Inheritance

Chapter 28

"What's that on your neck?" Vivian whispered from the seat beside me..

My mind instantly wandered to the way Kendall's texturized lips had roamed all over the marked skin. One of my hands instinctively moved to block the area from her view. My other hand quickly undid my bun, so that my hair fell over the purpling bruises.

"I don't know. I must have been bit by a couple of mosquitoes last night." I lied, taking a small bite from my salad.

"So, you're telling me that it's just one big coincidence that Kendall's sick and you have all those hickeys on your neck. Sasha, I'm not dumb."

"Never said you were. I told you what happened, so it's up to you whether you believe it." I snapped back, not meaning to sound so curt. She dropped the line of interrogation, seeming to understand that I didn't want to discuss it any further.

The rest of the late lunch lasted for another hour. Kendall and I didn't interact much, as he was too busy trying not to die. By the end of our meal, he looked much worse. I felt increasingly more responsible, especially when I recalled how easily he'd catch colds when we were kids. Provided that we'd be back in New York soon, I hoped that he'd feel better after getting some rest.

~~~

When Kendall didn't show up to work the following day, I knew he must have really been sick. I kept thinking about how cute he'd look snuggled up in bed with a box of tissues by his side, watching movies all day. If he even did that sort of thing. 

When my cellphone rang, I immediately recognized the name.

"Hi." I carefully quipped into the phone.

"Sasha, it's me! Happy Holidays!" Marjorie's animated voice transmitted through the opposite end of the line.

"Oh, hi, Marjorie."

"I wasn't sure whether your uncle told you, but the kids and I will be spending Christmas in the States. I just wanted to let you know."

"That's wonderful. I'm excited to see Jacob and Taylor, it's been too long." It had been true that I was happy to see my siblings, but things still felt distant between Marjorie and I. 

I could sense that she had been trying to reestablish a friendship with me, but she was supposed to be my mother- not a friend. Besides, it would take much more than annual Christmas visits for me to fully open up to the idea of welcoming her back into my life. Especially, when she only called a handful of times throughout the year.

"I know! They're so happy to see you, it's all they ever talk about! You know how much they look up to their big sister."

"I do." There was an awkward pause, before she spoke again.

"Well, I'll let you get to it. I'm sure you're pretty busy with work and all. Congratulations on your new position at Milton Co.! Your uncle told me all about it."

"Thank you."

"Bye, Sasha." She bid farewell, just as I cut the line. 

At times, I felt bad at how cold I came off to my mother. But then, I remembered how she had chosen to give me away to chase her next hit. When I thought about that innocent baby girl left all alone on those church steps, any seeping empathy I had towards her immediately dissolved. If I hadn't been adopted by my uncle, who knows how I would have ended up.

Scrolling through my contacts list, my hand seemed to linger on the name of the one man I had been thinking about since our passionate encounter in the hot tub. Deciding to act in the moment, I pressed on the call icon. The phone rang a number of times before a grumpy voice eventually picked up.

"Who is it?" The question came out raspy and hoarse. The harshness of his tone was enough to make me want to hang up right then and there.

"Kendall, hi it's me." I shyly spoke into the phone.

"Sasha?" His voice softened at the mention of my name.

"Yeah-sorry, I probably should have started off with that. I just wanted to see how you were doing-you know, since you didn't show up to work today." I explained.

"Are you worried about me?" His question had come out uncertain, a vivid contrast from his stubbornly confident attitude. Naturally, my stomach began to flutter.

"No, I-I like I said. I just noticed that you weren't here today." 

"Well, if you were worried, that would be kind of cute, Sasha." He coughed a few times, before sighing into the phone.

"You should get some rest." I advised, anxiously chipping at my freshly polished nails.

"Come over." Those two words took me by surprise.

"I'm at work, Kendall."

"After, Sasha."

"I don't even know where you live."

"I'll send you my address after this call." He released another hoarse cough. "Please. Come over." He repeated.

"Fine. I'll be there around seven."

"Thank you, Sasha." The way he intentionally kept saying my name had me internally spiraling. Not knowing what to do next, I abruptly ended the call.

A few seconds later I received a text message from his number with an address. 

It was settled. I was going to Kendall's house. Alone. Meaning, there would be no one to interrupt his usual antics. I was excited, but also nervous. However, I would use this opportunity to learn more about him. Maybe, even work on repairing the broken aspect of our childhood friendship.

A knock at my door caused me to regain focus.

"Come in." I invited whoever had been waiting on the other side of my office door.

"Hello, Sasha." Gregory Connor stalked into my office, walking in like he owned the place.

"What do you want?" I immediately switched into an uninviting tone, hoping he wasn't planning on staying long.

"Nice office." He complimented, casually picking up a flowering vase and examining it.

"Thanks." I replied flatly.

"Well, I had some things I actually wanted to run by you." He proceeded to walk forward, sitting down in the chair across from my desk.

"Okay..."

"Well, not really run by you. I just wanted to make sure that we were on the same page about who this company will be endorsing for mayor." His sleek eyes narrowed and I grew visibly uncomfortable.

"At the moment, we have chosen to wait on putting out a statement about any of our political affiliations."

"Fair enough." He responded, standing up from his chair. I eagerly watched him walk towards the door before he paused to speak again.

"But, I do trust that when the time comes you'll make the right decision. Also, I'd be careful who you trust, by the way." He didn't give me an opportunity to respond when he insurgently closed the door right after clearing the room.

Did he just threaten me? More so, what had he meant when he'd warned, be careful who you trust? I was afraid because I had no idea what this man was truly capable of. Besides, who could I even turn to?

Although Gregory Connor was a recognized politician, he had an infamous reputation around the city. His connections placed him in rooms with men who had power one could only ever dream of having, along with some of the most notorious criminals in the city. I had no doubt that he would make good on his threats. 

When the time came, we would endorse Gregory Connor, if that meant keeping me safe.

If you guys are enjoying so far, please vote/comment. I really appreciate those who have been!!🥰

~Chelly😘