SARAH’S POV
I walked into the kitchen, the aroma of sizzling bacon enveloping me. Juniper stood at the stove, expertly flipping pancakes as the skillet sizzled and crackled.
My gaze lingered on Juniper’s effortless domesticity. Her long, curly hair was tied back in a loose ponytail, and a sprinkle of flour dusted her cheek.
“You deep sleeper. If you were my brother’s wife, he would have been starving to death before you woke up every morning,” Juniper said, her eyes fixed on the pancakes.
I smiled wryly, feeling the heat rising to my cheeks as my mind began to drift.
‘Brother’s wife’… I have imagined several intimate moments with Mr. Clinton, but I haven’t really thought about us holding hands at the altar with the priest proclaiming us a couple or him calling me… wife… it felt so… surreal.
“Zoned off?” Juniper snapped me out of my reverie. “Women are so predictable.” She chuckled, passing me a cup of coffee.
“Here you go…”
“Wait. Does this mean you approve of our relationship?” I asked, collecting the cup from her.
Juniper’s eyes sparkled for a split second, momentarily softening her stern expression.
“Yes and no…” she replied, turning back to the counter.
My brow furrowed in confusion. “What is that supposed to mean?”
She let out a silent sigh, tilting her head, her expression turning thoughtful. “You know, kiddo… my brother has been a very complicated person ever since his divorce and loss… but I noticed something different in his eyes…” She smiled softly for a moment as her eyes narrowed, as if in deep thought.
“So…” I drawled, wanting her to explain further.
She turned to face me, a soft smile curled at the corner of her lips. I thought her softness would disappear in the blink of an eye, but it remained etched on her.
“He has a rough patch in his life, and if you can make him feel whole again, then who am I to disapprove? I won’t be a very good sister, will I?” she said, her voice low and sincere.
I smiled, truly touched by her empathy underneath her sternness. “So what does the ‘no’ signify?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
She smirked, her soft exterior wearing off. “It signifies that both of you are stupid,” she spat, turning back to the pancakes.
It took me time to process her jarring reply. Did she just call us stupid after all those soft words just now?
“What?” My face contorted in confusion as my eyes searched hers for explanation, but instead, she swiftly changed the subject.
“Come on, kiddo. Now, dig in. Pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs wrap it up and don’t forget to wash the plates… there are no servants in the house, so be useful for the meantime,” she said, turning on her heels, but I quickly blocked her path, spreading my arms out to prevent her escape.
“You might want to explain the ‘stupid’ part,” I said, my voice low and even, daring her to elaborate.
Juniper just scoffed. “You’re stupid for not understanding what I mean.”
Why does she keep confusing me? Then realization struck me. “Is it about others’ perception… my father’s, precisely?” I asked, and I got my answer from her eyes.
She shrugged. “Hope you’re ready to give your father the shock of his life because no father will expect their daughter to fuck their best friend.”
“Hey…” I laughed uncomfortably, trying to keep my tone light despite the sting of her words. “We haven’t done that yet.”
“Then you’re getting there…” she snapped with a forced smile. “And I know you fucking seduced him.”
Ouch, She is so blunt! How many shades does she even have? A few seconds ago, her words were so touching, and now they were like sharp blades.
I bit my lip, unable to utter any word of defense. “Yeah, maybe I did, but my love for him is genuine.” I crossed my arms, meeting her gaze.
She hummed, her gaze piercing mine. “I didn’t question your love for him. I just wanted to make sure you remember the responsibilities that come with your relationship with him,” she said, her voice low but sharp, making me look down and reflect on myself.
As blunt as her words were, they were very true. I shouldn’t forget the weight of loving someone with a complicated past, the potential risks and challenges that lay ahead. I shouldn’t forget that.
“I understand, Juniper. I won’t break your brother’s heart, nor will I shy away from the responsibilities that come with loving him.” I assured her, a warm smile spreading across my face.
Juniper’s gaze softened, her expression easing into a gentle smile. “Let me believe what you said,” she said, her voice filled with relief.
I looked up, meeting Juniper’s eyes. “You’ve always been protective of him, haven’t you?” I asked, a newfound understanding between us.
She averted her eyes, her expression turning slightly serious. “Just because I shouted at him yesterday doesn’t mean I dislike him,” she replied with a small smile on her lips. “He was my rock during the darkest time of my life. So yes, I am very protective of him.”
I smiled, feeling a deep appreciation for Juniper’s love and loyalty towards her brother. “I understand,” I said, my voice filled with empathy. “And I promise to be there for him, through thick and thin.”
Juniper’s gaze returned to mine, her eyes searching for reassurance. “Just as I said before, let me believe you,” she said softly.
I chuckled… does she have trust issues?
Anyways, I nodded, feeling a sense of determination. “Don’t worry, your brother is in the right hands.”
Juniper chuckled, her eyes never leaving mine as if searching for my sincerity. “Alright, but…” She paused, her voice taking on a more serious tone. “Remember, Sarah, my brother’s past is complicated. There are things he’s never told me, things he’s never shared with anyone.”
My curiosity piqued as I leaned in closer. “What do you mean?”
Juniper’s gaze dropped, her voice barely above a whisper. “I think it has to do with the reason for his divorce. He… is very secretive…”
I nodded, feeling a sense of understanding. “Yeah, he mentioned something related to that but didn’t tell me.”
Juniper let out a sigh as her gaze drifted. “For all these years, he has been so hurt and guilty, and whenever we badmouth Nicole, he gets all… angry. I don’t understand why, that woman abandoned him,” she said, her frustration evident.
My eyes narrowed as I recalled a certain time at breakfast when Miss Ross tried comparing me to Nicole, and he did get angry…
Juniper was right; Mr. Clinton is very complicated.
Just then, my phone dinged, momentarily distracting our conversation. It was a brief, annoying message from Helen.
*Hey bitch, don’t tell me you’re planning on missing your exams… I won’t be so surprised if you chicken out for anatomy.*
I rolled my eyes and turned to Juniper. “Thanks for breakfast,” I said, picking up the plate from the counter. “I have to eat up fast and rush off to school. I don’t want to be late for my exams.”
Juniper chuckled. “Anytime, kiddo. I hope we meet again, because I’ll be leaving with my mother later today.”
I nodded with a warm smile. “Yeah… I hope to see you again sometime soon…”