Chapter 989: From Foes To Friends

Chapter 989: From Foes To Friends



By the time Matt, Candace, and Jamal got to Matt's place, it was past midnight already and Jamal slept through the drive.

As Candace tucked Jamal in for the night, he woke up, and then looked around the room, "Is this Matt's house?" He asked curiously, although he was still very sleepy.

Candace nodded, "Yes."

"Are you going to stay here after you marry him?" He asked again, and Candace smiled.

"We are both going to stay here together," she assured him, but he shook his head.

"I'm not going to leave stay here. I will visit you," he said, and Candace frowned.

"Why? Don't you like this place? Don't you want me to marry Matt?" She asked as she joined him on the bed and pulled him closer.

"I don't want to leave grandpa. Grandpa will be lonely if everyone leaves. And I don't want to be far from HAJ," he said, and her frown deepened.

"So, you're saying you want to leave me alone?" she asked, heartbroken at the thought.

"I will visit you a lot," he said and Candace shook her head.

"I can't let the happen, Jam. You're my son. You should be with me. I can't be away from you," she said, but Jamal said nothing to that.

After waiting for sometime for him to say something but he didn't, she looked down at him and realized he had slept off.

She sighed deeply as she quietly got off the bed and left the room. She was still frowning when she walked into Matt's bedroom.

"Is there a problem?" He asked, moving closer to her as she took off her clothes to go freshen up.

She told him about her conversation with Jamal, and Matt placed both hands on her shoulders. "Don't let it bother you. I'm not exactly tied to this place and we can get a place in Sogal if need be. That way he will be closer to your dad and the studio, and when we visit Ludus we can stay here. It's not really that big a deal," he assured her.

Candace sighed deeply as she thought about it. It wasn't just about Matt moving. She had been looking forward to moving to Ludus to join the others and even get a job at I-Global like Jade after she was done with school. Staying back in Sogal had not exactly been in her plans and now she wasn't sure what to do.

Deciding not to think about it now, Candace went in to freshen up and when she was done, they went to bed.

The next morning, sunlight streamed softly through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room where Lucy and Tom were still snuggled up in bed.

They were woken by a knock on the door informing them that breakfast was ready and the others were down already.

Lucy blinked sleepily, barely stirring, but she felt the familiar weight of exhaustion hanging over her.

Tom opened one eye and gave her a drowsy smile. "Morning," he murmured.

"Morning," she whispered back, sighing deeply as she stretched her arms. "I feel like I could stay in bed all day. Honestly, I wish I didn't have to step out with the girls."

Tom chuckled, his voice warm and teasing. "That does sound tempting, but unfortunately, you've already made plans. And besides, we still need breakfast. Come on, let's get going."

Lucy groaned, burying her face in her pillow. "Fine, but only because I'm starving," she muttered, earning another laugh from Tom. They both managed to roll out of bed, moving at a slow, sleepy pace as they made their way to freshen up.

As they brushed their teeth and washed up, Tom looked over at Lucy, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Last night was fun, wasn't it? Having everyone around?"

Lucy nodded, her eyes brightening a little. "It really was. The games and all. It felt... cozy and relaxing. I suppose this exhaustion is worth the fun."

"Yeah," Tom agreed, a warmth in his voice.

They dressed, sharing small comments about the night before, each memory bringing a quiet smile or chuckle. When they were finally ready, they headed downstairs, arms brushing as they walked side by side.

Down in the dining room, Sonia and Bryan were already seated with Amy and Lucas, all of them looking equally tired as they picked at their breakfast. Lucas waved as they approached, and Sonia called out, "Look who decided to join us!"

Lucy rolled her eyes, smiling. "It was a close call. I was tempted to sleep right through breakfast."

Lucas grinned, raising his coffee mug. "You and me both. Last night was a blast, but I think I'm going to need a nap after this."

As they all settled in, the conversation drifted back to the previous night, each of them sharing snippets of jokes and funny moments from the party. They laughed over silly things- Harry's terrible attempt at dancing, the water fight and games. It was easy, lighthearted, and filled with the warmth of friendship and family.

