Mondays are the best. The work hasn't piled up yet, so I get to just chill a little in the evenings before dinner — with a book, or my favourite show, or even a movie. But that's if my father's not home for dinner. When he's home it's all of us together catching up. Family time is the best.
As much as I love family time though, my room is my haven. My sacred space. No drama. No messy Chaucer rubbish. Just me in my quiet, peaceful space, with my music and my candles... it's like stepping into a different world, honestly. Summer's world.
"Summer! Dinner in five!"
Damn! I clean forgot my father is home today.
"I'll be right down, Bess. Thank you."
I consider leaving my phone, but very quickly change my mind. It's been buzzing all afternoon and pretty much stuck to my hands.
So I nonchalantly make my way downstairs — a long winding staircase stretches out in front of me. Our house is modern, but my mom being the artist among us, really found some ways to lift it up. Give it a beautiful, prestige look.
I haphazardly skip a step here and there as I text on my phone. Texting and walking — if my father saw me... luckily I've got each step etched in my brain. There shall be no falling here.
When I get into the dining room — a beautiful room with the most exquisite decor. Modern. Clean. And yet homely. The neutrals are accentuated with the harsh colourful tones — blues and greens. Just the way my mother loves her colours.
I slump into the chair, still glued to my phone. My thumb hovers over the screen, heart pounding as I type:
Summer: So if we hang out all the time... what does that make me?
The three dots appear, disappear, then reappear. I bite my lip. Then—
Nate: That 100% makes you my girlfriend. No more hypotheticals.
A faint shriek escapes me. Girlfriend. The word stares back, solid and undeniable. My fingers fly:
Summer: Boyfriend kinda suits you.
Nate: Full disclosure... I've never had a girlfriend before.
Summer: Tell me you're joking?!?
Nate: I'm officially a reformed Nate.
I grin, kicking my feet like an idiot.
Summer: Commitment is so you.
Nate: Says the girl who's only ever been kissed by a fuckboy.
Summer: You told me you were a nice boy!
Nate: I wanted to win you over.
My chest tightens. Before I can overthink it, I reply:
Summer: All you needed to win me over was to be yourself.
A pause. Then—
Nate: But you see, that's the part where I won.
The text sends a giddy rush through me. Damn him. He always knows—
"Summer?" A voice cuts through my haze. My head snaps up.
"Would you like anything to drink, Miss Summer?" It's Bessie's voice that finally breaks me away from my screen. I look up and see her dressed in smart casuals — denims and blue blouse, and her locs are held up in a neat top bun.
YOU ARE READING
Heir Born
ChickLitIn the affluent enclave of Chaucer, off the coast of Cape Town, old money mingles with new, where two powerful families reign supreme. The Lennoxes, whose wealth stems from a global media conglomerate. And the Vanderbilts, esteemed in politics and b...
