Just then, someone who looked exactly like Aria walked in, taken aback when she had seen him. Where Aria had a pointed nose hers was button like and she was also slimmer and shorter than Aria. One could tell that she was younger. Her brows furrowed, almost intersecting with her pushed forward hairline. "I'm just surprised that my sister had a new friend and she didn't tell me about it."Aria glared at her sternly. She noticed and shut her mouth just before she was about to say something. Robert watched the two of them amusingly before he spoke, "well she might not have told you about me because I'm her employer.""Really?" Her sister asked, widening her eyes. "She must be so special then for you to have visited her at home.""My baby sister can be chatty and intrusive sometimes," Aria chipped in, waving an apologetic smile before mouthing some words, frowning her face.As if on cue, the slimmer girl was working towards the corridor. Robert knew if it were just him and Arria he'd fee
Robert's range rover pulled to a stop in front of the gigantic building in front of him. He got out of the car, taking in the flowers by the side and walked his way into the house. He was here to see his father that had called him abruptly to discuss something important with him in person. He hoped that he wouldn't get to see the other people who he now shared a surname with. He could only associate with Bryan, not the rest that irked the living daylight out of him.When he stepped into the parlour, it was chilly but it had little effect on him because of his thick clothes. He quickly spotted his father perched on the dining table, eyes fixed on his iPad. He ambled towards him at the dining area to make his presence known.Before his father raised his gaze, he was already aware of his presence. With his eyes still fixed on his iPad, he asked him to take his seat which Robert immediately obeyed. In silence, he took in his father's appearance. He was already in his mid-fifties but he lo
Harry ran his hands through his dreadlocks, cursing as he stepped on the used cigarette, crushing it under his feet. He adjusted his black hoodie and strolled down the cold streets with nowhere in his mind. He needed space to clear his head from the disappointment that had slapped him in the face. He had overheard his stepdad asking that dimwit of a stepbrother, Robert, to stand in for him in the digitizing construction conference. He couldn't explain how badly that piece of information had affected him. At first, when he heard it, his stomach sank, then an ache spread across his chest, leaving his head feeling heavier. A week ago, his mom told him that her husband was contemplating his decision to attend or not, and so it would be nice for him to prepare himself just in case he was chosen to represent him. He had done just that, and within a twinkle of an eye, the opportunity had slipped through his fingers and been given to someone who clearly hadn't been planning for it since a
Just then, Robert rolled down the window of his car and peered at them. He looked at Get-High first as though trying to decipher if he'd seen him around before he looked over to Harry, scanning him from up to down. "And what the hell is going on here?" Robert asked, authority lacing his tone and demanding a quick answer. Get-High looked over to Harry, and Harry gave him a deadly look, silently warning him not to speak. "Nothing," Get-High said, faking a smile. "I and my bro are just chilling." He wrapped a hand around Harry's neck. Robert didn't believe any of the theatrics, but he decided to leave that unsaid. "If you'd please excuse me, I and you, bro, who happens to be my stepbrother, would like to have a conversation." "Okay." He walked away, putting his thumb and his last finger to his ears, signaling for Harry to call him later. "Harry, get into the car," Robert commanded. Harry looked at him darkly. "Why?" He arched his brows at him. "You would not question me for the s
Harry sat on his bed, thinking about his conversation with Robert last night. The dimwit really threatened him, and he was beginning to think that maybe he really had something on him because he could have chosen to drive away, but he decided to stop. What was he up to, really? And he did mention to him that he was watching him. Obviously, Robert didn't like him that much, so he believed that he could go as far as watching him. He thought it was silly of him to be laidback and not watch Robert too; he had to be smart. He picked at a piece of paper and twirled a pen between his hands, thinking about the possible ways he could get dirt on Robert, but none were forthcoming."I'm watching you," Robert's voice boomed in his head, and he kicked his fist in the air, saying, 'Yes!'He had figured it out; he was going to pay someone to watch him. The problem now was to get someone who could do the job. But he didn't know who to tell. Or should he tell Get-High about it? He may not agree to do
Aria dressed up in her straight skirt and chiffon top, looking chic and professional for work. She looked at herself in the mirror; her red eye bags underneath her eyes had dried off. Her face didn't look pale anymore; it looked bright. She felt fit for work. When Robert came to visit her the other day, she promised to resume the next day, and he assured her that she could resume anytime she had herself back. She then took two days to recuperate. She wished she had taken less, but it was beyond her control. She hoped he was angry at her, nor did he consider her unprofessional for leaving her duties unattended to for the past four days. Although she had suggested that they communicated via phone and scheduled his meetings since the work phone was with her, he declined. If there was one thing she had noticed about him, it was how considerate he was, so she wasn't going to take that for granted.She walked into the parlor. It was void of present; Anna must have gone to work and forgot to
-It was a small room on the last floor. It was organized like a mini-restaurant. There, classical music played softly, mixing with the small voices of people who spoke to their friends and colleagues as they ate and rested. She stood in front of the waiter standing behind the counter. The brunette with puffy placed a tray of fries, ketchup, and chicken on the counter and stretched over a note to her to scribble her signature. She did that tiredly and carried her food, searching for a seat in the sparsely populated place. She was quite early today.Her gaze met Elanne's own. She was seated at the far end of the room with a plate in her front. The chairs and table were arranged in a circular format. Where Elanne sat, her seat was the only one with two chairs placed at the edge of the table. She waved her hands and pointed her finger at the chair next to her, urging her to sit next to her. Aria took the hint and walked towards the table.She took her seat, placing her tray on the table.
