Shadow

Chapter 26: Peep

My brain was already malfunctioning because of the short circuit it went through last night. And here my grandmother, summoned me first thing in the morning as if some calamity has fallen over her.
Adjusting my sparkling cuffs, I went in the mansion and my notorious aunt, met me on my way in. God has specially planned this day, to irritate me to the core.

“Good morning Gabr...”

Before she could open her mouth any further and throw venom at my direction, I walked past her. Ignoring her the same way I ignore certain people’s life.
Hah, that’s too satisfying.

I reached the hall but she was no where to be found. I mentioned her already, that I am in hurry and she should make it short. But grandmother is my grandmother for a reason.
I sat on chesterfield, waiting for her to ascend down. But while doing so, my mind went back to last night. Last night’s perfect events. Her lips on mine, my hand on her full ass and our body colliding each other like they never wish to detach.
But then again, my mind picturized how she pushed me, separating us with a silly reason of her wish to sleep.
What’s her problem? She doesn’t like a handsome man like me? Does she wish that much to go back to that faceless man?
Oh yeah! That’s me.
The man you are running behind is the man who is standing in front of you.

She is so...

“Good morning my son.”

My train of thoughts came to an end even before it reached it’s destination, when my grandmother wished me. Looking at her direction, I found her ascending down the stairs, with her arms open to engulf me in. Had she always been in this love with me? Or is it my marriage, that had acted as a wand?

“Good morning grandmother.”

I walked up to her and let her enwrap me in her warm comforting zone.

“How your health have been?”

I asked while breathing in her motherly fragrance, full of love and care for me.

“It is at its best state.”

She mumbled against my chest. But soon she separated us and looked straight through my eyes. Blue against blue. It looked like my future is judging my present through her.

“It will get better after I hold my great grand child in my arms.”

The smile played on her lips was priceless. As if ready to give any happiness I demand for in this world. Still the shameless selfish ass of mine cant think any thing further than money.
Wait.. what??
Great grand child?

I was so drowned in the shit of emotional world and sentiments, that I missed her words.
She smiled slyly.

“Are you blushing thinking about your child?”

I rolled my eyes. Who the hell knows to blush?
Oh me! Sorry to burst your bubble but no. I don’t “blush.”
Rather my mind got irritated further. How the hell am I going to be a father when she is not even allowing me to touch her? Or will my sperms swim in her through teleportation?

“Why you asked for my presence?”

Leaving her side, I walked back to the chesterfield and let my body fall on it. At least, there are still few things in this world that provide me comfort.
She looked at me and concern for me slowly wrapped her conscious state. I know she is again drifting to that part of our lives.
Please don’t.
But what can be done. She has already sensed my disturbed self.

“Everything okay Gabriel?”

There we go again. I never want to answer these questions. Because no, I am not okay. Stop asking me silly questions.

“Just work related loads.”

I wanted to walk away unceremoniously. But will I succeed?
Her eyes stilled on me. Without batting her lids she kept staring at me. After few seconds passed, where I held my breath to myself, she finally dipped her head lightly.
Yes, I did.

“I wanted to inform you that soon we will be going to farm house for annual festive celebration.”

I should have guessed. And like every year, I wont join...

“And you and Sydney will be joining us this time.”

Even before I could complete my thoughts, she jumped to a declaration.
I rolled my eyes. I wont and I definitely wont allow my Sydney to be part of that circus.

“No.”

“Yes.”

“Grand Mother_I_won’t_neither_will_Sydney.”

I pronounced my every word separately. I did so as to make myself clear enough and also for her to know weight of my sentence.
Why don’t she understands. I have trauma related to that place. The mental trauma that even now occupies a good amount of space in my brain. A generous amount of my space.
That’s the place where I..

“Gabriel, my son, Sydney is our daughter in law and she must know the rituals of ours. She is the one who will be carrying..”

“No she won’t.”

I interrupted her way too long speech. Longer than Danyang-Kunshan grand bridge.

“I don’t want her to get involved with our family.”

I exhaled loud enough to be heard by my grandmother. Letting my head fall on the edge of chesterfield’s post, I stared up on the chandelier hanging on the roof. It was as old as this mansion is and also has witnessed the poisonous family members residing here.

“A family where members are wearing a permanent mask to hide their real self. Who are behind each other’s life.. for money.”

