STIRRING TROUBLE

"Thank you," I say to Damian as we saunter inside my room.


He has been of so much help today, including going through the trouble of bringing me home. "It Is nothing. Please lie down and try not to worry," Damian speaks as he guides me to bed.

I know what he anticipates. That I will lie down as if nothing happened, close my eyes,of and get swallowed by sleep. But how on earth can I do that?

I sit on the bed. "After what Gracia did back there, and her threats, can you honestly tell me that I have nothing to worry about? That all is well? My dad just died, and they organized his funeral in just a flicker?" I retort, curbing my apprehensions and refusing to sit on this bed.


"Maybe they wanted to intimidate you back there. Maybe..."

"The charade, maybe. But how did they plan all that in minutes when in fact they weren't even there to know my father passed away? I find all that so strange." I ask.


"Any hunch what this could be all about? I didn't know your situation with them was this bad. I mean, even for Nelly to do what she did, a sister can't do that, and now this," Damian states.

I shake my heavy head. My head feels like it can explode any second. "I honestly have no idea, Damian. All I know is that there is a mystery about these two women that I need to solve now more than ever. They have been suspicious to me from day one, but their wicked and weird actions since my father fell sick are the highlights of their animosity."lives

Damian kneels before me, his hands halding mine as he locks our eyes together. "If it makes you feel any better, I will find that out, I promise. I will try to dig something out of their lifes. But can you please rest for a while? It would give me some peace of mind if I know you are taking a rest after all this."

"As if I can," I grumble.

"Come on, try. I will keep you company and coordinate with my parents from here," He helps me to bed, and I don't resist this time.

I thought he was kidding about keeping me company. No, actaully, I new he was serious because he is never a joker when it comes to be. I only didn't acticipate what ‘keeping me company' meant to him. I expected him to tuck me inside the duvet and seat somewhere in the room, but he lays beside me, scouping me in his arms.

"All will be well. I don't know how or when, but it will be." He kisses my forehead, and I lift my head up to him.

"But nothing will be the same again," I whisper.

"I know, but don't ever think that you are ever alone, okay? We will overcome this together." He caresses my cheek, and I peek into his eyes.

"Do you even understand the weight of what you are saying?" I ask.

"I do. I made a promise to your father, and I am not backing down," He asserts, and somehow that gives me a ray of light, knowing that I will have him to count on, though I can't help but be bothered.

"You have got your businesses out of the city. Can you even manage?" I ask.

"I will. I will find a way, don't worry," He replies, gazing into my eyes.

Just then, the door flows open, and my mystery walks in - Gracia! In my room? Unless she is bringing trouble, she can't be here. She never sets foot in my room, and neither do I set foot in hers, and that's how it has always been since the beginning. What is this now? Damian and I jolt up.

"I can see how much you were dying to have freedom!" She scoffs.

What is wrong now, huh?

"Your father just died and you have already sneaked your boyfriend into your room, and some stupid pathetic pests as friends in the house. Have you no shame?"

What is the problem with this woman, really? Who even are those friends she is yapping about? As far as I remember, I haven't talked to any friends since I got here, and that reminds me that I need to call Grace. The poor girl might be wondering where I disappeared to leaving my shop to her. And about sneaking my fince in to my bedroom, we in the 21st century for crying out loud! I doubt even my father would pull a fuss over this. Besides, we are not doing anything wrong. I need someone in the midst of all these to at least keep me sane, and that person cannot definitely he her or her rotten daughter. She is way unnecessarrily out of line, as always!

I was about to respond, but Damian beat me to it. He stands up from bed. We both do. "If anyone is downstairs for Ellie, it is because I called them. I figured that my fiancee needed people who are close to her during this difficult moment, and I, I have all the rights to be here, Gracia, as her fiance. So cut my fiancee some crap."

Okay, now this a surprise. Whom did Damian call? And when? I mean, how?

"You are too arrogant for a person who has not even become part of this family yet, don't you think?" Gracia scoffs.

And, her, when did she become a member of this family. And in what way? At least Damian is my betrothed, the man after my heart, and my father's most trusted person. He has all the rights and reasons to be here, unlike this snoopy witch!

"I was already part of this family even before you intruded, Gracia, and if you know what is best for you, you better steer clear of my fiancee. I will not gamble with her life or her peace of mind!" Damian warns.