*Michael*As the doors opened and I exited the Express Air building, the cold air hit me in the face. I made my way across the slushy sidewalks to my car, which was already waiting for me. Bruce, the head of my security team, sat in the front seat, so I slid into the passenger seat next to him.“It is surprising to see you here, Bruce. I was expecting Lance or one of the other drivers today. It is nice to see you all the same.”“I sent Lance to pick up Shelby in Cambridge, sir. I didn’t think that it would be prudent to have her take the train on her own again, especially since circumstances have recently changed. I hope that is okay with you, sir.”“What do you mean circumstances have changed?” I asked, confused.“I just got word today that someone posted Blaine’s bail sometime last week. He has been out of jail this entire time,” Bruce responded.“Oh, I see,” I said, shocked. “Yes, that was a good decision on your part, Bruce. Thank you.”My head st
*Shelby*The apartment was too quiet as I packed my suitcase. Lin left early this morning to head home for Christmas. She was nervous about seeing her mom again, but I was glad she stopped putting it off.I was still not sure what to pack, so I pulled out my phone to call Michael and ask him what to expect while I was spending Christmas with his family.Just as I was getting ready to dial his number, Michael started calling me instead.“Hey, I was just about to call you,” I said, answering the call with a smile on my face.“Well, that is good timing. Have you finished packing yet?” Michael asked me.“No, that was actually what I was calling you about. I’m still not sure what to pack because I’m not really sure what we will be doing. I need to hurry though; my train leaves in just a few hours.”“There has been a change in plans; you won't be taking the train. I am sending my driver, Lance, to pick you up. He should be there soon. As for what to pack, p
*Shelby*“I hope you packed for the snow,” Michael said as he pulled me into a hug.Lucille followed down the stairs behind me, pulling her fur wrap tight around her shoulders.“I can’t believe we actually get to spend Christmas here again,” Lucille said, smiling wide. Michael gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and held the door for us to get into the back of the car waiting there for us. He slid in after us and closed the door, cutting off the cold wind from turning the tips of our noses pink.The snow was so cold, it crackled under the tires as we pulled down a long driveway lined on each side by pine trees. We turned the corner, and a massive mansion built to resemble a log cabin sat nestled in between the snow-laden trees. Snow covered the roof, and each window was illuminated with warm glowing light, inviting us all to come inside. “Oh, good. It looks like Bruce already arrived and lit all of the fires for us. The cabin hasn’t been used in a while,
*Shelby*“They ruined your last Christmas here? What happened?” I asked, curiosity getting the better of me. Lucille looked out the window to make sure Michael was still occupied. Content that he was, she looked back at me and continued her story.“Well, Marmie was honestly more at fault,” Lucille explained.“When was Marmie here for Christmas?” I asked, really confused. Michael and his ex had a contentious relationship, so it didn’t make sense that she would join them for a holiday.“It was the year that they first found out that Lauren was Michael's biological daughter. They decided to try out the relationship one more time for Lauren's sake. Things weren't going well, so Michael decided to bring both of them to the cabin for the family Christmas. It was his last-ditch effort at trying to mold together a stable family relationship for Lauren,” Lucille explained.My heart sank. In the months that I had been dating Michael, he had never told me that he ha
*Shelby*“The tree looks incredible,” I said, taking a step back to admire our work.Michael’s grandmother’s ornaments consisted of whites and icy blues which contrasted with the dark green pine needles.“Just wait until we light it,” Michael said, rushing over to the outlet and plugging in the strand of lights.His face lit up as bright as the tree. He looked just like a kid witnessing the magic of it all for the first time. It made my heart swell, and I forgot all about the story Lucille told me, at least for a moment.“We forgot to add the star on top,” Lucille said, handing the silver star to Michael.He climbed up the step ladder and placed it gently on the top of the tree.“It feels just like when we were kids,” Lucille said with a warm smile. She settled herself back in the oxblood leather armchair.I sat down on the leather sofa that was cuddled up next to the front window. I left the spot next to me open so Michael could join me. As he s
*Shelby*I was woken up by the sound of a car driving down the snow-covered drive. I turned over in the four-poster log bed, but the space next to me was empty. I slipped out of bed, my bare feet hitting the cold floor, and pulled the curtain back to see one of Michael’s black cars pulling up to the front of the house. Curious as to who was leaving this early, I made my way down the spiral staircase.“Please have the jet fueled up and ready by the time my cousin arrives. She will be going back to New York today. She is not feeling well, so there can be no delays,” Michael spoke into the phone.He was pacing back and forth in the kitchen, still in his pajamas.“What is going on?” I asked, walking up to him.He wrapped an arm around me, pulling me in close as he set his phone down on the kitchen counter.“I had to set up the jet to pick up Lucille. Her headache has turned into the flu. She doesn’t want to stay.”“Oh no, that is horrible. Is she going to
*Michael*Unknown caller reads across my phone screen, and my heart stops. I reluctantly pull myself off the couch and away from Shelby. She stared up at me, worry lines appearing on her forehead.“I have to take this,” I mumbled as I retreated toward the kitchen.“Hello? Who is this?” I answered the phone call, doing my best to keep my voice down so Shelby wouldn’t hear.A scratchy voice sounded on the other end of the line, and static assaulted my ear. I quickly pulled the phone away until the static settled. I had to listen closely to make out what the voice was saying through the static.“You are going to… get what is coming to you….and she will too.”At the last word, the call dropped abruptly. Goosebumps rose on the back of my neck, and I scanned the windows but couldn’t make out anything in the blackness. I stood frozen in the kitchen, unsure of what to do next. Could Blaine possibly have found out we were staying here? Was there something I m
*Shelby*“We need to talk,” Michael said, looking serious. I was so confused at the sudden shift in Michael’s demeanor. With one phone call, fun, and teasing Michael was gone. Seriousness clouded his eyes, and he wouldn’t meet mine. He put a hand on the small of my back and led me out of the office and back into the living room. Guiding me to one of the chairs in front of the fire, he did not sit next to me. Instead, he started pacing back and forth in front of the fire. He was making me anxious just watching him, and the long pause he was taking only made things worse.“Can you please just tell me what happened? Who called you?” I asked, as my eyes darted back and forth following Michael’s movements.He still didn’t immediately answer, making me worried that someone we knew had been seriously hurt.“I don’t know how to say this,” Michael said, stopping and placing his hand on the mantle of the fireplace.My stomach dropped at his words. I figured