747 A Christmas Party?
While the others were already seated downstairs for breakfast, Lucy was busy entertaining Tom in the bedroom.
Lucy woke Tom up, wanting to start his day by putting a smile on his face after how she had offended him the previous night, even though he had forgiven her already.
Tom smiled when he opened his eyes to see Lucy dressed in a skirt and shirt which she tied at the waist to reveal her bellybutton.
She had unpacked her hair and left it flowing down her back and she had her pair of contacts on instead of her glasses.
"Good morning, handsome," Lucy greeted with a pleasant smile as she kissed him, and Tom raised a brow when he perceived her fresh breath.
"You freshened up without me?" He asked and she nodded.
"Yep. I wanted to be ready before waking you up," she said as he sat up.
"Ready for what?"
"I promised to show you my cheerleading routine, remember?" She asked and this time Tom grinned.
"Did you wear your glasses or contacts then?" He asked curiously and she shook her head.
"I wore contacts for the first time that night we met. I've always been scared of putting anything in my eyes. And to answer your questions I didn't wear either. My sight was bad then but not bad enough that I couldn't do the routine without the glasses. Now enough talking. Are you ready?" She asked and Tom bobbed his head.
"Very ready. The floor is yours," Tom said and watched happily as Lucy did her routine while repeating the chant and cheers.
Tom rose from the bed to clap for her by the time she finished, and Lucy grinned as she looked down at his morning erection which was pointing at her since he was nude.
"What a standing ovation," Lucy joked and Tom chuckled.
"Such a beautiful performance deserves that and more," Tom said and they both laughed.
"Now that you're smiling, freshen up and let's go join the others for breakfast," Lucy said and Tom nodded as he headed for the bathroom.
A couple of minutes later, they joined the others at the dining table and Lucy felt a pang in her heart as she took her seat next to Dawn after greeting everyone.
"Did you know that my governess is coming to take me home today?" Dawn asked Lucy in a whisper and she felt a lump in a throat as she nodded.
"Yeah. You must be excited to go home," Lucy said and Dawn nodded.
"I miss my mom and my grandparents. But I will miss you too. And everybody," Dawn added and Lucy nodded.
"And me too?" Jamal who was seated beside Dawn asked and she shrugged.
"I suppose I might. But just a little," Dawn said and Jamal nodded.
"That's fine. I might miss you too. I'm not so sure yet. But I'm glad I get to seat beside Lucy after you leave. And I will have her all to myself," Jamal said happily, hoping that would make Dawn change her mind about leaving.
Dawn scowled at him but said nothing since she didn't want to argue with him and be grounded from seeing Lucy on her last day there.
Lucy cleared her throat to get the attention of the others and Tom raised a brow as he wondered what she wanted to say this time.
"I want to apologize once again to everyone for my behavior last night. I'm sorry for acting in such an hypocritical way, and most especially I want to apologize to Tom in front of everyone for embarrassing him the way I did," Lucy said apologetically, leaving Aaron who had not been there to wonder what she was apologizing for.
"I forgive you. But what did you do?" Jamal asked in confusion and the adults laughed.
"She wasn't talking to you, Jam," Candace said and Jamal frowned.
"She said everyone. I'm a part of everyone. Am I not, Lucy?" Jamal asked and Lucy grinned as she nodded.
"No. Everyone here means everyone who knows what I did wrong. There is no reason for me to apologize to you when you don't know what I did wrong, is there?" Lucy asked reasonably.
"I guess so," Jamal said and returned his attention to the food.
"You already apologized last night, and we have all moved past that," Evelyn assured her.
"I know. I just thought I needed to apologize again…."
"No, you don't need to. You should stop being so critical of yourself," Desmond advised.
"I didn't actually mind. I liked seeing you do something you condemned. It was sort of nice to see that you are not so perfect," Jade said with a grin.
"Who says she isn't perfect because of that?" Tom asked Jade with a slightly raised brow and she rolled her eyes.
"Your opinion doesn't count. You are obviously blinded by love," Jade said and Tom looked at Harry.
"Harry, do you think Jade is perfect?" Tom asked but Harry shook his head.
"Leave me out of your squabble," Harry said and Jade raised a brow.
"Why can't you answer that? You don't think I'm perfect?" Jade asked with a pout and everyone laughed.
"I suppose he is not so blinded by love yet," Bryan said and they all laughed while Jade scowled at Harry.
"By the way, Matt would be coming over today," Bryan announced, and Candace's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Matt's name.
Although he had told her he would be coming to Heden on Sunday and would be around for the funeral, it had not crossed her mind to tell him she was at the Hanks family house.
Was he aware that she there? She mused as she glanced at Sonia. And as if Sonia could read her mind, she shook her head, letting Candace know that Bryan didn't tell Matt that she was there.
"Matt is coming? I can't wait to see him!" Jamal said excitedly.
"Me too," Aaron said with a grin as he looked at Candace.
"Candace too," Harry said and Candace scowled at him while the others laughed.
"Can't you stay out of my business for a day?" Candace asked and Harry shook his head.
"No, I can't. I don't want to either," Harry said with a sweet smile, "I can't wait to see Matt, and let him know what a mistake he will be making by having anything to do with you," Harry said and Candace shook her head.
"You are so childish."
"It's like watching teenagers," Evelyn said with a grin and both Aaron and Desmond chuckled.
"Yes. Bryan and Jade were always bickering this way," Desmond said with an amused smile.
"What about Tom?" Lucy asked with interest.
"He skipped that stage and chose to act as a kid now," Jade said and Tom chuckled.
