Chapter 32
She slowly opened her eyes, quickly shutting it again when the morning sun entered her eyes. Sandy turned to the other side, almost hitting her face against Dylan’s. Thankfully, he was asleep. She wanted to turn back, but something compelled her not to. Wow! Why didn’t she realize he was this handsome? From his hair, to his forehead, to his eyes, nose, and lips. She inadvertently gulped.
“Good morning” his deep voice startled her. He had caught her staring at him. She cleared her throat in embarrassment.
“Good…. morning” she replied, getting out of bed, to the bathroom. He wasn’t there when she came out. That was a relief. She could not let him see her in just a bathrobe. She went to the adjoining room to change her clothes, he could come in anytime.
He was seated at the breakfast table when she arrived. He beckoned her over.
“How do you feel?” She shrugged. Thankfully, the retching was over. Morning sickness too. Just that she had begun to feel heavy. But she wasn’t going to tell him all that.
“I feel better” she said, taking a bite.
************
In the certain part of Mexico was a private island. On it was a castle. The interiors was lavish and smelt money. In a drawing room, a young hunk. Beautiful was the right word for him. He was prettier than most women and was often mistaken as one since he was a kid. The most compelling were his eyes. He had rare, unique purple eyes. It was mesmerizing. He had a brush in one hand and a palette on the other, constantly stroking it against the canvas board. His shoulder-length hair was dyed white, and he had on purple studs. He gave the drawing the last stroke and leaned back to check his handwork. It was perfect, just as always. It was a painting of a black hawk, ready to fly.
There was a knock.
“Come in” Surprisingly, his voice so manly, in complete contrast with his face.
A man in black came in, going on his knees. He only spared him a glance.
“What is it?” His eyes still on the painting.
“We have news”
“Good. Let’s go to my study room” He stood by the window, a cigarette between his lips.
“What is the news?” He questioned, taking a drag.
“Dylan Smith got married”
He scoffed. “I never would have thought he was capable of love”
He smiled in the process of puffing out smoke.
“Who is she? Is she an heiress?”
“No master. I heard she comes from a poor background. Her mother runs a small restaurant, while her father is a gambler”
He stopped, looking genuinely surprised.
“The old man actually allowed him to marry a woman from a fucked up family. Woah! It Seems he’s turning into a softie” he laughed long and hard”
“She is also pregnant”
“That family……” he took another drag of his cigarette, shook his head, and puffed out large clouds of smoke.
“There is something else”
“Out with it!” he snapped, getting irritated.
“The second son is seeing someone else” He drew his brows together and went to sit
“Jared? Doesn’t he have a fiancée? He’s cheating?”
“The woman is his secretary. He likes her”
He leaned back.
“Get me pictures. I want to see the woman who caught his eyes”
The man reached into his clothes and brought out a stack of pictures and gave it to his master. He dumped the cigarette butts into the ashtray and accepted it. His face was expressionless as he looked through the pictures. He paused at a particular one where she was in a skimpy red gown.
He scoffed. “She is pretty. He has good tastes” He slammed them on the table, sighing dramatically. “Look like they are picking up their shattered life. That isn’t good. It will be their daughter’s death anniversary in a few days. I am thinking of sending them a little…. gift” he smiled, an evil glint in his eyes.
************Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.
Sandy tried calling Layla for the umpteenth time, but it wasn’t going through. She sighed exasperated. She had no idea why her marriage upset Layla so much. She hadn’t called her for days now. Valerie had waved it off when she spoke to her about it. She sluggishly got out of bed, heading to the door but paused when she sighted herself in the mirror. Her face squeezed in disgust.
“Not even four months yet, and I am already this ugly” she whined.
She descended the stairs, perplexed when she saw everyone in black. Even the maids. What was going on? She beckoned one over. The only person she had become close to.
“Mary Ann”
“Yes ma’am”
She gestured her over.
“What is going on? Why is everyone wearing black?”
“Actually, today is young mistress’s memorial”
“You have a young mistress?”
“Yes. Master’s sister. She died a few years ago. She was such a sweet soul” Mary Ann said dreamily.
Sandy had no idea Dylan had a sister. She thought there were only two of them.
“She died in a car accident. The car brake failed and blew up” she threw her hand up dramatically. Goosebumps rose on Sandy’s skin, just thinking about it.
“Alright. Thank you” she was about to go back to her room when Dylan called her.
“Sandy” he took large steps towards. He was in a black outfit too. He looked like her was going out. “Are you okay? You look pale. Do you have a fever? Should I call the doctor?”
“Why didn’t you tell me that you had a sister?” He was surprised at the question.
“Well, she’s dead anyway. So, I there was no need for you to know. Are you angry?” She shook her head.
“Where are you going?”
He hesitated before replying. “To the cemetery”
“Can I come with you?
“No” he answered firmly.
“I want to meet her, please” she gave him the puppy eyes. He looked away.
“You should stay home and rest”
She shook her head vehemently.
“Please, please, please” she went on and on, till he couldn’t take it anymore. He gave in under pressure. She left the house with him. It was a private cemetery meant for only the members of the Smith family. They all met at the gate. Mrs Smith held a bouquet of flowers, her eyes were swollen, like she had cried. Mr Smith stood beside his wife, constantly patting her. Jared had his hand in his pocket. His gaze behind the black sunglasses was cold.
“Oh, my darling. You came” Mrs Smith got out of her husband’s embrace and came to her, holding her hand, before pulling her into a hug.
“You shouldn’t have”
“No, Mrs Smith. I should. I wanted to see my sister-in-law”
“Silly. You should call me mum now” she waited.
“Okay, mum. I will” she replied shyly.
“Good girl. How is my little grandchild doing?”
“Kicking me at every little opportunity” she joked. They laughed. Even Dylan could not hold back a smile. It has never happened before. This day had always been a day of sadness, but she brought light into it. He stared at her smiley face, an undescribable feeling in his chest.
“Let us go in” Jared said.
Mrs Smith dropped the flowers, mouthing somethings no one heard, and trying so hard not to cry. Sandy stared at the word engraved on the marble headstone.
YOUR MEMORIES LIVE ON. CHERYL SMITH.
That was her name? It was pretty. She was dying to see what she looked like. She was still thinking about that when she saw something. She let out an earsplitting scream.