The Cole Adventures [DISCONTINUED]

11.

Tobias:

I was driving while Persephone was checking why the radio didn't work. She sighed finally frustrated with it and groaned.

"Why isn't this damn radio working?" she asked exasperated as I continued driving. I liked driving at night. It was somehow calming.

"Why can't you just stop moving and being frustrated and just enjoy the beautiful expanse of night sky dotted with star-" I was saying but she interrupted me.

"Cut the crap. And why the heck do we have to go? Its mom's problem. Shouldn't she solve it?"

I just sighed. There was no point in arguing with her.

"I mean they are grown adults. And believe it or not she is annoying. Always asking what you are doing and pestering everyone. I mean I always wondered why dad fell for her. I knew sooner or later dad was gonna get frustrated with her."

"How can you talk like this about her? She asks what we are doing because she cares. Wasn't it you who suggested the whole surprising dad at his office idea?"

She paused and said playing with the ring on her finger without looking at me "Well I just said that because I thought she'll go and I could have the house to myself."

"You are so selfish. Even so mom didn't force us. Remember she asked us twice if we would go. Why didn't you say no."

"Because she looked so darn hopeful. I couldn't say no."

"Then bear with it. Do you remember how happy she was when we said yes. Doesn't that joy on her face mean anything to you?"

She chose not to reply and just decided it would be best to put her earphones in and pretend I am not there.

After a while she looked at me and said" I am sorry. "

I just looked at her once and stared straight ahead not giving her any reply. Even though she means it she'll repeat it again.

The ride was long and quite boring.

" I am bored. Let's play something. "she said breaking the silence.

" I ask you a question and u reply truthfully and then I do the same"

"I knew you would come up with something lame but alright. I have nothing to do."

"If you could invite anyone living or dead to a dinner whom would you invite and why?" I asked.

"Hitler without a doubt."

"What?" I asked puzzled.

"I don't like him no. Obviously not but I like how he thinks. He knew how to think and that my little brother is hardest when you think of it."

"You are so weird." I said.
"Why not invite Einstein to dinner? He could think as well."

"Einstein was intelligent but I am so much more interested in intellectual." she said.

"My turn. Tell me one weird thing you do when you are alone." she asked smirking.

"It's definitely not what you are expecting. But one weird thing I do when I am alone is look for places famous people were born at. I don't even remember them but it's just a past time I guess. I like to know about the places where greatness was born and people didn't even knew about it. Gives a sense of relief that maybe something magical is happening right now and I just don't know it. Makes me believe life is magical. "

" OK my turn. Why are you so mean? Do you like being the bitch mean girl of movies? "

" that's two questions. You lose. You broke the rule. We can only ask one question. "

I knew she won't reply. I sighed as we entered the parking lot of dad's office. Most of it was empty.

We got out and saluted the watchman and went to dad's office. It's been a long time since I came to this place.

I heard mom once say that he loves his job. He loves making things that will last longer than him. He loves to make things which will be memorial of decades of memories. Where stories will be written and completed. Chapters would be sorted and closed. Its similar to why I love art.

We reached the door and i looked at Persephone who knocked on the door as I was holding the containers.

"Come in" dad said in a voice we rarely heard him use at home.

We got in and there he was. His jacket was lying on the couch and there were several pages on his table lying everywhere.

I understand why he needs mum. How can he find the right one amongst all these.

He looked tired and pale. There was dark circles around his eyes and a mug of coffee stood on the table.

But what I was shocked to see was a woman. She looked different. I mean she was the same age as mom and was bend over dad's chair looking at the paper he was working on with her hand on his arm. I remembered how Keira placed her hand on mine.

I looked at persephone who looked just as shocked. Dad looked at us and immediately got up.

"Hey guys! What are you doing here?" he asked looking at us.

"We came to surprise you as we thought you were alone but looks like you have company." persephone said with a hand on her hip staring behind dad at the woman.

"Oh well. You didn't have to do that. That's Mikalya Jones by the way. Mikalya he's my son Tobias and that's my girl Persephone. " he said scratching his neck a sign that he was not at ease.

"Hello ma'am" I said looking at the lady as she smiled and came and stood near dad.

"I prefer if you call me Mikalya." she smiled. "I am working on the project with your dad." she said placing a hand on dad's shoulder as he pushed it away looking apologetically at me.

I think persephone is angry at the way she keeps touching dad as I can see she is getting into teh bitch mode which is not at all a good sign for Mikalya.

" Oh we didn't knew that. Well obviously you haven't been working hard enough because my dad hasn't been home for last two days. I think he is doing all the work alone." she said with a smirk.

I sighed and looked away as Mikalya turned red and looked at her with big eyes. Persephone just smirked while dad face-palmed and cleared his throat to cut the awkwardness.

" Well I can assure you that the work on my part has been done. Its your dad lagging behind. And if your dad can't go home maybe it's because there's a problem at home." Miss Jones said with a fake smile.

Oh no Miss Jones. You just unleashed the dragon that's my sister.

" I appreciate your concern but home is fine. Staying in the office seems dangerous though. I would really appreciate some family time with my father and sadly you aren't family."

"Mikalya I think it's enough for today. Let's meet tomorrow. I'll ask my driver to drop you." dad said wanting to end the conversation.

"But-" Mikalya said but dad was persistent.

"I said you should leave and have some rest. Now" he said in a voice he never uses at home.

I never knew dad could be intimidating. I always thought he is playful. Now I understand why mom wouldn't let us enter his study while he worked. He looks scary. I wonder if he that's how he looks when he and mom have an argument. Maybe that's why she appears so sad after an argument. This dad is not lovely but scary. But then again he never wins in front of mom. Mom is scarier and almost everytime right.

"Have a safe night" persephone said smiling a fake smile to Mikalya as she closed the door behind her.
 

I looked at dad who went back to his desk and started arranging the papers which was more of throwing them from the desk into the drawers.

"Dad I'll help you with that. Let's eat." I said as Persephone looked at him with her eyes narrowed.

I just hope it's not what I am thinking...