บททั้งหมดของ Terms and Conditions Apply: บทที่ 21 - บทที่ 26

The weekend came way too fast. No schedules with Mr. Langston, but the days after that hellish Monday were jam-packed. I was stuck babysitting Tahlia’s wounded heart while scheming the perfect meetup for Miss Laurent and Mr. Langston.I opened my wardrobe after my shower, skimming through the many sundresses hanging in neat, colorful rows. Two rows in and I was still skeptical about which one to pick. A soft yellow, a floral blue and I finally plucked a white cotton piece off the hanger, pressing it against my towelled body as I walked over to the full length mirror.Tilting my head from side to side, I admired my pick as I ran my fingers through my straight hair.It’s added a little length.What’s this newfound gorgeousness?I’d had the urge to color it especially after Tahlia went from brunette to burgundy, but Mr. Langston’s very vocal hatred for blondes had made me want to keep mine exactly as it is. I played with the strands. “Should I lighten it, or—”A wet choking retch came f

“Yeah. You've done nothing for this family, Andrea. And also, not everyone needs to work.” She flipped her hair over one shoulder. “Some of us are born to be queens.”I stood, dazed.I sent money whenever Mom called unless I genuinely didn’t have any. I even secretly covered Liz’s fees more than twice, quietly funneling it through Anthony so it looked like it came from him.Why did she make it sound like I did nothing?We walked into the kitchen in silence.Mom was at the counter, completely oblivious to us, dancing lightly to the music playing through AirPods that glowed in her ears.The kitchen looked incredible too. New cabinets, fresh paint. Copper pots were hanging over the stove.She reached for two tomatoes, about to cut, but the dish towel tucked at her side slipped to the floor.She bent, looked up and then realized.“My girls!” she cried out, flopping out the AirPods. I ran into her arms, laughing.When we pulled apart, I noticed the streaks of gray in her hair. It made my

***• Everett •***The date was set in the rooftop pool deck of The Westbury Vale. I made sure I didn't over exert myself, leaving most of the arrangements for Claire to handle, and heading on there at the stroke of noon.Colourful canopies were lined at the edge of the pool deck, and while I walked the stony pathway, a low, velvety RnB track filtered into the atmosphere, syncing with my steps and bringing the picture of someone I never wanted to reminisce about to mind.I fluttered my eyes open and close several times, surging ahead now wondering how powerful music was. One note could bring back both wanted and unwanted memories.At the far end of the deck, I caught a glimpse of her. She was clad in a satin slip dress, sitting under a striped cabana umbrella. I approached her in quick steps, but at that moment, a young man passed the table close to where she sat.He was struck by her face and paused, muttering something I didn’t hear. Before I could so much as blink, he yanked his p