"Do we have a deal with, Caspian?"
"I still have to check if this project is as legit as you claimed it to be!" Both men sitting opposite each other were having an intense conversation. Amber came downstairs. He noticed the atmosphere around them was tense.
"Dad? Sterling?"
"Hi, honey! Before you ask, you have my permission to date Sterling! He made a perfect impression and I trust him with my little girl!"
"Oh!" Amber was a little bit suspicious about Caspian's behaviour. Usually, he wasn't that easygoing but she didn't mind that much she got the approval from her dad and her mom was already cool with it.
"Thanks, Dad! Where are Natsu and Tsuki?"
"They went to shopping!"
"Dad, your idea of making them spend time won't get them closer!"
"That's why I asked your boyfriend for help! He says he'll see what he can do!" The three of them exchanged looks. It was an awkward moment. So, Sterling cleared it by saying, "Why don't you guys come visit us? You and Amber, I mean!"
"Right now?" Amber asked reminding Sterling of his other visit.
"No, how about in two days? In that way, you can meet the friend I was telling you about." Sterling turned to look at Caspian.
"That would be great! But is it okay, if I invite my whole family?"
"Construction works are going on at my place so I'll invite your whole family properly when we're ready!"
"That's understandable! Honey, I'm taking your boyfriend's precious time. Why don't you walk him out to the door?"
"Yeah, OK Dad!"
___________________
Half an hour later, Sterling found himself in front of Rebecca's doorstep. He knocked on it. As soon as he finished, the door swung open to reveal an eagerly waiting Rebecca. "Hi!" She couldn't control it. The moment she saw him, she pulled him into a kiss. After pulling away, she said, "I know we did stuff before but should we consider this our first kiss?"
"I don't even need to try to convince you!"
"What, you thought I would go around and destroy your reputation to the whole world? No, silly! I like you and I don't want anything to hurt Catherine."
"But, isn't it strange for you?"
"Can we get inside, Sterling? We shouldn't be talking private matters at the doorsteps!"
"I would love to but I keep hearing this growling noise in there!"
"Oh, that would be my dog!"
The two of them entered. Cerberus walked into the corridor and looked at Sterling. "He doesn't bite, does he?"
"Don't worry! He's a trained dog!" Rebecca assured him. Sterling got on his right knee to pat the dog but Cerberus was looking at him confused.
"Why is he looking at me like that? Is he marking the territory or something?"
"Marking his territory? Oh, Sterling! Cerberus is just happy to see his new dad!" Rebecca put her hairline behind her ear blushing. Sterling realised she was flirting but for some reason, he couldn't get his mind off of Cerberus. Nevertheless, he got up and grabbed Rebecca's hand.
"Thank you, Rebecca!"
"For what?"
"You trusted me with your first time. For a man, it's the best sign of respect."
"Stop it! You're making me feel these emotions with your words!" She tilted her head down. Sterling leaned forward to see her face and tilted it up with his index.
"Rebecca, you're beautiful!" Her face reddened and she grabbed his hand and went inside the living room.
____________________
At the pool area, Brenna was tanning. Ophelia saw her from the kitchen and walked up to her. Brenna had her glasses on and was wearing her usual swimsuit. "Brenna, did you put some sun cream on? I don't want you kids to end up like your grandfather!"
"Jeez, mom! Don't you think I don't know that!"
"Well, I was just checking!"
"I don't even like that man! Why would I risk looking like his roasted ass?"
"Brenna, you should respect your elders!"
"Well, he should act like one! Haven't you noticed anything weird about him?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Before Sterling returned, you showed this guy and said he was our grandfather! You know what the first thing he did...staring at my bust! Who does that?"
Ophelia couldn't say anything. She knew her father was a creepy man but she couldn't say anything about it. Not that it's because he was her father, it's because he was her only good living memory of her mother. "I'll talk to him about it when he gets back but now, we have some more pressuring issues to talk about!" Brenna was annoyed. She looked around where the workers were using different mind of tools. Ophelia continued to talk despite Brenna's attention being slightly away. "Why do you keep yelling at Lisa? I heard you made up your mind with Sterling, can't you be nice to her!" Brenna turned around. She just thought about what it would be like if she were to use those tools on Ophelia to pleasure her tight ass then she shook her head as she got back to reality. The thought was disturbing for her but the place she was in was open and she wanted to keep her dignity.
