Chap 15: Changed Destinations

As usual, Dylan went to look for Aiden to vent his anger. Aiden was standing near the window of his room, staring at the garden, when Dylan barged into his room and held his collar. " Did you purposely fail the test?"

Aiden was confused for a moment. What test? Then he suddenly recalled his earlier talk with Mrs. Hunt wherein she had warned him not to reveal to Dylan about him getting admission at the school in England.

" I-I didn't fail on purpose, " Aiden stuttered.

" I cannot believe that you couldn't pass the test. It's impossible, " Dylan yelled.

Aiden had expected Dylan to question him, so he had already thought of an answer. " The test was online, and I-I got nervous in front of the Interviewer... I-I could hardly say anything."

It was not difficult to convince Dylan as he very well knew that Aiden was scared around people. " F**k," he swore to himself, left Aiden's collar, and moved around the room cursing and talking. " Mom-Dad could have easily given some extra money and got you through, but this time they look adamant." He then accused Aiden again, " It's been six years, and you still have not managed to gain their care and trust."

Aiden just looked at Dylan with a shocked expression. How on earth could he make such kind of people care for him? It was simply beyond his imagination.

Dylan was still quite worked up, so he decided to go to the gym to get off some steam. For the next few days, he tried various methods to convince his parents.

He told his Dad he would take his Business Studies seriously if Aiden would join him. Mr. Hunt almost agreed to that, only to be stopped by Mrs. Hunt.

Dylan went to the extent of hurting himself and then pretending he needed someone's help to take care of him, but his cunning mother saw through his farce and said, " I will arrange the best Doctors and nurses for you, son; you don't have to worry."

Finally, the day to leave for England had arrived, and Dylan was left with no choice but to go alone.

Before leaving, he approached Aiden and handed him a phone. " Keep it with you at all times, and don't miss my call," Dylan warned. "Stay away from freaks like Bill."

Aiden nodded, and Dylan stared at him with an unknown expression. Dylan felt an intense pain in his heart as if he was leaving his soul here. He was confused because of this strange feeling in his heart. Unable to deal with it anymore, he turned around to leave Aiden's room.

When he was about to get out of the room, he suddenly turned around and hugged Aiden. Aiden was stunned and stood there like a statue.

" I will wait for you, " Dylan whispered to Aiden and raced out of the room.

Aiden stood still, unable to process what just happened as, for the first time, he had seen Dylan behave in such a weird manner. For a moment, he looked like a normal person who had feelings and emotions.

Unlike Dylan, Aiden was sure about what he felt, relief. He was relieved that he wouldn't have to keep a check on his every step. He was relieved he didn't have to walk on eggshells awaiting a new punishment. He was relieved he didn't have to live in fear anymore.

The next day, Aiden was called by Mrs. Hunt to her office. She had an odd glint in her eyes and looked at Aiden with a pleased expression. " Come sit," she said, and Aiden was surprised to see her talk to him so nicely.

Aiden sat down, and Mrs. Hunt got straight to the point. " Now that Dylan is not here, I don't think we need you here."

Aiden couldn't do anything other than nod his head in agreement. He had mixed feelings about it. On one hand, he wanted to be away from the Hunt's, but he was also worried if he was thrown out of this house, then where would he stay? He didn't even have any money on him.

His questions were answered by Mrs. Hunt. She looked happy that Aiden didn't oppose her and said with a smile, " As we have officially adopted you, we will take care of you until you are 18. I have already paid your fees and boarding charges for the school for the next two years and created a Bank account for you. I will deposit some amount in your account every month for your monthly expenses." Mrs. Hunt handed a few Bank documents to Aiden and said, " So for the next academic year, you can shift to your school dorm."

Aiden nodded again. He felt so happy inside that he wanted to jump in joy.

He was suddenly startled by his phone ringing in his pocket. He took it out and saw Dylan's name flashing on the phone.

" Where did you get that?" Mrs. Hunt questioned rudely.

" D-D... I mean, Sir gave it to me," Aiden whispered.

Mrs. Hunt gave a look of disgust and snapped, " Pick the call and not a word about what we discussed just now."

Aiden nodded as usual and picked up the call. He instantly heard Dylan's loud voice in anger, " What took you so long?"

Aiden glanced at Mrs. Hunt, observing him keenly, and gulped. " I-I..." Aiden was stuttering, and Dylan got annoyed. " Forget it. Don't delay next time."

" Okay..." Aiden said, and Dylan asked, " Where are you?"

" I-I am..." Aiden glimpsed at Mrs. Hunt, who gave him a warning look. "...in my room."

" That's good, " Dylan said and cut the call. Aiden eased up a little as Dylan didn't ask anything more. It was already 24 hours since Dylan had left Hunt Mansion, and this was the sixth call Aiden had received from him. He called him every few hours and asked the same question, ' Where are you?'

Mrs. Hunt looked annoyed and said, " Give me the phone."

Aiden reluctantly handed her the phone, and she checked the call list. Mrs. Hunt clenched the phone in anger when she saw that Dylan had called Aiden six times while her dear son had not even called her once. She herself had to call him and ask whether he had reached safely. She was so angry that she wanted to smash the phone on the wall, but if Aiden suddenly stopped picking Dylan's calls, he would be suspicious.

She handed Aiden's phone back to him and spat, " You can leave now." Aiden didn't wait any longer and got out of the office as soon as possible.

As Mrs. Hunt sat in her office, she thought about how to make it impossible for Dylan to contact Aiden in any way. She wanted to get Aiden out of her son's life and make him get rid of his weird obsession.

The next week passed by a blur. Aiden didn't go out of the Hunt Mansion and just spent his time moving around the Mansion grounds and talking to Dylan whenever he called. Because of the damned phone, he had an impression that even though Dylan was so far away from him, Aiden was still under his clutches.

It was Aiden's last day at the Hunt Mansion, and he had not informed Dylan about him leaving yet. Mrs. Hunt must have surely thought about something. Even Aiden had realized by now that Mrs. Hunt doesn't want Aiden to associate with Dylan, and it worked out in Aiden's favor as well.

He had finished packing and expected Mrs. Hunt to call for him anytime. This time Mrs. Hunt herself came to his room and asked for his phone. Aiden was hesitant as he knew he would be facing Dylan's wrath if he didn't answer his calls, but a deadly look from Mrs. Hunt was enough for him to straight away hand his phone to her. She immediately threw the phone on the wall smashing it into pieces, and Aiden looked on shocked.

" There is a slight change in the plan, " Mrs. Hunt started. " You are not going to your old school. "

Aiden was confused when Mrs. Hunt continued. " I have got you into another school which is around 50 miles away from here."

Aiden just stared at her blankly. He didn't dare to ask her what she was planning.

"Dylan will not contact you again, and you should not either," she warned.

" I-I will never contact him, " Aiden stuttered.

Mrs. Hunt seemed satisfied and said, " Our driver will take you to your new school. You can get going now; he's waiting."

Aiden picked up his luggage and looked at Mrs. Hunt. " Thank you for everything." He said it sincerely as though they never considered him his own; they were far better than his own parents, and for that, he would always be grateful to them.

" Hmmm..." Mrs. Hunt remarked, and Aiden left to go when she stopped him again. " Remember one thing. Once you are 18, we will no longer be responsible for you, whether it's relational or financial."

Aiden got her message. " Yes, Mam, I understand."

Mrs. Hunt nodded and waved her hand, and Aiden got out of the room. He looked around the Mansion one last time and got inside the car. Multiple things were running on his mind, and his heart was filled with mixed emotions. Even though he was not particularly sad about leaving the Hunt Mansion, he was still skeptical about what the future holds for him.