Now that Louisa was around, Mason thought it wise to alert her of his finished amendments. He met her in the conservatory room gazing at the glass roof that confined them from the harsh sun rays with chest folded arms. Mason eye-sculpted her slim and delicate figure as long as she hadn't realized his presence.
After his satisfaction, he approached her until he was two arms reach away from her that she turned to him."I've seen them all," she dryly said. "But there are still some lingering worries I just realized." Louisa tilted her head upwards again and pointed out to the steel rafters, "I want them a little less elevated. This one gives an impression of being in a hollow and sunlight seems reluctant to reach the floor."
She lowered her fingers to the steel truss, "I know not much about these things...what do you call them again?"
"Truss," he calmly replied.
"Yeah, these are not so luring and corresponding. I saw a style that caught my attention.
She had heard from sources that the previous day was Mason's last day of work and a part of her crumbled because it was probably going to be the last time they met or till further notice when fate decided to act as a client in shiny armor. Luckily, she did her twists and turns to have him stay a day longer even though seeing him buzz around Lydia killed her inside. Truthfully, the conservatory had no crucial trouble. She could deal with it however way and still have a splendid result. Not to show off. Now Louisa reached her temporal job site eager to round up with her work to focus on other matters at hand and to see the relaxing and contracting exercises of Mason's biceps as they hammered and pulled out one thing to another. A torrential current stroke in between her legs at the simple thought causing the similar shiver to prowl to the rest of her body. Her first destination was the conservatory room. To her greatest dismay, her eyes detected no Mason on the
Mason cried. It was the best shortest moment of his life. The joy he felt was incomparable so much that he slept like a baby for the first time in a week and woke up like a giant the next day. At some point that morning, the words became his password to smile when his breakfast burnt again the fourth time that week, when he hit his little toe against the bed, when the shaving blade cut him, and even when he ran out of fuel on his way to work. "Good morning, Donovan," Michael, a new friend he made on his first day of work and a colleague he shared an office with, said. Tall and lean was a vivid description of him. On his face was a narrow nose with a slightly curved tip, thick-rimmed lenses which slightly magnified his little eyes distantly rested above small lips. Midnight Black was his short impeccably kept curls—typical dork criteria. "Good morning," Mason reflected, "anything new this morning?" "Not yet. Still trying to round up with yester
"It's Lydia," she finally confessed causing Mason's mouth to drop. He took a moment to assimilate the transformation. No salt and pepper bob, no ghetto dressing, and now the sudden presence of freckles which occupied a good portion of her face. "You wanted to get something in there," Lydia reminded him. The shock had healed the headache all of a sudden. Mason shook his head, "not anymore." Lydia chuckled, "I was heading to Dylan's," she slightly lifted the medication bag, "Care to come over?" Mason opened his mouth to speak but she added, "you promised you'll come next time. Today's the 'next time'. Besides, you look presentable today so no excuses." Mason agreed and opened the door for her. Somehow, he still found it hard to believe that the girl sitting next to him was Lydia. He attempted to question her several times during the ride but deemed it disrespectful. "I'm inherently red-haired," she said as if reading Mason's mind. He
There were screams of joy, melodious laughter, and a healing sight as half a score, or more, of kids jumped and played. The little table of the kids' buffet was virtually empty as some excited kids helped themselves with cookies whenever they felt like it. A Mickey and Minnie Mouse mascot stood at the entrance gifting each exiting kid a giant thank you message attached lollipop and a square parcel of what looked like more pastries. One could tell that parents will have to deprive their kids of candies in the next month and change their teeth-cleaning routine from two to three times daily. Louisa had no difficulty in spotting Gianna in her little navy blue Lilo and stitch swimsuit still playing on the slide leading to the inflatable pool with the birthday girl and two other friends. It was already 4 pm. Even though the birthday was indicated to end at 3:30, some parents—just like Louisa—decided to sit and watch their children play a little more. "It's soothing to see them that way, i
"That is the best meal I ever had," Dylan complimented as Louisa walked him to his car. The wind whistled in all its glory causing Louisa to shiver a little. "Really? My sister-in-law thought me." "Hmm. What a great cook she must be." "You wanted to ask me something earlier," she reminded. Both of them stopping in front of Dylan's car. "What was it?" Dylan pondered then turned to her and said, "If Gianna would like me." "That question is already answered." "Yeah, she's an adorable kid." He opened the driver's door, planted a quick kiss on Louisa's cheek, wished her a good night, and sped off. As paranoid as Dylan was, an accident was plausible, considering the speed limit he had transcended and the zigzaggings he exercised between numerous automobiles. He believed it was a miracle that he made it home body and soul. Like a hurricane, Dylan burst into the mansion where he saw his father's half limp body settled in front
