**CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE - MICHAEL'S POV**

"This doesn't look like the meeting room," I muttered as I stepped out of the car.

Dad was already waiting outside, leaning against the hood. I joined him, feeling the tension between us thick in the air.

"I sense a lecture coming on," I said. "We haven't exactly been close lately."

"That's because you've shut everyone out," he replied, his tone a mix of concern and frustration.

"I think I'd rather just go home," I said, starting to turn away. "I'm not in the mood for this."

"If it's to lecture me about my sister's death then I'm not interested, I might as well walk back to the streets of Scotland," I said.

"Hmmmm and I'd like to see you try," he said.

I gently sat back on the car bonnet. Realizing that I had no other choice but to stay.

Dad sighed deeply, his expression softening. "Can I tell you something, Michael?" he asked, a small smile playing on his lips.

"If it's about coping with my sister's death, I'm really not up for it," I said bitterly. "I might as well walk back to Scotland for all I care."

He regarded me quietly for a moment before speaking again. "In life, sometimes God takes away things from us, but He also gives us something better, something worth fighting for," he said gently.

His words struck a chord, and I felt a lump form in my throat. "Yeah, like He took my sister from me and left me with emptiness. That's really worth fighting for," I muttered sarcastically.

"Michael, don't be like that. Only God knows what you're going through," Dad said softly, shaking his head.

"Nothing, Dad. Just teenage things, I guess," I replied dismissively.

"Do you want to hear how I met your mother?" he asked suddenly.

"No thank you, It's probably some cliché story-books falling, eyes meeting, love at first sight, and boom, happily ever after," I said with a touch of bitterness.

"Actually, it's not quite like that," Dad chuckled. "But it's a story about taking chances and finding love unexpectedly."

I settled back against the car, suddenly curious despite myself.

"You know, I didn't come from money," Dad began. "I was a bit of a troublemaker, raised by my older siblings after our parents passed away."

"You mean Uncle Douglas and we don't talk about him?" I asked, recalling the stories.

"Yeah, him and it is just us you can say his name" Dad nodded. "But despite our rough start, I managed to get into university."

"Bruno," I managed to say.

"When you are older we'll tell you his story," he said.

He sure knew how to keep up with my mum's rules even if he wanted to break them.

"I understand," I said.

"I was rogue known as one of the baddest boys in town," he said.

"Baddest," I repeated and I snorted.

"Seriously," he said.

"I'm sorry," I immediately said.

Douglas might not be responsible at that time but he made sure that I had a university education.

"Immediately I got into the university I decided to put everything behind me all my bad behaviors, I thought I needed a fresh start," he said.

And that's where Mom comes in?" I prompted.

Dad smiled reminiscently. "Exactly. She transferred in during my second year. She was smart, beautiful and everything, I wasn't supposed to have a chance with her But fate had other plans."

He paused, lost in memories. "We were assigned to a project together. I admired her from afar, never daring to hope she'd notice me. But as we worked together, something changed. We became friends first, and I cherished every moment and I immediately knew that she was the one" he said.

"Did you ever tell her how you felt?" I asked, genuinely interested now.

Dad chuckled softly. "Not at first. I didn't want to risk our friendship. But one day, when she didn't show up at our usual spot, I knew I had to tell her."

**Flashback: AUTHOR'S POV**

"Rachael, why didn't you come today?" Deandre asked nervously, approaching Rachael at her usual table.

"You haven't told him yet, " her friend Dara whispered, shooting Rachael a worried glance.

Ignoring her friend's warning, Rachael looked up at Deandre, her eyes filled with conflicting emotions. "I... I couldn't," she finally managed.

"Why?" Deandre pressed gently, feeling his heart race with anticipation.

"I can't explain it now," she said, avoiding his gaze. "Please, just leave."

"But Rachael, I..." Deandre started, his words catching in his throat as he watched her walk away.

Days passed, and Deandre couldn't shake the thought of Rachael from his mind-her laughter, her kindness, the way her eyes lit up when she talked about her dreams.

