Rehabilitation

Chapter 13; "The BIG twist"

We all piled out of the car and were taken into the restaraunt.

"Is dad here yet?" I heard Willow ask Jada.

"Not yet. He's on his way."

Our tables had been booked earlier. "Table for five" the usher took us in and showed us to our table near the corner of the posh room.

"Menus" a waited handed us a menu each.

I took a seat between Jaden and Jada, because Jaden had signalled me to do so.

I gazed down at the menu.

Holy shit. This was expensive stuff.

$15 for prawns dipped in any chosen dip?

My phone suddenly vibrated in my blazer pocket.

A text from Jaden.

'You look beautiful. I'd rather have YOU for dinner ;D'

Oh boy. I looked at him, as he concentrated on the menu like he didn't just send me a flirty text. Jada and Willow were busy talking...they didn't even notice a really tall man walking toward the table smiling.

Oh my God.

Will.......Smith.

"Hey dad." Jaden smiled at him. IS THAT ALL?

ITS WILL SMITH. My heart began racing...he must think im some stranger ...dining with him and his family.

Jada got up to kiss him and he took his seat opposite me and next to Jada. He gave Willow a one-armed hug then looked at me.

Oh dear.

"You must be nadine! Oh wow..." Then he looked at Jada and raised his eyebrow at her and she nodded back.

"It's so nice to meet you." He shook my hand from across the table. ITS WILL SMITH.

Throughout the dinner, Will and Jada kept giving me this really suspicious look...maybe i DONT belong here. At the same time, they were so welcoming and friendly. They asked me a lot of uncomfortable questions. The more they asked me, the more they gave eachother that LOOK.

It was getting pretty weird.

We finished and finally left the building. Willow hooked her arm into mine so we were arm in arm as we left.

As Will walked through the door, i noticed many frequent flashes and voices mumbling. I followed suite and was pulled into the public outburst and the crowds of grown men with big cameras in the hands. Jaden draped his right arm over my shoulder and we both ducked down, preventing the bright flashes from hitting our face.

THAT was helpful.

"Are you hurt?" He asked as we got into the car.

"Im fine. Are YOU hurt?" I asked back generously.

"Im not hurt as long as YOU'RE not hurt." He smiled then let his weight on my shoulder go.

00:38

As i changed into my night wear, my phone vibrated on my bedside table.

'Come Downstairs :)'

Willow.

I finished and walked downstairs, making my way into the kitchen first.

"My mom and dad...they wanted to talk to you. " she handed me a glass of water. My heart started racing again and i made my way to the front room.

Will and Jada were sat close to eachother muttering silently.

"Um....hi." i gave them a weak smile. "Sit down honey" Jada said and smiled back at me. It was easy to tell there was something going on.

"So Jada, was wondering ... About your FULL name. I know you dont know it, but..." Will explained as i sat on the cool leather sofa and lay my back against the plush pillows.

"We were wondering if you could...tell us...about your parents." Jadas voice was so low. I could now feel my heart, desperate to pop out my chest.

They both stared at me intently, sympathy wearing on their faces. There was no way i could avoid this.

"I dont really....remember anything. I was...8. My parents...got into a car accident. "

Will's jaw dropped and Jada looked at him.

"Where did it happen? Here in Cali?"

"...new york. We moved to new york a few months before." A sudden tear ran down my cheek and i quickly wiped it.

"Oh my God. It's her." Jada got up and sat next to me.

"Do you know where you lived before you moved?"

"...no..."

"Hold on." She got up and left the room.

"What's going on?"

"You'll see. You don't remember. You were young." Will rubbed my back.

What?

"Dad, whats going on?" Jaden...

I glanced up at him. He looked at me and before i could look down again, he was by my side.

"Baby, look up..." He whispered. He was bent down in front of me. I shook my head not willing to look up.

"Mom? What are you guys doing?" He asked. Jada was back.

"Could you just excuse us a minute Jaden?" Will pleaded quietly.

"I'm not leaving her like this" he took my hand and whispered again.

"Just look at me...please."

"Just go." Was all i said.

"You really want me to go?"

I looked at him and nodded.

He got up, pressed his lips against my forehead, kissing it sweetly and walked away. Jada sat beside with a white photo album neatly organized. She flicked through it carefully and stopped....

"How did you get that?" I pointed at the all too familiar picture of me and my parents in front of a car. I was about 7. I was sat on the bonnet of the red volkswagen car with my legs crossed. Mum was stood beside me hardly smiling, the wind pulling her hair back. Dad was grinning in his open shirt and jeans. He looked handsome. They both looked unrealistically young and tall.

'7 year old nadine with Lois and Rob. Venice beach day trip.' I remembered the exact words inscribed with a distinctive cursive writing on the back of MY copy. It was the only picture i ever had of my parents. How did it get into Jada's photo album?

"...before you moved to new york...Will and I..." Her voice faded and she stared up at Will.

"Your surname is Clark"

WHAT?!

I could hardly feel my heart beating now.

"Nadine?"

"How do you know?" my voice was croaky.

"...when i first saw you, you looked so familiar. I couldn't place my hand on it. Then Jaden told me your name..."

"Nadine. You and your parents...you used to be a close friend of the family"