Blood is thicker than water

Xavier is sitting on his bed deep in thoughts. He was 25 and had the life of everyone's dreams. I mean what more could he ask for? He knew how much wanted for his lineage to continue. It was the only reason they ever argued around the house. Xavier had even given Mr Smith the idea of adopting a kid but the old man had always replied with

"Blood is thicker than water"

There was no winning whenever he argued with his grandfather. He knew deep down that he had to do what the old man wanted else he wouldn't be able to bear the consequences.

He had regretted his actions on the night of his 20th birthday. He's had to live with the guilt for five years now. The only way he deals with his guilt is to party like there was no tomorrow. And even though he partied a lot, he rarely took alcohol, he had come to dread the liquid..

Whenever he wasn't partying, he was working. He would have his head buried in files all day working hard to make the family business bigger and better. His grandfather liked this version of him better.

On days when he was doing nothing, i.e neither partying or working. He would spend the day locked up in his room either choking in regret or crying out of guilt. One time he had tried to self harm. He had cut himself on the wrist, he'd gotten a deep scar from it. He claimed the scar was a reminder of what a freak he was. The woman that died had a daughter and a husband, although he never saw them during the trials. His grandfather had arranged for him to be tried privately. Xavier felt sorry to them, he had caused them to lose someone they loved so much. He understood their pain after all he also didn't have parents. They also died in a car accident.

Xavier had once asked his grandfather if he knew where he could find the family of the woman. But his grandfather had warned him to never search for them and let bygones be bygones. He had let it slide but he had thought of them everyday since then..

HE started and orphanage home in respect to the woman on his 22nd birthday and the orphanage later became his solace on days when partying or working wasn't doing it for him.

The days he played with the kids at the orphanage were the only days he ever genuinely smiled. He had also formed a great bond with Mama Lisa.

Mama lisa was the one in charged of the Orphanage. She was a very lovely lady. In her sixties but looked like she was forty. She was very caring. She made sure every child in the orphanage never felt lonely. Xavier loved her so much. He had once told her that she was the mother he wished he had never lost.

Xavier realized that sitting alone in his room wasn't helping so he dressed up and went to the orphanage.

When he got to the orphanage, he was told that Mama Lisa wasn't around that she had gone to the clinic for her regular check up. He decided to wait for her. While waiting he decided to have fun with the kids. He went to the playground. It was leisure time so majority of the kids were at the playground.....

"UNCLE XAVIERRRRRRR!!!!!" the children screamed when they saw him coming. They always enjoyed it when he visited because they knew he wouldn't visit without bringing gifts for everyone.

"Hi kids" he greeted with a broad smile.. they all gathered around him and enveloped him in a hug. It was such a sweet sight to behold for celine. She had wondered who the newcomer was that made to kids so excited. She would have asked the other members of the staff but she was late for class and had to leave immediately Xavier came around. Although she made a mental note to ask when next she came to work. She worked at the orphanage on some days of the week during times when she had no classes. It was an easy job to do as she loved kids and she got to play with lots of them.

Xavier had sighted someone leave but he only saw and back view and really read much meaning in to it.

"Aunt Celine left already againnn....." One of the older kids murmured to another. It was loud enough for Xavier to hear.

He bent to the kids' height and asked "Aunt Celine?" He knew every person that worked here and none of them went by the name Celine.

"Yes, she comes three times in a week to play with us. She also helps clean our rooms" one kid said

"Yes and mama Lisa says she perfect for you" another kid added.

Xavier grinned and pinched the little kid's chubby cheeks playfully.

"Where are you kids getting this ideas" he wondered.

Mama Lisa arrived soon and Xavier went to her office to see her.

"Xavi..... You're here!" She said when she saw him. Xavi was what she called him, she had claimed Xavier was too tongue twisting for her. Funny!

"Yes Mama Lisa, how are you?" He asked as he made himself comfortable.

"My doctor says I'm fit as a fiddle" She said " you however do not look too good, how are you?"

"Mama Lisa, grandfather has put me in a tough spot! He wants me to get married." Xavier said with a sulking expression.

"Come on son, you're a grown man. Of course the man wants great grandkids."

She knew about his wish to not get married but knowing his grandfather, she knew his wish was merely a wish.

"He isn't giving me any options" he complained.

"Xavi, lots of times we have to let life happen. If you grandfather wants you to get married then so be it. But you should know that if you and the lady were meant to be together then nothing in the world can changed that." Mama Lisa "Remember your grandfather would never do something that would hurt you, he loves you that much "

Xavier sighed. He knew she was right, he had been scared of commitment but he knew no one could stop fate from happening. After a short while of silence between the two. Xavier said

"I hear you and the kids have had a lot to say about me" he teased

"What about you?" Mama Lisa said smiling.

"I don't know maybe about 'Aunt Celine.' being the one for me?" He did air quotes around the aunt Celine 😂 "who is she?"

Mama Lisa laughed before responding. Those kids clearly didn't know how to keep secrets

"Celine is one the the part time workers i hired recently. She's a good girl. I know you'll like her"

" I hope so ".