The rays of sunlight reflected on my face as last night memories flooded my mind.
A salty liquid drop on my lip.
I used my hands to trace it and there it was. Tears!
Fresh hot tears gushed down my face.
I'd promised myself not to cry even though dad still disowned me.
It's so painful that he couldn't even think of me as useful!
With my mind lingering on my family, I found it very difficult to think straight. What more could my mom wish for? And about Kiernan?
Gosh! I didn't think through this!
Suddenly, the door creaked open as my two chums entered the room
"Hey girl", Lucia cooled but stopped on her tracks when I raised my face to meet hers while Maverick came behind her
"How was…", he stopped saying when he noticed the tears on my face and he rushed to me
"Oh baby, we're so sorry", he patted my back and Livia hastened to give me a glass of water
"Would you like to have breakfast in here?", Livia asked me with concern etched on her face
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. I'll eat together with you two in the dinning room", I managed to say although my voice betrayed me
"Alright darling, we'll be waiting downstairs, get a grip of yourself," Maverick said while Livia nodded staring intently at me.
Unwillingly, they both stood up and headed for the door, flashing me a smile and one final look before shutting the door behind them
I sighed, got down from my bed, said a brief prayer and carried on with my morning duties.
Since I'd been thrown out from my father's house, I decided to settle in with Livia. Of course, I could afford to live on my own, after all, my dad's influential but I just needed some warmth and company and crashing here was one of the best decisions I've ever made.
Maverick came over when he learnt about my crisis. Aside Livia, he's one of my pillar of support.
While staring at my reflection on the mirror, I smirked, proud of how breath taking I looked. I'd worn a denim shirt which outlined every bit of my fresh smooth skin. Then, I settled with a black singlet and proceeded to the living the room.
When I got downstairs, I heard Livia giggling on the phone
"Alright, I'll pass it onto her", she smiled briefly and after some seconds, she put the landline back in its place
"Pass what onto who?", curiosity got the best out of me. "Who was that?", I asked with a raised brow
"Oh Kass, you're here already," she grinned like a Cheshire Cat.
Rolling my eyes at her, I groaned
"That didn't answer my question Livia"
I was less satisfied
"You sure you wanna hear it?," she smiled sheepishly, seeming skeptical about speaking
Raising a brow, I interposed
"I'm waiting"
"Well…it's your mom," she paused, carefully watching my face before speaking again
"She's concerned about you, she wants you to reconsider!"
I huffed and rolled my eyes. So this is it, huh?
What did she do other than cry away her eyes out when her husband had thrown me out?
Can today get any better?!
"Seriously? I'm not interested. Where's Maverick anyway?," I asked, changing the topic and before she could press further, Maverick spoke up
"I'm right here hon," he smiled exiting the kitchen with a bottle of water in between his grip
I smiled at him. He's as cheerful as ever with his cute cheek dimples but then, a thought dawn at me. I'm out of sketching papers
"Uhmm, guys?," I called and they turned towards me
"Later, I'll go out to grab some materials and sketching papers. If you'll be free, I'll appreciate it if you come along with me," I spoke up and grimaced while rubbing my temples before speaking again. This time, in a hushed tone
"I'll get my things settled in after breakfast "
Maverick smiled and Livia moved towards the dining table
"No problem, but then settle down let's eat already," she smiled while inhaling the sweet aroma of the delicacies present before her
"Come sit down, let's eat," Maverick coaxed and nodded at the chair opposite him, signaling me to sit on it
He was already seated before Livia and as he uncovered his plate, the sweet scent of Caribbean rice hits his nose without warning and he dug into his food
Reluctantly, I dragged my feet towards them and sank onto the chair. I picked up my cutlery and began eating as well even though I had little appetite
"So you've gat any plans?," Livia asked in a muffled voice while chewing onto the particles of food in her mouth.
I heaved a sigh and my mind wandered to my dad
" I'll rather not talk about it. Right now, let's just focus on what brings a smile to us".
Maverick paused and raised his head
"Is this about your parents"
I chocked on my water.
What the heck? Is he trying to mock me?
I furrowed my eyebrow and my face turned sour but I quickly covered it up with a smile and within split seconds, I swallowed the whole water remaining in my cup, pushed my chair backwards and stood up
"I'll be in the basement, fixing in my materials," I stated with a poignant stare, my gaze lingering on Maverick's before moving out
He didn't have to remind me about my misfortune.
"You shouldn't have brought that up," Livia spoke up when she saw that Kassler had gone
"I couldn't help it. You know, I didn't mean it that way. I just wanted her to loosen up a bit", he defended
"But still…," Livia was saying when Maverick interrupted her
"I'm sorry", he whined and pouted, his dimples coming into view
She smiled inwardly at how adorable he'd looked, yet, she huffed
"Don't snap at me Maverick," she said feigning annoyance
"But I'm sorry already"
She rolled her eyes before taking her last bite.
Suddenly, a smile appeared on her face as she thought about the memories she'll be creating with Kassler while she stays
"Owww! I can't help it," she shriek in pleasure
"Who knows what's going on in that pea-sized brain of yours!," Maverick chuckled breaking her reverie
"Mind your tongue! You don't always have to ruin the fun Marv," she side eyed him before standing up to clear the table along with him
The ambience wrapped around the house was warm and rustic as both Livia and Maverick's laughter filled the air. They were tidying the whole place.
I had been at the basement admiring my art works. Although, lost in thoughts, but my eyes were glued on the sketch pad which had imprints of Ravens and dark Roses, a gothic illustration.
I'd been obsessed with Ravens and dark Roses ever since I've been a kid. It just gives me this chill vibes. Most times, I dream of them and in black and white. I'd dream about death and so on but I never spoken about it for fear of being labeled crooked
I smiled and let my hands trace it.
Shortly, I heard soft clicks as someone approached me.
I retracted my hands as if I'd been burnt and I quickly covered my sketch pad and turned towards the stair's direction while she loom. It was Livia.
I keep illustrations to myself. I find it cringe letting people go through them and I didn't want her to see what I'd painted
She paused on the last step.
"You've been here since morning. It's almost evening, let's go out . We'll hit the grocery store and afterwards, the gallery," she spoke softly
Nodding my head, I spoke up
"Alright then,I'll meet you in a jiffy"
While we went out, Maverick stayed behind. Sometimes, he do find solace in the comfort of his solitude. So, he stayed at home, on the couch with bubble gum in his mouth while he buried himself under the duvet.
At the grocery store, Livia moved the cart while I pick the items
"We're out of milk, diary milk to be precise. Please don't forget about it when we get to the mid section," her voice rang in my ears
"Can I pick some coffee for myself too?," I pouted tilting my head backwards and she smiled at the look I'd pulled.
I'm slim thick with soft facial features and I didn't fail to shake my ass either.
When Livia caught the way my ass swayed, her smile grew wider and she shook her head
Soon, we got to the mid-section, I picked some milk and dropped it in the cart while my eyes searched for my Favorite brand of coffee which I hadn't seen yet.
When I'd thought about giving up, my eyes caught it. It was the only one remaining and boldly written on it was -'PEET's.'
Then, my hands reached out to grab it and at the same time, another hands reached for it.