Wynter Ch. 12 - 13
Chapter 12.
Wynter closed the door of her old room behind her, careful as not to make any unwanted sounds that would drag any attention to her. Swinging her backpack on her shoulder, Wynter walked down the corridor and then she quickly made her way down the stairs. Then, just as quietly, she crossed the big dining room and went to the kitchen, first opening the door slightly and then peeking inside just to make sure that there weren’t any undesired spectators there.
“Josephine.” Wynter called out softly, making the older woman jump in her spot.
“Jesus Christ, you are going to kill me!” Josephine hissed taking a hand to her heart. Then, setting the kettle aside, she waved her in. Wynter stepped into the kitchen with a smile and then kissed the older woman’s cheek.
“I came to say goodbye.” Wynter whispered and then dropping her bag, she rummaged through it until she found a medium sized package enveloped in a colourful paper. Handing it to Josephine, she said with a smile. “This is for you, Josephine. Merry Christmas!”
Josephine beamed as she accepted the present. Taking Wynter in her arms, she hugged her tight, her hands stroking the girl’s long hair.
“You shouldn’t have.” Josephine murmured when she stepped back after kissing her cheek. Wynter shook her head and Josephine smiled. “Wait here.” She said. “I have something for you.”
Before Wynter could complaint, Josephine sprinted out of the kitchen leaving her standing there all alone. Looking around, she checked her watch. 8 AM. It was still very early, but Wynter didn’t want to risk a meeting with any of the members of that family. If their habits hadn’t changed in those years, none of them would be up before nine to say the least. Starr would certainly be disappointed with her departure, but she would have to understand.
The kitchen door slid opened almost soundlessly and Wynter turned on her heels with a smile.
“Josephine, you shouldn’t-“
Wynter’s words died in her throat when, instead of Josephine, she saw her father standing by the door, obviously fresh out of the bed, considering the messed hair and the throaty tone of his voice. He actually looked as if someone had forcefully dragged him out of the bed to see her.
“Hi, Wynter.” David murmured with a smile and Wynter stared at him with a dumbfounded expression in her whole face.
Long seconds passed by and she kept staring at her father, not quite believing her eyes. Why David kept trying to talk to her, was a mystery to her. He had not only gone to her room the previous night, but had also stopped Marlon just when his words began to get hurtful. Now David was there, standing exactly between her and her only way out of the house and Wynter was sure he was very aware of that.
“Hi.” Wynter finally greeted back, her eyes instantly going to the floor.
“Are you leaving so early?” David asked, walking toward her. “I was hoping we could have a long conversation before you left.”
David’s words puzzled Wynter more than anything else. Why was he so adamant in spending time with her? If she remembered well, he had done little more than avoiding her for the past nineteen years since he and her mother had divorced. What had changed now? Was it him? It obviously wasn’t her, for Wynter had acted just like she did every time she was in that house.
“I can’t leave my apartment alone for too long.” Wynter explained briefly, buttoning up her jacket and swinging her backpack on her shoulder to prove her point. David frowned slightly when he got the message, but he didn’t seem too affected anyway, Wynter thought bitterly.
“I guess you’re right.” David murmured, his blue eyes suddenly clouded with a mysterious look. Then, slipping his hand into the big pocket of the dark blue robe he wore, he took something out. “I’m sorry I didn’t wrap it up, but you know me… I’m no one for little details.” Her father said with an apologetic smile while handing her a rectangular red velvet box. Wynter gave him a questioning look.
“For me?” She murmured and David smiled, nodding at the same time.
Wynter noticed that the box was quite big, about eight inches long and six inches wide, not to mention that it was around two inches tall. Wynter alternatively gave the box and her father lost looks until he laughed softly.
“Come on, open it!” David encouraged her with a smile. Not able to hold her curiosity any longer, Wynter opened the box and gasped when she saw what was inside.
Inside the box on a cushioned bed of white satin, rested the most beautiful jewel Wynter had seen in her life. With wide eyes, she delicately traced the thin silver necklace with a finger, following its path as both ends met behind a small butterfly. The butterfly itself was delightful to watch. It was nothing more than the shape of a pair of wings with small, shiny stones that made her swallow hard when the though of what they might be -and how much they might cost- hit her mind.
From the butterfly parted another portion of thin chain adorned with an identical silhouette and then, at the bottom, there was a tear-shaped crystal pendant that was the finishing touch of the necklace. Wynter stared at the piece before her for another second until reality dawned on her.
