The truth is, I never realized how much I needed a hug until this mont—until this very mont. Things have been chaotic for a while; I’ve been subrged in so many problems that I didn’t realize how much I needed this.
Burying my head on his chest, I sank deeper into him. The warmth of his skin filled up and erased every trace of the problems I’d experienced in the last few days.
His hand, resting on my back, began to move gently, gliding up and down as if trying to reassure that all would be well. My nostrils filled with his sweet scent, and I closed my eyes tight to savor the feelings it gave .
Warmth. Bliss. Heaven.
I never knew one could experience so much from just a hug. Bryce didn’t disengage quickly; he stayed with until he couldn’t anymore.
He slowly withdrew and, without a word, got into the white vehicle and drove out of the garage. After his car disappeared from sight, I went back into the house and lay down on my bed, but a thought quickly drove back to my feet.
School resus on Monday.
**
Monday.
"Ms.," Nanny Samantha ca to my bed. "It’s ti to wake up; it’s ti for breakfast," she gently tapped as she spoke.
"Ms., wake up, it’s ti for breakfast."
"I’m not interested; I’ll eat later. Let sleep so more."
"I’m afraid I can’t let you do that. They are waiting for you," she whispered into my ear.
"I’m not interested."
"The brothers are in the dining room," she whispered again.
"Why?"
"For breakfast. Today is Monday. You resu school today."
"What?" I forced my eyes open. Today is Monday, and the brothers are back. Shit.
"Sit up." Nanny Samantha helped to a sitting position.
"It’s past 7:00 a.m.; did you sleep late? I have been trying to wake you."
"Yeah," I nodded.
"Brush your teeth." She helped out of bed and led to the bathroom.
I picked up the brush, and after brushing, I splashed cold water on my face.
Then I went downstairs. As I approached the dining room, my footsteps faltered, and I stopped at the entrance.
I’m starting to regret it. Inviting them here. Asking them to return. They all ca back last night, and the house has been unbelievably tense since their return. The maids have been on their feet, and the patrol guards have beco more vigilant. The workers have been working faster compared to the last couple of days.
I guess they’re really back.
A sigh escaped my lips as I officially made my entrance. The second I stepped in, Cooper ca to ; he held close and took a picture of my face.
"I’ve missed your morning face; this will do," he murmured as he typed into his phone.
Another sigh left my lips. Taking a picture without my permission again. I didn’t invite them here so they could return to their old ways. Haven’t they learned their lesson?
I don’t think they’ve learned anything so far.
My eyes moved around the room, and I saw their seating arrangents.
Bryce was in his usual spot at the head of the table, holding the newspaper as he read the daily news.
Gavin sat on the left side of the table and Parker on the right. In case you’re wondering, it’s a rectangular-shaped dining table with enough chairs on both sides.
"Good morning, princess, I missed your morning face," Gavin murmured as he drank from his coffee—or tea; I’m not sure.
Parker beckoned over, pulling the closest seat to him, but I’m not truly interested in sitting beside him. I haven’t forgiven him. He is only here because I don’t want him to be left out.
I also invited him because I was worried about his well-being. It’s also the reason I asked all four of them to return; I want to keep my eyes on them and monitor their activities, just like they do to . With them staying far from , I am not able to know their whereabouts. I’m afraid they might end up in danger and die, and I won’t even know.
Their line of work is very dangerous. I’m not referring to their offices; no, I’m talking about their other businesses. The illegal ones. I think their illegal businesses provide them more money than the legal ones; if not, they would have stopped engaging in them.
Or is it possible they just enjoy illegal business more? I don’t understand, and I might never understand, even if they explain it to .
I moved my eyes away from Parker and began to head to the last chair on the left, but he stood up, stopped , and took to the chair close to him.
Of course. I rolled my eyes.
After Cooper returned to his seat, Bryce rang the bell, and the kitchen maids flooded in as usual, disappearing again within seconds.
I dug into my fluffy scrambled eggs and toasted bread, but just two minutes in, an announcent ca up.
