The aroma of the sausage casserole and blueberry scones filled the room. The tree was redecorated and had gifts under it, my work here was done. Now, I just had to wait and enjoy the look of surprise on everyone's faces.

I went up and showered with warm water and then put on a white skater dress and brown knee high boots. I straightened my hair and left them loose over my shoulder.

I tried calling Adrian but all I saw on my screen were six missed calls from me to him. I sighed as I kept my mobile on the table and headed downstairs.

"There she issss. ", Charlotte sang.

"Vanessa! Thank you so much for everything.", Paula said, as she smiled.

"After all you guys have done for me, it was nothing but my duty and...oh! I forgot to tell you about your presents. They are under the tree. Why don't you take a look.", I said, smiling at Kevin.

"Really?", He asked.

"Yup. Santa left it for you last night.", I said, crouching down to his level.

"Did you see him?", He asked innocently.

"No. But he did finish the cookies and milkshake you had left him.", I said, remembering how despite the entire fiasco during the party, especially with Adrian throwing the tree, Kevin didn't forget to do his part.

He ran up to the tree and began tearing off the wrapping on his gift. I smiled at Paula, "Santa got you something too."

"Did he? I wish he'd give me my son back, for Christmas atleast.", She said sadly.

"He'll come around. Trust me.", I said, putting my hand on her shoulder.

"I hope so too. I am so glad you're here.", She held my hand.

"Me too.", I smiled earnestly, thinking that this was the closest I'd ever have to family. I loved these people.

We unwrapped the gifts under the tree. I had a few too. I opened them one by one until I stumbled upon an unnamed package. I frowned, as I opened it.

There was a cardboard box inside with something in a lot of bubble wrapping. I opened it layer by layer until I finally had a glass photo frame in my hand.

A photo frame is the most thoughtless gift ever but only when it's empty. This one had a picture in it, one that I very vividly remember. It was from the Hudsons Christmas card, five years ago.

I looked at myself. There was a wide smile on my face. How innocent and oblivious I had been back then. My gaze flitted to the others, my apparent family. Dad was sitting on a chair with Kate on it's arm. Nate was standing behind Dad with a hand on Jeniffer's back while I stood next to Jeniffer, with my arms wrapped around her tightly in a side hug. We were so close back then but now the only thought that crossed my mind was if she was so happy because she had a secret crush on Jacob. I sighed as I traced my cold fingers over the picture.

"Miss them?", I heard a guttural voice. I turned back to see Matthew leaning over the sofa, peering into the picture. I handed him the photo and he analysed it before he said," Your father asked me tell you something, once you had seen his present."

I turned around to face him, giving him my full attention.

"He wants you to go home.", he said and before I could protest, he raised his hand to silence me and I held my protest back in my throat.

"Just for a day. He wants you to have dinner with them and you can then return back, here."

"The last time we had a meal together, it didn't end quite well. You too were a witness to that.", I said.

"I know but family is the one thing that will always have your back."

"Ironic how everytime I got backstabbed, it was one of them.", I said bitterly.

"I know you have your differences and a whole lot of grudge against them but still, a family is, no matter how good or bad, something you'll always need. William, irrespective of what kind of a parent he was to you, you and I both know, he does love you."

"Not as much as he loves Nate or Jennifer."

"Maybe not. But he cares about you, he does."

"He as done quite a lot to show that, hasn't he?"

"The three years you were gone, it was the most unhappy I have ever seen him. He didn't talk to you for two of those years but trust me, it wasn't anger, it was guilt."

"I really respect you but I just can't believe that...and suppose I even try to...he never once told me how he felt or expressed his concern for me after what had happened with Jennifer and Jacob. Is that fair?"

"Absolutely not. It is not but you know as well as I do, your father is very stubborn and prideful."

"So I should overlook his shortcomings and forgive him?", I crossed my arms across my chest.

"No. Just give him a second chance."

"You mean the third. He could have revealed it to me that Jacob was cheating on me with my sister but he never did."

"Jeniffer had promised him that she would tell you herself. Put yourself in your father's shoes and tell me what you would have done."

