Stand for Love Ch. 12

Nicholas on the other hand had no idea why he had stopped. That voice was like a command to him and he just felt he needed to comply and listen to what Adrian had instructed. Dropping his fists and relaxing his body, Nicholas looked in the direction of Adrian who looked worried. He loved Adrian a lot but he couldn't bear to see him because he was hurting deeply.

As he slowly got off of Jake, he moved his eyes away and realized that he'd beaten up Jake pretty bad. He quickly stood up, breathing violently with his fists still clenching. He was feeling terrible and he had no idea how that was going to go away.

Seeing Jake helpless and in pain for what Nicholas had done to him, Victoria quickly leaned down and held him tightly in his arms. Her heart broke when she saw how he was looking like, bloody face, black eye, busted lip and bruised face. She quickly looked up at her son and felt the need to shout at him.

"What's wrong with you?" Victoria yelled, giving him angry eyes. "How could you..."

"And I'm ready to do the same to you if you don't shut the fuck up." Nicholas snapped, pointing his shaky finger at her. He had never imagined he could hate someone so much especially his mother. He hated her more than anyone.

"What?"

"Yes," Nicholas yelled. "Just what do you see in that guy? If you love him so much why won't you two get married."

"Don't you dare talk to me like that?" Victoria yelled. "I'm still your m..."

"You're still my nothing." Nicholas snapped. "A mother is a person, kind and with a heart of gold. She builds and not destroys. You're a disgrace to womanhood and the word mother doesn't even suit you. I hate you so much and I wish I wasn't born at all." He sniveled, feeling his head pulse. "With a mother like you, who needs enemies?"

Victoria's heart exploded right there. She had no idea why but she hated her son right there. Deep down inside she loved him but she hated him also. How could he have said all those things to her all because of a simple, stupid boy Adrian? She felt insulted and promised Adrian was gonna pay back for everything that he had done.

"This is also your fault." Jake muttered, getting away from Victoria. He slowly got up, putting his hand on his chest as he winced in pain, all bloody. He was not looking good and kinda irritated Nicholas big time. He wanted to slap him.

"Are you still talking to me?" Nicholas snapped. "Do you want to get more beatings you son of a bitch?"

That went straight to Jake's heart. Nicholas had just insulted his mother and even though his face...his chest and his head were feeling like they were in hell, Jake couldn't take that from him.

"I still love you and..."

"Will you shut the fuck up?" Nicholas yelled. "I'd rather make out with a dog than be with someone like you."

Victoria slowly got up and held Jake in her arms. She was hurt when she saw how he was looking.

Nicholas took a quick glance behind and he got madder. How dare they use his money to try and frame the boy that he loves so much? Now he was gonna punish Victoria for doing it. Jake was gonna get what was coming to him too.

"And you even have the guts to frame him?" Nicholas yelled. "Do you actually think you are smart? You had the guts to bring divorce papers for me to sign. I should have seen the signs and slapped the two of you harder. Maybe you wouldn't have caused so much pain in my marriage. You two are evil."

"Why?" Victoria muttered, a tear falling down her cheek. "As a mother I had to make sure I gave my son what was best. I had to do everything to give you the best."

"Mother," Nicholas rolled his eyes in anger. "You don't even know the meaning of that word. And you have the effrontery to tell that to my face? Just who do you think you are to meddle in my marriage? I should have had you in jail a long time ago maybe I would have been living happily without an evil woman called Victoria in my life."

"You wish your mother was in jail?" Victoria sobbed.

"Not my mother." Nicholas quaked, standing still. "Victoria Dunphy."

"Why would..."

"You've done what you had to do till today." Nicholas yelled, furiously breathing. "But now listen to what I have to say."

"Don't you..."

"I'm not finished." Nicholas signaled her to shut up. "Let to me very carefully." He said angrily. "From now on, you'll not have access to my money again. All your accounts will be frozen."

"What?" Victoria breathed.

"Yes," Nicholas said hoarsely. "You'll no longer be working at any of my companies. Any post which you have including the vice presidency shall be stripped from you."

Victoria held her chest in surprise. She was experiencing some difficulty in breathing. It was really painful and she couldn't bear it. How was she supposed to plan, plot and even buy the latest trends in fashion if she didn't have access to that money.

