Blanche hadn’t seen Caleb all day, and her calls kept going straight to voicemail, The McCarthy family’s driver confirmed that no one had come to pick him up yet. An uneasy feeling crept in, so she decided to go over and collect them herself.
As she approached the sliding glass doors in the living room, she noticed the ground floor of the villa was pitch black, but the lights upstairs were blazing.
Her hand gripped the door handle–then, suddenly, the sound of a flowerpot shattering echoed from the backyard.
She guessed Terrell must be playing hide–and–seek with her again.
Blanche circled the glass doors and stepped out into the backyard, her lips curling into a smile. She lowered her voice, calling out, “Terrell, Mommy’s about to find you!”
She didn’t notice the shadow on the other side of the glass, hidden by both the sheer curtain and the darkness, moving in sync with her, keeping just a pace behind.
She was alive and vibrant in his eyes–slender frame, bright complexion, her smile blooming like a peony, innocent and lovely.
Her radiant smile was a balm to his pain, but the memory of her heartbreak and despair still throbbed in his chest, each recollection a knife reopening old wounds.
Blanche found the broken flowerpot in the backyard, but Terrell was nowhere to be seen. Just then, she heard footsteps inside the house. Smiling, she placed her hand on the back door handle and pushed it open.
“Terrell, I’ve got you now!”
No answer.
Blanche glanced up at the second floor.
“Did you go upstairs?”
Still smiling, she walked into the living room.
Eddy stood there, right in the middle of the room, watching her approach. The faint scent of her perfume drifted to him, quickening his pulse and setting his blood racing, his heart aching unbearably.
He wanted to hold her, to have her back, to never let her slip away again.
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10:00
But he couldn’t bear to see her shattered and hopeless again.
He took a step forward. Blanche noticed him and, naturally drawn, closed the distance until only an arm’s length separated them.
Her voice was gentle, melodic.
“Eddy? Is that you?”
“Why are all the lights off?”
“I tried calling you last night–why didn’t you pick up?”
“I can’t stay here anymore, I’m leaving with the McCarthys.”
“He’s back. The secretary said you’ve been trying to reach him.”
“I’ll be heading back with him in a couple of days, and I want to spend more time with Terrell. Why don’t you both come with me? Wouldn’t that be nice?”
“Eddy, why aren’t you saying anything?”
She suddenly turned and walked toward the corner. “Let’s get these lights on.”
Just then, the sound of car engines rumbled outside–not just one, but several.
A man’s voice called out, “Laney?”
Eddy spun around to look at the door.
Bathed in the glow of headlights, he could make out a man in a crisp white shirt and black slacks standing outside, his gaze sharp as he looked into the living
room.
“Yeah, I’m here!” Blanche called back, flicking on the lights.
The room was instantly flooded with brightness. Blanche squinted, glancing at the center of the living room–empty. Eddy was gone.
Ablett strode in.
“What brings you here?” Blanche walked over.
“Mother was worried,” Ablett replied, his tone even.
“Miss Griffiths, where are Professor Reese and Terrell?” the secretary asked. “And
Caleb?”
“I haven’t seen them yet. They should be upstairs.” Blanche started up the staircase just as Caleb appeared.
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10:00
Caleb looked a bit flustered, dragging two suitcases. “Blanche, Professor Reese has a guest tonight. Terrell’s already asleep–he said he’ll see you after your trip.”
“I see.” Blanche’s face fell a little as she took the suitcases.
Ablett reached out and took them from her, handing them to the secretary. “Ready to go?”
“Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy are waiting just outside,” the secretary said, accepting the luggage.
“Alright, let’s not keep them waiting.”
Since Caleb had explained things, and with Fernando busy entertaining a guest, Blanche didn’t want to intrude. She followed the others out, ready to leave.
10:00
