Is It Love? DROGO

Chapter 13: Oh No

©Claire Zamora

Edited by inkandpixie

Red Crandall

The next morning, I whistle to myself as I go to wake Lorie, I open the curtains and take the time to savour the sun on my skin. Yes, I'm in a very good mood today! All smiles, I turn to Lorie who looks rather grumpy.

"Hello Lorie!"

"Mmh."

"Let's see, what's wrong now? Yesterday, it was the heat and the day before it was. The colour of my clothes. What are you going to criticize today?"

"Aside from you, nothing."

"Lorie, be nice please."

"Mmh let me see... Uh... No, don't feel like it!" My smile fades. I won't let this little pest spoil my day!

"No need to glare at me like that, I'll go have a shower."

I stay speechless as she passes in front of me. She's a fine one to talk. I prepare he clothes for school, make her bed and tidy her room, while she washes.

Once she comes out of the shower, wrapped in her towel, I go to the bathroom while she dresses, to tidy up behind her. Again. I then sit her down on a chair to untangle her long hair. After several weeks of struggle, we've finally managed to set up rituals. Brushing her hair is one of the quietest moments we share. And I like it.

I hear the door creak and look up. Drogo winks at me playfully and waves at me. I beckon him to come in.

"Is everything okay here?"

"Drogo!" The little girl gets up before I've finished with her and throws herself into her brother's arms. He picks her up laughing and kisses her on the top of her head.

"Well, what exuberance this morning!" He sits his sister back down on the chair and lays a sneaky kiss on my lips: soft and like the flapping of wings.

"Are you having breakfast this morning?"

"Yes, for once that I'm not late."

"I'll see you downstairs then..."

"Um... Yes, okay." He backs away, a sexy smile on his lips, then disappears into the corridor. I sigh not seeing that Lorie is catching me with her hawkish eyes.

"You look so dumb!"

"Lorie..."

"What? But you do! I saw you watching Drogo..."

"And?" As an answer, she sniggers. She's really getting on my nerves!

"Drogo doesn't like anybody except his brothers and me, you're nothing to him!" I know, it's petty, but I take revenge pulling on her hair. What a pest!

"He's just playing with you. You're his little toy."

"You don't know what you're talking about Lorie, and anyway it's none of your business, you're too little."

"I am not!"

"Yes, you are!" The little one rolls her eyes as if I were a perfect fool. I'll never get used to looking after a little six-year-old girl who's actually been around for decades.

"Nope!"

"You can go now, I'm done."

"About time too." She rushes our without waiting for me. I stay still for a moment, realizing that I've lost much of my enthusiasm. This kid is such a pain.

I take a last look around her room before opening the window to air it a little. I continue tidying it, pensive. I have to admit that Lorie's given me food for thought. What if she was right?