"Why?" Victoria cried, her heart racing miles and miles.

"You expect me to give you money after almost destroying my marriage with it?" He yelled. "Just look at the floor," He pointed to the money on the floor. "There is a lot of money and it was all used for your evil plans. Do you need a clap or something?"

"You can't do that to me?" Victoria sobbed as a sharp pain made her weak. She quickly looked around to her other son who moved his eyes away as soon as he saw her. "Noah, please talk to your brother. He can't do this to me. "

"I'm sorry," Noah sighed. "He's right."

"Then will you..."

"No!" Noah yelled, dropping his arms furiously. "What's the point, so that you can plot again? I won't give you anything either. Who knows if your next target is my wife?"

"You can't do this to me." Victoria quickly looked at her son. "You don't have any right to it." She sobbed. "I worked so hard for all those companies and hotels. Do you know..."

"I don't care." Nicholas chimed in. "I'm now the owner of all the companies and the hotels. That means I have every right to do so. That's my judgment."

He quickly looked at Jake and glowered. The guy gave him lot anger. He was dying to kill him and send him to hell where all demons and devils belonged, his mother inclusive.

"And you?" Nicholas snapped, pointing at Jake. "You're leaving my house this instant. You'll never be seen near this house...the companies or even any of the hotels. If you do that, you'll live to regret it. I swear I'll kill you."

Adrian was happy at the decision made by Nicholas. Victoria being banned from all the riches and Adrian banned from the house and all the companies was breathtaking. It was beautiful and better than he'd imagined it to be. That was what they needed as punishment for causing trouble in his marriage. Now he could live in peace with his husband.

He was so happy that there were so many tears in his eyes. He couldn't help but feel the pain of his husband affecting him so badly. It also added to his pain and anguish.

"I'll leave." Jake furiously pulled away from Victoria. "But this is not over yet. You'll one day be mine and everything will go back to the way it was."

"Get out!" Nicholas bellowed pointing towards the door.

"I'll leave," Jake chuckled bitterly, tears leaving his eyes. "But remember my words." He brought two of his fingers further, kissed them and then blew them to Nicholas who was more than irritated.

"Jake, please..."

"Do you want to go with him?" Nicholas yelled. "Because I'd love for that to happen,"

Victoria remained quiet and angry but maybe she needed to leave. How could she stay in the house where Adrian had ruined her reputation? She hated him with passion and she was gonna make him regret ever messing with her.

First he had ruined her ego...then he had humiliated her...now he had made her family hate her and...she was banned from all the money. She couldn't bear to live with him under the same roof. It just wasn't possible. They were now like fire and rain.

"Don't worry, mother," Jake winced, holding his chest as he tried to rub off the blood some of which was dry. "I'll leave the house but not your life."

After smiling at Victoria, Jake turned and then slowly and painfully began moving toward the stairs. He was gonna leave the house but not Nicholas' life nor Victoria's. He was gonna get them back for all the humiliation and he was gonna deal with Adrian.

Jake slowly walked towards the stairs. He reached them and as he was about to raise his foot in pain, he heard Adrian's confident voice again and it gave him chills. He was shivering and he had no idea why.

"Jake!" Adrian called. "Please, wait,"

Adrian gathered his confidence, wore a beautiful grin and slowly walked towards Jake at the sudden surprise of everyone in the living room. He watched as Jake quickly turned and waited for him. Though the guy was bloody, Adrian clearly saw his hatred and anger.

Adrian reached Jake, stood in front of him and then crossed his arms on his chest. He took a good look at him and gave him a teasing chuckle.

"What?" Jake bellowed, clenching his left fist. His whole body hurt.

"Where are you going?"

"Are you that stupid?" Jake yelled. "Can't you see that I'm leaving the house?"

"Good answer." Adrian grinned, twisting his mouth to mock Jake. "But the door is right over there." He signaled with his eyes.

"I know that." Jake was more than angry. He hated Adrian unlike anyone else on the entire earth. He was gonna get him back for it, for all the humiliations that had happened. "I'm just going to my room to..."

"You don't have a room anymore." Adrian said with a smirk and a wink. "As for the clothes, they'll be delivered to you after you leave this house."

"I'm not leaving without my clothes and my documents." Jake yelled. "And..."

