"We are going tomorrow, make time"
Julian said seriously.
"Mm, looks like I'll have to go anyway"
"You can run forever, man. Spend the whole day with them. You won't die" Julian glanced at His brother.
"Look Ricky, I know you are nervous but just face it. You might try to hide it but I can tell you are scared to face the family" Julian looked at his brother and sighed. "We'll go through it" Roderick could only nod his head.
Five years ago, he left home because he didn't want to get engaged to the girl his grandpa introduced him to. He knew his grandpa had to go through serious health issues because of that. He felt guilty.
His thoughts drifted to her..... Giselle.
"I haven't seen Giselle today" Julian raised his head to look at him. "What did you say?" He asked as he couldn't believe what he just heard.
"Nevermind"
What the Heck was wrong with him?
He's been acting weird since yesterday. But why?
It couldn't possibly be because of a mere handshake right?
He shook his head trying to focus.
He didn't care anyway.
Thank you for the correction.
Giselle groggily opened her eyes.
Natasha's guest room.
Memories flooded back.
The team dinner.
Drinking too much.
First time getting drunk.
Giselle winced, rubbing her temples.
Why did she let Ryder convince her?
Her phone read 8:05 AM.
She had to call Mr. Hart.
"Giselle speaking... sorry, sir. I'm not feeling well. Won't make it to work today."
Mr. Hart's warm voice.
"Take care, Giselle. Feel better soon."
Giselle ended the call, relieved.
Natasha entered with a glass of water.
"Morning-after survival kit."
Giselle smiled weakly.
"Thanks, Natasha. I'm so sorry."
Natasha chuckled.
"First time, huh? Don't worry, I've been there."
After ensuring Giselle was okay, Natasha handed her some pain relievers and left for work.
Giselle was alone, nursing her hangover.
The silence amplified her thoughts.
Mr. Hart's kindness.
Roderick's handshake.
Giselle shook her head.
Focus on recovery.
Giselle sipped the water, feeling a slight relief.
She checked her phone.
No notifications.
She closed her eyes, letting out a deep breath.
The hangover was punishing.
But her thoughts were worse.
Roderick's handshake.
Mr. Hart's kindness.
Giselle's mind whirled.
Why was she thinking about Roderick?
And why did Mr. Hart's voice sound so soothing?
Giselle sighed.
She needed a distraction.
She scrolled through her phone.
Found a rom-com.
And immersed herself in the story.
As the movie ended, Giselle felt better.
Her hangover had subsided.
Her thoughts, however, remained.
Giselle scrolled through her phone, her mind wandering.
Roderick's face popped into her head.
Those piercing eyes.
Chiseled jawline.
Strong shoulders.
Giselle's heart skipped a beat.
What am I doing?!
She scolded herself.
He's your boss!
And way out of your league.
Giselle shook her head.
Focus, Giselle!
But her mind betrayed her.
Roderick's sharp nose.
Full lips.
Broad chest.
Giselle's cheeks flushed.
Stop. Just stop.
She tossed her phone aside.
Got out of bed.
And began pacing.
Why was she noticing Roderick's physical features now?
Hadn't she convinced herself he was just her boss?
Giselle stopped pacing.
Stared at herself in the mirror.
You're being ridiculous.
He's your boss.
Nothing more.
*****************************************
"Tell mom and dad that we're coming home tomorrow"
"Done"
"Good, you seem to be really prepared"
With a smile "I am"
***********************************
Dr. Lee's somber expression deepened.
"Kimberly, I'm afraid Giselle's father's condition has taken a turn for the worse."
Kimberly's eyes widened, feigning shock.
"Oh no, Doctor! This can't be happening!"
She dabbed at dry eyes with a tissue.
Tears would have been overkill.
Dr. Lee's sympathy seemed genuine.
"I'm so sorry, Kimberly. We're doing everything we can."
Kimberly's thoughts remained hidden.
Relief.
Freedom.
No more burdens.
Giselle's father lay unconscious.
Unaware of Kimberly's deceit.
The machines beeped steadily.
Kimberly's mask of grief faltered.
For a moment.
She regained composure.
"What can I do, Doctor?"
Dr. Lee's eyes locked onto hers.
"We'll keep him comfortable. Family support is crucial now."
Kimberly nodded.
Playing the part.
**************************************
Giselle pulled into her driveway, expecting the warm glow of the porch light and the hum of family activity. Instead, an unsettling silence greeted her.
She stepped inside, calling out, "Hello? Anyone home?"
The only response was the echo of her own voice.
Giselle's brow furrowed. Where was everyone?
She shrugged off the unease and headed to her room to freshen up. After a quick shower, she grabbed some snacks from the fridge and settled onto the couch.
Time to check in with friends.
She dialed Samuel's number. Straight to voicemail.
Next, she tried Jasmine. Also unreachable.
A thread of panic began to weave its way through her mind.
Where was everyone?
She tried calling her father, but his phone lay silent on the couch.
Giselle's worry spiked.
Then she remembered Kimberly, her stepmother.
She quickly dialed Kimberly's number.
"Hey, sweetie! Everything's fine," Kimberly reassured her. "We just decided to go out and have some fun."
Giselle's tension eased slightly.
But something in Kimberly's tone didn't sit right.
Jasmine pushed aside the nagging feeling.
"Okay, sounds good. I'll just chill here till you guys get back."
Kimberly's laughter sounded forced.
"Sounds perfect, dear. See you soon."
The call ended, Giselle settled into the couch, flipping through Netflix.
But her mind lingered on the unsettling feeling.
As the movie played on, Giselle's mind began to wander. The dialogue and laughter on screen couldn't hold her attention. Her thoughts kept drifting back to Kimberly's call.
"Sweetie"?
Kimberly had never called her that before. The endearment sounded forced, fake.
Giselle's unease grew. Why was Kimberly being so nice?
She replayed their conversation in her head.
"Everything's fine".
Too quick. Too dismissive.
Giselle's instincts screamed that something was off.
She tossed the remote aside and stood up.
Time to investigate.
Giselle strode to her father's study.
Maybe some clues lay hidden in his papers or emails.
As she scanned his desk, her eyes landed on his phone.
Still on the couch.
Why had Kimberly said they were out having fun?
And where was her father, really?
Doubts swirled in Giselle's mind.
Giselle's heart quickened as she approached her father's study. The soft glow of the desk lamp cast eerie shadows on the walls. She pushed open the door, and her eyes scanned the room.
That's when she saw them.
Her father's glasses lay on the floor, next to his favorite armchair.
Giselle's breath caught.
Her father never left his glasses behind.
He needed them to see.
A chill ran down her spine.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Giselle's mind racing, she rushed to his desk.
Papers were scattered, his chair pushed back.
As if he'd gotten up in a hurry.
Or been taken.
Panic set in, her hands shaking.
She dialed Kimberly's number again.
This time, it went straight to voicemail.
Giselle's fear turned to anger.
What was Kimberly hiding?
She tried calling her father's phone.
It rang, still lying on the couch.
No answer.
Giselle's world was unraveling.
She needed answers.
Now.