Chapter 35
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'Had a meeting. Can't be late.'
And probably not coming back, too.
She thought.
Laurice stared blankly under knitted brows at the front door where Sid had just came out with. She was feeling somewhat hollow inside. The man had just left without even saying goodbye. The scene was so familiar to her. It was taking her a few years back. One summer solstice. Graduation rites. An empty house. A broken promise.
A sorrowful smile broke out from her exquisite face. She felt something squeezing her heart as memories flooded her mind. She did not want to go back there anymore. But how can she ever forget the day when everything that she have always had vanished in a blink of an eye. When everything that she's been holding unto slip off her fingers without warning.
Laurice was trying to hold her thoughts and held back her tears when Dylan coop her face in between in his cold hand and slender fingers and spoke softly, "I am here. I won't leave you Liz."
His words held a promise that was making her heart ache a little but honesty was written all over his face. She did not intend to worry the guy. He was a dear friend that she was finally meeting again after a long time. Laurice wanted it to be a happy reunion at least and not a depressing one. With that thought, she was even more determined to live rather happily and contented instead of mourning over and over again from her past. She firmly believed it was just not worth all the trouble anymore.
Laurice's mood was lifted up a notch and replied to him instead, "You better not stay or i'll definitely have nightmares every day. With the way you're looking right now, i'm afraid i would an die an early death."
She grimaced at Dylan and pushed his hands away from her face.
Dylan grinned back and scoffed, "Whose fault is that?! I'm still handsome however i look anyway. Quit complaining."
"Handsome? You mean gruesome." She responded with a mocking face.
"Take that back! I'm always handsome. I'm oozing with charm and sexiness, women flock around me like i'm a celebrity." He bragged.
"Shut up already. You sounded just like Caleb." Laurice retorted. The mention of the other guy somehow made Dylan annoyed.
Dylan snickered abruptly upon hearing the name. "Don't lump me up with Mr. High and Mighty. We are poles apart."
Laurice eyed him with suspicion and said, "Really? Aren't you both proud and untouchable? You both said that yourselves from way back. Tell me, so you have tons of women chasing after you, but how come you never once had a girlfriend? Are you perhaps ... ?"
Dylan's face turned a shade darker after she spoke. "I'm a straight and healthy man!" He said firmly.
"And how would you know anything about my affairs anyway? Let me tell you liz, my standards are way up high. Women are lining up for me to date. But I don't just date anyone." Dylan could not help but get irritated with the woman. He does not like being teased that way. And he hated being suspected about his sexuality and preferences.
Laurice suddenly broke out into laughter. She knew exactly how to piss this particular friend of hers and she never once failed.
'Oh! How nice it was to get even with him after his putting on quite a show last night ruining the atmosphere in her house and causing all these troubles. Dylan was the main culprit and he has to pay his dues.'
"Fine, fine. You're handsome and straight and exceptional. You deserve only the best." She remarked.
But it did not help lessen the man's annoyance. 'How dare his little sister provoke him.' But watching how Laurice was now laughing with no trace of sorrow in her eyes, he was somehow relieved and in his heart he found a new remarkable trait of hers that is making him even more proud. Laurice was not the same frail sister he had. He held his gaze towards the person who was slowly becoming a stronger woman in his very eyes.
"Stop messing around already. Let's just eat. I'm so hungry. I'm gonna go sleep some more right after." He grumbled.
Dylan was shocked when he heard her reply afterwards.
"About that, send someone over to pick you up after breakfast. You can't sleep here and i can't leave you alone. I have somewhere to go to today." Laurice said rather frankly, her tone was final and stern. Uncaring about the sudden change in Dylan's expression.
...
Right.
She did change alright.
His precious little sister has unknowingly become so heartless.
"I won't stay over. I just need to sleep a bit." He almost begged her but the woman was completely ignoring him and was already munching on her meal.
His shoulders fell instantly and can only shook his head while he leaned forward and started eating as well.
They were silenty sharing a meal together when Laurice suddenly talked again.
"Oh! Please lend me some of your people. Atleast three of them. Two male and one female." She said.
