Miranda placed earphones over Aiva’s ear. The triplets already had one the moment their mother finished with them.
I was still thinking about what Athena said when the door opened to reveal miniature Eros.“My beautiful family,” He announced, causing me to raise an eyebrow in surprise. Finally, someone with joy.Or so I thought.“Whoa... Icarus and... Miranda? Jeez. This family couldn’t be any more weird,” He said in a funny time and I was tempted to laugh.It was funny that he was a part of that type of family. Wait a minute... He is a comedian! Ajax West... Yeah, I’ve seen him once or twice when going through the channels at home.I should have recognised him that night but I was just too busy.He turned to me with the same look of yesterday night. It was as if he was disgusted with me and at the same time mesmerised. His face held a charming smile but I’d choose Eros’ over his anytime.To me, He seems more normal than the rest. Maybe I could be hisEros’ POVI was still getting over Athena’s harsh words to her children when Ajax came in. I can tolerate Athena’s haughty words and Echo’s annoying ones but I can’t just tolerate Ajax’s clownish ones. They pricked me like thorns.“My beautiful family,”Christ.. it’s the family clown again. Looking at my phone was better than staring at my clown of a brother.He circled the table obnoxiously. “Whoa... Icarus and... Miranda? Jeez. This family couldn’t be any more weird,”I rolled my eyes at his lame attempt to crack a joke. How pathetic can he be? The only thing I worried about was how Dalia would cope in this meeting. I have managed to lay down rules for her own protection but it seems she has a mind of her own.Her Dad preferred to sleep while Dalia watched with confused eyes.She will get used to it.I raised my head to meet Ajax staring at me. Mischievousness twinkled in his eyes. It told me he was about to do something I wouldn’t like.More li
“You are all talk.” I chose to say instead. He is really getting on my nerves by making empty talks. With the corner of my eyes, I see Dalia looking at Ajax and me with fear in her eyes.Oh dear Dalia.. this is how we are when we aren’t in public or in the presence of our parents. We are fucked up and whose fault is that?“Where is Jason?” Icarus’ booming voice interrupted. It had an edge to it. It was obvious he was trying to distract us. This is why I dislike Icarus sometimes. He was too nonchalant for my liking. The elderly ones were not elderly at all.Athena and Icarus couldn’t come in between Ajax and I. Yet I took Icarus' question as an opportunity to retreat.I just have to warn Ajax. “You won’t disrespect my woman in my presence, don’t do that again.”But Ajax wasn’t ready to back down yet. He banged both hands on the table causing everyone to glare at him in annoyance. Mr. Thompson didn’t even flinch.“I’ll do however I want! You son of a bitch! You
Eros' POVFather cleared his throat and I knew he was about to add something to the things she said. “They came for tea.”They expected us to share in their joy, I guess. But with what had happened? I don’t think that was possible. We always did things like this behind their backs so if anyone told them about our uncultured behaviour, they would never believe it.Just like they didn’t believe Hera then.My sister, Echo clapped her hands obnoxiously. She was trying so hard, so hard to please mother and father. If mother can’t see in between her smiles, then they will never understand us. “Mother! I am so proud of you. It isn’t everyday we get to host important people.”“I am joyous, mother,” Athena raised her head up. It was rare to see Athena smile, so the smile she gave now was more like a grimace.Suddenly, the triplets chose that reason to speak. And they did so at the same time! It gave me goosebumps as I can never get used to it.“Splendid news grand
Dalia’s POVI woke up with a start. The room felt strange... It was unwelcoming and spacious. I could fit about thirty people dancing acrobats and there would still be space for other activities.I felt like a princess in a lonely castle.Turning to the side, I caught a glimpse of a man by the window. He was shirtless and seemed to be in deep thoughts. After much subtle quarrelling and ordering, we were asked to have a good night sleep.I didn’t know when I slept. Wait a minute...Dada and I were having a serious conversation when I dozed off... I can’t remember the next thing that happened.I gasped, jumping right off the bed.“Who are you?!” I yelled, looking at my surroundings again.He turned and embarrassment filled me at the sight of Eros. “Oh, It’s you,” heat filled my cheeks at the full display of his abs. He was perfectly adorned with muscles. He earned his name.. Eros.“Relax, we are at my parents house. There are no monsters here.” He t
I sighed in frustration. I don’t know my problem but I didn’t want to tell him that I feel so alone beside him. The moment he shows me warmth, the next moment becomes cold. His kind gestures and sweet talks soon disappeared as soon as they came.Whenever he defended me, I was forced to think he liked me. Then his next words told me he was just tolerating me.I am tired of the constant back and forth of care. But I can’t let him know I am this desperate for his love. “Yes! Because how else are we going to tell the world that what we have going on is real?!”Dang it Dalia.. you just had to use that as an excuse and to your own advantage. I don’t care about the public. I was never the technology type. It was Emily who made sure I was current.Who knows what people are saying about my engagement to Eros. Instagram would go wild. Emily is yet to tell me what she has seen since I don’t have an Instagram account.Hell, I am not on social media. I am just plain, old and
