Stand for Love Ch. 17

"Finally," Victoria chirped, clapping her hands. "We have finally killed that silly little pest called Adrian. He is gone for good."

"Can you believe it?" Jake enthused as he headed for the couch. "I can't believe I'll finally be able to have Nicholas all to myself. I can't believe that I'll finally be able to live peacefully and enjoy my marriage. After so long...finally...patience has finally paid off." Jake breathed.

"I wish I had a camera with me," Cynthia chuckled as she followed behind her brother to the living room. "Fuck...I could have watched the video over and over again. Why did I live the camera?"

"There would have been no need for us if you ask me." Jane chuckled nervously as she made her way to the living room. "What we experienced sweetie...is too good. It will remain in our minds for as long as we live."

"That's true honey," Todd smirked, remembering how the building had exploded. "The most beautiful thing about all this is the way that building exploded." He laughed manically. "I can almost smell his blood. I could even imagine how he cried out in pain while he was being burnt. If I was given a chance...I would do it over and over again."

"Got the words right out of my mouth," Victoria chirped, sitting happily on the chair. "I don't regret any of it. The good thing is that we left no evidence at all. His car won't be found because it is scrap at a junkyard." She laughed, thinking about the first thing she did with the car. "I don't even feel guilty of anything."

"Me neither." Jake's voice was beautiful. His face might have been bruised and was still recovering but what he had just done was too much of revenge. "I wish I could see him burning in hell."

"Imagining is enough." Todd said in a dry tone. "I bet he is already with his stupid father and that bitch he calls mother."

"This is really wonderful." Victoria felt so alive. "I thought he was our weakest achievement but turns out he is our greatest achievement to date. He thought he could outsmart us but we are stronger. Cheers to us."

They all laughed out loud, touching their chests in happiness. They couldn't still believe Adrian was dead. As they sat on the couch, laughing and praising themselves all they thought about was the last face they saw on him. He was looking vulnerable and begged them not to kill him but they did it anyway. They ruled and Adrian was nothing but a pawn in the game of chess.

"Do you know what we've just achieved?" Victoria asked in a rasping tone. She looked up at everyone and gave a bitter laugh. "We have just defeated someone who had thought he could outsmart us. He had no idea we were the masters of this game."

"Yeah, the game is over. We have won the war." Jake laughed.

"Now we need to find a way to get back into that house." Victoria chirped, biting on her fingernails. She needed to get back her original position no matter what happened.

"That will be easy with the bitch gone." Todd chuckled. "We just have to lie low and let everything cool down. For now..." He quickly got up and raised his hands in the air as if he was dancing. "...let's celebrate!"

"Yeah," Everyone cheered as if they were going to have a party.

Then Todd went and brought a bottle of wine and they celebrated their success. They celebrated the death of Adrian.

"Let's toast," Victoria raised her glass in the air. "Let's toast to our greatest victory ever, Adrian's death." Then it was followed by everyone's chuckle. "May our success bring a lot of good things to us and may...he burn forever in hell. To us!"

Then they all toasted their glasses and began having their wine. It was a really happy occasion for all of them.

Taking a sip of the wine, Victoria held the glass in her hands. Her heart was racing...her breaths were absolutely beautiful...her hands shook but not in pain or anger but in pleasure. It was a really beautiful occasion for her. Adrian had dared her and thought he could get away with it. Victoria had paid him whatever that he deserved. She had no feeling of remorse at all. She had fulfilled her vow to him and now he was probably burning in hell. Good riddance for bad rubbish!

Victoria chuckled and then took a mouthful of that sweet wine. Right then...she wished she had been drinking his blood. Then she would have been happier. Either way Adrian was dead, gone. What matters the most was that he was gone from their lives...for good.

Good bye Adrian, indeed.

****

Nicholas was sleeping peacefully on the hospital bed, quiet and calm. He's been like that since they brought him in the morning. He hasn't moved or made any efforts to wake but he was alright. Seeing him in that condition was painful for everyone but not as painful as the Adrian's death. They had been in the hospital since morning and now it was in the afternoon. They had just entered Nicholas' room about an hour ago.

Granny was holding on to Nicholas' hand tightly. She didn't want to let him go for anything else in the world. Her eyes were still glassy with tears and she was still in pain. She hadn't eaten anything.

