#Chapter 31 : It's Just Begun

Hans's POV

Lightly scratching my hair, I went towards my father's office in large strides. Right before I would open his doors, I hear the usual, not-so-faint sound of a conversation father was having with someone on the phone. I shook my head as I perfectly knew who it was and what's going on. But maybe, just maybe things between those two have gotten better.

To confirm my day-to-day small bit of hope, I sigh as I was once again proven wrong as I opened a crack of the door and quietly listened.

The other line was shouting, full of hiss poised for the listener.

"For the millionth time it's well and done! Hey, you're the one who pulled all the strings, now look what happened! If it turns out that he's still out there, we can interrogate him further. Look, I'm done with you for today, is that clear? Don't call anymore because I'm not going to pick up. Anyways, I'm busy now." Without any byes exchanged, the caller hung up. Father gritted his teeth and slammed his phone to his desk, then pulled his hand down his face in a slow, aggravated wipe.

I took this as a cue to enter and walked in, slightly surprising him.

"Is it so hard to knock before entering?" he muttered. Would've chastised me for it, but the phonecall drained out all the rage left and he chose to just slump down the couch. I sat beside him.

"It's mom again, right?" I asked slowly, then cringed at the end at how awkward I sounded. It couldn't be helped as I didn't usually engage on many topics with my dad, and the M word that came out of my mouth got an eye twitch out of him.

To describe the situation between mom and dad was a bit complicated. The atmoshere between them could change within days from finger-to-cheek caresses to vase-to-floor damage bickering, which at times had to have either me or my sister interfere.

My sister and I didn't usually care too much about it. We used to, since we worried whether their relationship was 'blowing over'. There were a ton of worst case scenarios we thought of, and the more we did, the more overwhelming they became. One day, we just settled to running away to different rooms far from mom and dad whenever they fought. The more we saw less, the more we cared less, the more we could breathe in the house.

The going ons between mom and dad still came to topic sometimes, but at most we would debate on who was more right or wrong in their arguments. Vanessa would always side with mom, and I most of the time favored dad. We were both rooting for our own biological parents.

Before dad's remarriage, I had my own biological mother before she passed away years ago from stadium IV breast cancer. After that happened, I wasn't even given the chance to grieve her death, and all too quickly the times and places where mom was supposed to be were replaced by someone else.

Dad sometimes mentioned how I took after my mom quite a bit, like a manlified version of her with a more firm face structure. Well, whenever I look into our family picture, I could say I could find some similarity, but it was faint at most. Maybe he missed her that much? He did love her so. They weren't the most peaceful couple either, but their arguments weren't really anything problematic. I found him staring into the same picture quite often too, with a gaze that seemed like he hoped she would come out from the other side of the frame.

If dad loved mom so much, what had he seen in that other woman that swayed him? So far as to give himself to promises I thought he wouldn't vow for anybody else?

"Regrettably. If only I had enough aspirin for every time she called. I can't tell you how many times she's been irresponsible for her actions and I always have to take the hit! That woman is seriously going to be the death of me."

"She is your wife, father, till death do you guys part." His eyes directed a glare. I rolled my eyes at him before resting my hand on his shoulder. "Dad, this has been going on for a long time, and clearly it's wearing you out, emotionally and physically, so set yourself free. Why don't you arrange a divorce?"

Dad didn't respond immediately. I allowed him to take his time answering.

He stood up and rubbed his temples. "You know that it's not that easy. I told you before."

I nodded solemnly. 'If only he didn't sign that damn contract. Things would have been so different.'

"Dad, just...when will we be free?" I mumbled the question, but I knew he heard it. As I stare down the back of my palms, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I slowly gazed up, meeting my dad's forest green eyes, for the first time in a long time reminding that that was the single feature we both share. The little bit of gentleness in them was strangely nostalgic.

"Soon enough, my son. We will be free from our devils soon enough. This would cost us years behnd bars. But, well, freedom within isolation, no?"

