Chloe appears cautious as she steps inside, scanning her environment. I spot my dad taking a look around the apartment and my mom still cooking in the kitchen.When my dad finds Chloe by the door, he silently inquires about her with a jerk of his head in her direction. “She is Chloe, Denzel’s sister.” My dad’s face turns sour, but he doesn’t express his thoughts about her.I turn to Chloe. “Ben is not here at the moment, but he’ll be back soon with Denzel when it’s time to cut the cake.”She nods silently. Something about her mood and actions just doesn’t sit right with me. She appears really perplexed for some reason.“Would you like to hide the gift?” I point at the gift box in her hand.It’s like my words jerk her awake from her thoughts and she clumsily hands over the gift. After setting it along with others, I pay heed to Chloe.“Is everything okay with you?” She seems to have been living in a daze ever since she came into the apartment.Her fingers fidget with the hem of her to
I rush to my parents with my phone still clutched in my palm and Marcus on the line. The outburst from my father is so spontaneous that everyone in the hall, enjoying their time, becomes silent.I feel eyes boring into my back as I stand next to my mom and dad, both of whom have a solemn expression on their faces.“What was that about?” I turn to my dad, who continues to stare at my mother with a loathing gaze, ignoring my existence.I’m pressured to step between them when they refuse to acknowledge me.“I’m talking to you guys. What happened, dad?” I look between my mom and dad with concern. Something is off about them.My dad turns to me and gently smiles while kissing the top of my head.“Nothing. I just remember I have something important to deal with. Goodbye tomato.” He walks away and pats Ben on the shoulder, wishing him once more before leaving the apartment.I look around myself to notice everyone has a similar look of perplexity on their faces and even Ben is not spared.“Mo
“Are you sure about this? I don’t understand how we can help mend their crumbling marriage.”I look hesitantly between Denzel and the kitchen where my mom is working. Ben has been tagging along us since last night, making sure to not miss out on anything.Denzel and Ben updated me briefly on their plan last night but we’re yet to discuss the details and the possibility of it becoming a success.‘Misson matchmaking’ is what the two of them are calling it.“Of course we can mend the crumbling marriage, but first we need to find the termite who caused the cracks in their lovely house.”I blink in surprise. “Since when did you get so... poetic?”“I think you put a spell on him mommy.” Ben makes his presence noticeable in the most adorable manner whilst Denzel just shrugs his shoulders.“Just go over and talk to her. We’ll save your back if things go downhi
I leave my dad in the middle of lunch and make my way to the ice cream parlour on the opposite side of the road. Unlike myself, the two men are enjoying themselves. As soon as Denzel spots me getting into the parlour, he brings me my favourite flavour and patiently waits until I stuff my mouth with the last bit of thawing ice.“Easy mommy.” Ben says as he watches me swallow the cold ice cream until my brain freezes.I’m on the verge of tears and barely holding myself together in front of Ben after having a chat with my dad. He texted me once I left to say ‘go home safely’. I didn’t reply. He doesn’t deserve it.“It’s okay. Tell us everything whenever you’re ready.” Denzel rubs Ben’s back as he speaks to me.Little by little, I tell them everything, how my dad admitted to cheating on my mom. For a fraction of second, my disharmonious thoughts take me to Layla, to my ruined wedding almost six years ago.I shake my head to clear my thoughts. This is nor the right time or place for it.“W
“I’m celebrating my friend’s birthday. Why are you here?” My dad looks at me with accusatory eyes.“I’m here to meet with Dr. White.” I say innocently, looking at the woman.“Come, sit with us for the moment, Naomi.” Dr. White takes the first step to offer truce. Ben sits next to my dad and opposite to Dr. White whilst I sit facing my dad.His eyes don’t budge from my face.After a moment of silence, he speaks out. “So, Naomi, what exactly have you been going through to visit a psychiatrist?”“It’s not me. It’s Ben.” I admit in a whisper. All the colours drain from his face when he hears me and pays his undivided attention to Ben.“Why? What’s wrong with him?” This time, his question is directed towards Dr. White.She explains Ben’s condition to him briefly, and I see his face morph into a look of guilt.The strawberry cake in front of me makes me feel dizzy by its look. Like my dad, I’m allergic to strawberry as well.“I won’t interrupt you, then. Enjoy the rest of your day, Dr. Whit
I hold the divorce papers in my hand and stare at them with an aggrieved expression. Even though they’re not of my own, it still pains me to look at them.The dinner was last night and my dad called earlier today to let my mom know that they’ll be getting divorced in a week. Just a week from today, my parents will be divorced and living apart from each other.I can’t believe that. Even after being roasted by my dad’s furious eyes last night, I still cannot bring myself to believe this nonsense in the form of papers.However, my dad’s words are edged into my brain. ‘Stop poking your nose where it doesn’t belong.’‘Worry about your own life and child.’I can’t help but take his words to heart. Was he referring to how I’m bringing up Ben as a single mother? How I don’t have a husband? Was he silently judging me for my failed attempt at marriage?“Get out of your head.” I feel a sting at my temple and rub it with my fingers. When I turn my head sideways, I see Denzel standing beside me w
