KNOCK!! KNOCK!! KNOCK!!
The soft click of door enclosed in the polished glass walled office. Kevin Prescott barely looked up from his desk as his personal assistant: Lila Grant, a poised young woman, approached with a Manila envelope in hand.
Lila Grant: Excuse me sir, you have a mail that was just dropped off.
Kevin: keep it with the rest, I'll check it later .
Lila Grant: uhmmm...
Kevin: What??
Lila Grant: uhmmm…. It's from your family sir!
Kelvin: ugh! What do they want now? Bring it in!
Lila proceeds to drop the mail on the table with a practical professionalism that came from years of working for him and hurriedly stumbles out of the office.
Kelvin: WAIT!!!
Lila Grant: Jolts! Sir?? Anything….else??
Kelvin: Read the letter!
Lila Grant: sir??
Kelvin: last time I checked, you weren't deaf!
Lila Grant: Right!! My apologies sir
~~ proceeds to walk back to where she had dropped the letter, opens it and read out;
"You are hereby invited to the Prescott family meeting scheduled for Friday at 4:00 p.m. your presence is required to discuss some important matters!
We expect to see you there! Ensure to bring the twins also!
—your loving mother
Kelvin exhales sharply and glances at his assistant who was still standing by, observing him.
Kelvin: Reschedule any appointments until next week.
Lila: Immediately sir!
She quickly retreats from the office, but as she leaves…she hesitates at the door, glancing back with a subtle look..
Lila: And the twins???
Kevin: what happened to the twins?
Lila: well it's almost 3 already, should I alert the driver to go pick them up or you would do so on your way home???
~Lila grant has worked for Kevin Prescott for almost 10 years, she has grown fond of him just as he has grown fond of her. She knows him on a deeper level though he can be very arrogant but she sees through that and she has always had his best interest and that of his kids in mind.
Kelvin: Uhmm,…I guess I'll just pick them on my way home
Lila: I'm sure they would love that Boss!
...….
The sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky, causing long shadows across the quiet streets as Kelvin Prescott pulls up to the gates of the prestigious private school where his twins Aiden and Elena attend. The luxury car hummed to a stop, it's sleek lines and tinted windows reflecting the image of the father who lived in a world of status and expectation.
As he steps out of the car , his business suit stil immaculate despite a full day of meetings. He caught sight of his children standing near the school entrance, chatting with friends.
Elena was the first to have sighted her father, she was shocked as she was expecting their driver Mr. James to come not her dad. She shouted "DAD" running to him with her long silky hair swishing behind her as Aiden had now noticed his father too.
Kelvin watched them for a moment, a Flicker of something— fondness, affection and love, a soft spot for his children. His relationship with his children is not one to be proud of, he never really had their time due to work especially after the divorce he had with their mother. He wasn't really close to them but he ensure they lack absolutely nothing . They are the better part of him and he has always tried to fill the void of them not having a mother and stable family.
Aiden, Tall and lean like his father was a reserved young man, An introvert, although he posesses some Kelvin Prescott traits like being Domineering, firm, business minded protective while Elena , a slim and sexy young woman who had taken the model features of her mother is more outspoken and sweet, Naive but not calm nor gentle, she is the complete opposite of her twin brother, She is an extrovert, carefree, playful, Talkative and extravagant.
Elena: DAD!!! What are you doing here? I Wasn't expecting to see you!
~ Elena hugs her dad tightly causing Kelvin to tilt back a bit due to the force exerted on his body.
Kelvin; Well I was on my way home and it just happens to be your closing time too so I decided to stop by…
Aiden: And James??
~ by this time , Aiden has already gotten to the scene
Kelvin: I gave him the day off
Aiden: Well thats surprising
Kelvin: let's go, time is running out!
~they get into the car , Aiden sitting next to his father and Elena in the passenger seat as Kelvin drives off heading home…..
Elena: Dad..
Kelvin: Yes love?
