Chapter 08
They finally get to the venue, Ethan finds a clear space and packs the car.He packs the car and they all get down while he went to the boot to bring out the gift he had prepared for Gracie’s grandmother.They inside the mansion all together, Ethan couldn’t help but marvel at the place structure.It seems more like a ball party, yet classics type just like his in-law would always do.It’s beautiful and everything is different, everyone at one table or the other drinking and chatting between themselves.He is stuck beside Gracie and they look for a spot together to take their seat, they finally get a table at the high table, where they are served drinks almost immediately.“What’s the gift you have prepared?” Gracie asked with her eyes glued on the flat thing he had wrapped up.She has been giving it thought and guessing what it could be but couldn’t find a thoughtful one that he could have brought.He won’t bring something that won't be worth it right? She had specifically given him money to get her something beautiful.They are both sitting at the table without uttering a word, just staring around and enjoying the view of the dancer on stage.Gracie stands on her feet heading to one of her old family friends that she had known long again after sighting them, “I will be back shortly” She said heading towards another table.Ethan focuses on the interior decoration of the place, the event planner must have been one special agent cause he loves it.It’s not too classy yet it’s not looking cheap either, just gorgeous stating the old woman's age.It’s finally time to present their gift, the families one after the other started presenting their gift.Ethan and Gracie walk side by side and step forward to present their gift.The guests all couldn’t help but stare at them like some low class family, “I heard he’s some cheap little pathetic boy” One of the guests said.The words hit them both and they could hear it clearly, Gracie removed her hands from his hold slowly without being rough.She has been with him enough to know that once sandal with him started it would always escalate and things would get extra.They dropped the gift and some of the guests started laughing, they seemed to be murmuring things between themselves and it’s obvious that it’s about them.Mrs Richard from her seat started getting even more annoyed, this thing has always brought them nothing but shame and now he’s about to do it again.She watched from her seat what she had wrapped like some ugly thing from afar, what was he thinking presenting a gift like that? She scoffs from her seat.“You need to take things easy, a gift is a gift” Mr Richard said plainly.He knows his wife won’t let it be anyways but had to say it anyways.They get back to their seat and she keeps staring at her drink like she’s about to break the wine glass with her hard glare.A couple join them on the table soon which makes Gracie uncomfortable, she knows Damon's wife to be a trouble and so is her husband.“I never get to see your so-called husband till tonight,” Damon’s wife said, looking at Ethan from head to toe.It’s almost like he’s finding a flaw in him,”what do you do exactly?” She asks which makes Gracie swallow hard.“Business” Ethan replied plainly, he could already feel the tension building up and knows these people are up to no good too.The fact that their gifts are both wrapped in the same way made Damon annoyed and wants to know what it is that they had given to the old woman.“Business like what? I thought you had nothing to do with your pathetic life and feeding on your wife's family?” Damon blurted out without any restriction.“Yes, correct that’s due I heard that too!” Annie, his wife added.“I’m not sure what you must have heard about me but I do work and feed myself” He said, glancing at Gracie.“Really? Gracie, is that true? He’s been working well like a real business man? The last I heard is almost getting your business whacked!” Damon replied and burst into laughter with his wife.