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(XLIV.)

I'm about to go into semester finals and won't be out until next month (which is next year, as well). So, here are two unedited chapters to end the year.
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The doorbell rang the second time.

"Damien, get the door!"

Before the command was completed, the butler had already opened the door and let the person in. Phyllis went to the lounge to see who it was.

A beautiful blonde with bright hazel eyes sat on the couch, dressed in a short gown and tights. Phyllis was taken aback for a moment by the sharpness of her eyes. Her make-up accentuated them and her plump lips.

"Who are you?"

"Karen Burden. I'm here to see Jess."

Phyllis nodded to the butler. He left immediately. "Are you from school?"

Karen's eyebrow twitched. "Yes."

The underlying hard tone let Phyllis know that she wasn't ready for any Q and A.

Moments later, fast footsteps were heard coming towards the door. It burst open, revealing Jess glancing around frantically. Her eyes shone when they landed on the guest.

"You came." She rushed to the couch and fell on it, beside her classmate. "I thought you wouldn't make it." Before Karen replied, she turned to her sister. "You can go now. At least, you've confirmed that she's not a thief or a threat to whatever it is you're protecting."

Phyllis gave her a long glare, then turned and walked away.

"So, you showed up. I thought you wouldn't make it."

"Why? Because of your parents?" Then, she lowered her voice to a whisper. "Are they around?"

"Nah. They're working late these days. It's a good thing. I can't stand them most of the time."

Her eyes gave the large room a quick survey. "Your house is bigger than mine. That I can say."

Jess chuckled. "It doesn't matter. I don't like the house, anyway. It's Michael's."

"Your stepfather?"

"Yeah. The douchebag that married my mom." She crossed her long, bare legs. "Couldn't find anyone else to sink his white claws in."

Her brow furrowed. "Do you hate him for his skin colour?"

Jess pursed her lips. "Not really," she said tightly.

"'Cause that'd be stupid."

"As stupid as a white hating blacks or Native Americans?"

"Racism in itself is a stupid ideology. I wonder who came up with that crap." She waved it off. "By the way, I'd like to see your games room. Or maybe the theatre if you have one."

The door opened and the new cook entered. She walked in with a tray of snacks and drinks, and set it on the heavy glass table in front of the couch.

"You're late, Esme. Next time a guest comes, get the snacks quickly."

The woman hung her head. "I am sorry, Miss Snowden. I shall not repeat this mistake."

Jess waved her off nonchalantly. She hurried out immediately. After the door shut, Karen asked, "Where does she come from?"

She shrugged. "I have no idea. And I don't care to know anytime soon. We're understaffed, and my mom's trying to hire as many as possible before the end of the month. Our housekeeper isn't back yet. I still wonder if she'll return."