Two - You are your mother's son

It's another day for Allison to prepare Devonne about the truth. After her morning rituals, she went to the dining area for breakfast. For some usual reasons, her husband is already occupied with some phone calls at this hour. Devonne was already preparing himself breakfast when she saw him in the dining area. The young man smiled at her. She took a seat in front of her son.

"You're early!" Allison was surprised to see him this early. There were pancakes and breads on the table. She took some, spread chocolate syrup and took a bite.

"I forgot to tell you. I'm leaving for Paris. It was supposed to be yesterday but you called." Devonne mumbled while scrolling through his phone.

"What keeps bringing you back to Paris? Anyways, I'm afraid you need to reschedule that. We have to discuss some things. Very important things." She reminded.

"Can it wait?" An obvious irritation on his voice quirked Allison's eyebrow.

"Until when? When you come back? When?" She countered. Devonne frowned and kept quiet. His mom was right. He plans to stay in France a little bit longer than he expected.

"What's this matter that is so important?" He asked, full of sarcasm. A dangerous eyebrow raised from his mother retracts his attitude replacing with his sweetest smile.

"Just see us in the library after breakfast," Allison strictly ordered.

He excused himself after he finished his meal. Allison, again, reminded him to go to the library making him grimaced in annoyance. It was the third time.

When Allison finished her breakfast, she looked for Renard. She found him in the library sleeping on his swivel chair. Using a hardbound book from the closest bookshelf, she made a very loud thump on the table. Renard instantly got out of his chair in panic. Allison laughed in amusement. The startled man glared at his wife.

"You think that was funny?" He dramatically asked, trying to act angry. Allison was not threatened at all and returned the

attitude.

"Why are you sleeping here? We have a room." She said. The sarcasm was hinted by Renard.

He sighed in frustration and get back to the comfort of his chair. She noticed his distress and sat on the table. Leaned to him. A comforting smile formed on her face. Giving him the courage that he could not build.

"I'm telling him today." Allison whispered to him.

The fear of seeing the reaction of his son is deteriorating the insides of Renard. How his son will take the truth that was deprived from him for a very long time? Her soft hands provided him a temporary solace to his worries.

"Don't worry. I know he can handle it."

"Who can handle what?"

Allison and Renard quickly composed themselves. They smiled to

Devonne immediately. Devonne could not help but laugh to his parents' innocent

reactions.

"Please, don't act so innocent people. I can see you making out in the hall way." He teased them and sat near his father's table.

The couple who are like two teenagers caught doing naughty things beyond their bedtime are silently blaming each other. Devonne was having secondhand embarrassment from his own parents. He heaved a defeated sigh and forced a cough.

"So, who are you guys talking about earlier?" He asked while he suspiciously eyed both his parents.

Allison walked towards a portrait. She removed the white cloth showing the portrait bought by Devonne from Paris. He immediately dropped a confused look to his parents.

Allison stood beside the portrait and smiled to Devonne. The emotion in her eyes are overflowing. She is in the verge of crying.

"You know that I'm not your real mom, right?" She sadly asked.

"Aren't we through with this?" Devonne has no interest in the topic.

"There are some things that you should know." Allison added.

Devonne looked at her expectantly. She nodded to Renard and motioned him to stand beside her. The young man watched his parents joined forces. The biggest question of his life will be answered today. It's something the young man did not prepare for today.

"Son, I'd like to introduce you to your real mother. Catherine Pride Samira." Renard caress the face of Catherine on the portrait. The longing of his eyes got out and Allison saw it.

Devonne was taken aback. He can't find the right reaction to what is happening. For a few times, he tried to say something. He could not bear to accept the truth. Denial and confusion were all over his face.

"You must be joking?" He even faked a laugh to support his denial. No one called a bluff for that moment. That was the time he knew his father was telling the truth. He breathed really hard and sadly looked at his parents. With no other choice left, he finally accepted the hard truth. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"To protect you." The only words Renard could utter.

"Protect me from what? It's always that reason! To protect me? Now, where is she?" Devonne blown out in anger.

Allison quietly observed beside them with tears threatening to fall. She chose not to meddle with this problem. After all, she came in after everything went chaotic. She saw the journey of Catherine and Renard, and she knew what they had was real.

"She's gone." Renard silently said.

Devonne leaned back to the couch and closed his eyes for a bit. Sadness clouded his blue eyes, with threatening drops of tears. The overwhelming shock and betrayal shook him.

"How could you keep this all from me?" He painfully asked with a stifled sob.

"We thought it's for the best, but it was not and will never be. There are some things, very complicated things that your mother was involved with. We wanted you to live a normal life away from all of that." Renard explained.

"And you thought I lived a normal life? Everywhere I go, someone is with me like I'm some kind of a responsibility! You thought I enjoyed that?" Devonne answered in pained.

"In the right time you will understand the choices I made!" Renard coldly stated.

"The right time doesn't have to wait!" He countered and left the couch.

