"Is Abi not home yet?"
Moreau almost gasped, and at the same time tried to control herself from Barbara's appearance in the backyard. She was enjoying the moment soaking her feet in the pool of water, having absolutely no clue that the woman would suddenly appear looking for someone. Barbara's eyeballs darted around. Finding no one, the only thing left behind was a rough exhale. In the next moment Moreau knew immediately that Barbara was taking steps, pacing for one glaring reason. Worry was in the air, perhaps a way of simply urging calm to play a brief role. "I haven't seen him for a while." Couldn't stand it. Moreau added slowly to keep Barbara from overreacting. The woman's appearance was still too complete. The tote bag was linked in the hand. The work blazer and heels worn almost all day were still there. Even the lIt was horrible to have to observe Barbara all the time occupied on the monitor. The woman's fingers moved over the keyboard without the slightest intention of abandoning whatever she was doing. Moreau did not understand her mother's thinking. She had forbidden her to be involved in the office; anything, for the company that was, at the moment, being run by her late father's right-hand man for a predetermined period of time. For Moreau, Barbara's attitude here was revealed to be quite excessive as a business owner. In fact, she harbors an odd sense of something pointed. Yes, something about a will had been written long before Jeremias Riveri breathed his last: With her as the sole heir; Moreau would continue the family company at the age of 28. However, it seemed too improbable after what Barbara had controlled through Jeremias Riveri's permission back then. Instead, Moreau was required to take dance lessons as a child.
"There is no need to do so, Moreau. I'm not hungry." Moreau's body jerked, so surprised was she to find her stepfather suddenly looming an inch away from the bar. The man was still in the white shirt that was revealed to be sexy and fitted, while this time the gray suit was hanging on the bent arms, looking so solid that Moreau struggled to choose the best words to judge. But... she really wasn't going to say anything outright. Abihirt seemed to be holding something back and Moreau felt sorry for him. She wasn't thinking about the offer the man had made, but felt sorry for how Abihirt had to be more patient with her mother. She wasn't sure she wanted to let the man go, now, after the shocking, perhaps even devastating, events of this afternoon. Abihirt was unlikely to ask Barbara for help if the man was doing well. Moreau pursed her lips subconsciously realizing that soon her stepfather would be leaving the kitchen. "Did the accident this afternoon make your shoulder hurt?" She
"Alright, where's your injured shoulder?" The corner of Abihirt's lips twitched slightly, whether it was satisfaction or a habit Moreau had never known. She swallowed harshly at how her stepfather's arm reached out to simply grab the coat on the bed, then reached for something there. The situation spiraled out of control as the man undid one button after another on the white shirt, then stripped the work clothes off to clutch them in the palm of his hand. Moreau is still unable to say anything as she watches Abihirt half-naked with muscles bulging in the abdomen, the biceps on the man's arms looking solid, even the butt that looks solid and sexy finally sticking to the edge of the bed. How horrible it would be if Moreau was lulled by the slim hips, especially at the vestiges of bluish veins creeping up, hiding in one place under the man's work pants. She had to remember who the man she was observing was.
After finishing the rest of the pending work. Barbara was in the mood for some esophageal relief, but a bit of irony... found her husband still in his white shirt busily removing a plate of dinner with a puff of smoke wafting into the air. A beautiful sight. Barbara loved the clay-hungry body, and it was tantalizing. Something inside Barbara throbbed just remembering how firm Abihirt was in bed. It was quite regrettable that she had turned down the honeymoon invitation from the man who currently seemed to have no interest in talking despite being aware of her existence. Too busy. But thankfully it was only a few moments when Abihirt had chosen to sit down, then those gray eyes glanced over briefly just to be sure. "Why are you heating up your own dinner, Abi? Where is Moreau? Didn't I ask her to do this for you?" Barbara asked while adjusting their seating positions facing each other at the dining table. Her eyes never left every action Abihirt took. The man was unaffected, ca
"Ever since your mom got married, I think your life hasn't gotten calmer, it's gotten more chaotic." Moreau almost held her breath in response to Juan's statement before her. She gave a skeptical glance. Not knowing whether the man's conjecture was right or wrong, the various feelings that were stirring were too complicated to decipher. At one time Moreau tried not to think about it further, but on the other hand she refused to acknowledge Juan's judgment. Still wishing, wishing... she had never had a one-night stand with the man her mother was bound to. Marriage, for Moreau, is not a playful relationship. The commitment, the decisions made between the two, the parts of the real goal, and all the things involved; had its own level of responsibility. Moreau almost unconsciously chuckled at the thought of Abihirt's invitation some time ago. An offer that conveyed an absolute statement. The man was even passionate about Barbara. How sad. Would Abihirt also have a hidden passion fo
[Where are you, Moreau?] "I'm at the restaurant with Juan." Moreau responded with a look that caught the expression on Juan's face, which would occasionally raise one eyebrow high, especially when the man's name was mentioned. But that was not what Moreau was thinking. Barbara was not used to contacting her at this time of day, she felt a little suspicious. [I might be working late, can you prepare dinner for your father?] It was expected that there would be an order, never mind a silly request. Moreau thinned her lips involuntarily. It was hard to think that she and her stepfather would be stuck under the same roof together. However, how could she refuse? The need was demanding that Moreau say something immediately. Her moving lips had prepared an important excuse, and suddenly the phone line was cut off unilaterally. Barbara's habit never went away. That woman always had an in
Moreau deliberately let the water splash as she tried to calculate, how long would it take Abihirt to leave the restaurant? She suspected something, that if it involved Froy in such a place, it meant that the uncle and nephew's need was to talk about something important, perhaps. Moreau wasn't too sure. Just felt like, really wished Abihirt would leave the restaurant, but should she intentionally keep Juan waiting for a long time at their table? It was a complete choice. Not one that was ever implied, though Juan would understand. Yes, Moreau probably could have waited longer. Already confirmed her resolve. However, she was forgetting something. The cell phone. How would she know Abihirt had finished with Froy, when she wasn't carrying a handheld cell phone all the way to the bathroom? There was nothing Moreau could do but stare at her reflection in the mirror. The miserable feeling was clear
"You're my mother's husband, Abi. Understand." Not knowing how many times Moreau reminded Abihirt. There never seemed to be a day when she had to stop. Here, in one humid room, having to face even the saddest of despair, but by all means Moreau tried to take the bravest resolve, after some silence unfolded following the man's mouth that was still so close there. Tendrils of warm breath tried to seduce the recesses of her neck. Moreau swallowed harshly— not wanting to give in to the situation, and slowly... stealthily reached out so that the man's chest would not ambush the need to breathe. There was no denying that Abihirt was like an ancient artifact, so hard and solid when asked to leave. There was no reply, in fact it seemed the man was only interested in watching the worry creep around Moreau's shoulders. What kind of beautiful impression could one imagine? She wondered. Irony. Only to find that Abihirt was not exactly filled with contentment. Suddenly the man's two hand