One of her fondest memories of her mother was of their last Christmas together, when Monica had given her a pair of earrings that matched this necklace perfectly. David had given those to Monica as a wedding present and they meant a lot to her mother; now Wynter knew that, by those days, Monica was aware of how serious her illness was and had given them to her daughter as a gift to keep with her forever.
Glancing up at her father, Wynter couldn’t help but ask.
“Why?”
David rubbed the back of his neck, unconsciously reminding her of Orlando, and remained silent for a couple of seconds before answering.
“I know you have those earrings.” David answered softly and Wynter’s eyes grew wide, slight fear in them. Muttering something under her breath, he added. “Wynter, you don’t need to worry.”
Wynter gave him a wary look. She didn’t know whether he was aware that Monica had given the earrings to her their last Christmas together, but she was now a hundred percent sure that David knew how shamelessly Tori had stolen them from her… And how Wynter had stolen them back.
When Monica died, David and Tori had taken care of all her possessions, only leaving Wynter a few things for her to keep. When she began to rummage in the contents of that small box they had given her, Wynter had almost gone insane when she couldn’t find the earrings. She had gone to Tori with tears in her eyes telling her that the jewels were lost, but her stepmother had almost literally pushed out of her room telling her that she knew nothing about any earrings.
Weeks passed by and Wynter felt miserable for losing something her mother had loved so much; a reminder of the times when Monica and David had been truly happy together. One day, when she was alone at home, Wynter decided to take a ‘tour’ around the house to see what she hadn’t seen yet, having spend most of the time in her room grieving for her mother.
Sneaking into her father’s and Tori’s room, Wynter admired the big bed and its dark red canopy. Then, looking around, she saw a small box on the bedside table and not able to control her curiosity, Wynter opened and her eyes grew wide when she saw Tori’s jewels there. Still, her surprise then was nothing compared to the punch in the stomach Wynter felt when she saw her mother’s earrings in a small compartment.
Mad at her stepmother for stealing what was hers, Wynter took the rings and then asked Josephine for a needle and some yarn. Taking those to her room, she grabbed a small box that adorned the desk and carefully removing the padding, Wynter sewed the earrings to it. Mindful that no one felt any movements if they took the box, Wynter then sewed the padding back in its place and never took the earrings out of their hiding place until five minutes before moving out of the house. No one had ever noticed what was hidden there. Or so she had thought until now.
“Dad, I…” Wynter began to say, but David shook his head.
“I know you took them years ago. Josephine told me.” David explained lowly, much to her surprise. “I had to run all over the city to get Tori the same earrings and still, all I could get her was a very much cheaper copy.”
Wynter remained silent for a while, trying to absorb what she had just heard.
“I bet she’s not happy.” She murmured and David grinned unrepentantly.
“She never noticed”
Wynter gave her father a surprised look. Had he really gone to such an extent to protect her? Somehow, that thought didn’t match the image she had had of her father during the years.
Noticing the confusion in Wynter’s eyes, David said.
“Starr told me about the party, so this is my contribution. You are a beautiful girl, Wynter… This necklace will only enlighten it.”
Wynter stared at her father almost as if she didn’t recognise the man before her and actually, she didn’t. This man who had just told her that he had covered her back when she stole a pair of earrings her wife had taken from her was not, at least not to her eyes, the same man who had ignored her for years.
David gave her a shaky smile.
“I got to go now. I’ll call you one of these days, ok?” He asked and Wynter nodded. Before she could answer, David hugged her tight and then, just as suddenly, he left the kitchen.
Wynter stood there, the box in her hands and a confused look in her eyes. What had just happened? She couldn’t question herself any longer, for Josephine conveniently stormed into the room a minute after her father left, barely leaving her enough time to hide the box in her bag. Josephine gave Wynter her present and after she made her promise that she would come more often, Wynter left the house.
She drove through the city in a daze, going over that eventful meeting with her father over and over again in her head, not sure what to think of it. When she finally reached her destination, Wynter stepped out of the lift with a sigh. She was about to slip the key in the lock when the door of the apartment just in front of hers got opened.
“Wynter?”
Wynter turned around and smiled at Mr. Mawbry, her neighbour. They had seen little of each other until after she got ill, when Mr. Mawbry had visited her, telling her that it was him who had let Orlando in that day.
“Merry Christmas, Mr. Mawbry.” Wynter said politely and he smiled.
“Same to you, girl.” He replied and then added. “Are you in a hurry? I have something for you.”
