Cameron brought some breakfast to the living room, then came back to the dining table and glanced at me. “The Stovalls called this morning and invited us for dinner. Everyone knows that you’re back and they’re all asking for a gathering.”
I stuffed a pastry into my mouth and spoke in a garbled voice, “Mm, I need to pay Uncle Louis a visit anyway.”
When she saw the way I was wolfing down the food, she placed a glass of milk in front of me and said in fond exasperation, “Slow down. What’s the rush? No one’s going to take your food. Now, be honest with me. What’s going on between you and Ashton?”
I took a sip of milk and feigned cluelessness. “What do you mean what’s going on?”
She clucked her tongue and chided, “Do you take us for blind fools? If there’s nothing wrong, why did you ignore him completely and come in here on your own? You two weren’t like this before!”
I pursed my lips and countered, “Oh? How were we before?”
She sighed. “It’s normal for couples to quarrel, but Mr. Fuller treats you well in every way possible and we can all see that. Don’t do anything foolish. Live a peaceful life with him and stop kicking up a fuss!”
I put my glass down and nodded. After wiping my mouth, I declared, “I’m done eating.”
She released another soft sigh, wanting to persuade me but had no idea how to even begin.
I went to the living room and saw Ashton playing a game of chess with Zachary. Hence, I decided to go upstairs to wake Summer. Before I could, however, I was unexpectedly stopped by Zachary. “Letty, I heard Mr. Fuller said that you’re quite skilled at chess. Come here and help me out. I’ve already lost several games.”
I stood next to them and studied the chessboard. Zachary was White, while Ashton was Black. Zachary’s queen had already been taken and he only had one miserable knight left. Even his two bishops were captured. Right then, Ashton’s chess pieces were positioned so that Zachary was caught at a crossroads.
It was clear who the winner was, but Zachary’s ego wouldn’t allow him to admit defeat. Hence, he called me over to diffuse the awkward situation. Seeing as there was no way to turn things around, I shifted my gaze to Ashton but didn’t speak.
After a few days of not seeing him, his face was slightly haggard, but he still looked as handsome as ever.
Sensing my gaze on him, he raised his brows at me but didn’t speak either. Instead, he looked at Zachary and stated, “It’s your turn, Mr. Moore.”
Zachary was at a dead-end. Regardless of what move he makes, he was doomed to lose. Thus, he simply stood up and glanced at me. “Letty, help me continue the game. I’m going to go see what your mother’s prepared for breakfast.”
With that, he turned and left, rendering me speechless. It was obvious that he was asking me to clean up his mess.
I sat down, but instead of moving a chess piece, I propped my chin on a hand and asked, “Why did you come here?”
A small frown appeared between his brows as he answered my question with a question. “Why didn’t you tell me that you were coming back to K City?”
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