Chapter 27

"Get the fuck out of my way." Michael barked. Startled by Lucy's sudden appearance.

"Geez! What is wrong with him?" Lucy exclaimed. "He almost knocked my head off with that reckless move!"

Following Bernard's instructions before he left. Lucy headed to his room to ask Zoe what she would have for breakfast that morning.

"What happened between Micheal and Zoe in there? He stormed out furious." Lucy wondered.

As Lucy drew near, she discovered the door was open and Zoe was standing just inside, her face etched with confusion.

Lucy knocked gently on the doorframe, and Zoe, lost in thoughts, was startled. Her eyes snapping towards the sudden sound.

Entering the room, Lucy greeted. "Good morning, Miss. What would you like for breakfast?"

Zoe thought for a moment before answering. "Something lighter," Zoe responded, smiling faintly. "Perhaps… Just a slice of whole-grain toast and a glass of orange juice would be perfect."

"Okay, Miss. Lucy said. "It will be ready in a few minutes.

"Thank you, I will be at the dining table soon." 

With Zoe's breakfast order taken care of, Lucy left.

Zoe's gaze lingered on Lucy's back view as she walked away. 'Something about her demeanor felt... different. Warmer, perhaps. Or was it just a carefully crafted facade?' Zoe couldn't tell, and the uncertainty gnawed at her.

Zoe sighed inwardly. 'I don't want to face trouble in my relationship with Bernard.' Zoe thought. 'Especially since I sense Lucy has feelings for him, judging by her gaze lingers on Bernard and her glances at me are tinged with hostility.'

"To make matters worse, I have to deal with Michael claiming to meet me first and that I belong to him."

Michael's sudden and bold advances left Zoe stunned. As she never expected him to exhibit such behavior.

Zoe locked the door, her mind racing with thoughts of Michael's forward behavior as she settled into her bath to continue from where she stopped.

"For my own peace of mind…,I should discuss Michael's behavior with Bernard. Ensuring he's aware of his brother's actions." Zoe said to herself 

Zoe's dignity was affronted by Michael's audacious action, which conveyed a blatant disregard for her boundaries.

"Gosh! Micheal's audacity knew no bounds as he spoke to me with disrespect, as if I was some cheap thrills Bernard had picked up on a whim. Disregarding my dignity and worth." Zoe lamented.

As Zoe exited the bathroom, the warmth of the bath still lingered on her skin, leaving her refreshed and calm.

Zoe dried her body with the soft, comfortable towel she had brought along for her visit to Bernard's house. She took a moment to moisturize with her favorite cream, then wrap herself in the soothing softness of her gown.

With a morning glow, Zoe headed to the dining room for her breakfast. 

"Lucy should be done making the breakfast by now." Zoe mumbled.

Zoe ran into Bernard's Mom on her way to the morning meal.

"Good morning, Mom." Zoe greeted and affectionately addressed Sara as "Mom" just as Sarah had requested.

"Good morning, Zoe." Sarah responded with a radiant smile. "Have you had some breakfast yet, dear?" she asked.

"I'm heading to have breakfast." Zoe said, smiling.

"I'm also going for a cup of tea." Sarah added.

Just as Zoe and Sarah took their seats, Lucy emerged with a warm smile, bearing a tray of freshly served breakfast, just as they had instructed.

"Is Bernard still sleeping?" His Mom asked Zoe, glancing at the clock with a hint of concern. "He's usually down for breakfast by now."

"Bernard left for the office this morning." Zoe explained. "He mentioned he'd be back soon."

"That's alright."

Sarah wrapped her hands around the warm mug and took a satisfying gulp of her hot chocolate coffee.

She lifted her gaze at Zoe's spot. "How long do you plan to stay with us, dear? Benard had informed me it would just be for two days, is that still the plan?" Sarah asked.

'Oh, he told his Mom.' Zoe thought.

Zoe nodded, "Yes, my visit is just two days. I will need to head back to work after that." 

"You're right, dear. Sarah agreed. "I would have certainly asked you to extend your visit."

Right in the middle of their chat, Michael walked in.

'What's he coming here to do?' Zoe murmured. 'I hope he's not going to sit down with us.'

"Good morning, Mom." Michael swiftly greeted his Mom embracing her in a gentle hug. "I'm heading out, I will be back soon."

'Hopefully, he's just passing through' Zoe mumbled.

"Have you had breakfast?" Sarah asked.

"I will grab something to eat at the restaurant." Michael said, heading for the door.

'Just look at this fool.' Zoe muttered. 'If he weren't Bernard's brother, I would have taught him a lesson on how to treat a lady. The mere presence of him gets under my skin.' Zoe confessed, frustration etched on her face.

Michael didn't even glance in Zoe's direction, he only focused on his Mom and the door as he left.

There was no hint of regret in his eyes. He didn't seem to regret his earlier behavior.

Zoe savagely bites into her toast. The crunch of the whole-grain bread is a release for her pent-up frustration.

Yearning for some morning fresh air, Sarah stood up, "excuse me dear." She said to Zoe and walked out into the open air.

"Okay, Mom."

Sarah had always been fond of starting her day with a refreshing dose of morning fresh air and with advancing age, Sarah committed to a daily walking routine to keep her legs strong.

Zoe completed her breakfast, she grabbed a glass of water and went up stairs to the room to take her morning prescribed prenatal vitamins.

On the day Zoe confirmed her pregnancy, the doctor had prescribed morning, afternoon and night prenatal vitamins to be taken by Zoe after a meal.

Zoe put the glass of water down on the middle table in Bernard's room. Freeing her hands to search her bag for the drugs.