𝔅𝔬𝔫𝔡: ℌ𝔢𝔞𝔩𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔚𝔬𝔲𝔫𝔡𝔰

Chapter Twenty-three: Hate?

Amber

Somehow, I agreed to come to dinner with Ms. Terra. It’s the way she guilt tripped me into this which astonished me. She was generous enough to let me really think about it, but I agreed nevertheless. I grabbed a floral shirt and jeans. When I was coming back, I hadn’t planned on running into them for this.

I sighed, throwing the shirt over my head as I left my room. The time on my screen displayed 9:30. “They sure do have dinner late.” I sat down and resumed my movie. The more I thought of being there just to greet Sam again bothered me because Vale will be there. But maybe she won’t show this time? The faint sound of a chuckle echoed in my head. 

“You like her,” Tora said. “I hate her,” I replied back. “Sure you do. You can’t blame her for everything that happened, Amber,” she commented. “I can, cause it wasn’t my fault her psychotic father kidnapped me, not my fault that Cassidy died by his hand because of it.”

“You're right, it’s not. But it’s not her fault either. Don’t forget that she betrayed you first.” She growled at me. “Like she didn’t have a choice Tora…”

“She did. She just chose not to trust you sooner. She got her deserved fate, just accept that it happened,” she growled. I returned the hostility. “You have some godly nerve.” I took the conversation to my head, stepping into the place I made a second home. Her eyes were molting, the darkened stripe that was hidden in her fur became more lighter. “I’m just telling you how it is. You can’t still be blinded by the negativity of your resolve.”

“You have know idea how I feel about this Tora. None!” She rolled her eyes, turning her back to me. “You say that when I’m a soul part of you. I can feel what you feel, and otherwise. I felt the way you felt when she told you the truth. I felt the way you felt after she died. So yes, I know how you feel now. Now calm down before you burn the house to the ground.”

I blinked and I was right back in the living room. My movie was still playing, and everything in me felt hot. I closed it down and grabbed my jacket from out of my room. I walked outside, basking in the cool breeze of the night. In the far distance I heard a vehicle approaching. Ms. Terra’s here.

When we got there, Sam embraced me with a light hearted hug. “Have you gotten taller?” He said pulling away, glancing me up and down in shock. I chuckled, shrugging my shoulders. “I don’t know,” I smiled. He chuckled, and patted me on the shoulder. “Come tell me all about Hibus. I hope Morozova has been treating you well.”

The conversation was going on well. Samuel told me he was planning to travel more abroad after the company is fully under Vale’s care. Then she almost got killed a few months after I left. That one shocked me. “Sam, that was not your story to tell,” Angie scolded him. “I’m sorry, but she didn’t even know.”

“If Vale wanted to tell her, then she would have.” Right then the door opened and a familiar scent came to me. Shit… she’s actually here. Sam nudged me with a sly smile and rolled my eyes. I really need to work on safe-guarding my mind. “You really do,” he commented. Anyway…

“Mom, uncle sorry I’m late. There was a meeting that went over time.” She walked in and I immediately felt her eyes land on me. “Surprise,” Samuel snickered. “Amber,” she whispered softly and I just waved. She looked nice today. Cobalt blue suit pants, a grey half long sleeve.. And that cologne… I chewed on my inner cheek, not to dwell on it further. “Long time no see,” she then said, getting my attention. 

“Yeah, been a while.” She turned to her mother and asked if she needed any help. Angie nodded gratefully and she disappeared in the kitchen with her. “This’ll be awkward…” I mumbled under my breath. Samuel got up and joined them in the kitchen so I could fester in my thoughts alone. They came back with the food already plaited and Sam rested a dish in front of me. “Thank you,” I said. “Do you drink wine Amber dear,” Ms. Terra asked. “Not really, but I’ll try some.” 

“Are you sure? You don’t have to,” she said with concern. “I’m sure,” I smiled reassuring her. Vale took the bottle from her hand and poured some in my glass, before she took her seat beside me. Unlike when she first walked in, her composure seemed unfazed now. Her black hair was now cut to shoulder length, tucked behind her ear. Her jawline seemed more defined the last I saw her. She smiled leaning on the table with her hands clenched together. Why do I keep forgetting that they’re mind readers?

We all closed our eyes as Vale began to say grace. Midway, I felt a string of heat shoot up my spine. “Tora stop being an ass,” I voiced through my thoughts, but she ignored me. Either she finished and we began to eat. Sam hummed, glancing at her direction. “I see you’ve brought up the heat this week my dear sister.” His voice sounded approving but a bit taunting. She chuckled. “This wasn’t my specialty but I tried nonetheless.”

“Well, you did great mom. I think you went up a point,” Vale commented. “Thank you honey, I think Amber agrees too.” I looked at them, as I chewed my seventh fork full of meat. I nodded and swallowed. “Delicious.” They all chuckled. “There’s still enough for seconds, slow down,” Vale commented. Her voice was so calm and sweet. I rolled my eyes and continued to enjoy the dinner Ms. Terra graciously cooked. I’m glad I didn’t pass up on this. “Oh, congrats Vale. I see your Monarch now,” I said. She huffed, thanking me and we stopped talking to each other.

Another hot flash rippled through my body, this time stopping to my neck. I almost choked on the wine and she noticed. “You okay,” she whispered into her own glass. “I’m fine,” I replied, finishing my meal. “Can we talk for a bit?” I glanced her way and her eyes were on me, her heart beats still relaxed as our eye contact continued. “About what,” I uttered, breaking it. I took another sip. “Not here.” I sighed, and placed the empty glass down.

“Ms. Terra, can I be excused?” She turned to me, a sweet smile spread across her face. “Go ahead dear, it was nice to have you over. If you want to leave I can take you home.”

“No need mom. I’ll do it,” Vale said. “You two can continue your dinner wars,” she continued. They both laughed and we both got up to carry our plates in the kitchen. She grabbed her mothers on the way there. I watched as she washed them herself, even taking the plate from me. “What is it?” I asked, leaning back on the counter. “We’ll talk in the car,” she said, drying her hands on a dish cloth.

***
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