"I am on my way to the house now." "You've picked her up already?" "No need to waste time," Samuel replied, turning to the rearview mirror. Giovanna sat in the back, strapped in with her headphones on and her eyes glued to the screen of her phone. They had decided that he would pick her up from school so they could talk at home and sort things out. He promised she could stay as long as she wanted, so long as they spoke to their parents. "Alright. Be safe." "You too." As the call dropped, he checked in on Giovanna again. She had not said a word when he picked her up from school, but from the whispers, he picked from her friend, he had learnt there was more to the story than she told anyone. For some reason, her friends at school were surprised that her "boyfriend" didn't come to pick her up again. For whatever reason, Giovanna decided to kiss Vincent to convince her preppy girlfriends that they were dating. He didn't touch that topic yet. They could discuss it when they got ba
Kali played with the peas on her plate, using the fork to roll them around. She had opted out of sitting in the office cafeteria because she wanted a place with more privacy. People didn't talk like they used to when the magazines accusing her of marrying for money came out, but there were still whispers. She had enough on her plate with what was going on at home.So, for the next few weeks, she decided she'd eat at different cafes around the office until she found the most suitable. Something private, usually empty in the afternoons where she could enjoy a meal and video chat with friends."Madden." She snapped up as Winston pointed at the free seat in front of her. "Anyone?""No, please, help yourself.""I haven't seen you in here before."
“She finally rolls in.”Kali closed the door, throwing her purse on the couch and kicking off her heels with a moan. She looked exhausted, which was nothing new on days when she came home late. Samuel helped her out of her jacket and neatly set her shoes aside. He knelt down and tucked her hair behind her face.“Bad day?”“Parts of it.” Her hands framed his face, and she kissed him deeply. “It’s getting better.”Samuel smiled. “Want to talk about it?”“Yeah.” She didn’t sound excited by the prospect of it. That made him nervous. “Can I get something to eat first?”“Sure. You are in luck. I decided to cook this evening.”“Did you?”“Yeah.” He grinned and helped her stand. “You can tell me what happened over a hot plate and cool glass of juice.”“Can I also make requests?&rdq
Kali thanked the maids one last time for the evening before dashing out the door to meet an impatient Samuel. Dinner had gone swimmingly despite the last-minute changes Ysabel had made. Ember helped with the planning, and Kali believed she handled her guests, especially Mr Claudius, with enough grace to make her husband proud. And if she hadn't been sure he was, he told her so the minute the door closed behind the last guest.Now, they were on their way to the address of a clubhouse Ember forwarded the previous day. Kali had taken longer to change out of her gown, and Samuel had been waiting on her.
"Shh." Samuel laughed, burying Kali's face into his neck until she could compose herself. Kali wasn't drunk, but she also didn't have much control over herself either. It was almost one, and Giovanna was obviously in bed. The jangling of the keys travelled far, so he wrestled them from her hands and set them down quietly in the bowl. He didn't want to wake his sister because he remembered Giovanna had a hard time falling asleep once she woke. "Come on," He whispered to Kali, gathering her in his arms and pressing his front of her back. "It's time we got to bed. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow." "Indeed we do." She rubbed her palm over his forearm, playfully dragging her nails down his skin til he hissed. She waddled up the staircase with him behind her. He left her at the door of their room to check on Giovanna, returning after he confirmed his sister was fast asleep. "I hope we can wake up tomorrow." He shared, and Kali laughed.