He confided in his best friend Eric, who urged him to confront Rachael about what was bothering her. "Don't let her slip away without a fight," Eric advised.

With newfound determination, Deandre learned Rachael frequented a local café to study. He managed to secure a table there, nerves buzzing as he waited for her to arrive. He had gotten an intel that she used to read at a café nearby. He managed to get his way in through a reservation, he did spend a lot to get in but it was worth not losing her.

When Rachael finally appeared, Deandre's breath caught in his throat. She looked even more beautiful in the soft glow of the café lights as her gree eyes shine bright in the Atlantian night light.

"Rachael," he said softly, rising to greet her.

"Dre," she smiled weakly, taking a seat opposite him.

"I've missed you," Deandre admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Me too," she replied, her eyes flickering with uncertainty.

"You did? I thought you didn't like me, I ..." Deandre started, struggling to find the right words.

"Of course I did and I still do" Rachael interrupted gently. "I just couldn't explain before. My father..."

"Your father?" Deandre asked, concern creasing his brow.

She told him about her dad telling her about his past and his little secrets, he couldn't even raise his head up to her, the guilt of the past was running through his veins.

" My father he... he has plans for me," Rachael said hesitantly. "Plans I can't defy."

Deandre reached across the table, taking her hand in his. "Whatever it is, Rachael, we can face it together. I love you."

Rachael's breath caught, her gaze locking with his. "Dre, I... I love you too. But my father... he wants me to get married after my last year, she said.

He couldn't let her go, she was supposed to be his and his alone, he thought.

"Let me talk to him," Deandre interrupted, his determination shining through. "I'll do whatever it takes to be with you."

"You don't understand," Rachael whispered sadly. "My father won't approve. He has other plans..."

"I don't care," Deandre declared, squeezing her hand gently. "I want to be with you, no matter what."

" I love you and I always will," he said.

"I'll go meet your dad and explain things to him," he said.

"You wouldn't do that Dre," she said.

"I would, a million times for you," he said.

"You don't need to do that, you don't know my dad, Dre please," she pleaded.

"You or anyone won't and can't stop me," he said.

He walked her to her car where she had a standby driver standing.

Dre I just want you to know one thing, I love you, I really do, you were the only one that didn't treat me like a daughter of the richest gold miner, you didn't treat me like a princess, you treated me like you would, a normal girl and I like that about you, but I can't live my single dad unhappy, because of myself, she said, she truly was a wonderful daughter he thought.

The driver opened the car door her, but before she could enter the car the car, he drew her back

Before Rachael could respond, Deandre leaned forward, his heart pounding in his chest. Closing the distance between them, he pressed his lips to hers in a tender kiss.

When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads resting together, Deandre knew he'd found his soulmate.

"When he got home, he told Eric what had happened.

'Are you sure, man?' Eric asked him.

'I've never been this sure about anything in my life. I'll set out tomorrow,' he said.

'Just know, whatever you do, I'm always with you, man,' Eric said.

'Thanks, man,' Deandre said, giving him a big hug.

He set out the next morning for the Langdon mansion.

He requested to see Mr. Langdon. Strangely, he was granted entry without protest.

Inside Mr. Langdon's private chamber, he was shocked to find his older brother Douglas there.

'Douglas, what are you doing here?' he asked in awe.

'That is none of your f**king business, and if you know what's good for you, you'll let go of that f**king spoiled bitch,' Douglas spat.

'What do you know about her?' Dre asked.

'I know she's about to ruin our family,' Douglas replied sharply.

'You don't know her. She's the love of my life,' Dre insisted.

'I believe you're here to see me, Deandre,' Mr. Langdon interrupted, dismissing Douglas.

'Not your brother,' he continued.

'Yes, sir. I'm here for your daughter,' Dre said, his troubled heart unsure of what to do next.

'Mr. Langdon, I love your daughter, and I really want her in my life. I don't mind leaving everything for her. Do you want your daughter to live with someone she doesn't love?' he pleaded.

'Hmm, what do you have to offer?' Mr. Langdon asked.

'Anything you want,' Dre replied without hesitation.

