Pay the Price

Chapter 41- Burnout

Christopher was gone from the Aetos home for four days, his family in a panic. It wasn't until Bryson called up the local hospital did the panic ease. He was told that his nephew was safe, just staying with one of the staff members, but he wasn't given any further information. To protect Christopher from Madelia and Hedeon, who wouldn't think twice before sacrificing him to save themselves or each other.

For the four days he was with Luciana's family, he felt out of place. He didn't fit in with their family. Though, he didn't blend in with his own either. He didn't fit in anywhere. But Luciana, her husband, and her two kids would go out their ways separately to make him feel at home.

Luciana would teach him to cook, board games, and how to do chores. She'd also tell him about what she did at work. Her husband, William, would do schooling with him, show him how to fix a bike, and how to play instruments. The eldest child, the thirteen-year-old son, Tajo, would play basketball, ping pong, and watch movies with Christopher. And the youngest, five-year-old Lola, would play dolls with him and he'd let her do his hair.

Even their pet cat, Pillow, would spend time with Christopher. Whenever he'd sit down, Pillow would jump on his lap and lick his hand. When he slept, which he insisted to sleep on the floor, Pillow would sleep next to him. Or guard him. When he walked, Pillow followed him and would rub her head on his ankles.

In return for their hospitable gestures, Christopher would make breakfast to everyone's taste, clean up the house, and write small notes of gratitude. He'd write them in Greek before using a guide to translate it. He did that for four days, and everyone knew it was him. No matter how inconspicuous he tried to be, they knew. Luciana and William recognised Christopher's writing from when they had to monitor his education and health.

As he played with Lola, teaching her how to braid her dolls hair, with Pillow sitting on his knee as a guard cat, Luciana arrived home with William. They walked into the lounge, sat on the couch, and Christopher knew they were going to say something. So, he was at attention, straightening his posture out of instinct. It was what he did whenever his grandmother needed to talk to him about something important.

"Chris, you've done quite a lot around here over the last four days, and we are most grateful to you. Even though you tried to make it seem like it wasn't you." Luciana started talking, pulling out a small box. "Can you please open this and have a look?" Christopher did as she asked. He looked inside, finding a jewelled necklace inside with a pendant. The pendant had an amethyst in the very centre, shaped as a small star. "What do you think?"

"It looks very pretty. Who is it for? I'm sure they'd very much appreciate it." He answered, asking a question in the process. Luciana stood up, walked behind Christopher, and clipped the necklace around his neck, careful to not nick the skin on his neck.

"For you." She responded, and William smiled with pride. "We found it in a jewellery store and decided to get it for you. It's our thank you for doing things around the house without being asked. Also, you're an absolute darling, and our cat, who usually despises people, also adores you."

"But you're letting me stay in your home. You didn't have to, you could have just sent me home." Christopher mumbled, touching the pendant. "And I think... I should go home. My family is probably worried about me. Especially my siblings." He went to remove the jewellery to return it, but William stopped him.

"I'll take you home. I'll do a check while I'm there." William said, going to get the car keys. Because Christopher didn't have anything there, it was just a matter of driving him there. He bid the family goodbye and was driven home by William.

Once there, the security allowed them to walk into the manor, where they heard Madelia and Hedeon speaking. About Christopher.

"We need to get him out permanently. He's a bad influence. He's going to kill Adhi out of jealousy. That thing is cursed." Madelia's voice rang in the air. William looked to Christopher, finding his jaw dropped out of shock and dismay.