Zach was visibly anxious, clenching his fists and hunching his back as he stared down at the floor. I approached him and informed him that his grandfather was in the ICU. "What really happened?" he asked, looking up at me with tears in his eyes. "Aldridge even went to pick up Arrabella, who was at a beach resort in the city," I added. Tears streamed down Zach's face as I asked, "What happened? Aldridge only told me that Grandfather collapsed." I hugged him, and his head rested on my stomach. "It's not just a simple collapse, Cairen. Someone shot him in the back while he was boarding his private plane. The authorities are still trying to track down the perpetrator." My mouth dropped when I heard it. "Who can do this? Why?" "That's why I don't know who could do such a shameless thing. Grandfather was critically ill as a result of blood loss. I don't want to lose him, he was the only family I had that cared for me and my little sister," Zach said in a wavering, raspy voice. "I don't
As the professor lectured, I watched the students playing volleyball on the field. Sir Alexander had been in the hospital for three days, but his condition had improved, and I planned to visit him later. During my previous visit, I met Sir Alexander's two children. Arrabella remained silent throughout the visit, never daring to move from her seat near the window. Zach was not present during this visit as he had a doctor's appointment.I spent the visit greeting Giovanni's father, Alexon, and Hera, and I couldn't stop smiling. However, Sir Alexander was not pleased with his son's visit and exchanged harsh words with him."You wish for my death, don't you?" Sir Alexander accused Alexon, causing Hera's face to turn bright red."Father, don't say that! Alexon won't think such horrible thoughts!" Hera interjected, trying to ease the tension.Giovanni's father clenched his jaws, and left without saying a word. Hera pressed her lips tight and sighed in frustration. "I understand you can't for
It's been two days, and Grandma has not answered my calls. Why? The question that bothers me with concern. "You look troubled?" Zach made a remark to me as I sat on the couch; it was the weekend, and I didn't have class. "It's about Grandma, she doesn't answer my calls," I admitted to Zach. My grip on the phone tightened. He stopped at the edge of the couch. "Grandpa said your grandma is coming to visit today. I forgot to tell you yesterday." "Is he coming today? What time?" Why didn't grandma even tell me, She kept worrying about me. Giovanni's words kept bothering me more and more. Why no record? I haven't been able to sleep well for two days. I want an answer. Maybe grandma did that so no one would know Cairen died. And I was sure of that assumption, which I was filling for myself. "Afternoon," Zach replied, his eyes full of questions. "Did you have a good sleep?" He sat on the other couch across from me, holding the crutch in his left hand. "Do I look like I didn't sleep w
I put the wine on the table. Grandma and I were at the restaurant near the university since we didn't talk yesterday because Uncle Eric called her about something important that grandma needed to settle. "How is your sleep, Grandma?" I asked. Grandma and Haze were staying at Zach's grandfather's house. Still, Zach was mad at me, and he didn't come home to my parents' house. This morning, Aldridge went to pick up Zach's stuff. He had called our parents to express his gratitude for letting him stay, and he was leaving to stay at his apartment. I don't seem to have anything to say to him, and I was guilty of my action. I lied and hurt him. I deserved such treatment from him. Last night I was crying out of guilt, and I was hurt by what happened. "I sleep well, sweetie, and I love the garden they had. And it has different species of beautiful flowers, which I hadn't seen before," Grandma said with a sweet smile on her lips. "How is your schooling here? Did you have a great adjustment fro
As I pressed the doorbell, Arrabella's delighted smile welcomed me when the apartment door opened. "You're here! I thought you weren't coming," she exclaimed. "I can't say no to you, Bella," I replied as I entered. "Where's your brother? I noticed the depth of his thoughts, and I was surprised when he threw a glass against his bedroom wall last night. I hope he's not upset that the one who shot Grandpa is dead. I told him I was right," Arrabella explained. "He's been drinking more lately, though." "Did the shooter kill himself?" I asked. It's difficult to accept when one of your loved ones almost dies, and the perpetrator dies without receiving justice. "No, he was killed. I'm sure one of Grandpa's siblings hired him to kill him. But, in any case, I want you to hear the song I wrote. Stay here," she said cheerfully before running off to the library. I sat on the couch and looked around until she came back with a guitar. The thought of her forcing me to play the guitar gave me a chi
“How does it taste? Is it good? Is it good?” Arrabella's eyes rounded, waiting for my answer. A smudge of flour was on her cheek, and some sauce splashed on her green apron with a cute little rabbit face. I took her pasta again and ate it. Then I smiled. "It tastes so good," I said, and took another. The sauce with the grilled meat and cheese was bursting in my mouth. "This would be enough for me to eat for a day. How did you learn to cook such delicious pasta?” "My brother taught me how when I was twelve," she explained, wiping the smudge from her cheek. "Arra? What are you doing—” I stopped eating and looked outside the kitchen door. Zach was there carrying some paper bags, and our eyes met. "Brother, you are here!" Arrabella exclaimed happily. She ran up to him and hugged him. I was the one who looked away. I was astonished that he was here, and I don't know what to tell him. Was saying hi to him a good choice? "What are you two doing?" Zach asked. "Here's the thing you're a
My head rested on the study table, and remembering his kiss caused emotions inside me as well as sadness. He was the one who broke it, and he said sorry before leaving me. He couldn't look into my eyes. He realized what he had done. That something was not good. Did he do it to prove something? It felt like that, and I was hurt. I should have pushed him and not kissed him back. I banged my head on the surface. Why did I react that way? His kiss was so good that I forgot what the right thing to do was. I ate the apple without resisting it. I don't know if I'll ever face Zach without remembering his kiss. It's been three days, and I still feel his lips on mine. "Cairen? Are you awake?” Haze's voice outside the door interrupted my self-sulking. "Yes, why?" I asked, rubbing my forehead and looking at the closed door. I got off my feet, and opened the door. "There is a woman looking for you," he said. Haze's hair was so long that he tied it, and despite it, he was looking so handsome
After the prenup, we went to the restaurant to have our lunch. I was eating the food in silence while Arrabella and Sir Alexander were chatting about her plan to move school here. Grandma was at my side at the round table, and on the other side was Zach. "If you allow me to move here, Grandpa and Brother, then I would be happier closer to the two of you." Arrabella smiled and poked the meat. "It's up to your brother, Arra," Sir Alexander said, looking at Zach."What do you think your little sister wants?" Zach wiped his mouth with the napkin and stared at him. "She needs to finish her senior year before moving here." The corner of Arrabella's mouth curled downward. "Brother! I am sick of that place. I don't feel at home in the dormitory I was leaving, and plus, the students there are mean to me. I don't have friends." "It's your attitude that makes no one want to be your friend," Zach pointed out, and he continued eating. Arrabella shifted her gaze to me, pleading for my assistanc