"Kenley, get something cold out of the refrigerator for us to drink. Noelle, you get the gla.s.ses," Milandra instructed.

Kenley opened the refrigerator door that was hidden behind a wooden cabinet. She spotted a bottle of sparkling cider.

Noelle took out three crystal gla.s.ses. She filled one with extra ice, for which Kenley could not do without. She filled the gla.s.ses with cider. Each sister held up her gla.s.s.

"We're Houstons. We'll get through this," Milandra toasted.

"It's going to be so hard," Noelle admitted.

"Why did this have to happen? I wish I hadn't given Mother such a hard time about where I wanted my party. I hate becoming sixteen. How can I have a birthday party without Mother and Father?" Kenley wept.

"Just stop it, Kenley," Milandra scolded her. "Your sixteenth birthday celebration will go on. It's tradition."

"Cheers," Noelle said as she tapped her gla.s.s against her sisters'.

They took a sip from the gla.s.ses.

Kenley sat down at the table. She put her gla.s.s down and bowed her head. "Milandra, I'm not as strong as you and Noelle." Tears flowed down her cheeks.

Noelle placed her gla.s.s on the table. She put her arm around her sister. "Go ahead, Kenley, cry all you want. We all should cry ourselves to sleep tonight."

"How can you both forget that fast what Mother and Father have taught us?" Milandra asked.

Kenley jumped up. "It hurts, Milandra. It truly hurts."

Noelle wiped the tears from her baby sister's face. Milandra came over and they both comforted her for a few seconds. She spoke, "I can't sit here and do nothing."

Milandra exited the kitchen to help finish handling their family saga.

After a while, Baron entered into the kitchen. Kenley and Noelle were busy watching the television screen for any breaking news of their sorrow.

"I'm so sorry about all this tragedy that has come down on your family," he said.

"You're family, too," Noelle said as she found the strength to give him a smile. She got up, went over to him, and gave him a hug. She pressed close to him.

"I appreciate the love," he said as he moved on and gave her sister a hug.

Kenley wondered, "Where's Milandra?"

"She's seeing everyone out. She's giving the housekeepers the night off."

"The bodies...sorry, I didn't mean to say bodies. Your parents have been taken away. I told Milandra I'd handle all of the funeral arrangements," he said.

"We do thank you, Mr. Chavis," Noelle said; she wanted to call him by his first name.

Milandra made her way back into the kitchen. "The coast is clear. Maybe we should go and take a swim."

"That'd be a good way for you all to relax. Or better yet, go out and sit by the lake."

"I don't want to see any water. I want my parents," Kenley cried.

"Don't be difficult. That is what mother would say to you. Now go put on your bathing suit," Milandra demanded.

Kenley got up and ran from the kitchen.

"Mr. Chavis, I'll speak to you later. I'm going up to get ready for a swim and to make sure Kenley is doing the same."

"Since you relieved the help, I'll tidy up the kitchen. I'll be up in a minute," Noelle said.

Milandra exited the kitchen. Noelle waited until she didn't hear any sound of heels tapping against the floor. She rushed into his arms. She kissed Baron pa.s.sionately.

"Baby, I've been wanting you to comfort me. Let's tell Milandra and Kenley about us. We no longer have any reason to keep our relationship a secret," Noelle whispered in his ear.

He delicately pulled her away. "We need to wait. I don't think Milandra will take it lightly hearing about any contact we may have had. Right now is not the best time. She'll think you defied your parents. This will bring friction between you and your sisters. You need each other more now than ever."

Noelle knew that what he said was true. Kenley would think nothing of it, but Milandra would be furious.

"I agree," she said. "But as soon as things calm down, we'll find a way to share the news about the love we feel for each other. I love you, Baron, with all my heart."

He barely got the words out of his mouth. "I love you, too."

Noelle reached again and smothered his lips. He eased away from her.

"I better go," he said. "Go take that swim with your sisters. Be strong."

Tearfully, Noelle said, "I wish you didn't have to leave."

"I'll see you soon," he said and hurried out.

Chapter 5.

Baron got into his car. As he loosened his tie, he could still smell the scent of Noelle's perfume. He could not believe that she actually thought a cup of coffee and a peck on the lips would imply that they were a romantic couple. Right now, however, he couldn't concentrate on her, but in due time he had to find a way to let her down gently because there was no future for them.

His concern was whether or not Rupert Houston's discovery about them had led to Rupert's and his wife's deaths. He felt deeply guilty for Alana's death, but he felt only a slight bit of guilt for her husband.

Rupert always wanted to be in control of everything, from his family down to his business. Everything was a possession to him. He did not want to share anything with anyone unless it was on his terms.

Baron made his way down the road, thinking of Rupert's illegitimate daughter. He had to call Aniyah and give her the sad news. He called his office and got the number from his secretary, then called her.

"h.e.l.lo!" she answered in a high pitch.

"This is Mr. Chavis. I got your number from Mr. Houston's files. Do you remember me? I'm the attorney for your father."

