"You cannot sleep?" Holding her lips at the right time to not add "again", The older Zurrow stood not far away from an absent-minded Lorelei whose body did not care about the strong wind blowing ragedly around them on the large terrasse that linked her side of the house to Kayley and Alicia apartments.
It was a dynamic that had played with the older Zurrow thoughts before she knew the true on the young woman relationship with her mother. Her side was from all the huge place they lived in, clearly the master side. Everything was more than the luxury in the other rooms.
For example this terrasse was equipped to be Royal, with all the settings making it looked like Alibaba outside palace. That is why Kayley liked it here, plus the view on the garden by night was breathtaking with the way the lights played on it. It screamed Katiandra Fendrik Zurrow in all her glory. Sighing silently at the thought of the absent woman, her daughter looked back to her partner wondering what was going on in her mind.
Since the money deal, and Benoit arrival things have been going smoothly, everyone was happy to live their lives but this one. She was so secretive it was painful to witness. She could literally be everything anyone want her to be but still be her peaceful self. But in the depth there was that wall sometimes going down like a breach.
Right now, there was no filters to what it hide. Void, like she had given away what powering her through the day. Her eyes were so focused on the nothingness, like they founded there the most wonderful things that was revealing her all the truth she yearned for.
The real her, Kayley had learned to process for all the nights she had looked from afar not disturbing her peace. Sadness was left far from what it projected, it was the raw border of, maybe, a missing piece? It was not human the way she felt, that, Sandra was sure having herself experimented loneliness and hurt. It was like an entire different things. That is how she knew Lorelei truly loved her mother.
What she had come to compare Lorelei with was sadly, she thought, of a very human like robot that sometimes disconnected itself to all in a moment of consciousness remembering what they themselves yearned for.
It was uncanny like she was not here but far away in a reality only she knew about. The void in her eyes when she looked at Sandra confirmed it. For a moment they were empty. It was like the message of the words she just spoke, had take time to reach her brain like a robot processing an information.
Walking near her the older of the two placed a soft patchwork cover with Porys initials embroidered on her frail shoulders. Then reached for the button on the warming system to warmth the place, with a single push she knew it will start sending warm air around them very soon .
It was a simple gesture, that could save someone health, no that she ever heard Lorelei was sick to begin with. But, working around doctors was something that had changed her perception of simple things like this one.
"Yes thank you" Accepting the cover thar was just placed on her shoulders without another words than those three she merely uttered, Lorelei resumed her previous task this time with less focus. Suddenly aware of her company. A second nature for her, always be strong around your lover children, like they were so fragile. That motto even kayley had figured it out very quickly these past days.
Yes it was good at time to have a rock with you. Someone to lean on. But after seeing her do this night thing for almost three and a half month it was starting to be alarming. She could stay standing on this terrasse for all the night only to act like everyone through the day.
Not knowing where to start the talking, feeling really on foreign footage, Kayley, gaze wandered around them, it was clear that apart of shielding her emotions, Lorelei was not feeling for once, on duty to keep her entertained, which was unsettling.
"Even if I liked it in doctor K house before, it is far more better here with you guys. It remind me of home... Who am I kidding? This is HOME you know."
Humming at her words the young woman leaned on the railing looking all over the huge garden that had a scenery like those of the musuem. She knew this house was reflecting the like of it owner
There were something about the garden, a vibe, a good one. There were yards of land that was breathtakingly wonderful by night. All alive at night.
"I mean, she did not want me to come here. Killian you Know... But hey, while I do actually like her, my family is here. It is important. Like that I miss home less "
Knowing what she was trying to do, Lorelei glanced at her meeting Kayley's soft but cautious gaze a long moment before nodding again. They were feeling better now whenever they were left alone. There was a mutual understand between them, they really were family. Kamali knew to always be there for her as their mother would have done it. Reminding her to eat, to do this or that. Lorelei was like a shadow for them all. Smiling Kayley winked at her making her reciprocate the action.
Still pondering on Kayley comment, Lorelei knew the older of Katiandra had accepted her without any forms of fussing it was really refreshing. She was a totally different person, it had been visible with how she took the young Benoit in. The way she treated everyone was a happy sight for Lorelei to see, she just knew Kate would be overjoyed to see that too. That is why she playfully pushed her away with her shoulders still smiling.
"It's been long. You are right." A small smile still on Lorelei hummed softly feeling better than before after admitting that. She knew how it fell like to be HOME. She missed the real thing, but was still blessed to have people that reminded her of her lover all day. Kate will always be her home on this Earth, which makes her children to be a part of it. At least they were here.
Racking her mind to find something to say, anything to divert Lorelei focus from her pain , sandra wandered her eyes around the comfy place, untill they stopped on the chessboard neatly arranged on a table surrounded by comfy one place sofas.
The heat she had pulled on, was already engulfing them in a comfortable way , like a shield against the coldness of the weather.
Navigating her eyes to the game, she knew the young professor like to play it with her sister and even back home. Once she found them playing it at the museum, in fact it was the only time she had traveled there. What for? She could not placed it a part, anything else than to disturb Alicia peace, that Kayley knew was really not a good thing to remember. She always picture her old self like an evil spirit in movement.