Allison tried to hold him but Devonne looked at her in rage. He was about to hold the door knob but Renard spoken. It was not the fear of the wrath of his own father, but the tone that for the first time in his life he heard. The sound of defeat.

"Fine. You want the truth. I'll give it to you." There's a mixture of bitterness and suppressed anger in Renard's voice.

Reluctantly, he turned around. Swallowed hard for he knew this will be hard. The truth he was too eager to know, but right now, watching the reaction of his parents, he is starting to question if it's really worth it.

"Our family, Samira family was tied to your mother's clan. They were vicious people. Wicked people with the undying thirst for power and control. They killed your grandfather so they can control our family. I married your mother for my own security, well, I fell in love eventually, but some things have surfaced including their master plan. Catherine sacrificed everything to correct her, bad choices." Renard stated with so much emotion. He was glad his voice didn't break.

"H-How did she die?" Devonne hesitantly asked. Renard glanced to Allison before he continued.

"After your mother's betrayal to her own clan, your grandfather's last living adopted son or your uncle, the one beside her," he pointed Hector on the portrait, "did not take her actions quite well. He let her live but your mother turned her back on them. She paid her betrayal with her life."

It was a hard slap for him. He processed everything he heard. It was fate that brought him to that old abandoned mansion in Paris, and it was also fate that urged him to buy his mother's portrait.

"Is he still alive?" He pointed the arrogant man beside his mother.

"Our men took his chopper down. We found his body but until now we are not sure if it's really his. He was the wisest person I know." Renard answered. Devonne seated again in front of them with a burning gaze.

"You still didn't answer me why you kept this from me?" His voice was filled with the pain of betrayal.

"You are the only living heir of the Drax bloodline, son. If your mother's clan will know about this, they will take you in. We can't let that happen. Those people are so evil that they will kill anyone stands in their way."

The flood of drama was put on hold when the butler knocked urgently. All of them fixed themselves. Renard let the old man in.

"I'm sorry to interrupt but Attorney Hussein is here." The old man stated in haste and left the room.

"You need to talk to him." Allison suddenly said to Devonne.

"The attorney? Why?" The young man confusedly inquired.

"He is the legal counsel of your mother's family. You two will discuss your inheritance."

Devonne stood idly for a bit. It wasn't even in the middle of the day but he is already burnt out. He had no choice but to interact with his visitor.

"Good morning, milord, milady." The lawyer politely greeted. He then moved his visions to the young man beside the couple.

"You must be Devonne Pride Samira?" The odd lawyer offered his hand which Devonne accepted.

"Shall we?" Renard guided them to their seats.

The attorney sat across them. He carefully brought his briefcase to his lap and opened it. He took and scanned some papers. After he double check if he is indeed reading the right documents, he smiled warmly to Devonne.

"I'm Fernandez Hussein, legal counsel of the Drax Family. As I've explained yesterday to your parents, you are the only living heir to the Drax bloodline, that includes the other one still under investigation. You will all have the entire Drax Group of Companies, the Chateau de la Mercedes in France, Drax Estate in United States and many more properties. The family has also left quite a number of vehicles, very expensive vehicles, which I will hand to you the list later." With no hesitation of any kind, he laid everything. Making it hard for Devonne to absorb at once.

"T-That is all mine?" The young man was appalled to hear everything. A huge asset was left for him. As a Samira, money was already not an issue for him, but owning it solely is a different story.

"Unfortunately, yes. On your uncle's assets, Don Hector Exconde. You will receive the Exconde Tower in Italy and you will own 25 percent of the Morningstar Corporation." The lawyer added.

Renard and Allison instantly reacted. The lawyer was certain that Devonne will not have any involvement with that malicious organization. Renard cleared his throat, trying to get attention of the lawyer.

"I'm sorry but you mentioned yesterday that my son will not take anything from the Morningstar Corporation." He corrected the statement.

The attorney immediately remembered his words and gave them the document he found from his files last night.

"I found that last night. That states that Doña Katerina also owns a percentage of the company, which by law, her

son will inherit even though she did not state it in her will. The company will recognize his claim." Hussein plainly said.

"He will sell his shares." Renard said in finality.

Everyone went quiet and looked at Renard. The words did not that quirk them, it was his tone that signifies his defiance. Devonne remained silent. This is very complicated to process at once.

"I believe you have to discuss that matter to the company, milord." The lawyer defended, holding his ground.

With everything Renard did to keep his son away from all of this, Catherine's schemes will haunt them forever. His son cannot run from who he is but he will try to delay his intended demise.

"If you may let me, milord. I have to introduce you to the company in your most convenient time." Hussein smiled to Devonne.

"I'm afraid that will have to wait, I have to go somewhere." Devonne responded.

He stood and sigh. It was a long day for him already, and the clock just hit ten in the morning. He kissed his mother goodbye and nods to his father. Out of respect, he bids goodbye to the lawyer.

"By the way, Attorney. Can I visit one of my properties alone?" A small smile formed on his lips.

"Of course, milord. Tell them who you are and they will not ask any questions."

"Fascinating." Then Devonne walked out of the door. This time he had good reasons to leave.