adrain!" she said, holding the box of chocolates the nanny had given them.
"Thank you, and I hope to see you again soon," Adrian replied, smiling.
Maja walked back toward the house, her mind still buzzing with excitement, until she froze. Standing at the door was someone she hadn't expected to see.
"Where the heck have you been?" Claire's sharp voice cut through the air.
"Mom…" Maja said slowly, lowering her head, knowing she had been caught.
"Where the heck are you coming from?" Claire repeated, her tone harsher this time. The box of chocolates slipped from Maja's hands and fell to the floor.
"And who got you this?" Claire demanded, her eyes narrowing.
"Answer me!" Claire snapped, stepping forward, her eyes blazing.
"Maja swallowed hard, her heart beginning to pound.
"I… I was just..."
"Who gave it to you?" Claire cut in sharply, her eyes narrowing as she stepped even closer.
Maja took a step back.
Fear creeping in.
But before she could finish, Claire bent down, picked up the box, and stared at it.
Her expression changed completely...