The familiar silver gate opened and two cars of the same model and colour drove into the apartment and parked. The five boys gloomily got out of the cars ; three in front and two at the back and made their way into the living room. Each lost in their own thoughts. The situation at the hospital having taken a negative toll on them.

  Even though Stella had been stabilised again and they've been told two hours ago after examinations that it was possible she had started regaining some memories, they just couldn't relax and stop worrying. Mr.and Mrs. Lewis had had a really hard time convincing Leo and Leona to go home and rest. It had taken a lot of promising and convincing before they finally left. But not before telling an unconscious Stella they would be back early the following morning to see her before leaving for school.

  In the living room, Raymond was the first to rush upstairs to change and shower before getting into a pair of blue shorts with a white shirt. Slipped his feet into a white slippers and rushed downstairs - he was starving. It was already a little past seven P.M.

  Going into the kitchen, Raymond got a big glass jar of juice and some cookies and returned to the living room. Placing them down on the glass table he suddenly remembered Mrs. Blunt's chocolate - peanut cake originally meant for Stella still in the boot of his car. Glancing around cautiously, he realised everyone was still upstairs showering. Perfect! Quickly, he went to his car for the cake and dashed for the fridge where he kept it.

  However when he turned, he almost jumped out of his skin. Standing right behind him was none other than Philip, looking calmly at him with his hands tucked into the pockets of his coffee - brown shorts that were a perfect match with the sea-blue shirt with a shadowy bird printed on it. His feet in a light brown slippers.

  " You went for the cake." Philip stated, his gaze fixed on the fridge with a smile tugging at his lips.

  " Sorry Phil." Raymond said with a grin while scratching the back of his head awkwardly. " It was just so tempting."

  Philip couldn't help but chuckle lightly, shaking his head. With no hint of anger on his face he replied ; " Just keep it away from me and Stella.

  " Oh....right. Understood. Raymond replied happily, a bright smile on his face." Don't worry, there's no way it would get to Stella." He ended confidently, turning to look at the fridge before following Philip into the living room where the rest of the boys were done changing and getting some cookies off the plate on the table.

  " Hey idiot! " Richmond called out whilst looking at his brother with mock disdain and a cookie in his hand. " How could you serve juice without glasses. You little salmon - headed moron!"

  " Hey come on!" Raymond said, offended and frowning. " Just forgot- okay? How about you go get it!"

  He had just ended ended when a knock landed on his head, the low sound it made filling the room.

  " What the heck bro! " Raymond cried out with a frown and a pout, rubbing the hurting spot on his head, looking wronged and innocent.

  " Use your head next time and stop complaining. Now move your lazy butt!" Richmond merely said before getting seated and munching on his cookie. He had changed into a light and comfortable light orange coloured pant with the same white shirt Raymond was having on.

  Glaring at his brother, Raymond stormed into the kitchen to get glasses, grumbling as he went. Just as he disappeared into the kitchen, Philip's cell phone rang and he moved a few steps away to answer as Chris had the T. V on quite loudly. The call was short and he returned just as Ramond came from the kitchen with the glasses.

  " Is there something you have to let me know, Chris?" Philip asked as he got seated, his deep eyes scrutinizing Chris who was busily eating a cookie and pouring juice into a glass in front of him with his left hand. His actions paused for a second before resuming

  " No....oh yes. I forgot. " He said, seeming to have suddenly remembered something. Placing the jar down and taking a big sip, he continued, looking at Phillip with a slight guilty look and a small smile. " Sorry Phil. I forgot to tell you this too...with everything that happened. "

  " Go on." Philip merely replied, face having a barely noticeable frown on it.

  Chris, having changed into a white shirt with white shorts sighed, understanding he had upset him with the withheld information. The rest were all looking at the two of them curiously

  " Whilst taking Stella to the hospital, your mom had figured out who she was without me explaining much. I slipped up and told her our friend is a girl, had an allergic reaction and it's he sixteenth birthday.....but Aunt was asking questions."

  " Damn. " Raymond whispered, placing his glass of juice on the table.

  " What was her reaction? " Michael asked, adjusting the neckline of his black light -fabric shirt. He had the shirt on a pair of white comfortable pants with his black slippers lying carefully at the side.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  "She was initially very frantic, serious and scarily anxious about Stella - but then scolded me quiet mercilessly for thinking she couldn't handle Stella's information because of Hazel. She seemed very excited about Stella though. I think she's planning on meeting her when she gets back from her trip. "

  " She's back. " Philip stated, taking a sip if his juice.

  " Already?! " Chris asked in disbelief. Philip just nodded silently.

  " I hope this wouldn't cause any problems with Stella. " Chris said, sitting up with concern on his face.

  " No, I think it will be fine. " Michael said with a thoughtful look. " I trust Aunt. I'm sure she'll start as her Doctor - friend for now."

  " Oh...that's great then. But she did say she found out about a few things in her search for Stella these past two years. " Chris said calmly, Now relieved from his worries, he took a cookie and began eating.

  " Look. " Philip said, showing his cell phone to Michael who quickly took it, his eyes widening a bit in surprise as he flipped through then suddenly darkened.

  " What's it?" The rest asked curiously, starting to come over but Michael gave the phone to Raymond who was nearer. The other two lowered their heads and looked closely.