Wynter didn’t answer, for the man disappeared in his apartment long before she could say something and came back with a big box in his hands, wrapped in a beautiful green and red paper with a big, red bow on top.
“What is this?” Wynter mumbled, not sure she could cope with another surprise gift.
“A delivery man brought it yesterday just after you left. One of those special deliveries, I’m afraid… I hope you don’t mind me accepting it.” Mr. Mawbry ended in a questioning tone, his head barely peeking above the big bow. Wynter shook her head, absolutely speechless. Still stunned, she opened her door and let her neighbour in. He gently dropped the box on the coffee table and then left, leaving Wynter staring at the box.
What if it was a prank? The only person she knew that could do that was Marlon, but Wynter doubted that he, even in his meanness, would reach such extents to annoy her.
Suddenly curious, Wynter removed the bow and ripped the paper open, only to find a blue box inside. Hoping it wasn’t one of those ‘box inside a box’ things, she opened it and a loud cry resounded in her living room. Reaching hurriedly inside the box, Wynter took the big, white and fuzzy bear out and stared at it with a silly smile in her lips.
The bear was the cutest thing she had seen in a long time. It was a fat, cuddly toy with a Santa Claus hat and the sweetest big brown eyes staring back at her with a mischievous glimpse. With a smile, Wynter gave way to the urge of hugging the stuffed toy close to her heart, only then noticing the small envelope attached to the little white fur ball at the end of the hat.
Curious, Wynter took the envelope and after seeing her name written on it, she opened it and carefully put it aside. Unfolding the note, she kneeled on the floor to read it, the bear protectively tucked under her arm.
‘Wynter:
Merry Christmas! I couldn’t contact you before flying to England to spend a couple of days with my family, so I thought I would send someone else with you. I actually have no idea whether you like stuffed animals or not, but this one called my name when I saw it and I couldn’t resist him. I hope you like him… I’m sure he will love to be your friend, because I certainly do.
Love,
Orlando’
Wynter stared at the note with a stupid smile for at least a minute, feeling warmth spreading all over her body. Could she love him any more than she did at the moment? Wynter didn’t think so. She wanted to call Orlando and thank him, but she had never had the courage to ask his number. He did have hers, so Wynter would have to wait.
Looking down at the bear, she smiled. Who would have guessed that what had begun as the Christmas from hell would turn into this? She was still trying to deal with her father’s present and what it might possibly meant, but Orlando had managed to lift her spirits in a wonderful way. Hugging her bear, Wynter grinned. She didn’t want to get her hopes too high, but maybe not everything was lost for her…
Chapter 13.
Wynter collapsed on the couch of her dimly lit living room with a loud huff, vowing herself that she would never, ever, go shopping with Liv again. For the last ten days, with the only exception of Christmas, Liv had dragged a willing and above all ignorant Wynter into every store possible in Los Angeles; had she known what was ahead of her, Wynter would have hid under the bed the first morning Liv came to pick her up to avoid her.
Wynter sighed, closing her eyes and leaning her head back against the couch. How many stores had they visited? Wynter couldn’t possibly remember, but it was certainly more than she could have ever imagined. Liv had taken her to many stores Wynter hadn’t even considered stepping into before, most of them with names of expensive designers on their doors.
Not that Liv gave her any time to think about it, though. As soon as they entered in a store, she dragged Wynter all over the place looking for the perfect dress. Consequently, Wynter had tried more clothes in the last ten days than in the past years. Long skirts, short ones; sleeves, no sleeves, deep necklines… Wynter had tried them all. Black dresses, blue, red, white and even yellow ones had adorned her body, but none seemed to be the right one. Or so Liv thought, Wynter mused with a tired grin.
Wynter glanced at her wristwatch and checked the date. December 27th. There were only four days left until the party and Liv was hysteric because Wynter still didn’t have anything to wear. In a moment of desperation, Wynter had even told Liv that she could design the dress herself, but Liv wouldn’t have none of it. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust in Wynter’s talent, oh no. It was just that she was determined to turn Wynter into a princess for one night, but her victim wasn’t so sure how good the idea was.
Wynter’s insecurities clouded her mind; what if she ruined the dress? What if those high heels Liv insisted that she should wear made her twist an ankle and fall flat on her face? She could already picture the looks her co-workers would give her if that was the case and it made her shiver. Those were the times when Wynter would gladly hide under a rock until all commotion passed and she could carry on with her normal life. Liv had even tried to convince her telling her that she would look so beautiful that Orlando would forget his name at the sight of her, but if Liv thought that the idea encouraged Wynter, God she was wrong!
