After tossing and turning all night, Adam decided to put his restless energy to use. The pain from dying in the Dreamverse still lingered, but he pushed through it, heading to the family's home gym in the early morning hours. There, he climbed onto the treadmill and began to run, his thoughts filled with grief and determination.
As he pounded away on the treadmill, beads of sweat forming on his brow, the door to the gym creaked open. Yusuf, Adam's father, entered the room, rubbing his eyes tiredly. "Morning, son," he said, offering a small smile. "Couldn't sleep either?"
Adam's breathing was heavy, but he managed a weak nod. "Too much on my mind, I guess," he replied, his voice strained.
Yusuf's eyes filled with concern as he glanced at the treadmill next to Adam's. "Mind if I join you?" he asked, already stepping onto the machine.
"Of course not," Adam said, appreciating his father's presence. They ran side by side, the rhythmic pounding of their feet on the treadmill filling the room.
A few moments passed before Yusuf broke the silence. "Adam, about last night," he began cautiously, "are you still in pain? I can get you some painkillers if you need them."
Adam shook his head, gritting his teeth through the lingering discomfort. "No, I'm fine. Thanks, Dad."
Yusuf nodded, hesitating before speaking again. "It's Friday, you know. I let my assistant know that I'd be taking the day off. I thought maybe we could do something together. Play some games, go shopping...whatever you want."
A small smile tugged at the corners of Adam's mouth, his heart warmed by his father's gesture. "Yeah, that sounds nice," he agreed. "Maybe we could go shopping and play some games. It'd be a good distraction from...everything."
They continued to run in silence for a few more minutes, the only sound the whir of the treadmills and their heavy breathing. Yusuf, who had started to tire, hopped off his treadmill and stretched, trying to catch his breath. "Alright, I think that's enough for me," he said, chuckling. "I'll go make some breakfast for us. Your mom should be waking up soon to head to work."
Adam nodded, still pushing himself on the treadmill. "I'll be down soon," he promised. "Just want to finish this mile."
Yusuf patted his son on the back, pride shining in his eyes. "Take your time, Adam. I'll see you downstairs." With that, he left the room, leaving Adam to finish his run.
As the treadmill hummed beneath him, Adam couldn't help but feel grateful for his father's support. The pain and grief still weighed heavily on him, but with his family by his side, he knew he could face whatever challenges lay ahead. And with each stride, his determination to avenge Lancer only grew stronger.
After finishing his last mile he decided to walk into the kitchen and was greeted by the delicious aroma of shakshuka being cooked by his father, Yusuf. The spicy tomato and egg dish was a family favorite, and it brought a sense of comfort and normalcy to the otherwise tense atmosphere in the house.
As he waited for breakfast to be served, Adam took a seat at the kitchen table, watching his father expertly chop vegetables and flip the eggs in the pan. Yusuf hummed contentedly, clearly enjoying the simple pleasure of cooking for his family.
Just then, Melissa entered the kitchen, her eyes lighting up at the sight and smell of the shakshuka. "Oh, Yusuf, you're making shakshuka? My favorite," she said, leaning over to give her husband a quick peck on the cheek. Turning to Adam, she asked with genuine concern, "How are you feeling, sweetheart? You seemed really upset last night."
Adam managed a small smile. "I'm doing better, Mom. Thanks for asking."
As Yusuf finished preparing the breakfast, he dished up generous portions of the shakshuka onto plates for Adam and Melissa, then sat down with a steaming cup of coffee. Coffee was Yusuf's one true indulgence, and he savored every sip.
They began eating, and Adam noticed the pride in his father's eyes as he watched his wife and son enjoy the meal he'd prepared. As they ate, Yusuf mentioned their plans for the day. "We're going to go shopping later and then come back to play some games. Do you need anything, Melissa? Or do you want to join us?"
Melissa shook her head. "I can't today, but I do want to visit that luxury store I love sometime this weekend. I have to go to work and attend a meeting with a client. But thank you for the offer."
Adam decided to bring up Stella and her mother's situation. "Mom, Dad, Stella and her mom want to leave the Emmanuel and Edward family. They asked if they could stay with us while her mom finds a new place for them to live."
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Melissa's face lit up with a mixture of pride and relief. "Of course they can stay with us! I'm so glad Stella's mom is finally getting away from that toxic family. They deserve so much better."
Yusuf nodded in agreement, and Melissa hugged both her husband and son tightly. "Thank you for this amazing breakfast, Yusuf. And I'm so glad we can help Stella and her mom. Now, I really have to go," she said, gathering her things and rushing out the door.
As the door closed behind her, Yusuf turned to Adam with a mischievous glint in his eye. "So, you and Stella, huh?" he teased, chuckling softly.
