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CONVERSATIONS AND
PROPOSALS

"Keep holding the vision of your future
self and she will appear." —SD
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JUST as promised, Norman did have the following day off and it was nice that he tried doing something for her. Well, his idea was to treat Adeline with a shopping spree and with the excuse of the upcoming galas the family will attend. However, she decided on going to the art gallery that opened a new exhibit and of course, the best one in the city. Oddly enough, it was nice that he wasn't busy for once and even thought of buying an expensive painting to brighten up their penthouse. The conversations were short at first, not much they can connect with other than her future career choices.

It was practically logical that the future of Oscorp needed a suitable heir that was capable of managing it. That's why Harry would be the head of the department while she'll deal with overlooking within her own, a perfect combination indeed. By the end of the trip, they returned with several designer purses in hand and two large paintings for the living room and her bedroom. Her father reminded her of a dress fitting appointment for the annual Charity Ball. Adeline almost forgot Harry was gone getting ready to move but explained that they wouldn't be more than ten blocks away.

She was left alone after lunch, Norman received a phone call from one of his sponsors concerning his new upcoming project. He gave a quick apology followed by a delicate kiss on top of her head and left without another word, feeling how loneliness slowly consumed the penthouse. Adeline took one of the paintings, specifically the Vicent van Gogh's famous sunflower vase in her room. Deciding on hanging it on the left side of the bed, she made herself useful and did measurements to hang it. Quite honestly, she was thankful for taking woodshop class last year as an extracurricular activity.

The young Osborn was proud of herself for how it looked, sauntering back to have a good distance from the painting. However, she almost tripped on her bag and the items inside spilled on the floor, slightly groaning at the pain yet swiftly picking up her stuff. One being that she found her cellphone under the bed, silently grateful that she didn't lose it. It's been a week since she came home and almost immediately she misplaced it but wasn't to worry about it. That was until her phone rang and without question answered by a familiar voice, "Addy! Why have you been ignoring me ever since you got to New York?!"

"Dotty! I promise I didn't mean to— I thought I lost it after Harry's graduation! But it also gave me the time to focus on spending time with my family." Adeline explained to her best friend, Odette, really the only true friend she had at the academy. Well, when one of the buildings has your last name on it... without a doubt it can cause some attention from that.

"Alright, I can't get angry with you forever but I'm glad you're enjoying it. How's it been so far?" Langdon replied with a short chuckle, understanding how forgetful she can be. It was nice that she got back home, about time too since Odette would even joke about adopting her as a sister.

"Feels like a dream that I don't want to wake up.... Harry graduated and is going to college with his friend and dad is more open towards me now." The young Osborn stated, jumping on the bed yet feeling like almost falling out since it bounced back. Laughing with a large smile as she tried to continue with the conversation, feeling like it's been the best time of her life.

"That's good, it probably means he just missed you but doesn't know how to show it. Seriously though, I couldn't wait for you to come back to tell you all about Paris!" Her friend explained, Odette was walking along the street with one of her assistants behind carrying her items and heading to the hotel. Sure she was spoiled but it was a surprise gift they always do every time they travel somewhere, it was basically tradition for them.

"I thought it was Tokyo?" Adeline recalled the last few conversations before the end of the semester. Laying down as she stared at the chandelier as the light reflected small fractures of the kaleidoscope.

"Last minute plans, mum said it'll be my last family trip. And... I have a surprise! I asked them once we graduated from the academy, I'll move to New York!" Odette shouted through the line, expressing her excitement followed by a joyful giggle.

"What? Dotty, you haven't even been to New York." She acknowledged while quirking her eyebrows in astonishment, never had she heard her friend saying anything about after graduation.

"Doesn't mean I don't want to! We can be just two single gals whose fathers are super-rich to pay for our expensive lifestyle and move to New York. Of course, after you become Valedictorian and if we pass our last semesters at Warminster." Langdon retaliated with a simple response, already thinking about the great adventures they'll have.

