Coddled Hearts

Chapter 2

Curiosity harbors its poisonous charms.

"I ventured with the intent to expose an affair; Ethan Foster and his clandestine companion were above. The expansive edifice lay bare before me, guiding me effortlessly to the lift. An observation elevator, encased in glass, presented itself. Opposite stood a skyscraper, devoid of light, daunting in its pitch-black menace... A man stationed himself upon the roof—just as my ascent began, a c***k of lightning! His ghastly visage plunged downwards; he had taken the leap."

A lingering gaze cast upon her iPad revealed the unfinished draft—a skyscraper veiled in darkness, the observation lift, lightning, and the enigmatic man—Lily furrowed her brow, recalling that fragmented dream.

What fate befell the man post-descent?

Perished or spared?

Caught in the grip of her compulsions, Lily Montgomery ruffled her hair when Grace Bennett entered.

"Are you prepared, Lily? You've been lollygagging; father and brother await."

A muted stint passed before Lily, her eyes dewy and brimming with innocence, peered at Grace. "Mother, of late, nightmares haunt me—like episodes of a serial drama, strung together one after another. At times, dreams layer themselves, entangling me so fiercely I cannot escape their clutch."

"And what visions do these dreams conjure?"

"Dreams of prosperity—father's company flourished, turned a handsome profit, and went public. I, robed in radiant red, stood by him during the bell-ringing ceremony…"

Grace chided, "Such fancies you entertain! How are these nightmares?"

"The company, eventually—toppled. Father, left broken; myself, paralyzed; Ethan's loyalties lay astray; and you, mother—descended into madness."

Grace Bennett: "..."

Her hand struck the table as she glared, "Hasten and dress, refrain from these wayward tales!"

Today marked the visit to Ethan Foster's abode.

For her inaugural arrival, Lily gave painstaking attention to her visage.

Her eyes, akin to blossoms in bloom, lashes elongated, double-lidded and upturned at the corners, radiated clarity. Her smile, crescent-like, a heady blend of sobriety and inebriation, her demeanor, even devoid of such, was laden with unspoken affection. Sweetness should have been her visage's tale, yet her sharp brows, perky nose, and upwards curling lips conjured an air of defiant flamboyance and playful mischief.

Upon reflection, Lily admired her countenance, lips pursed in satisfaction.

"Go forth!"

Upon the Montgomery family's car entering the Ethan household's neighborhood, the security scrutinized them as though they were class enemies undergoing a vetting process, short of conducting a thorough equipment check. Upon declaring their visit to Ethan's relatives, the guard, after repeated confirmation calls, reluctantly allowed them entry.

The opulence of the Ethan residence took them by surprise. The journey from the community gate to the private parking area beneath the building startled Oliver Bennett considerably.

"My dear wife, my darling daughter, perhaps it's time we considered upgrading to a grand mansion? Our current abode seems hardly fitting for our newfound status as nouveau riches!"

Grace Bennett, dressed somewhat ostentatiously that day, scoffed at the suggestion. "Can't you at least display a shred of nouveau riche decorum? Our family should acquire no less than two mansions—one for dwelling and another for the mice to inhabit."

Oliver Bennett appealed to his daughter, "What say you, Lily?"

Frowning, Lily proposed, "Perhaps three; one for each of us."

Max Montgomery, scratching his iconic undercut, felt left out. "Am I not worthy of a mansion? Why does no one seek my opinion? Can I no longer claim the title of the family's most beloved youngest son?"

The family reveled in their mutual jest, never minding the self-mockery.

From the balcony of the second floor villa, the curtain parted slightly, revealing a figure with a dark gaze.

"The Montgomerys have arrived. Go greet them, and ensure you're warm about it, understood?"

"Mom!" Ethan Foster protested with a troubled expression, "I do not fancy Lily Montgomery, nor do I admire their family's flamboyance. Their slight wealth makes them ostentatious, like country bumpkins strutting into the city for the first time. And her father, with his oversized gold chains, gold watches, and gold teeth—might as well be mistaken for the mafia."

"Look, isn't he donning a suit today?"

"Dressed in a suit, he resembles nothing more than an upjumped peasant. And that Lily Montgomery, does she even possess the demeanor of a respectable young lady? She cannot hold a candle to our Isabella. To coexist with her is tantamount to death."

"Very well! I shall be the death of you!" Sophia Reed feigned a choke, her voice lowered despite her irritation, "What use is there in ranting at me? Take it up with your father!"

Within the living room, William Reed was already making cordial conversation with Oliver Bennett. They traversed topics from Reed's work in the rural hometown of the Bennetts, to his experiences since returning to the city, and even to Oliver Bennett's recent venture, the Da Yu Construction Company, which was met with some wistfulness.

Oliver Bennett, unlettered and acquainted with hunger from his youth, had risen from a dirt-scrabbling farmer to a construction mogul through sheer grit and determination, becoming a "personage" among their old friends. Yet, he humbly refrained from arrogance in William Reed's presence.

"Stop flattering me, Will. What capabilities do I possess? I merely caught a favorable wave of national policy. My humble efforts pale in comparison to yours."

William Reed laughed it off, waving dismissively. Catching sight of his son descending nonchalantly, his eyes carried a trace of disapproval, yet his voice was amused, "Took you long enough. Why not show Lily to your room and let you young folks entertain yourselves? Us old bones needn't concern you..."

Ethan Foster was a picture of refined handsomeness, his fair complexion and proper demeanor likely reasons for Lily Montgomery's consent to their association. The sorrow of those enthralled by beauty lies in their vulnerability to be easily swayed by appearances. Despite whispers that she was hardly a match for the promising young Ethan Foster, she withstood the pressures, akin to a fan chasing after a celebrity, content to be led by mere looks.

"Lily, why don't you come upstairs for a bit?" Ethan Foster, ever the gentleman, invited.

As Lily Montgomery prepared to rise, Max Montgomery excitedly interjected, "And me! Take me along, Ethan."

With high spirits, he eagerly followed Ethan Foster, oblivious to the complex glances from Ethan's family.

Lily Montgomery remained unaware.

She was eager to see Ethan Foster's room, curious if it mirrored the scenes from her dreams.