Outside the motel was crowded with even more reporters and news crews as the seconds turned into minutes, and no one seemed willing to give up and leave.In the dining hall, Elijah, Matt, Peach, Ryan, Miss Grace, James, and Rookie sat around the table, in silence, eating their breakfast, and occasionally stealing glances at each other.When Peach looked at her mother, she could tell that she was getting increasingly concerned, and she looked over at Elijah, looking away from his eyes when he caught her stare."Do you still have Melina's number?" Peach said after a few moments had passed, her voice low.Raising his gaze, Elijah fixed his eyes on her, but she refused to meet his stare. Taking a deep breath, Elijah took a long look at her and asked, "Why do you need it?""To end this nightmare," Peach muttered, her eyes glued to the table.Everyone's gaze was now focused on her as her mother asked, her voice filled with uncertainty, "What are you talking about now?"Slowly, Peach lifted
"Get off the premises! Now! Get in your car and drive off!" A guy in a police uniform with a megaphone shouted at the reporters.Some of the news crew were still confused while others were already driving off because they were afraid to get arrested for trespassing or get removed by intense force."While is the chief constable here... Isn't Elijah just a nobody?" A journalist whispered as the cameraman packed up their equipment."Maybe it's Peach. She's a Hayes... after all, and her family name is quite powerful." The cameraman said."You think? I thought after her father got kicked out of the Hayes Family house, they lost the right to such power and influence." "She shares a bloodline with Henry Hayes. Of course, the power and influence are still there... if she knows how to harvest it." "Will her step-grandma even allow her to do that? I heard Mr. Hayes's will has never been read, and his lawyer was never given the go-ahead from his mistress to read what his dying intentions were.
The sound of her office door opening made Melina raise her head and looked at Josh, the reporter that Elijah punched.his nose had a bandage on it, and it was still swollen, and Melina's brows snapped at the sight of him."What are you doing here?! I told you to call me. Not show up in my face, and not without warning me!" Melina said, resting back in her chair, crossing her arms against her chest and narrowing her eyes as she stared at him."I just got laid off from my job!" Josh said as he sat in the empty seat in front of her desk.A look of confusion filled Melina's face as she cocked her right eyebrow, waiting for him to explain further."The news I covered about Elijah and your cousin was pulled down from the media," Josh said, making her look at him in shock."What?!" Melina exclaimed, her voice cracking as she spoke through clenched teeth. "Who would dare cross me and my family like that?!""My boss said the news offended someone powerful and he couldn't risk us getting involv
In less than a second, security came rushing towards Elijah and this dude because of the commotion this guy was creating, and Matt quickly stood in a defensive position, ready to take care of whoever dared to attack his boss if things went awry."What is going on here?" The security guard asked angrily as he stopped right next to Elijah."This thief stole someone's invitation to the League private club and is using it to get access and benefits of the membership. I suggest that you arrest him!" The guy barked, pointing an accusing finger at Elijah. "Sir, you are-""We all know he's Melina's, cheating, good for nothing, ex-stay-at-home husband. There's no way he can afford to get into such a club... Hell, I have been trying to get into that club for years now.""Just-"And you think this idiot here can get in?! He must have stolen that from someone else or he used a fake one. Either way, I demand the arrest of this criminal!"Frowning, Matt clutched his fist as he glared at the man,
The room was quiet for a while, and Elijah studied Bryan's eyes, wondering if he was someone he wanted to risk the act of "mess around and find out" with at such a crucial moment in his life"Understandable, and I respect your decision... But if I am not involved in some deep shit?" Bryan asked, arching a brow challengingly.Peeking at Matt again, Elijah hesitated, but when Matt twitched his brows slightly, he faced Bryan and said, "Then you got yourself a deal." "Well, I can drink to that," Bryan said with a small smile as he picked up Elijah's glass and reached it out to him. But Matt tried to grab the glass and accidentally spilled it all over Elijah's coat, and when he noticed that, he exclaimed, "Oh, fuck! Sorry, sir!""It's fine," Elijah said, reaching over for a napkin, and patting down his shirt and pants."I am sorry. I should have known better than to serve you a glass of wine that has been pulled without your presence." Bryan apologized quickly, feeling glad that it was a
The sound of hums echoed from the kitchen as James bobbed his head to the beat of the music in his mind while frying the eggs."James, I feel healthy enough now to cook for you guys. You shouldn't be in the kitchen." Miss Grace said as she walked toward him with a smile on her face."I know... Being a butler is not my only job, I was a chef..." James blurted out, pausing as he turned to look at her."You are a butler? Who's Butler...? Why are you here if you are supposed to be working as someone's butler?" "Because...! Well... Because I got fired. You see when you love a job and it gets taken away from you... well, you never really recover from it." With a look of pity on her face, Miss Grace smiled weakly and mumbled, "You poor fellow. Now, I understand your love for my kitchen." Laughing nervously, James studied her kind eyes, rubbed his neck, and mumbled, "Well, thank you for understanding."There was a long pause as they stared at each other, and then Miss Grace sniffed the ai
A frown crossed Miss Grace's face when she snapped out of her shocked state and mumbled stiffly, " Melina... What are you doing here?"Of course, she wasn't excited about seeing her since the incident at the hospital, and of course, even though her father is second to Peach's dad, Melina hardly has a sense of respect for her or her daughter."Can I come in?!" Melina asked impatiently, seeing that Miss Grace was blocking her way.Although she wasn't someone who liked confrontation, she knew if Peach knew Melina is here, it would stress her daughter up, and the fact that she was sick, the last thing Miss Grace wanted was to see her daughter upset or her headache worsen."I am sorry... but whatever you have to say, tell it to my face, right out here." Miss Grace uttered firmly, trying to sound as intimidating as possible because she didn't want Melina arguing with her about this.But just like the brat that she was, a faint laugh escaped from Melina's lips, making Miss Grace's eyes narro
The Subaru Forester sped through the huge open gate, and drove through the yard, into the garage, and then Melina hit the brake pedal hard.Her little interaction with Elijah had her in all her feelings, and her mood was a mess as she pushed the car door open and stepped out onto the concrete of the front walk. In front of her was a two-stories, enormous fancy mansion with glass panes and a white wraparound porch. Palm trees were lining the driveway and an immaculate flower bed along the side.The frown she had on didn't leave her face even after she got to the front door of the mansion and hit the doorbell.As she was about to ring it for the second time, someone opened the door, and she was met by a tall man in his late sixties with graying hair that wore a light black three-piece suit with a tie that matched his neatly brushed hair perfectly."Miss Melina, how lovely for you to visit... Good morning." The butler spoke quietly, a smile plastered on his face. With a sour expressio