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Zane squeezes my shoulders lightly, and following his gesture, Zander leans back. The frustration in his eyes replaced with concern.
“Don’t worry. I’m okay,” I lie before asking Zander, “Do you remember something from that time? Could either of our parents have another child?”
He shakes his head. “I can’t say for sure what happened in their life before they met each other.” He thinks for a second. “Let’s visit him again, once the kid’s mother is back.”
After spendinga few hours in Zander’s office, we return to Ray’s home. I lead the way in my Porsche while my brothers follow in Zander’s car. My heart pounds as if I’m covering the journey not in my luxury car but on foot. I wonder how Ray’s mom will take our unexpected arrival.
Getting out of my car, I look around at the late summer evening and the sun just dipping below the horizon. I can spot lights in houses, people are probably back from work, dinners are being prepared. This area gives you all those cozy, homey feelings.
I fix my tie once again. My heartbeat escalates with every step I take closer to the door. My brothers join me but today their presence isn’t enough as something clogs in my chest. We don’t know what we will discover. Will we come face to face with one more crooked thing from our childhood, or will this just be coincidence?
I ring the doorbell with my clammy fingers, all the while my heart whispering my life won’t be the same after this moment.
An elderly woman finally opens the door and Ray pokes his head from behind her and squeals in excitement. “Your Highness!”
My brothers chuckle beside me as I rub my chin, trying to hide the grin that appears on my face seeing Ray’s toothy smile.
My heartbeat gradually slows until the woman raises one brow. “Your Highness?” She looks between Ray and me. “So, you’re the one wholikes to think of himselfas a prince.”
Her words make me smile. “I do, and you must be Ray’s gigi.” I put my hand forward, but she doesn’t grab it. She continues to block the door.
“Yes, I am, but who are you?”
“My name is Zach, and these are my brothers Zander and Zane.”
“Uh-huh. Your parents couldn’t agree on another letter.” Her sharp gaze stays on me.
“Something like that,” I lie and give her my flirtatious smile, which usually wins women over, but Ray’s gigi is a tough nut to crack. “We would like to talk to Ray’s mother if that’s okay?”
“About what?” she asks skeptically, still keeping us outside.
Why isn’t this woman allowing us in? As much as I understand her wariness about letting three strangers inside her house, I really want to stop these questions running wild in my mind about Ray and me.
I helplessly look over my shoulder at my brothers before glancing back at Gigi.
“About R-ray.” Zane shows her our childhood picture and points at me. “Th-this is Zach.”
Gigi rapidly blinks as her gaze jumps from the picture to Ray and then back to me. “This is you?”
I nod.
“Who the hell are you people? How did you find us?” A murderous expression etches on her ashen face. Her eyes are wide in anger and a touch of fear.
She’s about to slam the door in our faces when I place my hand on it and lightly push back, not allowing her to shut us out.
“Mrs. Davis—” I saw the name plate at the door “—I met Ray only last night while I was driving to St. Peppers from Cherrywood. I took a detour from the main highway because of a traffic jam due to an accident.”
“Something about an accident was on the radio.” She nods, but her narrowed gaze doesn’t shift away from me.
“Yes, and just outside your house I met Ray. I was as surprised as you at the resemblance, and that’s why my brothers have joined me to talk to you and your daughter.” I glance at Ray who has now lost all interest in the adult conversation and is busy playing with Mr. Stanley. “I just want to confirm if we could be related?”
Gigi thinks for a moment and then sighs loudly. “Okay. Come on in.” She opens the door, and we step inside.
It’s an ordinary house with outdated furniture. The living room has a faded green couch and three side chairs. On one corner is a dining table with four chairs which don’t all belong to the same set. There’s an old TV, and even though the room is rustic, one can argue it’s cozy and warm.
But totally out of my taste.
I like things fine, classy, and this place issonot classy. However, that is the least of my concern at this moment. As we three squeeze ourselves on the cramped sofa, I smell something mouthwatering. “It smells really good in here,” I say, more to myself than anyone.
“My daughter is a very fine cook,” Gigi says, and her chin slightly turns up in pride. “Ray, baby, go call your ma.”