Dylan tilted his head to her and asked, "Why? What for?"
"I need men to secure and guard the place. And i personally needed an extra hand to help me around the house. I'll send you the qualifications i may require later today. Don't worry, i will shoulder their salaries." She narrated putting on emphasis on the last sentence. She knew Dylan wasn't a cheapskate but she does not want to owe him a debt.
Dylan was completely dumbfounded.
His poor little heart shattered into pieces.
Not only was he being tossed away mercilessly, he was also being ordered around by the woman herself.
'She was shameless enough to ask for his help but was not willing enough to help him with his own dillema at all.'
However, he knew that Laurice seldom make requests so he will just treat the matter as his opportunity to finally lend a helping hand.
Besides, Dylan knew for a fact that Laurice despised condo living and that she was used to doing things by herself, but the woman indeed needed to keep helpers around her especially since she had just moved back and with such a huge house at that, too.
He can only surrender to his cheeky 'little sister'.
...
Dylan sighed and said to her, "Alright, i'll send the best person for the jobs over here tomorrow. Leave me a word then if they aren't fit to your standards and if you rather prefer a replacement."
"If they're already the best hire then there is no need to replace them. Thank you for the bother, brother Dylan!" Laurice smiled at him cheekily.
Dylan: " ... "
Dylan felt he was being treated unfairly at the moment and was being used unjustly.
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'Had a meeting. Can't be late.'
And probably not coming back, too.
She thought.
Laurice stared blankly under knitted brows at the front door where Sid had just came out with. She was feeling somewhat hollow inside. The man had just left without even saying goodbye. The scene was so familiar to her. It was taking her a few years back. One summer solstice. Graduation rites. An empty house. A broken promise.
A sorrowful smile broke out from her exquisite face. She felt something squeezing her heart as memories flooded her mind. She did not want to go back there anymore. But how can she ever forget the day when everything that she have always had vanished in a blink of an eye. When everything that she's been holding unto slip off her fingers without warning.
Laurice was trying to hold her thoughts and held back her tears when Dylan coop her face in between in his cold hand and slender fingers and spoke softly, "I am here. I won't leave you Liz."
His words held a promise that was making her heart ache a little but honesty was written all over his face. She did not intend to worry the guy. He was a dear friend that she was finally meeting again after a long time. Laurice wanted it to be a happy reunion at least and not a depressing one. With that thought, she was even more determined to live rather happily and contented instead of mourning over and over again from her past. She firmly believed it was just not worth all the trouble anymore.
Laurice's mood was lifted up a notch and replied to him instead, "You better not stay or i'll definitely have nightmares every day. With the way you're looking right now, i'm afraid i would an die an early death."
She grimaced at Dylan and pushed his hands away from her face.
Dylan grinned back and scoffed, "Whose fault is that?! I'm still handsome however i look anyway. Quit complaining."
"Handsome? You mean gruesome." She responded with a mocking face.
"Take that back! I'm always handsome. I'm oozing with charm and sexiness, women flock around me like i'm a celebrity." He bragged.
"Shut up already. You sounded just like Caleb." Laurice retorted. The mention of the other guy somehow made Dylan annoyed.
Dylan snickered abruptly upon hearing the name. "Don't lump me up with Mr. High and Mighty. We are poles apart."
Laurice eyed him with suspicion and said, "Really? Aren't you both proud and untouchable? You both said that yourselves from way back. Tell me, so you have tons of women chasing after you, but how come you never once had a girlfriend? Are you perhaps ... ?"
Dylan's face turned a shade darker after she spoke. "I'm a straight and healthy man!" He said firmly.
"And how would you know anything about my affairs anyway? Let me tell you liz, my standards are way up high. Women are lining up for me to date. But I don't just date anyone." Dylan could not help but get irritated with the woman. He does not like being teased that way. And he hated being suspected about his sexuality and preferences.
Laurice suddenly broke out into laughter. She knew exactly how to piss this particular friend of hers and she never once failed.
