Share
38. Ambush
Related chapters
Better In Every Way 39.Giggling Over The Wine
Dariana “It smells like a omething is burning.” I say, rushing out of the bathroom to the kitchen where the girls are supposed to be helping me with my weekly meal prep. Instead I discover them giggling over the wine in the icing room. When they hear me come out, Emma is the only one who immediately springs up to meet me in the kitchen. She pinpoints the source of the burning smell a lot faster than I do. Quite frankly my contribution to the entire ordeal is worthless. While I was busy checking each individual pot on the stove to see which one could be the source of that smell, Emma hurriedly nudges me out of the way to pull out the blackened carrots, potatoes and peppers from the oven. It is only then, when the oven doors open to let out the steam (smoke?) and the the smell of charred vegetables becomes more pungent, that Rory and Rachel turn from where they’re sitting to witness scene in the kitchen. “Oh… that’s not good.” Rachel says. “No it is not.” I say, moving t
Better In Every Way 40. Uncomfortable
Alec “I don’t want to be here.” Barry repeats his stance for the umpteenth time since I told him yesterday that we would have to be here. “Neither do I.” I sigh as the gate to Lachlan’s estate opens for me to pull into the driveway. It seems very quiet and unassuming on the outside. All the reporters that were camped out here on this lawn earlier this week seem to have gotten tired and moved on to the next story already. The grounds are so quiet you wouldn’t know they were ever there. “Then let’s go. It’s not too late for us to just turn around and do our own thing.” He says. “You know we can’t do that–” I start to get out. “Like, fuck this. These dinners aren’t even that important.” He groans while rubbing his hands on his face in frustration. “This one is. Your dad said that they have something important to talk to everyone about. So we all have to be there.” I say, bringing the car to a stop and turning the engine off. Barry just scoffs at this. Like he has every sin
Better In Every Way 41. You’re Joking
Alec Barry goes into a coughing fit, choking on his food as soon as the words leave Lachlan’s mouth. “What did you just say?” He says between coughs. “The wedding won’t be anything big, it’s more of a formality. That way we can get it done as soon as possible. Elizabeth is far along enough already, we can’t waste any more time.” Adeline takes the conversation over from her husband. The whole room is shocked to silence. Somehow this silence is even more quiet than the one before. Gone are the sounds of utensils scratching against the plates as everyone has abandoned the meal to stare at the newly engaged couple. “I suppose a congratulations to the happy couple is in order.” I say, raising my glass to them before taking a large swig of my water. Everyone else around the table mumbles their own congratulations, they’re a little uneasy but they’re all mostly genuine. Contrary to my well wishes, the couple don’t seem so excited about their impending nuptials. Why would they b
Better In Every Way 42. He Knows Me?
Alec Brea follows Rory out as she leaves the rest of us sitting in uncomfortable silence. Cam keeps staring daggers at me, and I am compelled to act on my earlier promise. “Barry come on. I think we should go too.” I tap Barry on the arm as I get up. “Congratulations, you guys. Thank you for the food Adeline.” Barry, looking like he has been itching for this moment, does not waste a second in getting up and getting out of there. In fact, he makes it to the car before I do. He is already inside by the time I get to the front steps. Just as I am making my way down them, I hear Carter calling my name so I pause to let him catch up to me. “You okay? You don’t have to leave so soon, Adeline made that chocolate and strawberry mousse cake of hers—” He starts as soon as he gets to me. “No, I’m good. I’m jus– Barry’s got school tomorrow so I’ve got to get him home.” I say, hoping that it would be enough to end the conversation and he could just let me go. But that seemed to just be
Better In Every Way 43. It Happened
Dariana I have been staring at me computer screen for an amount of time I couldn’t possibly have perceived, never mind kept track of. This morning started off like any other. It felt like I was finally starting to fall back into a routine, like it would just be another unremarkable Monday morning. I walked down the hall from the elevator to my office without anyone staring at me. I greeted Liliana at her desk. She followed me into my office to brief me on my day and she changed out the flowers while making a remark about the ‘anonymous’ sender under her breath and I pretend not to hear her. Like normal. Like any other average Monday. But it wouldn’t be my life if I got to start off my week without a single out of the ordinary thing happening. And this week’s out of the ordinary thing is an email from Eliza. Subject line: Resignation. She’s resigning? I have been reading and rereading her resignation letter for so long it has completely stalled my morning. I can hardly believ
Better In Every Way 44. Punchline
Alec “You’re here.” I say, very much shocked to see Dom walk past me to his office. Over the last few weeks I’d seen him so little I had actually begun to forget that he works here and is not stationed at Brokk for some reason. “I’m not saying it’s not nice to see you, I’m just surprised. It’s a good surprise, I’m just… surprised.” I continue to ramble as I follow him to his office, his foul mood stinking up the hallway as he moves along. “Why are you here?” “Don’t you have other things to do?” He groans. “Perhaps.” I shrug. “But your sour mood is written all over your face and it has peeked my interest.” “It’s really none of your business.” He shakes his head and starts to set up his work station. “I think it’s my business when my partner seems a little worse for wear.” I say. “Now, tell big bro what’s wrong.” I tease, and he scrunches up his face. “She doesn’t want me there, so I thought I’d just come back to my own office. I see it’s been collecting dust.” He sig
Better In Every Way 45. Pet Name
The walk to my office was longer than I’m used to. Or at least it felt that way. Your brain has a funny way of stretching out and building up moments that you’re dreading. And that is what I am feeling right now, dread. Not for any other reason than the fact that I don’t really know what I am walking into. I mean– I knew she would be here at some point, she had warned me after all, I just didn’t expect that point to be today. It feels too soon. I feel rushed. I finally make it to my office door. I take a deep breath to prepare myself for what is waiting behind it. When I open the door I am greeted by Hadley’s back to me as she pours herself a drink from my bar cart. “Sure, help yourself.” I say as I walk in; causing her to jump up a little in surprise, spilling a bit of my not-so-cheap twenty-five-year-old single barrel bourbon. “Alec, hi.” She says, offering a small smile. “I didn’t think you’d mind.” “Of course not.” I say, trying my best to keep things polite. “What are yo
Better In Every Way 46. Wink Wink
DarianaI hate how quickly the days are going by. This week in particular seems to be in a rush to get done. It’s feels like just yesterday when I was trying– and failing– to convince Rachel to let me sit out the gala. But I blinked and now it’s Friday and Emma, Rachel and Rory are dragging me from store to store to find a dress for tomorrow evening.I would have been fine with the first dress from the first store, seeing as I didn’t really want to put in too much effort for something I wasn’t really keen on going to in the first place, but they would not let me.That and the fact that they didn’t have it in my size and it is too short notice to put things in for alterations.“I’m tired.” I dare to complain, leaning on Emma so I don’t have to carry my own weight. Rory and Rachel are walking slightly ahead of us, engrossed in their own conversation.“It’s your fault for leaving things for the last minute.” Emma rolls her eyes.“Why can’t I just wear something I already have? I don’t ne
Latest chapter
Better In Every Way 46. Wink Wink
Better In Every Way 45. Pet Name
Better In Every Way 44. Punchline
Better In Every Way 43. It Happened
Better In Every Way 42. He Knows Me?
Better In Every Way 41. You’re Joking
Better In Every Way 40. Uncomfortable
Better In Every Way 39.Giggling Over The Wine
Better In Every Way 38. Ambush
