A Remaining Podeshire 1

Chapter 13 (Part 5)

     Oliver took a deep breath and stepped forward, wrapping his arms around his new adoptive father in a tight, welcoming embrace. Frederick returned the hug with equal warmth, holding Oliver close. As they cuddled each other, Oliver's eyes darted to his right side, where he saw his friend with a smile.

"...How about you, Greg?" Oliver asked.

"Hm?" Gregory responded.

"I mean... where will you go to? Your father is... uhmm..." Oliver said as his gaze lowered.

"Well, I guess I'll live alone," Gregory chuckled.

"I could still go with another son. Perhaps you two could be step-brothers," Frederick told Gregory.

"Oh, I don't want to be a burden, sire. I'm sorry," Gregory replied politely.

"It'll be fine," Frederick responded.

"I'm okay, Mr Mayor. Besides, I'd only prefer Oliver to be my friend," Gregory replied, throwing his arm around Oliver's shoulders and winking at him.

Oliver smiled and took Gregory's hand in his own. "Heh..."

"Still, I welcome you in our house all the time," Frederick said kindly.

"Really!?" Oliver sprang to his feet.

"Yes!" Frederick placed his arms around Oliver and Gregory. "Anyways, ready to see your new home?" he looked at Oliver.

     The carriage halts, and Oliver, Frederick, and Gregory step out, taking in the sight of the grand mansion before them. The imposing structure looms in front of them, its size and scale nearly blanketing their view. The building is bathed in a warm, golden glow from the linen and yellow candlelights that shine from within.

     The magnificent wooden doors swing open, giving way to Oliver, Frederick, and Gregory. As they step inside, Oliver and Gregory stop as their bashfulness stands as a barrier in the doorway. Frederick turns around, a wide grin spreading across his face as he faces them.

"This is our house now," Frederick told Oliver.

     Frederick's words make Oliver's smile widen. Gaining his confidence, Oliver steps inside. Gregory and Frederick follow him inside, and Oliver stands between them.

     Oliver trails behind two maids, and they unlock a door with a key. As they swing it open, Oliver peeks inside, seeing a grand bedroom with posh furnishings. The bed with plain white bedsheets shine under the candlelight.

"Come in!" the maid told Oliver.

     As Oliver steps inside, the maids arrange the furnishings of his new bedroom. Oliver takes a long, steady gaze around the room, admiring the beautiful walls with extravagant gold outlines and the well-placed dark wooden panel. Above his head, a small chandelier with shiny pearls hangs from the ceiling.

     Suddenly, Oliver's gaze falls to the ground, and he notices a soft, fuzzy carpet under his feet. Glancing to his right side, he sees a bookshelf filled with flower pots and books. Oliver smiles as he takes a long, deep breath, smelling the rosy scent of the room.

     The sight of the bookshelf filled with novels immediately piques Oliver's interest. He approaches it eagerly, scanning the titles for anything that catches his eye. While lost in thought, he suddenly hears a knock on the door.

"Oh, greetings!" Oliver smiled at Frederick.

"A pleasant greeting to you, son," Frederick responded warmly, his smile never leaving his face. "So, do you want to renovate your room?"

"Wait, this is my bedroom?" Oliver gasped as he looked around with a shiny grin.

"Yes! Your friend, Gregory, will also have his room near yours," Frederick informed him. "Also, feel free to make any changes you like. Your maids are already changing those boring sheets!"

"Fre- I mean. Heh, Dad, I am so thankful," Oliver stated. "All I could ask for now is a hug."

     Without hesitation, Frederick quickly follows his son's request and pulls him into a tight cuddle. Oliver hugs back as his smile grows across his face. Slowly, they pull away from one another, their eyes fixed on each other.

"If you need anything, I'll be on the porch," said Frederick.

     After Frederick and the maids leave the room, Oliver sits on his new comfortable bed, sinking into the fluffy sheets. He runs his palms over the soft fabric. Suddenly, there is another knock on the door.

Gregory peeked through the doorway and crossed the threshold. "Hey," he greeted, walking forward with a warm smile.

"Hi, Greg," Oliver responded, smirking at Gregory.

Gregory sat beside Oliver on the bed, their shoulders touching. "I just want to say that I'm truly sorry about what my father did to you. I can understand the traumas you've had to deal with, even though I can't imagine how hard it was for you," he said, sighing.

"Greg, it's fine. You're not like your father; you're a good person that I'm comfortable with," Oliver replied, reaching out to touch his friend's hand.

"My father turned your joyful life into a nightmare, and I can't accept that he hurt my friend," Gregory stated, his voice filled with emotion.

"But it's all over now," Oliver says, smiling confidently.

"How?" Gregory asked.

"It's because I have a key for an end," said Oliver.

"What key is that?" Gregory wondered.

"Forgiveness," Oliver answered.

     Oliver then stands from his bed. He approaches the gaping door. Then, he halts and turns around to look at Gregory with gleaming eyes.

"Do you want to go for a walk?" Oliver asked kindly.

"...Yeah!" Gregory responded.

     Oliver can't help but giggle as he watches his friend dash towards him with a bright smile. Gregory quickly marches down the hall while Oliver stays in the doorway for a second. Oliver then takes one last look at his room before shutting the door gently.