"Look at him," Granny sobbed as the pain came back. "I can't believe he has to go through this at this age. I can't believe he has become..." She couldn't say it. Talking about it was actually reminding her of her Adrian. He would have been with them, entertaining them and being with Nicholas but now...he was gone from their lives for good.

"I can't believe he's gone." John sobbed as tears formed in his eyes. "My life is meaningless. I have lost a brother...a friend...a companion. I had only met him after so long and now..." He gripped George's shirt and buried himself in his chest. "...I just wanna die." John cried in George's chest. "I wish they could have taken me instead of him. He would have been happy with all of you."

"It's okay." George cried, rubbing the back of the boy he was holding. "I'm sure that wherever Adrian is..." he couldn't say anymore as tears began falling on his face.

Only cries and wails could be heard in the room. They all knew for sure that that was not the right place to cry but they couldn't avoid the pain as well. They needed to let it out. It was really painful and none could accept that Adrian was gone.

"I feel really bad," Noah cried. "Adrian has really left a big hole in my heart. I'll never forget about him. And to even think that I was only starting to be a real brother to him," He cried out in pain. "Right now I just thank God that what my brother experienced wasn't a heart attack but rather an emotional trauma plus heartache. He is too young to be experiencing this type of pain." Noah's eyes never left his brother.

Granny's pain intensified when she actually thought of Adrian. "My life will never be the same." Granny cried. "I don't know if I'll be able to live happily again. Adrian was like another part of me so...part of me has died. I feel like I will never recover from this heartache. Why didn't they take me?" she cried out in anguish. "I'm already old. They should have killed me instead."

"It's all of us granny," Noah sobbed as more tears flowed. "We will never be the same again. The house will feel empty without him."

There was some moment of silence as everyone just stared at the sleeping man on the bed. All of them had no idea what was gonna happen if he wakes up. They even feared thinking about it because Adrian was like the source of his life and everything that he did. If they were feeling as terrible as they were...they could even start to imagine what Nicholas will be going through from that time onwards.

"What did the inspector say?" Granny asked, moving her eyes to George. "Did he say anything else when he came back here?"

George sobbed. "He said...they didn't find a thing. Everything was burnt to ashes but he assured that this case was gonna be investigated until they find the one who did it."

"I have a feeling that mom was involved." Arianna muttered, drawing everyone's attention. "I am sure she was involved somehow."

"Yeah," Noah sobbed, trying to rub off his tears. "I thought of that too. But what can we prove without evidence. We just have to allow the inspector to do his job. Besides..." He cried out loud. "...I am sure they will be interrogated. Whoever killed him...will pay for it."

Granny had watched everything that was going on. The image of the whole place exploding was something that she was not gonna forget. It was deep in her brain and it kept on repeating in her mind. She kept hearing the loud explosion and each time she did, he heart pounded in her chest and the tears came out. She was never gonna forget about Adrian. Whoever had killed him was gonna die a painful death. If only she had stopped him that day. The last thing he gave her was a peck and she gave him her blessings. Why didn't they work this time? She was wishing it was her and not Adrian. The boy had gone too soon. He was too young to die.

***

Nicholas woke up with a painful groan, getting everyone's attention. They all rushed to him but what they saw was quite painful. Nicholas was awake quite alright but his eyes were swollen. They kept moving from place to place and his face was already flooded with tears. The tears kept on coming out but there was no sound that came out. He had a look of shock and pain on his face and everyone was worried because he was not in a good condition.

"Nicholas!" Granny sniveled, holding his hand tightly while trying to suppress a groan. "Are you alright?"

Nicholas didn't know what was happening to him or his body and the truth was that he didn't care. The pain was too much to bear. But what surprised him was that he wanted to cry...he wanted to scream but he couldn't do it. The only thing that showed his pain and anguish was the tears that came out, literally burning his face. His heart was pounding, sending powerful vibrations of pain throughout his system. Then his head began pulsing, literally exploding the veins in his head. He was in unimaginable pain, feeling each heart beat bring him close to his death. He just wanted to die and leave this world. He wanted to be with his Adrian in the next world.