Back to the present, she knew the chessboard placed there, was the universe language, a sign she need to pass the time, her gaze moved back on Lorelei, pointedly looking at her saying nothing, she just waited to be acknowledged before moving on with her new plan. Not long after Lorelei eyes met hers, following them to the table.
"What is this?"
Pointing the game with her gaze Kayley asked. a rethoric Lorelei quickly caught on, seeing the princess eyebrows moved suggestively, with hope in her eyes.
"Shall we?" Pointing at it firmly this Tim, already moving herself toward that angle Kayley smirked at the nod that followed.
"Sure." Holding onto the material still on her shoulders feeling all the vibes of the place under her bared feet as she walked behind the strong head woman Kayley had become. A sense of peace overtook Lorelei heart. The woman action towards her really warm her heart, she was trying for once to help her and it was really appreciated.
They silently sat on the comfortable seats surrounded by the wonderful vibes around them. Still with no words being spoken, they started playing. Without them knowing it, they managed to make it a regular thing for the next months that followed keeping theirs minds in the present time, days and nights untill exhaustion chase them. In a way they were healing each other fears and doubts on what the future could hold
A little nearing the end of the year, with no signs fro. Porys, this time not even the princesses received calls from their mother or brothers things had become tensed. They were all at the habitual debriefing session with all the staff of the new project that was really going quicker than everyone could predict.
Micheala outburst as she was speaking with Blake, unintentionally disrupted the status quo that was so perfectly build in their routine. The woman voice randomly stopped all conversation making her the star point in the room. She was really out of it by how incredulous her facial expression looked.
"What can explain someone failing? I just can't understand." Really far in her thoughts, the question popped out if nowhere for everyone to hear, followed by a rant about people with addictions, to say she was upset was an understatement.
Mrs Blake and her partners said nothing to her knowing it was not a thing for her to voice her problem. She was very strict on that board. For her to do it showed she was really out of it.
Her eyes looking at her hands infront of her or the files on the same position, no one could tell but she was infuriated. Maybes it was the fact that they had really bonded with each others over this works which was very demanding of people to really work together? It had already been a year. The fact is she felt comfortable enough to look up at them all after a moment, her eyes seeking for answers.
"The thing is so good you cannot control yourself and go on destroying your life for it ? What did I not gave him? He has all he can need or want but no! He chose to throw it through the window depressing over a girl! Who does not even care about him! Where is he now? You know where he is? In a rehabilitation center! Like a junky! Taking meds to get over a human being. "
The way her voice quivered toward the end was a one plus one equation to do for everyone, because the only one person she really care about on a personal matter like her own, could only be her younger brother. The hurt was more justified but not accurate, because it was for the majority of people in the place, a " faux pas" Like french people voiced it . The silence that greeted those words were proof enough.
"Okay" Glancing very quickly toward the end of the large wooden table were Zurrow daughters and Lorelei was sitting. Mrs Blake held her hand up to stop the flow of words that still wanted out of the indignant woman, who had no clue her ranting session was hitting too close from home. No kidding it was hitting the center.
While Lorelei was composed like always going through the organization of the HD representation like nothing was said. Even Benoit whose skills have so far been useful to them could see through it. It was very invisible for someone that did not know her but she was suddenly tensed.
They were going through some sharpening before launching the beginning of some tests. Lorelei gaze never left the page once while on the contrary the Zurrow daughters bodies languages screamed incoming war. It would have been comical for the others if it was someone else than the soft soul that was the young professor involved.
"Okay!? Blake, you--you know Brian! How can you say it is okay!? A bright and intelligent young man! All of it going to waste. What if he cannot get over it?"
Failing to understand the silent signal from her old friend, the designer inflamed gaze turned to her, the blue of her eyes shining making her looked like the beautiful sight one could have of a storm while comfortably secure in their house.
She really was more beautiful like that but here, who care? No one, not even herself, Benoit thought while Mrs Blake stoically turned her front completely toward her, looking straight in her eyes making valuable her position of authority in the movement to assert what she wanted to respond but was cut short by another voice.
"Your behavior surely will not help him."
The iced voice of princess Kayley startled everyone, who looked at her silently for a moment because she seemed to not be over.
"Life happens. Deal with it rather than complain. It is the smartest thing to do in all situation. A Queen words. Someone genius. So take some cues from it and stop filling ours ears with garbages."
Used to the woman acerbic opinion Micheala was at lost of words but the moment she recovered to respond Blake not only pointedly looked at her but one hand landed on her tigh in a murderous hold, the Italian did her best to not flinched but was sure it would leave a bruise. By the way she kept squeezing, the designer understood she had to be cautious, lowering in intensity, still met Kayley gaze to ask,
"You think it is normal?"
Humming at her question Kayley gaze at her less angry by the way the woman voice had lost its venom.
"I think you have no control on certain things. But yours is the decision to handle them in the right way."
"What is the right way then? Applaude him? Dude, excuse my language, I threw my money away by trusting him. Now that? What kind of right way do you want me to take this!?"