'Oh! How nice it was to get even with him after his putting on quite a show last night ruining the atmosphere in her house and causing all these troubles. Dylan was the main culprit and he has to pay his dues.'
"Fine, fine. You're handsome and straight and exceptional. You deserve only the best." She remarked.
But it did not help lessen the man's annoyance. 'How dare his little sister provoke him.' But watching how Laurice was now laughing with no trace of sorrow in her eyes, he was somehow relieved and in his heart he found a new remarkable trait of hers that is making him even more proud. Laurice was not the same frail sister he had. He held his gaze towards the person who was slowly becoming a stronger woman in his very eyes.
"Stop messing around already. Let's just eat. I'm so hungry. I'm gonna go sleep some more right after." He grumbled.
Dylan was shocked when he heard her reply afterwards.
"About that, send someone over to pick you up after breakfast. You can't sleep here and i can't leave you alone. I have somewhere to go to today." Laurice said rather frankly, her tone was final and stern. Uncaring about the sudden change in Dylan's expression.
...
Right.
She did change alright.
His precious little sister has unknowingly become so heartless.
"I won't stay over. I just need to sleep a bit." He almost begged her but the woman was completely ignoring him and was already munching on her meal.
His shoulders fell instantly and can only shook his head while he leaned forward and started eating as well.
They were silenty sharing a meal together when Laurice suddenly talked again.
"Oh! Please lend me some of your people. Atleast three of them. Two male and one female." She said.
Dylan tilted his head to her and asked, "Why? What for?"
"I need men to secure and guard the place. And i personally needed an extra hand to help me around the house. I'll send you the qualifications i may require later today. Don't worry, i will shoulder their salaries." She narrated putting on emphasis on the last sentence. She knew Dylan wasn't a cheapskate but she does not want to owe him a debt.
Dylan was completely dumbfounded.
His poor little heart shattered into pieces.
Not only was he being tossed away mercilessly, he was also being ordered around by the woman herself.
'She was shameless enough to ask for his help but was not willing enough to help him with his own dillema at all.'
However, he knew that Laurice seldom make requests so he will just treat the matter as his opportunity to finally lend a helping hand.
Besides, Dylan knew for a fact that Laurice despised condo living and that she was used to doing things by herself, but the woman indeed needed to keep helpers around her especially since she had just moved back and with such a huge house at that, too.
He can only surrender to his cheeky 'little sister'.
...
Dylan sighed and said to her, "Alright, i'll send the best person for the jobs over here tomorrow. Leave me a word then if they aren't fit to your standards and if you rather prefer a replacement."
"If they're already the best hire then there is no need to replace them. Thank you for the bother, brother Dylan!" Laurice smiled at him cheekily.
Dylan: " ... "
Dylan felt he was being treated unfairly at the moment and was being used unjustly.
'Had a meeting. Can't be late.' And probably not coming back, too. She thought. Laurice stared blankly under knitted brows at the front door where Sid had just came out with. She was feeling somewhat hollow inside. The man had just left without even saying goodbye. The scene was so familiar to her. It was taking her a few years back. One summer solstice. Graduation rites. An empty house. A broken promise. A sorrowful smile broke out from her exquisite face. She felt something squeezing her heart as memories flooded her mind. She did not want to go back there anymore. But how can she ever forget the day when everything that she have always had vanished in a blink of an eye. When everything that she's been holding unto slip off her fingers without warning. Laurice was trying to hold her thoughts and held back her tears when Dylan coop her face in between in his cold hand and slender fingers and spoke softly, "I am here. I won't leave you Liz." His words held a promise that was making her heart ache a little but honesty was written all over his face. She did not intend to worry the guy. He was a dear friend that she was finally meeting again after a long time. Laurice wanted it to be a happy reunion at least and not a depressing one. With that thought, she was even more determined to live rather happily and contented instead of mourning over and over again from her past. She firmly believed it was just not worth all the trouble anymore. Laurice's mood was lifted up a notch and replied to him instead, "You better not stay or i'll