I stared down at my feet. If I had to do right by both my daughter's...I wouldn't have told me right away either but...I would not have let them continue cheating behind my back till they told me and he literally asked me to leave...

"You knew about the whole fiasco with Jennifer all this while?", I asked him, trying to divert my attention.

"I did."

"Why didn't you say something before?"

"I only knew William's side of the story and I didn't want to pass a biased judgement even before I met you and as far as I have seen, you can be stubborn, maybe even more than William sometimes, but you a good person at heart and all the accusations put on you about what you did to your sister, they just didn't feel quite right...I am sure you have your own explanation that William refused to hear."

I gave him a sad smile.

"Vanessa, I know you still need time but when you are ready, do give him a second chance."

"I will...if you give a second chance to Adrian.", I bargained.

He looked at me in surprise but then quickly masked it, "You are just fit for business, aren't you?"

I smiled, flattered.

"I love him, I do. And I haven't given up on him, I am just waiting for the moment he realises he is going down the wrong path."

"Maybe, instead of waiting, you could do something.", I said, much more harshly that I had intended.

"I did do something. I didn't give him the businessman of the year trophy. I gave him something to strive for, to make him realise that because of his ways, he didn't get it."

"You didn't help him, you punished him."

"I tried helping him but unfortunately he didn't want it. When Charlotte got divorced and I retired, Adrian felt that the entire load of the family and business was on him. I told him it didn't have to be that way, I was still going to be around to help him but he caved in and found a hobby to release his stress. I didn't approve of it but by the time I objected, he was impervious to anything I said.", He sighed," I am not a good father either and I know that but I am trying to do whatever I can."

"Well, if that's the case, I guess you are right. You can't change the past, only the present.", I smiled.

I was definately going to meet dad and give him another chance and see if things would turn out any different. Even if they didn't, what did I have to lose, right?

However, not today. After all the drama this month, all I wanted was a peaceful Christmas and going home might just ruin that and I wasn't ready to take chances.

We had our breakfast and it was just as delicious as it smelled. I had to definitely hire one of the chefs here and ask him to cook for me, once I move out. I was pretty sure, Paula wouldn't mind.

When I went upstairs, I looked at my phone and it reminded me of what I had been trying, earlier today. A thought crossed my mind and I dialled Stephen.

"Hey. Merry Christmas!"

"You do hate the concepts of time zones, don't you?"

"Sorry. Did I just interrupt you lunch?"

"You did.", Stephen complained, "What do you want?"

"Could you find someone for me?"

"Seriously? I am supposed to be an ethical hacker but you really don't get that, do you? The kind of demands you have, I am afraid you are a mafia leader or something."

I laughed, "Boy! I wish that were true. I would have more interesting things to handle than two dysfunctional families."

I heard him laugh," So who do you want to track?"

"Adrian"

"Does he have a phone?"

"He does but it is switched off."

"Oh. Do you know which car he took?"

"Um...nope."

"I guess you'll have to look for him yourself then. I can only hack devices, which he currently doesn't have."

"Ugh. Fine. Thanks anyway.", I shook my head as I called my next source of information, the man Adrian almost killed yesterday.

"Hey, Merry Christmas.", I said as I walked downstairs and out of the house.

"To you too."

"Do you know where to find Adrian when he is very mad?"

"I am not helping him out.", He said shortly.

"You are helping me out."

"Why should I? He punched me and you, I don't know if all of this is because you told someone."

"I didn't! Trust me."

"You were the only one who knew."

"I know. But it could have been a silly mistake on your part, couldn't it? And don't worry about it, I have a hacker who is helping me find out the source of this."

"Oh. That's great. Please tell me if you find the person who did this. I want to punch that person in the face.

"Alright, I'll tell you. Now, Adrian?"

"He wouldn't be at the office or his penthouse. How about trying the clubs that are open today? Yeah. He drinks when he is angry and if you don't find him there, he could be in a hotel."

"Hotel?"

"With a girl. I hope I don't have to tell you, doing what."

