269: THE PROMISE

THE PROMISE

I looked for the picture of the man, but there is none.2

"Is he that ugly that they have to hide him?" I giggled at that thought.

But then again, there is something that seems oddly familiar to her. She could not decipher what it is. That is why I continued to look over the web if I could find any man's image; unfortunately, only his name is shown.

"Clark Briggs? Just where did I hear that name?" the mystery that surrounds the man makes me more curious to know him. There's a blog about the family's history, but it showed only his parents' and siblings' photos.

I was astonished! They are such a beautiful family, and all of them could surpass the supermodels. Even by looking at it, I can feel their presence even without even trying. However, the photo is still incomplete. There is a nagging feeling within me that I needed to see the mysterious eldest son.

Several minutes have passed, and still, there is no trace of any detail about him. I sighed in resignation and shook my head in disbelief as to why I was like an eager teenager stalking her teenage crush.

'Silly!' I said to myself.

I just turned off my phone and decided to pack my things. Today is my scheduled flight back to Vienna. I needed to visit my father and check his welfare. While my team members will go back to the headquarter in Silvery Country.

We bid our goodbyes before we separate ways.

…:heart_suit:…:heart_suit:…:heart_suit:…

After the graduation rites, my family mingled with the university board members, but he knew all too well that it's just for formality's sake since they are here because of him. I roamed my eyes around and sighed when I noticed the bodyguards with my family and all in disguise. To my surprise, I saw Griffith, and when our eyes met, he winked at me. I chuckled secretly.

Before I could react, my family was already near me as though uncaring of my presence. Since the people were busy taking selfies and group pictures with their friends and families, they did not notice that the bodyguards of around forty people surrounded my family and me. When they have cornered me and was within the human barricade they devised with ease, I know I cannot run from them.

Since the bodyguards were unusually tall, the people around did not notice me walking side by side with the Briggs. Then I heard Avyanna chuckled softly. So I glared at her. She knew that I'm not too fond of this kind of situation.

"Mommy, did I specifically tell my brother that we will find ways to attend his graduation ceremony? I hope he noticed us.." she giggled as she talked to our mother and my brother, Edric, just showed a toothy grin then nodded.

Now I realized that my sister has been successful in influencing our mother to be naughty, too. Still, he's thankful for their presence. Then Avyanna shifted her attention to our father,

"Thank you for pulling some strings to make this surprise a success, daddy!" she embraced him.

"Anything for my princess…" he smiled at her. Then Avyanna looked at me, laughing.

"Brat!" I mouthed, but she just stuck out her tongue at me to make fun of me.

As usual, Edric is just quiet, yet despite this, he is clingy to our mom, and when influenced by his twin sister, he'd be her accomplish to prank either our dad or the bodyguards, even the poor old Gary.

Meanwhile, the bodyguards already surrounded our car so that no one could notice that I went inside with them.

"Son, please come home with us, we prepared a family dinner for celebration. I promise it's not a grand preparation, there are no visitors. Your grandparents were already there waiting for you, would you want to upset the oldies?" Ingrid Briggs pleaded.

Before I answered her, I closed my eyes and gently massaged my eyelids before taking off my contacts. Our family bought a property here in Silver Country. Every time they visit me, there won't be any hassle on their part. Besides, I don't want anything like that to happen. His disguise would be futile.

"Okay, mom!"

"Perfect! One more thing, you need to go back to Vienna –"

"Mom, wait… I will go back to Vienna but I will not assume any higher position, I have other plans for that, please…" my mother huffed dramatically while her right covered her mouth, her eyes bulged as if surprised.

"Here we go again…" Edric suddenly spoke, but a small smile crept on his lips.

"Brother, are you for real?" Ayanna exclaimed, fanning her face with her hand.

My dad, Edric, and I just chuckled at their classic antics.

"Oh, women," my father whispered. However, my mother heard it.

"What did you say, Clifford Briggs?" showing a threatening look.

"I said, 'oh women that I love..'" but my mother just snorted when dad winked at her.

"Geez.. dad, mom, you know what? You act like some teenagers, like eeww.. gross!" Ayanna acted like throwing up. Our endless bantering, yet still loving and sweet this is what I miss about my family.

I will never trade them for anything. Even for love. I remembered while growing up, and my mom would always remind me again and again of one thing:

"Son, I don't care whoever you marry, her social status, and her physical attributes or whatever as long as she loves you, respects you, supports you and will be with you through thick and thin like your dad does to me. But there is one thing I asked of you, never choose someone from the Reiley family."

"Reiley family? You mean Vanessa Reiley?" my mom nodded.

"Yes, be it their nearest or farthest kin, the moment you'll do that will be the death of me. I don't want my future descendants to be related with them. Can you promise me that?" there was a finality and sternness in her voice that I know cannot be bent.

"Of course, mom! I promise you that no matter what happens I will never love or choose anyone from that family," I smiled at her. Then she bent down to plant a small kiss on my forehead. "Is it also applicable to the twins?" I innocently asked.

"But of course… it should be our pinky promise…"

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