Taking a deep breath, Wynter stood up and went to the kitchen to fix herself a cup of tea. If there was someone who was truly excited about everything concerning the party, that was Starr. The girl was over the moon with happiness. Whenever she called, it was to tell Wynter her new idea about what she should do or wear for the party.
Starr had tagged along with her older sister and Liv as many times as school and her mother would allow her, and she had even gone as far as to book Wynter an appointment with one of the most sought after stylist and his team for the party’s day. Starr herself was a client of his beauty salon-spa, but she had used her mother’s influence to get Wynter an appointment with such a short notice, much to Wynter’s dismay. Tori wouldn’t be pleased if she found out.
As if hearing its cue, Wynter’s mobile buzzed. Rushing back to the living room with a steaming tea mug in one hand, Wynter picked her phone without checking who was calling her in first place.
“How’s the party girl doing?” Starr’s voice asked in an excited tone even before Wynter could say something. Grinning, Wynter answered as she sat down on the couch.
“Hi, Starr.”
“You still haven’t answered my question.” Starr said in a sing-songy voice and Wynter had to laugh at her persistence. Determined to tease her little sister, Wynter replied.
“Everything is just as you left it about twenty-four hours ago.”
“What?” Starr exclaimed in awe and Wynter smiled before sipping on her tea. “You’re telling me you still haven’t found the right dress.”
“Exactly. I’m beginning to think there is no dress that can satisfy Liv’s wishes of turning me into this party’s Cinderella.” Wynter added lowly, voicing her fears. If she had to try one more dress and look at the contemptuous look in the eyes of another snotty saleswoman as she entered in a shop, she’d go insane.
“I can’t believe it.” Starr muttered under her breath and Wynter could almost picture the troubled look in her sister’s blue eyes, not to mention the engines working at double speed in her head. “It’s incredible. We’ve turned this hell of a city upside down and still nothing. This calls for extreme measures.” Starr stated with a determined voice.
“Oh God, no! Please tell me you’re kidding!” Wynter groaned. “I swear I regret the moment I agreed on going to this damn party.” She grumbled. “No one’s going to miss me if I don’t show up.”
“Don’t even think about it!” Starr admonished her and Wynter arched an eyebrow. Her little sister was turning into a very bossy young woman! Yet, Starr didn’t know how stubborn Wynter could be.
“Oh, yeah?” She asked. “Name one person who will really miss me if I stayed at home watching TV.”
“Orlando.” Starr answered quickly and without a shadow of a doubt in her voice. “He’ll be very disappointed if you don’t show up.”
Ouch.
Wynter had no answer for that; she was absolutely speechless. Liv had told both Starr and Wynter how excited Orlando had got as soon as she told her that ‘Wyn’ was going to the party with them.
Wynter alternatively opened and closed her mouth countless times, but nothing came out.
“Gotcha.” Starr giggled and Wynter huffed in frustration.
“Very funny.” Wynter murmured bitterly as she gulped the last of her tea.
“Have you seen him?” Starr asked more calmly now. Wynter bit her lower lip.
“No. He’s been too busy shooting and I haven’t been around the studios much lately.”
“So you mean there’s still a chance for me to get me a Hollywood star as a brother-in-law?”
“Starr!” Wynter exclaimed and Starr giggled.
“And what about little Orlando?” Starr murmured in a conspiring tone.
Wynter shook her head. Starr had named the bear the real Orlando had given Wynter as ‘Little Orlando’ as soon as she had seen it. The eyes, Starr said; they were just like Orlando’s: brown, warm and a bit mischievous.
“Fine.” Wynter murmured her answer. “Sitting on my bed as we speak.”
“Good. There is where the real Orlando should be, preferably naked, but…” Starr sighed dramatically and then, knowing better than to let Wynter speak, she hurried to add. “Look, I got to go. Lauren and I are going to meet to go over some school stuff, but I’ll see you tomorrow, ok?”
“Coward.” Wynter hissed and Starr laughed.
Wynter ended the call and put the phone back on the small coffee table. Looking around, she realised that her apartment was in desperate need of someone to put some order in it. Taking the matters in her own two hands, Wynter went to the kitchen and rinsed her mug. Just as she was putting it away, her mobile buzzed again. Shaking her head, Wynter walked into the living room once again and picked it up with a knowing grin in her lips.
“Starr, I swear that if you say one more thing about Orlando, I’ll hang up!” Wynter said in her best older sister tone. No one answered, thought. Not until a deep male voice spoke.
