“I’ve got to give you your gift?” He was whispering as I frowned
“I don’t want anything.” I smirked as he frowned now, there was a little crease on his forehead that was deeper when he did this.
“Tough shit.” He placed his hand down the side of him towards his pocket and pulled out a little box. Almost instantly my heart begins to pound. Holy shit I hope it’s not an engagement ring... My expression must read scared and he simply smiled. As I took the box off him, my hands were almost shaking and I squinted inside. I smiled widely as I spotted a pair of earrings and a necklace placed inside. I clutched his hand softly and whispered.
“Thank you.” I pressed my head into his chest and felt him cuddle me. We sat in an embrace like this for the majority of the night. We enjoyed each others company.
Vens
I don't think I've ever felt so at ease with anybody else in my life before, though I knew it would be short lived and I wasn't entirely sure how I'd feel about him finding out. My face twisted as she looked up at me when our parents walked in through the door from the kitchen. Her mum was lovely, she joked and actually made my mother crack a smile. Buddy, Marley and Jamane were rather merry and started dancing around the living room with my youngest sister Aimee, she had grown so much over the last few years. Av started humming to a song that was playing through the tv speakers. She smiled at me and I moved her hair from her face.
“Jamane?” He turned to glance at her and nodded.
“Yes Av?” She sat upright and glanced across at Nancy.
“I know your group like hip hop but have they ever tried contemporary?” He grinned and shrugged.
“Probably some of them why?”
“I was thinking of teaching them some of my own choreography but it's not street.” He nodded eagerly and she glanced towards me. “It's a two man dance?” I suppressed a smile and her eyes wandered down towards my hands.
“You'd like me to learn it?” She nodded softly in my chest and I pulled her closer towards me. “Okay if you wish.” This seemed to ease her awkwardness a little and I heard a small laugh escape Jamanes lips.
“I just hope she can cope with girls swooning.” I smirked as the v appeared in between her eyes.
“I'm going to be fine.” She reassured him softly and relaxed back into the sofa. I overheard my father discussing business plans and I scooted slightly in my seat. I still haven't spoken to him about not being his lawyer. He glanced at me and everybody in the room seemed to be staring at me like I had something stuck to my forehead. Jay was moving awkwardly and looking at Av’s mother as she talked about strategy with him. They really seemed to like her. I frowned and stood to follow Jay into the kitchen where the smell of Christmas dinner lingered in the air. It was comforting.
“You didn't tell him then?” I shook my head and felt a wave of guilt flood me. His phone buzzed and as he answered it his face changed. I cringed to myself and glanced at Jay who was standing, shrugging. His ‘I told you to tell him before he found out through his PA’ look spoke louder than if he was to say anything at all. I huffed as my father frowned at me.
“When were you going to tell me your company weren’t going to have my back in this takeover?” I cleared my throat and nudged Jay's arm. He frowned and I grimaced a little. I sensed he could feel my pain.
“We can’t back you. Your competition is our client.” I glanced at Av who didn't really seem to be taking any notice, which eased me as I went to pour myself a coffee. If Av found out I worked for HJC I think she'd combust.
As I poured the hot coffee I felt small hands creep around my waist, I smiled to myself as she rested her head against my back and let out an almighty yawn. I turned to face her and cupped her head in my chest. I was on edge now, the feeling of wanting to jack up back but after holding her close to me it soon disappeared. Her skin turned a cool shade of pink and I smiled as she blushed. Seeing her face fill with blood even now made my heart pump a little faster.
“Your Dad isn’t happy is he?” I shook my head as she buried hers into my chest again. I huffed and she shrugged too.
“He never is sweetheart. You’ll learn to either love him or loathe him.” I heard her snigger and felt her squeeze me a little tighter. “I think you’ll be shocked when you see him lose his rag.” I let out a small giggle and felt her tense.
“I don’t think it could be worse than you?” She glanced up through her thick eyelashes and I grinned before I shrugged. She was right. Though she'd seen a side of me she had no idea how bad bad was. Half the people in that room didn't know what we’d done. What I was capable of doing. I flinched at the thought and I picked her up. She let out a small whimper and I grinned to myself. All I had to do was keep her here, keep her within arm's length, within touching distance and maybe she'd be safe.
****************************************************
There’s blood all over the floor, she’s pale and barely breathing. I reach for her and hold the hole that’s so close to her tiny bump. Tears are beginning to stream from my eyes. Bandoni is standing over us laughing. I place my lips against her head and
