It was just like that. James Wendover faded from people’s minds soon enough. After remaining the talk of the town for weeks on end, he was no longer in their minds, as if he had never been to start with. It was a bit sad if the situation was viewed from a different perspective, as prior to the drug allegation, James was considered a revered member of their society.
Presque was also somewhat forgotten... at least in the eyes of the masses, but behind the walls of the prisons, he was living a hellish nightmare that he had never in his entire life dreamt of. All of these two men’s life choices had led them down that path, and they had no one to blame.
Of all the Wendover’s, Clara was the one who had taken the news the hardest. However, whatever she had thought would happen did not. Yes, in her view, life was hard, and she had to ’work’, but then, it was not as ’hard’ as she had thought it would be, and it was definitely not like the time when her first husband had passed.
Nonetheless, she had to work, and Clara did not like it one bit. She made no secret of that fact, but then, no matter how unreasonable she was, Clara knew that Ian would follow through with his threats if he were pushed, so she did not. She only sulked inwards.
It had taken her almost a couple of months after James’ demise before her leg got enough to function as her usual self.
On this morning, Ian and Shelby walked leisurely, hand in hand, for breakfast as they had been doing every single day without fail. By some unspoken understanding, Ian tried his best to bridge the gap and be the best father he could be to the three children he had adopted. It was not an easy feat for him, but with his Elfin by his side, it looked to be going smoothly, at least with the two youngest. Samantha was just another case.
"Where are they?" Shelby asked as they approached the dining table.
Shelby had obviously not referred to anyone, but Suzie, who followed them closely, quickly replied,
"Miss Shelby, Ingrid and Gabriel will be here soon."
"Mmmmm..." Shelby nodded and continued to her seat at the table. There was no mention of Samantha, and Shelby did not ask; however, she made a mental note to check on their oldest and try her best to get closer to her. Shelby had no idea how to do that but knew she just had to try her best.
"Good morning, Mum and Dad." Shelby greeted the older couple, who were already seated. She bit her lip slightly, feeling guilty that they had gotten there before she did. The thing was that, no matter how early Shelby woke up, she could not beat the timing of her parents-in-law.
Geneva’s eyes crinkled in laughter as she could deduce Shelby’s thoughts.
"Do not bother about trivial things like that. Just concentrate on taking care of yourself and your new family."
Shelby, not surprised at the comment, nodded as Ian pulled out a chair for her before he took his seat at the head of the table directly opposite his father, who sat at the tail of the same table.
By some unspoken agreement, the death of James was never mentioned in the Thornston home. The whole family had attended the funeral; however, whether it was for appearance’s sake was unknown.
Shelby had also assumed the role of pseudo-head of her Wendover family and had done all rites as were expected of her. In the presence of her Thornston family, she never mentioned James, and for that, Geneva was content.
In Shelby’s heart, she had only been puzzled as to how the death had appeared as a suicide, but she never asked nor dwelt on it. In her eyes, James was trash and was not worth her time after his demise.
Her husband, Ian, had committed no fault whatsoever. He was her knight in shining armour, and the fact that he had done that for her was a different feeling that Shelby could never get used to. A man who would kill for you was one worth going to the ends of the world for. For Shelby, she just felt cherished!
"Where is the Murray person?" Geneva asked, turning around to look for him.
"Ian, why pay for the services of someone ? The man is never at his job. Are you sure that you were not scammed or something?"
"Pffttttt!" Ian spat out the tea he had just sipped. He could not understand where his mother had come up with all those interesting statements. Was there anyone in T-Vino Island, or even the world, who could scam him? He shook his head.
However, Geneva’s question did draw Shelby’s mind to a conversation she had had with her shadow bodyguard. Well, that was the first ’conversation’ they had had. Previously, it was the two of them talking through Gabriel, but now, Shelby could see, touch, and actually get a reply from Murray.
"So, you were real?" she had asked that day,
"hahahaahaaa.... Yes, Milady!"
Shelby blushed at being addressed that way, as if she were a Queen or high-ranking Princess of a sort.
Turning to Ian that day, Shelby had asked,
"How is that possible? I thought that you had said it was a bit tricky for Murray to maintain his form?"
Ian glanced at Murray, indicating that he should answer the question.
"Errmmm... Milady, it’s because the condition was fulfilled. You helped me, and for that, I am grateful." Murray added with a bow.
"What condition?" Shelby asked, puzzled.
Murray blushed. It was a rare sight to behold. Even though Murray was smallish like his brother, his whole outlook was like a daredevil of a sort, therefore, a blush was the last thing anyone would associate him with. Ian waved him away and turned Shelby to face him.
"Why is he so embarrassed?"
"It’s because we consummated our marriage...." He had whispered in her ear, blowing warm air on it and causing those delicious sensations to pass through her yet again. She moved back a bit,
Shelby turned frantically, only to realize that they had only remained in the cold room.
"But... why?" Then, she was the one blushing.
’I can’t believe that even Murray knows that we did that!’ Shelby thought, only for Ian to continue laughing in amusement.
"He is your shadow bodyguard and linked to you in a way. His clan lives like that. They draw some of their strengths from their masters. It’s a bit complicated, but that was how he gained and maintained his form in this world."
"Oh!" That was all Shelby managed to say. Nonetheless, Shelby did wonder why Murray had not been there to help her when she was in danger, but Shelby was not entitled. She still found it weird that one person was so dedicated to her safety and would be there for her at any time. Those concerns and questions were never asked.
Back in the dining area, Geneva frowned, showing her disapproval, but then, Geneva was unaware and would never know that Murray did not have to be physically present to do his job. He did it best in the shadows!
Suddenly, a voice they were all so much used to shouted,
Gabriel whipped past the workers who were carrying dishes to the table and headed for his mother when the unexpected happened. He bumped into the same long, narrow table he had in the recent past. A new vase had been placed on it with fresh flowers.
The tall vase toppled and fell off, landing right at his feet.
The sound was so loud that almost everyone stopped what they were doing.
Ingrid, at the back, stretched her hand out. It was too late, though. She had tried to hold Gabriel back a second too late. Her last thoughts were: ’Is Gabriel in trouble again? ’
Gabriel hunched up his shoulder as the vase missed him by inches.
All eyes turned to the source of the small commotion, while Shelby jumped to her feet with her heart in her throat.
Her eyes landed on the guilty-looking and slightly shaken boy surrounded by the broken bits of dangerous porcelain. Shelby only hesitated a bit as a bit of déjà vu passed over her, remembering a similar scene some weeks back.
She half expected an outburst from Alex, Geneva, or even anyone else, as had happened the previous time, but nothing of that sort happened. Alex turned back to his meal after seeing that there was nothing wrong with the boy.
Shelby shot to her feet, but Ian stopped her before she could take a step. Ian got up himself, signalling the approaching workers to stop and carried Gabriel off where he was, bringing the boy to Shelby.
"Are you okay?" Shelby asked worriedly.
Gabriel nodded blankly, sneaking a peek at all the people in the room. Like Shelby, Gabriel also had expected a lash-out, but nothing of that sort happened. Gabriel lowered his head and said,
"I’m soowwy..." Shelby hugged him tightly, adding,
"It’s okay. I am happy that you are not hurt." Gabriel’s heart overflowed, and his eyes prickled with tears. Just then, a voice interrupted them.
"Avril would be returning today, right?" Alex asked calmly.
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