One Wild Night

Candace had been too exhausted both physically and emotionally to think about anything the previous night, but the first thought on her mind, when she woke up that morning, was the fact that she wasn't an orphan and she had a father and brother.

A father and a twin brother, she thought with a half smile as she looked down at Jamal who was sound asleep on the bed beside her.

She had not been able to tell Jamal about it yet, but she was going to tell him about it before they returned to the hospital.

Even though she was still nervous about the changes that this was going to cause in her life, she couldn't deny the fact that she was sort of happy at the same time. Especially at the way both Harry and Aaron had opened their arms to her and welcomed her into their little family despite only just learning that she was alive.

Unable to stay in bed, Candace sat up and checked the time. It was past six already, so she got off the bed and after adjusting the blanket around Jamal, she left the room and headed for the kitchen.

She paused by the staircase when she saw some people moving some boxes and items into a room downstairs and she looked at them curiously wondering what was going on.

Knowing that there was only one place she could get her answer, she continued to the kitchen.

"Good morning, Adolf, Samantha," Candace greeted as she walked into the kitchen and saw Samantha kneading dough while Adolf sat by the kitchen island.

"Good morning," Adolf greeted back as he drank from his cup of coffee while reading the morning news on his phone.

"Good morning. I hope you slept well?" Samantha asked, and Candace gave her a nod.

"Yes, I did. Did you?" Candace asked, and Samantha sighed deeply.

"At my age, it's hard to say I did. I could hear my bones creaking," Samantha said dramatically and Adolf snorted.

"You're not that old. And maybe your bones would feel better if you let someone take care of you," Adolf muttered, and Samantha glared at him.

"Finish up that horsepiss you're drinking and get out of my kitchen! Shouldn't you be supervising them out there instead of sitting there and interfering in a conversation that has nothing to do with you?" Samantha snapped at him.

"There you go. Your foul mouth is the reason your bones keep creaking not age," Adolf said, as he stood to leave, and Candace laughed when Samantha threatened to hit him with the rolling pin.

"Your filthy mouth is the reason you're still single at your age," Samantha hissed at Adolf who ignored her as he walked out of the kitchen.

"Where do you think you're going leaving behind your mug without rinsing it?" Samantha called, but Adolf didn't look back.

"You like him, don't you?" Candace asked with a knowing grin as she picked up Adolf's mug and took it to the sink.

"There's nothing to like about that filthy-mouthed ugly-looking man," Samantha said, and Candace giggled.

"And you don't have to wash his mug or assist with any chores. You should rest. You looked like you were going to pass out on your feet last night," Samantha observed.

"How about now?" Candace asked with a bright smile, one that Samantha had never seen on her before.

"You look... happy," Samantha said while observing her, and Candace smiled.

"What's going on out there?" Candace asked, jerking her head to the door.

"Tom didn't say. He asked us to let them in," Samantha said with a shrug, and Candace nodded thoughtfully as she looked around the kitchen.

"Can I borrow your kitchen or share your space with you?" Candace asked, and Samantha narrowed her eyes at her.

"What do you want to do?"

"I will like to prepare breakfast for someone. Two people actually," Candace said, and Samantha shook her head.

"Tom and Lucy? No. I'm fixing their breakfast already," Samantha said, and Candace shook her head.

"No, not them. I'm taking the food with me to the hospital," Candace said, and Samantha's brows pulled together.

​ "Is it for Harry and his dad?" She asked suspiciously since she knew Aaron was at the hospital not only because Adolf had taken food to Lucy and Jamal there, but also because Jamal had told them about how he held Aaron's and Harry's hand until they had felt better, earning him a new nickname amongst the kitchen staff.

They had called his hands 'healing hands."

"Yes. So will you let me?" Candace asked while Samantha continued to look at her thoughtfully.

"Why? Are you interested in Harry? Is that why you look so happy?" Samantha asked, and Candace grinned.

"Yes, I'm interested in him," Candace said, and Samantha pursed her lips as she considered whether or not to say something.

Candace observed her in amusement as she left the dough and moved closer to her, "There have been some rumors amongst the house staff since Mr. Hank's birthday that something might be going on between Harry and Jade," she confided, and Candace giggled.

"Yes, something is definitely going on between those two. And now that you mentioned her, make it breakfast for three. I have to prepare some for her too," Candace said, and Samantha looked at her with confused eyes.

"I thought you were interested in him?"

"Yes, but not the way Jade is so you don't have to worry," Candace assured her, and Samantha sighed when she realized that she was not going to be getting more than that piece of information from her.

"Alright, I will let you do what you want even though I don't like sharing my space. What do you want to prepare?" Samantha asked as she returned to the dough she was kneading.

Candace deliberated on it for a while since she didn't know exactly what to prepare for them. She had no idea if they had any allergies or special preferences. Perhaps cooking for them now was a bad idea?

"What are you thinking about?" Samantha asked when Candace remained silent after some time.

"I just realized I don't know them well enough to know their preferences," Candace said, and Samantha smiled.

"Don't worry, I know Harry's preferences, and I'm sure he shares the same with his dad," Samantha assured her.

"Give me a moment to place this in the oven and then I will guide you," Samantha said, and Candace gave her a smile of gratitude as she sat on one of the stools beside the kitchen island while she watched Samantha.

Away from there, Lucy sleepily reached for Tom on the bed but all she felt was the empty space beside her. When she touched all around her and didn't feel him on the bed, she opened her eyes and sat up.

