"Holy sh__"

These were the first(first and half, actually) words that spilled out of Patra's lips the next morning when she woke up having a hangover and finding Kendrick seated on the chair at the dressing table. He was asleep, snoring lightly and he looked cute. She smiled but frowned once more when he stirred and opened his eyes. Eyes met each other and his lips broke into a smile.

"Hey, sleeping beauty. Good morning", he said weakly as he smiled at her. She was still frowning in return.

"Why that look on your face?",he asked, an amused smile dancing on his lips.

"Did I__did we__?", she choked, her surprise returning. Kendrick became silent for a while then smiled.

"Last night was one of the best nights I have ever had", he cooed sweetly. Her face drained of any colour left on them and fell.

"You mean__?", she asked and was lost for words almost immediately. The look on his face told her all. She had lost it all -her parents, her aunt and now at age 18, she had lost her virginity. She was too perplexed and she began to sob.

"Oh God, what have I done?", she babbled in tears.

Kendrick frowned then smiled. "Chillax, I was just kidding. Nothing happened between us", he said. It seemed there was still an iota of colour on her face for it paled whiter when she heard what he said.

"WHAT!?"

"It was just a prank. Really, do you think I'd do that to you? You and I had a little to much to drink and next thing I knew, you were leaning over to kiss me. You even asked me to kiss you".

"I__I did?", she asked, sounding puzzled.

"Yeah, I didn't kiss you though. I took you out of the bar and brought you home".

Patra gave herself a once over. She was dressed in an American Eagle tank top.

"I__uh__ kinda undressed you", Kendrick said, as though reading her thoughts and her eyes popped out in shock. Oh God, I'm in for more surprises, she thought.

"I couldn't find something freer so I put you in this. Oh, and I slept on the dressing table chair", he completed to clear her doubts.

"I didn't snore, did I?", she asked shyly and he smirked. She looked cute when she was politely shy.

"No. You slept sweet and sound all the way", Kendrick replied and she sighed.

"Dear Lord!", she exclaimed tiredly, gripping her head. It was throbbing seriously from a hangover. Then she noticed the wedding band on his ring finger.

"OH GOD! You__ get out!", she said, jumping off the bed and handing him his cellphone.

"What?"

"I said, get out of here now!", she jumped out of bed, shoving him right out of the bedroom, downstairs to the door. Kendrick turned, bewildered.

"What the hell was that for?", he queried.

"You have a home to get back to", she spat.

"Wha__", he started when it dawned on him. "Gosh! Lexie! I forgot! Damn it, I forgot", he mentally kicked himself.

"What a great way to start off a marriage. The first day at that. Good luck", she said sarcastically and rolled her eyes, something she did more often lately.

"I'll call you later", he said, going down the stairs.

"Don't".

"What?", he turned again.

"Don't call me. We never knew each other. We're strangers and should remain as that. Goodbye, Kendrick". She quietly closed the door behind her and started to sob, as she slid down the door.

"You like him, don't you?"

She looked up. It was Roderic. He was fully dressed and had dragged out a few boxes. Patra nodded.

"Gosh, I love him", she exclaimed, her face in her hand as she sobbed some more.

"It's alright. Love will show you when it's right. The guy is probably a dickhead so totally unworthy of my big cousin". Patra smiled and hugged him.

If only you knew, she thought sadly.

Their hug was broken by the honk of a car. They both went outside to see what it was. A black Lexus jeep and a chauffeur greeted them.

"Good morning madam, sir", the man in a black three piece suit greeted.

"Um, hi".

"I have been ordered to take you to your aunt's home".

"Aunt's home?", Patra stared, bewildered.

"Long story. I called after she died. Get dressed, packed, and get down in an hour", Roderic replied, patting her back. She was staring back, still shocked.

I think a miracle is up next today, she said to herself.

💟💟💖💟💟

Anastasia Henley Sørensen was a woman of power and affluence. Her husband being a jewelry mogul and she being a renowned writer, she was living in sheer riches. The jeep pulled over amongst other cars in the spacious parking lot and they got off.

"Whoa", Patra said as she saw the beauty before her.

"Double whoa", her cousin chimed in.

The driver carried their luggage to the guest office and led the duo there. Their aunt joined them.

"Welcome home. Patra, Roderic".

"Aunt?"

"Yes. I know you probably don't know me. Obviously Deborah didn't tell you about the rest of the family and you had forgotten those moments as a little girl. But I'm your aunt and there are so many relatives you still haven't known. Welcome to the family". Roderic nodded.

"Thanks, I guess".

"Come, the rest of the family awaits your presence. Robert," she called a butler who appeared immediately "__ will take your stuffs to your different rooms". Patra and her cousin stared at each other.

The day's not over yet. I'm sure I'm in for more surprises, she thought.

Henley led them to the grand living room where about thirteen people waited, alongside the children who were running around.

They were introduced to her husband, Victor Sørensen, the CEO, Sørensen Silver, then to 'Michael's Migel, their uncle, 'Sophia' Juanita, Charles, her husband, 'Gwen' Selena and Gavin, her husband. Then the kids, Stefani, Kingston, Della, Lyra, Lola (Patras mother's name), David and Danielle. David and Kingston were twins and Stefani, Lyra and Lola were triplet.

"My daughter, Alexandra, isn't here. She got married of recent and is off enjoying her terrific honeymoon", Victor introduced and Patra wondered if she was the girl married to Kendrick but shook off the thought. They were led to their rooms.

Patra's room could be called a living quarters. It had a mini sitting room, a study and a large bedroom with the four poster queen sized bed dominating it and the fireplace housing several art works. She was swept off her feet at the sight.

It seems there was more surprises because at dinner, her aunt asked her.

"Can you drive?"

Patra stared in shock. She drove the delivery van whenever Curtis or uncle Fred could not. So she nodded a yes. There was silence for a few moments.

"The Lexus that brought you here is all yours and a new Dodger Charger will be delivered at your disposal by the end of the week, God willing", her aunt finally said. Patra couldn't believe her eyes, ears or __ she wasn't dreaming, was she?

Someone pinch me", Roderic said in a daze and Lola did. Everyone at the table laughed.

"Thank you so much. I just can't thank you enough" Patra said, gratefully.

"Well, don't thank me. We are family. You should be free around us. Don't worry, after this week, everything will be back to normal", Henley assured them.

As she turned in for the night, she prayed after a long time. She had changed, after all. She sincerely hoped things will take a turn for the better and everything will be normal.

She attended the funeral two weeks later and tried so hard not to have a breakdown as they lowered her aunt to the ground. The next day, she went back to school to cover up for the times she lost.

-----------

Hi beauties,

Miss me? I did too, 😂😂😂😂🤣

How are y'all doing? After a month and many weeks without an update, I travelled to Updato Land to give you an update. So sorry it came late though. If you loved it, don't forget to color that blank star 🌟.

Pls comment, don't be a silent reader. And follow me on Wattpad (Courtney Steel) and Instagram (ValerieJolie4).

One more thing, expect an update on Hello, Mr CEO.

Question for you all: should I take my story to Inkitt?

Until then, Peace Out!

Ciao,
XOXO