Tuesday, Dylan hasn't called. When she did, it kept going to the answering machine. That made her wonder why. Perhaps he was too busy. She consoled. She has been having thoughts on seeing Lydia on the matter but regarded it as puerile. It was just two little days. Now that Louisa has known the existence of the chic restaurant a few blocks away, she prepared to leave just to be stopped, upon opening the door, by the word exchange between Nerry and a familiar woman with a sleeping baby in a pram—Lydia.When Lydia turned to her, she smelled something was up. It seemed to her that the girl had cried and was still about to cry at her view. Has Mason broken her heart already? Or has something happened to Dylan? Louisa wondered. "Lydia, come in." Louisa ignored the information-required procedure she was undergoing.Lydia pushed the baby pram into Louisa's office. "Make yourself comfortable." On cue, Lydia set back on crying. Louisa didn't know what to do as she wasn't used to such circums
The two ladies walked into the fancy bungalow which looked lively in the exterior, one thing which was due to Lydia's green hand's touch, and dead in the interior. One would almost think no one lived there.Lydia's worried look, which she had carried during the silent journey, stared at Louisa, an assuring nod followed. "Mum, I'm home," she alerted then turned to Louisa, "make yourself comfortable." Lydia was still agitated at the fact that Louisa was her half-sister. She would never have known or imagined. How mysterious was this world? "Welcome," A delicate woman jutted out of the kitchen. Louisa could see that the Lady's welcome smile curtained a drenched melancholy. "I'm Joan." She rushed to kiss Louisa on the cheek. "I'm Louisa." "I know very well who you are. Feel comfortable, honey." Joan turned to her daughter, "Your father hasn't left his room since morning." "Any new from Dylan?" "I'm afraid, no." Lydia rub
The lady kept smiling, as she peeled some potatoes on the kitchen island, at her daughter who found pleasure assisting as always. They weren't as expertisely peeled as hers but she was only a kid. An unfortunate four years old who was birthed by a foolish mother and an always absent father to the cold world. She had learned to live that way. The poor thing. She had learned not to ask about him anymore, she had learned to accept that it was just both of them. Together, forever. The skinny woman coughed causing the little girl to pause from her previously dedicated act and as usual, she promptly ran to the sink, mounted a little kitchen stool to fill a glass with water. She handed it to the pale woman who only successfully took in a gulp before coughing again, harsher than before. Too harsh that the little girl, filled with fear and panic, might have wanted to disobey her mother for once and call the doctor. "Mu—" "No," it came out as a muffle as one hand covered her mouth with the o
It was a silent ride to school so far. Neither Petra nor Gianna seemed to be in the mood for a dispute and Louisa was very much happy and okay with that. The last thing she needed was to drive to work with a thumping head as the routine had it which is why she preferred Mason to drive the kids to school. He knew the tricks which never worked when she tried. He wasn't going to be in town until two days and she missed him dearly. Louisa and Mason, a year before their wedding, were lucky enough to purchase three hectares of land in their dream town—Philipstown. They'd taken out time to visit it after their contract in renovating a retired baseball player's home— Joey Duran—was over. They'd fallen in love with the serenity of the little town, its adorable boutiques, and classic restaurants. Louisa had most especially fallen in love with Cold Spring Harbor. It's greenish-blue glimmering water at day and different hues of orange and yellow at dusk due to the reflection of the setting sun.
"Before you all present here, most especially Mr. Frederick Woods, I, Mason Donovan plead to have your blessings and to let go off your daughter, Louisa Ariana Woods to the realm of my love, care, and affection. I do not want to make empty promises but I give you my word that I'll give her all that I've got." He turned to Louisa, took a step back, and gradually went down on a knee."It's been a short, yet a long time since we've known each other, Lou, and during all this time I've learned so many things about you and with you. You might think this is too early but I don't. I have made up my mind," he fished out a blue velvet ring case from his pocket."To spend the rest of my life with you," he opened the box to a shimmery diamond ring. "Louisa," he called. "Will you marry me?"Louisa covered her mouth with a palm as the tears which had built up during his little speech finally rained."Say it!" Doris yelled from the crowd."Yes, say Yes, Lou," Elizabeth added.Soon enough, all the wom
Everything went on successfully. It was indeed true that happiness originated from a peaceful mind, an entourage of sincere positive energy from family, friends, and even strangers. Everyone's face dazzled with smiles and laughter as plates and dishes were passed from one to another. The atmosphere was inundated with chatters about everything and anything.What more could one ask for? Zaphrina was barely thirty seconds into her meal when she noticed Ace's absence. She could swear he was present during grace but now where was he at? "Bread?" Louisa who was sitting beside her asked with a basket of buns. At the latter's sight of worry in Zaphrina's countenance, she asked, "what is it?" Zaphrina vacated her chair. "I'll be back, permit me."It was in the boy's room, after adventuring in the playroom, that the young mother found her boy crying at an idle corner, his head bent to his knees. "Ace, what is wrong, my baby?" She rushed to h
