Third person's pov
In the Tyron's house,
"Oh, I'm so tired. I need to go freshen up." Gabriella said, rubbing her sore shoulders.
She had just returned from the gala with her husband and son.
"Who knew Ethan could play the piano. He is really lucky to get a scholarship from the governor" Mr Tyron said, taking a seat on the sofa in the sitting room.
He had been surprised when Ethan appeared onstage to perform. He had never known the boy was so talented.
"What's so special about playing the piano? Anyone can do that with just a little practice." Gabriella scoffed.
She had been particularly upset when Ethan suddenly appeared onstage.
She had tried put the incident out of her mind but now that her husband had brought it up again, her irritation returned.
A scholarship? Throughout his whole education?
Hmph, the boy should never dream of going to college, not while staying in her house.
"Mom, dad, I need to talk to you about something." Daniel said, his voice low.
"Daniel, we can talk later. I need to go freshen up first." Gabriella replied, turning towards the stairs.
"It's about Ethan." Daniel shouted making his mother freeze in her tracks.
She turned to face him, opening her mouth to reprimand him for shouting. However the seriousness etched across his face made her swallow her words.
"What is it?" She asked, her expression turning solemn.
Daniel stared at his parents, making sure he had their full attention before opening his mouth to speak.
He recounted the conversation between Mr Harris and Ethan to his parents.
When Mr Harris had asked to see Ethan, Daniel was consumed by anger and jealousy. He couldn't stand not knowing why the governor wanted to speak with Ethan, so he had followed them.
He had stood outside the room with his ear pressed against the door. Fortunately for him, their voices had been loud enough for him to hear everything.
When he heard about the gifts Mr Harris intended to give Ethan, he had been furious.
No! He would never let that orphan get anything good, no matter what it was.
"Are you sure what you are telling us is true? It's impossible." Gabriella exclaimed, shaking her head in disbelief.
She couldn't believe that the governor had not only granted Ethan scholarship but had also promised him a house and backing?
It was outrageous!
And what was that about him knowing Ethan's mother?
"It's true, mom. I heard every bit of it." Daniel replied, his voice laced with frustration.
"Well, that's a good thing, isn't it." James said calmly.
"We wouldn't have to sponsor him through school anymore and he will be able to leave this house too. You both have always hated the fact that he's living with us. Shouldn't we be happy?" Mr Tyron said.
"Dad what are you saying? Do you even understand what all this means?" Daniel shouted, his eyes bloodshot.
"A house, backing, and a scholarship? Why should Ethan get all that? We were the ones who practically gave him everything he has today! You and mom raised him, so the house and backing should belong to us. The scholarship should be mine! Do you really intend to let him have everything?"
Daniel had always hated the fact that Ethan was better than him at almost everything including looks and academics.
That was why he had sworn never to let Ethan have anything good in his life. He wanted to make sure Ethan always remained beneath him and he had no intention of allowing him enjoy the gifts Mr Harris had promised.
"Daniel is right, James." Gabriella cut in, trying to convince her husband. "We raised Ethan so anything given to him should rightfully belong to us. If you let him have those things, that wretched boy will start looking down on us. We absolutely cannot allow that."
"Look, I still think we should let the boy be. We...."
"James, what the hell are you saying? Are you even thinking about our family? What about our son? Don't you care about his future? Don't you want us to become wealthy?"
Gabriella interrupted, unable to understand why her husband was being so soft-hearted.
"Gabriella what are you saying? Of course I care about our family." James shouted, feeling wronged.
"No, I don't think you do. If you truly care about this family, then prove it!" Gabriella snapped, glaring at her husband. "You have to choose between Ethan and your family."
"Ethan is also part of our family." James argued
"No, he's not. So choose right now." Gabriella retorted, folding her arms across her chest.
"Fine. Do whatever you want." James shouted before storming out of the sitting room.
"Mom, what do we do?" Daniel asked, moving closer to his mother.
Gabriella turned to him, a calculating smile spreading across her face.
"Don't worry, my boy. Mom has it under control."
Ethan finally got home after parting with Emily. He had folded the papers and put them into his pocket.
As he entered into the house, he saw his aunt and cousin sitting on the sofa in the sitting room. He greeted them before heading to his room.
"Stop right there, Ethan." Gabriella shouted.
Ethan froze in his steps for few seconds before turning to face his aunt.
"Anything you need aunt?" Ethan asked with a blank look on his face.
"Give them to me." Gabriella demanded, stretching forth her hand towards him.
"Give what to you?" Ethan asked, confused.
"Don't feign ignorance Ethan. Hand the papers the governor gave to you over to mom. I heard everything you talked about, you hear me?" Daniel said, his voice cold like ice.
His words made Ethan drop his mouth in shock. He never expected Daniel to stoop so low.
They want him to hand over the papers? In their dreams!
