As the morning sun casts its gentle glow over the household, tensions simmer beneath the surface, waiting to boil over at the slightest provocation. Amidst the aroma of freshly cooked pancakes and sizzling bacon, a tableau of familial dynamics unfolds, revealing a tapestry woven with intrigue and desire.
"Good morning, ladies! Good morning, Ben!" I greet when I find everyone gathered around the dining table.
I look around looking for my boys. According to my wristwatch, it's already 6: 30 am. Still early for their 8 am class.
"Mon and Jay went for a jog, Auntie! I overslept, so I wasn't able to join them," Ben explains.
"That's first~" I comment because Ben never misses a morning jog.
"Are you going to eat outside, Aunt Merideth?" Ben asks as he acts casually when Letizia simply rests her hand on his thigh. Then, Ben holds her hand and squeezes it.
"Uh-huh!" I say, raising my eyebrow at the implicit sexual attraction the two share.
"How about~?"
"Ron, Leo, and Camille are in Primrose's room. She had a panic attack last night," Boris says answering the question that I haven't put into words yet.
Everyone looks shocked by the news.
"Oh my god!" Letizia exclaims covering her mouth.
"I heard that lord Leo never left her room~" Sophia states as she puts the last piece of pancake in her mouth.
"No way!" Stephanie exclaims.
"He slept there?" she adds. Sophia shrugs her shoulders.
Oh! The surprise painted on Stephanie and Chealsy's faces is hilarious--obviously jealous of the attention Primrose takes from the lord. Stephanie smirks while Chealsy simply puts down her cutleries and dabs her mouth with a napkin.
"Are you done? But, you barely touched your food," Boris asks.
"I lost my appetite," she answers before tossing the napkin on the table.
The breakfast table serves as a stage for whispered conversations and stolen glances, where unspoken tensions linger like a heavy fog. Ben's absence from his usual morning jog raises eyebrows, prompting curious glances and speculative murmurs. Meanwhile, Primrose's distress casts a shadow over the otherwise cheerful atmosphere, drawing concerned gazes and hushed whispers from the gathered family members.
I go to the veranda outside the kitchen to eat my breakfast, but I can still hear their conversation.
"How is she?" Ben asks out of concern.
"I bet... she's just pulling an act!" Stephanie blurts out.
"Are you crazy?" Letizia comments.
"Why is she acting as if she's gonna die after a panic attack? It's not life-threatening at all," Chealsy says, supporting Stephanie's accusation.
"She nearly fell down from the veranda last night," Sophia says.
I eat my meal quietly, just listening to their conversation while Boris looks annoyed at how the ladies are reacting. I smile at him and ask him to sit and eat.
"So what? Is she that dumb? Why did she climb the railing in the first place?" Stephanie scoffs.
"To catch Leo and Ron's attention," Chealsy adds.
"What's wrong with you?" Letizia asks, slamming her spoon on the table.
We are all startled by the noise.
Ben even spills the hot coffee he is about to drink.
"Aaaaaaaaah!" Ben screams. Then, he suddenly stands up and jumps up and down.
"Oh my gosh! I am sorry," Letizia says apologetically.
"What are you doing?" Jay asks, looking at Ben suspiciously.
"I~ my... ah~ she.... hooooooooh!" Ben struggles to explain while fanning his inner thigh, where the hot coffee is spilled, with an empty plate that he grabs from the table.
"Fuck!" he shouts in pain.
"You!" Mon shouts back while laughing at his reaction.
"Dios Mio! Estás bien?" Sophia worriedly asks while looking at him twitch in pain. Then, she impulsively dabs his wet pants with a napkin.
Mon smiles mischievously at Ben and Sophia. Then, he winks at Jay, who is getting a bottle of water from the refrigerator.
"What?" Jay asks, confused about Mon's lunatic smile. So, he follows his gaze and sees Sophia kneeling in front of Ben as she focuses on wiping his soaked pants.
Then, suddenly Ben's loud screams fill the house again because Jay suddenly throws a glass of ice-cold water.
I run inside.
"What is the noise about?" I ask.
"What happened?" Ron and Leo ask as soon as they arrive. They are both panting since they run from the second floor.
Letizia gasps.
Ben's pants are soaking wet as are Sophia's face and shirt.
"Are you out of your mind?!" Ben yells at Jay. Then, he throws the plate he is holding at him. Jay dodges. Mon kicks it. We all look at the shattered plate on the floor.
Letizia helps Sophia stand. Then, without a warning, Sophia goes straight to Jay and slaps his face.
We gasp.
We all fear that he might hit her back, but to our surprise, he just stands still and stares at her.
"That's enough! Sophia, go and change and meet me at the garage," I say. She nods and storms off.
Letizia leaves with Ben while Stephanie and Chealsy hurriedly leave the room in fear.
"What's wrong with you?" Leo snarls at Jay.
"C'mon... let's catch some fresh air!" Mon says as he pulls him to the veranda.
Ron and Leo follow.
"Care to explain what happened?" Ron asks. Jay leans on the railing and puts his hands in his pockets.
"You acted like a jealous boyfriend! Don't tell me~" Leo teases.
"Jealous?! Are you out of your mind?" Jay grunts as he goes to Leo and pins him on the wall.
"Hey~," Ron says as he and Mon try to pull Jay away.
"Why? Are you not? Just admit your feelings for her," Leo continues teasing him while equalling his devious eyes.
All of a sudden, Jay throws punches at Leo's face.
"Shut the fuck up! If you keep talking rubbish, I'd better shut your mouth forever!" he says before leaving Leo laughing like a complete lunatic.
Mon and Ron just sigh since it is a normal sight for them.
"That bastard! I'm gonna kill him~" she says to herself as she walks. Sophia is so preoccupied with her thoughts and fury that she doesn't pay attention to the person in front of her.
"Oh my gosh! I am sorry," she apologizes as she looks up to see the person she hits.
Sophia's heart gallops while her eyes are feasting at the man looking so badass in his white polo shirt, black biker's jacket, ripped jeans, and black pointed leather shoes.
He picks up something.
"Sophia Maridone~ nice name!" he comments while giving her ID.
"Thank you~ uh...."
"Oh sorry. Jason Kian. Jason Kian McFadden!"
__________fin?__________
Who is Jason Kian?
What is his role in the lords' life?
See you all in the next episode!
Thank you for reading and God bless y'all!