Part 54

Part 54
“Beware the wolf in sheep’s clothing,” Malachi repeated Karani’s warning.

I looked at Malachi with a frown. “You think Juniper is that wolf?”

“Who else?” Malachi said, and I thought about it.

“She gave Adara a Rune necklace that apparently belonged to her mother.”

“Perhaps I’m wrong. Perhaps Juniper is trying to make amends. She was quite shocked at the truths she heard at the tribunal.” I wasn’t convinced enough not to be mad anymore.

“She still should have told me when Juniper phoned her. Why go meet her behind my back?” I said finally, and got up again. I held my hand out to Malachi and pulled him up.

“That you will have to ask her.” Malachi landed three shots to my rib cage before I could blink. I grunted and held my hands up.

“Enough for today. You’ll break me!” I said to him, and he laughed. Our time was up anyway and I went to find Christian.

“See you at home?” I asked him.

“Ten minutes.” Malachi said to me, and I left the gym.

I found Christian sitting in the foyer eating ice-cream. “Really, Edward?”

“He asked so nicely, Mr. Sinclair,” Edward said to me.

I waited until Christian had finished and he thanked Edward with a hug. I got him into his seat and I drove home. I tried to get over my anger at what I felt was a betrayal from Adara but the closer we got to the house the harder it was for me.

I was still angry as we walked inside the house and I went straight upstairs. I drew a bath for Christian and then went to shower. After I showered and got dressed, I got Christian out of the bathtub and dressed him in pajamas.

I heard Malachi and Adara talking downstairs. I stopped in the hallway to listen but pretended to wait for Christian.

“He’s angry for a reason, Adara,” Malachi said. “He feels you lied. By withholding it from him, he feels betrayed.”

“Maybe you’re right.” Adara spoke. “He doesn’t have to know every single thing I do.”

I heard the defiance in her voice and I smiled. Defiant Adara, what to do with her? Christian came out of his room with his stuffed dinosaur and we went downstairs.

We ate dinner in relative silence. Christian was the only one not bothered and talked non-stop. The day after tomorrow was career day and they had to dress accordingly. He was talking about everything he wanted to be.

“Have you decided how you’re going to dress for career day?” Malachi asked him, as he tried to ignore the tension in the dining area.

“I’m going to wear jeans and a jacket. Will you buy me boots?” he asked Malachi.

“What kind of boots?”

“Like Kiran’s boots! I’m going as Kiran,” Christian said, and I laughed at him.

“You can’t go as me, Christian. You have to think of something like a doctor or a lawyer or maybe a fireman.” Christian’s face fell as I spoke.

“But I want to be you when I grow up,” he said to me with a sad voice.

“Maybe we can get you a little suit and you can go as a hotel owner?” I suggested, and he smiled.

“Then I can still go as you!” he exclaimed, and I nodded. Malachi smiled knowingly. I looked at Adara as she sat at the other end of the table with her head down. I felt guilty for shouting at her.

“Come on, Christian, you can help me with the dishes tonight,” I said to him, and started clearing the table.

Adara didn’t look at me as she walked into the scullery with the other dishes from the kitchen. “It’s okay. I’ll do it.”

I turned around and took her in my arms. She looked up at me. “I’m angry because I love you. I don’t trust her and neither should you.” I kissed her on her forehead and took the dishes from her and opened the tap.

“After she gave me the necklace, she told me to leave through the back door.” I frowned and turned back to Adara because that made no sense.

“Why would she say that?”

“I saw her in the parking lot with a man,” she said to me. I frowned again.

“What man?” I asked her.

“He reminded me of Adrian Peters…” Adara dropped another bomb. I lost it. I slammed my fist down on the counter and the plates rattled.

“You know we’re looking for him! Why wouldn’t you call me?” I was yelling at her. My anger had reached new levels. Her eyes were wide with fear and filled with tears.

“I can’t believe you, Adara!” I was frustrated with her silence.

She just looked at me and left the kitchen without a word. I did the dishes alone, Christian had abandoned me to watch television with Malachi. I switched the kitchen lights off and didn’t find them in the living room. I went upstairs and Malachi softly closed Christian’s door. He must have fallen asleep on the couch.

“Night, Dad,” I said to Malachi. I knew that Malachi had heard every word of our fight downstairs.

“Good night, Son. Don’t be too hard on her.” Malachi patted me on the back.

“This is different, Dad. It’s Adrian Peters!” He nodded his head and went into his room and I opened our door. She was sitting on the bed. I got into bed and turned my back on her. I switched off the lamp beside me.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

I didn’t answer her and it was the first time that we had gone to bed not holding each other. It wasn’t a pleasant way to fall asleep, but eventually I did; although I woke up a few times, and eventually just gave up on the idea of sleep. I couldn’t understand how she could have done what she did. I was angrier now than the night before.