Her Shadows

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

JAYCE POV

I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I know, my mother is shaking me awake, muttering obscenities at my tardiness and demanding I get ready. I groggily rub the sleep from my eyes, stretching and smacking my lips together, no doubt looking like Sid the sloth as I do so.

Finally, the urgency of the matter sinks in and I freeze. Amelia is going to be here soon... and I'm in boxer shorts.

I practically run to the bathroom, tripping over loose clothes on the ground and startling my mother in the process. I swear I can hear her muttering about boys under her breath before my door clicks shut.

I wash myself at Olympic speeds, scrubbing vigorously before using the same product in my hair. Once done, I wrap a towel around my waist and go in search of my suit.

Donning the fancy attire, I lace my shoes and stroll down stairs.

I see my mum fussing over my father's hair before spying me and apparently dubbing me a larger issue. She rushes over to fix my tie and cufflinks before brushing through my hair. I shoot her a cheeky grin for her troubles and give her a kiss on the cheek.

"You look beautiful mum."

Her burgundy, floor-length gown falls gracefully to the floor with a modest Queen-Anne neckline to finish the look.

"Oh, thank you darling. You look dashing but remind me to buy you some new cufflinks after this ok?"

I just nod mindlessly before hearing the doorbell. My mum looks up, confused, "who could that be?"

"Oh, that must be Amelia"

She looks at me with a furrowed brow, "who?"

"Amelia, I invited her to dinner tonight." With that explanation I make my way to the door, but my father's voice interrupts me.

"When did I say guests were welcome?"

"Well you never said they weren't welcome so here we are." I raise a rebellious brow before ignoring his look of displeasure and swinging the door open.

I literally feel the breath whoosh from my lungs at the sight before me.

There Amelia stands, with those gorgeous ginger locks tucked neatly over one shoulder. She seems to have wrangled the usually wild strands into bouncy, soft curls. My eyes travel down to her breath-taking dress.

An emerald green, floor-length gown graces her figure, the material seeming to shimmer like star-dust in the sunlight. A sheath, off-the-shoulder neckline compliments her smooth skin and the split on her left-thigh is down-right tantalising. She looks like an angel. I swear the sun shines only where she stands.

As I stand there, no doubt drooling, she gifts me with a soft tip of the lips before my father coughs and pulls us from our reverie.

Not at all perturbed, Amelia offers her hand, "pleasure to meet you Mr Parker."

He takes her hand, giving it a small shake before retreating back to his phone grumpily.

My mother however, stops any possibility of awkwardness as she comes rushing forward to greet her. "Wow! You look absolutely stunning dear. It's so lovely to meet you!"

She goes in for a quick hug and I swear I see shock and apprehension flash in her eyes, but it's gone so soon I can't be sure. Finally, I clap my hands together, causing my poor mother to jump slightly, and announce, "time to go!"

We all leave, mother and father entering the car first, with Amelia and I following as I pick up the train of her dress and ensure its not dirtied by the side-walk. Once situated, I lean over and whisper in her ear, "by the way, you look drop-dead gorgeous tonight, Sunshine."

She looks at me, and I swear I can feel walls crumble as emotion rises and her typical façade drops for just a moment. Because in that moment, her lips actually twitched into the smallest, most delicate smile. But too soon the moment ends and, as though catching her slip-up, her eyes shutter off again and her usual mask of indifference returns.

Nevertheless, she still quips, "I know," a pause and a seductive perusal of my own attire, "not looking too bad yourself, handsome."

Then she opens the door and struts out without another word.

What. The. Fuck.

Also, when the fuck did the car start moving, let alone arrive?

I shake my head with a chuckle and follow her into the restaurant.

Her mask may remain, but I swear I spied a few cracks in her armour.

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Oooo, get ready, things are about to heat up!