I Found [Discontinued]

CHAPTER 1

Present.

ANNA

I was at a coffee shop, waiting.

A young man came forwards and smiled brightly at me. He resembled the boy I met years ago, but now he looked even more mature. He sat on the opposite chair opposite to me.

He said, "There you are!"

I giggled a little and said, "And where else should I be? This is our usual seat!"

He finished, "I know, I know..."

I smiled at the man opposite to me. I continued, "So what the problem?"

He made a O expression and said "Nothing. Believe me!"

"Please, Caleb. I know you! What's up?"

His shoulders dropped and said "Anna, I know we are not related. But--"

"Wait... Where did that come from?"

Caleb cut me by saying, "Because what I am going to say might upset you!"

I became tense.

He continued, "Anna, look, the thing is... You need to meet the lawyer soon."

"Why?", I interrupted him.

He dropped his eyes, "There are some papers that need your signature."

"Signatures? I thought the papers of adoption were completed years ago. Not that is important, now."

My confusion must be shown because he tried to explain, "Dad wants you to have some shares."

I said straightaway, "No! You guys already gave so much, not anymore."

He interrupted, "But--"

"No Caleb. Tell Dad that I don't want anything, unless it's family."

He looked unsure and he persisted, "But--"

"Caleb..."

"Fine. But you tell Dad." I started to argue when he cut, "No! That's final." I gave up and nodded.

I took a sip from my coffee and looked straight to Caleb, my adopted brother.

My family.

He looked down and his gaze was constant on his lap, like he was thinking of something scaring. After some moments, his eyes sparkled and held my gaze, "Anna."

I kept his gaze and said "Yes, Caleb..."

He broke our gaze and looked outside of the large window on my left and said "Do you still remember? We used to be so close. All of us, before life."

I whispered, "We still are."

"Yes. But things are different. We used to travel so much and you adored. We adore having you. But since you graduated, we separated. You live here, in Chicago, and work all the time. Even after that, me and Dad kept travelling. I always felt that we left you behind."

I said quickly, "You didn't. I wanted to this. Chicago is my home."

He continued, "I just wish we would spend some time together, as family." He returned his gaze, "I miss our family."

I kept fighting my tears, swallowing back, "I miss it too."

"But I have good news", he said smiling.

"What?"

He answered, "From now on, we won't travel that much. We are staying, here in Chicago. Forever."