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Chapter 7
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Distant Hearts Chapter 8
Present Noah“Hi”, Tatum greets unenthusiastically. She knows how to hold a grudge. I give my attention to her and she looks away immediately. Dorothy doesn’t notice though, she turns back to me to ask what I’d like to order.“What would you recommend?”, I ask, turning in Tatums direction. It’s obvious she’s been paying attention to my conversation with Dorothy because she instantly knows I was referring to her.“Me?”, she asks, turning to face me with a stunned expression“You’re the chef, what would you recommended?”. Dorothy turns to face her with a smile, probably also anticipating her recommendations“For breakfast? Uhm, you’d feel better if you consume a light meal so I’d recommend croissant sandwich with mushrooms and Brie. That way, you eat light enough to keep you active for the day but filling enough to keep hunger at bay. Coffee which would be served with the meal would soothe your body and make you alert”, she ends with a smile that seems genuine even if it’s me she’s ta
Distant Hearts Chapter 9
Four years ago TatumBridget summoned me to her office. Battle Bridget summoned me to her office . If that doesn’t spell disaster, I wonder what does. She’s hardly ever asked for me in the past but the few times she did, it was always for something bad I did. Getting into a fight with another kid on the manor, causing trouble, scoring the fence. I always got a good scolding for my actions but the last time Bridget summoned me, I was thirteen, young, stupid and on the cusp of pubertal craziness. Now however, I’m nineteen, almost a fully grown woman with a full brain to know when to walk out from a battle and put a lid on my stupid anger issues. I get to the door of her office and raise a fist to knock, frozen for a second by the torrent of questions that barrel through me, then taking a deep breath and finally knocking. “Come in”, her chilling voice calls from within. I don’t hesitate, I walk in and shut the door behind me. I’m about to open my mouth to ask why I was called when sh
Distant Hearts Chapter 10
Four years ago Tatum The picture in my hand almost makes me hyperventilate. I’m sitting on a swing and Nigel is behind me, smiling down at me as he holds on to the swing, preparing to give me another push. I’m smiling so hard while looking at him so my entire face doesn’t show but anyone who’s seen me before would immediately recognize me. Still, not enough evidence. The pictures keep getting worse though because in this next one, I can’t comfort myself with the “no evidence” thought anymore. We’re both lying on a sheet on the grass, with me lying flush on my back and Nigel’s head on my breast while he holds onto my waist, enjoying the feel of my hands caressing his hair. The picture was taken from above us on a day we’d gone for a picnic a month ago. There was a drone that was hovering about the park for some minutes, I remember smiling at the drone, happy about it, and when it hovered over Nigel and me, I had smiled at it because I thought nothing was amiss. Bloody idiot. If only
Distant Hearts Chapter 11
Four years agoTatumOver the next few days, I realize that Bridget is who I think she is. A witch. I’m not a servant in this manor, I live with my dad and he’s the one who works for the house so I’m never really expected to take on chores but I help when I can. It’s a norm in the manor, children of the staff aren’t burdened with duties but it seems Bridget doesn’t give a shit at this point. In the past week, I’ve done house laundry, cleaned the gardeners shed, washed dishes and even mowed the bleeding lawn. It’s all Bridget’s punishment for me. She’s trying to get back at me for standing up to her in her office and to be honest, I’m fed up of being tossed around and used like a human dog. But if there’s one thing Bridget is very good at, it’s treating people like dirt. Dad is out of town for a few days, all part of her plan I’m sure, since she sent him on a fools errand in town for a few days just to make sure he isn’t around while she makes my life hell. As much as everyone in the
Distant Hearts Chapter 12
Four years agoTateRyan has been my friend for the longest time. Probably my next best friend in this manor after Nigel and Nana. He genuinely cares for me and unlike other kids in the manor, we’re both two of the few kids that have stayed in this manor all their life. Most others Don’t live here permanently and others usually move out in their teen age or earlier. Ryan and I however have our whole lives here, our parents too so we stay and stick with them. I take a sip of the water he offered me and access the work I’ve done on the lawn so far. Choppy is quite an understatement for what I’ve done but that’s why Bridget gets for making me do hard labor like this, I dont have the slightest idea about lawn work. Ryan notices my stare and he cringes when he too looks around the field.“You’re doing great Tate”, he says quickly, as if to reassure me, as if I care. “Yeah, I better get back and finish it up now”. I begin to move forward but Ryan grabs my arm to stop me“You need rest T
Distant Hearts Chapter 13
Present NoahI ordered food tonight and I’m worried Tatum isn’t going to be the one to deliver it. Dotty’s new delivery guy already started work a few weeks ago so he delivers my meals most times. Tatum only delivers if her shift has ended and she’s on the way home. It’s been quite a while since I saw her and I find that I’m uncomfortable with that, I want to see her, badly. My friend, Julius seats on the sofa opposite me with a glass of whiskey in his hand. He twirls the amber liquid in the glass, his face in thought. I ordered a double portion of food for the both of us, he’s stressed enough with his sisters wedding that he’d probably go home later tonight and forget to eat. “Dad doesn’t even leave his room anymore”, he says out of the blue. “And I hardly get to speak with my sister about anything except the wedding. I’m so fucking tired”, he sighs, sounding absolutely distraught. “Talk to your other sister then”, I say, hardly interested in his family drama “Same thing with he
Distant Hearts Chapter 14
TatumFour years agoI lay sleepily on Nigel’s chest while he strokes my hair. He’s been doing it for a few minutes now and I’m about to fall asleep so I raise my head to kiss him but I see his face deep in thought.“Hey, what’s the problem?”, I ask, turning his chin to me. Hoping that he’d give me a response but instead, he smiles down at me then kisses me while hugging me tighter to him.“You’re so small”, he says instead of answering my question. “Nigel, don’t try to change the topic”, I scold and he sighs. “It’s really nothing”“Tell me”, I implore, softening my expression.“I want you to be my date at the event next week”“What?”“You know the event I’m talking about already and I’m asking you to come with me”“Nigel, do you know what you’re talking about? Taking me is going to expose us. Your moms going to find out about our relationship”Bridget is a socialite and she hosts her charity event annually so there’re always a lot of important attendees. Nigel and I going to eve
Distant Hearts Chapter 15
TatumFour years agoDad and I, along with all the other staff, leave for the charity event later that night. They won’t be working tonight since Bridget always hires people for things like this. I see Ryan at the entrance to the hall building and he waves me over. I smile at him and untangle my hand from dads elbow before making my way over to a beaming Ryan.“Hey”, he greets “Hi”. He turns his palm up and I take his hand as he walks me into the hall. “I hate things like this”, he says, pulling at the collar of his suit. “And why is it so hot in here”. He sounds frustrated now and it makes me laugh. “Here, let me help”. I reach up to loosen his tie so he’d feel better.“There, better now?”, I ask looking up at him only to see his eyes already on me. “Yeah, thanks”. I nod, looking away from him quickly.When I turn back into the hall, I see Nigel standing close to the VIP area and my heart skips a few beats. He doesn’t look happy to see me though, he looks almost angry and I’m
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