“Right?” Gracie shook her head in terror, “You can help me direct the question to him because I didn’t know what he meant by been a businessman”“You never give me anything I want and the least you could do is disgracing me up and down even after trying to bath you rich, Ethan you always manage to shout it out to the whole world how pathetic and useless you have always been” Gracie blurted out her pent up emotions.She really didn’t think she can take this anymore, how could he not for once disgrace her publicly? “Gra…cie” He called slowly, looking her right in the eyes.He really didn’t know what to say when he heard her say those words.Ethan thought things were going well between them and he was expecting her to support him when he said he’s a businessman.“It’s a shame! You just dump him already” Annie said standing on her feet with her husband immediately they started showcasing the gifts.They seemed to be cheering for the most expensive gift, Gracie held the aim of her gown tightly.Why does she already feel like he’s going to disgrace them?The gift already looks less and she fears he’s going to disgrace not only her but also their family at this rate.Ethan's eyes widened when the same gift he had prepared for Gracie’s grandmother unwrapped from what Damon and his wife had presented.They open the gift and the guest all starts wondering what’s going on, it's the same gift.Same painting and almost everyone is eager to know which of the paintings is the original.“I’m sure he gets the fake one, He can’t even afford his own feeding talk less of a painting worth his whole existence” Damon said from his table loudly and the guest all laughed.“Now what have you done? Brought a fake punting even after I have given you enough money?” Gracie faced him fiercely.“I’m not sure what you’re talking about but I can assure myself right now that my painting is original with no forge but yours already seems fake to me” Ethan said from his seat.Gracie and her mother were not expecting him to utter any word but does he really have to go further?, “Are you sure your painting is the original?” The event coordinator asks Damon.“What do you take me for? Would you buy some cheap fake paintings?” He frowned at the guy.“I’m certain my painting is the Original” Ethan said before they could ask him.“What is he doing?” Gracie's mother lamented from her seat.“Do you really have to go to this extent?” Gracie couldn’t hide the fact that she’s about to burst into tears of shame that this guy she had called her husband is about to put her in.Not only her but also trying to put her whole family name into shame this time.T.B.CChapter 09Ethan stand in his ground that his painting is the original whole Damon on the other believes he must be insane claiming his own is fake.“Ethan really? What is your agenda wanting to disgrace our family name and bring us shame now” Mrs Richard is already in their table.He really do not have anything to say the old man he just know that he’s never going to back down one bit, his painting his real and he knows how much he had put into it.The whole crowd keeps murmuring, the certainty that Ethan had brought a fake painting is very high, many of them already knows he has nothing.Where would he see money to get original painting? How could he claim that his paintings is real? “You really wants to disgrace us after almost bring down my daughter business right?”Mrs Richard starts getting annoyed the more, Ethan is doing just great and perfect in bringing down their family name.Gracie is confuse as hell, how could he be adamant that his painting is real? He could have just a
Chapter 10.A few days later.Gracie is in the living room when the doorbell rings. The door opens and a man steps in. He’s shrouded in a black shirt. The top buttons are open. His sleeves hug his huge biceps. His well-toned chest makes the shirt taut against his torso.His legs are in a pair of trousers.“It’s been a while.” He grins as his hands hold the edge of his pockets.Gracie looks up. Her mouth falls open and her eyebrows rise.The man was Alex. Her best friend since childhood. He stands there smiling at the shock on Gracie’s face.“Alex! Is it really you? This is a surprise.” She stands up and moves to embrace him.She hugs him tightly and rests her head on his shoulders. “I have missed you. You have no idea.” She coos as Alex pats her head and holds the small of her back. “I’m here now.” He replies.She eventually untangles herself from him. “Wow!” She exclaims as she takes in his appearance. “You really looking good. I guess you have a lot of ladies fawning over you.”
