"Tell me the truth, Dera. Do you think Zade is lying to me?" Helen asked Adera. "Uhm… lying about what?" Adera asked. "About Tyrone's whereabouts. He said he didn't know where Ty was but they were together, at least that's what they told us. How can he suddenly be back without his cousin? Don't you think it is a little strange?" Helen explained. Adera didn't know what to say. It was an obvious lie. No way Zade wouldn't know about Ty's whereabouts. Though she felt that the tables might have turned somehow. Maybe Ty was the one supposed to return, claiming he had no clue about Zade's whereabouts. Then she would be the one asking the same questions as Helen now. "You know Zade cares about you, very much. If he knew where Ty was, he would have definitely told you. Maybe he doesn't really know," Adera lied. "You're right. Zade cares about me a lot, which is the more reason he wouldn't tell me about Tyrone even if he knew where he was," Helen huffed. "I don't understand," Adera mutter
Adera and Roselia were having a stare-down, none willing to back out for the other. Helen soon got exhausted from watching them and pulled Adera back to let Roselia in. "Why did you do that?" Adera glared at Helen. "Because your little staring contest won't solve anything. Let her in then you both can discuss properly," Helen answered. "I have nothing to discuss with her," Adera asserted. "Well neither do I," Roselia concurred. "I only want my share of my father's wealth.""What the hell are you even talking about?" Adera bellowed. Roselia walked past her, taking a look around. "I like this. Is this one of Father's properties?" She asked sweetly like it was just an innocent enquiry. Adera clenched her fists, "Unfortunately, this is my boyfriend's property.""Boyfriend," Roselia tested the words on her lips. "You mean Zade," she drawled. "Yes, do you have a problem with that?" "No, just surprised by the caliber of men you term boyfriend. Couldn't you find someone better? Someon
Both women sat side by side in the hospital, throwing each other occasional glares as they waited for the results. Helen sat away from them, silently watching the exchange. "I can't believe you really threw me out of your car in the middle of the streets," Roselia broke the ice."I am not about to get into an argument with you at the doctor's office. If you have any complaints, put them in writing and forward them to my secretary. I'll look at it when I have the time," Adera answered evenly. Roselia muttered something incoherent and slumped into her seat. Adera cast her a glance before returning her attention to her phone.They were silent until the doctor came back with the results. They straightened up as the man took a seat. Adera didn't like the smile he wore on his face to address them."I'm sorry for keeping you waiting, Miss Anderson. The results…""Miss Harper. I mean I know I'm still going to be an Anderson but she needs proof so you can just address us separately as Miss A
"I don't understand, mom. What are you talking about?" Adera asked. Mrs Anderson paced the room restlessly, mumbling a series of inaudible words. Adera had to grab her shoulders to get her still. "For goodness sake, talk to me, Mom. How do I have a sister and you never mentioned it?" Adera half-yelled in frustration. "Because I didn't know, dammit! I don't know! I don't know anything!" She yelled back. "How can you not know?! You're my mother! Didn't you know if you had another daughter or not?" Adera fired. Helen clasped her hands on her ears with a groan. "Because you're not my daughter!" Mrs Anderson fired back and everywhere fell silent."What?" Adera whispered, releasing her grip on the woman's shoulder. Mrs Anderson staggered back as well, shocked by her own words. The silence stretched into minutes. Everyone is in a different layer of disbelief. Mrs Anderson walked to the couch and took a seat. She could see the questions in Adera's eyes. The trembling movement of her li
Zade returned later that evening but Adera was nowhere in the house. He called her number severally but she didn't answer the phone. He thought about filing a report but they would probably talk about the twenty-four hours bullshit. He decided to call Helen instead since they were together when he left. Thankfully, she picked up at the second ring. "Where's Adera? I've been calling her since I got back but she's not picking up. Is she there with you?" Zade asked."Actually, a lot happened today. A woman showed up at our front door, claiming to be Adera's sister. She went as far as demanding her own share of Anderson's property," Helen informed him."Her sister? Where is Adera?" "I left her at her mother's place. She was in a very foul mood. She almost got into a heated argument with her mother, over a slight misunderstanding," Helen answered. Zade paused, trying to process the whole information."Who was this sister?" "I don't know, but I think her name is Roselia. She's blond w
"Hey.""Where have you been, Dera? Do you know how worried I was? I was just about to file a report even though I know you're not missing. Do you know how frustrating that is? I understand a lot happened while I was away but that's not enough reason to ghost everyone. It's been three fucking days," Zade poured out his frustration to her. "I'm downstairs, come get the door. You can scold me after that," came a weak response. Pool aaa"Are you serious? Don't answer that, I'm on my way," he said quickly, hurrying down the flight of stairs. He got to the door and turned the lock. Adera looked at him with a weary expression. He pulled her into a hug and her arms immediately wrapped around him. She felt smaller than the last time he, her. More fragile."Are you okay?" He asked softly."No, I'm not. I'm tired of everything. I need a break," she muttered. "Let's go in and get you something to drink, yeah?" After he made sure she was settled on the couch, he went to brew coffee for he
"Flynn?" Roselia gasped in surprise, "I wasn't expecting you.""I know. I didn't expect you to," he scoffed, pushing past her into the house. Roselia groaned inwardly before shutting the door and following him like a lost puppy. "So… what happened?" He demanded."Huh?""You've been ignoring me for the past two weeks. You don't answer my calls anymore, when you do, it's one lame excuse to another. What is really going on? I don't understand you anymore," Flynn complained.Roselia climbed into his lap and cupped his chin. "I know I've not been fair to you, baby, and I'm really sorry about that. It wasn't my intention to leave you hanging. The thing is, I have this big project I'm working on with Adera and it's eating deep into my personal time. You know I love you, right? I would never intentionally hurt you. Forgive me," she pleaded, kissing his lips gently. "When you're like this with me, how do you expect me to stay mad at you?" He sighed. She planted another kiss on his lips."Is
"Ty, can we talk?" She remained at the door, fidgeting, shifting from one foot to another. He threw her a glance, then returned to the show he was watching.Helen didn't make any attempt to walk in. The last time she did that, she had to wear heavy makeup for a week. When he didn't say anything, she decided it was better to leave, but just as she turned, she heard his voice."I'm not deaf."She stopped, processing his words in seconds."It's just that we haven't spoken since you got back. I was hoping we could… maybe do lunch. There's this quiet spot in town, they make very tasty spaghetti. I thought… thought we could uhm… try it out? If you want… that is… I can understand if…""Who did you go with?" He interrupted."Huh?""Don't play dumb with me. Who was with you when you 'discovered' this perfect spot?" Tyrone's attention was fully fixed on her now."No one. I was by myself. I…" the words got stuck in her throat when Tyrone got off the chair. "I was with no one, please. I stumbled