"Actually... there is something I want to tell you about." Adeline bit her lip faintly, practically sensing how nervous she was after a few moments of silence.

"Now you're scaring me, Ada," Odette whispered through the phone, worry was evident in her voice along with the short breaths. Knowing her friend— she was never serious unless she would hesitate to say something.

"I want to finish the last semester here— what I mean is at Harry's school," She admitted, almost as if the weight of the shoulders were lifted in mere seconds.

"...What?" The dark-skinned girl voiced her concern, unsure how to react either happy or upset.

"I've been thinking about this since last year, I want to finally be with my family, Dotty. I've been gone for years and it's like I'm forgetting everything about them. I don't even know what Harry likes anymore!" Adeline raised her tone slightly, suddenly anxious that somebody might have heard her. Stepping off the bed to check around until she thought it was safe to continue the conversation.

"Are you sure? But you told me you guys are still close." Odette remarked playfully, sometimes remembering how alike they were like twins during their childhood.

"We are but recently he's been busy moving in with his friend Peter," Osborn told her, and it was true. He may have time for her yet he was moving away to be closer to his college, wanting to be away from home now.

"Peter? As in Peter Parker?" She questioned quickly, practically Adeline could see how her lips were curving into a large smile.

"Yes, that Peter." Perhaps she may have told her about him, however, it wasn't like had a crush on him. Rather she partially blamed Harry for showing off how 'amazing' his friend was, how they did everything together through thick and thin.

"You're ditching me for a boy?" Odette shrieked jokingly as she tried to hold back the laughter.

"What?! Who gave you that ludicrous idea?" Adeline retorted, even her slight British accent appeared from how she had to clarify the misunderstanding.

"I was joking, Ada! I'm happy for you, truly. But I just wished you would have told me sooner." Her best friend teases as she takes a moment to recollect her thoughts, seeing how this was actually happening.

"I'm sorry... are you mad at me?" The Osborn wanted to know, trying to calmly wait for what Odette wanted to say.

"A little, but I'll get over it I guess. I will see you again right?" The young Langdon swiftly replied, feeling a tap on her shoulder to see her butler indicating his watch for the incoming fireworks show and dinner. She only nodded and motioned with two fingers for more time, sighing as she only thought about what would happen next year.

"Promise. I dorm with you, remember?" She humored as if reminding her, reminiscing about the past few years they got to know each other. Odette also became her family too.

"I know, I'll miss you, Adeline... I have to go, we're about to have dinner before the fireworks." Her best friend answered softly, already heading over to where she needed to be while the Osborn girl felt some tears slip onto her cheeks.

"Alright, love you Dotty." The brunette had a small grin while wiping the tears before she heard some movement downstairs and the sound of the front door creaking. Wondering who it was, she quietly walked out and paused to finish talking.

"Love you more, Ada. And I wish you the best of luck! Also, your brother is pretty cute, do you think you could—." Adeline hung up the call before Odette concluded her statement, smiling to herself as she noticed a group of men moving along some of Harry's belongings. Confused as she saw her brother leading the way and Norman heading to his study room, thinking it was a good time to chat about her decision on switching schools.

Going around the moving furniture and boxes, she managed to reach the elegant wooden door that was closed. Softly knocking with her knuckles before quietly entering to find him signing a document and putting it away on a cabinet slot, going through a small pile of stacked folders. A few paintings were hung along the walls and a barely lit crackled inside the furnace before getting close to him. He noticed his daughter waiting patiently, lifting slightly his gaze while adjusting the reading glasses as a ghost smile appeared yet kept his attention span short.

Adeline... is there something you need?" Norman called out, scanning through some papers on his desk. Managing to keep a few documents out of her sight, resignation papers more specifically. The young woman nodded hesitantly as she sat in the opposite direction of the chair, feeling her heartbeat going faster.

"Um— actually yes I do. There's no easy way to say this but... I want to switch schools here in New York." She concluded as the anticipation was slowly killing her, hiding her hands under the seat to grip the leather seat tightly. Biting the inside of her lip as he glanced forward with an equally calm demeanor, god she felt like being sent to the Principal's office again.

