Elijah wanted to ignore the footsteps. He finally admitted to himself he wanted this for too long, and now he was about to get it. But when he felt Winnie twisting uncomfortably in his arms, he raised his head, curiosity burning in his eyes."Someone's coming." She simply said.Immediately after the words left her mouth, two heads burst into the scene. Reflexes kicked in, and they jumped out of each other's hold."Winnie?""Grandpa!"' She swirled, coming face to face with her grandfather, and the stranger beside him.Her eyes dropped to the ground, and she found his cane. Strange she didn't hear its sound. She would have known it was her grandfather approaching."Are you okay?" He asked, staring at his flushed-faced granddaughter.She seemed nervous, and he wondered why."Yeah. Of course, I'm fine." She waved a dismissive finger."You are," He looked past her to the man she was standing with. He still had his back turned to them, but he still looked familiar. "Elijah?" Elija

"Does Winnie want something?" He asked, looking beyond Lexington."Why would she need something from you?" He countered, still keeping his smile."Look, I don't have time for whatever games you're trying to play. If you'll excuse me." He said, making an attempt to walk out on him."No you're not excused." His booming voice stopped him on his tracks.He returned to the position he was before, trading looks with Tobias who was just as confused as he was. "Elijah. I've heard about you." Lexington nodded, pointing at him."At this point, everyone probably has." He shrugged."Really?" He raised an amused brow. "I didn't hear you are this cocky though." "Cocky?" Elijah scoffed."Yeah, do you have something important to say or can we please leave?" Tobias who was okay with being quiet before, spoke up."I know why you're worried. Only came here to assure you Winnie is in safe hands." He ignored Tobias, instead, focused his attention on Elijah.His statement made Elijah blink a co

The party was coming to an end, but there was still no sign of Elijah. Winnie decided to go search for him, or at least find out if his friend was okay.She was about to leave when someone blocked her path. She raised her head to see it was no one else but Colin."Is there a problem?" She asked, her tone curt and dismissive."I've been staring at you all night. You look worried. Are you okay?" He leaned in, feeling his voice being washed out by the loud music.She frowned, and moved back, maintaining the distance between them. "I'm fine. I was going to go look for Elijah. His friend is not out yet, and I'm a little concerned." She said, her eyes darting across everywhere but towards him.He let out a low chuckle. "His friend? Do you think he's just friends with a girl as gorgeous as she is?" He instigated.She sent him a sharp look, her chin jutting forward. "Why can't they just be friends? He had a male friend with him. Are you saying they're in a poly relationship?" She asked, foldi

The breaking news, fresh out the weekend, on Monday morning, read; "Insight from the Carter's supposed business party."Elijah was just coming out of his room when the headlines caught his attention. He went straight into the living room and found Tobias seated, his eyes caught on the"Morning bro." He mumbled a greeting and sat beside him"Hey, morning," Tobias said, with his head stuck forward."What's the news about?" He asked."That's what we're going to find out." He replied.They sat in silence as the news anchor went into irrelevant details. Finally, she arrived at the news they were patiently waiting for.A clip of Nathan Luxe being carried out of the party appeared on the screen. It didn't stop there. They had videos of Avery storming out of the party, Rhonda and her mother leaving way before it was over, and even Winnie looking pissed.Each shot had its narrative attached to it. But the one that caught Elijah's attention was a clip where Lexington and Jay stood as if deep in

"What are you doing here?" Cleo took a step forward, her face creased into a frown.Asher hands stroking an unresponsive Snow paused, his eyes trailing lazily towards her. He gave her a once-over, stopping on her face."Cleo Montgomery. Just as beautiful as ever. It's a given though. You are the goddess of beauty after all." His eyes twinkled, but his voice was dry and sarcastic."I didn't ask you to tell me what I am. I asked a question. What the hell are you doing here, Asher?" She took another step forward, her eyes shooting daggers."Okay now slow down love. Why are you so pissed at me? Did I ruin breakfast? Or perhaps a threesome?" His eyes bulged, as he covered his mouth."You must think this is funny. No one wants you here Asher. No one called for you. You're better off rotting in the ground." She spat, taking one more step.His eyes darted across her legs, quickly calculating the distance between them. Raising his head, he grinned. "I'm a god baby girl. I've drank from the wel