"Good evening." Giovanna sang, swinging back and forth as she used the frame of the kitchen door for support. "Good evening." Kali beamed. "How was work?" "Maddening." Kali smiled, humouring the girl until she decided to drop the charades. "Can you believe how much typing is in my everyday life? I have never written and corrected so much code in my life. A second more, and I'll be seeing things like I am in the matrix. Zeros and ones." "Really." "You wouldn't believe it." Giovanna pointed to the dinner table. "Package came in for you. It was here when I got back from school." She disappeared into the kitchen, and Kali stared after her before padding to the dinner table. There was a small package on the table. A white rectangular box with a red bow tied at the centre. Pinned to the ribbon was another card. Kali ripped it off as she slipped into a chair. "I thought about you today. I know it's been hard now that you started working. I hope this can cheer you up. Can't wait to
Samuel closed the box when Kali came into the room, and he set it down on the bed beside him. "I was going to tell you. You know that, right?" "Yes. I am not mad." "You look mad." "I am not. This is me being worried." "Worried?" "Doesn't this...I don't know, scare you?" "That some weirdo is playing an expensive game of "who sent it?"" "That this weirdo is spending so much money on you. You haven't met this guy before, but he knows work is hard for you and how stressed you are with all the gossip. He misses your eyes, your beauty." Kali stared at the box. "How many times did you read that card." "Is that what matters now? Listen to me. This guy can be dangerous. If he is making fantasies in his head and convincing himself that there is a relationship between the two of you. He could do something dangerous one of these days." Kali seemed to understand where he was going. She immediately shifted from sceptical to worried. He didn't want to scare her, but it was something that t
"And this." Samuel came up behind Kali as she reached for her necklace. He leaned down to kiss the back of her neck and shoulder before lowering the necklace he held to her chest. "Is for you."It wasn't sapphires like the one the stranger sent, even though he had been tempted, but it was an equal match. The necklace was made from rubies and diamonds and matched the dress she had chosen for the night. One of the bright sides of her picking her outfits weeks before an event.He hadn't been sure when he ordered the necklace, but seeing her face light up with amazement and joy-filled him with confidence.Kali gasped. "What is this?""Last Friday, you got a necklace that upset you. I don't know; I thought I could get you one that made you smile. The event tonight was a perfect excuse to do it.""Oh, Samuel. It's gorgeous.""Like you.""You cheesy bastard." She popped to her feet and threw herself at him.Her arms went around his sh
Samuel looked at the restaurant as he stood against his car. It had been a month since his grandfather passed, and things in his family were still not back to normal. His father had forgiven him for his part in the lie, and he also forgave Kali because he believed they were pushed against the wall. But whatever quarrel he had with their mother was still going on. He had tried to talk himself out of tonight with the excuse of waiting for things to cool down. But, he decided against it.He looked back when he heard another car approaching. Sure enough, Mathew was driving to park beside him with Kali in the passenger seat. She waved at him, and he winked in reply.He called earlier to ask her to prepare."Hello." She greeted as she stepped out of the car. "I was surprised to get your call.""I thought you would be." He took her hand and kissed her. "You look lovely.""Thank you. I wore something stunning, as you asked.""Thank you, Mathew
“Have you spoken to your dad?”“Yes.”“Are you better?”“No.” Samuel shook his head, and Kali solemnly pressed against him. “He is not only angry with my silence but also with my mother. He doesn’t want the quarrel to overshadow my grandfather’s passing. He won’t address things now.”
