Kelsey's POV
[Kelsey Residence. 6:43 PM]
After Landon and Lila managed to clean the mess they made in my kitchen, I handed them a list of things to get from the mall. It mostly contained everything Lila needed for school tomorrow... New socks, a pair of shoes, and a few writing materials.
I figured I could buy the books directly from the school.
Fuck.
I leaned back in the chair, relief washing over me as I realized I was finally done with the document Father had arranged for me. Everything I needed to know about this stupid mission was there.
At first, I thought it would be a simple task. But it's more complicated than I imagined. Father is involved in something illegal, far more dangerous than I anticipated. And there's no way I'm going to implicate myself in it... or Lila. I won't drag my daughter into his mess.
He's not just stockpiling weapons to face a rival. He's preparing for war. The document didn't explain everything, but it was enough to terrify me.
I've already started... it's too late to back out now.
I shoved the documents to the corner of the table and stood up, stretching and yawning.
Outside the window, the sky had darkened. It was late, and Lila wasn't back yet.
Well, she's with Landon. What could possibly go wrong?
I walked into the closet, rummaging through my clothes. None of the clothes I had felt right for my first day tomorrow.
I didn't want to overdress or look sloppy. I'm just a newbie, not going there to show off.
I finally found something... decent. Meeting Fiona and Cassian at the mall that day had completely ruined my chance to pick out a few dresses.
I laid the outfit on the bed and started pairing pieces.
"I guess the company would be cold since it's a News company..." I mumbled, picking out grey printed pants and a plain white designer shirt.
"A scarf would be good with this since my neck would be exposed..." I clapped my hands, admiring the combo. Maybe I should become a fashion designer.
The door suddenly burst open as Lila ran into the room.
"Mommy!"
"Woah, slow down, sweetheart!" I said, but she didn't stop. She threw her arms around my waist, and Landon walked in behind her, carrying several shopping bags. They looked heavy, but he held them all easily like they were nothing.
Well, I was the one who burdened him with the task.
"I'm really sorry for the inconvenience," I said, stepping forward to help him with the bags. But before I could reach him, he stepped back. I looked up, and he shook his head.
"It's fine, Mommy. Daddy is strong," Lila said, and I just nodded with a small smile.
"Why don't you take them to Lila's room? I'll go prepare dinner," I said, avoiding Landon's eyes. The room suddenly felt too hot.
Was it because it was crowded? Or just because he was here?
I couldn't even bring myself to meet his gaze. He was so tall and...
"Wait, Mommy!" Lila's voice snapped me out of my spiralling thoughts.
She pulled out a pink envelope and handed it to me.
"We found this lying on the porch!"
Without hesitation, I opened it, and my eyes widened.
"It's an invitation card."
"Huh? To where?" Lila asked.
"Women's Elite Meeting..." I said, scanning the elegant paper.
"What's that?" she asked again, ever the curious one.
"You don't need to know, sweetheart. Take your daddy to your room and let me go prepare dinner." I placed the invitation on the bed and watched them leave before heading to the kitchen.
The invitation came from the estate, a Women's Elite Meeting. I'd heard of it. It's for women living in the estate, and they talked about... private things.
I couldn't believe I was invited. My heart raced. They say it's a huge honour to be selected.
"I guess I really need to buy more dresses," I muttered.
---
The next morning, I was ready to take Lila to school and also to start work. I had woken up as early as 5 AM to prepare her lunch and breakfast. Her uniform was already neatly ironed. It fit her perfectly, her hair styled in two neat ponytails.
"Daddy chose the shoes for me. Do I look good, Mommy?"
"You look like a princess," I said, kissing her forehead.
"I'm going to show Daddy!" She ran out of her room. I didn't bother stopping her.
She had grown closer to him since the day they met, which made me wonder — how do they even communicate? Lila didn't know sign language. I never taught her. I only knew it because of my mother. She was mute.
I guess I'll go watch them for a little...
My phone rang loudly, pulling me from my thoughts. It was the alarm.
"Shoot!" I grabbed my bag and glanced at my reflection one last time. I adjusted the scarf around my neck and headed out.
"Lila! We're running late!" I called out.
She emerged from Landon's room, walking beside him. He wore a sleeveless shirt, his arms muscular and defined. I mean, I've seen them before, but still... it was another reminder of how ridiculously attractive he was.
"Good morning," he signed.
"Good... morning, Landon!" I replied, waving. Lila snatched her schoolbag from my hand.
"Mommy, you're staring at Daddy too much," Lila said, tugging on my pants.
"Keep quiet and go grab your lunch set," I muttered, glancing at him one last time before leaving the house.
Why am I drooling over him? He's just... a normal mute man pretending to be my daughter's father.
Nothing more.
Outside, Sylus was waiting. I took the car keys from him.
"I'll be back in the evening. Keep the house safe," I said, opening the back door for Lila. She hopped in with her lunch set.
"Yes, Miss," he replied.
I was about to slide into the driver's seat when Sylus grabbed my wrist.
"Are you really going to leave that man, I mean, Lila's father, alone in the house?"
"Why? Is there a problem with that?" I furrowed my brows.
"Miss, you shouldn't trust him so easily. What if he's lying to you? He..."
"That's enough, Sylus. He's the man of the house, so you better treat him like one." I yanked my wrist free. It was red and throbbing.
"And this is a warning, next time you touch me without permission, I'm sending you back to my father!" I snapped. Before he could apologize, I slammed the door in his face and drove off.
He wasted five minutes of my time.
That annoying scoundrel...
"Mommy! Does Sylus like you?"
Huh? Lila? Did she hear all that?
"No, sweetheart. He's just... crazy."
"Then, do you like Daddy?" she asked, and I swear I almost hit the brakes.
What the hell?
Do I even like Landon? I've only known him for five days... Is that enough to like someone?
No way... right?