"Mrs. Montero! Wake up! I'm starving"
Eric's voice shouts in my head. Don't these guys ever sleep?

I groan and turn to the other side but the rays of the morning sun would not have any of it.

"Eric come off it!", I hear Nicholas yawn.

How can they be sounding so close? I thought I was in the secret room? I try to open my eyes but the goo glued it temporarily.

I feel so numb to open my eyes with my hand. I manage to open it and everything seems blurry.

"Down here boys", I hear my mothers voice again. How am I hearing their voices?

I groan loudly and manage to get up. I fall back on the bed almost immediately as my feet keeps wobbling around. I manage to wipe away the goo from my eyes and cast a side way glance at the clock

"Eleven thirty in the morning? Boy! I must have been really tired", I murmur as I yawn.

Just then, my gaze focuses on the security TV.
"That's why their voices sound so close", I say, shaking my head side ways in and attempt to shake off the remaining bits of sleep.

"I made pancakes, bacon and scrambled eggs. Who's hungry?", Mothers asks coming out of the kitchen all covered in a black overall.

She must have worked in the garden before entering the kitchen.

"Yes yes yes! I'm famished. Your daughter is a poor poor host", Eric says and settles down on the dining waiting for his breakfast.

Then I noticed his outfit and my eyes increases to the size of a saucer.

"The guts of this boy. Boxer briefs and singlet?", I yell comfortably because the room is sound proof.

"Good morning Mrs Montero. May I help you set the table?", the ever polite Nicholas asks.

"Sure sure. The plates are in the first cupboard, bottom left. They are arranged in order of colors. The yellow ones are the first. That's what we are going to use to have breakfast this morning and please call me Isabelle or Izzy", mother explains to Nicholas.

Eric shakes his head trying to stiffle his laughter and Nicholas can't conceal his amusement.

"Where is Samantha?", Nicholas asks

"Who cares? I want breakfast", Eric whines. I roll my eyes at his attitude. My mother will be sure to chop that ego down to size.

"Listen here young man. If you are in my house, I demand you watch your tongue. I don't care if you are daddy's rich son, that attitude of yours ends the minute you step foot into my house. Got it?", mother asks holding a knife to his face.

Eric literally turns white and nods his head frantically. I laugh hysterically and Nicholas seems surprised. Why wouldn't he?

"Use your words"

"Yes ma'am"

"Good! Plus Samantha can hear you if she's awake already", Mother says and smirks.

"That's my mother", I say with a smile still dancing across my face.

Are you going to shower now? You reek and don't get me started on your morning breath.

I roll my eyes and go into the bathroom.

"You know what? I'm starting to dislike you. You are making me go nuts", I mutter through gritted teeth.

I enter the shower and the iciness of the water makes me shiver so hard. I immediately turn up the heat and my pulse gradually returns to normal.

I brush my teeth and wash my hair. I trim my finger nails and make a mental note to get both a manicure and a pedicure.

I dry my hair and pack it into a short ponytail. Now my outfit.

I settle for a cream, baggy short and a baggy shirt. I wear no jewelry or make up and put on some flip flops.

"... Not exactly but I'm working on it", Eric says biting through his pancakes.

Okay good, they are all so engrossed with their brunch.

Just as I'm about to leave the room, the doorbell rings.

"Uuuuugggggghhhhhhhhhh!! I'm fucking hungry!! Who the fuck is ringing the fucking door bell?", I yell so loudly my throat starts to ache.

Eric and Nicholas freeze in their spot and mother moves to open the door for...

"Jack?", mother exclaims.

"Uh yea! Why are you surprised?", Jack asks entering the house.

He is putting on a brown, ripped jeans and a white hoodie over it.

"Woah! Eric Wilder? Nicholas Macaulay? In Montero's apartment?", Jack exclaims and holds his head with both hands.
I smile from seeing Jack so happy.

"Oh hey Jack", Eric waves and continues his breakfast.

"Hi boss. Good to see you. What are you doing here?"

Boss? Oh right. Jack is working for his father's company.

