"Good morning Blake ! First of all, let me apologize for the lack of tact of my bodyguard earlier. Second of all, I want to send you my most sincere condolences. I have known your mother for a long time now and also long before you were born " , Frank told him.
" And may I know who you are ? And how do you know my mother ? " , Blake asked.
" Oh, right ! Excuse-me, I should have introduced myself much sooner. My name is Frank Campbell and I'm your father Blake " , Frank told him.
" Are you pulling my leg ? Do you really think that I'm as gullible as that ? Is this your new technique to kidnap people ? You go to cemeteries to take advantage of poor grieving people " , Blake told him, angrily with a raised tone.
" This picture was taken when your mom and I were celebrating our two years of relationship " , Frank showed and handed him an old picture.
Blake scrutinized the photo carefully to find out if it was faked or not. But when he looked closely at the photo he could see that it was really his mother and strangely at the same time he felt deep down that this man was telling the truth.
" I searched everywhere for you and your mother for years but I never succeeded " , Frank told him.
" But why would you search for us ? " , Blake asked, confused.
" For some unknown reason that I don't know, your mother ran away with you when she was just three months pregnant " , Frank explained and then he handed him an old picture.
" Maybe you did something wrong, something that she couldn't support anymore that's why she ran away " , Blake told him, coldly.
" Maybe I did or maybe it was something else but right now you need to come with me. If you stay here they will put you in an orphanage or in a foster home and I know that you deserve a better life than that. I can give you a better life Blake, I promise you that if you come with me you won't lack anything " , Frank told him confidently.
Blake sighed deeply to finally say : " alright ! I will come with you but I need more proof than an old picture to believe you and don't expect me to call you dad or father "
" Sure ! You can call me Frank or Mr. Campbell if it makes you feel more comfortable " , Frank finally said and they both headed to his car.
Frank had been waiting for this moment to meet his son for so long. He observed Blake very attentively during the whole trip, he reminded him so much of his mother who unfortunately had left too soon.
They headed immediately to the airport where Frank's private jet was already waiting for them and then they flew for Northview. Blake had never flown before and was feeling a little nauseous but managed to calm down and get some sleep after Frank gave him sleeping pills. But even while sleeping Blake couldn't help but think of his mother and everything that had happened during the past 24 hours. His whole life has just changed suddenly, he lost his mother, the woman who raised him all these years and whom he thought was his only family, and on the other hand he finds a father he has never heard of and who supposedly wants to offer him a better life.
After about 8 hours of flight, they finally landed at Northview airport where another car was already waiting for them as well.
Blake was of course still so overwhelmed by his new situation; indeed, a few days ago he was in another country with his mother alive and now he is in another one where he has never set foot before and with his father.
Finally, they arrived at the gate of the Campbell estate which had opened automatically. The Campbell estate extended over more than 100 acres, it included : a mansion style house which was over 10,000 square feet with 25 rooms, a stable, a very large garage, a big pool and all surrounded by a large beautiful garden that's why Blake was more than speechless when they arrived at the Campbell mansion, he has never seen a mansion as big as this since he was used to live in a 300 square feet apartment in a tiny little town all his life with his mother. Indeed, the Campbells are among the wealthiest and powerful families in the country.
Frank is the current CEO of the Firestone Group who has been founded by the Campbell family and has passed down from generation to generation until now. Firestone is specialized in mining and oil operations.
" Welcome home Blake " , Frank exclaimed and then patted Blake on his back.
" Welcome back Sir " , Mr. Miles, the butler, greeted them while opening the door. Mr. Miles has been working for the Campbell family since George, Frank's father, was the CEO of Firestone Group.
" Thank you Miles. Let me introduce you my son, Blake. Can you please lead the way and show him his new room. I have some businesses to take care of ", Frank said and then went to his office.
" Surely Sir. This way Mr. Campbell " , Mr. Miles told Blake while leading the way to his room.
" My name is Blake Hansen not Mr. Campbell. But you can call me Blake" , he stated proudly and then followed him with only a small backpack which didn't contain much apart from a book written by his mother, some photos of them together and his other personal belongings.
After a long climb up the stairs of the mansion and after going through several doors, Mr. Miles finally stopped in front of a door that was just down the hall.
" This is your room, Blake. Make yourself at home and don't hesitate to call me if you need anything " , the butler said. BLake thanked him and Mr. Miles left closing the door behind him.
Blake was totally in awe since he stepped a foot inside this mansion with his old shoes but was more speechless as he explored his new room, it was not only bigger but everything inside the room screamed luxurious. It was far from the little room with a single bed and a narrow window he used to live in, the walls were navy blue and white with a king size bed on the left and an elegant white couch, a coffee and huge screen on the right while a large glass window was at the opposite of the door. He opened the door on the right corner leading him into another room which looks more like an office with a book shelf. As he went back to main room, he opened another door on the right corner of the king size bed leading to a walking closet already filled with brand new clothes, cotton flannel pajamas and Campbell embroidered bathrobes, shoes and a console table displaying a watch collection, belts, sunglasses, various ties and cufflinks. The bathroom was located on the left corner of the king sized bed and already filled with all the toiletries he needed and much more.
In Frank's office,
He was focused on his laptop when Mr Miles the butler knocked on the door.
" Come in " , Frank said with a tired voice. Mr. Miles entered and then closed the door behind him.
" It's a good thing that you finally found him, Sir. But where is Melanie ? Did she agree to let her son come with you this easily ? " , the butler asked with an inquisitive expression.
Frank sighed and then replied : " Melanie died yesterday Miles "
" Then please accept my deepest condolences Sir " , he said and then poured them two glasses of whiskey.
" Thank you " , Frank replied and then gulped down his whiskey as soon as Mr Miles handed it to him .
" Did you tell Blake what really happened ? " , Mr. Miles asked after taking a sip from his glass.
" No, he's not ready to hear the truth yet " , Frank replied bluntly.
Suddenly the door opened, it was Victoria Campbell, Frank's wife.
" Frank my love, finally you are here. You disappeared just like that without a word. Where have you been? " , Victoria shouted and crossed her arms and furrowed her browor tried to but it couldn't move entirely because of all the botox she had injected in her face.
Victoria is Frank's legal wife, she is the unique daughter of Trevor Hayes, a businessman with a real estate empire which is worth millions. To support her luxurious lifestyle Victoria had no choice but to marry a rich man and Frank was the best choice. She has already been married three times and all of her previous husbands, all rich men but were all small fish compared to Frank Campbell. All her ex-husbands died in mysterious circumstances and she inherits most of their fortune.
" I finally found him, Vicky " , Frank exclaimed.
" Who ? Who did you find ?" Victoria snorted.
" My son" , Frank told her joyfully.
" Your ... your ... sss...son ??!! " , Victoria repeated after him but with a frozen look and her left eye that kept blinking awkwardly.