“Wynter?”
Wynter closed the door of her old room behind her, careful as not to make any unwanted sounds that would drag any attention to her. Swinging her backpack on her shoulder, Wynter walked down the corridor and then she quickly made her way down the stairs. Then, just as quietly, she crossed the big dining room and went to the kitchen, first opening the door slightly and then peeking inside just to make sure that there weren’t any undesired spectators there.
“Josephine.” Wynter called out softly, making the older woman jump in her spot.
“Jesus Christ, you are going to kill me!” Josephine hissed taking a hand to her heart. Then, setting the kettle aside, she waved her in. Wynter stepped into the kitchen with a smile and then kissed the older woman’s cheek.
“I came to say goodbye.” Wynter whispered and then dropping her bag, she rummaged through it until she found a medium sized package enveloped in a colourful paper. Handing it to Josephine, she said with a smile. “This is for you, Josephine. Merry Christmas!”
Josephine beamed as she accepted the present. Taking Wynter in her arms, she hugged her tight, her hands stroking the girl’s long hair.
“You shouldn’t have.” Josephine murmured when she stepped back after kissing her cheek. Wynter shook her head and Josephine smiled. “Wait here.” She said. “I have something for you.”
Before Wynter could complaint, Josephine sprinted out of the kitchen leaving her standing there all alone. Looking around, she checked her watch. 8 AM. It was still very early, but Wynter didn’t want to risk a meeting with any of the members of that family. If their habits hadn’t changed in those years, none of them would be up before nine to say the least. Starr would certainly be disappointed with her departure, but she would have to understand.
The kitchen door slid opened almost soundlessly and Wynter turned on her heels with a smile.
“Josephine, you shouldn’t-“
Wynter’s words died in her throat when, instead of Josephine, she saw her father standing by the door, obviously fresh out of the bed, considering the messed hair and the throaty tone of his voice. He actually looked as if someone had forcefully dragged him out of the bed to see her.
“Hi, Wynter.” David murmured with a smile and Wynter stared at him with a dumbfounded expression in her whole face.
Long seconds passed by and she kept staring at her father, not quite believing her eyes. Why David kept trying to talk to her, was a mystery to her. He had not only gone to her room the previous night, but had also stopped Marlon just when his words began to get hurtful. Now David was there, standing exactly between her and her only way out of the house and Wynter was sure he was very aware of that.
“Hi.” Wynter finally greeted back, her eyes instantly going to the floor.
“Are you leaving so early?” David asked, walking toward her. “I was hoping we could have a long conversation before you left.”
David’s words puzzled Wynter more than anything else. Why was he so adamant in spending time with her? If she remembered well, he had done little more than avoiding her for the past nineteen years since he and her mother had divorced. What had changed now? Was it him? It obviously wasn’t her, for Wynter had acted just like she did every time she was in that house.
“I can’t leave my apartment alone for too long.” Wynter explained briefly, buttoning up her jacket and swinging her backpack on her shoulder to prove her point. David frowned slightly when he got the message, but he didn’t seem too affected anyway, Wynter thought bitterly.
“I guess you’re right.” David murmured, his blue eyes suddenly clouded with a mysterious look. Then, slipping his hand into the big pocket of the dark blue robe he wore, he took something out. “I’m sorry I didn’t wrap it up, but you know me… I’m no one for little details.” Her father said with an apologetic smile while handing her a rectangular red velvet box. Wynter gave him a questioning look.
“For me?” She murmured and David smiled, nodding at the same time.
Wynter noticed that the box was quite big, about eight inches long and six inches wide, not to mention that it was around two inches tall. Wynter alternatively gave the box and her father lost looks until he laughed softly.
“Come on, open it!” David encouraged her with a smile. Not able to hold her curiosity any longer, Wynter opened the box and gasped when she saw what was inside.
Inside the box on a cushioned bed of white satin, rested the most beautiful jewel Wynter had seen in her life. With wide eyes, she delicately traced the thin silver necklace with a finger, following its path as both ends met behind a small butterfly. The butterfly itself was delightful to watch. It was nothing more than the shape of a pair of wings with small, shiny stones that made her swallow hard when the though of what they might be -and how much they might cost- hit her mind.
From the butterfly parted another portion of thin chain adorned with an identical silhouette and then, at the bottom, there was a tear-shaped crystal pendant that was the finishing touch of the necklace. Wynter stared at the piece before her for another second until reality dawned on her.
