Chapter 10 Chapter 10 The day Shermaine moved into Joshua's house came quickly . She didn't have much to pack everything fit into a small suitess It was the weekend . The driver Joshua had sent was already waiting outside . Before leaving the Jean residence , Shermaine made a FaceTime call to her brother Ross , who before he picked up . still overseas on a business trip . It rang a few Umas Ross was tall and sharp - featured , with enough of a resemblance to Shermaine around the eyes to make their relation obvious . " Sheary , " he smiled . " Ross ," Shermaine replied . " You probably already heard about my engagement to Joshua . I'm moving into his place today " " Yeah , Dad just told me . Listen , now that you're going over there , remember to keep some distance . Don't fall for him , " Poss reminded her . Shermaine raised an eyebrow . She thought , ' So Ross thinks pretty highly of Joshua . But it also means if I do fall for him , it won't end well , Joshua's not . going to fall for me . ' She nodded sweetly . " When are you coming back ? " " End of the month , " Ross answered . They chatted for a bit longer before Ross , clearly too busy , ended the call . Hearing a few knocks at the door , Shermaine said , " Come in . " The door opened . Wendelyn stood outside in a sleek evening dress that fit like it was made for her . The cut flattered her figure , and the whole look gave her an air of graceful composure . Wendelyn asked gently , " Shermaine , did you finish packing ? " " Yeah . " Shermaine looked up . " What do you want ? " Wendelyn spoke softly , " Mom asked me to see you off . " At that , Shermaine smiled , realizing why Wendelyn had gone to the trouble of dressing up . She didn't turn Wendelyn down . " Sure , " Shermaine said . Shermaine thought , ' If she wants to be taught a lesson , why should I stop her ? ' After about forty minutes , the car pulled up to Joshua's place . It was a two - story villa , but the lot was huge , and the design had a quiet , understated elegance . Shermaine cast a glance at Wendelyn with a hint of amusement , thinking , ' So that's why she insisted on coming along in an evening dress like that . Trying to play into his taste , huh ? The car door opened . Shermaine stepped out with one foot , looking up , ready to thank the driver - only to realize it wasn't the driver who had opened the door for her . It was Joshua . He wore a crisp white shirt and tailored slacks , the sleeves of his shirt casually rolled up , revealing a clean stretch of forearm . His arms were solid , with lean muscle and sharp definition . Shermaine's eyes briefly dropped to his hands - his fingers were elegant , the lines of his knuckles refined . Joshua offered his hand . Shermaine blinked . After a beat , she placed hers in his . His palm was cool to the touch , but large enough to wrap completely around hers . Joshua said , " My grandfather knows you're moving in today . He'd like to meet you . " What he meant was that Owen was already inside . 1/3 Chapter 10 Shermaine nodded . " Got it . " Just then , Wendelyn stepped out from the other side of the car . Her red lips parted gently . " Mr. York " Joshua looked over . His gaze was mild as he gave a slight nod . Compared to before , this counted as a response , Wendelyn lit up inside . She thought , ' Mr. York must like how I look today ! The autumn wind rustled through the yard , scattering dried yellow leaves across the ground . Shermaine's hair fluttered in the breeze , a few strands brushing against her cheeks . Joshua reached out and tucked them behind her ear . " Let's go in . It's windy out here , " That single move nearly gave Shermaine cardiac arrest . She thought , ' Would it kill him to give a little warning before doing that ? A gesture like that's a bit too intimate .' On the second floor , Owen caught the scene through the window and looked especially pleased . He pondered, Joshua's finally showing some sense . Good . Now I just hope I'll live long enough to meet my great - grandchild . ' His thoughts had already wandered far ahead . Joshua led Shermaine inside , holding her hand . Wendelyn followed behind , her gaze heavy with frustration as she bit her lip . The scent of fresh coffee lingered through the house . Owen was seated in the living room . His hair was white , and illness had left him looking thinner than most men his age . But his eyes , sharp and clear , had a way of seeing through people . There was a quiet strength about him - one that most elderly men didn't carry . Shermaine gave a soft , graceful smile . " It's an honor to meet you , sir . " you Owen's stern expression melted into a chuckle . " Sheary , you're just as charming asy were as a child . " Then he added , " You've suffered a lot , though . You were born to a life of privilege , but ended up spending fourteen years out there on your own . That couldn't have been easy . " Shermaine smiled , " It's all in the past now . " They chatted a bit . Eventually , Owen noticed Wendelyn off to the side and paused . " And this is ? " Shermaine introduced her . " Wendelyn Jean . " Owen gave a nod . This was his first time seeing Wendelyn . He thought , ' So this is the girl the Jeans adopted after Shermaine was taken . She's certainly been well - raised . Ruth must've put in a lot of effort and care .' But ever since Shermaine returned to the Jean family , Ruth - her own mother - had been particularly cold toward her . Owen took a closer look . " Jameson and Ruth seem to have treated you quite well even though you're their adopted daughter . " Wendelyn smiled politely , " Yes , Mr. Owen York . " After all , they weren't on a first - name basis . She continued , " I'm deeply grateful for everything they've given me . I don't think I could ever repay it . " Owen said , " Then when they're old , make sure you take good care of them . " Wendelyn nodded . " I couldn't agree more . " Her performance was actually quite decent , but Owen barely paid her any attention . He took every chance he got to talk to Shermaine instead . Shermaine was easy on the eyes , and when she spoke to an elder like Owen , her voice softened noticeably . When he asked about her past , she never dwelled on the hardship . 20:36 Fri , 30 May G WG Chapter 10 Instead , she shared the fun bits , the quirky little stories . Owen was clearly enjoying every minute of it . Joshua sat beside Shermaine , sipping his coffee , chiming in here and there . Wendelyn , on the other hand , stayed silent the whole time , clearly out of place . A servant came over with a tray of fruit and pastries . Owen said , " Sheary , you've done a lot of talking . You must be thirsty . Have some fruit . " " Thanks . " Shermaine really was thirsty . She picked up a cherry and popped it into her mouth . It was juicy and sweet . " Try a pastry too , " Owen offered . Shermaine followed his suggestion and took one from the plate he pushed toward her . She was absolutely gorgeous , and whatever she did just looked effortlessly graceful . The more Owen watched her , the more pleased he felt . But Joshua , not quite picking up on the mood , glanced at the time . " Grandpa , it's getting late . You should head back . " Owen shot him a glare . " Sheary's here . I'm not going anywhere . " Joshua offered a perfectly reasonable excuse , saying , " If you stay , she'll feel too awkward to talk to me ." Shermaine exclaimed internally , ' Wow . Look at the way he said that crap . I've gotta hand it to Joshua - his acting is top - tier .' Owen stroked his white beard , calm and crafty . " You'll have plenty of time alone with her . Missing out this once won't kill you . " Shermaine smiled , a soft dimple blooming at the corner of her mouth . It wasn't polite or calculated - it was genuine . In that moment , every bit of her feminine allure lit up the room . She was the kind of woman who was sweet on the outside but dangerous at the core . Joshua couldn't look away . Owen was quietly overjoyed , thinking , ' She's so elegant , so radiant . Joshua's one lucky boy . ' He asked , " Sheary , do you play chess ? " Shermaine didn't know how to play chess . She knew how to do a lot of things - but chess just happened to not be one of them . She shook her head . Owen looked a little disappointed . Then Wendelyn spoke up , " Mr. Owen York , if you're up for a game , I'd be happy to play with you . " AD Comment Send gift