“What are your names?” I asked the boy who looked friendlier than his sister.“Frederick West. My sister’s Freda.” The boy completed it with a crooked smile. His gums were void of teeth.I nodded glancing at the little girl. She was eyeing the bowls of ice cream her cousins savoured instead of minding her. I gave her a little smile. “Freda? Do you want a bowl of ice cream? Should I get one for you?”She nods furiously and Fredrick smiles sadly. “She never gets one at home. Only on special days. But they have it here all the time! Grandpa and grandma are cool!”“Yes, they sure are.” I sighed at his innocence. He probably didn’t hear what was said at the meeting because of the earphones and several toilet breaks.Some point into dinner, harsh questions were directed at their father. From that little, I learnt that he abandoned the family to leave somewhere off the grid.It didn’t sit well with Hector and Gaia. He must be the least well to do in the family. I do
“I’ll go next. I want you to convince my mom that I don’t want to go to school. I want to be like Uncle Jason.” One of the triplets spoke and I frowned.The remaining two shrugged at their brother’s request. “I don’t have anything to say.” The quiet one muttered.“I don’t want to follow you. Mom will skin me alive.” The last one shook his head.I chuckled. Yeah... She might but I might be able to use this opportunity to ask them questions. The triplets were my main focus but the rest can tag along. I can advise them to be better. “Three bucks and an autograph from Emily Newton.” His type would want something to keep forever. What teenager will reject an autograph from Emily?His eyes widened in shock then it disappeared. It made me wonder if they aren’t given allowances at all.“An autograph and a picture. I’ll give you five minutes of my time.” Hm, he was the smart one. The quiet one is yet to show me what he is made of. The question is how I am going to convinc
Dalia’s POV.“Emily come on.. do this for me,” I whined in frustration. Why isn’t she grabbing this opportunity to take a picture with the West grand kids?“Dalia no. I don’t do kids remember? I am only making an exception of yours.” She snapped.I giggled, recalling when she made a fuss to be called Aunty Em. Then I’ll need to persuade her more. “Look, I am not talking about any other. Want to know about them? They rule the teens world. You can actually use him.”There was a pregnant pause. “What do I stand to gain? And how did you even come to this agreement?”I yawned loudly. Yeah, my night wasn’t well spent. “It’s a long story. I came out for ice cream and six kids followed me. At least I have a little knowledge about the family. Now I can defend myself better. I think they are just victims of emotional abuse. Especially Eros.”“If he doesn’t tell you anything, don’t act like you know.” Emily warned gently. I could hear worry in her voice. “Playing the pa
Dalia's POVThe days went by pretty fast. One afternoon, I was in the hospital, and the next, we were on our way to the West mansion. Eros didn't have to send a message like he usually did."You didn't leave the baby in the house, did you?" I asked Eros who looked better than he did a month ago. He barked out a laugh. "What? I already tucked her in."I sighed in relief. It happened sometimes because we were too preoccupied with each other. If Emily learns of this, she will take the baby from us permanently. I smiled at the thought.We were still in the first paragraph of the chapter. It was beautiful, just like I had always wanted. One time, I heard the maids discussing Betty. What she did when I wasn't around was nasty.Why would she seduce Eros? It was there that I learned that Eros had slept with her one drunken night. My heart sank at the discovery, but it was a long time ago. A long time, yet Eros hasn't said anything about it. Hold on a minute. I don't go about telling him abou
He had received the divorce papers, but they weren't signed. Good.Eros jumped at the vibration of his phone. He hoped it was good news. Then he frowned when he saw Emily plastered across the screen. He picked it up immediately. She hasn't spoken to him in a long time. He knew the reason."Dalia got into an accident. I will send you the address." She hung up and Eros panicked. He tried the number again, but it went straight to voicemail. Then the message came in. She was in Spain! He didn't mind. He would meet her anywhere. All he wanted was for her and the baby to be fine.The maids watched with hands folded as he turned the house upside down while preparing for the journey.They no longer saw Bethany Woods because they overheard Eros rejecting her during a heated moment. He said he loved Dalia and she was his wife. Betty had left with anger. Now, she has lost Eros as a friend too.***********It was a drunken mistake. Nick had swerved right into an upcoming truck. She had been lucky
It was a month until Thanksgiving. It's been two months since Dalia left the house. She didn't even take her belongings except for her phone.She had left his black card on the bed.Eros was a mess. He had gotten thinner. His eyes sank in. He was a shadow of himself. He didn't think she would take his words seriously and disappear for two months. There were no pictures, no news, nothing!His phone vibrated. It was the officer who caught the burglar months ago. Adkins. "Have you found her?""No." came his disappointing reply.It has been like that. Every call was disappointing.When Eros arrived at the office, he didn't know that all eyes were on him, watching his every mood. His staff avoided him like the plague. Not because he was angry, but because of how tired he sounded and looked."Jeez." Sara muttered under her breath. She was consoling Tracy. Her boss won't be coming to the office forever! Or so she thought. "I don't know what to do." She was thinking of calling Jeffrey, but it