One of her fondest memories of her mother was of their last Christmas together, when Monica had given her a pair of earrings that matched this necklace perfectly. David had given those to Monica as a wedding present and they meant a lot to her mother; now Wynter knew that, by those days, Monica was aware of how serious her illness was and had given them to her daughter as a gift to keep with her forever.
Glancing up at her father, Wynter couldn’t help but ask.
“Why?”
David rubbed the back of his neck, unconsciously reminding her of Orlando, and remained silent for a couple of seconds before answering.
“I know you have those earrings.” David answered softly and Wynter’s eyes grew wide, slight fear in them. Muttering something under her breath, he added. “Wynter, you don’t need to worry.”
Wynter gave him a wary look. She didn’t know whether he was aware that Monica had given the earrings to her their last Christmas together, but she was now a hundred percent sure that David knew how shamelessly Tori had stolen them from her… And how Wynter had stolen them back.
When Monica died, David and Tori had taken care of all her possessions, only leaving Wynter a few things for her to keep. When she began to rummage in the contents of that small box they had given her, Wynter had almost gone insane when she couldn’t find the earrings. She had gone to Tori with tears in her eyes telling her that the jewels were lost, but her stepmother had almost literally pushed out of her room telling her that she knew nothing about any earrings.
Weeks passed by and Wynter felt miserable for losing something her mother had loved so much; a reminder of the times when Monica and David had been truly happy together. One day, when she was alone at home, Wynter decided to take a ‘tour’ around the house to see what she hadn’t seen yet, having spend most of the time in her room grieving for her mother.
Sneaking into her father’s and Tori’s room, Wynter admired the big bed and its dark red canopy. Then, looking around, she saw a small box on the bedside table and not able to control her curiosity, Wynter opened and her eyes grew wide when she saw Tori’s jewels there. Still, her surprise then was nothing compared to the punch in the stomach Wynter felt when she saw her mother’s earrings in a small compartment.
Mad at her stepmother for stealing what was hers, Wynter took the rings and then asked Josephine for a needle and some yarn. Taking those to her room, she grabbed a small box that adorned the desk and carefully removing the padding, Wynter sewed the earrings to it. Mindful that no one felt any movements if they took the box, Wynter then sewed the padding back in its place and never took the earrings out of their hiding place until five minutes before moving out of the house. No one had ever noticed what was hidden there. Or so she had thought until now.
“Dad, I…” Wynter began to say, but David shook his head.
“I know you took them years ago. Josephine told me.” David explained lowly, much to her surprise. “I had to run all over the city to get Tori the same earrings and still, all I could get her was a very much cheaper copy.”
Wynter remained silent for a while, trying to absorb what she had just heard.
“I bet she’s not happy.” She murmured and David grinned unrepentantly.
“She never noticed”
Wynter gave her father a surprised look. Had he really gone to such an extent to protect her? Somehow, that thought didn’t match the image she had had of her father during the years.
Noticing the confusion in Wynter’s eyes, David said.
“Starr told me about the party, so this is my contribution. You are a beautiful girl, Wynter… This necklace will only enlighten it.”
Wynter stared at her father almost as if she didn’t recognise the man before her and actually, she didn’t. This man who had just told her that he had covered her back when she stole a pair of earrings her wife had taken from her was not, at least not to her eyes, the same man who had ignored her for years.
David gave her a shaky smile.
“I got to go now. I’ll call you one of these days, ok?” He asked and Wynter nodded. Before she could answer, David hugged her tight and then, just as suddenly, he left the kitchen.
Wynter stood there, the box in her hands and a confused look in her eyes. What had just happened? She couldn’t question herself any longer, for Josephine conveniently stormed into the room a minute after her father left, barely leaving her enough time to hide the box in her bag. Josephine gave Wynter her present and after she made her promise that she would come more often, Wynter left the house.
She drove through the city in a daze, going over that eventful meeting with her father over and over again in her head, not sure what to think of it. When she finally reached her destination, Wynter stepped out of the lift with a sigh. She was about to slip the key in the lock when the door of the apartment just in front of hers got opened.
“Wynter?”
Wynter turned around and smiled at Mr. Mawbry, her neighbour. They had seen little of each other until after she got ill, when Mr. Mawbry had visited her, telling her that it was him who had let Orlando in that day.
“Merry Christmas, Mr. Mawbry.” Wynter said politely and he smiled.
“Same to you, girl.” He replied and then added. “Are you in a hurry? I have something for you.”
Wynter didn’t answer, for the man disappeared in his apartment long before she could say something and came back with a big box in his hands, wrapped in a beautiful green and red paper with a big, red bow on top.
