Her gaze darted nervously around the room. She wasn't sure if the sounds were playing in her head or mere mind games, but she was certain she heard noises from somewhere in the house.Pulling her phone closer, she attempted to stand and reach for her heels, but her wobbly legs betrayed her. She ended up crawling out of her apartment, glancing back every minute during her crawl until she reached her car.She dragged the handle and it was locked, the keys forgotten inside the house.Returning inside felt like a different realm entirely, an eerie aura surrounding the place but she persisted and brought her phone.She sniffled while dialing Harry's number, her heart pounding against her chest with each ring. But Harry didn't pick up.Her shoulders slumped in defeat as she checked her phone—it was 8:14 PM. She couldn't walk to L&M Hotels, as she knew it was the safest place for her.Standing up with newfound confidence, she strode back into her room, her eyes fixed on the entrance in case th
The next morning, Scarlet laid in bed tired of the whole ordeal of last night, her mind clouded with the events of the previous night. From the raid to the trail and Mr Damon joining the UPP party.Mr. Damon joining the (UPP) party was particularly astonishing for everyone.It wasn't just any party; the UPP was known for its strict protocols when admitting new members. Someone with Mr. Damon's history of scandals wasn't expected to be inducted.Especially after being associated with drugs he wasn't supposed to be an inductee.Slowly rising from the bed, Scarlet left the room Harry had offered her for the time being.“Good morning,” greeted Harry from his seat, engrossed in his phone and sipping on a cup of coffee. He glanced up. “Your siblings are coming today?”Scarlet nodded, feeling a surge of nervousness at the thought. Recalling her raided house, she considered the option of taking them to a hotel for the holidays but that would spoil the fun and bond.“I'm considering installing
“I didn't know it would come so fast,” Ms. Oct remarked, walking majestically to settle into one of the couches, while Scarlet stood there, watching her.Watching her settle into the couch brought back memories of the day she'd escorted her to her father, seeing her settle into that same couch, unfazed.Her eyes darted around the large living room, noticing that much hadn't changed—ceilings awaited renovation, the couches and dining area remained untouched, yet the space had been repainted, attempting a subtle transformation.She observed her mother, who settled in, smiling proudly, awaiting Scarlet's speech.“You can have a seat if that's what you need to get started with whatsoever you want to say,” Ms. Oct stated, gesturing to the couch opposite to where she was sitting.“I don't think I need to. I won't be taking time,” Scarlet replied.“Then get started already!” Ms. Oct snapped, glaring at her.“Tell your son to stop the tricks and stop trailing me. It won't benefit him!” Scarle
Scarlet drove slowly, hitting the brakes in the ongoing traffic.“Urgh!” Gabe grumbled. “Can this traffic just stop already!”His words snapped Scarlet out of her thoughts. She couldn't help but smile at his frustration. They were almost at the grocery store. It wasn't too far now.“Is it always this way in Europe?” Henry asked.“Not really. I guess it's because of Christmas,” Scarlet replied.As she reached the front of the store, she parked her car by the side of the road, ensuring it didn't block any traffic.Grabbing her purse, she closed her door and moved to the passenger's side.“What do you guys want?” she asked.“Don't really know till I get inside,” Henry stated, opening the car door to step out.Scarlet initially didn't want them to get out of the car due to the recent threat. She had planned to quickly go in herself while they stayed in the car. But since they insisted, she allowed it.“Drop your backpack,” she instructed Henry, who still had his bag on.Once he did, she he
"Goodbye!" They chorused, waving as Scarlet as they entered their airplane,She stood until the plane took off and ascended into the sky.Rubbing her tired eyes with her arms, she felt exhaustion settling in. Throughout the night, she'd played the role of a vigilant watchman, not allowing herself a moment of sleep as different thoughts jumbled through her mind; thoughts of her crashed car and raided house within twenty four hours still lingered in her mind.Slowly making her way back to her second car, a Honda Fort, she couldn't stifle the inward sigh at how her Christmas had been ruined. What was meant to be a time spent with her younger ones had turned into sending them back a day before the holiday—an unexpected twist of fate.She settled into her car, turned the ignition, and headed back to L&M Hotels.Entering, she sank into the couch with a relieved, audible sigh."Happy Christmas in advance," Jade's voice startled her, causing Scarlet to almost jump out of her skin."Oh my god!
December 28th. The sun streamed through the windows of the Luciano mansion as Mrs. G hurriedly prepared breakfast to match Harry's schedule. They were all leaving today.Scarlet and Jade arranged their bags while Jade attempted to cheer her up. However, since that threat on Christmas day, Scarlet hadn't been herself, despite Harry's assurances that she'd be safe.They all went out to the beach and cinemas, but she refused and decided to stay home all alone. The morning's message had dampened all the excitement she had about spending Christmas with people who cared, unlike in previous years when she was always lonely or spent it by herself.She resigned herself to solitude, and since then, she hadn't been herself, consumed by thoughts of what kind of gift Martin had left at her house.After they finished breakfast, they headed downstairs and loaded their luggage into the car.Soon, they arrived at the airport, and Pietro swiftly paid for parking before they departed for Houston. He acce
Harry approached the area where the other officers were gathered, spotting Officer Armstrong among them."I need to see your superior. Get him out here," he ordered, drawing everyone's attention to himself.Officer Armstrong stood up and motioned for Harry to follow him to the superior's office."Sir!" Armstrong saluted upon entering the office."He's here regarding the woman with drugs in her home down the street.""Is he her lawyer?" the superior queried, but before Armstrong could respond, Harry interjected, cutting him off mid-sentence."Actually, I'm her guardian, and my lawyer is right here with me," Harry clarified."Ah, I see. Alright, you both can come in," the senior officer replied, gesturing for Harry and Jade to take a seat in front of him."I'm Officer George, the senior officer of this district," he introduced himself, extending his hand with a smug smile.Harry quickly shook his hand, eager to hear about Scarlet's case."The person you're here for had about 400 grams
Jade's eyes widened at the news as she struggled to comprehend how it had happened so quickly. The UPP wasn't the kind of party to overlook someone with drug deal scandals as their candidate for the upcoming election.Clutching her bag tightly, she couldn't fathom what Mr. Damon might be planning by joining the UPP. He had been notably quiet for the past few weeks.The cab pulled up in front of the L&M hotels, and Jade swiftly exited, making her way inside in a rush. She was eager to break the news about Mr. Damon running for Congress in their district. She wasn't sure if Harry and Scarlet had heard about it yet.Hurrying inside, she found Harry and Scarlet, both equally surprised, as she stumbled in."Did you hear anything?" Jade approached them, her gaze fixed on Harry, who wore a blank expression, seemingly unable to grasp what she was saying."Like what?" he finally replied.Jade swallowed, trying to calm herself before sharing the news. "Mr. Damon is the Unified Progress Party's