Bea gave Marla a smile before she asked, “May I have a glass of water please?”
Marla stopped herself from telling her ‘no’ as she turned and got the glass of water as Bea said, “Trystan is very busy today from what he told me. Then later this evening we are going out to dinner since we haven’t spent much time together since your accident.”
Marla’s eyes narrowed at Bea’s words as she placed the glass of water down in front of her.
“Here’s your water, Bea,” Marla told her sharply.
Bea smiled again as she picked up the glass and took a couple of sips before she glanced down at her watch. “I need to get going as I have some things to complete before I meet Trystan for lunch at his request.”
Bea nodded her head before she slipped off the chair and headed out of the kitchen, and Alina stared at the doorway with a thoughtful expression on her face.
“Alina, don’t take what she said to heart,” Marla started getting Alina’s attention as she turned her head to look at her.
“I don’t blame her for being mad, Marla,” Alina said tapping her fingers against the counter. “Trystan has devoted time to me since he learned that I’m Sam’s sister and not the woman trying to steal him from you.”
“Alina…” Marla began only to stop when Alina shook her head.
“I’m not naïve, Marla,” Alina told her standing up from her chair before she walked over to the window. “I had boyfriends in college although they were more friends than anything else. I even lost my virginity in my first year of college which was a mistake on my part.”
Marla chuckled as she admitted quietly, “You were late compared to me, Alina.”
Alina stifled her giggle as Marla’s mother walked back in the room and Marla winked at her before they turned their attention to her.
“Sorry for leaving you two alone with Bea,” she said as she walked over to the refrigerator to pour her something to drink.
Marla and Alina laughed as they started chatting about whatever came to mind and a few hours later, Alina yawned as she headed back up to the room.
Marla and her mother told her to take a nap for a few hours before dinner time, and as Alina entered her room she was frowning slightly closing the door behind her thinking about what Bea said.
She sighed heavily as she lay back on the bed and let her eyes drift close knowing that it would be best if she allowed Trystan to get back to his life instead of worrying about her, and it was the last thing she thought about as sleep claimed her again.
“Mom,” Marla said as her mother walked out to the car with her when she was ready to leave. “Did you know Alina believes that Trystan is being nice to her because he feels guilty about what he did before?”
Her mother sighed gently as they stopped at Marla’s car and she stated, “Your brother does feel a little guilty but I believe he wants something more from Alina than just forgiveness for his behavior.”
“But…” Marla asked seeing the hesitation in her mother’s eyes.
“Alina was falling for him when she learned that he got close to her for you so she is maintaining her distance by using the fact that they are related by marriage. I think it’s going to take Trystan some time to regain the trust she had started to give him.”
Marla winced as she repeated what Bea said in the kitchen and her mother’s eyes narrowed slightly as she said slowly, “I think what Alina decides to do will depend on what happens tonight, Marla.”
Marla frowned at her before her cell went off and she answered it absently only to be distracted by her new assistant telling her about the new material that came in.
“I need to get going, mom,” Marla said kissing her cheek after she hung up the phone and Delilah watched her daughter drive away.
As she headed back inside closing the door behind her, she uttered to herself, “Trystan, I hope you know what you are doing.”
“Ma’am,” Mae called her distracting her from her thoughts and Delilah smiled pushing to the back of her mind about her son and the young woman she knew who had settled in his heart.
Later that evening, Delilah sat in the living room waiting for Trystan to get home as she looked at her watch one last time.
“Oh, Trystan,” she said quietly remembering the look of sadness that had flickered in Alina’s eyes when Trystan had called to say that he had to work late and then afterwards he was going out to dinner with Bea as she had asked him.
He had told her to let Alina know that he would see her in the morning before her father picked her up, and although Alina had smiled she knew that Trystan’s actions had merely made her determined to follow through with whatever decision she had decided.
Around eleven, she was heading up to bed when Trystan finally came through the front door and she watched him with narrowed eyes as he locked the door behind him.
“Hi, mom,” he said walking over to give her a kiss on the cheek. “Did you and Alina have a good dinner?”
“Did you, Trystan?” She countered in a casual tone as she gave him a narrowed look before she gave him a small smile.
Trystan didn’t answer as they walked up the stairs together and he said, “I’ll go check on Alina before I go to bed.”
She nodded her head as they parted at the top of the stairs and she watched him walk away before she shook her head walking to her own room.
Trystan knocked softly on Alina’s door before he opened it and walked inside to go stand next to the bed.
Alina was curled on her side her hair streaming across the pillow and he frowned as he leaned down to stroke her cheek.
“Sorry, sweetheart, but something came up,” he told her quietly watching her face closely before he sighed and bent down to kiss her cheek before walked back out of the room closing the door behind him.
As the door closed, Alina’s eyes flickered open as tears slid down her cheeks and she listened to his own door close by open and close.
“I don’t want you to feel guilty about anything, Trystan,” she muttered as she wiped a hand across her cheeks getting rid of the tears before she forced her eyes close although she didn’t go back to sleep.