“What is this?” Wynter mumbled, not sure she could cope with another surprise gift.
“A delivery man brought it yesterday just after you left. One of those special deliveries, I’m afraid… I hope you don’t mind me accepting it.” Mr. Mawbry ended in a questioning tone, his head barely peeking above the big bow. Wynter shook her head, absolutely speechless. Still stunned, she opened her door and let her neighbour in. He gently dropped the box on the coffee table and then left, leaving Wynter staring at the box.
What if it was a prank? The only person she knew that could do that was Marlon, but Wynter doubted that he, even in his meanness, would reach such extents to annoy her.
Suddenly curious, Wynter removed the bow and ripped the paper open, only to find a blue box inside. Hoping it wasn’t one of those ‘box inside a box’ things, she opened it and a loud cry resounded in her living room. Reaching hurriedly inside the box, Wynter took the big, white and fuzzy bear out and stared at it with a silly smile in her lips.
The bear was the cutest thing she had seen in a long time. It was a fat, cuddly toy with a Santa Claus hat and the sweetest big brown eyes staring back at her with a mischievous glimpse. With a smile, Wynter gave way to the urge of hugging the stuffed toy close to her heart, only then noticing the small envelope attached to the little white fur ball at the end of the hat.
Curious, Wynter took the envelope and after seeing her name written on it, she opened it and carefully put it aside. Unfolding the note, she kneeled on the floor to read it, the bear protectively tucked under her arm.
‘Wynter:
Merry Christmas! I couldn’t contact you before flying to England to spend a couple of days with my family, so I thought I would send someone else with you. I actually have no idea whether you like stuffed animals or not, but this one called my name when I saw it and I couldn’t resist him. I hope you like him… I’m sure he will love to be your friend, because I certainly do.
Love,
Orlando’
Wynter stared at the note with a stupid smile for at least a minute, feeling warmth spreading all over her body. Could she love him any more than she did at the moment? Wynter didn’t think so. She wanted to call Orlando and thank him, but she had never had the courage to ask his number. He did have hers, so Wynter would have to wait.
Looking down at the bear, she smiled. Who would have guessed that what had begun as the Christmas from hell would turn into this? She was still trying to deal with her father’s present and what it might possibly meant, but Orlando had managed to lift her spirits in a wonderful way. Hugging her bear, Wynter grinned. She didn’t want to get her hopes too high, but maybe not everything was lost for her…
Chapter 13.
Wynter collapsed on the couch of her dimly lit living room with a loud huff, vowing herself that she would never, ever, go shopping with Liv again. For the last ten days, with the only exception of Christmas, Liv had dragged a willing and above all ignorant Wynter into every store possible in Los Angeles; had she known what was ahead of her, Wynter would have hid under the bed the first morning Liv came to pick her up to avoid her.
Wynter sighed, closing her eyes and leaning her head back against the couch. How many stores had they visited? Wynter couldn’t possibly remember, but it was certainly more than she could have ever imagined. Liv had taken her to many stores Wynter hadn’t even considered stepping into before, most of them with names of expensive designers on their doors.
Not that Liv gave her any time to think about it, though. As soon as they entered in a store, she dragged Wynter all over the place looking for the perfect dress. Consequently, Wynter had tried more clothes in the last ten days than in the past years. Long skirts, short ones; sleeves, no sleeves, deep necklines… Wynter had tried them all. Black dresses, blue, red, white and even yellow ones had adorned her body, but none seemed to be the right one. Or so Liv thought, Wynter mused with a tired grin.
Wynter glanced at her wristwatch and checked the date. December 27th. There were only four days left until the party and Liv was hysteric because Wynter still didn’t have anything to wear. In a moment of desperation, Wynter had even told Liv that she could design the dress herself, but Liv wouldn’t have none of it. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust in Wynter’s talent, oh no. It was just that she was determined to turn Wynter into a princess for one night, but her victim wasn’t so sure how good the idea was.
Wynter’s insecurities clouded her mind; what if she ruined the dress? What if those high heels Liv insisted that she should wear made her twist an ankle and fall flat on her face? She could already picture the looks her co-workers would give her if that was the case and it made her shiver. Those were the times when Wynter would gladly hide under a rock until all commotion passed and she could carry on with her normal life. Liv had even tried to convince her telling her that she would look so beautiful that Orlando would forget his name at the sight of her, but if Liv thought that the idea encouraged Wynter, God she was wrong!
