"Your studio?" Lorraine turned to him in shock "Yes, beautiful, right?" DeAngelo asked"My parents started this project about a year ago. It was to be an art center where young middle school kids could be exposed to and given an environment to practice art with all the available resources since some of their schools were understaffed and didn't have sufficient art tools. But the project went askew, and they decided to shut it down","Why?" Lorraine asked"Well, city council thought it might be unsafe for elementary school kids to be exposed to life on adult campus", DeAngelo replied "That's too bad", Lorraine remarked"Yeah, it was. But having the place go to waste like that didn't sit right with me, so I got the brilliant idea to turn it into my private art studio" "I come here to paint and occasionally escape the pressure outside these walls", DeAngelo said and walked towards Lorraine"I've kept this place a secret. No one knows I come out here occasionally, and I would like it t
"I'm not having this conversation with you," Lorraine said, storming away angrily, leaving Caterina aghast. She smiled wryly and decided she had enough tiptoeing around her; she wouldn't let her ruin her life.Caterina meant well and had a personal experience with a similar situation.Being the eldest in the family, she held herself responsible for the wellbeing of her siblings, but when her younger sister got pregnant with an older man, she blamed herself for not seeing the signs.Natalia wanted to keep the baby, but Caterina felt devastated at the moral crisis she was presented with. Her little sister, Natalia, was a high school senior, and her boyfriend, Jason, had just begun college in a different state when Natalia met Damien.Caterina was always skeptical of their relationship whenever she saw them around the house, but she waved it off as nothing. It was shocking when she discovered that Natalia was pregnant and for Damien. She could blame it just on the fact that they grew up
"Hello?" "Hey. You feeling better now?" DeAngelo asked softly. Lorraine sighed"Yes, I'm fine, thank you", she spoke coldly "Did I do something wrong again? I thought we had a good day," DeAngelo asked, and a few moments passed before Lorraine said anything. "Lorraine? Are you there?" he asked again, but she did not respond. She let a few moments pass, took a deep breath and said"Why did you call me DeAngelo?" She asked softlyDeAngelo chuckled softly, and when he could hear the underlying seriousness in her voice, he said swiftly "You're serious, aren't you?" He asked, and Lorraine's silence was definite proof of an answer"Because you seemed troubled earlier today, and I just thought I should check up on you. Make sure you're okay","Why?" Lorraine asked"I thought that's what nice people do. And you've been saying that I haven't been too good to you", DeAngelo riposted A few moments passed, and Lorraine heaved, "Listen, DeAngelo, you don't need to worry about me. I am fine, I
"Ladies?" Elena said, getting up"Do you mind telling our new roommate what we usually do on nights it rains?" she asked with a proud smile. Lorraine seemed more confused as Lydia and Caterina dragged her hand and pulled her out of bed. "Guys? What's happening?" she asked, slightly confused"Well, tonight is our movie and game night. We have a tradition here that when it rains on a school night, we binge-watch a series in which whoever wins game night gets to select" "Last time we had to watch Stranger Things all night because someone won game night and thought it was best to watch something so scary at night", Lydia shuddered, tilting her head at Caterina"What?" "It was better than watching Reality TV all night. Or have you forgotten?" Caterina teased "Okay, guys, settle down", Elena interjected"So the rules are simple. We have movie trivia, drinking games and my personal favorite, truth or dare", Elena said with an evil smile"Whoever wins gets to select what show we watch toni
"Clay Winston?" Caterina replied with a puzzled look."Yeah, what about it?" Lorraine asked, shifting to face her"I've heard that name somewhere before", Caterina said, and Lorraine shook in fear. She had hoped Clay's popularity wouldn't extend as far into Italy. This was why she was cautious to tell them about her relationship status."Uhmm, you probably have; it's a very common name in the States. Lots of people are named Clay," Lorraine replied swiftly, with quick thinking, averting further attention to the case, and Caterina was convincedSuddenly, Lorraine's phone buzzed, and she quickly pulled it out to silence the alarm. It was 11 p.m., and the night was still young. However, Lorraine decided she couldn't stay up that late anymore, especially if she wanted to make it to Mrs Hughes's class on time the following morning. Thoughtfully, she asked"Is it okay with you guys if I retire to bed early? I have Mrs Hughes's class in the morning. She already gave me a one-strike last tim