Robert's head throbbed slightly, and he rubbed it, taking a tired breath. For some reason, he was extremely tired. He considered retiring home earlier than usual, but he considered the work he attended and that he had to attend a meeting in the next hour.He heard a knock on the door; he assumed it was Aria coming to remind him of his meeting. He adjusted his sitting position before he said, "Come in, Aria." He did not know when he called her name because, in his mind, he thought he was just going to say, Come in, and end it there. Anyway, it wasn't a big deal, he thought to himself; he had just grown fond of her.The door opened, revealing someone who wasn't Aria. It was the least person he expected to see. His mouth hung slightly open before he pressed his lips together.He dropped the pen that was held between his fingers, then looked at her sternly. He knew he had to guard himself; if he didn't, he'd fall for her cunning ways. "What are you doing here?"He sashayed towards him, sw
Aria tried to memorize all she had learnt for her final exams while she texted Robert who was keen on distracting her. She had herself to blame though, she was the one who kept on texting him like she wouldn't see him later when he came home.A: Can you let me study?R: Can you let yourself study? You keep responding to my text when you know you shouldn't.A: that's because I can't help it and I always want to talk to you.R: That sounds cute but I'm going to have to stop responding to you. Meaning I'm not going to reply to your texts if you send another one after this.Robert kept his word. The next messages she said afterwards to him were left unanswered as she brought her mind back to her books so she could study. When she finished studying, she texted him back that she was done and she was heading to the shelter where she now volunteered. The shelter was a safe place for people who suffered abusive relationships and grief who needed other people who could understand them. It also
Aria had been looking forward to this dinner just like her husband. She noticed how happier her husband seemed after his meeting with Harry. Robert didn't give her the details, he just told her they got to discuss at length and they were now on good terms. Aria asked Anna if she wanted to come alone with them but she refused, saying she wanted to watch cartoons at home. Aria sighed and nodded.Now she and Robert were prepared for the dinner. Robert was dressed casually but since hadn't gone out in a while, she took this as an opportunity to scan through her outfits and combine them aesthetically. She finally settled for a short chiffon, a piece of jewelry and silver heels."Now look at how I look like your bodyguard standing beside you," Robert joked while he held her waist from the side and kissed her hair. "You look beautiful my queen." He complimented."So do you so, my love." She blushed. His muscular arm was evident under the shirt he wore and his biceps rippled. Aria imagined ta
Harry couldn't bear the guilt of what he did and he kept thinking about whether to tell Robert about it or not. They've been getting along just fine and they've recently been texting online and it's been amazing. They mostly spoke about their father's health, work and just random stuff. It felt like they were in a talking stage, they were starting to know each other very well, something they would have done years ago, but it took this long to achieve which wasn't really bad. Lauren and her husband loved this new change and they supported it more by inviting Aria and Robert for dinner. They conveyed the information through Harry and Robert loved the idea and agreed to show up with his wife.Harry's mind kept bugging him, he couldn't act all friendly with Robert when in the past he had previously tried to sabotage his career. Now they were getting along, he didn't want anything to come between this new found friendship. He was going to tell Robert about all of it, he'd soon go back to s
Anna was getting better and she no longer cried about the death. She was starting to carry on without her life. She now ate, watched cartoons and giggled about funny things like she used to do before she heard about the news. Aria loved the change, it brought a smile to her lips that her sister had successfully escaped the confinement of grief.Aria felt like her life was worth more and she hadn't explored as she should have. She was too carried away with external factors and had forgotten to be the main character of her life. This was what her mother would have wanted for her, now that she was gone, she had the strong urge to pick up her life. Not that she hadn't been living before but he was ready to live as her capacity would allow. She wanted to go to therapy and then go back to school. Therapy first, because she wanted to unpack all that happened to her in the past month, heal and understand better in what direction her life should take. Aria realized she wasn't really okay and s