Denzel Flynn******I sigh inwardly when I see little rose’s head falling against the table. Ben, Mrs. West and I are enjoying the show from the terrace nearby.Upon learning that Mr. West understands the language of wine, I decided to offer a good one at their table. However, I should’ve taken in mind that little rose’s alcohol tolerance is as low as that of a newbie. She’s not the one to take wine on an empty stomach, but I suppose the thought of negotiating with her dad must’ve put her nerves on edge.Now, as I stare at her passed out form on the table, I wonder who will continue the plan. Mr. West looks shock, disappointed and amused at once as he stares at his daughter.There’s no choice. I’ll have to intervene.“Look after him for a sec.” I ask Mrs. West and entrust Ben to her before making my way down to where little rose is currently passed out.I steady my pacing and try to act natural as I pass by their table. Her dad is still not putting an effort to wake her up and I can
Naomi West ******The soft rays from sun kisses my skin, melting my insides and compelling me to sleep. I had a sandwich earlier, but both Denzel and my dad restricted me from touching the wine. And whilst the three adults drank wine, I had to accompany Ben with a glass of orange juice.Serves me right, though. I don't recall much from yesterday. Everything is a blurry image after I drank the two glasses of wine. Even though I had my suspicions, Denzel assured me that the wine was a bit old and nothing else.However, I don't blame myself for passing out, since my dad came back last evening and promised to stay with us until the end of the week. Being overjoyed, I prepared everything this morning and here we are, sitting on the grass under the sun as one happy family."Ben don't wander too close to the water!" Denzel yells over my shoulder. Ben looks back at his father, smiles and walks further into the lake.I want to laugh so hard but I stifle it. I don't need to hurt Denzel's pride
I have been feeling guilty towards Marcus all night. Even though I made that Devil sleep on the couch and didn’t spare him a single glance this morning, my heart weighs heavy when I think of Marcus and how unfair I’ve been to him.Which is why the first thing I did in the morning was to schedule a meeting with him. I wanted to take Ben out as well, but Denzel probably knew about my intention and ended the discussion before it even came up.On the plus side, at least Marcus and I’ll be able to have a conversation like proper responsible grownups—on the downside, I won’t have any shield to hide behind.The bell jingles on the cafe’s door, warning us about a new presence. I look up and notice Marcus walking up to my table. For some reason, I can’t bring myself to smile.“Marcus, hey.” I speak, but even my tone sounds too monotonous. He nods, acknowledging my presence, but doesn’t speak up.Gathering courage, I say. “About last night. I’m truly sorry. Had I known beforehand, I would’ve d
Naomi West******“Let’s go Ben. Time for bed.” I intentionally don’t yell out my plans for tonight when I call for Ben. Denzel has been playing the role of a jealous and offended husband ever since we mentioned Marcus’s name this morning. It’ll only blow his head if he were to know what we’re going to do now.Ben finishes his dinner early and discards the dishes in the sink before running to his bedroom. With one more lookout for Denzel—still refusing to budge from the sofa and watching Frozen 2—I slip inside Ben’s room.He’s already sitting up on the bed under the covers when I enter. He excitedly looks at me as I approach my side of his bed and take out my phone.“Quick. Before daddy gets too weird.” He whispers, acting as if we’re kids watching a movie after curfew.I open my contacts and video call Marcus. I hand the phone to Ben as we wait patiently for Marcus to pick up. After three rings, he eventually does, but it changes to voice call.“Is it a bad time?” I ask, desperately
Unknown POV******Layla Kingsley stares dumbfounded at what she’s just discovered. After spending many weeks in isolation, plotting and planning and fearing for her life, it’s like she just hit a jackpot.But she never entered in the lottery, which is why the sight before her, the crucial piece of information, also gives her chills.This is it. This can change her whole life.She takes out her phone to capture this shocking moment. She continuously taps on the photo icon to take pictures from multiple angles.With a lingering look at the truth she’s just discovered, she walks away before anyone notices her presence. She laughs as she takes the street to her apartment. She’s been in so much pressure for the last few weeks, trying to come up with desperate measures to find something on the Flynn’s. But it’s been a pain in the butt with blondie and Davenport not picking up her calls. After her last meeting with Chloe, she made it clear that she wanted to come clean in front of her dea
