At precisely eleven o’clock, the Board gathered. They sat according to seniority, with the older members closer to the DaLair patriarch and his sons occupied. Some of the members had been there since the company began. They knew Augustus DaLair for decades and still feared his wrath. The younger members did not have such experiences and usually dealt with the younger, more amicable brothers. They had forgotten to fear their employers. Augustus thought it was overdue to remind them. The Board fell silent as the door opened. Augustus entered without a glance at those already seated. He walked with dignity despite his cane and took his seat like a king ascending his throne. March entered a few moments later, taking his usual seat at his father’s right. Neither DaLair said a word as they waited for the one who called the meeting. Almost a full minute went by before Julius finally entered. He carried a pair of photo albums as well as magazines recently
Macey stared at her computer screen, lost in thought. After revealing the truth about Julius, the kids went back to their usual activities. Aria was busy coloring and naming the subjects accordingly in different languages while Caden played piano. Neither seemed particularly shaken by the earth-shattering news their father was alive, let alone that he had been spending time with them. It made Macey wonder if perhaps Augustus had already let that one slip. She thought she would be mad at her father-in-law, but perhaps it was the natural course of action. Julius was his son after all. In truth, she wasn’t particularly bothered. She always intended to tell the twins about their father, but could never find a good time. But now, things were getting complicated. Macey always assumed Julius had moved on with his life after she left. She never expected him to spend the last several years looking for her. She definitely wasn’t expecting him to act so passi
When the kite was ready, Jude led them outside. Despite its small size, the yard was spacious. He worried there wouldn’t be enough wind, but luckily the surrounding buildings seemed to channel it giving them an ample breeze to try and fly the newly made kite. It took several attempts, running back and forth with the twins laughing at his antics. Jude nearly ran out of breath before he succeeded to the twins’ delight. They clapped excitedly when it finally stayed aloft. Kneeling, he encouraged the twins to stand close and take turns handling the string. Seeing their delight gave Jude a sense of pride. He now understood why his uncle had been so keen to teach him how to fly a kite when he was their age. “Hey Caden, level with me,” Jude said, “who was playing the piano when we first got here?” Caden hesitated, “That was me.” “Really? You play that well?” Caden shrugged. “Caden has a keyboard at home, but G
Katherine sat in a cab, chewing her nails as she waited across the street from the parking garage exit of the DaLair corporate office. She tried the front entrance first, only to find security waiting to escort her out. As much as she tried to protest, claiming Julius had only been joking, security took his last orders seriously. Until Julius told them directly to ignore his last order, she was barred from the building. Next, she tried to enter through the parking area, knowing there had to be elevator access. Unfortunately, the parking garage had barred gates and only those with company keycards could access it. Denied twice, she had no choice but to sit and wait. The cab driver said nothing as they idled. Every minute the meter continued to run up, so it meant more money for him. Katherine ignored him as he worked on his crossword puzzle. Her mind again recalled her father’s scolding. She knew they were having difficulties with her father’s hotels, b
Katherine looked at the magazine again, ready to scream as she recalled how Julius held the other woman: his arms wrapped around her, his hands caressing her body as his mouth devoured hers. Katherine never knew he could be like that. What did that woman possess Katherine didn’t? As they drove across the Brooklyn Bridge, Katherine suddenly became aware of their surroundings. She tapped the partition, demanding, “Where are we going?” “I don’t know, ma’am,” the driver shrugged. “I’m just following the car like you told me to.” Katherine huffed, watching the BMW in front of them. Though she had never been invited, she thought Julius’s condo was in Brooklyn. Was she mistaken? Just where was he going? She started to pay more attention as they entered neighborhoods with lavish homes. Ahead of them, the BMW pulled into a driveway, parking in front of the garage door. The taxi parked across the street, slightly ahead of the villa wher