"To think that you had the nerves to eavesdrop on our conversation. What really is your problem Daniel?" Ethan confronted Daniel. He had intended to hide everything that occured with the governor from them, at least until he leaves the house. He never expected Daniel to eavesdrop.
This family will never cease to amaze him.
"Shut up Ethan Madleev!" Gabriella snapped, her eyes red. "We raised you to this point. You had the opportunity to meet the governor all thanks to us, so those gifts should be ours. Now hand them over."
Ethan stared at the people in front of him, a dry chuckle leaving his lips. He bent his head low, trying to hold back the tears.
In as much as he try to pretend everyday that their attitude towards him doesn't get to him, some certain things has their limits.
Is it that hard for them to see him happy?
"Never!" Ethan replied, his voice low.
"What.. what did you just say?" Daniel exclaimed, shock evident in his voice.
"You say you raised me huh? No aunt, you never raised me. You never cared about me or anything I did. You only sent me to school because of your reputation. I practically live as a slave every single day in this house. So what right do you have to ask for the gifts huh?" Ethan shouted. Anyone could hear the pain and anger in his voice.
Gabriella and Daniel stood there looking at Ethan, dumbfounded.
They never expected the boy to refuse.
"I'm sorry, but I'm never handing over these papers. Over my dead body!" Ethan said before heading back to his room.
The two people in the sitting room still stood there, staring at the spot Ethan was just standing on seconds ago.
Did that wretched orphan just refuse them? How dare he?
"Mom, he refused. What do we do now?" Daniel asked, turned to his mother with a concerned expression.
"We will get those papers but we won't do it the nice way anymore. Since he won't give it willingly, he leave us with no other choice. Listen to me Daniel...."
The next day,
Ethan had just finished his chores and was preparing for school when his phone rang.
He was surprised as he didn't have anybody's contact except for his aunt and her family. They can't be the ones calling him as everyone was still home.
He picked his phone and stared at the unknown number on the screen. Then he remembered he gave his contact to Percy and Emily yesterday.
It must be one of them calling.
He slowly pressed the answer button.
"Hello Ethan, it's Percy." A happy voice came from the other end.
"Good morning Percy. What's up?" He replied.
"I'm good. Wanted to ask if you were coming to school today?"
"Sure."
"Alright then. See you in school. Don't be late." She replied and hung up the phone.
Ethan shook his head as a chuckle broke through his lips.
Who knew that the almighty aloof Percy could be this playful and caring?
Ethan dropped his phone, finished preparing and quickly left for school.
"Ethan!" Ethan heard his name as he entered the classroom. It was Emily calling him. He smiled and walked towards her.
He noticed that the way his classmates looked at him had changed.
There was no longer disdain or disgust, instead they looked at him with awe.
He decided not to pay much attention.
"What's up?" He greeted Emily and they started chatting.
Soon Percy entered the classroom and joined them immediately she spotted them.
Emily was not comfortable with her around but didn't want to seem bitchy so she decided to keep calm.
This went on and on for the following days and Emily had no choice but to finally accept Percy as a friend.
The three because so close in school, almost inseparable.
Of course, the other students talked.
Not only was it shocking that the orphan who had always been a loner finally made friends but he also became best friends with Percy, the ice queen of their class.
It was incredible!
No one was able to pick on Ethan again. Not that they didn't try but you just can't pick on him when the two female soldiers, Emily and Percy were next to him.
These changes only made Daniel more furious.
"Just you wait Ethan Madleev. I'll make sure you surely regret coming out of your shell."
It was a hot Friday afternoon. School had just been dismissed and students were already on their way to their respective homes.
The three best friends, Ethan, Percy and Emily were walking home as they have been doing for the past one week. They were chatting happily as they walked.
"So guys I have an idea." Emily spoke up.
"What idea?" Ethan asked with raised brows.
Percy stared at the face of the boy standing next to her with full attention.
When she had approached Ethan Madleev for the first time, she had done so because she thought he was worthy of having her as a friend.
But recently, she had gotten to know the side of him that most of their classmates don't know. And she have also fallen for him.
Yes! She has feelings for Ethan.
But she's scared of letting her feelings known.
Scared of ruining their current friendship.
She had grown so fond of Ethan and Emily that she wouldn't want anything to spoil what they have.
That is why she is willing to wait.
To wait for the right time.
"Let's meet up tonight and have dinner." Emily said excitedly, her eyes sparkling.
"Uhmm, why if I may ask?" Percy asked, raising a brow.
"Come on guys, let's just chill tonight. There's nothing wrong with having dinner together. We are best friends after all." Emily said, pouting her thin lips.
Percy and Ethan exchanged looks before looking back at Emily.
"I don't see a problem with that." Ethan shrugged.
"Alright then. Let's meet up at Linda's. Cool?" Percy asked.
"Cool." Ethan and Emily chorused.
And the three friends continued chatting happily, looking forward to their meetup tonight.