Chapter 53: Another One

Adani's POV

"We have to find out who she by ourselves since Tim wouldn't tell us shit afterwards," I told Adonna as we left Tim's office and walked back towards the parking lot.

"I can't believe that man. How can someone so recreant be our father?" Adonna asked. We sat down in the car with a huff.
Smoke caught our expression.

"Why the faces, do I have to stomp on anyone?" he questioned while looking at us from the rearview mirror.

"No," I answered.

"Yes," Adonna answered also and looked at me, "Adani, we can get him to let Tim talk to us about this other sister in question."

"Adonna, I don't think that's a good idea."

"Don't mind me saying, but uh, I think I know what you're talking about," Smoke chimed in again.

"You do?" Adonna and I asked at the same time.

"When you're a bodyguard as long as I've been one, you hear things, see things and know things. There were doubts about Rockett being the daughter to the late Mr. Parriston," he revealed.

"You've got to be joking," Adonna said. I was too stupefy to speak until the car ride home.

~
The bombshell news was weighing on my mind. It was too close for comfort and instead of seeking consolation in my fiancé, I found perturbation.

"Adani, it's been three days and you're still giving me the cold shoulder. Did I do something wrong or is there something you want to talk to me about?" Ricardo asked as he walked into the bedroom and found me staring out the glass window.

"I don't know how I can talk about this," I mentioned.

"You can tell or ask me anything. Please talk to me," he said and moved to sit next to me but I scoot away.

"Adani, if there is something troubling you, talk to me about it please so I can fix it."

"It's.. Ricardo, have your parents, your father, ever ask your mom for a DNA test, are you really your father's son?" I asked. I've been meaning to ask this question since the day I heard about Rockett.

"Is that a serious question?" he asked back in an offended tone.

"I'm sorry, I meant no disrespect. It's just that I heard something.."

"What did you hear?"

"About your sister."

"What about my sister?"

"She might not be your father's daughter. She might be Tim's daughter. Your mother and my father were having an affair before your mom even had children."

"Oh, I see."

"I'm more concern about you. If there's that possibility Rockett can be Tim's, you can also be his son which would make us brother and sister!"

"Okay, just stop. That's crazy."

"No, it's not. Tim told Adonna and me that we have another sister."

Ricardo went silent for a few seconds until he gathered himself again and retrieve his cellphone from his front pants pocket.

"Who are you calling?" I asked.

"My mother."

~

The next morning, Mrs. Parriston arrived with Tim at her side.

"I want to make it absolutely clear to you and everyone else who may have doubt. Rockett isn't Tim's daughter," Mrs. Parriston announced, "And I don't appreciate you telling people that she is," she finished while looking at him.

"Corrine, let's not pretend that it's not a possibility," Tim said.

"It is not! I had a DNA issued! You saw the result!" Mrs. Parriston said back.

"You could have falsified those documents. Nothing is above you."

"What reason would I have to do so?"

"You wanted your husband to raise her as his own, as a Parriston and to include her in his fortunes," Tim bickered.

"You're insane. Had she been yours don't you think she would have at least some of your features, she looks nothing like you. She's not a biracial child!"

"Or really, because I can recall you toning her skin and straightening her hair every week, Corrine."

"Not another word from you, Tim Crane!"

"Yeah, and that's another thing. Why didn't you accept my surname, huh?"

"Corrine Crane, are you kidding me, do you know how stupid and powerless that name sounds?" Mrs. Parriston answered with a scoff.

Tim's feelings were hurt. He shook his head at his wife, threw up his hands in defeat then sat down.

"Is there anyway that Ricardo can be.." I started to ask but Mrs. Parriston cut me off.

"Don't start with that. Rumors are faster than wildfire and these walls have ears. Ricardo and Rockett are my husband's children. My late husband's children. End of discussion!"

"Mrs. Parriston, with all due respect, you do realize that your son and I are in a relationship," I said.

"Yes, and?"

"Timothy is my father. He met you before you had children, so there's a possibility Rockett and even Ricardo can be his. We need to be sure before things can go any further."

"Oh, I should issue a DNA test so you can have a peace of mind while having sex with my son, right?" Mrs. Parriston spat her usual venom.

"That's not the point, Mother," Ricardo intervened.

"Can't you see this is all too close for comfort?" I questioned.

"I'm open for a DNA test. For both Ricardo and Rockett," Tim said.

"Like hell you are!" Mrs. Parriston yelled.

"That's enough. If my fianceé wants a peace of mind, she'll have that. Tim and I will get tested. It's not my place to say anything to Rockett about this," Ricardo said. He looked at his watch before excusing himself and making a phone call.

Tim excused himself shortly after also so I was left alone with a displeased looking Mrs. Parriston.

"I see my son is treating you well," she started up.

"Yes, and vice versa."

"Uh-huh. What would be your plans to stop him from his usual divigation?" she asked.

"Nothing at all. He's in love with me. I trust he wouldn't."

"Little girl, you have so much to learn when it comes to my son."

"I know you don't like me, Mrs. Parriston. You don't want to see I walk down the aisle to your son so you can stop pretending around me. You accepted me before you don't want to lose your son."

"You had great satisfaction the day he proposed and he addressed his boundaries. You think he chose you over Penelope and his own mother, didn't you?"

"I don't think, I know. I saw and I heard, I was there. I stood right next to him, with his ring on my finger, one I didn't forcefully ask for or cornered him for."

"Ohh. Look at you, Adani. Tell me something, has he invited you to The Bedroom as yet?"

"Yes. We sleep in the same bed."

"Silly Adani, not that kind of bedroom. It's an event.

"What event is called The Bedroom?"

"One where its members can do anything with anyone."

"Are you talking about.. a sex-cult?"

"Yes."

"Ew. No. And why would Ricardo even be apart of such activities?"

"He's not apart of it."

"Okay, then why are you even mentioning this to me?"

"He owns it."