"Mom, she's not family! Sterling is my baby. She just made him into a father. My baby brother, a father...I can't digest the thought!"
Ophelia wanted to yell at her but it wouldn't do any good. Brenna was not a kid anymore. She was a mature adult. Maybe she groomed her into thinking she could be possessive over her favourite things. Maybe it was David's lack of skills in parenting. Ophelia sat next to her. "When I got pregnant with you, I wanted to abort."
"Mom?"
"I know, I shouldn't be telling you this but you need to understand this. David wanted to keep it but I was still going to school. I really wanted to have a baby with the love of my life but I didn't want my friends to make fun of me. Your grandfather wasn't happy about it. He kept saying I should have waited until I turned an adult but your grandmother was supportive. She changed my mind. She told me to follow my heart. And my heart said I should give this child a chance to exist. I sacrificed my teenage for that baby and I never regretted a single moment of it." Ophelia didn't notice it but Brenna was weeping like a baby. She got up and hugged her mother.
"Thanks, Mom!"
"I just wanted to tell you that Lisa chose this regardless of Sterling's decision. She was even ready to raise the kid on her own because she wanted to have that baby. All I'm asking you is...give her a chance!"
"I will mommy! For you, I will give her a chance!"
"Sweetie, you called me mommy!"
"Of course, I did! You're the best mother in the world!"
"Well, I've become one because someone was a fast swimmer!" Brenna chuckled as she kept hugging her mother.
"Thanks, mom! I needed this!"
"It's alright, honey! I am going to make your favourite dish. Wipe your tears and be ready, sweetie!" Opened let go of the hug and kissed her daughter on the forehead. She then left as Brenna stretched her arms.
'The fences are tall now so those damn creeps won't be watching me. That's a bummer but then again, Sterling is all I need.' She chuckled and got back into the house.
__________________
Back at Rebecca's house, Sterling and Rebecca were watching a movie. Rebecca was resting on Sterling's chest. "For a guy who rarely leaves his room, you are spending so much time with me."
"Come on! We have construction work going on at my place. I had to stay."
"Then why did you decide to stay with me?"
"Because my boy over there wanted some family time so I chose to spend some with his mommy!" Sterling snuggled against her hair and neck.
"You're so silly!" She turned her head and leaned into a kiss. "We need more popcorn!"
"Do you want me to make some for you?"
"It's my house. I should be the one treating you." Rebecca moved on and went to the kitchen.
"I can't believe I missed being in a relationship!" Sterling sighed and continued to watch the movie.
The movie was getting boring so he thought he could play with Cerberus. "Hey, boy! Come here!" Sterling gestured at the dog. Cerberus tilted his head.
[He seems nice! It's a good thing, Ms Rebecca is fond of him.]
Sterling blinked twice before rubbing his ears. His face became pale as he backed down onto the couch.
"What the fuck?"
[...] Cerberus was as confused as Sterling was.
"You talked. No, I heard you in my head!"
[Wait, you can hear me, human?]
'What the hell is this?'
[Your lips didn't move but I heard your voice in my head. I don't understand.]
"Huh, Rebecca!" Sterling was panicking. Rebecca looked up from the kitchen asking,
"Yeah!"
"Where did you get the dog?"
"My grandma found him at her farm. She told me I could keep him so here he is!"
"Does he..."
[Ms. Rebecca can't hear me, human! We must be connected somehow. Now that I think about it, I've seen your face somewhere!]
"Is everything okay, Sterling?"
"Yeah, I think Cerberus likes me!"
"I'll be out there in a couple of minutes!"
Sterling was confused. Rebecca had a telepathic dog only he could hear and he somehow knew about Sterling. 'Okay, let me get this straight...where did you see me?'
[I should start from the beginning. We can continue to talk telepathically. I do not want to alarm, Ms Rebecca when she gets back!]
'Yeah, that's for the better. You won't bite, right?'