Elena: Is every thing Okay?
~she asked genuinely concerned
Kelvin: All is well, why do you ask?
Elena; Well…..first of all you left work on time which is very unlikely and then you said
"time is running out " , Why???
Kelvin: Welll....
Elena; WHAT??
~ Elena asked with so much inquisition, she was curious and impatient!
Kelvin: I got a message from your grandma, she asked for our presence tomorrow....there's a family gathering
Elena: Really?????? ~ she asked beaming with smile and delight
Aiden: And school??
Elena: Who cares about school??
Kelvin: WHAT????
Elena: Oopsss!!!….i didnt mean that, it's just that I get to see grandma and Grandpa and Aunth Jane and uncle Donovan, Aunty Avery...
Aiden: And Jackson your lover??
Elena: Ohh c'mon!!, I should be the one saying that to you, acting like you're not happy you get to see charlotte...
Kelvin: Jackson, Charlotte, I see you both have secrets I don't know about. Who is charlotte?? Who is Jackson??
Aiden & Elena: A FRIEND!!
~ they say in unison
Kelvin: ~Chuckes! I see!!, well they better be!
I'll call your school and let them know you won't be around from tomorrow being Friday until Tuesday.
Elena: YES!!!!
~ she exclaimed with her hands up and her palms in a fist form!
Aiden: when are we leaving ??
Kelvin: Tomorrow morning, as early as 7:00 a.m, so I'll need you guys to pack your things tonight so we won't be late tomorrow!
Aiden: when was the meeting scheduled
Kelvin: 4:00 p.m
Aiden: So why are we so leaving early ?? It's not like we're using road means of transportation, it's a 4 hours fight!!. We could leave by 11 p.m and still get there in time!
Kelvin: Yes! but remember what I always say, punctuality is a very important trait for a responsible man, always have that in mind. We have to go and settle down properly so I can also rest before the meeting and besides...
Elena: Ice cream!!!!
Kelvin: Not now Elena….
Elena; but dad….i want one, pleaseeee…
Kelvin: Elena….
Elena: please....
~she pleads putting up a baby face while hitting Kelvin
Aiden: You should stop dad, we need to get some things in the supermarket also…
Elena: Yes!! Yes!! I need to get some sanitary pads and some...
Kelvin: ugh!! God have mercy…Fine!!
Elena: Yes!! ~she looks as Aiden and smile.
Kelvin pulls over close to the ice cream truck on sight and hands over his card to Elena and Aiden as they happily got down to get ice cream and then went to get some chicken wings at the fast food store near by as well as whatever they needed at the supermarket.
Kelvin sits in the car, the engine humming softly as he waited for the twins to finish their shopping. His thoughts were still lingering on the family meeting invitation, the weight of it pressing on his mind as he barely noticed the time pass as the silence of the car wrapped around him.
He takes out his phone and decides to call his secretary to inform the school principal about the absence of his twins ….
Lila: Hello??
Kelvin: Hey Lila!
Lila: How can I be of help sir?
Kelvin; uhm I need you to inform the school authorities about Aiden and Elena absence.
Lila: I already did that sir!
Kelvin: Oh- thats Uhmm….thoughtful
Lila: Thank you! Uhmm… have they started packing
~ Lila said in a caring manner
Kelvin: Uhmm we're not home yet….
Lila: Hope all is well..Did something come up….
Kelvin: we're good lila, they went to get something at the supermarket, im outside waiting
Lila: Ohh ~ sounding relived
Well uhm, Do you need me to come help them pack especially Elena??
Kelvin: I dunno….if …that's..Uhmm are you not busy?
Lila: I don't mind, im free
Kelvin: Well, okay! I'll call James to come pick you up
Lila: Okay! On my way ! (Hangs up)
.....
(Lila POV)
Yes!!!, I get to go to his house, what do I wear, what do I wear…
Rachael: What's up? Why the hurry
~ Lila roommate asked on seeing how excited her friend seemed
Lila: Well guess who's going to Kelvin house??