definitely have nightmares every day. With the way you're looking right now, i'm afraid i would an die an early death." She grimaced at Dylan and pushed his hands away from her face. Dylan grinned back and scoffed, "Whose fault is that?! I'm still handsome however i look anyway. Quit complaining." "Handsome? You mean gruesome." She responded with a mocking face. "Take that back! I'm always handsome. I'm oozing with charm and sexiness, women flock around me like i'm a celebrity." He bragged. "Shut up already. You sounded just like Caleb." Laurice retorted. The mention of the other guy somehow made Dylan annoyed. Dylan snickered abruptly upon hearing the name. "Don't lump me up with Mr. High and Mighty. We are poles apart." Laurice eyed him with suspicion and said, "Really? Aren't you both proud and untouchable? You both said that yourselves from way back. Tell me, so you have tons of women chasing after you, but how come you never once had a girlfriend? Are you perhaps ... ?" Dylan's face turned a shade darker after she spoke. "I'm a straight and healthy man!" He said firmly. "And how would you know anything about my affairs anyway? Let me tell you liz, my standards are way up high. Women are lining up for me to date. But I don't just date anyone." Dylan could not help but get irritated with the woman. He does not like being teased that way. And he hated being suspected about his sexuality and preferences. Laurice suddenly broke out into laughter. She knew exactly how to piss this particular friend of hers and she never once failed. 'Oh! How nice it was to get even with him after his putting on quite a show last night ruining the atmosphere in her house and causing all these troubles. Dylan was the main culprit and he has to pay his dues.' "Fine, fine. You're handsome and straight and exceptional. You deserve only the best." She remarked. But it did not help lessen the man's annoyance. 'How dare his little sister provoke him.' But watching how Laurice was now laughing with no trace of sorrow in her eyes, he was somehow relieved and in his heart he found a new remarkable trait of hers that is making him even more proud. Laurice was not the same frail sister he had. He held his gaze towards the person who was slowly becoming a stronger woman in his very eyes. "Stop messing around already. Let's just eat. I'm so hungry. I'm gonna go sleep some more right after." He grumbled. Dylan was shocked when he heard her reply afterwards. "About that, send someone over to pick you up after breakfast. You can't sleep here and i can't leave you alone. I have somewhere to go to today." Laurice said rather frankly, her tone wasfinal and stern. Uncaring about the sudden change in Dylan's expression. ... Right. She did change alright. His precious little sister has unknowingly become so heartless. "I won't stay over. I just need to sleep a bit." He almost begged her but the woman was completely ignoring him and was already munching on her meal. His shoulders fell instantly and can only shook his head while he leaned forward and started eating as well. They were silenty sharing a meal together when Laurice suddenly talked again. "Oh! Please lend me some of your people. Atleast three of them. Two male and one female." She said. Dylan tilted his head to her and asked, "Why? What for?" "I need men to secure and guard the place. And i personally needed an extra hand to help me around the house. I'll send you the qualifications i may require later today. Don't worry, i will shoulder their salaries." She narrated putting on emphasis on the last sentence. She knew Dylan wasn't a cheapskate but she does not want to owe him a debt. Dylan was completely dumbfounded. His poor little heart shattered into pieces. Not only was he being tossed away mercilessly, he was also being ordered around by the woman herself. 'She was shameless enough to ask for his help but was not willing enough to help him with his own dillema at all.' However, he knew that Laurice seldom make requests so he will just treat the matter as his opportunity to finally lend a helping hand. Besides, Dylan knew for a fact that Laurice despised condo living and that she was used to doing things by herself, but the woman indeed needed to keep helpers around her especially since she had just moved back and with such a huge house at that, too. He can only surrender to his cheeky 'little sister'. ... Dylan sighed and said to her, "Alright, i'll send the best person for the jobs over here tomorrow. Leave me a word then if they aren't fit to your standards and if you rather prefer a replacement." "If they're already the best hire then there is no need to replace them. Thank you for the bother, brother Dylan!" Laurice smiled at him cheekily. Dylan: " ... " Dylan felt he was being treated unfairly at the moment and was being used unjustly.
