Chapter 59: Chapter 59

Chapter 59

RAVEL

78%

PRESENT TIME

Today’s a leisurely day, intentionally so. I’ve decided to keep business at bay while I’m away from New York, entrusting all calls to Rose. Raymond is right here with me, embracing the laziness. He’s casually browsing through TV channels, searching for something interesting to watch. When his quest proves futile, he lets out a groan and tosses the remote onto the adjacent couch.

I glance up from my phone, my gaze meeting his momentarily. A chuckle escapes me as I observe his expression of frustration. “Feeling that bored?” Given how he was up on his feet throughout the night, I figured he’d relish this downtime.

“Why exactly have we found ourselves confined to this rather uneventful room?” he groaned, dramatically sprawling across the expanse of the sofa. “Lazy days, in all their glory, don’t necessarily have to equate to being locked in this space. We could, in theory, explore the option of making a brief stop at the nearby bar. Just a thought, you know.”

With a chuckle, I continued my leisurely perusal through Hazel’s latest Instagram pictures. “If your restlessness has reached such monumental heights, you could consider spending time with Elenor. I’d be willing to wager that her appreciation for your presence would surpass mine at this point.”

“F uck off,” he grumbled, swiping up his phone in a slightly irked manner.

Still thoroughly entertained by his flair for the dramatic, I couldn’t help but let out a few more chuckles as the door to my room was unexpectedly flung open, ushering Elenor into the space with her characteristic graceful stride. “I find myself filled with regret for having arranged my flight for tomorrow afternoon. Boredom has truly taken hold of me in its clutches.”

“Ever heard of knocking before barging into someone’s room?” I inquired, playfully tucking my phone away for a moment. to jest with her. “One of these days, you might just catch me completely naked.”

1 She let out a scoff. “And what thrilling sight would that be?” she quipped, settling herself onto the bed and slipping off her heels. “I’m quite certain that Raymond’s is substantially bigger and larger than yours.”

I nearly choked on my drink, caught completely off guard. “What the heck, Elenor? There are boundaries, you know. Discussing your brother’s di ck is beyond the pale.”

I shot a disgruntled look at Raymond, who was chuckling softly. “Don’t go encouraging her.”

He raised his hands in a gesture of innocence. “Wasn’t planning to,” he denied, his amusement evident.

Directing my focus back to Elenor, I plucked one of her earrings from the bed and casually deposited it on the bedside drawer. “Aren’t there any friends you could be gallivanting around with?” I remarked with a playful edge, keeping in mind her reputation as a party enthusiast. It’s hard to believe she wouldn’t have anyone to hang out with. “Or have they all chosen to desert you due to your rather vexing attitude?”

In response, she nonchalantly flashed her middle finger at me. “The only friend I possess in Seattle happens to be Hazel, and she abandoned me for your sake,” she disclosed, her tone carrying a mix of annoyance and candidness. Her admission prompted a grip to spread across my face. “She practically bolted from her office not too long ago because either Monica or Daisy got injured.”

Raymond, curious about the details, chimed in. “So, which one of them got hurt?” he inquired, joining our ongoing conversation. “Monica or Daisy?”

Elenor’s response was a nonchalant shrug. “First, she asked about Daisy’s condition, and then she mentioned that Monica had collapsed. She leaned forward and deftly stole my drink. “You might want to ring her up and find out what’s going on. Hazel seemed really worried, and she shut down any conversation when I tried to ask.”

“I’ll give her a call later,” I decided, believing it wise to grant her some time to assess the situation before reaching out.

Seeming unfazed by whether or not I made the call, Elenor shrugged indifferently. “On a brighter note,”

she declared,

Chapter 59

capturing my attention with her announcement. I arched a curious brow at her. “Hazel broke up with David.”

“I’m already in the loop about that,” I responded with a deadpan tone. “I happened to be there when it all unfolded.

Elenor’s lips formed an “o” shape. “I’m actually relieved she ended things with him,” she pondered aloud. “There’s something about that guy that just sets me off.” She shifted her body to face me, her posture engaged. “So, what exactly led you to pummel him in that parking lot?”