Where was he? She mused as she got off the bed, not bothered by the fact that she was naked.

"Ace?" She called softly and looked towards the balcony when the curtain moved and Tom waved at her.

He was on the phone, and from the look on his face it seemed to be a serious conversation, so not wanting to bother him, she walked over to the bathroom and rinsed her mouth using the mouthwash before finding something simple to wear.

Thankfully it was Saturday and she didn't need to get ready for work. All she had to do for the day was go for her contract signing at the foundation and go on her date with Tom.

She paused when she remembered how upset Sonia had been the previous night, and immediately she returned to her bedside and picked up her phone to dial Sonia's line.

The phone rang a couple of times but Sonia didn't take her call, making worry lines form on her brows. Was Sonia okay? She mused as she dialed Bryan's line. She became even more worried when Bryan's line failed to connect.

Was Bryan still mad at Sonia? She hoped not, Lucy mused as Tom walked into the bedroom.

"Good morning, Jewel," Tom said as he walked towards her, dressed in a tank top and shorts and he leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"Sorry I wasn't beside you when you woke up," Tom said, and looking at his face Lucy could tell that something was wrong.

"Who were you on the phone with? Is everything alright?" Lucy asked curiously and Tom sighed.

He was angry because once again all his plans for the day had been ruined, but he didn't want to upset Lucy, so he forced a smile.

"We have a long day ahead of us. Come with me," Tom said as he took Lucy's hand and led her out of the room.

Lucy followed Tom, wondering where they were going as he led her down the stairs and her mouth fell open in surprise when he opened the door to the drawing room.

The room looked like it had been converted into a boutique or a fashion house, and there were over ten people inside.

"What is this?" Lucy asked, turning to Tom.

"I was going to take you shopping as planned but since we never seem to have the time to go for it, I decided to bring it to you. You need to dress the role for your contract signing today as well as your outfits for the anniversary week. I brought in different designers so you can choose whatever you want, although I paid for everything here already. I like to believe I know your taste. I hope you don't mind?" Tom asked, and Lucy smiled at him.

How could she mind? Maybe she would have in the past since she prided herself on being independent and getting her things herself, but right now she didn't mind. All she felt was the love in his action.

She had to admit that the thought had crossed her mind that she needed to get new clothes for the anniversary week, especially the dinner party. As much as she loved to be herself, she understood that even if he was just Tom to her, she was dating Thomas Hank, and as such needed to dress the role beside him.

"I was going to drive down to my apartment to find something to wear, but now I don't have to do that anymore. Thank you," Lucy said as she leaned forward and kissed his lips, ignoring the curious eyes in the room.

"I'm relieved. For a moment I thought you might misunderstand," Tom said with a pleased smile.

"Let's take a look around," Lucy suggested, and placing her arm in the crook of his arm they moved around the room together checking the clothes rack of each designer and the shoes and pieces of jewelry that had been graciously arranged beside them.

"They are all my style and the perfect size. I love them all. I know this must have cost you quite a fortune. Thank you so much, Ace," Lucy said as she looked around the place.

Tom had a smile on his face as he watched her. It seemed like no matter how upset he was, seeing her happy always seemed to make him feel better.

"It's nothing compared to the joy you bring me," Tom said quietly and Lucy turned to him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Do you know you have become very good at public displays of affection?" Tom whispered to her as he kissed her forehead and Lucy giggled in embarrassment.

"Perhaps it's because when I'm with you I don't see anyone else," Lucy said, and Tom grinned.

"And you are quickly mastering the art of making my heart flutter," he said, and Lucy laughed as she pulled away from him, while the others in the room watched them with concealed amusement and interest.

Once they were done, and they had picked out the perfect outfit for her contract signing, Tom dismissed the designers and they were left alone.

"I spoke with Priscilla," Tom said once the last person shut the door behind them.

"When? This morning?" Lucy asked, looking at him in surprise.

"Yes. I asked her to push the meeting forward. You should be there by 8 and be out of there in less than an hour," Tom said, and Lucy frowned.

"Why would you do that without asking me first?" She asked with displeasure and Tom sighed, knowing what she was thinking.

"I'm sorry. I spoke with my parents. Sonia isn't fine and we thought you should go to her," Tom said, and immediately tears gathered in Lucy's eyes.

"Sonia? What is wrong? Is she Ill? Or is it about her fight with Bryan?" Lucy asked with concern.

"It's her fight with Bryan. I will talk with Bryan when he gets here, but you're the only one Sonia has, so you should go to her. I already arranged for the pilot to take you there after your contract signing," Tom said, and Lucy's brows pulled together.

"I'm sorry about our date..."

She said, knowing how important that was to Tom and wondering what he was thinking.

"Don't worry, I understand that you need to be with her right now. Sonia flew down to be with you immediately she knew about the scandal not caring about her relationship with Bryan. She is not a friend you can be away from when she needs you," Tom said, and Lucy embraced him.

"Thank you for understanding," Lucy said, touched by how he had made all the arrangements for her while she was sound asleep.

Tom kissed her lips, "I told you I've got your back. It's a promise. Now we should hurry if you want to meet up," Tom said, and Lucy paused.

"Aaron and Harry..."

"Don't worry, I will be with them and I will explain your absence to them," Tom assured her, and Lucy embraced him once again before letting him lead her back to their bedroom.