It was a month until Thanksgiving. It's been two months since Dalia left the house. She didn't even take her belongings except for her phone.She had left his black card on the bed.Eros was a mess. He had gotten thinner. His eyes sank in. He was a shadow of himself. He didn't think she would take his words seriously and disappear for two months. There were no pictures, no news, nothing!His phone vibrated. It was the officer who caught the burglar months ago. Adkins. "Have you found her?""No." came his disappointing reply.It has been like that. Every call was disappointing.When Eros arrived at the office, he didn't know that all eyes were on him, watching his every mood. His staff avoided him like the plague. Not because he was angry, but because of how tired he sounded and looked."Jeez." Sara muttered under her breath. She was consoling Tracy. Her boss won't be coming to the office forever! Or so she thought. "I don't know what to do." She was thinking of calling Jeffrey, but it
The letters! Dalia mentally facepalmed. She should have kept it well. Away from Betty's hideous eyes. She thought she had them hidden.Eros' face was ashen in color and when he didn't say anything in reply, it occurred to Dalia that he already knew about it. Her heart sank deeper. She didn't think about telling him because it was nothing. Maybe when they went to the office the next-day, she would have told him about Nick. Only if he asked!A loud knock on the door pulled Dalia out of her thoughts. Eros sighed, making his way upstairs. "They are here again. Increasing by the minute all because of my foolish wife."'he called me his wife' Dalia realized with sadness. It was at that moment she knew that she fucked up. Now she has Eros in a tight spot. He may not look like it but Eros was enraged. It's just that he just apologized to her yesterday so it seemed like he was tired instead."I am sorry!" Dalia cried out. She didn't know what to say that would soothe him.Eros paused on the se
Dalia paced the room up and down. She was restless and could not place her butt somewhere. "Pick up, Emily!" She gritted out. How did it happen? Nick only grabbed her because she was about to leave! They were not doing anything like whosoever that took the picture was suggesting!Emily picked up at the third ring. "What the hell? Dalia!""Emily! What should I do? I know everyone has seen the picture. I don't think Eros should see it.""Eros should never see it. Go and see for yourself and make sure he doesn't have his phone around him."Dalia nodded, opening her door. She was down the stairs in a flash. "What should I do if he has already seen the picture?""I don't know. You love him, I don't." Emily's downcast voice dampened Dalia's spirit.Dalia could imagine her friend shrugging in helplessness. "I swear, it was a mistake!" She was still explaining to her dearest friend when she saw Eros with his phone. He wasn't looking at it but beyond it. He was looking at her. He knew about th
Dalia's POv.The next morning…I arrived just in time to see Tracy drop another letter on my desk. What is it this time around?! The letters were getting frequent! I am not in the mood for his pranks and silly antiques.I dismissed her quickly, snatching up the letter.I tore it open expecting to find cheesy lines, but I didn't see any."Come to the park by 7:00 p.m.; I have a surprise for you." Why would Eros ask me to come to the pack when he snubbed me on his way to work this morning. What surprise does he have for me? I folded the piece of paper in anger, dumping it into the trash bin.Tracy walked in with a cup of coffee. Just what I needed for my already puffy eyes. "Not in the mood? I have got just the right thing for you." She subtly eyed the dark shades sitting on my nose.I have nothing to say to her.I left work early because, I mean, who can stop me from leaving whenever I want to? Not even Eros, because I am pissed at him.The park was almost empty. It was evening, and
Dalia's POVShe was always right.My dear Emily.Why is she friends with someone as daft as me? She told me to confront Eros about Betty because she was biting more than she could chew. I have decided to take the bull by the horn today.I need to hear from his mouth whether he loves her or not. If he says he loves her, I will move out of the way, give birth to my baby, and divorce him. The baby won't have to live his life thinking he was born out of wedlock. When it comes to custody of the child, I won't allow him to get away with his misdeeds.The drive home was quiet as usual as I mused over the things Emily told me that afternoon. She expressed her anger for Betty and wished she met the bitch one more time. Her words, not mine.I entered the house to see Eros in aprons. He greeted me with a small smile, which made me confused. He has never smiled like this at me. The last time I saw him smile, only in a bigger version, was with Betty! My mood was already sour and damp."Your food m
Dalia's pOV. I found Emily later that afternoon slurping down her lunch. She had consumed two bowls already. It was noodles and boiled egg. Rosalind's Diner was an old Korean diner that specializes in homemade noodles. I almost snorted when she raised her messy face. A noodle got stuck at the side of her chin. Today she was putting on a blue belly blouse that revealed her smooth arms and palazzo jeans. From where I stood, I could see her belly button and her shaved armpit when she drank from the plate. "Eating lunch without me." Emily paused only to look at me before going back to her meal. "That's why I suggested this place." She said with mouth full. She looked wicked whenever she did that. "And I foolishly agreed with you." I turned to the woman sitting behind the counter. "A bowl of noodles and fried egg. Add extra spring onions, and chili." At the look of her confused face, I pointed at my baby bump. A look of realization clouded the form