Wilbur's POV

I scrambled to pack all the things I need from my locker before slamming it shut. College was wrapping up in damn July and I hadn't even come up a theme for the final project this term. It's going to be the last presentation for us engineering kids and we would presentate it in front of the jury. If I didn't submit the draft in at least early March, I'd totally be screwed.

Passing the halls, I spotted Hans walking out of the principal's office looking slumped. Probably got admonished once again for student misbehaviour.

Shaking my head, I reslung my bag and head towards the exit. College was done for today, and usually I'd be looking for Bee or she'd be the one finding me, but I hadn't seen her since Monday. I called her, but she said she wouldn't be at campus at all due to bad cramps until next week.

"WATCHOUT!"

A red sneaker shoe was flying straight at me and I wouldn't have dodged it if it weren't for my well-trained reflexes.

"Hey! WATCH IT!" I yelled, before immediately regretting I did so as I saw who it was.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!" Violet Parr ran past me for her shoe and put it back on. She came to me as she keeps stammering apologies. "Uh, are you okay? Did you got hit? I, um, I meant to throw this to someone else and, it flew at you, and, well, I'm sorry..."

She had her chin low and her gaze to the floor, letting her long straight hair curtain over and hiding her face behind the deepest, glossy shade of raven. It drew a lot of attention to her violet eyes. The cutest girl I'd seen in black leggings and purple long-sleeved shirt.

"N-no! I'm fine," I assured, keeping my hands in my pockets to prevent the urge to brush her hair behind her ear.

"Oh, well, that's good! I'm Violet Parr. And you?"

"Wilbur. Wilbur Kennedy."

I held out my hand for a handshake. Wow, her hand was small.

She stepped back. "Well, it's njce to meet you Wilbur. I gotta go now. Bye!"

With the girl nodding at my own wave, she head towards the other entrance.

I made it to my car and slid to the passenger seat. There was heat everywhere so I switched on the air conditioner to cool it off. Minutes later, I was at the road, slightly jammed as usual as my driver kept his focus on the wheel. But the heat was still there, mostly around my face. I opened the camera app on my phone to check myself. Seeing what's on screen, I pushed my spine further against the back of my seat, a hand over my eyes.

A very flustered red could be seen across my face, and it wasn't because of car heat.

Pippa's POV

"Jack, who is Beth to you?"

Water spurted out of the silverette's nostrils as he grabbed some tissues. Good for him, we were the only people in the dining room. Anna was out with her own group of friends and our parents hadn't arrived home yet. It was just the two of us and I took this privacy as a chance to drop the bomb at dinner not long after Jack got back.

He defensively retorted how I shouldn't ask 'grown-up stuff' like that. I snorted, knowing that he had yet to grow out of using that three-word phrase on me since we were young whenever he wanted to avoid a question. Boohoo for him, I was 19 now, and my brother was at the age of 24. And he had yet to have a girlfriend

I knew that this wasn't really any of my business, but it just annoyed me how my brother was the most perfect man alive, but he was still single. He had the brains, looks, gentleman-like manners, and everything. It made no sense!

He cleared his throat. "She's a student I'm close to."

I rolled my eyes. 'What bullshit!'

I peered at him, arms crossed. "Define 'close' Jack."

He was silent, returning my stare with an exhasperated look of his own. He then merely picked up a piece of meat loaf to his mouth.

"Why are you digging into it so much?" He swallowed his food, and as it passed down his stomach, a smirk pulled up his lips. "How about I get to be the one who asks this time? Who's Jamie to you?"

'Oh crud.' Now I was the one who got the bomb

"I'm the one who asked first, so you answer first."

"Nope. You started it. You answer first. I mean, I don't really care, but since you're so curious about me, you gotta do something to earn it. Confidential info ain't free."

'Gosh dangit.'

Gritting my teeth, I hid my face in my hands for a moment, before lashing out, "He's my crush okay?!" I bit my lips, waiting for him to laugh at me or make fun of me, but he just sat there taking in my answer as if he knew all along. "Now you answer!"

