Page 268 of Now and Forever

CALLUM

The next day, I watched as Stella strolled towards the gardens, deep in thought. My family’s persistent questioning might be a big part to her sudden somber quietness. My grandmother, and most especially my mother, certainly hadn’t held back tonight.

To an extent, this was my fault because I had asked for a favor. All I had to do now was to figure out a way to put that stunning smile back on her face. The blatant way I had admitted that I found Stella beautiful brought something out of me, like a sense of protectiveness to the calm, always composed, beguiling beauty.

Stella might not be the prettiest woman I knew, but there was something about her that put me at ease. Her presence alone soothed me. The only reasons this would be, that I could think of, were that she was Richard’s sister, her sunny presence was infectious and lastly, I was extremely comfortable and at ease with her. Not once did I feel like I had to pretend to be someone I was not. I liked that a lot.

In some ways, her presence never failed to make me feel… happy, perhaps?

After all, her family treated me with love and kindness. For that, I would always be grateful and I would do anything to protect the only thing that was left of them here.

After last night’s taste of what was yet to come, I couldn’t look at Stella the way I used to. I was looking forward to how she was going to be when I fully broke her in; tested, oiled and gunned to the hilt.

No matter what happened after tomorrow night, I would always treat Stella with kindness and respect.

---