I excused myself and went to Greyson's room. He's lying on the bed while reaching his hands toward the ceiling. "Are you okay?" He pouted. "I'm bored. I want to go out and play." "Unfortunately, you can't do that until you are fully healed. You need to wait for more days." Someone suddenly opened the door. Greyson quickly removed all the emotions from his face after seeing that it was his father, carrying a platter. I mentally laughed. I must say, this kid is a good actor. "What's that?" he asked with a stoic face. He put the platter on the table and opened the cover. The scrumptious smell of the barbeque sauce pervaded my nose. Even Greyson can't stop himself; his eyes are sparkling while looking at the dish. "You mentioned last time that you love beef brisket, so I made you one." None of us responded. He sheepishly scratched his cheeks. "It's been a long time since I cooked, so I can't assure you that this will be really great. But I swear, I did my best to cook this dish.
"Please tell me that I'm not dreaming, Cleo." I chuckled. "You said it for like the tenth time already." He pouted. "It just feels surreal. If ever this is just a dream, then I don't want to wake up anymore." He still couldn't believe what we overheard from his father's conversation, that he ditched his work for him. I mean, the company that Garren owns is one of the reasons why Greyson always felt neglected. He already had it etched on his mind that Garren would always choose his work over him. That's why he felt elated and could not believe it. I hate to say this, but I can't deny that the car incident was a blessing in disguise to some degree. It knocked some sense to Garren's mind. It's just sad that this child had to be in peril just for his father to realize his shortcomings. I cupped Greyson's cheeks. "I'm happy for you. You're finally getting what you deserve." He smiled back. "Thank you, Cleo. I really hope that Dad continues to be like this. I'm afraid that once I
"Eleonora?! What are you doing here?!" Claudette's face screwed up as she turned to Garren. "You dipshit! Didn't I tell you to not call me by my second name?! Do you want to die?!" I was flabbergasted by how she talks to him. If I were to talk like that to Garren, he would surely kill me. "Whatever. Seriously, what are you doing here?" He walked towards us. "When did you arrive? You did not even inform me that you were coming. I could have picked you up at the airport." "I told Xavier. I don't know why he didn't notify you because I only said not to spill my arrival to mom and dad because I wanted to surprise them." Someone suddenly emerged from the door, pulling luggage behind him. It was Xavier. "I forgot to tell him." He shot daggers at Claudette. "You didn't even help me carry your luggage, you brat." While staring at them, I noticed the similarities in their features. That gave me a hunch about their relationship. They are probably siblings. I was abl
"Imma leave before this shitface gets under my skin," Xavier grouched before leaving the kitchen. And now I'm left alone with Garren. Great. The silence hovering between us is putting me on pins and needles. Nothing can be heard but the clatter of the dishes I'm washing and the whistle of the wind. From my peripheral vision, I saw him getting a can of beer from the fridge. I thought he'd leave after that, but I was wrong. He leaned against the countertop and looked directly at me. I swallowed a lump. I feel like he's already piercing holes in my back. "Cleo-" "I'm not flirting with your brother," I cut him off. "It's never my intention to get close to him and milk money from him like what you're thinking, sir." I put the last plate on the drainer and dried my hands. "I may have grown up in a poor family, but that doesn't mean I'm a parasite." He didn't speak nor take off his eyes of me. This man doesn't realize how much he's making me restless. "Goodnight, sir,"
"I want Cleo to come with us." The room was ruled by crickets after he averted his demand. I gave Garren a side-over. His face can't be described because of how screwed up it is. I cleared my throat and sat beside Greyson. "I don't have to come with you. I'm pretty sure your dad will take good care of you." He shook his head. "No. I want you with us, Cleo. If dad doesn't want that, then there will be no vacation." I held his hands and smiled. "This should be a special vacation with your dad. Didn't you tell me that you've been wanting to go out of town with him?" As much as I fancy the idea of going out of town, visiting places that I've never been before and having a view of picturesque tourist spots around the world, this vacation should be exclusively for them. I'm neither a part of their family nor a close acquaintance. I'm only close to Greyson. It will be weird if I come with them. Moreover, I know that Garren is against it too. "But I will get to enjoy it m
My jaw dropped to the floor as a black helicopter lay before my eyes. It was strikingly stunning enough to stand out from the other aircraft around. "Dad? What is this?" Greyson asked, who's also eyeing it with astonishment. "We'll fly to Santorini using this helicopter." Greyson gasped in amazement. "Really?! That's cool!" "Are you excited?" He nodded fervently. While the two of them seem really excited, my palms are already sweating in nervousness. For Pete's sake, I have a fear of heights. Riding an aircraft and being high up in the air will be the death of me! That was the reason why I chose to ride a bus when I flew to the city from our province. I don't even ride an elevator no matter how exhausting walking up the stairs is because my anxiety always kicks in! "Cleo, are you okay? Your lips are pale." I was snapped out of my stupor when Greyson worriedly asked me that question. I shammed a smile. "I'm fine." I'm clearly not. I'm freaking out at the moment, and I ju
My eyebrows furrowed at what he said. What does he mean by that? "Cleo." I faced Garren. "Yes, sir?" "We need to go now. Stop standing there looking stupid." I felt my hackles rising. Curse him. We rode in a black car once again that led to the hotel. "Cleo, look! The ocean looks so great on this side!" Greyson shrieked, peeking through the window. When I took a look at it, I was in awe. I saw the golden rays of the sun reflecting on the surface of the crystal clear ocean. It does really look beautiful. As the car moves, I notice that the traces of the metropolis are gradually fading into view. I can barely see any infrastructures, and both sides of the road are covered with a canopy of trees and tall grass. Where are we heading exactly? After almost a twenty-minute drive, the car finally stopped. "We're here," Garren announced. I helped Greyson unbuckled his seat belt and he excitedly stepped out of the car. I shook my head. He's full of beans today. The humid sea br
He walked past me. I noticed that he was carrying a surf board on his left arm. I remained on my spot and watch Garren as he starts to surf. I was in awe! He's impeccably moving as if he had already memorized how the waves move. "Woah!" I was astonished when Garren suddenly performed a trick. I don't know what it is called since I'm not really familiar with surfing, but he basically made an S shape in the water. As if my eyes were glued, I couldn't stop watching him. "He's really great." Garren stopped and walked towards my direction unexpectedly. "I'm a great surfer, aren't I?" I stared at him incredulously. "What?" "Deaf," he mocked. "Do you want me to teach you how to surf?" That caught me off-guard. Did he perhaps hit his head earlier and he's asking weird things?! He was making fun of me a while ago and now he's offering to teach me? "Are you just going to stare at me like an imbecile?" I blinked multiple times. "Sorry. It's just unlikely of you to offer such a thing