Chapter 3: Who are you?

"Who are you?"

"It is raining heavily indeed In the city, don't you think?" Mr. Patrick asked. 

"Yes it is"

"So can we talk inside the car?"

George nodded his head and got into the black SUV, he was confused but didn't bother to say a word as Mr. Patrick joined him in the car. 

"Reports have it that we are going to have more rainfall this season"

As George got into the car, Alison, who had gone out after George signed the papers, stood behind the black SUV. 

When his eyes fell on the familiar broad shoulders, he could tell that he knew the figure sitting in that car with those shoulders and back.

His eyes widened and he took out his phone and called his mother, Margaret.

"I just saw him," Alison said in a heartbeat

"Slow down, Who did you just see?

"Who else, mother? I saw George In an expensive car"

Margaret paused for a moment before breaking into laughter from the other end.

"You mean George;  George the loser, please, Alison you must have seen wrong. Who does that man know? He has no Connection and couldn't possibly be in what you call an expensive car, the only people he knows ride bicycles and you know that"

"Well you are right, I didn't get to see his face, it was his back I saw"

"You should celebrate that he is finally out of our lives and not talking gibberish"

"Alright Mother"

 He hung up and nodded his head. 

"It is not him" He turned the other way and walked away. 

When they got into the car, Mr. Patrick studied the lines on his face. 

"You should change your clothes so you don't fall sick"

"Thank you" 

George whispered and changed his clothes, Mr. Patrick's gaze not wavering from him all this while.  As George locked eyes with him, he smiled at Mr. Patrick uncertain what else to say. 

"You look just like him you know"

"Like who?"

"Like your Grandfather, you know"

He was surprised, his eyes widened. 

"You are mistaken, I am nothing but an orphan"

"You are not, you are from a big consortium and your Grandfather is one of the most famous rich men in the world"

George blinked his eyes, he was shocked not able to sink everything that he just heard at the moment.

"You are the only heir, Young Master"

"Young Master?" 

His heart races, he never expected to hear such news. However, he exhaled deeply, aware that he needed to calm his nerves or he wouldn't be able to figure it all out.

"Why?"

"Tell me, what is it you want to know?"

"Why was I lost?" 

His hands were no longer cold and he was now calm and collected.

When the question escaped George's mouth, Mr. Patrick's face suddenly saddened, his eyes wet as memories of that day flashed through his mind, his face became depressed 

"I can't ever forget that day Young Master, it's still felt like yesterday when it all happened"

"When what happened?"

"You were stolen at your one-year-old party"

"Stolen? Didn't anyone look for me? What about my parents?"

"Of course, they looked for you, your parents looked for you up until their death"

"Death? They are dead"

"Yes, Young Master, your parents looked everywhere for you, giving up all of their business but eventually died in an accident. However, one person promised never to give up trying to find you, he kept pushing so hard hoping that the day that he would find you was near" 

"Who is that?"

"Your Grandfather" Mr. Patrick whispered. 

"He knew that you are still alive and someday you will come back to us, to him, You are the only heir, Young Master" 

George never bothered to say another word as he took his time to sink everything in while staring out the window. Mr. Patrick's words echoed through his head.

"Are you alright Young Master?"

"Yes, I am, where are we going?"

"We are going home, Young Master" 

He nodded reassuring George, That was all George needed to reassure himself that no matter what happened, he was not alone. 

"Home" 

He whispered. 

"Yes, somewhere you will love. Why don't you lean back and relax, it is going to be a long drive back home"

"How long?"

"About three to four hours, just in case you get hungry, you just let me know and I will take care of it"

The drive to Seattle was a long but smooth ride. George followed Mr. Patrick's trail as he led him into the castle. 

It was a beautiful Mansion situated in the mountains, anyone could pass it off as a resort because of its beauty and landscape.

"Who are we here to see?"

"I will take you to someone who has always wanted to meet you"

George need not say another word as he trailed behind him heading into the house and dashing into a room. 

Mr. Patrick knocked before pushing the door wide exposing Jeremy Hawthorne sitting in his wheelchair and staring out the window. 

"Sir" 

Patrick whispered and the old man turned around locking eyes with George. He stared at the sickly old man.

"Is that him?" 

Jeremy Hawthorne asked excitedly, A smile danced on his lips, something that Mr. Patrick could say he hadn't seen in a long while. 

"George" 

He whispered, stretching out his hand and George took a step forward.

"You have no clue how hard it has been for your old man all these while" 

"Sir" George whispered.

"Call me Grandfather, please, you are my one and only Grandchild"

"Grandfather" 

George had to admit making his smile widen, emotions running through his eyes.

"I have been so lonely ever since my son, your father, and daughter-in-law passed away" 

His eyes became teary, and his heart squeezed at the memory, that was a red-letter day for him.

"I am here now" 

George felt his heart squeeze as well. 

"So they are really dead?" 

He was moved, and his eyes turned red. 

"At least I gotta find you George, The only hope that kept me going was to find you, and now I did. Without you, I have been lonely and scared"

George lowered to his height staring into his eyes. 

"You found me now and I promise you that I won't leave you alone, not even a chance" 

Leaning closer, his Grandfather Jeremy pulled him into his arms. 

"All those years, I worked alone with no one by my side helping me out, I was suffocated having to run all the businesses, there are people always trying to betray you and steal from you. There was no one to trust, I almost gave up but when I remembered the promise that I made to your parents, I had to endure it all while waiting for the day that my dear grandson would come and take over what was his"

George smiled. 

"It must have been so hard"

"It was, especially after your father passed away, I even considered donating everything to charity but I couldn't bring myself to do that, not when I know you are still out there, I cried every night wishing you were not with me" 

Tears brimmed down his cheeks and George was moved to tears as well. 

"Grandfather"

"Thank God I found you. Why don't we have dinner together? What would you like to eat?"

"Some spaghetti and meatballs" 

Jeremy was surprised. 

"That's my favourite"

"Really?" 

George was surprised as well. 

"And what food are you allergic to?"

"Peas," 

They both said at the same time. 

"What game do you like George"

"Soccer" 

George started at the same time with Jeremy. 

He stared into George's eyes, he never had this sort of connection with anyone, the connection between them was undeniable. 

As Jeremy attempted to say something, Mr. Patrick suddenly stated. 

"The time has arrived, Sir"

"Time for what?" That piqued George's interest.