Adam's face flushed a deep shade of red, and he stammered, "Dad, what the hell? We're just kids!"
Yusuf laughed heartily, patting his son on the back. "You know, your mom and I were childhood sweethearts, too. Look at us now, married with a great kid like you."
Still blushing, Adam stood up abruptly. "I'm going to take a shower, and then we can go shopping," he said, trying to change the subject.
As he hurried out of the room, Adam couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. Grief over Lancer's death still weighed heavily on his heart, but the prospect of Stella and her mother moving in with them filled him with excitement.
In the meantime, Yusuf chuckled as he watched his son disappear down the hallway, shaking his head fondly. He knew that Adam was still processing Lancer's death, and he hoped that the shopping trip and playing games later would provide a much-needed distraction. He also recognized the growing bond between Adam and Stella and hoped that their friendship would continue to blossom.
After Adam had finished showering and changed into fresh clothes, he met Yusuf back in the kitchen. Before leaving for the shopping mall, Yusuf decided to have a bit of fun with Adam by letting him choose which car they would take from his collection of luxury vehicles.
"Alright, Adam," Yusuf said, grinning as he held out both of his closed fists. "I've got the keys to two of our cars, one in each hand. Pick a hand, and that's the car we'll take."
Adam looked at his father's hands, trying to guess which one held the key to the better car. He pretended to hover his hand over one fist, and noticed a slight frown on his father's face. Suppressing a smile, he quickly switched to the other hand, and his father's expression brightened.
Adam continued toying with his dad, switching back and forth between the two hands, finding amusement in the way his father's expression changed each time. Yusuf, however, caught on to Adam's antics and playfully said, "Come on now, stop teasing me and choose already!"
Finally, Adam settled on the hand that seemed to make Yusuf the happiest. His father opened his hand, revealing the keys to a beautiful sports car that gleamed in the sunlight. "Ah, excellent choice!" Yusuf exclaimed, admiring the car. "I haven't taken this one out in a while. It'll be a fun ride."
As Adam and Yusuf grabbed their jackets and keys, Adam couldn't help but feel a growing sense of camaraderie with his father. The lighthearted teasing and jokes helped to momentarily alleviate the grief that had been plaguing him.
---
They drove to the bustling center of London, chatting and laughing about various topics, from school to their favorite games, and even a bit more about Stella and her mother moving in with them, as they navigated through the busy London traffic.
Upon arriving at Barrods, they spent the day exploring different stores and indulging in some retail therapy. Money was not an issue for the pair. Both of Adam's parents were incredibly wealthy, having gained vast fortunes from their family connections. Adam's father, Yusuf, was one of the heirs to the Amin family, a Middle Eastern family who had amassed significant wealth from oil reserves. Adam much preferred spending time with the Amins than the Emmanuels, whom he considered to be far too stuck-up and pompous.
The time spent together shopping and exploring Barrods served as a welcome distraction for Adam, allowing him to temporarily forget the grief that still lingered in his heart. After enjoying some pizza outside, they returned home, arms laden with shopping bags. They set up the new games they had purchased and played well into the evening, laughing and bonding over their shared interests. Adam was more competitive than ever, relishing in the fact that he could win more frequently against his dad in the absence of any new fighting games.
Later, Melissa, Adam's mother, joined them after a grueling day of back-to-back meetings. Together, the family enjoyed quality time playing games and enjoying each other's company.
Throughout the day, Adam found solace in the love and support his family provided. Even in the midst of his grief, he knew they were there for him, doing everything they could to help him heal.
As the day progressed and evening approached, Adam grew increasingly aware of the time. He knew he would soon need to prepare for bed and return to the Dreamverse. His mood shifted, becoming more serious as he remembered his vow to avenge Lancer's death.
"I think I'm going to head to bed now," he announced quietly.
His parents exchanged concerned glances, but nodded in understanding. "Good night, Adam," Yusuf said, his voice steady yet tinged with worry. "We'll see you in the morning."
Melissa stepped forward, embracing her son as if he was about to embark on a perilous journey. "Please be safe, Adam," she whispered, her voice filled with concern. "Remember that we love you and we're here for you, no matter what happens."
Adam hugged his mother back, grateful for her support. "I'll be careful, Mom," he promised.
Retreating to his room, Adam's heart felt heavy with the knowledge that he would soon have to face the killer of his friend and his minions. As he lay down in his bed, he took a few deep breaths, attempting to calm his racing thoughts.
Sleep came quickly for Adam. As he drifted off, he steeled himself for a night of conflict, determined to avenge Lancer and bring peace to his memory.
'I'm coming for you, Skab. You and your little band of goblins will pay,' he thought fiercely, and with that final resolve, he entered the Dreamverse.