"Since it’s the first day of the workweek, do any of you wish to...?" Bryce began, but Parker didn’t let him finish.
"Yeah, I have so work for her at the company."
Her? Who is he referring to?
"Alright," Bryce dropped his cutlery, stood up, and excused himself from the dining room. I guess he’s heading to his office, but he barely ate anything. Maybe just two spoonfuls of his al.
"You have so work for her? What type?" Gavin asked on his end.
"Just a few things, nothing she can’t handle," Parker responded.
Hold on, are they referring to ? Or is there soone else here?
"Alright, take it easy," Gavin said as he finished up. He walked to my side and squeezed my shoulder gently before leaving the dining room, leaving just Cooper, Parker, and .
I returned my attention to my al. Cooper left without a word. After I finished, I tried to get up, but Parker grabbed my wrist, guiding back to my seat.
"What?" I whispered, settling my gaze on him.
"Can we talk? I feel like we need to," he said.
"Talk? Talk about what?"
"Firstly, I’d like to apologize for what I did; I never ant for things to happen the way they did. I admit my faults; I’ll work on becoming better for you from now on," he said.
He’ll work on becoming better for . I scoffed, ’As if.’ Does he expect to believe that nonsense? He’s only apologizing because he doesn’t want things to beco more awkward than they already are.
His apologies clearly don’t an that he’ll turn a new leaf. I’ve not known him for many years, but from what I have seen so far, it’ll be very hard for him to change. His wickedness is deeply rooted; that side of him won’t disappear easily, and even if he wants it to, it’ll take a lot of effort.
But I forced a smile on my face. "Okay," I murmured. I tried to stand up again, but he held .
"You don’t believe ," he complained.
How can I?
"I do," I said.
"Well, I wouldn’t believe if I were in your shoes either," he smirked. "You’ll be coming after school, right?"
"Where?"
"The company."
"?" I pointed to myself.
"Who else?" He turned his attention to his al. "I’ll be expecting you," half of his face pulling up in what I could call a smug smile.
There’s no point arguing with him. No point at all.
I pulled my chair away and quietly exited the dining room. On my way to my bedroom, Ruby appeared.
"Hey," she called, coming up behind .
"Hey."
"I saw Parker in the dining room. Are they back?"
"Yeah," I nodded.
"They ca back, or you called them back?" she asked, but I didn’t respond. I opened my room and walked in. I tried to go to bed but paused when I saw a long line of maids in my room.
"What do you want?" I asked, staring at them.
"We’re here to help you get ready for school."
My goodness! I didn’t ask for this.
**
We’re on our way to our first class, and Ruby can’t stop talking about the new professor. Actually, our class group chat has been bustling with photos and news of the newest professors. I heard about three new professors joining us this sester: two male, one female.
One older man, one younger guy, but there’s no news about the female. The girls in my class don’t care about her. They only care about the male ones, especially the younger professor, who is assud to be in his mid-thirties.
Ruby can’t keep him off her lips; she seems to have fallen in love with him without even seeing him.
"He’ll introduce himself today. I can’t wait to see him," Ruby giggled as we reached our first class and sat down.
Lectures began, and after the first class, we moved to the second. The young male lecturer ca in during our third class.
The girls went into a frenzy upon seeing him. "The pictures don’t do him justice; he is fine as hell," Ruby gushed as she stared at him.
"Yeah, yeah," I murmured, taking a glance at him. He is indeed good-looking, I won’t lie, but I’m not interested. I an, why should I?
I already have enough mates to worry about.
The male lecturer introduced himself as Dominic.
"He’s still a bachelor, aww. I’ll talk to him after class," Ruby giggled, excited.
After class, she didn’t hesitate; she dragged to his office, but I refused to go in with her.
"I’d rather wait out here. Go in and fuck him if you want to," I murmured. She didn’t argue and rushed into the office.
She ca out almost imdiately, though, a frown marring her face as she stord down the hallway.
User Comments
0 comments from readers