LOVE AND JUST

CHAPTER 10 : HE’S SUCH A GRINCH

When they arrived at his house the maids greeted them with a little bow. Andrew saw his dad’s car parked at the garage and knew he’s home. “The old man is back in town “ , Andrew said dipping his hands into his pockets.

The garage wasn't a garage. It was a showroom.

Six cars, all black, all polished to a mirror finish, parked with surgical precision on heated marble floors. No oil stains. No tools lying around. The air smelled faintly of leather, new tires, and money. Motion-sensor lights followed you — soft, amber, too expensive to be bright.

At the far end, a matte black door — no handle. You push, it breathed open.

Freda followed him inside.

The air changed. Cooler. Scented — not air freshener, but that subtle cedar and bergamot that rich houses pump through hidden vents.

“You can sit here”,Andrew said to her pointing at a green woolen couch .”Nope would like to go see her myself “, she insisted. ”Okay. She might be in her room ,I’m not so sure. Find out “,Andrew said picking up a

Vintage hourglass with black sand from the center table.

“Alright.Lemme check the kitchen first “, Freda said heading to the kitchen. She knew her way around the house it was like her second home she visited often. “You want to check the menu already?”

“What?” ,Freda asked turning to meet his gaze. She had a lost expression on her face.”You want to find out what’s cooking…isn’t?” He teased and Freda’s face flashed with rage.”Really Andrew. My life isn’t all about food ok!”, Freda said rolling her eyes. It only got Andrew laughing so hard. He enjoys teasing her. She leaves him there and goes to the kitchen. Hilary wasn’t there, it was Mrs.Rachel and Dora who were preparing dinner.”Good day Mrs. Rachel ,good day Mrs. Dora “

She greeted when she entered the kitchen and stood beside the kitchen island.

“Hey Freddie, how are you doing?” Mrs Rachel asked smiling broadly at her. “I’m fine ma’am. What about you please?” ,”I’m okay. It’s been a while I saw you around. How’s work?” , Rachel probed.”Work is going on well. I’ve been busy and Andrew wouldn’t let me visit. But I decided to come see Hilary today,he said she’s in town “, Freda said cleaning plates and setting them on a tray. “Oh I see Andrew he’s such a grinch “,Mrs Rachel said.

“No doubt”, Freda added and they all laughed.”Hilary will be in her room” , Mrs. Rachel said

“Alright,I’ll go see her then”,Freda said and left the kitchen.

The hallway was twelve feet wide, but it felt like a runway. The floor switched from marble to wide-plank white oak that didn't creak. Not once. Walls the color of warm stone, lined with art that wasn't for beauty — it was for power. Originals. No prints.

Freda walked upstairs and found her way to Hilary’s room. She knew her way around the house ,she was like a family. When she got to Hilary’s door she knocked twice and when there was no response she pushed it open.

The room didn't look lived in. It looked kept.

Walls were warm white, not stark. Linen, not paint. The bed was king, low, dressed in white with a single taupe throw folded with precision. No patterns. No clutter. The headboard was bouclé, soft enough to leave an imprint if you leaned.

On either side, floating nightstands — no legs. On one, a single book , a Diptyque candle half-burnt, and a pair of thin gold glasses. On the other, nothing.

The closet was open, but not messy. A glass walk-in. White coats hung beside silk blouses, all facing the same way. Shoes lined by color. A small vanity inside the closet, not outside — because Hilary didn't need to perform getting ready.

Floor-to-ceiling window, but sheer curtains always drawn. Not for darkness, for softness. The light came in filtered, like morning through milk.

On the wall, one art piece — a line drawing of a woman's spine. Medical, beautiful. Under it, a small oak desk with a closed laptop and a stethoscope casually thrown, like she meant to leave medicine behind but couldn't.

It smelled like clean cotton, faint lavender, and that expensive hand cream doctors use.

No photos on the wall. No teddy bears. The only personal thing was a Polaroid stuck to the mirror: her and Andrew as kids, both missing teeth.

“Hey!” ,Hilary exclaimed upon seeing Freda. “Sorry. Can I come in?” .” Yeah sure”

Her wet hair strands were across her face which she fixed with her hand .She just got out from the bathroom. “Hi girl”, Freda said walking towards her. “How are you doing?,it’s been a while”, Hilary asked wiping her hair and a frown appeared on Freda’s face. “I’m not ok” ,she pouted. Hilary looked at her with surprise.”What’s wrong?” She asked raising a brow and moving towards her bed. “You didn’t inform me that you’re back in town”, Freda said looking away from Hilary and pouting like a kid. “Oh so that’s the problem “, glaring at Freda with a hint of comprehension Hilary sat beside her on the bed. “I’m sorry Freddie,it skipped me .You know I can to get some documents and I’ve been searching for it since”, she said looking at Freda and hoping for a response. “I’m truly sorry “, she said giving Freda’s shoulder a little shake. “It’s fine”, Freda said with a smile.

“Thanks ,now let me put on some clothes”

All this while it was a towel that was wrapped around her. She got up and walked towards her closet. “When are you leaving?”, Alfreda asked

“Tomorrow maybe,have got some things to do in town too ” she answered

“So soon?” , Freda’s excitement dropped again.

“Yes …“, Hilary was still speaking when a knock on her door disrupted their conversation.” Please come in” ,she ordered in her sweet voice and Mrs Margaret appeared at the door. “Miss Hilary please dinner is ready,Mrs Rachel wants you at the table with your company “,she ended her message staring at Alfreda. “Sure,we’ll be there soon”. She responded and watched her leave the room. Margaret was one of the staffs who work in the mansion. Soon they left the room when Hilary finally found something to wear.