Naomi West******I’m not mad. I’m not second-guessing my life choices at the moment. I’m only fuming with an uncontrollable amount of disappointment, hiding all of my viciousness behind a polite smile.I watch, standing in a corner as my dad empties my mom’s stuff from Denzel’s old room. He wasn’t exactly a cheerful lad when he found out that his wife has been living in a man’s room all this while, but one look at my face and he knows to keep his mouth shut about it.He only has himself to blame for what his wife has been through.But like myself, my mom isn’t one to hold grudges. My mom and dad had been MIA on me for three days since she went away with him and they only arrived this morning, that too, to fetch her things.I haven’t made peace with the fact that she’s so easily forgiven him, but who am I to judge, right? I can only bite my tongue and swallow my words for their happiness.“Did you eat a whole lemon for breakfast? Why do you look so sour?” My mom playfully bumps into m
Denzel Flynn******I never imagined Naomi’s father to run away like that. When I learned about his fleeing from the receptionist, it was bad enough. But when I overheard Mrs. West telling about their intimate moment from the night before to Naomi, it was a blow to my face.I’d warned myself to not get emotionally involved, but I end up being a part of this big drama, anyway. I guess that’s a package deal that comes with having a family.Mrs. West was not in high spirits after I broke the news to her but she was willing to spend the remaining days in the resort for the sake of our efforts. Even though we decided to stay and have fun, most of her time was invested in Naomi’s and Ben’s health.It was a nightmare to be short. If I exclude the morning picnics near the lake and occasional dinners and outing, we spent the last two days locked in our rooms.Now, it’s the seventh day, and we’re on our way to the court so little rose’s parents can finalize their divorce.The air inside the car
“Achoo!” I sneeze and snort, hugging the blanket close to myself early in the morning. It appears as though last night’s fun is catching up with me.“Achoo!” Ben sneezes beside me. I drape my blanket over him and pull him closer. At one point last night, he successfully washed his head in the chilly rain while I was too engrossed thinking about what his daddy said.Thinking about Denzel, my face heats up and I bury my head in my lap. Because of the Ben’s presence, I successfully avoided him last night.But what now?I think my thoughts summon the Devil as he enters our room. I try to act cool despite having a whole zoo running around in my stomach. No matter how hard I try, though, my face would always look like a blushing tomato.'I love you too.'His words resonate in my head and despite the huge, red warning signs, I feel myself surrounded by the dense fog created by his words. “Achoo!” Ben and I sneeze at once, struggling with a runny nose.Denzel raises an eyebrow and stares at
Naomi West******My parents kept to themselves all day, ignoring me, Denzel and even Ben at every turn at every corner. Denzel and I tried really hard to spy on them from a distance all afternoon, but everything seemed as normal as possible. It really struck a nerve in me when my dad shot me a warning look from his table during lunch when he spot me hiding behind tree pots.In the evening, when I refused to budge from my place, Denzel carried me away, claiming that I’ve developed an obsession with spying on my parents.It’s not that. Can you really blame a daughter for being curious? And it’s not like I’m hiding under their bed or something—now that’d be a scandal.After Denzel carried me away from my mission, he brought me back to the lakeside at sunset. Ben was already waiting for us near the water. It looks like he’s fallen in love with the environment here. Upon further inspection, I also find a cloth placed on the sand a little away from the water with an enormous basket on to
Denzel Flynn******I turn back to little rose to give her my undivided attention. Her fingers are fidgeting on the table to busy herself. Her mind keeps wandering to the door her parents and Ben disappeared into a while ago.“I thought you were a gold digger,” Little rose’s eyes flash at me with such intensity that burned my face. She’s indeed confused at my words and holds back her temper.“Like one of those women who deliberately spoils a rich man’s suit in hopes of getting close to him. But then again, I thought spoiling someone’s coat and putting them in a hospital are quite different matters.”She’s looking at me with an eyebrow raised.“All in all, I didn’t have a very first clear good impression of you, so I wanted to know you better before I could judge you.”I lean into the space between us with my arms resting on the table. She looks intimidated by the gesture, but in a good way. “Would you like to know how I feel about you right now?”Her cheeks flush and she immediately
Naomi West ******The soft rays from sun kisses my skin, melting my insides and compelling me to sleep. I had a sandwich earlier, but both Denzel and my dad restricted me from touching the wine. And whilst the three adults drank wine, I had to accompany Ben with a glass of orange juice.Serves me right, though. I don't recall much from yesterday. Everything is a blurry image after I drank the two glasses of wine. Even though I had my suspicions, Denzel assured me that the wine was a bit old and nothing else.However, I don't blame myself for passing out, since my dad came back last evening and promised to stay with us until the end of the week. Being overjoyed, I prepared everything this morning and here we are, sitting on the grass under the sun as one happy family."Ben don't wander too close to the water!" Denzel yells over my shoulder. Ben looks back at his father, smiles and walks further into the lake.I want to laugh so hard but I stifle it. I don't need to hurt Denzel's pride