After breakfast, as they made their way back to their rooms, Lucas turned to Amy, his voice soft. "You know, you still haven't told your mom about the engagement."

Amy's eyes widened, and she laughed a little. "Oh, right. I completely forgot. Do you think we should call her now?"

"Yeah," Lucas agreed, smiling. "Let's do it. I want her to know, and I'm sure she's going to be so happy."

"Yeah, she is," Amy agreed as they settled on the bed, and she pulled out her phone, dialing her mother's number for a video call.

After a few rings, her mother appeared on the screen, standing in the Garwood kitchen, a warm smile spreading across her face when she saw Amy and Lucas together. "Amy! Lucas! How are you two?" she asked, her voice filled with joy. "And why aren't you visiting for the holidays?"

Amy smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, Mom, we have other plans this time, Mom."

"Hi, Jade," Lisa said, looking at her with a wide smile. "Do you remember me?"

Jade smiled warmly. "Of course, Lisa. How could I forget?"

"Well, I was heavily pregnant the first and last time we met, so it's normal if you don't

remember," Lisa said with a small laugh.

"Well, I do," Jade assured her.

"My mother-in-law owns this place. I came to hang out with my sisters, and when I saw you I thought I should say hello," Lisa said, and then looked around the table from Lucy to Candace

and Andy.

"Your mother-in-law? Debbie owns here?" Candace asked, since her mother-in-law was

Aaron's girlfriend.

"I guess this was the place Dad said he met her," Andy said with a grin, "Nice spot for

blooming romance if you ask me."

Lisa laughed, "Yeah. Funny how our paths cross again. Small world, isn't it?" she asked with a

wide smile and they had to admit it was indeed small.

"Well, Lisa meet the GEL club. Everyone meet Lisa Steele. We are celebrating our friend Amy

who just got engaged," Jade explained, gesturing to Amy.

"Oh! That's great. Congratulations," Lisa said with a wide smile, "If you don't mind me asking, what's the GEL club?" She asked, and Jade signaled to Lucy to explain, and Lucy told

her about them.

Lisa's eyes lit up, and she glanced at her sisters. "That's interesting. What is the criteria to be a member? I'd like to join you. I'm sure my sisters would love to be a part of this too." "I trust you, but I can't say the same for your sisters, given our history with them. Can you

vouch for them?" Jade asked, and Lisa placed a hand on her chest with a solemn expression. "I assure you, they're completely changed," she said, and then Jade looked around the table, her gaze meeting Lucy's for approval.

With a little shrug, Lucy gave a nod of approval. Jade smiled, extending an open invitation.

"Alright. You can join us."

Lisa excitedly went to get her sisters, and Sonia looked at Lucy and Jade with interest, "Are

you sure it's wise to let them join us?"

"Everyone deserves a second chance, Sony. Their mother has paid for her crimes and she is gone now. Let's give them a chance," Lucy said, and Sonia shrugged.

"Just saying," she said, as Lisa returned with Bernice and Tiffany.

As Tiffany sat down, she met Lucy's gaze, remembering their last meeting at the spa. "I'm

sorry for the last time," she said, and Lucy waved it off. "That's all in the past. What about Anita?" she asked curiously.

"She is fine. She doesn't plan to return anytime soon," Tiffany said and Jade looked at her

with interest.

"If you don't mind me asking, I've been curious. What about your husband?" she asked, and

Tiffany smiled.

"Jack is fine. We are divorced now," she said, and when Jade glanced at Bernice, Bernice

smiled as though she could read her mind.

"I chose not to be involved with him," Bernice said, and Jade nodded, not asking for any other

explanation.

Andy took it up from there, and told the ladies all they needed to know about the GEL club,

and once they settled in, their laughter and chatter blended with the warmth of friendship

that filled the lounge.

Lucy smiled as she watched them, amused by the unpredictability of life, and how foes could become friends, and strangers, family.