"Same as you." He finished his meal and got up from the table. "But I've fallen way deeper than that."

With a soft smile he directed at no one in particular, he walked out of the room, leaving me to dine alone.

I was still processing his words. Whatever did he mean?

'Ugh, what? Did that mean a girlfriend? A fling? Ex?'

'Or maybe…'

'Fiancee?'

Springing up from my seat, I followed behind him.

"Hey! Jack! What do you mean by that?!"

Third Person's POV

In John Arendelle's main office on the highest floor of Arendelle Industries located in Manhattan Streets,the man himself sat in his deskchair deep in thought.

It was night time and his employees have already went home aside security guards, but he decided to stay. His hand rested atop his desk to support his chin. Lips thoughtfully pressed into a thin line and brows knotted in concentration. Before him, documents, folders, and various papers laid over his desk concerning the death of his top employee Mr. Kai Winters.

That day, he was about to be promoted as head chief of the programming division. But alas, the heavens called for him and all that was left was his wife to take the position, since she's also one of the best second to her husband. She gladly accepted

John's eyes focused on Kai's information of his family. A family member table, photos, and health records. These were received from Amy who had obtained the data through Rooney and Dean, a duo that was also in charge of the case. She also told him of her conversation with Emily Overland, who proclaimed to have found out something about Elsa.

John studied the photos carefully, particularly the ones with a girl with platinum blonde hair. She did look alarmingly like his own Elsa, and might just be her. The thought that he might have finally found his precious daughter sent a thrill and a shiver, but he needed more proof if that was truly the truth. He then took a look at the health records, learning that Gerda Winters had a miscarriage twice, therefore having to face the traumatic reality that she couldn't bear children, despite strongly wishing so.

Next was the family member table. There were Gerda and Kai as the parents, and then their adopted children consisting of two Asian boys and one Caucasian girl. The oldest of the boys was 13-15 and the youngest 7-9, whilst the girl was 10-12

The man gave extra attention to the photo of the little blond girl smiling widely to the camera. Seeing her eyes and nose bear a striking resemblance to his own, the excitement and heartache deepened, but he was still having doubts, still afraid of breaking his and his wife's hearts to see that it was all a clumsy misunderstanding in the end. It had happened more than a few dozen times before.

Calling his secretary, he spoke loyd and clear to the other end of the line.

"Please do further research on Elisabeth Winters, daughter of the late Mr. Winters. Full data and submit it to me tomorrow evening."

Ending the call, he put on his jacket and locked his office, leaving his desk the mess it was to easily catch up on it the next day.

Eugene's POV

The dining room table was crowded with a spilling of papers and few cups of coffee as we discussed over the documented evidence. By we, I mean Christopher, myself, and our dads.

Around this time, the house should be quiet with everyone already gone to bed. Mom was asleep, but there were voices constantly waking me from sleep. I went out to see what was going on, and for hours so far had not returned to my room.

Over the dozens of documents, I examined two photos. One from Mrs. Arendelle and the other from Mrs. Winters whom had found it in the drawers of Mr. Winters's office desk. Chris sat beside me sipping his coffee as he watched the men before us debate to finish the puzzle in hush volumes. They moved animatically as they exchanged their arguments, time to time pointing at the photos and evidence in their hands.

I was taken aback when I first saw one of the photos which had an image of Elisabeth Winters printed over, and I almost dropped my mug as it is hypothesized that she was the same person as the one in the other photo, Elsa Arendelle.

I begged to differ. They did look similar, but there were many people in the world who had similar features with eachother. Elisabeth Winters was 15 years of age when the picture was taken where she was at a crowded road in Japan with her brothers, and the other was an adorable little 5 year old.

The discussion between our fathers ended and they'd turned to us. We looked eye to eye, ready to take in whatever they were going to say.

"Boys, as you know, most of the job is in our hands, but from now on, we decide to allow you two to take a much bigger part of this mission," Mr. Anderson announced.