"Everything will be packed and sent to you." Adrian said. "I'll have the maids do that for you. But I want you to leave the house immediately."

"Didn't you hear what..."

"Don't you yell at me?" Adrian shouted, gripping Jake's arm painfully. "And you're leaving this house whether you like it or not. Have you forgotten so soon? Remember I'm still Adrian Miller and I'm throwing you out of this house...for good."

All the family members were surprised at the authority Adrian used on Jake. They wondered how he had transformed so much after everything that had happened to him. It was all so confusing.

"I said I want my clothes back." Jake yelled, trying to release his hand but Adrian was too powerful. Plus his pain was too much that it took most of his energy. "I've got important documents in there and..."

"I don't care about the documents that you have." Adrian said angrily. "All I know is that you're leaving this house this minute."

After saying that, Adrian confidently dragged Jake to the door. Reaching the door, he let go of him and threw him out of the house. When he turned to face him, Adrian smiled brightly, mocking the guy who looked really stupid.

"How does it feel to be thrown out?" He chuckled. "This was supposed to be me but..." He gave a bitter laugh. "Now you're leaving instead. You should be happy because you're dressed for the occasion. What was that again?" Adrian chirped, passing his finger on his chin as he remembered what they had said to him. "Oh!" He gasped when he remembered. "You always win at every game." He laughed. "But guess who won this time? Oh! It was me."

"This is not over yet." Jake said.

"Oh it is." Adrian chuckled. "I played the game really well and now it's over. Goodbye Jake Wilson, my dopy cousin who thought he could compete for my husband's love."

Jake snarled, carefully holding his chest which was in so much pain.

"The doors of this house shall remain closed to you." He added. "You've been banished. Consider it as your ticket for going home to your family. I hope you'll remember this and remember your greatest failure."

"I'll..."

Adrian signaled him to stop because he wasn't ready for any no sense.

"Goodbye."

What followed were the doors closing as Jake stared at him while he closed the door on his face. He really enjoyed it a lot. He quickly turned, smiled and went back inside, happy and excited. At least he had gotten rid of his problems and he wondered what followed.

Going back inside the house, Adrian stopped in his tracks and just looked at everyone. His husband had his eyes down and so did the rest of the family members except for George, granny and Victoria who had her eyes angrily looking at him. He was sure the woman was never gonna let him go scot free. She'd just been exposed and she was crying but Adrian could see past her hatred and saw rage. Gee, the woman was something else.

He moved his eyes away from her and looked past the family members to the maids. He scanned them and it was clear that the maid who had been used by Victoria was not among them. He was sure Victoria had paid her to get lost or something. Phew! That was really something else.

Adrian was about to take a step when he heard Victoria's voice.

"I'll never forget this Adrian." She muttered. "Never, this will always remain with me."

"I'm really sorry," Adrian apologized. "I didn't plan for it to be this way and..."

"Why are you apologizing?" Granny asked. "You didn't do anything wrong. She's the one who did that to you. She deserves what she got and please stop apologizing to her."

Adrian looked at granny with a faint smile. She sure was wise and beautiful.

"I'll never, ever forget."

"I never did anything wrong." Adrian said confidently. "All I wanted was to see you change your ways. All the times I made you work was just to make you change your ways. Can't we just forget and live in peace?"

"Never," Victoria bellowed, a tear falling down her cheek. "I can't even bear the sight of you. In fact, I won't leave in this house with you." She paused and took a long look at him. "I'm leaving this house."

Adrian gave out a soft low gasp of surprise. He wondered what else she had in mind. He couldn't help but fear that she had something bad planned for him but he didn't just care for it. As long as she didn't bother him he was alright.

"I'm leaving this house because I can't bear all the insults." She said. "This is your entire fault and I'll never forget how you turned my whole family against me. I'll never forget it."

After that, Victoria took one quick angry glare and she turned and started moving to the stairs. She was determined to go away from the house and go and live with Jake. That didn't mean that she'd just let everything go. It was gonna be a big brow.

"Just a minute," Nicholas shouted as Victoria quickly stopped. "When you leave this house, don't ever come back."

"Don't worry," Victoria said angrily. "I don't plan on coming back." She started moving again but Nicholas spoke again.

"And don't take any of the cars. You're going on foot."

