Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



Taryn shushed the air once more, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. "Don't go blabbing, okay? We don't want Elaine's little spies to overhear. It's our little secret!"

Good ol' Taryn, always the heart of gold, watching over her comatose granny.

Sammy made a quick mental note.

So, Granny in her vegetative state needs Mom's experimental new drug?

Her fingers twitched, and Sammy gently prodded the old lady's index finger.

He rose to his feet and quietly made his way out, his little legs carrying him back to the main yard. No, he had to do something-he needed to tell Mom.Text © owned by NôvelDrama.Org.

He was going to step out of this mansion!

"Danny?"

Elaine was back, checking to see if the little rascal was home. Her eyes settled, and she reprimanded, "I heard from Lyra that you've been causing a fuss all morning, skipping preschool and mouthing off to Lyra and the bodyguard. You're getting too bold, young man. I might just have to discuss this with your daddy tonight."

Sammy rolled his eyes inwardly, fearless.

A sweet smile plastered on his face, "Sure, Mommy, go ahead. Let's see who Daddy believes Lyra, who jumped to scold me, or your false accusations."

Elaine's mood, previously uplifted, chilled at his words.

Lyra quickly poured poison into Elaine's ear, "Miss, see? I told you something's off with him. He never talks back like this, acting all sly."

Elaine found the kid's behavior odd but chalked it up to a sudden streak of rebellion.

Seeing that the duo had run out of steam and with his deadbeat dad not around, Sammy didn't bother keeping up the act.

He stomped upstairs, tugged at his little blazer, then, struck by inspiration, turned back down, "Mommy, I want to go shopping!"

"What?" Elaine objected outright. "No way. You tried to run away last night, and you think your daddy will let you out to gallivant? Stay put." "Why not ask him?"

Sammy wasn't having any of her nonsense. He approached the landline, dialed a familiar number smartly.

Ludwik picked up swiftly.

"Daddy," Sammy's voice was syrupy sweet, "I want to go out and buy some new clothes. All I have upstairs are suits, and they've become so uncomfortable lately."

Ludwik was puzzled, "But didn't you always say you only wear suits? Black and white are your favorite colors, Danny."

"

"I

Sammy stuck out his tongue, quickly adapting, "People change, Daddy. Can't I like sportswear now? Or are you too stingy to spend a few bucks on your son?"

"

Surprised by the newfound assertiveness, Ludwik was actually quite impressed. He liked this version of his son who was willing to engage in conversation.

"Should Mommy go with you?" Ludwik considered. Going out wasn't out of the question, but he feared the boy might run into Whitney.

"No." Sammy swiftly declined, shooting a glare at the wicked woman, then sweetened his voice, "Mommy just got back and she looks tired. If Daddy worries, just send a few extra bodyguards with me. I'll be really good."

Ludwik's mood lightened, "Alright, just come straight home after shopping!"

Elaine frowned in the background.

Upon hanging up, Sammy glanced coolly at her and marched out the door, bypassing her.

Lyra was livid, warning Elaine, "Miss, this little tyke's suddenly charming the Boss! He's getting closer to him. If he starts to turn the Boss against you with your own words, that won't be good for you."

Elaine squinted, a cold laugh escaping her lips, "What can a three-year-old possibly do? If he wants to play games with me, I've got plenty of tough lessons waiting for him!"

Before Whitney could get wind of this little brat, Elaine would take care of both of them!

Upbeat, Elaine climbed the stairs for a nap, waiting for Ludwik.

Her phone buzzed with a text. After a glance, she swiftly deleted it, but the message lingered in her mind: "Elaine, it's been years, and I'm still thinking of you."

Elaine closed her eyes, memories of passionate moments with that man flooding back.

Three years had passed with such blandness, and she was suffering...

When Whitney arrived at Tiana's place with 'Sammy' in tow, Tiana's jaw could have hit the floor.

Cherry, clutching her teddy bear, gaped at the handsome little boy.

"Hi, Mister... you're so pretty..."

Cherry's speech was imperfect, her eyes glued to 'Daniel' as she drooled.

"Don't look at me like some love-struck puppy." Danny, ever so proud, handed her a tissue, his cheeks tinting with a touch of red. "Here, wipe your drool."

Tiana was in shock!

The boy's demeanor, his looks-it was Ludwik all over again.

She pulled Whitney aside, her mind racing, unable to keep calm, "Whitney, this boy... is he Ludwik's?"

Whitney nodded reluctantly, "I've not been with any other man these years. Who else could he be? But please, don't breathe a word. I made sure Valerie wasn't here before coming over. I just need you to watch him until tonight."

Tiana inhaled sharply, her hand over her mouth in agreement, "My lips are sealed! I won't even tell Valerie."

"The fewer people know, the better," Whitney sighed.

Tiana was too stunned to respond, her mind a whirlwind of shock and confusion.

After the incident years ago, it took her a long time to recover, and she hadn't seen Ludwik since.

She had only heard from Valerie once that the child Whitney bore was picked up by Ludwik. They had been trying to save the boy, and Ludwik had been caring for him all these years.

So, the other child Whitney had jumped into the sea with had also survived and was now right in front of her.

Tiana was silently moved. Had Whitney not known she was carrying twins?

She had also learned from Valerie's speculation, after the fact, that it was twins.

It was true!

Just yesterday, Valerie had instructed her not to mention Ludwik's son to Whitney. The fight for custody was hopeless; it was better not to know. Tiana hesitated for a moment, deciding to keep her thoughts to herself. Whitney had just gotten back, and if little Jack was getting along just fine with Elaine, why stir up unnecessary sorrow?

"What's with the daydreaming? And those red eyes, did my hiding a son really shock you that much?"

Whitney chuckled, puzzled. "You secretly had a daughter yourself, didn't you? Our kids can sneak off and play together now."

"He's the spitting image of Ludwik, even has his temperament!"

Tiana sighed as she watched 'Danny'.

"Sammy is nothing like him, though. He's been with me since he was little, a real gentle and warm-hearted guy."

Whitney rolled her eyes, but let out a sigh. "He's just going through an episode right now; he's got a bit of a personality disorder where he switches characters."

"What? Is it serious?"

"It's rare, but it's happened a couple of times before, and he's always switched back on his own. I'm keeping an eye on him. If it doesn't improve, I'll have to consult with a psychologist in Emperor City."

As Whitney spoke, she glanced at her watch and stood up from the floor cushion. "Tiana, I've got to run. Are you working today?"

"No worries, I took the day off. I was afraid my parents wouldn't be able to handle the two little rascals."

Tiana had found herself a simple job with modest pay.

She used to be a skilled hacker, a partner with the police department, but after Elaine's suppression and Endora's intermittent troubles, the force couldn't risk working with her anymore.

"Sammy's a breeze to look after! He's so warm and caring, you just need to keep an eye on Cherry and let him tag along wherever you go," Whitney assured her, breezily.

Tiana couldn't help but turn her head to glance at the side where 'Sammy', clearly not mingling and ignoring Cherry's friendly gestures, sat aloof on the couch.

Her lips twitched.

She almost wanted to ask Whitney if her definition of 'easy to look after' might be a tad misunderstood.