Two photographers enter the room and set up for the photo shoot. The woman from a bridal magazine enters a few minutes later, after our new maid, Chelle, hands her a drink.
“Would you like anything, Sir? Ma’am?” I shake my head and Missi giggles.
“Ma’am? Oh my, have I reached that point already? I mean, I am about to be married, and become a mother, but…” she trails off and they share a laugh.
“I’m sorry, Miss?”
“No, Chelle, I’m fine thank you.”
The maid leaves and the woman introduces herself as Patricia Angelse, shaking our hands before settling in the chair across from us.
She places a recorder on the table, after setting her drink down, and opens up a notebook. “Thank you so much forchoosing our little magazine. It’s an honor to interview the son of legend ‘The Lion’ Lennox Crane.”
Great, she's just another fangirl.I wonder how long my father will stay upstairs, or if this is all a bigger publicity stunt than I thought. Have I mentioned that I hate my life?
“When are these people leaving?”my father complains from the living room couch. He has a glass of amber liquid in his hand, and looks right at home here in my house. He lost all rights to this place a long time ago.
Missi giggles, limping over to where he is and sitting beside him. “Soon, they just have to finish setting up for the party,” she simps, and bile rises up in my throat. They haven’t noticed me yet, hiding in the shadows.
He gives her a smirk, then clears his throat and looks over at one of the housekeepers. “Leave us,” he orders, and she nods her head before scurrying away. He waits a minute until they are alone, then turns to Missi.
“How have things been with my son? Any issues?” he asks and Missi sighs.
“He hates me. He won’t even touch me. I’ve been so lonely,” she fake sniffles and he grunts, taking another drink, mumbling something I can’t hear.
Whatever it is seems to make Missi happy as she gives him a huge smile and then leans over, hugging him.
“Excuse me, Sir, the chef needs a word with you,” Chelle says, announcing my location.
“Wouldn’t they rather talk to Missi? She’s the one planning all of this?”
“It’s important that you talk toher,Sir.” She walks away and I head for the kitchen.
That was weird. I thought the new chef was a man.As I enter the kitchen, I see now what Chelle meant.
“Mom, what are you doing here?” I ask, moving closer to give her a hug. She seems anxious, and holds me a few minutes longer than normal, while making sure no one is around.
“I missed you, honey. I can’t be here for the party, but I wanted to see you and give you this.” She hands me an envelope with a sad smile. “I bought this when you were little. It’s in your name, and no one except me, and now you, know about it.”
I open the tab and pull out some legal documents. “It’s a house in the woods, about two hours from here. If you ever need to escape, unseen…” She trails off and I nod. My eyes water and I sniffle.
“Thanks, Mom.” She moves closer and places a hand on my cheek.
“You are my baby, Lennox, and back then, I was too weak to protect you the way a mother should, but I am going to make up for my mistakes. I promise.”
There’s a commotion in the hall and Missi starts chewing out one of the waitstaff.
“I need to go. Your father can’t know that I am here, but I will be back, okay? I love you, Lennox, and if I don’t say it enough, I am very proud of you. You are a strong man. Don’t let her dull your shine.”
She slips out the back door into the darkness. I shove the envelope in the pantry just before Missi hobbles into the kitchen.
“What are you doing?” she asks, looking around.
I walk to the fridge and grab a bottle of water, unscrewing the cap and taking a sip before answering her. “I was getting a drink. What were you and my father talking about?”
Her eyes widen and she gives me a nervous smirk. “Just wedding things. Speaking of, our guests will be arriving soon.” She leaves me alone, and I think about how great it would be to just run away. After the baby is born. Maybe I can convince Rylee and the guys to come too.
“Thankyou so much for coming. It’s great to see you,” Missi says for the millionth time as I sip my sparkling cider.