Without any response, Victoria began going up the stairs before Nicholas gave her some pretty bad news which she didn't care about.

"I'm suing you for everything that you've done." Nicholas shouted for everyone to hear. "I know you're going to that Jake's house so inform him and his family."

Victoria didn't care about being sued. She kept on going upstairs and went straight to her room.

After his mother left, Nicholas dropped to his knees, tears flooding his face as a sharp pain hit him. Never had he experienced such a sharp pain in his life. It was really painful and his heart was on fire. How could his mother do something like that to him? The most painful thing was that after everything, Adrian had suffered through it all alone. He cried a lot.

Nicholas didn't want to stop crying even for a second. Warm tears filled his eyes and they seemed to inflict pain on him. It was really the worst feeling ever.

Adrian watched in pain as his husband broke down on that cold floor. He was looking really vulnerable, on his knees with his eyes dropped and looking like he had just lost something precious. Adrian wanted to go to him, hug him and kiss him but he just found himself frozen and unable to move. He knew of the pain his husband felt but he just couldn't do anything rather than stand.

All the other family members were not good themselves. They were having the saddest of days and couldn't do anything to wipe off that sadness. They had been insulting and abusing Adrian not knowing that he was innocent. It was really painful and it felt like a slap on the face.

Adrian's eyes were on his husband crying like a little boy. Each sob was making his heart weak and pound painfully in his chest. He had no idea why he couldn't move to comfort his husband but maybe it was because he needed him to say something, apologize or even cry it out.

Five minutes with the same situation and he found himself in tears. He was experiencing the pain again but it wasn't so bad. In just a few minutes, Adrian heard footsteps coming from the stairs. He quickly turned to see Victoria coming down the stairs with a big bag and frown on her face. She seemed displeased and full of hatred. She was still elegant but her eyes were red and she was quivering.

Victoria came to the living room and stopped. She gave everyone a very irritating and disgusting look especially Adrian. She then turned, hissed loudly and stormed out of the house with loud bang at the door.

Adrian somehow felt bad that Victoria had left the house. He had wanted for everyone to reconcile but maybe he had ruined the lives of the people in the house. He had destroyed the relationship with their mother when he clearly knew that one of his many vows was to make the family happy. Maybe they'd be happy without Victoria.

Nicholas on the other hand was in pain. He feared to breathe because the pain intensified and his heart pulsed painfully. Everything he did made his body feel the pain. He just didn't know what to do because the pain was just too much.

He regretted not trusting his Adrian...he regretted listening to his mother...he regretted being such a foolish man but most importantly he cursed himself for rejecting his love. His heart had been right after all. It was no wonder his heart was still beating for Adrian. Somehow he was more than happy but the pain was too much. He had no idea how he was going to face Adrian and sleep by his side after committing such a big sin.

With tears in his eyes and the greatest pain he'd ever felt, Nicholas slowly raised his face to look up to Adrian's face. His eyes were red and the pain was too much. Looking deeper in Adrian's eyes he saw him tear up and the pain intensified. He quickly got up, slowly walking towards Adrian. He had his eyes locked with him all the time and they were still beautiful and called to his soul.

But Nicholas also saw other emotions in those wonderful eyes. He saw anger, pain, regret and even hatred. He had no idea who those were meant for but he clearly deserved them after causing so much pain to his husband. How could he have been such a fool? Tears flooded his face as he neared Adrian. They were really hot, burning into his very skin.

Reaching Adrian, he brought his hands together as more tears flooded his tears. He had no words to say but he knew he had to say something in order to apologize to Adrian.

Nicholas slowly raised his face to stare into Adrian's eyes. The more he raised his face the more the pain got worse to the point where he wished he had died for causing so much pain ton his Adrian. He cursed himself everything that had happened to Adrian. It was his entire fault.

He raised his face and cried, sobbing uncontrollably. Adrian's heart bled at what he saw. Nicholas was more than hurting his feelings.

"I'm such a fool." Nicholas cried, hoping to find the right words to use to apologize for his mistakes. "I should have trusted you and stood by you." He cried, not even bothering to rub them off. "I'm really sorry and I hope you can forgive me for being such an asshole." Tears flooded his already flooded face making Adrian's own tears to flood his face.