Passions Uncovered

Chapter 26

Author Update: We have a new chapter for you to feast your eyes on. Passions Uncovered will shortly be coming to an end. Let me know below what your thoughts were when reading this book. 

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After finishing our basketball game and briefly discussing what direction my life is heading after graduation. Both of us went back into the house searching for our mother. Dante is correct about one thing: if I wanted a chance at a normal life and not follow in Dad's footsteps, I would need our mom's help. Dad can never say no to her. She has him wrapped around her little pinkie finger.

"Let's make a bet, Té. I bet you I can find Mom quicker than you can get to Uncle Vince."

"Alright, you're on. If you win, I'll do your chores for two weeks. If I win, tell our parents how you feel about Bai."

"Wait, Dante, that's not fair. You know Vince will skin me alive. Bai may not be his daughter, but he helped raise her. You're wishing my death, aren't you?"

Let the game begin. I went off in one direction and Dante the other way. Luckily, our Mom was in the kitchen prepping for dinner. I sighed as I approached my mother and laid my head on her shoulder.

Mom stopped midway between what she was doing and glanced my way. "What's with the long face, Aries?"

I grabbed her hand and guided her over to the table. "You always said I could come and talk to you about anything. Well, I really need your help with something."

She nodded her head, motioning for me to continue. I exited my seat, walked over to my bookbag, and pulled out my acceptance letters. I showed them to Mom. Hoping this will give me time to figure out how to begin this topic.

Mother took the papers I had been holding from my hand. With each passing second, her smile grew wider as she scanned through the letters. She stared at me with quivering lips. Oh god, I didn't mean to make her cry. For over an hour, we sat there talking. Each one of us asked a question from the other. When I told her I wanted to be a judge or lawyer, Mom sat there deep in thought, taking in all the information I had disclosed. Then her eyes lit up. She told me to stay put while she went to find my father.

Me being the nosy type of person who I am. I followed behind her. Leaning over, I put my ear to the door and listened to the conversation between my parents.

"Angel, I got something to show to you. But before I do, I'm going to tell you this much. If you get mad and start yelling at your child. The couch and dog will be your roommate for the next week."

"That depends on what you tell me."

"They have accepted one of our kids into two different Ivy League Universities as a law student."

"Why would I get mad about your choice to study law? It would be helpful for our family to have a law scholar."

"You're not going to believe which kid it is, though."

"Well, tell me who it is, then."

"It's not Danté,"

"Well, Damn. Who would have ever believed my little troublemaker of a son wants to be a law student?"

"Aries, I know you're standing outside listening. Your decision to become a lawyer is a good fit for you. Not only because you like helping people. But also, because you're nosy as hell. You can kill two birds with one stone."

As I finished my conversation with my parents, Dante came barreling through the office door with Uncle Vince behind him. Grinning, I mouthed, "You lose."

With tears streaming down his face, he engulfed me in his strong-muscled arms, pulling me over to the pictures of his parents. "If Your grandparents were alive today, they would weep with joy to see that their grandchild got accepted into not one but two Ivy League Universities. Which one will you choose? Remember, the sky's the limit. Nobody can tell you what to do or where to go. You're in charge of your own destiny."

This decision weighs heavily on my mind because no matter what choice I make, it will take me away from here. Guess you could say there's a lot for me to think about over the next few days. That night found me tossing and turning in my bed, unable to sleep. Frustrated, I sat up, rubbed my hands down my face, and threw the blankets I had been using to cover my body off.

I wandered over to Bai's bedroom door, gazing around her empty bedroom, and sighed. Me coming here is a lost cause because she's still in South Korea with her birth father. Making my way to the patio, I stepped out onto it. I gazed out into our backyard, and the moonlit ripples of the lake beckoned me. Removing all the clothing except my underwear, I climbed over the railing and plunged into the lake below.

Back and forth, I swam, feeling the water caress my body. Hopefully, by just swimming and looking up at the night sky, I will get the answer my heart truly desires. It's hard work. But it will pay off in the end. Our family's involvement in multiple areas causes a connection with someone in the law field. One should exercise caution and avoid getting too involved in this world, as it could lead to imprisonment or death.

Times are changing, but my family doesn't seem to notice. People are deceitful and evil. Even your closest friends will take everything you have and not hesitate to betray you. Without proper support, it's impossible to make it in life.

Swimming over to the bank, I pulled myself out of the lake and laid back on the ground to continue thinking about the question that was bothering me. To be honest, I already know the answer. After graduation, I'm leaving for a new outlook on life in America. The ringing of my phone pulled me out of those deep thoughts. Glancing down, I noticed it was an incoming call from Bai.

While on the phone talking to Bai, I stood up to make my way back to the house and to my bedroom.

"Hey, Bai, what's wrong? Why are you calling so late?"

"For you, it might be late. But for me, it's daytime. I shouldn't need a reason to call you."

"Have you decided what you're doing after you graduate from school?"

"Yeap, I decided tonight, right after talking to my father. I thought he would be mad because I was not planning to assume charge of the family business with him. He pointed out that becoming a lawyer or judge would be more of an advantage for the family in the long term."

When you reflect on it, I'm not turning my back on my family. Instead, I ensure I can protect my loved ones for a long time whenever they need it.

"Aries, you know I will always be your biggest supporter, no matter your life decision. I'll come back in time for graduation if you send me the date and time." 

Which school do you think Aries will choose?

Will he be a lawyer or a judge?

What choice did you make in high school? Did it change after you graduated?