"No thanks. That much information is enough.", I said, disgusted, "Ok. Bye."

I cut the call and started my car. Then, I remembered something and facepalmed myself. Of course Adrian wasn't picking up my calls, he threw his phone right in front of me.

■■■

I was four in the evening when I found the third last club on my list. I went inside, my tired eyes scanning the faces in the room, which weren't many. I began reconsidering my decision of coming here. Why was I even looking for him? He was a grown man, he could take care of himself.

A smile lit up on my face, a feeling of satisfaction overcoming me when I saw a dark-haired man sitting with three girls. I went over to the table and cleared my throat, drawing their attention to me.

"What do you want?", one of the two blondes said.

"I am here to take him.", I pointed to the man with blood shot eyes.

"I am not going anywhere.", He said in a hoarse voice.

God! How many drinks had he had?

"You heard him.", the brunette said," He's not going anywhere."

"Well if I say, he is. He is.", I said, pissed.

"Fuck off, bitch.", the second blonde said.

These were people because of which Blondes were made fun off. They should take the example of Charlotte and Cassandra instead.

"He's my boyfriend!",I rolled my eyes.

Even that statement sounded so wrong.

"What?", the first blonde said," You cheated on us, Ian?"

He was definately drunk because he nodded as a yes and gave a goofy smile which creeped me out because that was so not like him.

"Haw. I hate you. And I hate you too. You don't deserve Ian.", the second blonde said.

"Sweetie, you don't even know his name. You think you deserve him?"

"He's not Ian?", the comparatively sober brunette asked.

"Nope. He's been lah-ying to you.", I said dramatically.

"Huh! Whatever.", the brunette said before she left the table and the blondes followed her. I sat down next to Adrian.

"Well, I found you!", I cheered for my accomplishment.

He looked at me with disinterest and picked up his half-filled glass of a light blue liquid.

"That looks like a bathroom cleaner.", I discouraged him but he rolled his eyes and brought the glass upto his lips.

His lips...

VANESSA FOCUS!

I pulled the glass out of his hand and said,"That's enough for today."

"Why are you even here? Go away!", He grumbled.

"I will, once I get you home.", I said patiently.

Sober Adrian didn't comply with me, it would be a miracle if drunk Adrian would.

"I am not going anywhere with you. You are Satan.", He said, pointing his finger at me.

And here I thought I was going to say sorry and come clean.

"You! What would happen if beauty was a felony?", He smiled cheekily.

"What?"

"You'd get a death penalty."

"Say something like that again and I'll shoot you.", I said, utterly disgusted by his clumsy pick-up line.

He frowned, "To give me death penalty, because I am too handsome?"

Could he be anymore conceited?

I sighed, ignoring his question. I picked up his glass and drank a sip of the blue liquid, regretting immediately as the back of my throat was set ablaze. I coughed loudly as I kept the glass back on the table.

"That's disgusting. What was in this?", I said, scrunching my nose.

"Bathroom cleaner? I really don't know.", He said slouching onto the table.

I giggled at his state and then said,"Let's go home."

"No."

"Penthouse?", I suggested truce.

"Ok.", He nodded.

I asked for the bill and the moment it arrived, I was shocked. He had been here all morning and the toilet cleaner like drink was called Blue Margarita. I quickly paid off his bills and then asked Adrian to get up. We walked out of the door, with me supporting his weight on my shoulder as he plodded along with his one arm around me.

"I'll drive.", He smiled as he saw my car.

"You might have a death wish. I don't."

"But..."

"Adrian, please.", I stated firmly.

He just groaned and sat down, too tired to argue, once I opened the car door. I rolled my eyes and began driving as I saw him slump onto the seat and fall asleep.

When we got to his penthouse, I tried waking him up but it was no use. He wasn't asleep, he had passed out so I called one of his neighbours to help me get him in and when we went inside, it was a horror scene.

Everything around me was out of place, thrown deliberately. The mirrors, glasses, vases and photo frames that were there the last time I came here, were gone and now just their remains were scattered across the floor. The neighbour looked at me, praying for dear life as I smiled at him apologetically.

