Morning broke through the haze of sleep and alcohol, leaving Altair grappling with a pounding headache – an unwelcome memento from the previous night's indulgences. The guest room was bathed in a soft, golden light, creating a serene backdrop to his discomfort. His awakening was punctuated by a sharp knock at the door, which seemed to resonate louder than usual against the throbbing in his head.
As the door opened, Sunny appeared, her presence a radiant contrast to the quiet room. Behind her, Bernice stood with her usual supportive demeanor. On the tray Sunny held was a simple, comforting breakfast: buttered toast, a sunny-side-up egg, a modest serving of fresh fruit, and a steaming cup of coffee, its aroma promising a respite from his hangover. Beside the breakfast lay a small flask of tonic, an empathetic addition to the morning fare.
Despite his discomfort, Altair couldn’t help but smile at the thoughtfulness laid out before him. "What have I done to deserve such special treatment?" he asked, amusement mixing with the remnants of fatigue in his voice.
Sunny’s smile broadened, her eyes shining with unbridled joy. "Dad told me about the challenge he set for you," she said, her voice quivering with excitement. "He's given his approval for you to marry Elise or me, depending on your choice."
Her cheeks were tinged with a mixture of bashfulness and happiness, clearly delighted by the idea.
Altair chuckled, affection and a hint of exasperation in his tone. "That old man," he mused, "always straight to the point."
His response was devoid of annoyance, reflecting instead a warm acceptance and perhaps a flicker of excitement that mirrored Sunny's own.
As he took the tray from her, Sunny’s demeanor shifted, remembering her obligations. "I need to head to school," she said, pausing with an expectant look in her eyes. "Could you... maybe... pick me up later?"
Altair's smile was genuine and reassuring as he nodded. "I'll pick you up," he promised, his simple affirmation carrying a weight of significance to the hopeful young girl before him.
Once Sunny had left, the room returned to its earlier solitude, leaving Altair to reflect over his breakfast, thoughts of a potential future echoing in his mind.
His moment of peace was abruptly shattered by a barrage of notifications from his phone. Unlocking it, he found a flurry of messages in their group chat – Cassy had sent several screenshots of ominous texts from Carlos, each more threatening than the last.
"This guy's persistence is astonishing," he muttered, frustration evident as he swiftly typed a response. "Don’t worry, Cassy. I’ll handle Carlos."
"But where are we going to meet him?" came Cassy's immediate reply, her composure shaken.
Altair paused, considering his options. "I'm currently looking after Sunny," he explained, hinting at the need for discretion.
"Who's Sunny?" Allaine inquired, her curiosity piqued amidst the unfolding crisis.
Altair exhaled slowly, typing out, "It's a long story. I'll explain later. For now, let's meet Carlos at DG Cafe downtown. I’ll settle this today."
"Are we meeting here later?" Cassy asked, seeking clarity amidst the chaos.
With only a brief hesitation, Altair responded decisively to Cassy's message.
"You don't need to be there, Cassy. Chloe will be coming with me instead."
The immediacy of Cassy's reply conveyed her confusion. "Why?"
Altair's response was firm and final. "I’m going to resolve this issue with Carlos for good. It might get messy, and I don’t want you in harm's way."
"But are you sure?" Cassy's concern was evident, her worry for both herself and Altair palpable in her text.
"Yes," Altair assured, his digital words leaving no room for debate. "Relax, Cassy. Leave this to me."
He paused before adding, "It's time to talk about the holidays," a coded message signifying the end of their current predicament.
With that, Altair switched off his phone's screen, his mind already deep in tactical planning for the impending confrontation. He was resolute in his mission to protect Cassy; Carlos had to be dealt with decisively.
As the day faded, Altair, dressed in a sharp white polo, black slacks, and a navy blue coat, moved with purpose through the house. His expression was one of focused determination, betraying his mental rehearsal for the evening's encounter.
"You look sharp, Sir Altair," Bernice observed, offering a supportive smile as he passed.
"Thanks, Bernice," Altair replied, his demeanor calm but clearly preoccupied.
"Could you drive?" he asked, his voice subtly conveying the evening's seriousness.
"Certainly," Bernice agreed, understanding the unspoken urgency. They headed to the garage and settled into the sedan, the engine humming softly as they began their journey to pick up Sunny from school.
During the drive, Altair selected Chloe's number from his contacts, calling her immediately. Her voice came through clearly, "That was quick," Altair noted, the edge in his voice reflecting the call's importance.
"What do you need?" Chloe asked, cutting straight to the matter at hand.
"I’m ending the Carlos situation tonight," Altair stated firmly. "I need you there with me."
"Am I just observing?" Chloe inquired, her tone both curious and cautious.