'You wouldn't dare, Dre,' Douglas interjected.

'Don't go on with your brothers in the family business, and you'll marry my daughter after she graduates,' Mr. Langdon proposed.

Those words shattered Dre's soul. He knew Mr. Langdon was talking about their hidden Mafia business, pledged to their father to keep it for the good of Atlanta's people. But could he abandon everything for Rachel? In his heart, he knew what was right.

'I'll take Rachel,' he said, hearing his brother's heart shatter.

'How could you?' Douglas exclaimed, on the verge of tears.

'I love her,' Dre affirmed.

'You are a bastard,' Douglas seethed.

'From today onwards, you are no longer my family and not my brother,' Douglas declared, storming out.

He couldn't believe he had lost his only remaining family member. But he believed it was worth it.

Mr. Langdon kept his word, as did Douglas.

He entrusted Dre with all his gold mining sites, letting him take his place in the industry and excel. From Atlanta's wealthiest gold miner to becoming America's wealthiest Black man.

Soon after they got married, and they had their children.

**End of Flashback: MICHAEL'S POV**

All my dad's words came rushing to me, I can't believe my dad did that just because of the love he had for our mum. If he had chosen the business then I wouldn't even had been born nor my sister.

"All because of mom you took a chance," I mused aloud, caught up in the story.

"I risked everything for love," Dad confirmed, his eyes reflecting both sadness and joy. "And I've never regretted it, not for a second."

"And that's why you and Uncle Douglas..." I started, understanding dawning.

"We had our differences," Dad admitted quietly. "But family is everything, Michael. They're the ones who stand by you, no matter what."

'You left your business for Mom,' I asked rhetorically.

'Yes, and I would do it again because you guys are the best thing that have ever happened to me,' .

Dad replied, his face lighting up with a broad smile.

I couldn't muster a smile in return. Damn, what kind of son was I?

"You don't miss uncle Douglas," I asked.

My dad only nodded his head and I've never for once regretted it but I still miss Douglas, Papa said.

'Michael, the moral of the story is no matter what, family should still keep you going. Even if you lose some of them along the way, those who remain should be your guiding light,' he said.

'Dad, it's not that easy. I miss her so much,' I confessed, tears streaming down my face.

'It's okay, son. I know it's not easy,' Dad said gently, pulling me into a tight hug. Without hesitation, I hugged him back, seeking solace in his embrace.

'You want to know why it's not easy, son? Because life is not a problem to be solved but a reality to be experienced.'

Eventually, I released the hug and composed myself.

'Let's go home,' Dad suggested.

'Yeah, Mom is probably waiting,' I replied softly.

We got into the car and drove off. As we journeyed, my mind raced with doubts. Was I truly on the right path, or had I lost my way? I needed to find myself again. One thing I knew for sure-I loved my family dearly, and I would do anything to protect them, even take a bullet for each and every one of them.

**End of Flashback**

I slowly emerged from my thoughts as Chase tapped me on the shoulder.

"Hey, get up," he said softly.

"I hate it when anyone touches me," I muttered, my irritation still lingering.

"I'm sorry, man, but I've been calling your name for over a minute. I had no other option," Chase apologized sincerely.

"It's fine. Is it time for our reading session?" I asked, trying to shift my focus.

"You still haven't gotten used to the boarding life, have you?" Chase teased lightly.

"Yeah, let's go," I replied, brushing off his comment. When he offered to help me up, I declined with a wave of my hand. "Thanks, but I'm still young," I joked back, and Chase chuckled in response.

As we walked through the hallways towards our designated study area, I couldn't shake the feeling of homesickness that had gripped me during the flashback. Boarding school had seemed like a good idea at the time, but now I realized it was a mistake. I missed everyone, especially my mom.

WRITER'S NOTE :
I think this is enough for everyone to see that Michael has a heart he is just not able to find his way, but soon enough you'll know what he blames himself for her death, just keep going with the flow.

QOTD:
Today I will be dropping a quote instead of a question for the girl's especially. Enjoy.

The Quote: God only makes happy endings. If it's not happy, then it's not the end.