Secretive Son-in-law

Lone life in the city

“Can’t believe grandpa did that to me…”

It’s been a week since Andrew was kicked out from the Fullen family. 

Right now, he is living in an apartment rented by his uncle.

The order of the family head is absolute so Alfred and Vincent can’t do anything about Andrew’s disownment unless the family head himself retract his word and Andrew comply to return.

That’s already impossible since Andrew already made up his mind to not return to that mansion ever again. He will only get ridiculed by his family, especially his second and first uncle's family. 

“Haaah, what should I do now I wonder?”

Andrew sighs as he opens the fridge and takes out a carton of milk.

There were various thoughts that’s been filling his head lately causing him to have a hard time sleeping at night.

Should I go back and beg for mercy? Or should I find a new path for myself?

All this thought gave him a huge headache. Rich people that suddenly become poor would have a hard time deciding what to do from that point onward.

He shakes all the thought away and steps out on the small balcony to look at the view outside.

He is now at the apartment rented by his uncle in Roughlake City. 

His family mansion is located at the outskirts of Losle City near the seas on top of the mountain. The mansion was bought by his great grandfather for the family to use for generations to come.

Andrew really wants to live in the mansion since it has a very great view and is so relaxing but he knows it was nothing but an empty dream. 

An ordinary man like him is lucky enough to be born in the family. He is so lucky to be born as his father's son and he couldn’t ask for more.

While enjoying the view, his doorbell suddenly rings. He finishes the milk in his hand and makes his way towards the front door after throwing the empty carton into a trash bin.

“Yes?”

He opened the door lock but then the door was forcefully pushed onto him.

“Brother!!”

“Ugk”

A small girl threw herself to his body and hugged him tightly.

“ugh…Fifi, what are you doing here?”

Fiona Vincent,18 years old, is the first daughter to Vincent Fullen, Andrew's closest cousin. 

Like her father, Fiona always takes the side of Andrew whenever he gets into a fight with their grandfather since she always knows that Andrew wasn’t at fault.

They were blood related and even though they weren’t real siblings, Fiona and her brother, Finley always thought of Andrew as a reliable older brother.

“Brother! What happened!?” After hugging him for a while, Fiona finally let go of Andrew and started asking him a question.

In a spur of the moment, a hand comes from the side and grips Fiona’s head tightly.

“Gah!”

“Calm down Fifi, you were troubling brother Andrew” A person Andrew could call a brother, Finley slowly walked to his sister's side while still holding the head of his sister.

“Fin? What are you two doing here?” Andrew asks, still surprised by their sudden visit. 

He let them inside before closing the door behind them.

“We got the news of your disownment from mother and Fifi insisted on meeting you as soon as possible. We finished our job 5 days earlier from the due time and just returned from overseas” 

Finley explains to him after throwing his sister to the couch.

Fiona let out a ‘waaah’ sound as she fell to the soft couch.

Andrew sits on the couch by Fiona's side and strokes her head while Finley sits on the floor.

“So what actually happened?” Finley asked.

Andrew shakes his.

“No idea. Even I was still confused.” Andrew replied, still stroking Fiona’s head.

“How was Aunt Mary?”

Andrew asked after remembering her. Mary Fullen is a mother to both Finley and Fiona which also means that she is Vincent’s wife.

“Mom? She’s fine. Still, it makes me wonder how a 40 years old woman likes her still active working.”

Finley told him as he stretched his back while still sitting on the floor.

“She would say,'must keep the family alive' if she were here”

Andrew impersonates his aunt the way he remembered and Fiona laughs at his perfect impersonation.

“Pfft, that’s so accurate, brother!”

“Is that so? I might have the talent, right Finley?..Fin?”

Andrew was confused when Finley suddenly went quiet. He looked at him and saw that he was clenching his fist while a frown was visible on his forehead.

Andrew instinctively gulps.

‘Did I go overboard?’ he thought.

 Impersonating someone‘s mother is a bit disrespectful after all.

“Oi Fifi! You were 18 years old!! What’s up with that behavior!?” He finally erupted.

Andrew sighs when he knows that it was nothing serious.

Andrew looks at Fiona and pretty much understands why he would be mad. 

Fiona always clings to him the way a girl her age shouldn't. She was hugging his hand tightly and she's been rubbing her cheeks on Andrew's arm like a cat that tries to leave their scent.

Fiona sat on Andrew’s side and yelled at his brother.

“Oh, let me be you stupid brother! Only brother Andrew understand me”

“Yes yes. My poor Fiona” Andrew said in a warm tone as he stroked her head using both hands.

“Oi, brother! Don’t spoil her too much!”

“Ahhaha, it’s not often for me to see both of you, right? So why not let me enjoy the moment for a bit?”

Andrew continues to stroke Fiona’s hair.

“Hue~~”Fiona let out a strange noise while slowly falling to Andrew’s lap.

“What is that strange noise? Haaah. You know what? Andrew might be really grateful if you make him some coffee” Finley said while smiling. Andrew looks at him clearly aware of his intentions.

Fiona’s eyes opened wide.

“Haah! Really?! Is that true brother!?”She asked.

“Ye–“

Finley was about to answer her but Fiona shut him up.

“Sst! Not you! Is that true brother Andrew!!?” She asked as she looked at Andrew.

Andrew lifts his hand as if surrendering and turns his eyes away.

“I would appreciate it to be honest but–“

Andrew tried to say ‘don’t bother’ but Fiona quickly stood from the sofa and started fixing her hair.

“Give me a second! Where did you put the coffee!?”She asked, tying her hair into a ponytail.

“O-on top of the shelf…” Andrew hesitantly points at the shelf. As always, Fiona’s sudden swing of emotion makes him feel threatened.

“Tch, come with me you stupid brother! I can’t reach the shelf by myself!”

“Why me?”

Andrew looks at them and realizes. He was thinking too much. Both Fiona and Finley have their own life to live but they still have spare time to visit Andrew.

‘isn’t it fine to let loose a bit?’

He thought.

“Pftt, hahahahah” Andrew burst out into laughter. 

At that moment... all his worries disappeared thanks to Fiona and Finley.

***

After a few hours of talking, the siblings left Andrew’s apartment.

Before leaving, Finley left a phone for Andrew.

‘Here, your father asked me to give you this’. He said before leaving with his sister.

After closing the door behind them, he opens the phone and starts dialing his father’s number.

“[Andrew!! I’m awaiting for your call!!]” He could hear his father’s voice through the phone speaker.

“Father? What’s the matter? You sounds happy”

Andrew replied as he drank from his unfinished coffee that Fiona made.

“[Your uncle and I found a way to help you!]”