I smirked, still my eyes fixed at chandelier, as if is broadcasting my past like a film.
Who am I to say anything if they are running after money, cause I too am present in that shit race. Race for authority, hesitance, money, power. Thirst of blood.
Well, I learnt these qualities from my own family members.
Was that the reason, why I found Sydney’s parent’s company comfortable? Because, probably after ages I found someone without a trace of greed.

But on a second thought, isn’t my grandmother extra silent for letting my thoughts run this long?
Drifting my eyes lazily back to her, I found her throwing death glares in my direction. And if she thinks this gonna work, than sorry beautiful lady, no, it won’t.
I opened my mouth again to make her stand face to face with the reality, but before I can do that, she took a long leap towards finalizing the debate going on.

“Gabriel. These are my final words. You and Sydney will be joining us.”

I must say, when my grandmother stare down at anyone’s soul, she looks no less than a grim reaper. No wonder, we share the same genes.
And I, have no saying after this.

“Will you or not?”

She rumbled like a thunder in a lone desert. I dipped my head in agreement. Well, if you look carefully, I had no other option with me.

“That’s so sweet of you my boy.”

She smiled like a bright sunshine in field full of sunflowers.
The pace with which she changes her demeanour is quiet worthy of one’s praise.
But whom am I praising, I am the one who is exact shadow of her’s.
Exhaling loudly enough, to convey my not so agreeable decision, I stood up to walk back out of this suffocating environment.
I turned back to walk out of the door, when my grandmother spoke from the other end of the hall.

“You know right..”

I turned back to face her, with questionable expressions blanketing my face.

“...Grace..”

My expressions turned grave as soon as her name hit my ears.

“..will be joining us too?”

Alas! It’s going to be chaotic as well as messy.
Without saying a single word or greeting her goodbye or anything, I walked out of the mansion, stomping my legs like a three year old kid.

Grace.
Listening to this name, an old bitter taste came in my mouth.
The most opportunistic, agile, feeder I have ever met. She is daughter of my aunt’s sister. And my notorious aunt wanted me to get along with Grace, so as all the property that I will heir, turns to her’s.
Silly her, Grace is so greedy, that she will be the first in line to kick aunt out of the mansion, after things go on in accord with her.
Anyways, she tried to push her self in my life and her huge, gross boobs in my chest. And yeah, no doubt I am a healthy man, who gets attracted to opposite gender, but never have I ever experienced any desires for this nauseous creature.
Other than disgust, I have never felt anything.
Walking out of mansion, my mind was busy in calculating things. Shall I use Grace to make Sydney jealous? She might feel things and run to me? But will she? Or shall I grant her some more time?
But, first of all, do I really need to tricks up my sleeve and remain close to the person I disgust the most?
No. Absolutely a big big big no.
I cant. I cant even breath the air that Grace breaths. And I have enough charm in me to make Sydney fall for me. Again
Yes, I can do that.
Only two things I need in myself to make her fall for me.
Confidence.
And,
Charm.
And, Sydney will fall harder this time around.

Noting everything down on the diary, I store mentally, I walked in my mansion. Trying to find Sydney, I walked in kitchen, but it was empty, not a soul was present there.
But the kitchen, that used to be filled with aroma of delicious cookies, now had a lingering fragrance of lavender like flowers. And yes it belonged to my wife, indicating, she must be here few minutes ago.
I searched for her in porch and garden too, but those places where empty like kitchen.
Ascending the stairs, I opened door to every single room, but they too were empty.
Where the hell she disappeared to?
I ran fingers through my hairs, messing the perfectly arranged black locks.
Did she ran away?
No.
No, she cant. Her family, her friends, her loved ones, everyone is here, in this city. Where will she go to? It will be matter of seconds and I will catch her.

My mind was busy in trying to run it in every possible direction, when I heard some hushed sound emerging from my study.
Do we have an uninvited guest?
Than this intruder entered the wrong house and I have no mercy for thieves.

Without making a single sound, I reached for the door and my fingers wind themselves around the knob. I twisted it anti clockwise and made a surprise entry in the room.
And to my own astonishment, I found the person standing by the table I least expected.
Or,
One can say, I was searching for at all other places.

Sydney.

And she was more surprised, than I was.
As if I have caught a her stealing valuables from me.


Hey lovely readers,
I wish you all are fine and healthy.
It was a long long time no see. So sorry for the delay.
I hope you all liked the update and will forgive me this last time.

Thank you,
Your author,,
~Galen_Yana...♡