35 Chapter 7: The Adrianno family

After the meeting, Nicolas went home with his father. Since their meeting started in the afternoon and ended by five in the afternoon, they arrive in their home by six in the evening.

Adrianno family is considered to be one of the most powerful family in Country P in terms of wealth and power in the government as they have a generation of military figure such as a General, a great tacticians and the like. They just didn't engage their selves in politics but, most people know about their family. They also have business on their own though it was mostly managed by his mother before and is now passed down to his brother as his mother already wants to retire.

Nicolas' brother, which named Nathan, is a very reclusive man and is rarely known by the citizens as he wants his life to be very private unlike their father, who as a general is always seen on TV and is always interviewed in the news. Nathan is younger than Nicolas by two years but, he is known by their rival businessmen to be very cruel and perfectionist in business and so even in his young age of twenty-eight he already manages their mother's company who has a chain of restaurants and hotel.

Nicolas' house is located in an exclusive village that is an hour drive from the city. Their house is huge and comparable to a mansion. It was styled in a simple square house but the amenities inside cannot be underestimated such as a pool on the left side of the house, a garden on the backyard as his mother likes to plant flowers, vegetables and the likes and also a garden in front which is full of Bermuda grass and a flowers as you walk on the driveway.

After their Chauffeur parked their car in the garage, they went out of the car and walk towards their house. They were greeted by his mother on the doorway which has their butler Lee on her side and the rows of maids that bowed down as a greeting to him and his father.

"My son, you're finally home", his mother said as she embrace him with a smile on her face. Then, his father also greets his mother.

"Come now inside", his mother said then started to walk towards the living room.

As he entered their living room, he saw his brother, Nathan sitting on the sofa and is currently busy typing in his laptop that is put on their center table. Nathan is still wearing his office uniform which composed of a long-sleeved polo shirt and a black slack pants, his coat is currently folded beside him with his necktie.

When his brother heard their footsteps they greet them with a nod. Nicolas just also nods at him as he is already used to his very silent and introverts brother.

"Come in the dining room now, I know that all of you might be starving", his mother who named Melissa Adrianno said to them all with a smile on her face. She's already turning sixty this year just like his father but she looks younger than her age and she moves very regal like a royalty as his mother is the sole heir of the Xia Conglomerate. Since, Nicolas is not fond of managing his mother's businesses it was passed down to his brother which is very suitable for his characteristics.

They went to the dining area which has a table good for six people and the maids are now serving their food. His mother prepared the Filipino dishes that he haven't tasted yet since a month ago due to him became captured, then while he's in the hospital there are a lot of food which he can't eat and he became busy after his discharge in the hospital so, in fact, this is the first time he came home in their family's house as he also have his own penthouse in the city.

The dishes composed of Chicken Adobo, Sinigang na hipon, Beef Caldereta and Kare-Kare. Seeing and smelling the delicious smell coming from all of his favorite foods, Nicolas' stomach started to growl and causing his mouth to water, garnering a laugh from his mother.

They now sits on their respective seat which is his father on the center end, then on the right side of his father is his mother's seat then Nicolas is on the left and beside him is his brother Nathan.

"Come, let's eat now", Gen. Adrianno said very excitedly as this rarely happens where both of his sons are dining with them as the both of them already have their own penthouses.

As they were eating his mother started to ask, "So, how was your day?"

"Today, my mood is quite good. I just don't know about this son of yours who are in daze during our meeting earlier", Gen. Adrianno said while looking at Nicolas who is currently eating a shrimp.

"Oh, what happened dear, do you not feel good?", his mother inquired worriedly.

"Nah! I think this son of ours just received a shock from his rejection yesterday", Gen. Adrianno said then started laughing at his son's predicament.

Nicolas does not know if he should laugh or cry and thinking right now, 'Father, do you have to be that cruel to me to laugh at me for being rejected? I'm still your son!'. Nicolas just sighed to his father's antics.

"Father, May I remind you that if I fail in courting Leila then, you have to kiss goodbye to those imagined grandchildren of yours", Nicolas said flatly towards his father.

Gen. Adrianno which is still laughing boisterously earlier, once Nicolas' words started register on his head started to choke on his own saliva that halted his laughter.

"Oh, dear, come drink some water", his mother seeing that his father is coughing started to give his father some water then pats his back.

And, once his coughing stop, as he imagined that his imagined grandson which is calling him grandpa started to vanish in front of him he said in horror, "No, my grandson!".

"Well, I'm already rejected so, it's all over now father", Nicolas said to his father flatly. Well, he's just joking with his father to get back at him for making fun of him earlier.

"No, you must not give up my son. A soldier never fears and never surrenders to anything. Fight for it son!", Gen. Adrianno said it while raising his fist high and with a serious expression on his face like he will enter a battlefield.

Seeing his father's crazy antics, Nathan has a rare smile plastered on his face. Nicolas also doesn't know whether to laugh or cry to his father's craziness.

'Who would have thought that this Gen. Adrianno who are feared by many soldiers is acting like this when they are at home', Nicolas thought and just shook his head while a smile is plastered on his face.

"Don't worry, son. Your father is here to help you. We will begin the 'mission: Capturing Leila's heart'", Gen. Adrianno said it while still in his serious expression mode and slammed his fist on the table which garnered an annoyed look from his mother as the table shook so, his father started to put down his fist and muttered an apology to his mother.

Then he started saying again, "I won't let my grandchildren go away. Be prepared, we will plan our mission in our study room after our dinner. You, also have to take part in this Nathan and I won't take no for an answer. Your nephews are at risk here", Gen. Adrianno said as he points his hands towards Nathan's direction.

Nathan who is currently chewing his food started to choke and so he hurriedly drink his water then sighed on his mind.

'Why do I have to take part in my father's craziness again?', Nathan thought and just have a dejected look on his face but he just nod seeing his father's stern look forcing him to say yes.

Nicolas felt sympathy towards his brother's predicament, just started to pats Nathan's shoulder and giving him a sympathetic look.

Their mother just laughed at her husband's antics and towards her sons' predicament. She was also excited by this future daughter-in-law of her so she agreed with her husband and just gives words of encouragement to her sons.

And, just like what Gen. Adrianno said, they started to plan their mission in their study room after their dinner and they reach an agreement that they are going to start this operation starting tomorrow.

Authors Note:

• Sinigang na hipon is also known as Shrimp Porridge or stew translated in English and is a popular food in the Philippines just like Chicken Adobo, Beef Caldereta and Kare-Kare. Just look for it on the internet for complete information of these foods.