Lying on the bed, feeling nothing but pain, Nicholas' pain was going beyond pain. He was starting to slowly lose his mind. He couldn't think of anything but the memories he had made with Adrian. That was really painful...excruciatingly painful.

"He's he okay?" Arianna asked, getting closer to hold her brother's hands.

Noah went to Nicholas and checked him. He could see nothing but pain and his body was in pain. As a doctor, he knew that his brother was in mental torture and the shock had made him to be like that. He expected him to cry or something but due to the intense pain and torture that he was passing through...he knew his brother was gonna be like that for a while.

"He's in pain," Noah cried softly, feeling his brother's pulse. "He is in so much pain that...he can't believe Adrian is no more."

"My grandson," Elena cried. "Why did he have to pass through all this at this age? Isn't it enough that his father and his grandfather are dead? Did Adrian..." She paused and then brought her grandson's hand to her face. She caressed it, crying in anguish as the memories of Adrian hit her. "...I just pray that...he'll be able to pull through this."

"Yeah," Noah wept. "I fear that...he might stay like this." He cried. "He's in so much and pain. I can't even imagine what's on his mind."

George stood up with John in his arms and then looked down on his friend who was lying on the bed. He wasn't looking good at all. George had no fucking idea whether the pain that he felt was ever gonna go away. If only he could give his life in exchange for Adrian's, he would do it willingly. Now he was gonna have to live with the painful memories of Adrian.

"How long will he stay here?" George sobbed. "Don't tell me..."

"No," Noah cried. "I'll take him back home this evening. I just hope his condition won't worsen."

While everyone was crying and talking, Nicholas wasn't even aware of anything. He was had lost consciousness of his environment way before he woke up. He might have been awake but his mind was completely lost in the world of its own, a world of nothing but pain, anguish, mental and emotional torture. He had experienced a lot and he wasn't gonna be well.

Nicholas knew that from that time onwards, pain, anguish, torture, sorrow and the memories of Adrian were gonna be his companion. He knew that he would soon die of the excruciating pain he felt deep in his beating heart.

Nicholas knew his life had changed...his life had been ruined, destroyed. He wasn't gonna be the same without Adrian...ever. He was gonna mourn him for the rest of his life until he eventually dies.

****

The whole family arrived home, quiet and in pain. No one had uttered a word after leaving the hospital because all they thought about was Adrian and his pain. George was holding Nicholas whose mood had suddenly turned into something else. He hadn't uttered a word since he woke up and neither did he move his mouth. He had been crying but now he was just something else. Nicholas' had stopped crying but he was like a robot. He was just looking vulnerable as if he was paralyzed or something. His eyes were moving but he was looking like someone whose memory had been lost.

Entering the house, everyone stood still, looking all around. Tears formed in each of their eyes. They knew the house wasn't gonna be the same without Adrian and his lively mood. They knew they were gonna be punished with the memories of the boy they loved a lot. It was gonna be difficult to live like that.

Something happened, something strong that made Nicholas raise his face. He slowly started slipping into his mind, slowly experiencing the pain over and over again. Nicholas then started moving his legs step by step, looking all around. He couldn't feel the pain anymore but something worse, something that had him bound. He couldn't stop staring.

"Hey," Nicholas heard Adrian's voice. "Don't come late from the office. I'll be waiting for you okay?"

The image of Adrian appeared right in front of him and he was smiling while kissing Nicholas. It was like everything disappeared. The only thing he was able to see was Adrian. Nothing else was on his mind but his Adrian, his sweet-sweet Adrian.

"I love you." Adrian said with a smile. "No matter what happens I'll love you with my whole heart."

Nicholas closed his eyes as he felt like someone had pierced his heart. He moved his hand up and held his chest but that was it. The pain was a part of him and he wasn't gonna avoid it no matter what he tried.

"I'll love till my last breath."

A groan escaped Nicholas' throat. Then he began breathing harshly as his tears made his face all wet. He couldn't do a thing. He just wanted to cry out in pain. Yes, that was what he wanted the most. He just wanted to cry out in pain.

"I love you..." Adrian's voice whispered, making Nicholas' chest to tighten. The pain was expanding in him and the blood was audible to him. His heart which had once beat for Adrian was beating in pain. If only he could just collapse and die.