Chapter 11.“Calm yourself down!” Ethan cautions Gracie. His body is slick with sweat and blood. He places his fingers on Alex’s neck to check for a pulse. His countenance relaxes when he feels a pulse. Ethan proceeds to the other end of the ring. He sits down there and watches Alex closely.“Any minute now…” Ethan murmurs under his breath as he rests his head on the ring beams. Gracie kneels beside Alex, her face distraught with worry. “ I told you guys this wasn’t a good idea but your egos wouldn’t make you listen.”“Gracie…” Alex groans as he finally regains consciousness.“Look who decided to join us.” Ethan teases him with a sardonic smile. “You are pretty good. It’s not every day someone takes me out in a fight.” Alex replies groggily as he holds his head and sits up.He tries to stand up, “ I wouldn’t do that if I were you. At least not yet.” Ethan advises him.Gracie glares at Ethan as he walks away.“ I didn’t know your husband is such a good fighter. I wonder where he le
Chapter 12.A few days later. The sunlight streaks across the vast ocean of the blue sky heralding the dawn of a new day. The rays of the sun illuminate the room, giving it a golden hue. Ethan wakes up to see he is alone in the room.He gets up and goes to the window. Lines etch on his forehead as he stares out the window and runs his fingers delicately on the sill. “Ahh. The magnificence of sunrise.” He muses with a grin on his face. He watched with delight, the butterflies moving about poetically in search of their ambrosia. He smiles as the gleeful chirping of birds assaults his senses with pleasure. As long as he can remember, sunrise always held him spellbound. Moments later he goes out to the compound and takes in the ambience of the environment. He is with his sketchpad, brushes, and easel. He sets up the sketchpad on the easel and starts to paint. Painting has always been his retreat. When he paints, he lets go of everything that bothers him. It’s just him and his sketch
Chapter 13: Unspoken TensionsThe morning started with a stifling air that hung heavy in the house. Ethan woke up to a restless mind, the remnants of yesterday's skirmish with Alex swirling through his thoughts like a tempest. He could feel the ache in his muscles, reminders of the ferocious battle that took place on the balcony. As he stepped into the living area, he sensed an unspoken tension brewing.Gracie, sitting at the dining table, eyed him with a mix of irritation and concern. Her silence spoke volumes. The air was pregnant with unsaid words, and Ethan could almost taste the acrimony in the atmosphere."What?" Ethan muttered, trying to mask the discomfort that pricked at him. "Why are you staring?"Gracie's eyes narrowed, the intensity of her gaze slicing through the room. "I'm tired of this, Ethan. Tired of the constant tension between you and Alex. I can't deal with this anymore."He knew exactly what she meant. The cold war between him and Alex had reached a boiling point,
Chapter 14The abandoned mansion, a crumbling relic from a forgotten era, nestled deep within the enigmatic embrace of the forest's dense foliage. Its weathered facade, once grand and imposing, now stood as a testament to time's relentless passage. The wooden panels, worn and discolored, bore the weight of forgotten secrets, the windows, shattered remnants of a bygone opulence.Within the mansion's decaying walls lay the heart of the Ravens' clandestine meetings. The hall, now a cavernous expanse, held an air of haunting mystery, the shadows playing tricks in the dim light that filtered through the tattered curtains. Time had robbed the space of its grandeur, leaving behind only remnants of its former glory: shattered chandeliers, faded tapestries draped askew, and an ancient throne-like chair atop a raised platform that served as the focal point of the chamber.Vada Khan, the enigmatic leader of the Ravens, sat perched upon the makeshift throne. His presence demanded obedience, his d
BlurbAlec: I’m in my thirties and life is…well not boring, but uneventful despite being CEO of the family company. Just how I like it. Then I meet Lumen, a woman who challenges everything in such an irresistible way. For once in my life I can see myself in a relationship. There’s one problem though, she’s off limits.Lumen: Growing up in foster care wasn’t the nightmare for me as it was for some, but life hasn’t been easy. I work hard, focus on my goals, and I never let things distract me, specifically men and relationships. Until one rainy Seattle night when a gorgeous hunk walks into the spa where I work.When billionaire Alec McCrae mistakes Lumen Browne’s workplace for a “happy ending” massage parlor, things get more complicated than he prefers. Especially when their lives become entwined in ways never imagined.ALECMY DATE WAS SEVEN MINUTES LATE, AND I WAS ALREADY ON MYsecond drink, wondering how the hell someone had managed to talk me into this.At least I was
TWOLUMENIT WAS A STRANGE FEELING TO HAVE CHILDREN LOOKING AT ME LIKE Iwas some sort of beacon. A representation of hope for the future. For their future. Like, if I could make it, they could too.Like I was the opposite of a cautionary tale.Not surprising, really. I should have expected it when I’d requested to come here as a volunteer. It’d been six years since I’d aged out, and this had been the place where I’d done it. The dropping off point for kids who weren’t going to be adopted, or at the very least, put into long-term care. Usually teenagers. Often troublemakers.I smiled at each of the other volunteers as I passed them. A few had been volunteers back when I’d been one of these kids. Houseparents, drivers, cooks, servers…people who’d come in to help when there were too many kids and not enough adults.“Always wonderful to see you back here, Lumen.” Brie R