Don't toy with me: sexiest man of the year

MOVING AGAIN

Doris helped Angela gather essential belongings, moving swiftly yet quietly to avoid drawing attention. “Now the kids”. Doris said. Angela nodded and walked towards the twin's bedroom. In the soft glow of dawn filtering through the curtains, Angela gently shook Liya and Lia awake. The twins stirred, blinking sleepily as they sat up in their beds, rubbing their eyes. “Good morning, my darlings,” Angela whispered, her voice warm and soothing. Lia yawned, stretching her arms above her head. “Good morning”. “Good morning, Angela, I missed you last night”. Liya said sadly hugging her stuffed animal which Doris had gifted them, the night before. “I am so sorry, honey, and you two sweethearts”. Angela kissed each of them on their forehead and sat on the edge of the bed, her gaze tender as she looked at both girls. “Forgiven me yet?” The twins nodded with a smile. Doris entered the room. “Oh my pumpkins, you are awake”. She bellowed in delight. “Good morning, Aunt Doris”. “I hope my princesses slept well last night?” “Yeah”. Lia replied. “And you Liya?” She asked, noticing her quietness. “I was unhappy that Angela didn't say Goodbye”. She pouted. Angela smiled at her. “Aww but I apologized”. “I will personally talk to Angela about that”. Doris replied. The twins nodded in agreement. “Angela, come here please?” Doris called. Angela looked up at her and stood up, smoothing the wrinkles on her gown with her hands. “I will be right back”. Angela told them and went out of the room. “Help me with this". Doris said holding the zipper of an overfilled luggage. “I don't think it will zip up”. Angela pointed out. As they packed, the twins sensed the tension in the air and walked to the living room. Their young faces reflecting a mix of confusion and concern, watching the two adults struggle with the zipper but more concerned about the luggage around the corners. Lia's eyes widened with curiosity, her sleepy demeanor giving way to attentiveness. “Are we going to leave?” "Where are we going? Home?” Her sister, Liya added softly, rubbing her tired eyes. Angela paused after the questions, panting heavily. She brushed a strand of hair from her face. Then exchanged glances with Doris. “Yes…but a new home”. Angela managed to say and forced a smile at the little confused faces. “You will be going to a new place,” Doris explained, her voice calm. “It's a beautiful country far across the ocean, you will love it.” “But what about our home, Aunty Angela? And our friends?” Lia asked unhappy about the news. “You will have a new home in Japan," she reassured them, her voice steady. “And will make new friends too. It's a fresh start, there will be many delicious foods too”. “Japan?” Liya asked. “Will we come back?” Liya asked. “Ofcourse, honey,” Angela replied softly. “But for now, let's focus on our trip to Japan.” “Is uncle Jace coming too?” Lia asked. Angela's heart ached at Lia’s question. Doris noticed, she and Angela exchanged glances once more. Angela took a moment to gather her thoughts, choosing her words carefully. “I will handle this”. Doris whispered to Angela and walked towards the kids. She squatted to their height and brushed off the tears from their cheeks. “Sweethearts, Angela got a job in Japan, and it's huge,this job makes Angela so happy, and she wishes to move to Japan…she was sad last night knowing that you two loved the penthouse so much, if you don't want to go Japan, then Angela is willing to sacrifice her job for you two, it will make her sad, but she loves you guys more”. Doris made a sad face. The kid's expression turned sad, their gaze moved from Doris's face up to Angela's. “Is it true?” Lia asked. Angela nodded slowly. “Then we will go with you! Right Liya?” She asked her sister, who nodded immediately in agreement. Angela was so touched, knowing that they changed their minds for her sake. She knelt down, wrapping Liya and Lia in a tight embrace. “I love you,” she murmured, her voice steady despite the turmoil within. “Come on, let's get you guys ready”. Doris's sister's voice sounded from behind holding two pink towels. The girls ran towards her happily. Once they are gone, Angela sighed. “How long will I continue lying to them about Jace?” She said sadly. “Don't feel bad about it, they are kids they will understand better as grown-ups”. Doris replied softly and gave her a pat on the shoulder. ***** The next morning, at the Montero mansion. The usual morning routines seemed disrupted, a tense undercurrent running through the staff as they went about their daily assigned duties. Suddenly, a panicked cry pierced the silence, coming from Grandma Elizabeth’s mansion. Her room, to be precise. Two maids, faces pale with fear, bolted down the hallway toward Courtney’s quarters, ignoring the questions from the guards concerning their alarm. The two maids know they will be dead and held responsible if it gets to Antonio first, and the fastest way to Antonio's ears is through the guards. “Why did this happen?” The first one cried. “Why me, young master, won't spare us”. The second sobbed…but as soon as they got to Courtney's apartment, they forced their emotions sealed in order not to give the guards ideas. “We are here to see lady Courtney please”. The first told the guards guiding the apartment. The two guards exchanged glances, then stepped aside for them to proceed. The maids walked with trembling knees to the door and knocked urgently, their breaths quick and shallow. “Miss Courtney! Miss Courtney, please wake up!” one of the maids called, her voice trembling. Courtney, still groggy from sleep, hurried to the door and opened it, concerned. “What is it? What’s wrong? Ain't you Grandma's maids?” “It’s the grand Mistress Elizabeth,” the other maid said, her voice breaking. “She’s not waking up. We’ve tried everything.” They burst into tears. “Believe we don't know what's wrong wi th her, please”. Courtney’s eyes widened. “What do you mean by she's not waking up, come on, let's go immediately” She said, rushing out of the room, the maids following close behind?