"Why do you do that?" He tried to change the topic, but Cleo was not having it."Who was it, Ethan? Rhonda or Winnie?" She smirked, as she dropped the tray on the small table."None of your business. And actually, I don't think I have an appetite anymore." He mugged her off."You're such a child." She snorted."Whatever.""Yeah, whatever. Go do your thing yourself. See if I care?" She sulked, turning around."The food?" He called."I don't care!" She yelled, slamming the door.Elijah chuckled as he listened to her retreating steps. She was such a drama queen. He was so sorry for his friend, Tobias. The poor man was hopelessly attracted to a handful.He shook his head, his eyes returning to his phone. Only five minutes had passed. He was beginning to feel restless.He didn't know if starting with his former house was the best option. What if the new occupants weren't cooperative?"Then you buy the house." He heard a voice in his head sayShrugging it off, he rose to his feet. Where did
"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
Cleo sat on her bed sulking when she heard a knock on her door. She looked at the door and rolled her eyes.She didn't want to hear it. Whatever they had to say wasn't going to change her mind, or her assessment of the situation.She was going to ignore the knocks when she felt him. It wasn't Elijah at the door.She jumped to her feet, and hurried to the door, but paused just in front of it, and took a deep breath.Wearing a nonchalant gate, she opened the door."Hey." Tobias waved."Hey." She replied, throwing her face to the side.He smiled at the dramatics. "Are you going to let me in?" He asked."Whatever." She left the door and went into her room.He followed, closing the door."Are you really that angry?" He pouted behind her.His voice, holding a childish note, made her turn to face him. "Why shouldn't I be? The both of you think and act so recklessly. Elijah, I understand. When shit hits the fan, he can take back his power. You don't have that advantage. You're completely huma
Elijah returned to the room to find Cleo stroking Snow's fur. He stood for a while just watching her.It was moments like this he knew to count his blessings. To have people drop their lives just to come help him was something he would never take for granted.That was the major reason he couldn't be mad at her for too long. She was too precious to him."Take a picture. It should last longer." She raised her head up, and there was a smile on her face."Unfortunately, pictures do not do justice to the real thing." He teased, and her smile widened."Are you flirting with me Elijah Crawford?" Her brows curled, purposely putting him on the spot."Eeewwww, you're like a sister to me." His nose wrinkled, as he moved from the entrance."Touche," She chuckled, but grew serious just seconds later. "I'm sorry about earlier. I took things too far. I just want you to know it's just words. I trust you with all my heart." She placed her empty hand on her chest, dramatically."I know," He sat at the
"Hello? Elijah? Are you still there?" She asked when he didn't respond anymore.She pulled the phone out of her ears and brought it to her phone. The call was still connected, but she couldn't hear him."Hello." She tried again.When there was no further response, she ended the call. She was about to dial his line again when a knock sounded on her door."What now?" She muttered behind her desk.She had not rested since she came into work. From one meeting to the next. Everyone had something they needed to address, and she couldn't trust anyone other than herself to hear them out."Come in." She called, putting her phone away."Sorry Ms Rhonda, but someone's here to see you." Her secretary Celine said, coming in."Did he schedule a meeting?" She asked."No ma. He did say you'll be interested in what he's offering. I think he wants to invest in the company." She lowered her voice like it was a piece of confidential information."What's the company's policy, Celine?" Rhonda asked disinte
Winnie Carter was in her home office when she got a call from John."Hey, what's up?" She picked up the phone, whilst skimming through the documents in her hands."You were right. He went to the old mansion. I guess he thought you lived there. We're on our way to your house now." He said."Is he in the car with you?" She asked."Nope. He brought his car.""Okay. I'll call Lexington now."She was about to end the call when John stopped her."There's something you should know." He said, in a voice that made her eyes pause, skimming and widening with curiosity."What is it, John?""Your aunt and her daughters are returning to the City soon." He dropped the news, and her heart leaped to her mouth."You're joking right?" She said faintly."I wish I was." He sympathized with her.She took a deep breath before asking. "Does Grandpa know his daughter is coming?""Nope. I don't think he should be told until they arrive.""You're right. I guess we have to put things in order now. I assume her h
"Are you on your way already?" She was asking when a knock sounded on her door.She heard the echo from the phone, and her eyes narrowed. "Come in." She called, covering the phone with her hands to block the noise.Lexington walked it, a huge smile on his face. "Gotcha!" He said, ending the call.She couldn't help the laughter that broke out of her. For a man his age, he was so childish."You couldn't have just said you're already here?" She asked in between laughter."Seeing you crack up like this is better."They discussed like they were the only ones in the room. Tobias looked from one to the other. It was obvious they were very comfortable around each other, and it amused him."Oops!" Her lip pursed. "Please forgive my manners. Lexington, meet Tobias. Tobias, Lexington." She introduced.Tobias wearing a mischievous smile, stood up to shake the other man's hands. Their gaze held, as their hands joined.He didn't back down from the stare. On the contrary, he wanted Lexington to know
"Cleo, we're not about to end the day the same way we started it," Elijah said, walking away from her.She was about to talk his ears off, hounding him about dinner. She insisted they eat out. He wanted to stay in and discuss Lexington's ownership of his parent's house. It would also help if he could come up with a solution fast. If not, he had to focus on the rest of the families.Rhonda would be an alternative starting point."Oh common Elijah. It's going to be dark soon, and the weather looks so good. Remember, we have something to celebrate." She whined, going after him."Celebrate?" He took the turn to the kitchen. "What are we celebrating?" He had never been more confused, as he stepped into the kitchen.Between Cleo buzzing in his ears, and Snow snacking away in the middle of the kitchen, he was completely dumbfounded.Snow paused mid-chew when they entered the kitchen. He raised his guilt-ridden face, looking between Elijah, and Cleo.Cleo blinked when she saw him, but shrugge