*Linda Brown*. That name echoed in my ears for the next three days till my birthday.
I met her mother, knew the orphanage was filled with abducted, stolen or deceived kids, reason why the orphanage was established was still unknown but I knew I was getting very close to solving this case.
I sat on my bed staring at the clock speaking like a real detective.
"Five minutes ". I sighed.
Five minutes left till my 14th birthday which has already been heavily prepared .
But I couldn't care less, after all in my heart
I was already 14.
Hello dear viewers 😊, sorry I skipped three days into, just that I felt the 'quick flashback' was becoming too long, so I've decided to cut it short, around two to three chaps from now it will be over.
Don't worry about losing or missing anything vital, because all the important stuff would be told again in the later future.
See ya😘👋.
I haven't visited Linda or Max since that day
"Her name is Linda Brown".
"You seem shocked, do you know my daughter?". She looked at me with hopeful eyes.
"Yes, we're friends but she haven't ever spoken about her mom". I answered truthfully.
The words replayed in my head.
"What was going on in that orphanage,....no not just the orphanage but also the research facility?".
I ended up sleeping halfway through my thoughts.
The banquet was as lavish as expected, wealthy friends, families and business partners filled the hall.
"Happy birthday, Xander". Two girls smiled cheerfully as I walked by.
I forced a smile and removed my glasses
"Thanks, please have a great time".
"We sure will!". They nodded and walked past me.
"He's so handsome!!",. They giggled behind me.
*Tsk, of course, even a blind person would know that, I looked nothing less of an angel wrapped in my white and golden tux, only someone without a functioning brain would say otherwise*. I scoffed as I walked farther away from them.
Receiving praise and admiration has always been a part of my daily life, so this wasn't anything new.
I wasn't interested in having a fanclub.... But I do have a fan already.
I smiled as I remembered....
*What was her name again, .... something Camila*.
The girl I saw at Linda's previous room who seemed to know a lot about my family.
"You are my biggest benefactor after all".
I still have no idea what she meant by that, but a fan is definitely a fan.
Anyone who thought Xander was your everyday flawless MC was incredibly mistaken, he was just too proud for his own good, and severely impatient.
(But it's a shame, this Flashback doesn't have any references to his impatient side).
"What are you smiling about, prince charming". The pain I walked over to meet cut my thoughts short.
"Any ideas on how that's a concern of your's?". I asked frowning.
"Can't I worry about my little brother again....
"Cousin". I corrected her.
"And you can drop the act, we're far from the rest of the party". I added.
"You!". She wrapped her hands round my neck bullying me with the fact that she was talker than I was.
"Died at the age of fourteen, killed by his cruel cousin, that would make a nice headline, don't you think?". I smirked.
"You!! B*st*rd,!".
"It seems staying abroad for so long fried the little amount of brain cells you had".
"Xander!!".
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, just love teasing you ". I let out a slight chuckle.
Mai Cain, My dad's younger brother's, second eldest child, nineteen years, a pretty face, dimples and a lovable personality.
But I didn't come over simply to exchange pleasantries, I came for info. If anyone knew a lot of secret going on in this family, she was the only one, an information broker I so desperately needed. The only problem was the fee attached to it.
"You're just fourteen, I'm still five years old than you".
"I'm not disputing to th.....
"Sis what's up, birthday boy disturbing ya?".
*I know that annoying voice anywhere*. The voice walked up from behind me.
"Raizel, what a pleasant surprise". I forced a smile.
*What's the garbage doing here, wasn't he supposed to be too busy to attend*. I frowned internally.
Raizel Cain , but he prefers Raizel Inventa, (his mom was like his goddess, so he took her last name). The elder brother of Mai, around twenty four, he was just another normal Cain with black hair purple eyes.
I disliked him just as much as he disliked me, but I had to pretend like I wanted to see him because he was Mai's favorite person and I needed all the help I could muster to beg for her he.....
" Is that how you greet your elders, not a single sheer of respect". He scoffed refusing to take my hand.
*Respect my foot, you disrespect my mom however you like and come here to talk about respect, you scumbag!*. I frowned.
My family (Cain empire) worked on a hierarchy system, depending on how many shares and businesses you had a hand in, to cut straight to the chase, it was harder for outsiders (people who married into the family, male or female) to climb up the ranks as easily as heirs or original members except with hardwork, and my mom was more of a spend than earn kind of person, so this scum was higher than her in ranks.
Like I said earlier ( around chap. 21), there was no love in this family, the only thing that existed was trampling over others, whether you were a child or not, each branch keeps trying to be the best (even though that title already belongs to my dad).
"Respect you say?, but I don't see any gray hair".
He was embarrassed as Mai laughed, so he quickly spoke up .
"Respect has nothing to do with me just being old, you!".
"Sorry I had no clue ". I apologized.
*Just stop talking, I'm here for your sister not you*.
"Anyway, aren't you supposed to be enjoying your party?". He asked.
"Is that a concerned tone I sense?". I chuckled.
"What!...not at all, I just wondering why you're bothering my darling sister ". He clinged onto Mai after speaking.
"Well if you must know, I wanted to speak with her ...
"About what". He interrupted
"Alone". I completed my statement.
"Alone?, pfft!". Raizel started laughing stroking his sister long purple hair.
(Star78 : For anyone confused, black and purple ran in the family, so it could be black hair or purple hair, well except from Xander the honoured one,🤫 you didn't hear that from me).
"Me and my dearest sister...
*More like only sister*. He had a brother just so you know.
"Always go hand in hand".
"But just now you were busy flirting around ....
"No I wasn't!". He retorted.
"Anyway, better say whatever it is in front of both of us or forget it".
"Don't be so rude". Mai finally spoke up.
She turned to me and said
"Why don't you say it here, I mean Rai is family?!". She smiled with a pleading nod.
"Fine then". I went straight to the point.
"What is the connection between the research facility and the orphanage". I added.
"And don't try to lie to me, because I do know that there's a connection , a very strong one". I scrutinized their faces for any trace of lying.