Author's POVMadeline's heart skipped a beat as she turned around to see her mother, Anne coming down the stairs."Mum, what are you doing here? I thought you and dad were supposed to be back in a few days time," she said, not failing to express her shock. "Well, the meeting didn't take as long as we had thought it would. We had to return early because we missed you and Marie so much. So now, back to my initial question. What are you asking your aunt Gemma not to tell anyone?" Anne asked. "Well... Ummm…Uhmmm"For a minute Madeline stammered, attempting to think of a plausible tale to cover up her true secret. She was aware of her mother's keen perception. Seeing that Madeline was struggling with what to say, Gemma decided to chime in. "Oh, Anne, that's nothing. Madeline and I were just talking. You know, aunt-to-niece talk. You shouldn't pry," she said.Anne raised her hands in surrender and gave up asking what the secret was."Well, Madeline, you have to get to bed now. You know y
Author’s POVMr. Johnson’s face changed from irritation to deep concern when Madeline mentioned her father. Mr. Johnson knew full well the weight that the name Lucian Hawthorne had in the city. He had dealt with Lucian on a number of occasions concerning school-related issues, so he was aware of his determination and power. And besides all that, Lucian was one if the school’s benefactors. Mr. Johnson knew that if Madeline reported to her father and Lucian decided to withdraw this helping hand towards the school, the school and everything would crumble to the ground. He sighed and continued, “I know you’re worried, Madeline, but rest assured that we’ll take Aaron’s actions more seriously. I’ll discuss it with his parents.”Madeline nodded, accepting the answer with some measure of satisfaction. She was aware that if the school failed to respond appropriately, her father, Lucian, would undoubtedly take matters into his own hands. Lucian had a reputation for being tenacious and guardin
Author’s POVAt the door were Gemma, Daisy and Kiama. They looked like they've been running for a while. "We got here as soon as we got the message," Gemma said, breathing heavily."What's going on? What's the emergency?" Kiama asked, looking worried sick."Who do we need to beat up?" Daisy said, taking stance as if she was about to fight.Instead of saying anything, Anne and Lucian smiled at the three ladies. Seeing the smiles in their faces, the panic and concern on Anne's friends' faces reduced."Judging by the smiles in your faces, I'm guessing there's no emergency," Kiama asked, her face more relaxed."Oh, there's no emergency," laughed Anne to her friends. "In fact, we have some wonderful news to share."After exchanging bewildered looks, Gemma, Daisy, and Kiama returned their focus to Anne, Lucian, and their girls.With a proud smile, Lucian declared, "We're expecting a new addition to the family."At first, the ladies didn't understand what Anne meant by that statement. It
Author’s POVMadeline looked up at her school principal, eager to bear what he was about to say.“I can’t do that; he committed an offence and he has to be punished for it. If I reduce his suspension to a week, students will think I have become weak and would take the school’s rules for granted,” principal Johnson said.Madeline scowled, obviously dissatisfied. She attempted to strengthen her argument.“However, Mr. Johnson, Daniel took the necessary steps to shield me from Aaron’s abuse. It was a bold deed. Is there anything we can do to decrease his sentence? I’ll see to it that he realizes how grave his acts are.”The principal paused to think about what she had said before answering.“Madeline, I recognize your worries, but for the benefit of all kids, we must enforce the school’s policies. There are no exclusions for me in this instance. Daniel’s suspension will continue to be implemented as planned.”“But…”“There is no but means Hawthorne. The two-week suspension I gave Daniel
Author's POV"What do you mean you couldn't find them?" Lucian asked with a harsh voice.His heart was beating really fast and he was at the verge of breaking down but he tried to calm himself; he wanted to be strong for Anne who was already wailing."We looked everywhere we could possibly look. We even checked out the homes of all their friends but they all claimed that they hadn't seen them since after school hours. But you shouldn't worry sir, they probably got stuck somewhere because of the rain. I'm sure they'd be back home soon," the cops said.Lucian was pissed by the cop's last statement. How can he ask him not to worry when his children are missing? Although he was upset by that statement, he tried to understand that the cops meant no offense and just meant to put their mind at rest. Lucian's jaw tightened as a wave of terror and wrath passed through him. "Detective, please make all the necessary plans to find my children. My wife is expecting and the kids are out in this r
Author’s POVJust then, Daniel walked into the dining room in the pajamas Madeline had given him the night before. Madeline could feel the redness on her cheeks as her mind was taken back to the picture of Daniel’s bare chest from last night.“Good morning everyone,” Daniel said as he approached the dining table.Lucian and Anne looked between themselves. They were sure they had seen those pajamas before.“That pajamas, I think I’ve seen it before,” Anne said.“Yes, Ma…” Daniel started but Madeline cut him short. “He had to go home last night to get a change of clothes,” she said.She had hoped that her parents wouldn’t see through her lies. Anne nodded her head as if she had believed Madeline’s words and continued eating.“Daniel, why are you still in pajamas? Aren’t you going to school today?” Lucian asked.“I’m not going to school today. I got into a fight at school and was suspended,” Daniel said, now seated at the table with Hawthorne's family.There was a brief moment of silen
Author's POVHer father's request did not only sound absurd but also very strange. She wondered why her father would ask her to do something like that. At the same time, she felt sad that her parents wanted Marie to be with Daniel. "I'm sorry but I cannot do it," she said."And why is that, Madeline?" With a perceptive look and an urgent tone, her father questioned her. "You know your sister really likes Daniel, and he's your friend. Since Daniel and his mother moved into this mansion, it has been apparent. Don't you want your friend dating your sister knowing that he won't break her heart because of your friendship?" Madeline paused, her heart pounding as she struggled with a carefully kept secret that now seemed likely to come undone. With a stern "No," she inhaled deeply to regain her composure. "Why?" With her mother's eyes narrowing in both confusion and fascination, Anne questioned. At last, Madeline said, "Because Daniel and I are together."Her words resounding ac
Author's POVMadeline and Anne looked at Lucian with surprise on their faces. What exactly did Lucian ant to see Daniel privately for? They thought. Wasn’t the dinner enough time to talk to him?Daniel, who had the same thoughts, smiled and said,“Sure, Mr. Hawthorne.”“Great, I’ll walk you to the door then. Let’s go,” Lucian said, getting up from the dining chair.Daniel slowly got up too, his heart pounding in his chest. Every step they took towards the door increased his heart beats. Madeline turned to her mother and said,“Mum, do you know what dad wants to say to Daniel?”“I think I have an idea but I can’t be so sure,” Anne replied.Madeline became worried because she had an idea of what her father night want to discuss with Daniel. Meanwhile, Daniel and Lucian finally got to the door and Lucian called Daniel’s name causing him to turn around to face.“Daniel, I’m sure you know how much I love my girls?” He started.“I’m very much aware of that fact sir,” Daniel replied. “Good;