The mere thought of him makes my blood boil, and I find myself yearning to go back in time and deliver a thorough beating. “He spewed some trash about Hazel that I couldn’t stomach,” I replied, the idea of him even remotely close to Hazel’s life triggering an intense protective instinct. The men tal image of her on his bed could easily drive me to do irrational things.

“As I suspected,” she muttered, a knowing tone in her voice. “Hazel’s the only one who can rile you up like that.” She rolled off the bed and scooped up her shoes from the floor. “I’m hoping my dislike for him is just a figment of my imagination.”

“Perhaps it’s because you secretly yearn for us to reconcile.”

As she fastened her shoe straps, Elenor let out a dismissive scoff. “I couldn’t care less who Hazel ends up with, as long as she’s happy. Don’t think for a second I wouldn’t happily stand by her side as a bridesmaid if she chose to marry someone else.”

“Da mn you, Elenor,” I shot back, frustration evident in my words. Raymond couldn’t help but chuckle, finding amusement in our ongoing exchange. “You’re my sister, which should mean you’re automatically on my side.”

“Feel free to keep living in that fantasy,” she taunted, a mocking tone in her voice. “And for the record, I thought you were adopted.”

Raymond burst into laughter, unable to contain his amusement. “Watching you two bicker like this never gets old. It’s oddly refreshing,” he commented, clearly entertained by our dynamic.

Elenor stood up. “I’m thrilled that you find our interactions entertaining,” she said with a dry tone.

“Considering your current state of unemployment, care to join me for a visit to the bar?”

Raymond’s lips compressed, the gears in his mind visibly turning as he contemplated how to decline her proposition. His feelings for her were unmistakable, though he seemed to be suppressing them out of respect for Anne’s presence. “Just accompany her, Raymond. There’s no need to be so hesitant,” I urged, sensing the internal struggle within him.

He let out a scoff, shooting me an irritated glare. “My duty is to ensure your safety, a task that becomes impossible if I’m at a bar, playing guardian to an adult-sized adolescent.”

Elenor retorted sharply, “Scr ew you.”

“Don’t disparage my sister when I’m around, Raymond. You may be my friend, but she’s my younger sibling, and I’ll always stand by her. ALWAYS.”

He gave a nod, avoiding my eyes. “I apologize, sir.”

Elenor let out a sigh. “You could have made your point without using the word “baby”,” she remarked, standing before a full- length mirror to adjúst her hair. “He referred to me as a teenager, and you labeled me a baby. Which one do you think I’d prefer?”

And once again, she’s taking his side. It’s not the first instance where I’ve sided with Elenor against Raymond, only for her to ultimately side with him, casting me as the antagonist. “Whatever, Elenor…

whatever,”

She shrugged, seemingly unbothered. “Are you joining me or not?”

Raymond shifted his attention back to his phone. “I’ve already made it clear that I won’t be going with you.”

“Fine,” she blew a playful kiss in my direction and sauntered toward the door. “Just remember, my plan for the night involves finding someone to spend the evening with. You could’ve been that person, but you opted to be a coward who fears my mother.” With that, she left the room, closing the door with a resounding slam.

Chapter 59

Raymond’s jaw clenched, but he remained seated. Frustrated with his demeanor, I grabbed a pillow and hurled it at him. “You know you want to go after her,” I remarked, irritation evident. He gazed at me, then at the closed door. “Forget about Anne’s influence. Don’t make a choice you’ll come to regret.”

He leapt off the sofa, swiftly pocketing his phone, and dashed after Elenor. “That’s more like it,” I mused. Finally alone with my thoughts, I resolved to call Hazel. On the first attempt, she didn’t answer, but I kept dialing until she finally picked up.

“Ravel,” she spoke softly, her tone indicating that it wasn’t the most opportune time for a call. “Can I reach out to you later? It’s not the best time.”

Her tone of concern immediately set off alarm bells within me. Sitting up, I searched for my car keys, preparing to head over to her. “Is everything alright?” Her worry was triggering my own. “Is Daisy okay?”

She inhaled sharply. “What did you just mention?”

I repeated my question. “I asked if Daisy is alright.”

“How did you come to know about her?” she asked, her voice shaky.

What was she talking about? “What do you mean? Daisy?”

“Yes. How did you find out about Daisy?” her breathless inquiry came through the line.