Rachael: Woah!! It's a lie!!
Lila: it's not!! He just invited me over to come help Elena pack for their short trip tomorrow
Rachael: No way!!! It's giving step mother vibes
Lila: Haha! Come help me pick a dress!
Rachael: what's the theme??
Lila: I dunno, he doesn't like too flashy women
Rachael: Well Simple but classic vibes it is ....you should also pick a sexy lingerie so you can claim to miss your way and enter his room or…or… you can go downstairs acting like you thirsty and Walk past him back and forth trying to drink water…
Lila: ~ Screams excitedly … Stop!! That's insane, and besides it's just a night, how much could happen.
Rachael: Much enough to get you pregnant duhh
Lila: Shhhhhhh!!! Help me pack so I can be ready before his driver comes to pick me
Rachael: He's sending his driver???
You know what?? Im beginning to see a future you know
Lila: Righttttt?? C'mon that's enough, help me pack!
...….
Lila grant has always had a crush on Kelvin Prescott even before she started working for him but she had stayed away when he was still together with his wife and after their divorce she has made several moves and given Kelvin several green flags signifying she wanted him to herself but Kelvin paid no attention maybe because he never noticed or because he doesn't even want her but she has refused to relent looking for weak and vulnerable time to strike!
...
While Kelvin was on the phone with Lila, he glanced out the window and something—someone —caught his eye. Across the street, outside a nearby cafe, three women stood huddled together, laughing and chatting animatedly. Their voices were light , carefree, the kind of laughter that seemed to come easily in the glow of the sunlight. While still starring, his gaze locked onto the one at the center of the group: A sexy young woman….
She was laughing, her head thrown back , her dark brown hair cascading over her shoulders in soft waves. Her beauty was undeniable—not the kind that screamed for attention but the kind that slowly crept on you. It was in the way she carried herself , effortlessly poised yet approachable. Her eyes sparkled with mischief and warmth, and as she caught the sun, they reflected shade of amber, glowing with a certain fire.
Her features were delicate—high cheekbones, a slender nose, and a full lips that curved into a smile with ease. But it was her presence , that rare mix of elegance and down-to-earth charm that really captivated him. She wore a simple yet flattering dress , a soft pastel color that enhanced her glowing complexion. It wasn't flashy or showy but somehow she stood out, even in the crowd.
His gaze lingered longer than he meant it to. His chest tightened slightly, an unfamiliar feeling creeping in as he watcher her. In this moment, his usual control over his emotions seemed to slip as he watched her laugh with ease, the kind of laughter he hadn't heard in his own life in years.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden sound of the car door opening as Elena climbed into the back seat followed by Aiden at the front seat. They both climbed into the car with ice cream in hand and bags that contains whatever they seemed to have gotten oblivious to their father's momentary distraction .
Aiden: Ready to go Dad?
~Aiden asked barely looking up from his phone
Kelvin blinked, refocusing on the twins as they settled into the car.
Kelvin: Yeah… Uhmm Lila has offered to come help you guys pack, ive sent James to go pick her up
Aiden: ugh! I don't need her help, im not a kid !
Elena: Well i do!!..BRAT!!!
Aiden: what did you say??
Elena: You heard me!!
Aiden: How dare you say such a thing, if you're not ready to grow up and be accountable for yourself thats okay but as for me? I can handle myself soo
Kelvin: Thats Enough Aiden! If you don't want Lila to help you that's okay besides it was Elena she mentioned coming to help..
Elena: Seee? Not everything is about yoy
Kelvin: you guys argue a lot! Stop it!!
Kelvin started the car, his eyes lingering just for a moment longer on the three women across the street before he turned his attention back to the road. As he pulled away, the image of the unknown lady carefree laughter stayed with him, a curiosity beginning to grow inside him that he hadn't expected. What was it about her that made him feel unsettled ?