The Blackwells stood in front of Lily’s grave and stared at it. Everyone in the city was aware of her death. It broke a lot of people’s hearts.
They were at her funeral and a lot of people were present, including the McCalls.
Nora couldn’t stop staring at Lily’s mother, she just wanted to know how she was feeling but her face held no expression. She couldn’t tell if she was happy, or if she was just so good at hiding her emotions.
The funeral ceremony came to an end, everyone started to leave. Everyone left except Axel and Lily’s mother.
She stood next to Axel as they both stared at her grave.
“You could have at least given her your last name,” Mrs. McCall said as they stared at the name.
Mr. Blackwell didn’t let her be buried with his last name, she was buried with hers. Harris.
Axel ignored her, he really wasn’t ready to have a conversation.
After a few more minutes, Mrs. McCall left, leaving Axel alone at her grave.
Tears streamed down his cheeks and he started to cry, he had been holding back his tears but he let them all out.
He was scared, so scared of raising their kids alone, he had no idea what to do. His chest hurt so much that he found it difficult to breathe.
He cried for a while and wiped his tears.
“Rest in peace, Lily.” He muttered. Taking a final look at her grave, he walked away with so much pain in his heart.
~
TEN YEARS LATER
Kendra leaned on the car as she waited patiently for her brother to show up. She had been waiting for minutes and she was starting to get exhausted.
“Ma’am, I think you should wait in the car.” The chauffeur said to her and she shook her head.
“No, it’s fine.” She said.
She looked at the time on her wristwatch and shook her head, she was about to walk into the school to look for him when she noticed him walking out with his friends.
She rolled her eyes as he walked towards her. His friends walked away as he got closer except one. His best friend.
“Hey, I am so sorry.” Kender apologised and she glared at him. Her glare slowly turned to a smile when she looked at his friend.
“Hey, Daniel.” Kendra called and he smiled back at her.
“Hi, Kendra.”
Kender stared back and forth between both of them and he rolled his eyes, he held Kendra’s hand and opened the car door. He made her get in and he also did, then closed the door.
“Bye.” Daniel said to them and Kendra waved back at him with a wide smile.
“Ugh.” Kender groaned and rolled his eyes at her.
“What?”
“Stop crushing on him.” He said she frowned at him.
“No.” She replied and looked away from him. The chauffeur drove out of their school’s parking lot.
As he drove, Kender stretched and tapped his shoulder.
“Yes, sir?”
“Why aren’t we heading home?” He asked.
“Your father ordered me to bring you guys to his company.” He replied and his face lit up. Same as Kendra’s.
“Yes!” They chorused happily.
They loved visiting their father’s company a lot, they always had fun. They don’t really have a social life, they barely go out, just important places.
They were okay with it though, they were comfortable and never lacked anything.
They were so excited, their excitement increased the more they got closer to the company. After what seemed like forever to them, they arrived at the company.
They both rushed out and ran towards the entrance.
They got in and met their father’s assistant waiting for them.
“Good afternoon sir and ma’am.” He bowed at them and they smiled at him.
“Where is our dad?” Kendra asked,
“He is having a meeting in the conference room. He asked me to… ” The man trailed off as they dropped their backpacks.
“Race you to the conference room. The loser has to give up the next gift Grandpa gives us.” Kender said and Kendra took to her heels immediately.
“Hey, you are cheating.” Kendra yelled as he ran after her. The assistant tried to catch up with them as he carried their bags but he couldn’t.
They both ran into separate elevators but Kendra got to hers first.
She pressed the button to the floor the conference room was on. The elevator doors closed and she waited anxiously.
She couldn’t afford to lose her grandfather’s gift. He buys expensive things for them, luxurious gifts. Every week, they receive gifts from him.
The door to the elevators opened and she ran out, she smiled happily as she saw no sign of Kender. She was happy she was going to get to the room first.
Out of the blue, Kender suddenly ran past her and her eyes widened in shock.
“Kender!” She yelled as hurried after him.
He was about to get to the room when she caught up with him and held him, they both pulled each other back as they got to the door.
They opened the door and entered at the same time breathing heavily. Everyone in the room turned to them but they weren’t paying attention.
“I won.” Kendra said.
“No, I won. You cheated from the start.” Kender replied.
“Yeah, so?”
They suddenly heard throats being cleared and they turned to see men seated around the table and their father was sitting at the end.
They smiled nervously and Kendra waved. She noticed Max in the room and her face lit up.
“Hello everyone.” Kender said as they walked towards their father. They got to him and he gave them a look before turning to the men in the room.
“I guess we are done here.” He said and the men bowed. They all stood up and walked out except Max.
“Dad, who got in here first?” Kender asked and he raised his brows.
“Both of you.” Max replied and they both groaned.
Axel chuckled and ruffled Kender’s hair.
“Daddy, Kender is dumb. He is failing maths.” Kendra laughed and he glared at her.
“And Kender is lonely and has no friends.”
“Hey, why would you say that?” Kendra snapped at him and pushed him. He was about to push her back when Axel hurriedly pulled her away from him.
Kendra laughed and he glared hard at her.
Max chuckled and shook his head, he stood up and moved closer to Kender.
“Let it go.” He said to him,
“Yeah, let it go.” Kendra mocked him.
“Stop doing that.” Axel said to her and she pouted.
“I will pay you back.” Kender said with a frown on.
“Oh, I will be waiting.” Kendra replied with a smile.