[53]

                                    

                                          
After Sayuri left, Damian had pondered upon her words for long and realized that she was right. He had never thought about the whole situation in a different light but she had made him realize that, helping him come to terms with his loss.

                          
He was standing in front of Richard's room, making up his mind to knock on the door. But before he could do so, Richard opened it himself and was surprised to see him standing outside. 
                          
"Dami? You should have just come inside. I don't mind." He smiled reassuringly at him whereas Damian nodded in reply, stepping in.

                          
The boy sat down cross legged on the comfy rug that was spread in the center so Richard did the same, sitting in front of him. He refrained from initiating the conversation, knowing that Damian certainly had something to say since he would never come up to his room otherwise and it was better if he just gave him time to speak up first.
                          
"I apologize," he spoke up at last in a slightly strained voice, "I was rude to you earlier even though you were just worried about me."
                          
Richard was a bit startled at his words for he had not expected that as he replied, "it's alright, buddy. I wasn't angry at you."
                          
"And I want to apologize to Yuri as well."
                          
His brow furrowed but he kept silent, encouraging him to resume.
                          
"She was right in saying that I was selfish and I had never thought about others. I have never thought about you all either and that is nothing to be proud of. I... I have been a complete nuisance, haven't I?"
                          
"Damian, it's not like that," he leaned forward, blue eyes full of concern, "you're family and families always stick together, no matter what happens."
                          
"Grandfather and Mother ruined Yuri's family," Damian's voice was reduced to a hushed tone, "and she has every reason to hate me."
                          
"But she doesn't hate you."
                          
"I know. But I have always been horrible to her and to Drake and... Is that why you sent him away? Just so I wouldn't take out my anger on him?"
                          
For the first time ever since Richard had met Damian, he realized that the boy was breaking down. He was opening up to him in a strange way but also really unstable at the moment.
                          
"Of course not," he replied in an attempt to reassure him, "Tim will come back soon. He only wanted to spend some time with his sister."
                          
"That's what you always say," he muttered darkly, arms folded as he stared away from Richard's caring gaze.
                          
"Dami, we'll bring him back right now if that's what you want."
                          
Much to his surprise, he stood up, "fine. Lets go then." 
                          
Richard nodded as he got up, fetching his car keys, "I don't know if she will be at home or not."
                          
"It doesn't matter. I'll wait."
                          
He took him down to the garage, unlocking his car as Damian climbed in the passenger seat. Richard got in as well, fastening his seat belt as he started the engine, driving out of the Manor.
                          
At first both of them kept silent as they headed towards the area where her apartment was located, but then Damian broke the silence, "you asked her to come see me, didn't you?"
                          
"Well..."
                          
"Thank you," he replied, cutting him off for he knew Richard was probably thinking of an excuse to deny it, "I feel much better now."
                          
"I just thought you would talk to her because you weren't talking to any of us."
                          
"I figured. She made me realize how terrible I've been, you all couldn't do that."