“The city’s really magical from up here.” With the lights illuminating her dark brown eyes and her ankles swinging from several inches above the lopsided grasslands, Joan said. Her hands wedged beside her, holding her up as she lent her gaze to the towering buildings of Los Angeles——most of the roofs piercing into the starlight skies blanketing over them. A crinkle crept to the corner of her lips and when Theo moved closer, her head rested so naturally upon his shoulders. The winds were merciless at this height but she had his jacket which she held around her frame and her hair which dropped across her face. She was seated upon the L, of Hollywood and him, on the Y.He’d made it obvious how uncomfortable he was, but it was a price to pay to enjoy this moment with her. For the first time, she didn’t have a million things racing her mind, and although she’d met her mother’s family, had lunch with Jazzy and Daniel, none of it really stayed with her.Rarely, except this moment was she
“This has been my favorite restaurant since we got to Los Angeles”Jazzlyn took her seat across the table from Joan with her hands held tightly over Daniel’s. Unconsciously, it was something Joan’s gaze fell upon as she sat into the chair as well. She was in a silk drapy black dress and a pair of sandals that were only just a brisk away from underdressed to go with. However, her face really popped with the light makeup she had on.It was nothing fancy, just a dinner with Jazzy and Daniel since they were to leave back for Norman the next day. Theo hadn’t changed, he’d wore his brown jacket over a white tshirt and a cowboy hat which rested at the corner of the table. Joan’s gaze lingered past it and met with Jazz’s before an exhale fled her lips.“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” She flashed a smile.It was, it was a sight not too far from the Hollywood sign and the winds that breezed across from here were gentle and warmly scented. There was also a slow rhythm of blues from the vinyl and a s
THIRTY YEARS AGO.“May God give to us and all whom we love his comfort and his peace, his light and his joy, in this world and the next; and the blessing of God almighty, the father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon us, and remain with us this day and forever” “Amen” There was a loud chorus from the congregation.There were also flowers everywhere, of many colors but the most of which were black. Black was everywhere, filling the air with grief and loss. There were a bunch of long, sad faces which looked upon the open casket as it lowered into the grounds.Emily couldn’t watch the most of her father’s funeral and so she clenched her sister’s palms. “Majorie is it over yet?” She asked. Maj was the stronger of the both of them—holding her shoulders high enough for Em’s chin. She cleared her throat and then muttered a response.“It’s over now” She whispered.“He’s not with us anymore” At her words, Emily lifted her gaze up to meet Majorie’s moist eyes. “So what happens now?” She lo
THIRTY YEARS AGO."I met someone."Majorie arose to lean against her bed, she fisted the duvet in her hands as her eyes were met by her sister’s. Emily twirled her hair and her cheeks had gone red by just thinking of Gerald. He was perfect and unlike anyone she’d ever been with.“I left you a night” Maj rolled her eyes and they shared a chuckle. She stood from her own bed, sauntering right into Majorie’s own and tucking herself beneath the sheets. “He’s gorgeous, he’s funny and sweet. His gentle and when we kissed, it was the first time i felt these butterflies.”“Like the ones in the books” She gleamed and by the gaze in her eyes, Majorie could tell Emily was already gone—she was completely swooned by this man she’d only met. Her descriptions weren’t bad, in fact they were nearly perfect but Maj had a crinkle come between a cautious gaze.“What is it?” Em budged her in her hands.“I just want you to be careful, you know” She whispered but Emily blew raspberry while rolling her eyes t
THIRTY YEARS AGO.“You have brought nothing but shame to this family!”Klaus was outraged as his eyes wandered over Emily. She stood at the far left corner of the living room with her hands held tightly into each other and her chin facing the grounds. There were shrill murmurs that echoed in the household and Majorie was the first to step forward.“That’s enough” She gripped unto her sister’s palms but Klaus struck her away. “You stay out of this, unless you want to be sent packing as well” He threw her a death glare and she let go of Emily who sobbed. Her hands slid over her bulging stomach as she avoid his terrorizing eyes.Klaus inched closer and grazed her chin with his cold, callous fingers. “You are carrying a child for a man who’s yet to married—a man who you knew was engaged, now what is the society going to say about you”“What are they going to say about us?” He gritted through his teeth, turning her face harshly away. “Klaus!” Emily’s mother called his name with a scared e
STILL THIRTY YEARS AGO.The night was long.So long that when Majorie opened her eyes, she realized it was just a little passed midnight. She turned to her side to see Emily holding unto her child and decorating kisses all over the little girl’s head. She let out a soft chuckle because it was the happiest she’d seen her sister be.“I thought you were sleeping” Emily said from across the room as soon as she heard her laughter and Majorie stood from the bed. “Actually, i was hoping that you were not” She added and a crinkle appeared between her eyes as she neared the hospital bed.“What happened?” Maj could tell that something was off.Especially the moment that Emily’s eyes began to mutter as she looked down to her child. Her color was a pale red and she was asleep—she had been asleep for the past few hours wrapped in that blanket.Peaceful.Not a lot of them were.“I think i know what i want to do.” Emily then lifted her gaze back to Majorie as she sat into the bed. “But first, i need
NOW.“Fifty million dollars!”Leonardo retired behind his desk with his face turned to the ground and his fingers sweeping through his hair. Harold was speechless that he had to lift back up his gaze.“Where the fuck am i going to get that amount of money?” Leo asked.“Even the inheritance is shit—this means we have to hold off on any plans we have for this building and the future of Starlight” He added and Harold heaved a deep sigh. “It’s going to require more than that, Leo”“Fifty million dollars means we might have to sell the company” There was an arrow that struck through this heart at Harold’s words and he rose from the chair. “That’s not an option, Harold” He clenched his jaw.Leonardo grabbed his jacket, sliding his arms through and then facing him squarely. “I might have to remind you that we don’t have many options.” Harold made him understand and he pushed a hard lump down his throat.“I’ll find someone i can talk to.”“Buy us some time, i mean i could get across to them—“
“Samantha Evans.”A hoarse voice sounded over the phone as she placed it against her ears. She was slouched against a cabin light-shed before lifting her feet upon the wooden portico. “Yes, Alex it’s me.” She whispered beneath her breath.“And i’m alone” As if knowing his next question, she added and then his voice was followed by a heavy bereaved breath. Alex was many things to Samantha, he was her insider from the District Attorney’s office and he was also the lawyer that found a way to free Colton.He was the one that lent her this desolate cabin in the center of a desert that wasn’t really anywhere on the map. And he called time to time when there was something to worry about but there was a slight change in his voice just then as he continued.“I’m afraid i have bad news” For someone with not so clean a conscience and a heart, the range of how bad a news could be to Samantha was wide. It was endless and as she smoked the blunt between her lips, melting the ice around her heart,