CHAPTER 14: Thread from James

"I know it was hard to accept, but she's still family," Emiko said quietly, with sadness. "She made a huge mistake, but how did her daughter get punished for her mother's mistake? Let her go, Dami. Just let her go. We have everything. We have a beautiful family, and that is all we want."

Damien stood silent. He grabbed his briefcase without a word, walked to the door, and stopped without watching Emiko. "I will be late today; don't wait for me," he said deep, loudly, and left the room.

As the door clicked shut, Emiko took a deep breath. "One day, he would understand himself. She was like a sister to me. We're all responsible for what happened. And no matter what, I want this family to find its way back together—like the old days." She said with guilty tears and recapped her old memories.

Serena lay on the bed, sunlight through the Window to bed, fresh morning air, she draped in a red lace maxi nightdress, her fingers tracing idle patterns on the sheets where Ethan had just been searching for his tracksuit.

"Honey..." she whispered, watching her long nails.

"What, Sere...."Ethan asked, putting on a zip of his tracksuit.

"I think... We need to find a perfect match for Max," she said, watching him.

Ethan glanced at her through the mirror as he adjusted his hair. "Why the rush? We have time."

Serena sat up and tilted her head. "We got married when I was 21."

"I was 26 at the time," he replied smoothly. "Besides, it's ultimately his choice. How can we interfere with his life partner?"

She hesitated before mumbling, "But… he's dated too many girls nowadays. So..... I have an idea..."

Ethan's smirk held a hint of overtiredness. "You already have someone in mind, don't you?"

Serena's eyes widened in shock, but she quickly masked her surprise with a casual shrug. "No, honey… I just want him to settle down. I wouldn't mind being a mother-in-law."

"Really..."

"Yeah..." she vocalizes in a high-pitched tone.

Ethan chuckled, grabbing his watch. "Alright, we'll talk to him later." With that, he left the room, leaving Serena lost in thoughts about Max.

The room, enclosed by glass walls, felt more like a display case than an office, the outside background full of grass. Max's manager, Alex, stood before him, flipping through documents. "Have you mailed Selena?"

"Yes, sir. She replied, too," Alex said, gesturing towards Max's computer. "Check your email."

Max nodded. "Okay, you can go." He waited until Alex had left, glancing at his screen before turning to his email. His fingers tapped a rapid rhythm on his desk. Selena Hayes..... He clicked it open, a surge of anticipation running through him.

Hi, Maxmillian Winters,

This is Selena Hayes. I would like to discuss the project further on Sunday. Please confirm your availability.

____________By Selena.

A grin spread across Max's face. "Sunday! I have to play it cool. It's just a meeting," he told himself, trying to act normal, but the excitement bubbled inside him. But still...

He quickly typed a reply. I'll need to check my schedule, but I will be free. Which time is best for you?

"OH! shit!... It's not professional." he erased everything he typed.

He frowned slightly. He picked up his phone and dialed. It rang and rang. Finally, a mumbled, "Hello..." answered.

"You're asleep? It's noon, Eve!"

"It's a holiday," Evangeline mumbled. "No work."

"Right. Listen, are you free on Sunday? I have a business matter to attend to, so I won't be able to see you, " he said, tapping his finger on the glass table.

"Umm..." she mumbled again.

"Does that mean yes?"

"Yeah, fine," she sighed. "Is that over? Can I go back to my nap?"

"Yeah, go ahead," Max said, a slight irritation creeping into his voice. He hung up. "Sleeping evil," he muttered to himself.

He typed the address and time and hit send on the email to Selena.

The phone rang again, a relentless, jarring sound. "Seriously? Who's trying to kill my sleep?" she muttered, snatching the phone from the nightstand. "Yes... Who...?"

"Hey, Eve! Come on, I'm waiting outside your building. Get ready, right?" Zoey shouted, bubbling with excitement.

"Wha...what outside my house?" she says under her breath, still half-asleep. She wasn't lying on her bed, just hugging her favorite cartoon pillow.

Zoey's high-pitched voice echoed from the hallway. "Yeah, this huge... what is this place? I think third rooms?" A door creaks open. "Yes..., I opened it. I knew I was good at guessing; that's why I survive every exam," she thought smugly.

Zoey burst into the bedroom. Her face turned red with mock anger. "EVE!" she bellowed, her voice echoing like a foghorn.

Evangeline jolted awake, startled. "What happened? What happened?" she stammered, eyes wide.

Zoey simply grabbed her hand and pulled her up. "What time is it?" Eve asked, still groggy.

"Who cares?" Eve mumbled.

"It's after two! And you're still sleeping!" Zoey dragged her towards the bathroom. "Get a shower," she commanded, locking the door behind her.

"Fuck... I can't..." Evangeline protested weakly.

The cold water hit her skin, instantly waking her up. The chill cleared her mind, and she finally felt awake. After a bath, she wrapped a towel around herself, wetting her hair, not completely dry water droplets placed uncovered parts, and stepped out of the bathroom.

Zoey had been waiting for a long time, phone in hand. Click! "Wow... you look great...! You look sexy... in this outfit..." she teased, snapping a photo.

"I am going to make this picture my wallpaper," she said in a playful tone. She turned and ran towards the door.

"Hey, Zoey! Stop! Delete it! It's not a joke!" Evangeline yelled, chasing after her.

"Catch me if you can, Eve!" Zoey called back, already halfway down the hall.

"You're going to die soon with my hands, Zoey..." she shouted in frustration, dressing her clothes.

"I recorded everything, Eve... You're going to be in jail soon, don't worry," she sarcastically teased.

In the evening, Clouds were gray. Nick, the bodyguard, went outside the mansion to check, and he saw the mailbox had mail. When he opened it, he discovered a courier inside. He took out a sealed envelope, quickly checked his surroundings, and then headed back inside. His footsteps echoed in the grand, silent hallway. When he reached the large wooden door, he pushed it open with effortlessness.

"Ma'am, we've received a courier from the mailbox," he said in a professional tone, standing straight like a soldier.

Serena didn't glance up. With a hoover of her hand, she signaled him to place it near her. Nick bowed, setting the envelope down on the desk before stepping back.

She slowly spun her chair toward the table; the silence remained like a library, and she took the letter. Her eyes narrowed as she read the sender's name, causing her heartbeat to skip for a moment.

She rushed, tore open the envelope, unfolded the letter with the same fear as when she had 24 years ago, and began reading.

Hi, Serena, this is James.

Long time no see.

I hope you remember me. If not, hereafter, you won't be able to deny it.

Your daughter is so beautiful… just like you.

I'll be coming for her soon, and this is a small gift for you.

_______James Viper