Chapter 25
Two weeks went by without hearing from Janice and Alina wondered what game her mother was playing now. Alina merely pushed it to the back of her mind as she helped Marla with getting ready for her new showcase.
When Alina offered her services to Marla although she had originally offered them through Trystan, the offer was accepted with excitement. After a few days though, it was apparent that Alina’s experience with restaurants helped keep things organized so she became helpful to Marla as her showcase loomed closer to the deadline.
Besides that, Alina kept the staff stocked with food as she made things at home and bought them to work with her the following day.
Trystan made a point to visit her every day at his sister’s shop under the guise of checking on Marla although everyone knew who he really came to see.
Alina had also talked Marla in to having a buffet at the showcase after the initial showcase so reviewers could talk and eat while they admire her works as models walked around showing off individual outfits. Marla had liked the idea so while she organized it, Alina was busy creating a menu that Marla would like and think her guests would enjoy.
On this particular day, Alina was in the kitchen trying out a new recipe as her father had organized a family get together and her mind was wandering so she was unaware of two cars that had pulled up to the house.
Trystan stepped out of his car his jaw tense as the occupant of the other car slid out a few seconds later and he watched Bea stride over to him with her leggy stride.
“Trystan,” Bea pouted at him as she stopped in front of him the tips of her breasts brushing against the front of his shirt. “You seem to have been very busy in the last two weeks. I hope that means you are getting things out of the way for our late weekend that you promised me.”
She raised a hand to his chest allowing on
e manicured nail to trace lightly where his shirt was unbutton revealing a small portion of skin, and Trystan kept his face blank as he caught her hand pulling it away from him.
“As you have said, Bea, I’ve been busy,” he said releasing her hand as he took a step back
She gave him a slanted look from heavily made up eyes, but before she could say another word the front door opened.
“Tryst,” Marla said in excitement before she stopped seeing Bea.
“Hello, Marla,” Bea said turning to smile at her as she linked arms with Trystan. “Are you having a party? I’m sure that there is room for one more person.”
Marla’s lips tightened but she nodded her head as Samuel opened the door wider.
“Trystan, Bea, come in,” Samuel said shooting Trystan a questioningly look.
Trystan’s eyes narrowed and his fists clenched as they walked in the house following Marla as Samuel closed the door behind them although he glanced out first noting the two separate cars.
After closing the door, Sam observed Trystan’s stiff posture as he shook his head surmising that Trystan had no intention of bringing Bea with him.
“Trystan,” Trace said coming into the hallway a tray of steaks in his hands ready to be put on the grill. His eyes hardened a little when he saw Bea, but he didn’t comment not wanting to ruin the atmosphere as he stated, “Everyone is on the patio except for Alina who is in the kitchen.”
He started for the patio as the others followed him and as they reached it, Trystan removed Bea’s hand that was holding on to him.
“Go mingle,” he told her shortly as he made a detour.
Bea went to follow him but Marla grabbed her arm in a tight grip. “Let me get you something to drink, Bea.”
Bea turned to her with a frown as Samuel called out, “Marla, Bea, anything particular you ladies want to drink.”
He sent Marla a wink as she walked over to the others including Delilah whose eyes flashed briefly with anger before she smiled politely. Bea took their welcoming as a sigh that they realized Trystan had chosen her and he had bought her with him as his significant other not realizing that everyone was being polite as they didn’t want to ruin the evening. Bea smiled and sat down as she put herself in the conversation glancing around as a smugness filled her eyes that was hard to miss.
Alina was adding the last touches to the pasta salad she was making when long arms encircled her waist and she froze for a second until she caught his scent.
“You do like startling me,” she remarked as she mixed the pasta salad one last time before she stopped leaving the spoon in the bowl.
“I enjoy your reactions,” he told her giving her a small squeeze before he stepped back unloosening his arm only to have them settled on the curve of her hips.
“So is it any good,” he asked looking down in the pasta filled bowl.
“I don’t know,” Alina admitted honestly as she shrugged her shoulders. “Aunt Theadora asked for a pasta salad so I made one. I don’t particularly like pasta salad so I don’t if it tastes okay.”
She glanced over her shoulder at him as she suggested, “You can try it if you would like” and with that comment, she slipped from his hands to begin washing up.
He reached for the spoon and lifted a small amount to his mouth to take a bite and his eyes widened in astonishment.
“It’s good,” he said, and she gave him a smile that he took as a ‘thank you’.
He settled against the counter watching her clean up as he made small conversation to waste time as she finished what she was doing.
“Alina,” Marla said coming in a short time later. “Dad wants to know if everything else is done.”
To answer her question, Alina opened the refrigerator. “Middle shelf, Marla, grab what you can as your brother helps you, but the cake stays in there until later,” she remarked peeling off her apron.
Marla and Trystan laughed as they each grabbed two bowls while Alina grabbed the others including the pasta bowl from the counter.
As they headed out of the kitchen for the patio, Trystan leaned down and told her softly, “I’m sorry, Alina, but she followed me.”