"Hey," Nicholas saw Adrian right in front of him, calling him.

Nicholas then started taking slow steps while everyone watched and stifled their cries. Then he started following the image of Adrian as more tears escaped his eyes to his face. He couldn't do it anymore. He wanted to die.

"Adrian!" Nicholas gasped in pain, holding tightly his chest. He felt like someone was squeezing his heart, killing it with every move he made. But he continued moving till he reached the stairs where he suddenly froze and his heart died.

Right there in front of him, was the image of Adrian and him. It was the image of the last time he had seen Adrian and the last kiss they had shared. That image brought a lot of sadness to him. Then as if it was happening for real, he saw Adrian smiling at him with tears in his eyes. Then he looked into those piercing blue eyes and he felt a cold shiver run down his spine.

"Don't worry," Adrian spoke to him. Nicholas could swear Adrian was standing right in front of him, talking to him. It felt so real. "I don't want you to cry or be defeated." Adrian said as a tear fell down his cheek. "Please be strong for me. I might be gone but I'll always be with you. You promised you wouldn't cry."

"Adrian," Nicholas gasped, sobbing uncontrollably. "Please..."

"My love," the image of Adrian was crying. "Life goes on...I am gone but you still have a life. Stop crying. We will soon be together again. I love you so much."

Then just like a flash of light, Adrian was nowhere to be seen. He just disappeared, crying like a little child. Nicholas then started looking everywhere.

"Adrian!" He gasped as more strength left him. "Please come back..." He cried. "Don't leave me alone. I need you please don't leave." He was crying like a little child again. He was trembling so badly that everyone who saw him instantly got worried.

"Nicholas!" George called, trying his best to make his voice sound normal. But he couldn't do it because he was trembling so much in fear. He was scared and he couldn't hide the fear. The more he tried to be courageous the more the pain intensified to the point where he was having difficulties breathing.

"Adrian," Nicholas hollered, moving his hand from his chest. Then still trembling in fear and pain, he moved his hands forward and began searching for Adrian. "Adrian! Come back here..." He shouted. He was just like a mad man. "Adrian!"

"Nicholas, please calm down." George was trembling so much but he managed to grip his best friend in his arms. "Adrian is not here." George gulped. "Please..."

"He's here," Nicholas shouted out in pain. "Find him...I...I..." He quaked, pointing his shaky fingers to the stairs. "...I saw him on..."

"Pull yourself together." George couldn't believe he was trying to be courageous when he was really scared. "Adrian is..."

"No!" Nicholas shook out in pain. "I saw him and..." Then he paused and gasped, moving his hand to his chest. He was having a short supply of air, making breathing difficult. His heart was in pain and his whole body shook from the pain.

"Nic," George shouted as he leaned forward to hold his friend who seemed to be collapsing. "What is happening?"

Nicholas' mind kept on slipping away...his vision blurred totally and he couldn't do anything. Then with one final shot of pain through his heart, he collapsed in George's arms.

"Nic," George cried, struggling to breath. "Noah! Please..."

"I'll take care of it." Noah said as he checked his pulse. "He's fine. He has just passed out. Right now I think that you need to stay with him." Noah sighed audibly. "He's in so much pain. I think I might...I might decide to give him a shot just to make him sleep. If this continues I am gonna have to do it."

"My grandson," Granny cried. "...please, take care of him."

Hearing granny's cries, George picked Nicholas up and climbed the stairs with him in his arms. Then he was left with a decision to either take Nicholas to his room or his own room. But taking Nicholas to his room was definitely a bad idea. That room was filled with a lot of memories of Nicholas...so bad idea. George quickly took him to his own room and slipped him under the covers. Then he watched him sleeping while he cried softly from pain. He hated seeing Nicholas in the condition that he was. If only he could take away that pain and make his friend the person he used to be. If only he could take Nicholas' pain and put it on himself...he would do it without hesitation.

But George knew he was gonna have to watch his friend suffering. Adrian had left a hole in his heart. That hole was not gonna be filled, ever.

On the other hand, the family members in the living room were seated on the couches crying. They had spent just five minutes and they couldn't stop crying. All the maids and guards had known and they were not in a good mood either. They were crying and mourning the death of their boss' husband.