Harry had already resigned to his fate as soon as his mother told him about everything. He knew that one day, this would happen, now in the moment, he felt nothing at all. He just keenly watched the scene unfold. The only thing that troubled him was that the internal turmoil his mother felt was visible and he felt sorry for her."I said go on," his father said, growing impatient.Matteo stared at Lauren, hoping she would change her mind but he just looked scared without saying a word."Say whatever you have to say, you heard my dad." Harry added, looking at Matteo with disdain. The reaction Matteo got was different from what he expected. He smiled nervously, staring at all of them. Harry knew he was finding it difficult to comprehend with the way no one seemed to be grovelling at his feet not to spill like he expected. His face hardened again, "So your wife here lied to you.""About what?" His father instinctively touched Lauren and his eyes darted between her and Matteo."About a lo
As Robert drove them home, he felt a sense of relief that his father didn't have to stay at the hospital for more than a day. Robert hated the hospital, not in the strong sense of aversion kind of way, but he felt like the hospital wasn't really a place a sick person needed to be. He couldn't place a finger on why he thought that but he didn't think a sick person deserved to hear about more people dying and inhaling the weird antiseptic that dominated the air. And most people he knew who stayed in the hospital for months due to one illness or the other didn't make it alive, for example his mom and Aria's mom. So for that reason he was happy that his father didn't have to stay there longer than the day he was brought in.His father coughed and he briefly glanced back. Lauren was sitting next to him, holding his hands which moved to rub his arm.Harry who was near Robert stretched the water he held to his father. "I hope you're okay." He asked.His father nodded and for the rest of thei
"Dad!" Robert kept screaming as his father held his neck almost like he was getting constricted.He continued coughing as Robert tried to offer him the water. His hands become shaky as he contemplated running out to tell Lauren about what was happening to her husband. He blinked his eyes as he watched his father fight for air and then he sprang out of the room to inform Lauren."Lauren, the ambulance! Dad is dying," he said breathlessly. Her eyes widened in horror as she placed a call to the ambulance with shaky hands. "My husband -"Robert zone out, his mind conjuring the worst scenarios. Soon the ambulance arrived and lauren and Bryan accompanied his father while he was wheeled away. He grabbed his carkeys as he made his way to enter his when he saw Harry scratching his hair as walked closer to him."Can i go come along?" Robert watched him stutter before he nodded."Thank you," he said shyly before they both entered the car. They drove in silence before Robert's curiosity got the
Robert told him he couldn't continue thinking about his father without making the necessary move therefore he had to go to his house and have the conversation. He didn't even know he loved his father this much. The past months without hearing his voice made him feel like something was missing and he was tired of feeling that way. It was kind of feeling he had to end because it ruined him. Yeah, he didn't care nor think about the consequences or aftermath of the action he was going to take as he drove down there. He had told Bryan to inform him if Dad was at home and the little boy did it as soon as he could because he wanted his big family back. When Bryan told him he was now on talking terms with his mother, Lauren, a big smile spread across his face and he remembered how he wasn't talking to his own father and he knew he had to fix that as well.Robert got to the house bracing himself for the conversation they were going to have.He saw Lauren sitting in the sitting room like the pre
Anna has been moody since Aria told her about her mother's death. She had to tell her though, she couldn't stall it any longer. She wasn't crying anymore but she barely spoke nor showed excitement about anything as she would have before. Anna took that as a sign, she was grieving silently, which was okay. She had to express herself in whichever way she deem fit. As much as she wished Anna didn't have to feel this way, it was necessary and had to happen. Aria glanced across where Anna was lying on the sofa, covering herself with a duvet as her eyes darted between the TV where her favourite cartoon was flickering and her phone in her hands."You sure you're not hungry?" Aria asked again for the third time.She raised her gaze and shook her head."Why? Food is important." Aria asked, worried. "At this point, I'll have to force you to eat something even if you claim not to be hungry."Anna adjusted her lying posture to a sitting one, putting her foot on the floor. "Trust me, I'll eat when