Justin's P.O.V

Lisa made sure she sat right next to me on the plane. Bob and Mirabel were right behind us.

The trip to Sia was pretty long and after about an hour, Lisa who had been drowned in whatever music she was listening to got dozing.

Dizzily, she dropped her head on my shoulder. I didn't know how to even react. She just looked so peaceful and cute sleeping.

I shook that thought outta my head. I was never gonna return to my old ways, ever! I just went back to watching the movie I was watching before, not minding the fact that her head was on my shoulder. It just felt wrong.

Some hours later, an announcement was made; "We have gotten to our destination, all passengers on this plane should kindly go back to their seats if standing and ensure to use their seatbelts as we prepare for landing." I heard a corporate and feminine voice say.

I was sitting by the window so my eyes had been glued to it, looking out at the beautiful clouds before the announcement. Lisa had been sleeping ever since.

I quickly woke her up and told her that the plane was about to land. She yawned and looked around, wondering how she could have slept for the whole time. Now I felt bad for not waking her up. Even Bob and Mirabel didn't sleep; they were just busy scanning through magazines.

"Did I sleep throughout the flight?" She asked as if she was deaf when I had said that the plane was almost about to land.

"Yeah... looks like it."

"Damn," she swore. "Anything I missed?"

"No. Nothing important happened."

"You should've woken me up," she said like that could change what had already happened.

"You never told me to," Luckily, our conversation was cut short by another announcement immediately the plane came to a stop. She said; "We have landed at the Sia National Airport. Please make sure to take all your personal belonging the overhead cabin as you leave the plane. Thank you for flying with us. We look forward to having you again. Enjoy your stay in Sia! Thank you!" She ended.

One look outside the plane and we had touched down I saw the asphalt runway and some cars parked at the airport which was a distance away.

We unbuckled our seatbelts and alighted from the gigantic plane following hundreds of people. The place was so crowded; you could easily get lost so Bob made us hold hands. It was about one in the afternoon the rays of sun were so harsh, it felt like they were burning my skin.

We got into the airport and moved to the check-in-desk. Immediately our baggage got checked, we left the port and hailed a taxi. We loaded our stuff and got in.

I was sitting by the window again but this time, beside Mirabel. The whole place was so beautiful, I couldn't help looking out. I took a full sweep of the whole place in the lightning-speed taxi.

Sia was pretty big and fascinating with as many skyscrapers as the people. It was so big and busy compared to her hometown.

When I finally got my eyes off the scenery, I switched off the 'airplane mode' and hell, it began chiming like there was no tomorrow.

I got like a zillion text messages—most from Ana. She was so affectionate—asking me how my trip was... if I had eaten... what I was doing... if I had arrived yet. She probably forgot that passengers were not allowed to use their phones in the plane.

'Sorry, my phone was on airplane mode,' I texted her.

'Yes! Finally!' She replied instantly. I couldn't help but grin from ear to ear. 'How was the trip?'

'Long and boring,' 'But now I'm with you, I feel a whole lot better.'

She sent a blushing emoji and we kept chatting for a long time.

I was so carried away; I didn't know when the cab pulled up in front of a gigantic hotel. I know I probably said Sanchez hotel was the biggest hotel I had seen but damn, this one was like twice of it.

**********

We lodged into a suite with a parlor, a dining and three rooms in all. The whole place looked like heaven. The walls were a bright shade of lilac and the floor was covered wholly with soft, silky carpet of different colors and designs.

"Welcome to our home for the next couple of weeks!" Bob announced happily.

We toured the suite as a family and then they showed Lisa and I our respective rooms. Just like back at home, our rooms were directly beside each other. There was a TV and a fireplace in the parlor and all the other rooms in the suite had heaters and air conditioners. At this time, Sia was normally pretty hot so they needed the air conditioners but during winter, the place is as cold as a freezer so they needed heaters. Right now, the temperature was about 27 degrees.

Bob and Mirabel dismissed us—telling us to unpack and have a rest after such a long journey. That was when we finally went to our rooms.

The color of the walls of my room was a pastel blue—a light and awesome shade of blue. I simply loved it! The room was just like one from a castle, no kidding! It had everything one needed in a room: a large cupboard, a wardrobe, a sofa at the edge of the room, a fridge, a reading table and a chair and most of all, a bed which I flung myself on as soon as I spotted it. It was so soft and comfy; I slept in it before even a minute.

When I finally woke up, it was evening. Everywhere was spick and span... not quite how I left it. My wardrobe was arranged nicely and the whole room smelled of sweet la1vender. It must have been the room service. Amazing!

I took a quick shower and dressed up in a casual wear. Then I left the room for dinner.

