Chapter Five

Niall Clutches on the stealing wheel as nervousness takes over him. It has been a couple of years since he last stepped foot at the only place that reminds him of any good life once offered, but most importantly reminds him of the only definition of love that he knows, his mother.

After years of hard work to earn the privilege to step foot in this land again makes his excitement heightens, but deep down he knows this feeling is illusory to the reality in the depth of his heart.

looking at the beautiful house before his eyes as the car drives through the white metal gates, the memories of them growing up and playing around the yard with their mom makes him smile, and sadness shroud his heart.

Closing his eyes for a moment is the only thing Niall can do to recollect his emotions before wearing an exceptional smile on his face for the audience, he gets off the car grabbing a box and a gift bag he carried along. Walking towards the door Niall takes a long breath then finally rings the doorbell.

In less than a minute the door swings open and a pristine maid opens as she smiles at Niall sweetly "Mr. Niall, come on in..." she greeted him while trying to help out with the gift bag " Oh so you already know who I am?" Niall is surprised to see she knows who he is, " Of course, Mr Miles gave me heads up of your arrival" she softly replied.

Based on how excited he was he wanted to make sure he took in the present himself. " It's okay, I will handle it," He told her and headed inside. " Is father in?" he asked her nervously as soon as he placed the box on the kitchen counter.

" Yes, Mr. Martin is in the backyard with Mr. Miles playing some golf" she kindly told him. " Oh great... that's even better," he told her excitedly though it was his first time meeting this maid he feels comfortable around her for her very kind gestures. "Did Miles by any chance surprise him yet?" Niall curiously asked.

She just looked at him sort of perplexed by his question, that's when it hits him. Niall stretches out his hand to her for a handshake " Oh where are my manner, and you are?" he asked the maid.

"Oh sir you don't have to... but if you insist, my name is Amanda" she shook his hand with a big smile " but what were you referring to... I am not familiar with so many people yet and my way around" she explained herself.

Niall opened the box and gestured Amanda to take a look, she gasped and smiled " Oh I had no idea Sir, Mr. Miles did not mention anything. Is that why you are here today?" she whisperers as though, on a secret mission, Niall just nods and smiles at her.

" Okay, then you know what to do right?" he asked and she nodded understanding what Niall was referring to, he would never forget his father's birthday no matter what. He and Miles are all he has.

Making his way to the backyard, Niall looks out to a distance and spots them playing golf, the guards look confused but couldn't react when he ignored their perplexed expressions, they know him and the fact that he is not supposed to be seen with Miles at the same place and same time.

Niall take careful steps towards where his father and Miles are, they notice his presence. " Niall, what are you doing here" Martin questions him with an incensed expression. " Hi Dad," he forcibly hugs him but Martin barely hugs back, Miles notices his disappointed face.

" Hey man, I am glad you made it. I was about to tell dad about you coming here," Miles explained very awkwardly but Niall understood that he didn't tell Martin avoiding his direct rejection.

" Tell me?... I know Miles you might care about this special day but you didn't have to bring Niall over" Martin explained not even taking a look at Niall, but Miles was confused about what his father was referring to " Oh!... yeah... today is a special day Dad, so I thought us celebrating with Niall is very important after all he is the one-" Miles was cut off by Amanda who came to announce to them that lunch is ready.

At the table, the atmosphere was pretty dull since no one wanted to ruin a minute of it, but seems like Martin cared less and just had to ruin the rare moment. " I hope you keep in mind that you should not be seen out here unless necessary" he didn't mention either of his sons but Niall understood that he is the only one his father can not stand.

Miles looks at his brother and calmly states with an emotionless face "That's not what he means Niall, he means you shouldn't walk around, especially to places where I am, knowing you have the same as mine".

" I know bu-" He tried to explain

" No buts Niall, we both know that it is not good for your brother. Especially if your past reveals itself, that will ruin him as president" Martin further explained giving him a disgusted glare.

Niall just looked at him, after his longing for family affection his hard work just comes to this? they will never have family time for the next five years or perhaps ten for as long as Miles is President? His heart chokes at the thought.

"Moved in the presidential house yet?" Martin's attention averts to Miles. "Oh! It will be soon after the presidential inauguration " he replied with a tight smile.

" I guess we will be meeting less after that" Niall chipped in with a sad tone. " Of course, we will meet, through video calls most likely... Because I know presidents have busy schedules" he laughed at what he thinks is very funny.

Niall loves his family, and though aware his past is something that broke him and kept him distant from his father, it is still hard to come to terms with the lifestyle they have as a family. One thing certain is that things would have been a little different with their mother around.

" So what do you plan to do while your brother leads the country?" Martin sarcastically questions Niall knowing perfectly well about his passion for painting.

" I will just be around painting a little more" He calmly tells him while keeping his composure intact, and they both cracked out laughing at what Niall just said.

" You know what, I don't know how you got the brains but never afforded to use them," Martin said as he lifted his glass of wine.

" Dad stop being ungrateful, without his brilliance, I wouldn't have been president... Why don't you just let him be" Miles told him but Martin glared at Niall instead.

" That is exactly what I am saying, he can not use it unless he is told to. He is just a lost cause without us" Martin bluntly replied to Miles, stabbing Niall's heart with his words.

Niall just looked at Miles and back to his father who is bullying him while on a dinner that he never got the privilege to have in the past. Niall fed up with the mockery from his father places the napkin on the table.

" I just remembered I have somewhere to be, if you will all excuse me, I'll take my leave," He announced and no one paid heed to what he just said.

The moment he turned from his seat and saw Amanda bring in the cake on a tray, Niall turned back to look at his ungrateful father " Happy 60th birthday Dad" and with those words Niall left the house, he was so looking forward to stepping foot in after nine years since he was last invited for their selfish reasons.