She looked at him in confusion until she stepped out and saw Bea sitting next to Uncle Sarette with her legs crossed at ease as she chatted with the others.
“Alina,” she called out as she glanced over as they approached lifting her glass to her.
“Bea,” Alina said with a nod as they placed the bowls on the table and Alina scanned the table making sure that she wasn’t forgetting anything.
Samuel handed her a glass with a smile and Alia murmured, “Thank you” as she settled down in a chair.
They were all talking as Trystan after sending Alina a wink walked over to the grill offering his help to Samuel who took over from his dad.
They were just starting to eat when the phone rung and as Trace had brought out the extension, he answered it, “Hello.”
“Where the hell is my daughter?” A sharp, angry voice said loud enough to be heard even without the speaker phone on.
“She is right here,” Trace said his own voice cold.
“Let me speak to her,” Janice ordered, and Trace hit the speaker phone button giving Alia a nod.
“Hello, Janice,” Alina said putting down her fork and pushing away her plate losing her appetite.
“Why haven’t you answered your cell phone?” Janice asked, and Alina sighed softly rubbing a hand across her eyes as she heard the slight sob that threaded Janice’s voice.
“My phone was destroyed and I haven’t had time to get a new one,” Alina said leaning one elbow on the table allowing her hand to stay over her eyes. She wasn’t going to admit that she could’ve gotten a new phone at any time, but she kept putting it off knowing that once she got a new one, she would call Janice as she was still her mom even though Alina knew why her mom normally called her.
“I need some money. That dumbass man decided to divorce me and unfortunately, he doesn’t plan on giving me anything for a divorce settlement,” her mother said with a touch of scorn.
Alina frowned as she listened catching the noise in the background before she asked, “Where are you, Janice?”
She closed her eyes waiting for the answer she already knew and Trystan watching her knew that Alina merely asked for confirmation as she already had an idea what the answer would be.
“Some jackass tried to rob him,” Janice stated throwing the blame on someone else as she always did, and Alina grimaced rubbing her forehead for the headache that was starting to form.
“You bitch,” she heard someone shout. “It was your idea.”
Her mother pulled the phone away but her words were clear, “Don’t lay the blame on me, asshole.”
There were more sounds until another voice came on the line, “Miss Blairson…”
“It’s Barks,” Alina interrupted.
“Miss Barks, your mother has said that you will bail her out,” the officer told them giving her the sum and Bea waited for Alina to flinch at the amount only to be stunned when Alina only sighed.
“Alina,” Uncle Sarette said in a low voice.
“I know,” Alina said putting her head in her palm.
The argument on the end of the phone was getting heated and the man started yelling, Alina’s head snapped up.
“Sir, the man can get violent,” she started only to stop when a gunshot sounded loudly.
Alina’s face went pale as they heard, “Put the gun down, NOW!”
“Serves you right bitch,” was said with such venom that Alina’s hands went to her mouth as her eyes widened.
Trace immediately moved, but he was even slow compared to Trystan who had already picked Alina up and placed her in his lap. He frowned as he felt how still her body was and her eyes were wide focused on the phone as she continued to listen to the voices on the other end.
“Miss Barks,” an officer finally said over the phone after fifteen minutes had passed.
“She is dead,” Alina uttered her tone emotionless.
“Yes, ma’am, she is,” the officer confirmed a touch of apology in his voice.
Alina made arrangements to return and deal with everything that needed to be done including her mother’s funeral while her eyes were blank and unreadable.
After Trace hung up the phone, she looked over at him her hazel eyes dim and filled with confusion.
“I should be crying, right, dad?” She asked her voice so lost and confused that everyone stared at her.
“Oh, honey,” Trace said tears coming to his own eyes at her question.
“It is normal,” Bea said sarcastically looking at Alina as if she was stupid.
“Shut up, Bea,” Delilah growled at her earning a surprised glanced from everyone including a shock look from Bea.
“Alina, honey,” Delilah said ignoring everyone else as Alina turned dim hazel eyes to her. She reached out a hand to her and Alina hesitated before she took it. “You will grieve your own way because although she wasn’t the greatest mother, she still gave birth to you.”
“Only because she wanted dad’s money,” Alina said without watching her words. “She told me one time when she was broke that she should’ve aborted me because the money she received from dad didn’t cover having to take me along with her.”
Trystan’s arms tightened around her as Samuel swore turning away so Alina wouldn’t see the anger on his face.
Alina looked at Delilah searchingly before she remarked, “Marla and Trystan were lucky to have you.”
She glanced over at Samuel her eyes filling with tears as she said, “I’m sorry, Sam, that you lost your mother because she loved you more than anything. I just wish she…”
She shook her head letting her voice trail off as she began to sob and Trystan tucked her face against his chest.
“She is finally crying,” Bea remarked with an unladylike snort as she rolled her eyes. “How manipulative.”
No one said a word as Trystan lifted Alina up in his arms and walked inside as Bea stared after him in surprise before she called out, “Trystan!”
His Sister's Return Page 27