**********

Anastasia's P.O.V (Back at home)

Justin had been gone for less than a day and I was already feeling that large vacuum in my heart. When he finally replied my texts, I was elated. We chatted for some time before he told me he had to go. He had told me that he hadn't slept throughout the journey so that was probably what he was doing.

Well, on the bright side, dad actually brought Jason here and him, grandma and I have been having the best fun ever. I was so glad dad let him come. Well; he didn't actually have any other choice.

I felt bored just scrolling through my Instagram page so I got up to go get some nachos from the fridge. I stepped out of my room and walked towards the dining only to see a familiar person I wasn't ready to see just yet, speaking to grandma.

Your guess is right... it was Dad. None of them noticed me so I just hid behind a wall in the kitchen, trying to make words out of the little I could hear.

He spoke really softly to her... inviting her to come stay with us for the rest if her life. She thanked him profusely as if he wasn't her son... as if that wasn't the duty he was supposed to have carried out years ago. Sometimes, I think dad takes family to be a plaything because most times, he places his company over it without even realizing.

He told her that he'd come pick her up the next day so she should start packing. And then he asked of me. As soon as he did, I scurried to my room, pretending to be using my phone.

Soon enough, I heard rapped knocks on my door. I knew it was him. I opened the door to see a smiling Dad, staring down at me but even though I wanted to smile back, I just kept a straight face.

"You're not gonna ask me to come in?" He asked.

"You can come in when you want to," I replied coldly and went back to my bed with my eyes glued to my phone like he wasn't even there.

"Can we talk?"

"Mmmhmm..."

"Can I have a seat?" asked Dad. Why was he pretending to b so courteous? Not like he wasn't on a normal day but today, it was just too much.

"Could you stop asking for permissions already?" I asked, knitting my brows mildly. I continued, "You're here cos you've done everything I asked, right?"

"Not yet... I haven't done the last one yet."

"Why not?"

"Because he's on a vacation in Sia, isn't he?" My heart skipped a beat. How did he know? I certainly didn't tell him.

"Don't worry, I'm not spying on your boyfriend. It's just that his foster dad, Bob, works in my company, you know? He took a leave some days ago... telling me about his intended trip to Sia." He explained.

'Phew!' I had totally forgot that Lisa's dad was working with mine. For a second there, wondering how dad knew about the vacation was disorienting. I can't believe I forgot. That was actually one of the few reasons for our extremely close relationship that was seemingly growing weaker by the day.

"Why did you have to wait till now? I told you I wasn't going to go back till you did all of them, right?"

"Yes... I just couldn't get ready in time."

"Okay. I can't either"

"Come on, Ana—stop being so stubborn."

"You're the one being stubborn here, Dad. You won't even apologize for all the wrong you did." I ended and scoffed. "Can I ask a question?"

"Sure," he answered with a soft voice now.

"Why did you do what you did? Why did you kill those innocent people and ruin his life?"

He sighed. "It was all because of pride and envy. Sometimes I wish I could turn back the hands of time but I can't. And I just thought it'll be best to finish what I had started."

"By killing him too?"

He sighed heavily again. "Yes."

"How could you?"

"Everybody makes mistakes, right?—All I'm asking is that you forgive me for mine."

"Stop saying that. It doesn't make any sense if everybody's always saying it." I started. "And this is not about me. It's about Justin."

"I know. But he'll forgive me just like you said, right?" He asked. Damn, why did I say that? Looking at it properly now, I don't think he will. I don't think anyone in his shoes ever will.

"Sometimes, I wonder how you're even my dad." I murmured but he heard me perfectly.

"Well, I'm lucky to have a daughter like you" he paused and when I looked into his eyes, I saw nothing but remorse. "And Ana, I don't know how many times you want me to say it but just know I'm really sorry."

"It's just... it's overwhelming. It's too much for me to take."

"You don't have to. It's fine."

"You're gonna do it anyway, right?" I asked, sniffling.

"Yes..." he paused and smiled. "I will."

I stared at his weary face—his black, dyed hair combed backwards. He looked pretty remorseful to me.

'Everybody makes mistakes,' I said in my head, trying to pacify myself. And though his was a lot more severe, I didn't think it was fair to send him to Coventry just because of it.

I kept staring at his emotionless face. His wear stricken eyes actually had sleep bags under them. He hadn't been taking care of himself as he used to before I decided to run away. I felt kinda guilty.

Suddenly, I sprang forward and threw my hands around him and almost like a reflex action, tears welled up in my eyes and I sobbed quietly. He patted my back and whispered, "I'm sorry."

And he truly was. I knew it.

********************

So, they've finally reconciled. What do you think?

Plus, do you think it's right for him to use the saying 'everyone makes mistakes,' to defend himself. I want to hear your views about the whole thing.

And also, if you were Anastasia, what would you do?

Anyway, thanks for reading.

Love y'all,

~abthor7