“Papa!” Aria squealed as soon as she threw open the door. She ran toward him with her arms wide. Julius didn’t hesitate to drop his bag and scooped her into his arms, blowing raspberries against her cheek. Aria giggled, hugging him tight. “Papa!” Caden followed her out the door. He ran forward to hug his father’s leg. Caden was never one to be clingy, but now he desperately wanted the attention of the father he had only just met. Julius patted the boy’s head as their greeting finally clicked and he asked, “What did you call me?” “Maman said you’re our papa!” Aria announced. “Is it okay to call you that?” Julius sucked in a breath before dropping to his knees to hug both of them. He was shaking, but his voice was husky and calm, “I would love my babies to call me daddy.” They hugged him tight. Perhaps they had been waiting for this moment longer than even him. After all, most children are curious about th
Macey disappeared without a trace, so why was she suddenly back? And the children. They couldn’t be more than five, which meant Macey had been pregnant when she disappeared. Were they the reason she left? Katherine wasn’t the only one speculating. She looked again at the recent articles about Julius and Macey and the kids. It wasn’t the articles that caught her attention this time, but the comments posted underneath. :Who is that woman with Julius DaLair? :She’s so hot! Man, the rich get all the goods. :I thought he was engaged. :Looks like everyone here forgot he was married. (This comment was accompanied by an image of the wedding photo.) :Those kids are so cute! Are they related? :Julius DaLair doesn’t have kids. :Are you nuts? Look at the boy! They’re practically twins! :Did he just pull these kids out of thin air? What is he a magician? :My God! Did all of you forget his marriage? If you saw his wife you’d know that little girl looks exactly like her
Julius finally released the kids, letting them return to the patio. With a satisfied sigh, he got to his feet and followed. Reaching the door, Macey chuckled as she brushed stray grass from his shirt. Without a word, he pulled her into his embrace, kissing her. They stood forehead to forehead for a long moment before retreating inside. The door had barely closed when Katherine’s perch gave out, and she tumbled to the concrete. She slowly picked herself up, rubbing her elbow. Wincing, she limped back to the street, leaving the garbage can and trash where it had fallen. Reaching her car, she slumped into the driver’s seat. Who knew Julius had it in him to be so caring and loving? He certainly seemed to believe the children were his. They even called him daddy. Would it do her any good to throw suspicion by demanding paternity tests? What if they really were his? Could she somehow bribe the doctor to fake a negative test? Did her father have enough
“Mom and I were planning to play later,” Alexis said. “You can too if you want.” “Really? Thanks,” Caden immediately brightened. “…So you based the décor on the diner you used to work in,” Macey said after listening to Ava’s brief retelling of her past. “Were you thinki
Silas’s embrace tightened. He hated thinking about the trials she went through without him. Ava leaned against him relishing his comfort and support. Their past was not as important as their future. “You two aren’t going to go all kissy-face, right?” Theo asked. “We’re in public and
Two Months Later The restaurant was lively. Guests had been arriving for the past two hours eager for a unique dining experience. The staff was well-trained providing exceptional service despite the rush. They had been drilled in their duties by the restaurant’s manager, a tyrant the
She nodded. “Going down?” Silas repeated. “Just what have you three planned now?” “It was more like a hunch,” Lexi said. “Sean found something real interesting when he deep-dived Ryker Holdings. So we asked Duncan to keep an eye on someone, just in case.” “D
“Late? A test for what?” Silas asked not following. “Are you serious?” Tracy snorted a laugh. “Ava, you’re going to have to be a little clearer,” Opal chuckled. “Remember, it’s his first time.” Silas glanced from one to the other even more confused. Looking
“There you three are,” Tracy said as the trio returned to the party. “We were just about to send the search party to find you.” “Auntie Tracy, you’re so silly,” Alexis giggled. “How are you feeling mom?” Ava hugged her tight but Alexis didn’t feel any tension or strain in
Finding no support anywhere Jenna finally fled. No one paid her further mind as they watched the kids swarm around their parents comforting their mother. It was a sweet and tender scene and many began to see Silas in a completely different light. * * * Jenna screamed as she storme
Jenna stepped forward intentionally shoving her shoulder and made Ava stumble back. “W-What is—” Jenna stuttered as the video paused. “Who was calling who shameless?” Alexis demanded standing next to her mother arms crossed in front of her chest. “So playing with people’s
The music started slowly with just a few notes announcing the beginning of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. The simple melody became more complex as notes overlapped and weaved a new organic pattern but always maintaining the integrity of the piece. Conversation lulled as everyone turned their