Lorraine got up and walked towards the door when she approached the stage, she tried to sneak beside a couple of students and make it out of the class unnoticed, but before she could, Mrs Hughes spotted her"Ms Davis, a minute please" Mrs Hughes called packing up her notes.Lorraine sighed and walked towards her with a sunken face. She was hopeful that she wouldn't have to be chastised again today, since the last time she hadn't worked or even started on an idea for the painting project, Mrs Hughes assigned to her in their last meeting.With everything that had been going on, there wasn't just enough time to focus on anything that important or to calm her mind long enough to find inspiration."Mrs Hughes, how do you do today?" Lorraine said exasperatingly, faking her excitement, but then heard how unnatural she had sounded and scolded herself."That's a fancy how do you do Lorraine" Mrs Hughes replied teasingly"That's exactly the kind of talk, that makes me convinced you're most fit
About a week later after Lorraine was invited to the Annual Fundraiser event, she laid in bed that morning with no desire to get out. When her alarm rang by 7 a.m., she squinted against the cruel glare of the sunlight that sieved in through her windows, rolled onto her back and turned off the alarm clock by her bedside. Shaking her tousled hair off her face, she sat on her bed and yawned. At first, she felt a little excited to be at a formal event at the school, even when she knew it was going to be as boring as advertised, she still felt honored.But in the last week, all that excitement had seeped out, particularly with her missing DeAngelo's basketball game, causing him not to talk or give her any attention. It was the break and what she wanted from him, but not by keeping malice, she had enough of disappointing people and the feeling weighed on her. Lorraine picked up her phone scanning through her call logs and recent messages, none from Clay. Was he still mad at her? She pond
As Lorraine stared at Caterina and Francesca more and more, she felt confused. "How was Caterina her daughter? She had never mentioned anything about it" she thought, and wondered if that was why Caterina always acted weird whenever DeAngelo was around, and also if their roommates knew.Mrs Giula motioned for her to come over, but Lorraine remained unmoved, glued to the ground in shock. This felt like a betrayal, she had opened up about most parts of her life to Caterina, and in return Caterina had kept this huge secret from her."Lorraine," Mrs Giula called again, but Lorraine peered past and saw the look on Caterina's face, who couldn't look her in the eye. Immediately, she turned and accidentally knocked off a tray of wine glasses from a waiter, causing the glasses to shatter on the ground, drawing more attention to her. She paused and gasped, covering her mouth with her palms "I'm sorry," she said, turning slowly to Mrs Giula before leaving the room.Instantly, Caterina hurried
It was a Saturday morning, exactly two weeks after the funeral, the morning air felt blissful as it sieved in through the open windows of their bedroom. Lorraine had moved back in with Clay and finally, they were living together as a couple. Earlier that week, Lorraine and Clay had renewed their vows and had a small ceremony, publicly announcing their marriage to the media. After everything that had happened, they figured that they wouldn't let anything else come in the way of them being together as a family. There was no reason to anymore.Clay had won over his family's affection, and Lorraine had reached the zenith of her career independently without Clay's help. She finally felt fulfilled and no longer felt belittled by being married to a man as famous, wealthy and influential as Clay Winston.Lorraine woke up that morning and found Clay still sleeping peacefully beside her lips parted in a smile.Slowly, she slid out under his arm, stood up and walked towards Edith's crib. Seein
Lorraine was appalled upon hearing her father tell her Jordan's funeral was the next day."Dad what do you mean his funeral is tomorrow?", she asked seeking confirmation "We don't think we should keep it for long, so we're going to do something small and intimate. Only a few friends and family" Elaine interjected sharplyLorraine was not satisfied with the arrangements, but this was her brother's funeral and she did not particularly want to argue. The faster Jordan was buried, the quicker she could mourn him and try to move on.Just then, Clay walked in and when he saw Lorraine, he hurriedly marched towards her and pulled her into a deep hug"How are you? How is she?" He asked with concern, and at this time her parents realized they had not asked about their grandchild"She's fine, she's healthy" Lorraine replied hastily and immediately her mother gasped in shock and covered her mouth, crying softly"Lorraine I'm so sorry I didn't ask. How is my grandchild?" She asked with curiosity.