"How can I forget a hottie lawyer like you? You're the one that holds my future. You know I was added to Papa's will."

"I have some disturbing news. Are you sitting down?"

"I know he didn't kick me to the curb?"

"No, it's something more serious. Mr. Houston died not long ago; so did his wife."

Aniyah almost lost her balance. Dollar signs flashed across her eyes. She became a sobbing actress. "Papa is gone?" she bellowed.

"Yes."

"Oh, I didn't even get to spend that much time getting to know him. Oh, Papa," she cried.

"Are you okay?" he asked as he listened to how hysterical she was.

"No, I'm not okay! I have no one here! Please come over. I need to be with someone. I can't take this," she sobbed.

He heard the phone drop onto the floor. He called, "Aniyah!"

She didn't answer. He heard her crying in the background. "I'm on my way over to you," he said as he hung up the phone. He was quite aware of the location where Rupert had set up house for her. It was the same apartment he had used in the past for many of his female encounters.

Baron made a sharp U-turn and headed to her aid.

Aniyah clicked off the phone. She became hysterical with laughter. "Jacka.s.s, I knew you would fall for it."

She didn't want anything going wrong. She wanted to make sure that what she estimated was due to her would be no problem getting to her, and Baron was the one to do it.

Aniyah stepped out of the short, sleeveless dress that she wore. She found her way to her suitcase and pulled out a black bikini, slipping it on. Her b.r.e.a.s.t.s bulged from the top and her hips stretched the bottom to its limit. She went into the shower and soaked her bathing suit, not letting the water touch her long black hair. Her hard nipples were exposed through the top.

In her galley kitchen, Aniyah took out an onion and held the onion up to her face until it brought tears to her eyes. She stuffed the onion back into the bottom of the refrigerator.

Baron buzzed the bell repeatedly. "Open up, Aniyah," he called.

She made her way to the door and unlocked it. He heard the click of the lock. Aniyah left the door and sat on the bed. He turned the k.n.o.b and came into the apartment.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

"My papa is gone," she cried, tears flowing from the effect of the onion.

She got up and turned her back to him. Baron tried not to look at her, but the wetness of the bathing suit clenched to her body turned him on. His eyes traveled up her legs to see her cheeks peeking out from under the bottom of her bikini.

Aniyah turned around and ran over to him. She lay in his arms. Her wet bikini dampened his suit.

Baron looked down at her b.r.e.a.s.t.s pressed against his chest. He stared at her as he did the first time he met her in his office. She reminded him so much of Tessa with her flowing black hair.

"You look so much like your mother."

"I don't look like my papa?"

Baron tried to find some resemblance to Rupert or one of her half-sisters, but there was no resemblance. He felt that with her resting on him, he had been given a second chance with the woman that he loved. Temptation weakened him. He pushed Aniyah away. He saw a chair nearby and sat down.

"Yes, you look so much like him," he lied.

"I was at the pool before you called. That's why I'm so wet," she said as she eased her hand down her body. "Would you like a drink? I sure could use a stiff one," she said, sniffling.

"I could use one myself." He tasted the dryness in his mouth.

Aniyah went into the kitchen and returned with two plastic cups in her hands. Under her arm she held a half-filled bottle of rum. She poured nearly a cupful of rum for Baron but only poured herself a little.

Aniyah handed him the cup.

"You have a heavy hand, I see," he said as he noticed the amount that she had given him.

"Drink what you want. Tell me what happened," she said as she sat on the bed. She leaned back on her arms to give him a good view of her body.

Baron began to speak but tried to keep his eyes on an empty wall. He took a sip of the drink as he spoke. One sip too many and he became relaxed. He no longer cared to look at the empty wall. Instead, he feasted his eyes on her. She watched him gulp the drink down and went back to pour him more.

He touched her on the hand. "Tessa," he called her.

"I'm Aniyah," she reminded him.

He smiled. "No, you're really Tessa."

"Is that who you want me to be?" Aniyah asked as she took his hand and placed it on her cleavage.

"Yes," he said, as he caressed her b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

Aniyah was curious about what connection he had to Tessa. "So why are you so fascinated with my mother?"

"I was in love with her, before your father stole her from me. The b.a.s.t.a.r.d knew I loved her. I wanted to take her away from being a maid, but Rupert forbade me from having any physical contact with her. He took her for himself."

"You're saying my papa was a b.a.s.t.a.r.d?"

"Yes."

"A b.a.s.t.a.r.d he could be at times," Aniyah whispered in his ears as she pulled him up out of his seat.

Baron fumbled a little but kept his balance. He took a strand of her hair and rubbed it on his cheek.

Aniyah helped him out of his suit jacket. She unb.u.t.toned his shirt and pulled it out of his pants.

Baron leaned over and kissed her. "Soft lips."

Aniyah unzipped his pants. He kicked off his shoes. She helped him out of his pants and striped boxers.