  " An authopsy report on Mr. Skyluck....Stella's dad?!" Richmond asked I surprise, then exclaimed ; " He was acid poisoned?!"

  " With her older brother." Philip added.

  " What the heck?!" Chris said in shock. I was suspecting their deaths weren't normal...but certainly wasn't expecting this. And this report has been hidden all these years and we never found anything in our search!"

  " Someone or some people are covering up things." Richmond observed. " And.... Mike, I think your parents had accomplices. "

  " Mom said there are a few more, but we will have to meet personally. It's possible our phones might be getting tapped sooner or later. " Philip said with a thoughtful look.

  " Don't worry. I've worked on that with my new software. They can't tap into any technology we have here. " Michael said confidently, sipping on his juice and taking a bite of a large - rich chocolate - chipped cookie.

  " The doctor said Stella is showing signs of regaining some lost memories. She might remember certain things and help with our investigation." Raymond said as he poured himself a bother glass of juice.

  " She'll be in more danger if they figure out she's regained some memories. " Michael said, his hold on the glass in his hands tightening.

  " I did what you asked me me to. " Raymond said after eating a cookie. " I had the information sent to your email. Mr. Ridge seems like a normal rich business man dealing with Fabrics. But underneath that, he's into fire-arms smuggling."

  " Wow!" Raymond said with his mouth half filled with cookie. Picking up his glass of juice, he downed it all before chuckling.Then continued ; "That's why that Lion Kid said he's dangerous and seemed so nervous."

  " I felt that dangerous vibe when we met him." Michael said with a knowing look and a huff. " He thinks he's smart enough to get Stella? He should keep dreaming."

  " Do you think he's going to hurt Stella? " Chris asked seriously.

  " For now...no." Philip replied. " He might genuinely like Stella. But there's definitely a benefit attached."

  " You think so? " Chris asked doubtfully." Stella's an orphan you know? I don't think she has any properties left to her by her parents."

  " We don't know much about Stella's background. We need to find out more about her. Philip's right." Michael said with her eyebrows furrowed and his eyes darkening."

  " Mr. Ridge has five sons and two daughters." Richmond revealed. " His fourth son seems like the only rational, responsible and good one among his children. He's twenty - four is currently managing his own Organic oils company in Crystal City. "

  " Divine oils? He's..... " Michael asked the paused, his eyes widening slightly in recognition. " He's Lord Divine? "

  " Yes, that's him." Richmond confirmed with a grin. Taking a cookie, he ate before continuing. " His full name is Lord Divine Ridge."

  " My God! " Chris exclaimed and burst into laughter. " You really have a befitting rival here... "

  " Shut up. " Michael snapped at him, while glaring at him. Chris instantly shut his mouth but had to look away and cover his mouth with his palm to control the laughter. Michael just ignored him.

  " I think Lord Divine knows Stella already." Philip said calmly, downing the remaining half of his juice in a go.

  " Seriously?" Chris and Raymond both asked in synchronisation.

  "But he might not remember her now." Richmond replied with a thoughtful expression on his face.

  " How does he know Stella?" Michael asked through clenched teeth, starting to feel helpless again. If Stella really knew Lord Divine, then he's chances of being with her was dwindling.

  " Stella's mother used to be his nanny for some time, and her father was the Mr. Ridge's secretary in the company for sometime. When she was five, her mom sent her over to the Ridge's family home a few times and Divine was very fond of her. He was the one who inspired her to start painting at that young age. He thought her a few things about it. "

  " Whooaaaa...that was why that crazy old man could confidently say she belongs to their family." Raymond said in surprise, his eyes bright and full of excitement.

  " That's not enough reason for him to say that." Richmond told his brother sternly." He's just trying to tactfully join Stella and his broken hearted son together. "

  " Oh...now that you've said it, there are some circulating rumours that he's been in love twice and both girls ended up breaking his heart for his cassanova older brothers. "Chris said and chuckled.

  " What's the reason? " Michael asked.

  " What else? " Chris asked with a huff then continued." His older brothers are boastful and fluant their family's assets in font of girls. But Lord has ways been the calm and responsible type. More interested in building his own fortune than relaying on his family's. Back when he began his business, he did everything on his own and refused financial support from the family. No one except his father actually believed he could do it. I think it is because Mr. Ridge also began from scratch and saw himself in his son. "

  " How did you find out all theses. " Philip asked, looking curriously at Richmond with a light frown on his forehead.

  " I have a recent friend I made that's in the Ridge family's security - Luke. I asked him to find out for me." Richmond answered with a proud smile. Philip answered with a proud smile.

  " We can't keep Stella hidden forever." Philip stated, leaning back in the sofa with his gaze upwards at the ceiling. " Things will be getting complicated. And...we will need her to stay close to protect her."

  " That's going to be difficult." Michael replied with a sigh." I'll find a way."

  " Do you know my mom plans on adopting her?" Philip asked, his voice full of amusement.

  " What! " Michael, Richmond and Raymond said in synchronisation, their eyes wide. Except Chris who didn't seem too surprised.

  " She wants us to convince Stella to accept her. She seemed kinda desperate. " Philip added, his cheeks deeply dimpled from the laughter he was trying to hold in.

  Chris chuckled and muttered ; " Guess I saw that coming."