NEW LIFE : A SECOND CHANCE

It was finally time.

The Elite Five were at the airport, along with the Smith couple. It was the day that Kyle had to go on his promotional tour.

Delilah was sniffling away, dabbing the corner of her eyes constantly as she watched her only children talking and laughing animatedly. Why was she the only one that felt sad about them leaving?

They were only 15 years old, yet acting like adults. Her babies weren't supposed to leave the nest yet at that age.

Patrick patted her back, saying consolingly, "They're only leaving for a few months. They'll be back before you know it."

Delilah bit her lips, thinking, 'They haven't left yet and I am already missing them. How can he think I'd not feel every single day? Before I know it? Hah'

But Patrick had always been like that. He comforted her often but he didn't really show his emotions to his children.

No, wait. That was not true.

He didn't really show his emotions to his son. Kay was his little princess after all, but Kyle was the next Smith heir. There was no way Patrick would be soft on him.

Delilah sighed.

Perhaps that is why Kyle was rather aloof with his father. He was constantly doing things on his own, making monumental decisions by himself and often taking his sister along for the ride. She hadn't been keen on him gaining legal independence for the chasm between them would grow bigger.

Patrick didn't think so and felt that it was the best move.

Delilah still doesn't agree in her heart but she didn't show it. There were so many things she disagreed with her own husband, regarding the raising of their children. However, just like any parent who had conflicting ideas, one would have to compromise or give in.

It was not easy.

Luckily, she had Kay.

A daughter truly was a mother's best friend to whom she could pour her grievances on. Sharing, that is.

Delilah would often talk to Kay about it, and it made her feel closer to Kay. Not in the way Patrick chose to do things regarding Kyle - that would feel like she disrespected him. She didn't want to cause Kay to start feeling discontent with her own father.

So, instead, she would just talk about her feelings and her fears. At least, Kay seemed to understand far better than Patrick about that.

Lately, she had noticed the change in Kyle. She attributed this partly to Kay (who must have had a talk with Kyle) and to her own acceptance of Kyle. Kay was the middle man, so to speak, that helped her bridge the gap with her own son.

It was a pity that Kyle and Patrick's relationship didn't seem to improve.

Both of them just had too much of the 'Smith' stubborn and arrogant genes to truly get along.

??

Ali sighed as he looked at the four of them.

While he truly did wish he could follow them, his heart knew that he couldn't. After that talk with Omar, Ali had gone back and contemplated a lot on his words. He spent days seriously thinking of all the things he had been doing, and everything he wanted.

What Kyle had told him about himself was so true.?About how he tended to avoid conflicts.

It's not as if ignoring the matter would make it go away and he knew he had to buck up.

When he had asked Omar whether it was too late, whether he had already lost Sophia, Omar had given him such a gentle, caring smile that Ali almost cried in relief.

He wasn't.

So he spent days praying, thinking, contemplating.

Now, he was much more relaxed and much more focused.

He felt he could face the trials God had set for him, but he would have to constantly keep at it. Keep up the positive energy. Keep up the Faith.

Just then, the announcement about their plane was ready for boarding came over the intercom. Fresh new tears formed in Delilah's eyes.

Her babies were leaving!!

Kyle, upon seeing this, gave a soft smile and walked over to Delilah.

"Come on, Mum," he said gently as he hugged her tight, "I'll send a message every morning and every night, okay? I'll call often."

Delilah nodded, sniffing, "You'd better. Or else I won't be able to sleep."

Patrick watched all of this stoically.

His son.

A sense of pride swelled up within him but he didn't show it.

"Remember, you are the Smith Heir," Patrick said gruffly, looking at Kyle sternly, "You have to make sure your behaviour does not tarnish the Smith name."

Here we go again, thought Kyle in exasperation.

Why on Earth does this man find it a need to constantly drill into him his responsibilities? As he listened on to Patrick's normal drivel about 'the Smith Name' and the 'Smith Reputation', he used up all his training not to let his true emotions show on his face.

He had promised Kay, after all.

But the man could go on and on.

If Kyle had been a problematic child or one that did bring shame to the 'Smith Name', then Kyle could understand this mini-lecture. Hadn't he always proven himself? That he was capable and would not do anything to embarrass the family name?

Though granted. The movie may be an eyesore to some of the older generations. After all, an 'entertainer' could hardly measure up to the 'respectable' job of a businessman.

Kyle found that ludicrous, of course.

The only reason why the Smith Family didn't create such a fuss and ruckus was because the movie was 'high class'. Its predecessor was all box office hits and the actors were all the top. Thus, it was 'befitting' the Smith Name.

Such hypocrisy and sense of elitism. Kyle couldn't be bothered with all of that.

As Patrick ended his spiel, he nodded with satisfaction about how Kyle was actually listening this time.