Chris raised a brow. "What is our mission exactly? You got us here to find out about the girl's identity, but what on earth for?"

Mr. Anderson leaned forward. "We are going to find out once and for all the true identity of a hacker called T.D.S or as you guys know as The Diamond Snowflake. "

Our eyes widened in shock.

I spoke up. "Then why don't you ask us to stalk Elisabeth Winters from a distance? It doesn't make any sense."

My dad then pulled up a black leather bag and took out three thick manila folders on the table, some of it's contents slipped out of it's struggle to keep it all in. I picked one up that had a title typed in bold: DNA Test.

"It's because the both of you had not read the rest of the files yet. Now listen, it is time I explain everything to you all." He crossed his fingers. "Yesterday, both of us went to Arendelle's tower in Manhattan to take in Mr. Winters's belongings to use for our investigation."

From one of the manilas, Chris took a thick file stapled at the corner, his eyes scanning the contents

Mr. Anderson refilled his coffee cup. "When we were there searching through his office, we found these in the furthest part of the bottom drawer of his desk. We had to fish it out of a large pile of papers. We talked to Mr. Arendelle if he knew anything about it, but he didn't. We got permission to take it with us and also a few photos and a manila case he personally asked for us to bring back. And he said that Mrs. Arendelle is better off not knowing anything. I'd say guys, Mr. Winters is really good at keeping things hidden."

I slipped back the DNA test files and took out one that was written with: Adoption. "Okay, well, what's the connection between Elisabeth Winters, Elsa Arendelle, and The Diamond Snowflake?"

"That's what we are working on right now, but the evidence isn't strong enough. And there's still quite a few things that either don't add up or yet to be uncovered. And that's where you guys come in. This time, you gotta really talk to her. Try to get some information but make sure to not attract any suspicion out of her," my dad said.

Chris slammed the papers down out of frustration and slumped down the couch by the window. "It's not gonna be easy though. According to Anna, she's an observant person and can easily pick up suspicious behavior. Just try to act as natural as possible."

"We trust that you two can put your all into this, because if we succeed, we won't only solve one case, but a lot of others related," Mr. Anderson added. He glanced his watch. "Ah, it's late already. Chris can stay in your room for the night. Do you mind?"

Chris and I looked at eachother, and shrugged

"Well boys, let's wrap up for tonight." My dad stood. "We'll get back to it tomorrow morning. By then, do whatever you can to get the lowdown we need."

We nodded and left to my room, but the two adults still kept working on the case below.

Christ plopped his body on the couch in my room and lightly complained when I threw a throw pillow and blanket in his face, along with a T-shirt and sweatpants for him to change into. We had sleepovers pretty often since our dads hang out in eachother's places alot and most of the time won't be back until far past midnight. We'd take turns sleeping on the bed or the couch, and this time around it was my turn on the couch and his on the bed.

Chris finished a drink he picked up from downstairs and we took turns changing in the bathroom and brushing our teeth.

When I got out, he was laying over the couch already comfortable and was watching TV. "Man, your couch is the best. Like, I would've slept on the floor but who'd give up heaven over flat scratchy carpet?"

I chuckled a bit before sitting down my bed, the exhaustion immediately taking over as I laid my head on my pillow.

"Hey bro?"

"What?"

"I read the files earlier, and I think there might actually be a plausible connection between these girls, don't you think?"

I sighed and slumped more to the blanket, didn't really want to think about it any further. I just wanted to take a break of it all for a few hours.

But then I did ended up mulling it over. I didn't believe it at first, but thinking back of everything I read, the glaring similarities of Beth and Elsa's appearance, the date she was adopted, her remarkable intelligence at programming, her strange absence schedule that matched quite well with T.D.S's own pattern of activities, something in my head began to tug.

"You're not the only one, Chris." I turn my neck toward my friend. "They're hiding well behind thin layers from the outside eye."

"They'll come out on their own soon enough." Chris silently smirked. "Who can survive so long in the darkness?"