[Seriously, is that what you're worried about? I'm more intelligent compared to the others of my species.]
'Okay, tell me your story! We will try to find out how we're connected.'
Cerberus walked up to Sterling's feet and sat down so that he wouldn't be making Rebecca any more suspicious of his behaviour. He started his story. [I was brought up to this laboratory by some thugs working for a strange-looking man.]
'Strange how?'
[His skin was rotten. He had long dirty nails. I'm a dog. Even I can see how unhygienic that guy was.]
'That would be my grandfather who put my dad into a coma and tried to bang my whole family!' Just as Sterling told Cerberus, he looked up. 'He's one of a kind, Cerberus! Just a single description is enough to pinpoint his ugly face.'
[So, you hate him]
'I hate him because I don't like his methods of seduction.'
[I don't understand your kid.]
'Believe me, I don't either. So, what happened after you met Hunter!'
Rebecca joined them and snuggled against Sterling. Sterling continued to embrace her. While talking to Rebecca at the same time, Sterling leaned an ear for the thoughts of Cerberus. [They were testing me by injecting different subjects. Sometimes I have this nauseous feeling when I'm aroused by female dogs. I wasn't conscious during those times though. I regretted every moment of it. That's when I realised I was gaining a sixth sense. I was becoming more aware of my surroundings.]
'You've become more intelligent.'
[Precisely! I couldn't let them know of it so I started pretending even if it meant getting hurt!]
Sterling leaned in to caress the dog's head. [Thank you, human! One day they introduced a new substance. It was supposed to be a solution that helped muscle growth. That's what they were told but the Oldman was trying to find a solution to gain immortality.]
'Hunter is dying?'
[I don't know. All I know is that he has plans in case this solution fails.]
'I see. How did you escape?'
[I couldn't handle their torture. So, I faked my death and escaped when they tossed me away.]
"Good boy!" Sterling patted Cerberus's head as he wagged his tail.
"You're getting too much attached to my dog!"
"What can I say, he's adorable!"
"Sterling, if you're expecting anything physical, I don't think I can do anything with Cerberus around. It feels strange."
"What kind of parents have sex when their kids are around the house?" Sterling said with a smile.
"Huh...yours?"
"My parents!"
"Catherine told me about the times she walked in on them!"
"That's because Catherine doesn't know what privacy means. She gets in rooms without knocking. I'm pretty sure Dad didn't know she was there."
That's when something hit Sterling. He didn't realise it but he completely accepted David as his father. He didn't have any baggage left at that instant. "Are you alright?"
"Nothing, I just realised I haven't checked on my dad in a while!"
"Maybe we should visit him together sometime!"
"I'd love that!" Sterling kissed her on the lips. "It's getting late. I should be relieving Brenna from my duties."
"You chose to let Brenna handle things over Catherine?"
"If it was any other time, I would have let Catherine but right now, her mind is elsewhere!" Sterling got up and knelt in front of Cerberus. 'I have no idea how you and I are connected but I will find out. Take care of my girl, will you?'
[I should be the one telling you to take care of Ms Rebecca. She's a nice person. She deserves only happiness.]
'Don't worry about it!' Sterling bid goodbye to both of them and started driving his car.
_______________
In his car, Sterling called Detective Wilson. "Hey, how are you?" The detective was panting. "Dude, if you're with a girl, you shouldn't be picking up calls!"
[Don't worry! Lola said it's okay!]
"Lola? So, you and her!"
[It's only casual. Her husband knows in case you're concerned.]
"That's great! Hey, I'm going to need some digging from you!"
[I'm not coming to your place to help you with the construction.]
"What the hell are you saying?"
[It's a poor attempt at a joke. What do you need me for?]
"Hunter is on the move. I need eyes on his movements."
[That's going to be hard. But we have recently sighted him around a bunker. It was used as a laboratory during wartime.]
"An old lab, you say?"
[Yeah, you got something, don't you?]
"Well, I want intel on a project called Cerberus. Now that you mentioned the labs, I believe you can find it out there."
[Great, I will send a team out there. I have to hang up.]
"She wants more, doesn't she?"
[Stop making it weird, dude] The detective hung up as Sterling entered through his gate.