The doors flung wild open, a cold air swept through the house, her very presence was jarring,
The workers gasped and whispered amongst themselves, it's been about three months since she was here.
Magret had on a leopard print two piece the print covered her from head to her toe.
She smelt like money, her nose faced the ceiling like she had perceived something awful. The second the doors opened and the once lively place became cold and quite void of joy.
Welcome ma'am , the head maid walked forward.
From behind her glasses you could see her staring them down.
She stretched out her bag and another young girl rushed to hold it.
She looked straight ahead she was locked in,
Mom? MOM! Larry cried out as her rushed down the stairs he had missed his mother,
He embraced her, her hands where in the air, as if she was contemplating weather to return the hug or not,
Hey my love, she said as she bent over to hug him even tighter.
I missed you mom.
Ouuu mommy missed you too, she responded as she continued to squeeze him with hug, but he didn't mind, he just missed her.
I leave you for a month and you're almost taller than I am, she teased as she ran her fingers through his hair.
They walked all the way up the stairs.
Where is lory? She finally asked.
Larry sighed, she won't leave willows side she's been there for hours.
Willow?she asked taking off her glasses, who is willow?
Our caregiver, I think you've met her a couple of times
I don't think I have trust me if I had met a willow, I would know, she answered.
Well, go tell Lorry I'm around.
mom, she wouldn't leave, she wouldn't leave Willows side. Larry answered he was sure of it.
She wouldn't leave even when she knows her mother just got back?, she asked herself?
what hold has this willow girl have on my daughter .
********
I walked straight into the room, opening the door with force, only to see Lory Sleeping by the side of this Willow, she looked sad even in her sleep.
I couldn't help but notice, cause I have never seen Lory like this,
I walked up to her slightly tapping her by the shoulder, Larry was standing right beside me.
Hey Lori, I said, it's mommy.
She opened a sleepy eyes, and she looked up at me,
mom?, she asked
I smiled,
She didn't look excited to see me at all, a little part of my heart broke All she cared about Was the lady laying right next to her,
She sat down and gave me a little hug,
What's wrong with the girl? I asked her ,
she paused and she looked at me then looked back at her before saying anything
she got abducted, and then beaten up.
Too bad, I said,
Well baby I'll be in my room , I walked out the door I would come back to her when nobody was around.
****
The air in the house was thick with stillness, the kind that came when exhaustion settled into the walls. Chris sat at Willow's bedside, she looked like she was getting better, he had just met Lory hours ago urging her to go rest In her room poor girl was just as worried had he was.
He had barely moved in hours, only shifting to wipe the sweat from her forehead or adjust her blankets. He wasn't leaving her side, he was scared something like that was going to happen again, you never know who to trust,
Then, the front door creaked open.
Chris's body tensed instantly. He knew that sound.
Footsteps. Confident, steady. And then—her voice.
"Well, well. I wasn't expecting you to be here"
Chris turned his head sharply, his jaw tightening. Standing in the doorway was Margret, her dark eyes sweeping the room like she owned it. She was dressed perfectly, as always—too polished, too controlled.
His hands curled into fists. "What are you doing here?" He asked.
Now now that's no way to talk to family, she gave a sly smile.
"You're not my family ". His voice was ice.
Margret ignored him she took a slow step inside, her gaze settling on Willow. Her expression remained unreadable, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes—curiosity? Pity? Amusement?
So not only was Larry kidnapped, a worker was kidnapped and beaten up aswell, she asked with mockery in her voice, like the scene was amusing.
I wonder how they knew we would be there?, Chris said now standing up looking right at her his hands inside his pockets.
You know, other than us, you were the only one who knew where we were going to, I know damn well Lory called you to tell you about our little visit to the hospital, he said circling round her now.
She was quite but she maintain her glare at him.
What are you trying to say? She asked him,
Why are you here? He asked staring her down from her head to her toes.
Yunno, just because, she smirked, folding her arms.
I would need you to leave you have no business in this room. He ordered.
What's your deal with this girl? She tilted her head looking from Chris to the then back to the girl.
Don't make this a thing and leave, he turned to sit back down.
She hummed thoughtfully, ignoring his hostility. "I'm just curious, that's all. You've never been the type to play nursemaid." She glanced at him then, her expression unreadable. "So tell me… what exactly is she to you?"
Chris's hands curled into fists on his lap.
"That's none of your business."
Margret smirked. "Oh, but it is. You see, I know you, Christopher. I know how you work. You don't do things unless there's something in it for you." She nodded toward Willow. "And yet, here you are, watching over this girl like, if I didn't know I'd say you were worried even.
Chris's muscles tensed, but he forced himself to stay calm. "She's been through enough. She doesn't need you poking around."
Margret tilted her head, studying him. "You care about her."
Chris said nothing.
Her smirk widened. "Interesting."
Chris finally met her gaze, his voice low and warning. "Leave."
Margret chuckled, shaking her head. "You always were stubborn." She took one last glance at Willow before turning toward the door. "I suppose I'll just have to figure it out myself."