"Sam..." Eric begins and I cringe because I know he's going to blurt out everything

"Uh Eric here came for a private meeting because I am one of his major shareholder in Wilnic. Right Eric?", mother asks glaring at Eric to say otherwise

"Right", Eric says, swallowing hard and gulping his glass of milk.

My stomach grumbles and I groan. I check the fridge and find nothing but a protein bar.

"This will have to do for now" I mutter and focus back on the conversation.

"Private meeting? In just a boxer brief and singlet?", Jack asks.

Why does he have to be so obvious now?

"Actually he came last night and by the time he was done, it was late so I asked him to stay over", Mother hurriedly adds.

"And what about the Neurosurgeon", Jack asks pointing at Nicholas who has been quiet all this while.

At least he's dressed casually.

"What's with the questions Jack?", mother asks rather harshly which makes Jack flinch. Mother is beginning to get agitated.

"Well that's her problem. I tried telling her the consequences of me staying but she wouldn't have any of it. Hey! Where did my protein bar go?"
I grumble after realizing I've finished all of it.

"It's no issue Mrs Montero, I can answer that. Well I'm a very busy and generous man and decided to host a fund raiser. I came here to invite her personally", Nicholas says cooly, licking his fingers.

"It just so happens that Eric was here. Coincidence huh?", Nicholas adds.

"Right. How do you guys know each other?", Jack asks pointing at Nicholas and Eric

"Oh come on!" Everybody chorus and I just chuckle.

Always the curious Jack. Seems that's where Jaylen got her curiosity from.

"So Jack, would you like breakfast?", Mother asks but his phone rings.

"Excuse me", he whispers and goes to answer the call.

Eric and Nicholas chit chat and mother goes to the kitchen to perhaps make more pancakes.

"Thank you Clarice. I'll be there in a minute", Jack ends the call and throws his phone on the table.

"In a minute? Off to work?", Eric asks.

"Yes sir. My Secretary just informed me that our biggest rival wants to partner with us in making the very portable camera", Jack explains.

"I am just here, looking pretty for nothing?", I exclaim and throw my hand in the air.

"Wait what!", Eric exclaims.

"Does my father know this?"

"Not yet sir. But I'm hoping to tell him on my way to the office."

"Okay. I'll buzz into your office when I come later in the evening for the board meeting"

"Okay sir. Bye sir. Bye Doc. Bye mom"

"Just a minute!", mom yells from inside.

"Unfortunately I don't have a minute", Jack yells back and mom comes out with a parcel.

"Here have this. Compliments of the season Jack. It's for the kids", Mom says and hands over the parcel to him and places a kiss on his cheek.

"Thanks mom. Bye!"

And with that, he takes off. Without even thinking twice, I rush out of the room and down the stairs, straight into the kitchen and forcing a whole pancake inside my mouth.

"Woah Nadine, slow down before you choke", mom cautions handing me a glass of orange juice.

"And the sleeping beauty decides to wake up", Eric mutters

"I saw your face when my mother cut your ego to size", I reply grinning from cheek to cheek.

"Hello Samantha", Nicholas greets.

"Hi Nich", I murmur sheepishly.

"Mommy I want some scrambled eggs", I say and grab a chair.

"Isn't this Jack's phone?", Nicholas asks holding up the phone.

Mom comes out with more pancakes, bacons and scrambled eggs.

"Oh shit!", I curse under my breath.

"Oh no!", mom whispers.

Hell is about to break loose.

Just then, the door opens and Jack rushes in. I shut my eyes tightly for a moment, hoping he won't see me.

"I forgot my phone", Jack says, grabbing the phone on the table. Eric and Nicholas looks at me for a second.

"Bye once again. Hello Sam", Jack says in a hurry, not really paying attention. He leaves the house once again and comes back.

"Samantha?"

☣☣☣☣☣☣☣☣☣☣☣☣☣☣☣☣☣☣☣☣

Samantha: Great! Now Jack knows too?

Author: look on the bright side...

Samantha: there is no bright side. You are impossible. Dear readers vote if you don't like the suspense.

Author: Don't be a spoil sport.

Isabella: you guys still quarrel?

Samamtha: whatever! Please guys comment, vote and share. Love you dearies