"No," Altair said, conviction evident in his voice. "I want you actively involved. I want you and Miracle to handle this situation."
"Why involve Miracle?" Chloe queried, seeking clarity.
"I've relied on Miracle's resources," Altair explained, his voice carrying a note of respect. "As thanks, I want her to be part of this resolution."
"Do you want to tell her yourself?" Chloe suggested, seemingly anticipating his preference.
"Sure," Altair replied, his tone indicative of his readiness to move forward with the plan. As the phone changed hands, he could sense the shift in presence even before Miracle spoke.
"That was quick," Altair remarked, trying to lighten the mood despite the gravity of their upcoming task. "Have you and Chloe become close?"
"Something like that," came Miracle's nonchalant reply, her voice steady and unfazed.
Altair, recognizing her readiness, got straight to the point. "I need your help to deal with Carlos. Thought you might find the situation... intriguing."
There was a brief pause on the line, a moment of silence before Miracle responded, her voice tinged with a cold anticipation. "With pleasure."
As the school day waned under the gentle glow of the afternoon sun, the atmosphere outside the school was vibrant with the energy of students eagerly discussing their day. The visitor's lobby became a lively hub, filled with the buzz of greetings and the shuffle of feet as families reunited. Amidst this bustling scene, Altair stood with Bernice, their quiet conversation a stark contrast to the surrounding commotion, their eyes occasionally sweeping over the crowd
Outside, Sunny, in step with her friend Lorraine, navigated the throngs of students with a casual ease, their laughter mingling with the ambient sounds of departure.
"Is Bernice coming for you today?" Lorraine inquired, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Maybe," Sunny responded, her voice tinged with a hint of mischief.
As they approached the lobby, the figures of Altair and Bernice came into view, standing with an air of quiet anticipation. Sunny's pace quickened, her excitement barely contained.
"There's Altair," she whispered, her gesture discreet yet filled with pride.
Lorraine's gaze followed Sunny's, landing on the distinguished man by Bernice's side. "Who's Altair?" she asked, curiosity evident in her tone.
Sunny's response was filled with confidence. "He's going to be my husband," she stated boldly, her belief in this future unwavering.
Lorraine's surprise was palpable. "Aren't you a bit young for that?" she prodded, skepticism shading her words.
A brief shadow of doubt crossed Sunny's expression, but it was quickly replaced by a steadfast resolve. "You're just not seeing the big picture," Sunny countered, her laughter light but her conviction strong. "Altair embodies everything I admire. He's not just any man; he's the one."
Lorraine's playful challenge hung in the air. "If he's so perfect, would you share him?" she teased, a playful glint in her eye.
Sunny's response was immediate and firm. "In your dreams," she shot back, her laughter mingling with Lorraine's as they continued their approach, the seriousness of Sunny's claim underscored by their lighthearted banter.
Lorraine's teasing words, "So selfish," were light-hearted, her smile betraying the affection behind her mock complaint. Their playful exchange continued as they neared Altair and Bernice, a subtle undercurrent of seriousness woven through Sunny's lighthearted demeanor.
Upon their approach, Altair shifted from his casual stance to one of courteous attention, greeting them with a gracious nod, embodying the essence of a true gentleman. Bernice's smile complemented the warm welcome, adding to the hospitable atmosphere.
The girls, charmed by the display of manners, greeted them in return, their faces alight with smiles.
"Are we heading home?" Sunny inquired, her curiosity piqued by Altair's unexpected presence.
"I thought we might make a detour to a café," Altair proposed, his tone casual yet carrying an undertone of formality that hinted at something more.
"A café? But why?" Sunny's interest was evident, the idea of an unexpected outing sparking excitement within her.
"I have a lesson in mind for you," Altair responded, his words cloaked in mystery, a playful smirk hinting at the intrigue of the lesson to come.
Sunny's interest was piqued, prompting a swift farewell to Lorraine, who cast a curious glance their way before disappearing into the crowd of departing students.
With a sense of purpose, Sunny, Altair, and Bernice proceeded to the parking lot, enveloped in an air of comfortable anticipation. The ambient sounds of the schoolyard, filled with students' farewells and the hum of vehicles, provided a lively backdrop to their departure.
"What exactly are you planning to teach me?" Sunny asked, her intrigue clearly piqued by Altair's cryptic hint.
"Intimidation," Altair revealed, the word carrying a weight that momentarily widened Sunny's eyes in surprise before her expression shifted to one of eager determination.
"I'm ready," she declared, her resolve firm and her interest fully engaged in the lesson ahead.
She declared firmly, her tone conveying both excitement and resolve. The concept was unexpected, but Sunny was no stranger to challenges and the idea of learning something so intriguing and from Altair, no less – was an opportunity she wouldn’t dream of passing.