Taking a deep breath, Wynter stood up and went to the kitchen to fix herself a cup of tea. If there was someone who was truly excited about everything concerning the party, that was Starr. The girl was over the moon with happiness. Whenever she called, it was to tell Wynter her new idea about what she should do or wear for the party.
Starr had tagged along with her older sister and Liv as many times as school and her mother would allow her, and she had even gone as far as to book Wynter an appointment with one of the most sought after stylist and his team for the party’s day. Starr herself was a client of his beauty salon-spa, but she had used her mother’s influence to get Wynter an appointment with such a short notice, much to Wynter’s dismay. Tori wouldn’t be pleased if she found out.
As if hearing its cue, Wynter’s mobile buzzed. Rushing back to the living room with a steaming tea mug in one hand, Wynter picked her phone without checking who was calling her in first place.
“How’s the party girl doing?” Starr’s voice asked in an excited tone even before Wynter could say something. Grinning, Wynter answered as she sat down on the couch.
“Hi, Starr.”
“You still haven’t answered my question.” Starr said in a sing-songy voice and Wynter had to laugh at her persistence. Determined to tease her little sister, Wynter replied.
“Everything is just as you left it about twenty-four hours ago.”
“What?” Starr exclaimed in awe and Wynter smiled before sipping on her tea. “You’re telling me you still haven’t found the right dress.”
“Exactly. I’m beginning to think there is no dress that can satisfy Liv’s wishes of turning me into this party’s Cinderella.” Wynter added lowly, voicing her fears. If she had to try one more dress and look at the contemptuous look in the eyes of another snotty saleswoman as she entered in a shop, she’d go insane.
“I can’t believe it.” Starr muttered under her breath and Wynter could almost picture the troubled look in her sister’s blue eyes, not to mention the engines working at double speed in her head. “It’s incredible. We’ve turned this hell of a city upside down and still nothing. This calls for extreme measures.” Starr stated with a determined voice.
“Oh God, no! Please tell me you’re kidding!” Wynter groaned. “I swear I regret the moment I agreed on going to this damn party.” She grumbled. “No one’s going to miss me if I don’t show up.”
“Don’t even think about it!” Starr admonished her and Wynter arched an eyebrow. Her little sister was turning into a very bossy young woman! Yet, Starr didn’t know how stubborn Wynter could be.
“Oh, yeah?” She asked. “Name one person who will really miss me if I stayed at home watching TV.”
“Orlando.” Starr answered quickly and without a shadow of a doubt in her voice. “He’ll be very disappointed if you don’t show up.”
Ouch.
Wynter had no answer for that; she was absolutely speechless. Liv had told both Starr and Wynter how excited Orlando had got as soon as she told her that ‘Wyn’ was going to the party with them.
Wynter alternatively opened and closed her mouth countless times, but nothing came out.
“Gotcha.” Starr giggled and Wynter huffed in frustration.
“Very funny.” Wynter murmured bitterly as she gulped the last of her tea.
“Have you seen him?” Starr asked more calmly now. Wynter bit her lower lip.
“No. He’s been too busy shooting and I haven’t been around the studios much lately.”
“So you mean there’s still a chance for me to get me a Hollywood star as a brother-in-law?”
“Starr!” Wynter exclaimed and Starr giggled.
“And what about little Orlando?” Starr murmured in a conspiring tone.
Wynter shook her head. Starr had named the bear the real Orlando had given Wynter as ‘Little Orlando’ as soon as she had seen it. The eyes, Starr said; they were just like Orlando’s: brown, warm and a bit mischievous.
“Fine.” Wynter murmured her answer. “Sitting on my bed as we speak.”
“Good. There is where the real Orlando should be, preferably naked, but…” Starr sighed dramatically and then, knowing better than to let Wynter speak, she hurried to add. “Look, I got to go. Lauren and I are going to meet to go over some school stuff, but I’ll see you tomorrow, ok?”
“Coward.” Wynter hissed and Starr laughed.
Wynter ended the call and put the phone back on the small coffee table. Looking around, she realised that her apartment was in desperate need of someone to put some order in it. Taking the matters in her own two hands, Wynter went to the kitchen and rinsed her mug. Just as she was putting it away, her mobile buzzed again. Shaking her head, Wynter walked into the living room once again and picked it up with a knowing grin in her lips.
“Starr, I swear that if you say one more thing about Orlando, I’ll hang up!” Wynter said in her best older sister tone. No one answered, thought. Not until a deep male voice spoke.
“Wynter?”