"Umm...Well you see, It would be sort of weird to take you to my family estate and let you stay with us. I do have my own home, but I hardly stay there. You can stay over for tonight, I'll have to let my family know you will be staying with us. I'll call you to inform you once you're welcome over. haha. They can be a bit protective of me" I said as I handed him the keys to my home. "I'll send you my address and the pass code to the gate entrance. You can choose any of the guest bedrooms. Do you know how to cook? I am hardly ever there so I do not have staff. The fridge is stocked up with the basic food supply but that's it."
I texted him my address and the gate code 111612.
"Thank you, as long as you have enough for a simple meal, that is fine." he said to me.
I wanted to laugh, why did he sound like a starving ghost when he said that. I could hear the grievance in his voice. 'cute' I thought. "Hey, since you'll be heading to my house, please take my packages inside. There is a delivery shed on the side of the entrance, where all packages get delivered to. Just type in the pass code 1014 to open it." I said. I mean, free labor. Who would say no to that?
When I got in my vehicle, I called Kai.
"Hey Penn, missed me already?"
"Kai, will you be heading home anytime soon? I need to talk to you and Auntie."
"Huh? I'm supposed to hang out with Ben, but if you need me hope I can always reschedule."
Ben is Kai's best friend. He's a sweetheart. In the novel, Ben dies during a zombie hoard. He was protecting the female lead under Erik's orders. His death was a devastating blow to Kai. In the novel, Kai ceased all contact with Erik after Ben's death. He claimed that his brother was blind in love, putting everyone's life at risk for the female lead. Kai wasn't wrong though.
The power of the book was so strong that it controlled Erik's emotions and actions. He wasn't himself. The Erik in this body's memories was loyal. He thought of every plan possible before taking huge risk. He would rather sacrifice himself than to endanger his loved ones. I really hope that he could break free from that control. If not, he would be a liability to our survival.
As much as I wanted to keep Erik in our team, I would not take a risk on Kai and Aunt Mary's life. I wondered if we could cut the control of the book, and if we could, how? He needed to be back to himself. Otherwise, all the awaited us was death.
"Kai, can you reschedule? I really have to talk to both of you. This is a life or death situation." I could hear the seriousness in my voice. I knew Kai, once I asked for something he would comply.
"Okay, I'll see you at home then." He disconnected the call and I proceeded to drive. I did not need to call Auntie Mary, I knew she was home. She called me during work hours and asked me to come home for dinner.
In no time, I was at the entrance of our family estate. The guard saw me coming and opened the gate. I drove to the parking garage and got out. I headed towards the living room, waiting for Kai and Erik for dinner. Aunty Mary was outside, tending to the garden. She loved plants and flowers. It was her way of staying connected to her late husband. He had planted all those plants in the garden. He used to tell her that although flowers were beautiful, she could not discriminate against other plants. He really was a wonderful man. His death was sudden. To be honest, judging from this body's memories, I could smell foul play in his death.
Well, no use reminiscing now, we needed to get things done. Dwelling on past issues were not going to help.
As I walked over to greet Auntie Mary I overhead her talking with Erik.
"Sigh. Erik, are you sure about this? It's been so many years, whose to say that this is reliable evidence."
Erik: "Mom, don't worry. I have verified that this information is true. We have everything needed to convict those responsible for dad's death. All evidence gathered is irrefutable. Trust me mom, those responsible won't get away this time."
"I just don't understand. Why would he want to murder your father? What did he gain out of all of this? He had no shares to the company, they were never in any rivalry either. How could your god-uncle do this?"
Erik: "Mom, the human heart is treacherous. All it needs is a little temptation and greed will take over. Think about it, he did gain something out of dad's death. He 'stepped' up to be a father figure to Kai and I. Grandpa appreciated him so much he gave him many benefits. Maybe not shares, but he did hand over business deals to him, introduced him to prestigious businessmen and politicians. He even became his Godfather."
Talk about right on the money. I was just thinking of my adopted uncle's death and now they have finally found the culprit. I proceeded on walking out.
"Auntie, eldest brother. I'm back"
Erik looked at me, still angry about last nights ordeal. However, he seemed calmer than this morning.
"Penny, dear. You're finally home. How was work?" Auntie asked.
"It was busy, work is work. How was your day?"
Aunt Mary: "It was just another day. Staying at home, tending to the garden. Anyways, you must be famished. Let's head to the dining room, I had the chefs cook your favorite."
Aunt, let's wait for Kai. he should be on his way."
Aunt Mary: "That boy? He wont be joining us for dinner. He mentioned he would be out with Ben today. I swear, he's hardly ever home now."
"haha, Aunt, I called him and convinced him to come home. I wanted to have a family dinner. He should be almost here" I said.
"Who is almost here? Who else are we expecting?" a voice said from the door. I turned around and saw Kai walking in and putting his car keys on the key holder. "Hey Penny. Mom, I'm home. Where's Erik? I'm starving. Let's eat!"
Erik walked in from the sliding doors that led to the garden, "Kai, welcome back. Let's sit down and eat" he said to me. I guess his anger has dissipated already. Good, this could be an enjoyable dinner. Which is what we'll need before I dropped the bomb of doomsday.