Unforgiven __ °Avatrice AU°

Chapter 78:

Dora had finally set a meeting between Beatrice and Adriel at a secure location so they wouldn't be bothered by the overwhelming press and amount of paparazzis at their doors.

Beatrice was quietly and nervously sitting by the table, waiting for Adriel's arrival. She didn't know what to expect as she had not idea what his intentions were. Surely, he couldn't be all too different from his parents. Or at least that what she assumed. Beatrice straightened her back as she watched the door open and a tall young man entering the room along with Dora. Beatrice got up, her eyes fixated on Adriel. The young man walked up to her and reached his hand out.

-Hi. I'm Adriel., said Adriel with a light smile.

Beatrice couldn't tell if it was a genuine smile.

-Beatrice., replied the brunette as she shook his hand.

She then let go and sat down, motioning for him to do the same. Then there was a moment of silence, neither sure of how to tackle the elephant in the room.

-Did you know that we-, started Adriel.

-No. I found out through a third party., explained Beatrice, clenching her jaw slightly.

-Oh. I'm sorry. Mother promised me that I would eventually get to meet you. I should have known that it was a lie., stated Adriel with a sigh.

-One of her many lies, I suppose., shrugged Beatrice.

-I have been kept in the dark as to why my parents were both arrested. Can you...explain it?, wondered Adriel as he finally looked up at Beatrice.

-Duretti is the owner of an illegal prostitution chain, where he also meddled in human trafficking. He also kidnapped my girlfriend and made me pay for her to be released. He then tortured me physically for numerous hours. Now, for my- our mother, she was charged with similar things. She's the co-owner of the chain, helped selling and buying girls off their parents and others. She is also being charged with sexual assault. Statutory rape, to be more precise. Along with treason, of course., explained Beatrice, her eyes focused on the table, not wanting to look at him.

The silence settled back in. Beatrice looked up and could see that he was trying to process the things she had just revealed. She thought that he would have known or was an accomplice of it all. But his facial expression implied something different.

-Mother...She hurt a child?, frowned Adriel, gulping after finishing the sentence.

-Yes. Not only was the girl a minor and mother was well aware of it, but she also ignored her safe word repeatedly and went over the limits set by the girl., nodded Beatrice, watching him carefully now.

-That...That is disgusting., whispered Adriel, his eyes wandering around the room.

-It is., agreed Beatrice.

Adriel then looked back at her.

-I always knew that father did things that weren't legal. I wasn't sure of what since I spent most of my childhood in foreign countries. When I came back or was allowed back, I was 21. He still wouldn't tell me what his job is. Or was. I tried to look into it after I heard rumors. But he kept everything in a safe. A key was needed for it and I never found it. I eventually gave up after I moved out. That's when mother introduced herself to me. Father had told me that my mother had died after giving birth to me so I wouldn't go out looking for her. She was kind to me at first. But after a while, I realized she was using me to get back at father. Knowing what you've just told me, I am glad that I wasn't raised by either of them., explained the young man sincerely.

Beatrice listened quietly, letting him explain and tell his story.

-So you didn't know about any of this?, asked Beatrice, wanting to double check.

-No. No, I didn't until just know. Although, there's something I remember. I was out with friends one night and I came back around 2am. As I arrived home, father left. I thought it was the drugs I had taken that made me hallucinate it but I swear I thought he had shoved a girl in his passenger seat and drove off. The girl was unconscious. I mean, she had her eyes closed and bruises on her arms. Wrists., frowned Adriel.

-When was this?, asked Beatrice, taking her phone out.

-Uh, it was after Easter. April., stated Adriel as he tried to remember it correctly.

-I don't think this will admissible in court since you were under the influence. But, it can help them with investigating. Can you tell me the car's brand and license plate?, asked Beatrice, opening her notes app.

-Yeah. It was his old car. He doesn't own it anymore. It was an old Porsche 959. A grey one. Silver, I guess. His license plate was CD 2016. He sold it though. His excuse was that someone had keyed his car in a parking lot., informed Adriel, trying to be helpful.

Beatrice wrote all of it down on her notes app, nodding as he spoke. She then looked up at him.

-Thank you. This was very helpful., admitted Beatrice.

-Of course. I wish I could do or say more but he always kept in the dark. Oh also, uhm, I'm sorry for your loss. Your father seemed like a good man., added Adriel.

-Thank you. Now, I need to share this with the detective. If you can think of anything else, reach out to Dora. She will be taking care of it., said Beatrice as she got up.

Adriel got up as well and watched her.

-Wait- Wait. I...I know that we're half siblings and that our mother is...horrible. But I was hoping to maybe stay in touch? We don't have to pretend to be the best buddies ever. But I'd like to get to know you. You're the only family member I have left who isn't a criminal., rambled Adriel, looking down.

-I will contact you after this whole affair is over. After they're both in jail. I need to focus on this. But after it, I wouldn't mind getting to know you. You don't seem to follow your parents' steps., nodded Beatrice, smiling lightly.

-Yeah. That sounds great. Yes. Okay. After they're in jail., smiled Adriel, trying to contain his excitement.

-I will see you then. Goodbye., said the brunette as she walked to the door.

-Goodbye., smiled Adriel as he watched her leave.

Beatrice was lead to their car in the parking lot by Dora, the windows tinted so no one could take pictures of her. She looked out the window during the ride, trying to clear her mind.

-Is everything alright, Miss- Bea?, asked Dora, her eyes on the road.

-That's an absurd question., chuckled Beatrice.

-You're right. I'm sorry., apologized Dora.

-Don't apologize. You're just checking in. I appreciate it., replied the brunette truthfully.

-Of course., nodded the other girl as she drove them home.

That is when Beatrice got a call.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////A/N: I know, I know, I once again vanished for a while! Uni and life has kept me pretty distracted but a special someone has given me the motivation to write so yeah. more to come! but we are nearing the end of this book...Currently writing chapter 82, the book will end around chapter 83!