Is It Love? DROGO

Chapter 26: No hiding

©Claire Zamora

Edited by inkandpixie

Red Crandall

In the morning, Lorie's normal. It's as if nothing happened. Drogo promised me to stay within earshot, should the situation detoriorate any further? I agreed to try to take care of her again but I've already warned Drogo that she musn't overstep the mark again.

While I'm doing her hair, I look for a way to break the ice. As a rule, she makes nasty comments or tells me about how stupidest her schoolmates are. But today, nothing! She doesn't say a word. I crouch in front of her, smiling. She avoids my gaze; I don't back down.

"You know what? Would you like to go shopping?" I've finally managed to catch her attention. She gives me a suspicious look.

"And why would we do that?"

"Because I think it could do us good."

"If you say so..."

"The important things is that we enjoy ourselves."

"Ok, but I'm not going for nothing! I'll come back with several dresses!" I repress a smile. She'll never change. Going down for breakfast, we meet Drogo in the corridor.

"So, you're up for a trip to the city?"

"We need a driver if you're interested..."

"I'm at your service ladies!"

In the dining room, Lorie jumps on Nicolae.

"Nicolae, Red and Drogo are taking me shopping! I need some money!"

Nicolae is immediately amused by his little sisters' attitude.

"Come on... Do you really deserve all that attention after the way you behaved? Have you apologized to Red, like we agreed?"

"No..."

"What are you waiting for then?"

The little girl turns to me and whispers through clenched teeth.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have pulled your hair."

"And?"

I feel she had to make a superhuman effort to carry on with her apology.

"And for threatening you with a knife, it won't happen again."

I must admit that Lorie's taking a step towards me. And then, internally, I'm rejoicing to see her in such a difficult position. It's wrong, I know...

"Okay, Lorie, I accept your apology."

She looks at me disdainfully for a moment and turns to her brother, waiting for her due. As far as education is concerned, the Bartholy brothers need a super nanny.

Once in town, we let ourselves be carried away by the little girl's enthusiasm. I'm being the most of being with Drogo. I like to be free to walk down the street, holding his hand. He kisses me on cheek smiling at me with a passionate look.

"You're very beautiful you know..."

I hang my arms around his neck and kiss him openly in the midst of the passers-by. A few seconds later, I her Lorie clearing her throat. We part and smile at her displeased look.

"Stop sticking to each other like that! I've said we were going shopping!"

I stifle a laugh. She's unpardonable, I'll never let my children behave like that. This idea crosses my mind so quickly that it takes me a moment to realize that I actually thought it. I mentally push it away.