Chapter 28The maids arranged the table, making sure the table linen was equal at each edge. Others tripped into the dining room with platters and serving bowls of food, waiting first for the table covers to be laid before placing the meals on the table. Whilst this went on, Richard Grayson buttoned up his shirt in his room, greeting ready for work.His wife, Ariya, opened her eyes, awaking from her slumber on the bed. She sat up and stared at her husband as he tried to knot his tie.“Let me …”“Don't even dare”, Richard said sharply, cutting in on whatever she intended to do. “I just want to…”The next thing Ariya felt was a painful smack across her face that sent flying across the room.“Are you deaf? Has your brain switched on reverse? Haven't I warned you not to touch, speak or even come close to me until you can present to me a proper son?”Ariya held her face, at first shocked then with a tearful expression on her face. “But …”“But what?! Is it that weak and good for nothing b
Chapter 29Rays of sunlight peeked through the window blinds, reflecting strongly against the walls and the floor. Jay glanced at his watch. It was 10 a.m already. That's how long Audrey had slept.His movements - the constant shuffling of feet across the floorboard and the creaking sound of the door - woke her up. Audrey squinted her eyes, trying to shield them from the blinding rays of the sun. She sat up, rubbing them with the back of her hand.“What the. ..?”Her eyes widened and a squeal escaped her lips.“Ahh!”, She said, gathering up the blanket. “What the… where's my .. “, she touched her hair, discovering that her wig was gone, her heart started beating fast and her mind in utter confusion and fear. Just then, Jay entered the room.“Arghh!”, She let out another scream in fear as he opened the door.“Audrey, you are awake”“Jay? What … how did I … what did you do to me?!”, She shouted in horror.“Woah, calm down. What do you mean by what did I to you?”“Where are my clothes?
Chapter 30Vanessa didn't have to knock for long before the doors swung open. “Hey Jay”, she said, stretching her hands out to give him a hug. But he gave her a brief side hug and she held on to his hand. “Hey Nessa. Thanks for coming I really appreciate it”“It’s cool. How are you? How is she?”“She's okay. She's stable now”, he replied as he let his hand slip out of hers. He was acting a little off and she kind of knew why.“You brought the…”“Yeah, the…”, Vanessa said, waving lightly what she had in her hand for Audrey. Tampons.Jay led Vanessa upstairs to the room where Audrey was.“Your parents are not home?” Vanessa asked as she followed him up the stairs.Jay smiled. “This isn't my parent's house Vanessa”“Oh…”, she said, as realization dawned on her. She took another good look at the well furnished duplex.“Woah”, she whispered, loud enough for Jay to hear.“It's my brother's place though but .. he's been out of town”“What does your brother do..?”“A lot”, Jay said, with a
Chapter 31“Where the heck are my diamond earrings?”Madeline emptied out the contents of the box carefully, not wanting to break the fragile jewelries she had.“Arghh!”, She groaned in frustration. She marched out of her room and shouted from the top of the stairs.“Melinda!”, she called, her voice ringing throughout the house. “Yes ma'am”, she answered from the kitchen, running into the centre living room downstairs where the staircase was. “Get up here now”Melinda half ran up the stairs, getting to the door, before it slammed shut.Immediately she entered, Madeline dragged her left ear.“Arghh!”“Oh shut that filthy mouth of yours you peasant!”, She said, dragging her ears more. Melinda covered her mouth for fear of another scream escaping her lips.“Now, you little thief, where are my diamond earrings?”“Ma’am.. I .. I …”“You what?! Oh, They had better not be missing Melinda or you will have your throat cut off right here and right now”She released the poor girl's hair, pushi
Chapter 32“Is that who I think it is?”, Her father asked as she walked into the large centre living room with Christopher and the guard with the bag now tagging behind her. “Father”, She said. “Isla”, he replied her, matching the bland tone she'd used in greeting him. She looked away, a proud stance. That was how they'd now come to know each other.He snapped his fingers and all the house staff present disappeared under a minute.“Including you, Christopher”“Oh”, Christopher said, laughing nervously. “My Lord”. He bowed and walked out hastily.“I should call in the prodigal father and tell him you are here”, Mr Jackson said, looking up as he finally let down the magazine he'd been reading when she'd walked in.Isla placed her hands in the pockets of her trouser. That was one bullet. She'd been expecting it nonetheless. But yet it seemed to still soak all of her blood up, still stab through the doors of fading heart.“And I should leave. And make way for whoever it is that's runni
Chapter 33The phone was ringing but why the hell wasn't she picking?Adrian adjusted the long V- neck of his shirt as he ordered Siri to dial the number one last time. “Oh shit!. Adrian's been calling me like mad since yesterday. He's almost blowing up my phone”, Audrey said, a clearly worried expression on her face.“So? Pick up”“I can't just pick up Nessa. What the hell am i going to say? I was supposed to be back before midnight yesterday”Audrey sighed in frustration as she watched the call end on its own. Her ride wasn't even helping matters. His air conditioner was faulty and they were in very bad traffic.“Uhhh God this traffic!!”, she groaned, her face an almost tearful expression. She covered her face with her palms, an exasperated sigh escaping her lips once again.“That's it! I give up. I'm not going to make it to the mall or that brunch meeting”“Not with this traffic”, Vanessa commented, pulling her head back. Audrey groaned loudly.“Today is the worst”, she cried.“L
Chapter 34“Oh look. It's the golden cow himself ”, Isla said, as she walked over to her seat, standing for a while so the servant behind her would take off her coat.She took her seat, unfolding the cutlery napkin.“Now that he's here, can we please get this freaking brunch over with? “Isla!”, Her father cautioned in a strict and sharp manner.“Oh apologies. I forgot. The rest of us do not have places to be”, Isla said, sarcasm evident in her tone.Leonard rubbed the base of his nose. It was evident that the animosity between them was still very strong.“Adrian, please tell Christopher to prepare the kitchen staff to bring in the food”“Yes sir”Adrian had barely reached the door when Richard came out from the other door, his phone to his ears. He ended the call as he got close enough and his movement towards them slowed.There was an uncanny silence as he came to the dining table.“Richard”, Leonard said with a slight head bow.“Leonard”, Richard replied coldly, drawing out his cha
Chapter 35Ethan turned, a nonchalant look on his face.“Oh look, I've caught a little thief”, he mimicked. “What the fuck are you even doing here?!”“What am I doing here? Smart question but wrong person. I should be asking you Dumbo”, Audrey said, hands folded.“What the hell does it look like I'm doing?”“Stealing, Ethan. You are stealing”“Shut the hell up. You don't know anything and you didn't see anything.”“Oh really? Just wait till I tell Dad”, Audrey said, turning for the door.“You freaking *****, don't you…”But she was already out before he got to the door. He stayed there, waiting for some guards to pass before he came out. By the time he did, Audrey had already found her way to the courtyard.“Oh look she's here”, Madeline said, thanking God that the girl had showed up.“Audrey”, Her grandfather called as soon as she stepped under the caravan.“Grandfather”, she answered, walking over to him so he could pat her just the way he always did.“How are you?”“Very well Gra