YOUNG BEARDED GANG HQ. "Relax, man," Marley reassured Mason by tapping his shoulder, "you're as stiff as a corpse." The latter hadn't realized that, in fact, he seemed to not have known what was going on as he walked into the company of other bearded gangs of the family with Marley looking all happy-panky and friendly. Like nothing ever transpired.He would've thought so if the plastered cut on his jaw didn't sting so bad. The dude had quite a fist, he had to admit. "Gentlemen, I present to you an aspiring new member of the gang, Mason Donovan." The room which was filled with a dozen and three more men turned dead as fifteen pairs of eyes glued their way.The room was a typical men's garden with a bar growing a variety of liquor, a billiard table, flat-screen TV, beer fridge, and much more his eyes hadn't landed on yet. "What happened to your face, dude?" A tall man resting his feet on a coffee table asked. His low cut, exposing his scalp, made him look younger than his age could
Gianna had fallen asleep in the middle of a story that her father narrated. A kiss and a good night wish crowned the event. Mason strode to Louisa's room afterward, the latter was changing into a tempting shimmering dark red silky nightdress. She flew her hair out of the dress's trapping neckline in a way that was not only alluring but dick-breaking. He stood there staring in awe. "Is she asleep already?" "Uh...yeah." He broke out of his daze and began discarding his clothes. A warm shower and a lower body cover—boxers—entitled him to the bed right next to Louisa. She laid her head on his chest, closed her eyes, and listened to the quietness of the room then to the melody of his heartbeat. "How did your visit go?" He played with her hair. "Great. She's growing strong." "Yeah, I noticed that too. It's a good thing." "What about work, how did it go?" It was rare that they worked on Saturdays and when they did, it usua
The proper introduction of Gianna to Ruth went smoothly, joyfully, and amicably. To Louisa's surprise, Gianna enjoyed the visit to the extent of not wanting to return home. The little girl stuffed herself with Ruth's pastries and sumptuous meals so much that it was almost impossible for her to walk. Louisa at some point had second thoughts on going even though joining the duo was her idea. The fear was due to the first impression she made of herself in front of Ruth a few months back. The twists and turns of life. But luckily for her, the lady was receiving and behaved like nothing out of place ever occurred between them. "She's fast asleep," Mason commented after a glance at the rearview mirror. Louisa swiftly turned. "I'm afraid we'll never hear the end of Grandma Ruth's apple pie."That was all Gianna chanted halfway through their journey before falling asleep. "She reminds me of Ava. She too loves my mum's apple pie." "I
"It still hurts you isn't it?" "Badly." Dylan exhaled. On his way to Lydia's, he had seen Louisa and Mason from a distance cheerfully hopping into Mason's jeep. Credit to his gallantry to make sure she was secured in first.Why did that detail bother him? Because whether he did that or not, she won't come flying in his arms for severe reasons. "Did Louisa tell you...her brother wishes to help?" He had immediately jumped to narrating to his sister about his encounter with Louisa days back after telling her about seeing the happy duo down the street. "Why help?" Lydia lowered her head. Even though Dylan was closer to her than Levine and Max were, she still found him intimidating when talking about certain things with the fear of not knowing how he'll take it. Especially since Corey came into their lives. "To reduce Corey's penalty." She hesitated. "Because that's what you want?" She remained silent for a bit. The only time Dylan ever got mad at her was when she settled for the di
It was very understandable how Dylan reacted to Corey's case. She would do the same if she were in his shoes. Lydia hadn't to worry about him, not now, not in the next life because of the strong support system that existed—family. From a visible distance, Louisa couldn't sight her daughter at the meet-up point and the premises had begun to dry out of human presence. Panic surged.Louisa brusquely fled out of her car into Gianna's classroom where she walked into Mrs. Heather with a stack of papers. "Hello, Miss Woods, how can I be helpful to you?" She adjusted her glasses upper her nose. "I haven't seen Gianna so I was wondering if she was still in class." "Not at all. All the kids flew out as soon as the bell went off," she laughed but stopped when Louisa's face was still insipid. "Uh, have you checked the restrooms? Or perhaps someone from the family must have picked her up." She didn't know or assign anyone to pick Gianna up. Zaphrina was under house arrest, Marley around that t
"You're ridiculous, you're fucking ridiculous, Conrad." "What is it this time?" A woman in black and red ombre hair tossed a phone to the dark red-haired man. "Who is she? You've been texting her since three days ago, isn't it?" Conrad opened his mouth to speak. "You can't lie to me because the proof is right there in your phone, so tell me the truth." The woman yelled. "Come on, Jenny, she's my coworker and nothing more." "You call your coworker sweet names?" Conrad gently approached Jennifer as a zookeeper will do to an escaped Leopard. "I swear, there's nothing going on between her and me. It happens that we call each other sweet names but there's nothing more to it, believe me." He tried to touch her but was yelled at in return, "don't touch me. You're a bloody liar, Conrad." She pushed him to run downstairs. "Jenny," Conrad called behind her, "Je...Jenny, hear me out." "Don't follow me, Conrad, don't talk to me