CHAPTER 38: TERMS

Shelby felt free. She walked along the corridors that had become familiar to her in the weeks spent there. In her arms was one of the paintings she had finally completed.

She walked to one of the receiving rooms. Glancing around at its vastness. She spotted Geneva, exactly where she knew she would find her. The older woman was in a lounge chair right underneath one of the skylights, basking in the sun. Katie was not far from her, standing in one corner, seemingly doing nothing, but her eyes moved like a hawk. She was the first person to spot Shelby just as she rounded the corridor into their line of sight.

Shelby lowered her eyes and quickened her pace.

"Hello, Mum,"

Over the weeks, Shelby had gotten used to addressing Geneva as mum, which had become second nature to her. She sometimes even forgot her mother because of how well Geneva treated her. Not quite, though, because her current role in the Thornston household was a constant reminder of what she was doing and sacrificing for her mother’s happiness.

Geneva squinted her eyes open and stared up at her.

"What are you doing here?"

"Huh?" Shelby flinched at the cold reception and twisted her fingers nervously.

"Why are you not with Ian?"

Shelby was a little surprised at the question and unconsciously looked at Katie as if trying to judge her reaction as well, but nothing registered on her face. It was strange. ’I can’t even walk freely for a bit and have to be with Ian all the time?’

"I-"

"Have you forgotten what I said?" Geneva interrupted, her tone going louder with each syllable spoken out.

"He- Uh, I – um-"

"I commend you for getting into the room he had locked up like a fortress, but it only ends there! I need you to do your task-"

"I came to give this as a thank you," Shelby said timidly, hoping that it would curb the line of thoughts of her mother-in-law... and it did, briefly.

Geneva shut up briefly and then exchanged a glance with Katie. She sat up and almost shouted,

"The only ’gift’ I expect to see from you is my grandchild and nothing more than that. Do not waste your time on unnecessary things like these. Use your time productively and get the bun cooking in the oven and-"

Geneva paused as her eyes raked over Shelby, noticing her new hairstyle.

She forgot her words and frowned at the girl. Chin-length blond hair curled nicely, creating ringlets, with bangs in front. She was in a knee-length pale pink dress with wide cuts on the sides, baring enough skin for all to see. Geneva instinctively looked around, noting that they were the only people around, and then she lashed out.

"What did you do to your hair?!" Geneva’s bewildered look did not make any sense to Shelby.

Katie stepped up to Shelby and took the painting from her. A stupefied expression that crossed her face was wiped before it fully manifested.

Katie handed the painting to Geneva, but the older woman threw it away without even taking a look as she continually stared at Shelby. Her displeasure was very apparent.

"What have you done to yourself?! I only picked you out of the lot because of your features.... JUST AS THEY ARE! Who gave you the mandate to cut your hair?! You have no control over this! As I told you, you are just a passing guest until you fulfil your part!"

Shelby took a small step back, an involuntary reaction.

"Katie, make sure that she knows what she can and cannot do here. I do not want a repeat of this!"

Shelby’s eyes brimmed, and she bowed and turned to leave. She did not say anything more. Her intentions had been conveyed, and that is all she wanted to do.

Katie watched her retreating back in pity. She walked up and grabbed the painting and brought it back to Geneva.

This time, in Shelby’s absence, Geneva’s eyes lit up in pride,

"This is beautiful!"

Katie, who was used to her antics, just smiled.

"At least she is not useless! But I do have an eye for the good ones, right, Katie?"

"Yes, Geneva,"

"Get this hung up on the wall for me! It’s too beautiful not to be admired!"

Katie agreed silently as she took the painting back. It was the exact replica of Geneva. A portrait so beautiful and similar that Katie would have thought it was a picture.

Back in her room, Shelby slumped down against the door. Pulling out her phone, she dialled the familiar number.

"Hey, Shelby!"

"A-Ava?"

"Don’t tell me that you’re about to cry again! Wipe those tears this instant! How many times have we gone through this?"

"It’s hard! I – I can-"

"Shelby dear, No one said it was going to be easy.... You married a stranger with kids who loves his other lover even in her death! That is hard in itself. I can’t even imagine that. But think of this. I am sure you have had some better days in that estate. At least one good time somewhere.... You know it! Think of that and hang onto it! Sometimes, the bad things that happen in our lives put us directly on the path to the best things that will ever happen to us. So, hang in there."

"Thank you, Ava! You’re the best."

"Now that we have that out of the way tell me about your husband. You have been so stingy with information concerning him... Oooooohhhh!!!! Is that a blush, I see? Girl... I love what you have done with your hair, too! If you were beautiful then, I think you are blinding now!"

"You’re exaggerating," Shelby whispered, but the words made her feel good.

"You don’t have to worry about anything. With this new look and that blush that tells me more than you want to say... I think you got it!"

*********

Thank you so much to all for your votes and comments! I hope we can keep it up ^_^