"Come on, dad. A short walk around the street will be good for you."Flora pulled off the blanket and helped him up to his feet. He had been spending so much time at home that she wondered about his health. Aside from the drugs, he needed good meals and exercise. He had been neglecting his exercises. Since he was on a break from work, he had little to do in the house but the small chores he could find because she didn't leave much for him to do."You don't have to stay around fussing over me every night. Go out. Enjoy some friendly company.""I will, Dad." She helped him into his jacket and set his sandals down at his feet. "As soon as we get you on a planned schedule.""I'll start taking walks. I'll eat whatever you leave in the fridge for me if it means you'll get back to even a semblance of your past self.""I will. I will."She was putting in the effort. Thankfully, aside from the magazines that posted stories of Samuel's family here and

“Ember would be so disappointed in me. She taught me the steps, and somehow I mess it up after a week of her gone.”Samuel laughed. “I mean, you were juggling a lighter schedule then compared to now. Maybe you should return to the drawing board and see how to manage yourself while employed.”“I will. Thankfully, I was able to get something for tonight. Thanks for going with me.” “It was a pleasure.”He set the bags on the coffee table, and she took out the items they bought. First, from the flower shop, she got some hand-weaved baskets and a bunch of flowers to send to her sister on the anniversary of her parent’s death, which wasn’t too far away. She had also stopped by the mall to pick up

"Good evening, ma'am." The young maid greeted them as she took their jackets. "Are they already at the table?" Samuel asked."Yes. Peter would be down soon. He is the last one.""Thanks, Mindy." The maid scurried away, and Samuel looked at her. "Try and keep your head.""I promise nothing but to keep my sanity." 

Samuel left for his lunch break early the next day to meet his mother at home. It didn’t surprise him to receive her call. It had taken three days more than he expected, but it came nonetheless. He had arrived on time at the mansion, noticing that none of the other cars were around. The garage was being cleaned, and he couldn’t see any other cars except his mothers. That meant his father and Giovanna had also stepped out for the day. For the next three weeks, there were no dinners or parties planned except for Kali’s birthday. His mother turned down the invitation, claiming she already made plans for that day months ago, which was alright with him. He told Kali she would do that. And no doubt fine with Kali. For the next three weeks, he had

After a tedious week, nearly ruined by the appearance of Richard, Kali was finally ready to celebrate her long-awaited birthday party. Samuel was, once again, her sister's go-to guy for planning, so he promptly blindfolded her in the driveway of their house. Her fingers reached up, touching his knuckles when she got to her face, and he responded by gently slapping her hand away."Stand still.""Why am I being blindfolded?" She asked for the sixth time that morning, shuffling from one foot to the other. "It's not a surprise party.""If it were a surprise party, blindfolding you will give it away."She stuck her tongue in her cheek, waiting for him to finish while regretting the choice to wear heels on her dress. Kali had no idea he would blindfold her first when she picked out the golden heels she thought went well with the snugly fit emerald green dress she picked for the party. A pair of white sneakers would have worked just as well since she wouldn't se