Leaving a letter for Mrs Hughes was a lot easier to do, but here Lorraine was standing face to face with DeAngelo and couldn't find the words to say goodbyeDeAngelo sat on the stone bench outside, gazing at her quizzically, wondering why she had showed up unannounced after ignoring his calls and messages.After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, he asked with concern "Lorraine what's going on? Did you have a safe delivery?" "No, I mean yes, I did. The baby is fine, she's with the girls now" she replied sharply and then sucked in a quick breath and said"I came to say goodbye""Goodbye?" DeAngelo asked reflexively, stunned "You're leaving?" He added still in shockLorraine glanced at his face and said meekly "Yes. My family needs me" She said vaguely and paused. Shifting her gaze to DeAngelo's face, she saw that he still needed more context and hesitantly she said "My brother died yesterday. I'm going back home for the funeral and to be with my parents through it""I don't thin
The next day, Lorraine woke up to the sound of her beeping alarm. Opening her eyes, she groaned in exhaustion and the reality that her brother was now dead sank in again and the weight of it kept her under her sheets.Today was going to be her last day in Italy, and she never imagined this was the feeling she'd be leaving with.Having always known it would be tough to leave, she always believed it wouldn't feel that hard when she finally got back home to see the faces of everyone she loved. But now Grandma Edith was gone, and so was her brother.Lorraine tried so hard not to cry, but could no longer hold the tears that stifled in her eyes and at that time, she heard a faint knock on her door.Quickly, she got up, wiped the tears away and said "Come in" The doors swung open and revealed Caterina leaning pensively against the wall with a tired look on her face"Good morning" she uttered softly. The girls had spent all night taking turns to watch over the baby and as a result did not ge
Lydia and the girls were outside the hospital when Dr Ivan approached them. Elena was the first to spot her and immediately hurried towards her "Is she alright doctor?" She asked frantically A small smile plastered on the doctor's face as she replied "Yes, she is. They both are""Why don't you go in? A nurse will come to take the baby away soon" She nudged and walked away. Instantly, the girls rushed inside the delivery room and saw Lorraine with a baby carefully wrapped in her palms. At first sight, they were all in awe by the view, but then when they moved closer, Caterina noticed that she was crying.At first, she assumed that Lorraine was just excited to have her baby. Slowly, with light footsteps, Caterina approached Lorraine and when she saw the baby, she gaped in awe."She's so beautiful," Caterina said softly. Lydia and Elena were on the opposite side of the bed staring at the baby, but suddenly they noticed Lorraine's sullen expression."Lorraine?" Caterina called on seein
"What?!" Caterina exclaimed I'm excitement. Immediately, she stood up and went over to Lorraine, helping her to her feet, and grabbed their papers "Ladies, what is going on here?" Mrs Hughes said authoritatively, seeing the girls disrupt her examination atmosphere."Ma'am Lorraine needs to go to the hospital, she's having a baby" Caterina replied helping Lorraine down the stairs. At that time, Lydia and Elena instantly got up and followed.When they reached the front of the hall, Mrs Hughes walked over to them and got the papers. She then leaned towards Lorraine and said with a gleeful smile "Congratulations. Do not worry about the examination, I'll take care of it" The girls rushed to the SUV and brought it around immediately. Caterina helped Lorraine into the backseat and in a few moments, they were off to the hospital.The engine roared through the highway. Luckily, Lorraine already had the number of the doctor who attended to her when she was pregnant, Lydia quickly retrieved he
It was a week after the Art Convention ended. When Lorraine returned to the school, she was graced by a grand welcome, while some people were not happy that her honest speech could ruin the chances of their school winning, they ultimately admired her courage and what she did for them.That morning, Lorraine woke up and for the first time ever, she didn't feel the need to conceal her pregnancy. Pretty much, the entire school knew of it by now and it felt free.Spring was almost over, and it was hard for her to bid it farewell, much harder cause this was her last semester in the Art School before she'd have to return home.Lorraine had fallen in love with the city and its people, the different lovely personalities, their food, boat rides and most especially, the friends she had made.The thought of going back home was not quite as exciting as she thought it'd be. Over here, she felt like she was with people who spoke her language, people who understood the struggles of what it means to
The judges settled around 9:15 that morning, and shortly after the second round of the competition began. As usual, Davio Art School went first, their representative was a girl who was already shaking in her boots when she was called to the stage.Lorraine sat pensively, observing and studying the reactions, expressions and patterns which the judges used to examine artworks. In her head, she had cooked up a plan, but this would only work if she could find their emotional trigger and find a way to use it against their rules."Next up, Faun's Art School!" The announcer called. Grace was sitting beside Lorraine trying to trash talk and put her out of her game. She smirked as she stood up and walked to the stage. At that point, Lorraine's confidence was too high to be threatened. There was something more important at stake to be disturbed by what some posh art school girl thought of her.Grace took the stage and the timer began, thirty minutes! Thirty minutes to come up with something d
The day was bright and sunny. However, Lorraine woke up feeling clouded in her head. She had made a bold decision yesterday night to forfeit the award and the certificates that came with it, but now she wasn't so sure anymore.Her career's future and everything she ever wanted and worked hard for hung on that decision. She sat up and shook her head, dismissing the thoughts then walked into her kitchen and made herself something to eat.She needed a clear headspace to think, but just then she was interrupted by a knock on her door. Groaning in frustration, she marched towards it and opened it aggressively "What?!" And immediately regretted gee outburst"Mrs Hughes..." she blurted in shock"Good morning Lorraine," the lady said and brushed past her, entering her room. Lorraine remained frozen at the door for a few moments, then closed it and turned to Mrs Hughes. "Sorry ma'am, but what are you doing here so early?" She asked Mrs Hughes turned to her with a proud smile and said, "I c