" Looks, what I know is that one can be very unhappy while having all the wealth of this world." Arching her eyebrows she let it sink a moment then pointed her well manicure finger at the Italian.
"What is the most important for you? Your brother well-being or your money? Because let me tell you that sure you work hard for that money. You did not had before. Now it is normal for you to keep track of it. But while it is important to have it, money is not the answer in all situation. You will have more of it that is a certainty in the future. This collaboration ensure that. But see further ahead for a moment and ask yourself one question though. Will you enjoy it with your brother out of the picture ? You do not turn your back to people who love you, that is the meaning of family. Stop selling him short to us and act. He surely only need to know you are still in his corner."
This was the longest anyone had ever heard Kayley Fendrik speaking when she was not playing the shield on Lorelei or Alicia. Who by the way, the designer was at this point doing her best to not look the young woman way. Her gaze by itself could almost make holes on the side of her face. Kayley after her long answer sternly looked at Michaela like her mother did to her knowing it was all shades of disconcerting.
The older of the Queen knew the effect that stare could particularly have on someone not used to it. Kayley was sure, the woman was surely squirming under her gaze surprised by her advice.
"Addiction are not good yes, but that sort is particular.. I mean, look closely. Your brother is one of a kind, I met him and I will never take him for someone who will do something lightly. There is others , huh, others layers to this. For all I know it may not be that the problem. But the way you guys will take it all. Apprehension from family acceptance could toys with someone head."
While she spoke, Lorelei, surprising everyone who turned to look at her, remembered the bright young man they were talking about, so exhunerant with life. Then she remembered a particular detail, once he had placed his phone on the window frame to speak with someone on a video call.
It seemed to be an event that had made his day after all, the smile on his face and the warmth way he spoke to that person, had stirred something in Lorelei bringing memories of her own to the surface. She had seen a face while passing by behind him. The woman was older than his twenty three years of age, the ring on her finger unmistakable, that is, with children, judging by the voice of screaming kids nearby calling he Mama.
Coming back from her zone out, she met Michaela gaze.
"Talk to him. Do you Know, that ' girl' ? No. Okay. Talk to him. Keep an open mind if you love him and want him to be okay"
Doing the " What are you not telling me?" Face Michaela wanted to push but Alicia stood looking straight at her.
"We have to go dear. This day was... ahhhh! I'm completely tired and very happy it is over." Picking Kamali belonging with hers, like she was her PA, Which was something she just got herself in, Alicia held them on her to torso while the two others stood up to follow her, no word was spoken untill they all disappeared, leaving Blake and the designer in the room.
"What..."
"You should do as she said Mica. Royal coaching is noy everyone chance "
Taking her hand in hers Blake patted it a moment looking straight in her eyes.
"She is right. Brian is has his shit together. That little man is too intelligent to just lost it. There is more to it. We should start by knowing who that SHe is. "
Happy to know she was not alone in this Micheala nodded her mind still in a daze of all that just happened Wondering what we the over zealous behavior of Kayley was about. Why would she care so much? Normally the only thing that made her talk was to defend , protect Lorelei from the designer. In fact even more than her sister, which meant what now?
The question was to whom was she in love in their family. The brothers? Or the father? The later was not sure but the way the daughters treated her like their own. Which left the brothers.
Looking at Blake she pondered.
"You okay?" Blake inquiring about her wellbeing Micheala nodded leaning back on her chair feeling deflected.
She wanted to ask, she had not let go of her own feeling but in a way step back after the money for the phone had been found from nowhere else but Porys. Like a cold bath she had take her distance from the situation, she wondered why her brother could not do the same, he was smarter than her.
Knowing the older woman attachement to Lorelei and her deathly loyalty to the Royal family and to the Queen in particular. It was sure that truth if she knew it, Which she clearly do, would go with her in her grave.
"Yeah I am fine. Just thinking that you guys are all right. I , I took it the wrong way. But don't you think it is presumptuous of princess Kayley to say this cooperation is a matter of fact my way to become richer?"
"Dear, more money could never hurt. Influence too, that is what your name will be link too after this. My children I know would have never get the chance to be transplanted if i did not have a Queen to call friend. That is a white true. I tried by myself and always end up at a long queue, when you deal with Royalty You always get more out of it. Only if you know how to hold your tongue at the right time. That is. They are the simplest person I know sometimes one could forget the true about them, but do not lie to yourself. Throughout all days, Alicia, Lorelei or Kayla as we are speaking of her, knows who she is. Her words held nothing against you, my friend. It is just the pragmatism in her blood speaking. Get over the hurt and meet your brother half way he need you now. Nothing else. "
Sighing feeling better, Michaela nodded massaging her neck right away knowing what she should do.
"Come with me?"
Smiling at her as a mother would do, Blake patted her back already getting up.
"Come on, you do not have to ask."
Following her without wasting any time Micheala, closed the door of the conference room behind her since the others had already walked out of it, she could only wondered how her brother would take her sudden shift of mood. She knew at least Blake would be the best tool she had since he really loved the woman, after all she was his godmother.