"So that's where you rush to everyday." he shot back with a grin that matched my sister's. | 5 |
I ignored them and cut into my teak. | 2 |
Leo.Leaving my parents to themselves in the study, I went back to the living room. I stopped at the entrance, caught by the sight of a sleeping Irene.Like the study, only the fireplace was lit. Her unblemished skin looked golden under the flames' glow.Slumped on an armchair with Eli, deep asleep on her chest with his head on her shoulder, was Irene. Her arms held him tightly, and her unblemished skin looked almost golden under the dancing glow of the flames.The others spoke in hushed whispers around them. Lydia broke from her conversation with Jackson and Elizabeth."I think it's time to get her home", she whispered when she reached me."Mhm." I said, my eyes not
Irene.We were going to pick up Jim from his friend's place before dinner. Then we planned to go to our favourite pizza place, like we did every Friday ever since I could remember.These last couple of years had been tough, though. The company in which my dad had been working for over fifteen years had gone bankrupt. Right now, he was doing odd jobs.He took to alcohol after losing his post. Being drunk half the time didn't help in looking for a proper job. My mom used to be a stay at home wife and mother, and she wasn't used to working. But after despairing of dad's state, she took on a part time job. It didn't help. These days, we were always tight on budget.They had tried to keep it from me and Jim, but I knew. It wa
IreneThe lights were on in Jim's room. I knocked on his door. No one answered. He probably had his headphones blaring music into his poor ears. He didn't know the gift he was abusing.1I tried the doorknob. It was locked. With a deep sigh, I stepped into my room and closed the door behind me. The bed waited for me as usual, neat and small and bumpy, but my own.The first thing I did after taking a shower was check the envelope Julianna had given me. I almost choked.I stared blankly at the wad of cash, then pulled it out and counted it. I did the math in my head. This was worth two weekends. There were four weekends in a month, at least.This was definitely more than I e
Leo."Stop!"My hands froze on her waist. I blinked down at her, holding my breath.She just... spoke.I had managed to stop myself from reacting when she laughed out loud, knowing that she was probably self conscious about it. It was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard. I had seen her laugh, but it was the first time I had everheardher laugh.Squirming and giggling while she tried to dodge my hands, she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.But when she spoke, I couldn't control my reaction. Her voice was a little raspy, most likely from lack of use. But it was soft and silvery under the hoarseness. I wanted to hear more of it.Her eyes met m
Leo.Irene and I left. Grayson stayed back with Lydia in her shop. I drove Irene back to her apartment. My mind was still trying to make sense of Vincent's reaction. I liked Vincent. He had a good head on his shoulders, was always more mature than people his age. But I didn't like the way he stared at Irene. There was something off...Irene looked like she wanted to say, or rather write, something. She was restless during the entire ride. I guessed she wanted to bring up what happened that morning. But we reached her place without mention of it.'Thank you', Irene signed when I parked next to the apartment building."You're welcome", I replied then stepped out of the car the same time she did. I took the bags from the ba
IreneIt had been almost a month since the meeting. I was back to being the cleaning lady pretty much the next day, but it had been a nice pause from the dull blue uniform and the mindless tasks.The chinese CEO, Mr. Heng, was a lovely man. At first, when he had given me his contact information, I thought that he was simply being courteous. Yet much to my surprise, he had responded to my message.We both found a common interest in art, as we had discovered when we conversed after the meeting. His drug of choice was painting. He sent me some of his works, on the phone, and we discussed them. He seemed to enjoy my amateurish yet enthusiastic opinions.Readying myself for another day of work, my eyes wandered to the suit I
IreneIn the evening, when I was waiting for Leo next to his car, Grayson, Sophia and Julianna appeared beside me with excited expressions.1'Lydia's birthday is next Friday', Grayson signed. He usually spoke when he signed, but he didn't now. I saw his eyes following Lydia, who was stepping into her car, and understood why.'I know, Leo told me.' I signed back and he nodded. He waited for Lydia to drive away before signing again."They want to take you shopping for a dress for the party." he signed, pointing to Sophia and Julianna. The two women looked like children in a play store, their eyes brimming with enthusiasm and anticipation."Birthday party." he explained. I n
Leo"Good morning!"I looked up from the papers on my desk at the sound of Grayson's overly cheerful voice. He had just barged into my office. Uninvited, again. He and Jayden were making it a habit.I grunted back a response and looked back down to my work. He chuckled and made himself at home."Oh, come on. You can't be pissed off, still."Pissed offwas a major understatement. I was ready to strangle him after the stunt he had pulled on Sunday.I didn't even grant him a look. I knew he would have a shit eating grin on his face. He and Jayden had a hilarious time on Sunday, teasing me about the almost kiss that Grayson had purposely interrupted just for the fun of it.