Chapter 24: Pup Scuffle
Edrick

I returned to the party with Moana, trying to quell my anger over seeing Moana and Ethan together. I wasn’t quite so much mad at her, although she should’ve been more professional, as I was mad at him. I knew that he was up to something… Always.

“There you are, darling,” my mother said, reaching out and squeezing my hand as Moana and I approached.

“Edrick,” my father suddenly said, pushing himself up from his chair. He didn’t like to admit it, but he was getting older and was starting to have some difficulty with sitting and standing. “Come with me. I’d like to talk to you.”

I knew where this was going, but I also knew that I didn’t have a say with it as I watched my father walk away. My mother, who also knew what he was about to say, gave my hand another squeeze before I followed him.

We walked over to the bar, where he ordered us each a glass of whiskey.

“Here,” he said, shoving the glass of whiskey in my hand.

“Thank you,” I replied, swirling the brown liquid around a bit in my glass before taking a sip, steeling myself for what was about to come.

“Now… I’m sure you know why I wanted to speak with you,” my father said, fixing his icy gray eyes on me.

I nodded. “I know, father. It’s time to find a mate. You’ve been saying this for years.”

“I only say it because I worry about you,” he said, stroking his white beard with his hand. “You’ve already had one illegitimate child. It’s only so long before you have another, given your track record.”

“I’m not worried,” I replied tersely. “Besides, marriage is a distraction.”

scoffed. “So is dealing

such a little girl to be kept cooped up and hidden away, but it also became me ntally taxing to work so hard to hide her. Many journalists and papa raz zos had been paid off with hefty sums of money, not to mention her mother, who occasionally showed up demanding more. But despite all of that, Ella was

for the company’s image. Do something

anger start to bubble up inside of me, and I tried to quell it with another hefty swig of

I said, setting my glass down on the bar. “I’m not interested in Kelly like that. And the more you entertain that idea, the more you’ll stoke

chance with a human girl?” He nodded his head toward Moana,

to worry about that. She’s a human, and she’s just

stormed away from my father. Ella looked up as I approached, softening my demeanor, although I still felt

Eddy?”

to, because the orchestra suddenly began to play Vivaldi’s Winter. I glanced up

said, looking over her shoulder at me from her seat. “I’ll watch Ella. Why don’t

I felt Kelly’s and my father’s eyes on me, and stepped

up to me. She appeared a bit too drunk, and her face was red from the alcohol. “Let’s dance. I haven’t danced with

“Sorry, but I’m a little tired. Why don’t you ask one of

shoulder at the gaggle of my young male cousins, who had all come tonight without dates, then shook her head and abruptly turned on her heel. “Nevermind,” she said brusquely. “I’m going to use the ladies’ room.” I watched as she stumbled off and disappeared through the door, before I let

a sweet girl, you know,” my mother said, watching with amusement as Ella wriggled off of

shrugged. “She’s a good nanny. Ella likes

you like

floor, unsure of how to respond. Of course I liked Moana, to a certain extent. She was a good nanny and helped out around the penthouse, and her presence helped me sleep, but she was also a bit of

I could answer, I was alerted by the sound

asked, stopping in front of me. She was referring to her two sons, who were often known for causing a bit of trouble. Her husband, Maurice, stood next to her looking equally

“I haven’t seen them.

worried that they’re off somewhere, probably in their

Moana still hadn’t returned

the sound of heels clicking on the marble, and looked up to see Kelly

insisted on wandering, and now she’s in the

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