Chapter One
Drake's POV
If only people knew behind that mask, I wore grief and an urge to be understood.Sadness drained through me as I walked through the gate.Any other son would have been happy to be home but this one here is not.My name hasn't left people's mouth since scored that bicycle kick goal.They are proud of me.I made my country and the basketball team proud but when it came to Master.Harrison being a basket baller was the worst decision I ever made.He would never stop taunting me about it.I am sure when he dies, he will still turn in his grave in rage.
If he only understood that basketball is my only addiction. "Hey sir, you are here..." The guard asked the moment I got out ot my car.
"Is my mother in?"
"No sir."
I threw him the car keys and begun walking towards the mansion,don't know if my grandmother who we call granny will love my little surprise.It was her birthday and wouldn't miss it for anything.I was supposed to arrive tomorrow from Greece for the Olympics but here I am.
"Granny?" I called out when I got into the mansion.
"Drake?" Isaac was surprised to see me
Uncle Lee and Aunt Suzu's son
"Drake what are you doing here?You we're supposed to arrive tomorrow" Uncle Lee answered, hugging me."Where is Granny and grandpa?" I pulled back and begun walking towards the living room.
"Granny " I looked around the living room but she wasn't there.
"Are you looking for me?" I heard a familiar voice behind me.It was Granny, I turned around and ran to her. "Happy birthday granny!" I hugged her so tight like my life depended on it.
"I hope you haven't cut the cake without me?"I pulled back.
"How would I do that?" She cupped my face.
"What happened,You won't hug grandpa ?" Grandpa faked a sad face beside granny . "Grandpa I am sorry" I walked towards him and hugged him '"How is the most handsome gandpa in the whole world?"
"He is fine and how are you? Are you okay? Daniel why did you not pick your brother from the airport? Look how exhausted he is." My dramatic grandpa asked.
I placed my hands on his shoulders, "Grandpa, Iam okay.just wanted to surprise granny.I wouldn't miss that for anything.Where is the cake?" I looked around.
"Brother, I have bad new.Granny would celebrate her birthday with the two melodramatic princesses." Daniel shrugged.
"What, Becky and Betty are coming back?" "How soon?" I stuttered.
"That was actually Daniel's reaction too" said Uncle Lee who I always call Lee chuckled.
"Oooh my god Maya I said warm water not hot water.Do you want I get a dry skin?"Daniel imitated how Betty talks and the room was filled with laughter.
"Maya, do you want I get fat? How dare you cook my food with coconut oil?Jeez!" I imitated Becky, rolling her eyes like she does it and everyone was now dying with laughter.
"You two should stop imitating your sisters! Granny grabbed our ears "But they are unbearable..." Daniel and I cried out in unison.
" Can't with you two..." Granny shook her head smiling...
"Congratulations brother on your bicycle kick goal this weekend.l have never been tensed like how I was during the game.! thought the game would end up 74-89." Daniel squeezed my shoulder.
"It would have been a shame to go all the way to Greece and come back home with a zero slapped on your faces but then how can that happen with Drake Harrison around?"Uncle Lee boasted and for a moment I felt like some royalty.
"My Drake is the best baskeball player in the whole world.He always makes me proud." Grandpa praised me.
"I wish you saw your mother, she was screaming around the house saying that's my son as if we don't know." Granny shook her head.Nobody mentioned Master Harrison, I know if it was up to him he would have banned basketball all over the world.The only person I want to impress and prove to am worthy.
If mom didn't love him so much, we would have left this house already. My mother had always been my greatest support and that is what gives me strength.
"I am not surprised.After all l am her son.."I replied proudly.
"Dinner will be ready soon, you should go freshen up.I hope you are sleeping here tonight..." Granny gave me that pitiful look that I have never learnt to resist.
"Yes granny, you know I would do anything for you."
"Where are our gifts?" Granny frowned. "They are in the car Granny, Maya will get them but nobody touch the pink shopping bags only Mother should." I warned.
"That's not fair." Uncle Lee cried out.''Sorry my friend, she is my mother."
"I always knew you love your mother more than me but because you did an amazing job in Greece I will forgive you..." Grandpa beamed.
Just before I could shower her with sweet words, I heard a familiar voice behind me.It was him, Master Harrison.
"You guys should stop praising him so much"
I felt my heart sank just by hearing his voice.I turned around with the hope to see my mother but he was alone.
"Where is mom?"
"She is outside talking to the gardener." He replied dryly.
"She will be happy to see you.She was happier than all of us about the goal." Uncle Lee tried to cheer me up but my mood had already being ruined.
"Lee you are the reason he will never understand that Harrison's sons will only play basketball for either fitness or as a hobby.Never as a career, we create empires not run around the field." Father cussed out.
"Master Harrison when will you understand that this is my dream?Basketball is everything to me."
I Could feel tears burning behind my eyes.He made it clear as long as I am playing football I shouldn't call him dad.Although it breaks my heart, his wish is my command.
"I will never do that Drake Harrisom" He begun walking towards me,"You should be working in the company with me and Daniel..."
"That can't happen.I hate suits and sitting around just signing the stupid iles.It's so boring."I pointed out.
"Do you know that's what fed you, educated you, gave you the luxurious life you have?"
He begun yelling, coming closer and closer towards me.We were now nose to nose, "Master Harrison ,I think you will never understand me.No point of arguing with you." I said calmly and swirled around to face grandpa and granny.I am sorry Granny but I can't sleep here tonight.
All she did is nod.It's like she read the disappointment on my face.I kissed both her and grandpa and walked past Father. I shook my head.
"Do I come with you Drake?" Daniel asked but "I need time alone Daniel, I will call you later."I faked a smile.
"Text me Drake when you get home." Uncle Lee said in a commanding tone and I just nodded. I wish he would support me.Hold my hand as I fulfill my dreams but no I forgot he is Master Harrison and things should be done his way.
When I walked out of the mansion, I found my mother talking to the gardener."Mother ?" I ran towards her and hugged her.
"Did you two argue again?" In that moment, her arms squeezed a traction tighter and I breathed more slowly.
"Mother, why can't he support me?"
"It's okay, he will come around.Don't be sad my son, I will talk to him." My body melted into my mother's as every muscle lost its every tension felt sadness disappear like rain on summer earth.
"Mother , I just want to disappear..If it were up to me l would take you from here and live with you elsewhere." Salty tears flowed unchecked from my eyes.
"Don't cry,"She pulled back and wiped my tears with her thumbs,"You are amazing... You yourself.I believe in you Drake so don't lose hope You know I can't leave Betty,Becky and your father we are a family."
"But he is always angry with me."
"Forget that, let's go inside and I will make you your favourite dish..." Mother tried to take my hand but I drew it back like it was on tire.
"I would rather go home mom, I will see you soon."I kissed her on the cheek.
"I understand, call me when you get home." I nodded and walked to the car where I took the shopping bags t
from the back seat.
"Here carry them in the house!"I ordered Maya
I leaned back on the driver's seat and gripped the steering wheel tightly.I closed my eyes and bite my tongue so hard not to scream as his words since I was fifteen begun playing in a slow motion mode in my mind.The insults, discouragements, the slaps and the night almost slept outside since I got home late from playing football.
The pain was raw,couldn't breath, I felt choked up with sobs. I felt the urge to be understood creeping in.I hate feeling intimidated and inferior in front of father.
I really need a strong drink.
