Cullayne POV

It was now 6:37 p.m. and I was finally sitting down to a quiet evening meal prepared by Shanty. I was happy she decided to stick around and Kemar too. They had been adamant about not leaving me alone at the house especially since Karly and Christopher were not around.

The drama of the morning still weighed on me but having the preparations of the convention to occupy me it had not been on the forefront of my mind for a few hours.

Overseeing all the preparations and delegating tasks helped me to mentally cope with all the unwarranted information about Seana that I wish I knew nothing about.

To know that she was swindling funds by selling her potions in the guise of olive oil and the evidence was clear from the stock of untouched boxes of our very own olive oil lying piled up in the storage room.

When Neesi had revealed that Seana had told her that Miss Lamais had instructed that olive oils would no longer only be used for services but sold in the shop and the funds for each bottle be placed separately I felt a deep-rooted anger rushed through me.

The gullible girl had believed and had unknowingly become a pawn. At times she was even told to sell potions and kept the records of that sale in a book given to her by Seana.

The realization of all that Seana was doing did not hit until Inspector Gregory asked to see her room. I felt a shiver run down my spine at the sight of all that was discovered as he instructed the officers to commence the search.

I closed my eyes and inhaled the sweet aroma that wafted from my plate and listened to Shanty and Kemar bicker across the table. I needed to get my mind away from the event of watching what Seana was truly capable of unfolding in my memory.

Right under our very noses, she had been performing the dark arts. It had left me more disgusted with us not being able to read her and finding out what she was doing than with her sorting to this practice.

I opened my eyes to look at Kemar and pull from his presence the comfort that it always gives me. He was being the concerned son as Shanty was limping quite heavily as she traversed from the kitchen to the dining table and she was having none of it. I smiled as I watched the love between them on full display.

"Stop fuss fuss ova mi wah yuh need is fi married a give mi few grandbabies. A dat yuh need fi duh," she snapped pulling out a chair and sitting down.

His eyes automatically shot across to me and I felt my body leap with awareness. I immediately became mindful that he very much had such a desire and it involved me.

I jumped as my phone began to ring and I quickly snatched it up to answer. It was my mother and I put it on speaker so that I could eat and talk to her.

"Baby just calling to let you know the group will be arriving tomorrow. There are eight of them in total."

"Ok, I'll arrange to pick them up."

"Laynie?"

There was something in that one word that had my heart fluttering.

"Yes, Mom?"

"Taylon and Malika are a part of the group. Are you ok with this? I know after what Taylon did it's not going to be easy being around him."

Guess this was not the time to have my phone on speaker I thought as my mother kept on talking.
I looked at the plate of stewed chicken with rice and peas, and creamy mashed potatoes with mixed vegetables and felt my appetite disappear.

I was finally getting down to a meal after the long trying day I had experienced. Shanty's superb culinary skills had me ready to feed my empty stomach and push aside all the dismal occurrences of the day but it seemed the day was not through pressing my tolerance and strength as yet.

"I know now that the engagement is off you might not want him there..."

Of all the persons am going to pick up tomorrow afternoon it had to be Taylon and Malika. Where the hell was he going? This convention could go on well without him.

I carefully chewed the piece of chicken I had in my mouth and swallowed it before answering my mother.

"This isn't about Taylon and me. It's about doing what is required of me. I won't let my personal feelings get in the way of that."

"Good to know baby girl, good to know," she said and I was pleased by the joy that radiated in her voice.

Even though she came off as being all caught up in getting the convention on the way I knew she was happy and relieved I was not going to let anything or anyone stop our plans for the convention.

Her conspicuous aloofness was her coping mechanism in dealing with Seana's diabolical behaviour. This unfortunate circumstance caused the church to be under heavy scrutiny and her character to be marred due to her niece's unconventional practices this was her handled it the best way she knew how to seeing she was miles away.

I knew she cared deeply about Seana being missing and despite what Seana did my mother truly cared about her. There was just something about Seana that drew my mother to her even when she had turned her back on ungrateful family members for less.

"Well now that I know you've got the majority of the things in place I am going to ring off. I'll keep in touch and I just want to tell you thanks, baby."

"You're welcome Mom it's the least I can do. Hail up everyone and kiss Grandma and Dad for me," I told her feeling happy that I was for once making her content with my actions.

"I am so grateful to you and everyone back home for holding the fort and keeping things stable in this trying time. I can't wait to be home, I truly miss you all."

"We miss yuh too," Shanty blurted out around a mouthful of her dinner. "Yuh a Maas Cushane hurry back home."

"Shanty just one more consultation and we back home. Cushane just has to finalize some family business being the eldest and his parents aren't in the best of health any more."

"I understand dear. Just know we have you guys in our prayers."

"Thanks, hun."

They chatted for a bit more before my mother rang off and the minute that happened Shanty turned to me and said. "Yuh an Taylon mash-up?"

"Mother?!" Kemar said disapprovingly.

Shanty turned to Kemar and stared hard at him before turning back to me.

I nodded my head and hurriedly reached for my glass of carrot juice and took a huge gulp. I knew Shanty would feel a sense of neglect at not knowing about such a sensitive matter seeing how close we were.

"Thank God!" she rejoiced putting up her hands as if giving praise. I look at her my eyes extra wide at her display of happiness.

She turned to Kemar who stared at her and she grinned at him and said. "Yuh can finally bring forth yuh feelings fi Laynie."

To say I choke was an understatement. I had rice grain flying from my nose accompanied by the most God-awful cough.

Through tear-filled eyes I watch Kemar rush to my side as a smiling Shanty went to get me a glass of water. As he gently stroked my back I listened to Shanty sing song as she limped away, "Finally the gravestone move thank you, Jesus."

A sense of happiness floods the pit of my stomach and more so at the look of contentment that masked Shanty's face as she returned with the water.

I sneaked a glance at Kemar and blushed as I saw him lovingly looking at me. How had I missed his deep-rooted feeling? I thought and was I the only one in the dark about it?

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