AUTHORS POV
Caleb killed the engine of his Porsche in the parking lot of the Hilton Five-Star Hotel, the sound of the ignition dying a stark contrast to the hum of wealth that filled the air. The parking lot was a veritable showcase of opulence, with sleek, high-end cars that seemed to gleam in the fading light of day. A Bentley here, a Ferrari there, and a Lamborghini that seemed to purr in the silence.
Caleb adjusted his tie restively, his eyes scanning the parking lot with a mixture of disdain and envy. He could imagine the look of condescension when he entered the hotel. His anger boiled over thinking of all he had lost because of Sydney’s infidelity.
He released a frustrated breath, if he didn’t put his shit together, he’d be selling his car to pay his debts. Sydney had been able to strike at the most delightful time of his life!
Caleb slammed his hand on the steering wheel and groaned loudly. “Bastard child!”
Ashley flinched slightly at his outburst. She sat in the passenger seat next to Caleb like a little schoolgirl, dressed in a red gown with red lipstick and her jaundice hidden behind makeup.
He turned to Ashley looking like a maniac. In a derogatory tone, he said, ” What do you think those men would think of me? Why didn’t you teach your daughter how to f**king behave!”
“I’m sorry.” That was all she could say. The last time she told him that Sydney was also his child, he gave a hard painful clout.
Caleb groaned and grabbed her jaw tightly. She shut her eyes in pain. “Please not now.” A tear slid down her cheeks.
“I’ll teach you a lesson,” He raised his hand to her but a car pulled next to his. He gave her a pretentious smile, cupped her cheek, and gave her a threatening kiss.
“Find a room, Caleb.” Carl Gravy shouted from his car. Caleb pulled away and grinned.
“You know me, I can never get enough of my lovely wife.” Caleb licked his lips.
Carl chuckled while his wife Ariana, glared at the both of them. “You both are the hottest thing in Arizona. I see why your daughter Sydney and her husband Mr. Reed can’t get enough of each other.”
Ariana scoffed and pulled her husband back and whispered something into his ear. Carl’s lips curved into an O, and he looked at Caleb hysterically. ” Well, see you in the party.”
Caleb nodded nervously. Carl looked at Ashley, who stared straight, lost in thought. “You okay Ashley?”
She looked at him and gave a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Never been better.”
“Are you going to stop talking to these people and go inside before you catch their ‘bad-child’ syndrome?” Ariana groaned loud enough for Caleb to hear. She got out of the car and slammed the door shut.
She didn’t wait for Carl to get out of the car before heading to the hotel. Carl got out, holding her bag, and shouted, ” Hold on, Cherry, we have to hold hands and walk in.”
Ashley’s heart raced when she realized they were alone again. She wanted to wash her lips. She was grateful he had stopped sleeping with her since she gave birth to Anita. He was never a gentleman. Anytime he touched her, he left deep scars on her body.
He looked at her and noticed small dry patches of skin on her face. He looked ahead. “Put on some makeup, I don’t want anyone pitying you.”
He got out of the car and shut the door aggressively. Ashley looked at him, his back was faced at her while he waited.
She slipped out her phone from her bag and stealthy sent a text to Sydney. Caleb had warned her never to talk to Sydney.
When he turned to look at her, she quickly put away the phone and began applying the makeup. She hoped and prayed that the scandal wouldn’t botch Sydney’s marriage.
The last thing she wanted was to die knowing her daughter’s married life was in chaos.
____________
“Eccentricity,” Sydney called out the word from the flash card on the couch as she braided Emily’s hair into a French cornrow.
“Eccentricity, E-c-c-e-n-t-r-i-c-i-t-y. Eccentricity.” Emily spelled out confidently.
She had a contest tomorrow. The top ten would go for the regional contest. Sydney was so impressed by Emily’s intelligence. A few weeks without working had made her realize how much she didn’t know about her children.
Ethan stormed into the house, his hockey jersey stained with mud. His angry face was covered with dirt. He didn’t take off his dirty sneakers, which stained the white tiles.
Sydney looked at him in shock. “Ethan, sweetheart, why didn’t you take off your shoes, and why the hell didn’t you change out of your jersey.”
Ethan stood in front of Sydney and Emily fuming. Sydney noticed a tear under his eyelid. He spoke before she could, ” I was practicing when I overheard some stupid kid saying Kelly left for Berlin today.”
Sydney got up and reached for him but he moved away. She ran a hand through her hair stressfully and said, ” Her daddy got a promotion and they had to leave.”
“That’s bullshit-”
“Ethan watch your words.”
“Like you haven’t used it before,” he muttered under his breath. Sydney glared at him.
“Watch the way you talk to me, young man. I’m not the one who gave him the freaking promotion!” Sydney hissed in annoyance. Ethan rolled his eyes stubbornly.
Emily stared at them and began to cry. “No fighting please.”
Sydney looked at her and her heart dropped. She was about to say something when Ethan spoke rudely, ” You are lying, mum. I heard Daddy gave him a demotion because you and him got into a fight.”
Sydney ignored him and picked up Emily. She avoided his gaze and said, ” You both need to shower.”
“Of course, Mommy, pretend like he isn’t hurting you. When Daddy returns, I’ll give him a piece of my mind!” Ethan turned around and wheeled to the stairs, stomping his feet.
Sydney looked at him in dismay, ” Ethan, get back here, don’t you dare walk out on me.”
Ethan stopped and folded his arm around his chest stubbornly. Sydney released a short tired breath.
His attitude scared her. Not only was he a chip off the old block, but he had the negative characteristics of her father. The mere thought sent ants crawling down her spine.
They were about to head for the bathroom when the front door opened, and Gavin walked in casually. The first thing he caught was Ethan’s misty glare.