Chapter 33
Lying on the hard bed, my mind was a chaotic mess, devoid of sleep. Eventually, I picked up my phone and opened my messaging app. Messages from Demi and Gavin awaited.
Demi: [Keira, today was insanely busy, but I finished all the tasks you assigned. Remember to give me some dragées as a reward tomorrow. Congrats on your wedding, and may you be happy forever.]
I smirked at the message and didn't respond.
Gavin: [Ms. Kay, please don't take this the wrong way about Mr. Johnston. It's super important you guys don't have any issues, or it'll all be my fault.]
I didn't bother replying. Instead, I opened my social media, found a selfie of my shadow at an amusement park, and posted it with the caption: [Happy vacation!] Afterward, I purged my profile of anything related to Jace—a classic post-breakup move. Since we weren't a thing anymore, it was best to clear out anything about us to avoid bitterness and self-pity. By the time I finished, it was 3 a.m., my eyes strained. I tossed my phone aside and closed them.
Then, I heard footsteps outside, passing my door and fading as a nearby door opened and closed. I knew it was Hayden returning. Despite going to bed late, I woke early due to the outside noise, making sleep impossible. My eyelids felt heavy, and I couldn't bring myself to open them; so, despite being awake, I remained in bed.
“Hayden, could you come back earlier tonight? I’d like to invite you and Keira for dinner,” Macy’s words brought a smile to my face, even in my drowsy state. She was truly enthusiastic, even wanting to invite us to dinner. It felt nice, giving me a sense of home.
“I won’t be back. You two go ahead.” Hayden’s voice was as gruff as his demeanor. ‘Boring. If girls were into guys like him, they must have a masochistic streak,’ I grumbled inwardly. After two encounters, he had managed to hit all my pet peeves. I didn't like him.
Shortly after Hayden left, I rolled out of bed, still in my pajamas. Lazily, I pushed open the door. The courtyard was bathed in sunlight filtering through the ginkgo leaves, casting a golden, dappled effect.
“You’re up. I just cooked some sweet potatoes. Want some?” Macy held out a bowl.
I loved simple, homey food and didn’t hesitate. “Sure.”
“Come over and eat then,” she said, already seated at the table under the ginkgo tree.
In that moment, I felt like I was seeing my parents and my childhood life. My eyes suddenly grew red.
“Macy, I was actually born here,” I said as I ate, sharing my parents’ story and mine.
Macy nodded vigorously, visibly excited. “You’re Alan’s child? What are the odds! Why didn’t you say so yesterday?”
I felt a wave of emotion. “I was afraid you’d have other thoughts and wouldn’t let me stay, or worse, you’d kick me out.”
“What nonsense. I bought this house from your parents fair and square. I’m not worried about anything.” Macy looked at my face. “You take after your mother. Beautiful.”
My memory of my mother was blurry, but I knew she was indeed beautiful.
“You’re here alone, so you must be single. How about I set you up with Hayden?” Macy’s words made me choke.