Samuel looked down at Kali as she slept, stretched out underneath the duvet. She had slept through the night and barely flinched when he got her out of the pool and to their room. She was exhausted, and he understood why. He decided to end the façade once and for all, so while he faced his family, he wanted her to rest.Samuel kissed her cheek softly before he left the house and headed for his parents. Luckily for him, everyone was present when he arrived. They were still slow from waking up, but they gathered around the table.“Is something wrong?” His father spoke first, taking a generous gulp from his cup of coffee.“Not anymore.”“What do you want to talk about then.”Samuel had not taken his eyes off his mother since she joined them. When he saw that she was slowly figuring out what he was there to do, he gave her a little smile before turning to a drowsy Giovanna.“Gio, you were right ab
Flora looked up at the house, trembling with anxiety and incredibly confused. The man who drove her to the home was as silent as a graveyard with a hard and unassuming stare. He didn’t even say a word when she turned her panicked eyes on him. He only indicated that she continued up the stairs.She had asked before what Claudius wanted to meet her, but the man had only grumbled, so she decided to follow his lead and walk into the house. He handed her over to a maid, who took her purse and jacket. She took Flora to a brightly lit room.“Mr. Devon?” The maid called, closing the door softly.He coughed, struggling to get comfortable on the bed. She rushed to help him. She adjusted his pillows and made him as comfortable as possible.“Please sit.” He wheezed, pointing to a chair in front of the bed.Flora carefully sat down, looking at the mass of machines connected to him. “Thank you. I am sorry. I had no idea you we
When Samuel arrived in the evening, he was surprised by Kali at the door. She jumped out of the shadows, scaring him before throwing herself in his arms. He caught her, bellowing with laughter as they kissed."I would assume your day went well?""I believe it did, but that's not why I am happy. I am happy to have you home."Samuel set her back on her feet and noticed the scarf she held in her hands."Are you cold?""No. It's for you.""Me?""Yes. For your eyes, darling."He complied, closing his eyes and allowing her to wrap the scarf around his head, sealing him in darkness. He followed her cautiously as she led him up the stairs and into their room. He scolded her lightheartedly when the door smacked into his chest."Hey!""Sorry." She stressed and led him still. "Sorry. We are here."She took the scarf off and stepped back. He kept his eyes closed, opening them carefully so he wasn't dazzled by the light
Kali looked up at the house. If she could even call it that. Something about this family made them hungry for prime real estate. From the marble fountains to the immaculate shrubs and garden, the manor looked like it could have been owned by an Earl or a Duke. Kali wouldn't be surprised if she was told the building used to belong to one."Mrs. Madden?" Kali turned to the maid. "Are you looking for someone?"She stuttered, finding herself as she got out of the car. "Yes. I am looking for Mr. Devon.""Alright. Please come in." She began to walk Kali towards the house. "He hasn't been in the best health these past few weeks. I'll tell him you are here to see him, but I can't promise he would agree to sit with you. He hasn't had visitors in weeks.""That's alright. If he won't see me, I'll leave a message."She had come prepared for any event. She'd prefer to say all she had to to his face. If he refused, she had typed and printed a detailed letter exp
Samuel nervously nibbled on the pencil in his mouth as he sat at his desk. Two weeks had passed with no word from Ember on how her search was going. She asked them to trust her, saying she'd call when she found something.Kali was on the balcony, watching the warm evening sky while he worked to keep himself busy. He had seen little of his family throughout this time. He visited the house once when he was sure his mother was out and scarcely talked to his dad on the phone.The curtains swooshed, and Kali came to him. She languidly slid her arm up hi
Kali walked into her sister's apartment. She had planned to visit her earlier but kept pushing the date back until she couldn't anymore. June was home, and Kali left work early to catch her sister before it was too late. Samuel had taken the first step with Ember, and it was her turn.If she waited, who's to tell what Ysabel might do? Just as she informed Kali about Richard as a desperate attempt to cause a rift between them, she might say something to June one of these days."I am glad you came. Sit. Can I get you anything?" June asked.
Kali woke up early and slid out of bed while Samuel was still asleep. She walked around the apartment quietly. After the previous day's events, she was exhausted and starving. She wanted to stuff herself with whatever she could find in the kitchen."Morning."Kali looked over her shoulder, scared. "Oh, Ember. It's you.""Sorry to scare you.""It's alright. I was about to rummage through your kitchen for something to eat. Would you like to join me?""Sure."Kali was nervous. She had forgotten most of her conversation with Samuel because her brain was still asleep. But after seeing Ember, Kali remembered Samuel had told her everything. She hoped Ember wasn't too angry or disappointed in her. She considered her a friend, and it would hurt to lose that."What do you want?""A sandwich is fine.""I am too hungry to show off, so what if I make us a simple sandwich for today?""I'll take it."Kali prepared s