I was going to kill Adrian once he sobered up.

I put him in bed, thanked the neighbour and was on my way out, when the mess he had made of the house began bothering me.

If I were as drunk as him, I might stumble out here and most probably fall face flat on the broken glass shards.

I had nothing better to do and I needed to think about what Matthew said about dad so I decided to do a little cleaning while I was at it.

After I threw the last of the glass shards in the bin, I went over to the kitchen and made Adrian, a hangover tonic. I smiled as I proudly looked over at the now clean, rearranged living room before making my way to Adrian's room.

He was stirring in his sleep when I arrived so I quietly placed the glass by his bedside, not wanting to wake him up.

I turned around to leave but I felt Adrian grab my wrist and I yelped, not expecting it.

"Va...Nessa?"

I looked back over my shoulder,"I'm here."

"Would you sit here for a minute?", he asked.

Adrian shifted sideways to make more space between him and the edge of the bed, looking at me hopefully.

I had to go before he sobered up. He was still mad at me and the last thing I wanted was to get into a fight with him right now...but a minute wouldn't hurt, right?

I sat down close to him and he slowly sat upright.

"Thank you for getting me home.", he said, his eyes half open.

"It's okay. Consider it a Christmas gift."

"Chris...shit! You wasted Christmas looking for me?", he frowned.

"I didn't have much to do anyway.",I smiled.

My body froze as he slumped against me, resting his head on my shoulder.

"Vanessa?"

"Hmm?",I replied, focusing less on his words and more on slowing down my heartbeats which I was afraid he could hear.

"Does Charlotte hate me now?", he asked in a small voice.

My attention returned back to him, my posture still stiff. I gave a diplomatic reply,"She's your sister. She could never hate you."

He was always so collected, at least appearance wise but here he was, wearing the same shirt he left home in, his cologne masked by the smell of liquor, his greasy hair falling on his face, his face resting against the shoulder of the girl he'd want to yell at once he was fully sober, asking something he would normally never.

I sighed as my hands itched to run through his dark unkempt mane, trying to offer some comfort.

"I just don't want her to get hurt like last time."

"I know.", I replied, hesitantly bringing my hand to finger comb his hair but he didn't seem to notice.

"Is mom okay? Tell her I am sorry.", He continued.

"I'll do that.", I said, still running my hand through his soft, straight hair.

Adrian suddenly lifted his head off my shoulder and I quickly withdrew my hand.

Did I overstep my boundaries?

He looked at me with concern,"Did I say something wrong?"

"What? No? Why?", I frowned in confusion.

"You're heart's racing.",he replied and I realised how wildly, it was thudding in my chest.

Heat rushed to my face and I prayed he wasn't sober enough to notice.

I swallowed,"It's nothing. You're just...not sober yet...so everything is louder."

He nodded, putting his head back on my shoulder. I felt a sudden warm feeling growing in the pit of my stomach as I put my hand back in his hair.

"Vanessa?"

"Ya?"

"Merry Christmas."he said, putting his arms around me.

I smiled.

I was not sure if Adrian would remember anything by tomorrow morning. Nonetheless, I put my free arm around him and whispered, Merry Christmas."

We stayed like that till he fell asleep after which I lay him down and returned back to the Greys Mansion.

This Christmas wasn't that bad, I guess.

I signed a cheque and handed it over to the manager for an upcoming project. Once he left, I leaned back in my chair when a sudden unsettling feeling took residence in my stomach.

Something was wrong but I didn't know what.

I finally self diagnosed it as a bad hangover since I clearly didn't remember the last time I drank so irresponsibly.

I had woken up at eleven in the morning to a surprisingly clean house and a glass of tonic.

I didn't remember yesterday very well. I had a feeling that Vanessa had been there but what I remembered...me holding onto her...her finger-combing my hair...I was definitely dreaming, right?

I shook my head, trying to not recall what was possibly just a drunk hallucination, peering onto my computer screen. There were many projects to be approved of, now that Christmas was over, thankfully.