Desmond pulled into the driveway of his family home, still buzzing from the evening’s events at the Orton mansion.
He stepped out, adjusted his suit, and walked up the steps to the front door. When he opened the door, he found his mother and sister sprawled comfortably in the living room. The television was casting gentle flickers of light across their faces.
"Welcome home, Desmond," his mother welcomed him warmly, pausing the remote before turning to him. His sister smiled broadly, clearly excited. She couldn't wait to hear from Desmond. She was expecting a good news.
"How did it go?" his mother asked in curiosity. "I hope it went well."
Desmond dropped his key and smiled at her. "It went better than I expected," he said and settled onto the sofa next to his sister. "Sir Orton forgave me."
"That's great! I'm happy to hear that." The mom said in excitement.
"Not only that. He welcomed me back into Orton’s Group. He even promised my company a five hundred million dollar contract." Desmond added. Bella's eyes widened, and she leaned in closer. "Really? That’s incredible, Desmond!" she exclaimed, clearly happy for him.
"Your kind heart has opened locked doors for you. You will be climbing up to another level soon." The mom said, and Desmond smiled.
"So, what about Anabel?" she asked. That was her biggest concern. Desmond hesitated for a moment before responding. "I didn’t really speak with her tonight. But I believe that with the Ortons on my side, having Anabel back won’t be a big problem.”
His sister raised an eyebrow with a teasing smile playing at her lips. "So you are saying, now you have the family’s support, things will fall into place with her?" She probed lightly, half-joking but curious at the same time.
"Yeah, I truly believe so," he replied. "I just need her to see the truth about the man she's dating."
"She's dating another man?" The mom asked.
"Yeah, his name is Sylvester." Desmond replied.
"So what truth are you talking about?" The sister asked.
"The man she is dating is not dating her back. He has a fiancée. All he wants is her money. I just wish he finds out soon."
"Can't you expose him to her?" The mom asked.
"When she still despise me? I believe she will find out soon herself." He replied.
"It's okay. Now, you have done enough for today. Why don’t you go take a bath and get some rest?" The mom said. Desmond nodded and stood up, feeling the pleasant tug of fatigue, then headed to his room. He entered his room, changed into his towel, and headed straight to the bathroom.
Under the soothing cascade of hot water in the shower, Desmond mind flashed back to all the things that happened in Anabel's house. The promise of a huge contract, the family’s approval, and even the unspoken hope of reconciling with Anabel. All blended into a quiet determination that gave him hope that he would have Anabel for himself soon.
(NEXT DAY)
Sylvester walked into his house, exhausted from the long hours spent handling his bankruptcy business. He was hoping to use the three million dollars and bounce back.
He loosened his tie and exhaled deeply. Few moments later, Vanessa stepped out of the kitchen. With the way she was walking, Sylvester could tell that all was not well.
"What is that? Why is your face like that?" Sylvester asked in curiosity.
"So you expect me to be happy with all the things that is happening?" She asked.
"Tell me. what is happening?" He asked.
"When is Anabel paying you the money? To be sincere with you, I'm getting tired of waiting for her. When exactly is she planning to give you the three million dollars?" She asked and Sylvester sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I don’t know. We haven’t spoken in days. Ever since I visited his dad in the hospital, we haven't spoken yet."
"I knew it," she muttered. "She’s playing games with us. She is delaying intentionally."