"Switch schools? You know I paid good money to have you attend Warminster Prep and look at all that you've accomplished. The highest in your class and I just made a donation to fund the new Science labs." Her father paused as his face flickered to a ray of emotions, she felt her heart banging against the chest.

"I'm not saying I'm not grateful because truly I am. I'll always be eternally thankful for everything you've done for me. But I also don't want to be away from home anymore, Harry is moving away to college and I'll only have you left. And phone calls or letters won't be enough this time." Adeline leaned forward on the leather chair, eyes silently pleading but kept firm with her statement. Everything the girl said was true, she'll never forget all the years she spent there but this was becoming a new chapter in her life.

"Sweetheart, you don't have to worry about being alone forever, we'll always be here with you. I'm doing this because you have a bright future ahead of you, to carry on the family business and legacy." He indicated for her hand which she obliged while delicately caressing them, he wasn't a man of many emotions but he was one with words.

"I've done everything you could possibly dream of, I never asked for anything else in return and focused on my studies so please just... think about it?" The young Osborn pressed on the subject without caving in to intimidation. Norman, on the other hand, sighed deeply as he suddenly let go and leaned against the chair.

"Adeline—." His voice rumbled condescendingly, taking off his glasses as he gently rubbed the temples. The brunette sensed where the conversation was heading, closing her eyes for a brief moment then spoke before he could.

"I promise I'll do anything you wish and more, for once let me just stay with you, dad." Adeline insisted, something was glistening in her father's stare when she said that. Like he was planning something... it was a perfect time after all.

"Is that what you really want?" Norman stared into her eyes once he saw how serious she was. The girl nodded obediently as he calmly put away the reading glasses before declaring, "How about a proposition? As you know the company will unveil our new program at the annual Charity Ball this year. I want you to attend it as it'll be your responsibility in the future along with your brother."

"I guess that explains why you wanted me to shop today... I suppose so. Is that all?" If only she knew that would be her fatal mistake in the future, blindly going into the darkness while trusting so easily.

"I've been discussing with one of my colleagues, he has a son who would eventually take over his position. We agreed it was in our best interest to... have you both get to know each other." He stated with a crooked grin, Adeline seemed confused about the request.

"What do you mean? Who is this colleague of yours?" She questioned, hoping to know something about this particular individual. He must have been important if he was also attending the annual Charity Ball, god what's with secrecy?

"Someone who might merge with Oscorp but I want to know if you'll do it," Norman called for her attention, Adeline did want to do anything to stay in New York— she was set on that but needed to be sure what this request was.

"I-I can't unless I know what you want from this special proposition." She remarked fiercely, hands gripping the fabrics on her legs. Her face was determined yet unsure, while her father's was neutral but underneath his alter had sinister intentions.

"That's reasonable, we will discuss this more later," Norman leaned forward, while accidentally slipping once he got off the chair. Immediately, the brunette got up to help him as she was unsure what caused that. He was suddenly getting pale and sweaty, leading him to the laying chair as she insisted on having Bernard check on him.

"But—." Adeline pleaded yet he urged her not to, however, he was feeling chills, and not only that the phone started ringing.

"I'm alright... just can you get me the phone?" Norman asked while indicating the device, she quietly obliged as he asked to be alone for a while. Harry wasn't kidding about their father not feeling well since she arrived, he noticed the distress on her face and said, "I'm fine sweetheart, I'll explain everything when I come back."

"Yes sir...." She nodded before taking her leave, the penthouse was getting lonelier and the following week filled with movers as it was getting close to the end of the month. Taking the liberty to go out to the nearby shops as long as it was daylight, a bit nervous yet willing to be independent rather than waiting for them. Perhaps making new friends would be nice, or start with the transfer process at the high school. Whatever it was, the young Osborn was naive to think she could survive in this cruel world.

But fate would one day bring a superhero to help Adeline along.