I look at my mother in utter shock, whom I haven’t contacted in over six years. It’s not much surprising that she knows I’m back and knows my address. She’s used to spying on me since my high school days, but dropping by so early in the morning out of nowhere is awfully suspicious.And her outfit suggests that she has planned this visit for at most a week and didn’t just drop by during her morning jog.This moment looks so much like as if it’s staged. If God is watching over me right now, I’m sure he’s laughing with tears in his eyes.At one side of the door, my mother stands in a knee-length party gown with pearl necklace and bracelets and heavy makeup. And on the other side, in a stark contrast, I stand awkwardly staring at her in a man’s shirt and boxers with my hair looking like a chicken’s dwelling.One look and no one would admit that I’m someone who came out of her.“Are you daydreaming? Why do you look so lost?”I mentally slap myself back to reality at her disapproving look.
I angrily poke the omelette in the pan, breaking it into crumbs. Not being able to withstand my mom’s ignorance towards him, Denzel stuffs himself into the kitchen behind me.“How long is she going to stay?” Annoyance drips from his voice like drool. However, he can’t possibly be any more annoyed than I am.“Do you think I want her in my apartment after not contacting her for six years? She’s going to make my life a living hell!”“Well, with her rudeness aside, she sounds like a fun lady, though. Why do you hate her so much?”I have the urge to shove the scalding omelette crumbs into his mouth.“Tell me Denzel, have you ever had to grow up with a perfectionist?”He shakes his head.“I’ve spent almost twenty years of my life with her. I had to put up with her taunts and sarcastic remarks for every second of my day. And it never got easier. It's impossible to satisfy a perfectionist.”The kitchen grows silent and the sizzle of omelette in the pan fills the empty spaces. My face is hot w
For the first time since they’ve arrived, their face shows a human emotion. Both of them clamp their mouths shut in surprise and pure fear.“Mr. Flynn, we were told that she’s a single mother. We didn’t expect the child to be yours.”“Let me see your ID,” Denzel demands. The two take out their identity cards and hold them out for Denzel. His eyes run over them like a scanning machine before he returns the cards.The one with the iPod looks submissive, but the other one is as stubborn as a leech that doesn’t want to let go once it has started sucking on your skin.“Are you two married? May I see the marriage certificate? I’d also need to see a DNA proof to know you’re not bluffing.” She says proudly.Denzel’s gaze shines with a killing intent as he clicks his tongue. “Whether we’re married or not, it’s our business, not yours. As for the DNA proof, I have one.”Denzel unlocks his phone and shows them a digital copy of the DNA test results. The two can’t come up with any more excuses.“
Denzel Flynn******I rip the seal on the packet of pizza and shove one slice into my mouth. The foul taste is too strong to be erased by a single bite, so I shove the rest of the pieces too, not caring for a confused-looking Jake in the driver’s seat.“No, Flynn, I don’t want to eat your pizza even though I haven’t had breakfast doing your biddings all morning. But I’m so touched by your care.”I roll my eyes at his tantrum and hand over the last piece of pizza, which he takes without a word.“What do we have?” I ask.“I looked into the two of them. Their documents and information are legit. They manage an orphanage where they look after the abused and abandoned children.”“Did you find out about their informant?” I cut to the chase. Jake looks a little uneasy, hesitant to disclose the informant.“Who is it?” I try again.“Well, don’t get mad, but I did some digging, and it turns out the person paid a vast sum of money to those workers. The bank account details link back to Chloe.”M
Unknown POV******Layla rolls onto her bed in her rented apartment. Next to her is James Davenport, sleeping peacefully with his wife’s so-called best friend.Layla has spent yet another night with James in her bed and though she has no feelings for him, her actions are not for nothing. By making him commit adultery, Layla can make James her future voluntary or involuntary partner in crime. By the flow of the current things, she’s sure a lot of blood will be spilled in the future.Blood of the Flynn family.She smiles evilly at her genius plan when a knock comes at her door. Alarmed, she rises in the blink of an eye.No one knows of this place and her people aren’t patient enough to knock—they’d simply break in. This must mean that someone is on her trail.Can it be the cops? Did Denzel really break his word and told them her secret?“Wake up, Davenport!” She shakes the man passed out from alcohol beside him.“What is it?” His droopy eyes cannot discern the urgency and anger in Layl
Naomi West******My mom officially moved into my apartment and will live with us for heaven knows how long. Last night, her butler brought all of her stuff and I finally confirmed that she has more dresses than I do.After the relocation of her luggage, a bigger crisis hit us. Another person is equivalent to another room. Because of her baggage, she couldn’t move in with Ben, and the little demon heaved a sigh of relief when he learned that.So, I decided to give up my room and take refuge in Ben’s imaginary camp. However, Denzel wouldn’t have that.“I’ve finally been reunited with my son after five years. I want to be his roommate and get to understand him better.” He said.Neither I nor mom argued with that, and so it was decided that the boys will live together. Ben was exhilarated to hear that, too. And my mom got settled in Denzel’s old room.I’d expected her to taunt and throw a tantrum, having to live in a man’s room, but to my absolute surprise, she settled in really smoothly
I lose the sense of time, and the evening arrives in the blink of an eye. Finding a perfect, elegant gown on such a short notice is undoubtedly a headache since most of my closet consists of tomboy clothes with little space for party wears that wouldn’t suit to this occasion.However, the biggest nightmare of it all is having my mom select my gown and go through my closet. I skillfully dodge all of her side-eye glares. At last, she ends up choosing one of her dresses to fit the event.It’s a maroon, sparkly floor-length gown with off shoulder sleeves that matches my natural blush perfectly. My mom does my makeup as I sit like a doll before the mirror.Despite of my grudge towards my mom for nagging me for a better part of my life, I wouldn’t argue that she’s best at what she does.“There you go. Like a proper lady.” She slips away to the side, letting me stare at the beautiful reflection in the mirror.She’s done a good job with taming my bangs and the rest of the hair in a beautiful
It’s a portrait. In the acrylic painting, there is a woman leaning against the doorframe at the threshold, watching a child and a man interact like father and son. Whilst the man and the kid are engrossed in their games, the woman observes with a satisfied expression etched onto her face.I can understand and relate to that satisfaction really well.“Ladies and Gentleman, this is an art drawn by an anonymous artist. The way she captures the feel of a wholesome family is praiseworthy and heartwarming. In the backstory of the portrait, the mother and her child lived alone in the world until they came across a young man and their life became whole. Their family was complete.”The anchor goes on to blabber about the painting to create interest amongst the audience as I crane my head to look up at him with my doe-eyes and puffed lips.“I want it. Can I have it? Please...” He smiles and raises his hand to pat my head.“Let’s start the bidding! The beginning bid starts with ten grand.”Denze