"By the way, Lucy and I are thinking of hosting a Christmas party," Tom said, and Lucy beamed a smile at him.
"A Christmas party? I thought we all agreed on a Christmas vacation?" Sonia asked, pretending to be surprised.
"Yeah, Lucy mentioned the party but I would like to grow a Christmas party. We can always go on a vacation after the party," Tom said, and everyone considered it for a moment.
"Is the party going to be just for the family?" Jade asked curiously.
"No. Since Tom has revealed his identity now, I was thinking the party would be a good way to meet and mix up with important people in the society. The company anniversary party was a formal event. But this Christmas party would be a themed informal party. We can invite the major shareholders of the company, a couple of celebrities, and some very top people in the country. What do you think?" Lucy asked and from the excitement in her voice and on her face, it was clear to everyone that the party was her idea.
"I don't think it's a bad idea. Tom's house would be perfect for such a party," Harry said with a nod.
"It's a lovely idea, but I'm not sure we will be around for that. I forgot about the vacation. Desmond and I already have plans for Christmas," Evelyn said surprising everyone.
"What plans?" Bryan and Jade asked in unison.
"We will be traveling after the funeral. We will come down for Bryan's wedding but will leave after it," Desmond said and Lucy frowned.
"Is this because of me and all I said?" she asked sadly and Evelyn shook her head.
"No. It's not about you. You may have played a role in it, but I think it's time to focus on myself. I have spent all these years being a mother that I don't know how to be anything else. Seeing how you all have wonderful partners now, I think it's time I learned to focus on myself and rediscover those things I loved to do before you all came along," Evelyn said and Lucy sighed.
"This is my fault," Lucy said sadly.
"No, it's not. I was the one who advised her to focus on herself and tour the world," Jade said, smiling at her mother with approval.
"Focusing on herself doesn't mean we can't all spend Christmas together as a family. When was the last time we did that?" Tom asked and Desmond nodded.
"Tom is right, Eve. Let's spend Christmas as a family," Desmond said and Evelyn sighed.
"Alright. Let's do that," Evelyn said with a happy smile since she also wanted to spend Christmas with them.
"I guess that settles it then," Tom said, and Sonia flashed Lucy a smile.
"So, what is the plan for the theme for the party? You know I've always wanted to throw a Christmas party and..."
"You are about to over do it now, mom," Jade cautioned Evelyn and they both laughed.
"Hopefully, your brother would join us by then," Evelyn said and Lucy nodded.
"Yes, hopefully," Lucy said as they all focused on their meal again.
"Lucy?" Jamal called, and everyone turned their curious gaze at him.
"Yes, Jam?"
"Are we invited to the party?" He asked, and Lucy nodded.
"Of course. Everyone gets to be there. You are part of the family too, are you not?" Lucy asked, and Dawn sighed.
"What about me? Can I come with my mom?" Dawn asked, and an awkward air filled the room as everyone waited to hear Lucy's response to that.
Lucy cleared her throat, "I'm not so sure about that darling."
"Why not?" Dawn asked with a frown.
"I think your mom will explain that better when you get home," Lucy said and Dawn's face fell as she looked at her food, while Lucy glanced at Tom who patted her hand.
"Why don't I help you pack your bag before your governess gets here?" Lucy offered after breakfast and Dawn gave her a nod as they both rose to go pack her bag.
As Lucy walked away with Dawn, Harry called Tom aside so they could speak privately.
"Have you spoken with the girl and the lawyer yet?" Tom asked curiously as they both sat at the terrace.
"Yeah," Harry said and went on to give him the details of the conversation and also showed him the confessional video which Amos had sent him.
"Nice. We should be able to wrap this up by tomorrow then," Tom said and Harry nodded.
"I'm going to the hotel by 3 P.M.," Harry said and Tom raised a brow.
"What for?" Tom asked and Harry showed him the text from Cassidy.
"Who is Cassidy? The cartel guy who left with Candace's sister?" Tom asked and Harry nodded.
"Yeah. What do you think?" Harry asked and Tom shrugged.
"I'm coming with you," Tom said easily.
"He said I should come alone and keep it to myself," Harry pointed out.
"That is assuming he is the one that sent it and it's not some sort of set up. I won't let you walk into a trap. Besides, if I get to the suite before either of you gets there, it would be a coincident," Tom said and Harry considered it for a moment.
"Do you think that would work? What if he is there already and finds out you are there?" Harry asked thoughtfully.
"Then he will change the venue of the meeting and we will also know if someone at the hotel is working for him. I just think we need to be careful so you don't walk into a trap," Tom said and Harry nodded.
"Alright. That means you have to be discreet about being there so that only a selected few of the staff would see you," Harry said and Tom nodded.
"Exactly. I will leave by noon after the kid leaves," Tom said as he glanced at his wristwatch.
"Lucy is really attached to the kid," Harry said and Tom sighed.
"Yeah. It makes me wish she wasn't Kimberly's kid. That way Lucy wouldn't have to stay away from her," Tom said feeling sorry for Lucy.
"You don't have to keep her away from the kid completely. Kimberly might be irresponsible but Dawn is still your grandfather's kid and for his sake you have to care for the child," Harry said and Tom sighed.
"Perhaps I will do so eventually, but I don't see myself doing so now."
"Alright. Let's go in then. I have to spend enough time with Jade so she doesn't feel too bad when I leave," Harry said and Tom shook his head.
"Loverboy," Tom teased.
"I wasn't the one wearing a uniform yesterday and parading around the place," Harry said dryly and they both chuckled as they headed back inside.
"I know you're jealous," Tom said and Harry scoffed.
"You wish."
This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