Shadow of Death (SOD)

Chapter 45

Swinging the door open, Jayden’s smile couldn’t be contained anymore as he stared at the girl standing in front of him.

Chocolate skin with a fresh glow that would make anybody look back twice the moment they saw her.

Her pearly white teeth almost shimmered beneath the dim light.

Flowing yellow hair was braided to perfection, stopping just shy of her waist.

Long, slender, but smooth legs that would make anybody... any guy, go crazy.

She wore a tight but not revealing purple gown that accentuated her curves, making them pop out in all the right places.

A light layer of makeup had been applied to her face.

It wasn’t excessive enough to make her look different. Just enough to enhance her features and make her face stand out even more.

"Hi, Jayden."

She greeted warmly, her voice almost tiny but beautiful.

The kind of voice that would make one’s ears tingle and power and stamina increase in the room.

"Hi, Judy." Jayden greeted with a slight blush on his face.

"You look... stunning." He added as his eyes traced her from head to toe.

Judy beamed, her dimples on full display.

"Awww. Thanks."

"Ahem... are you inviting her in or what?" Asher asked as he stood directly beside his brother.

He took in the view of the new visitor with an amazed look on his face.

Jayden stiffened up on hearing the voice standing so close to him.

He almost screamed in shock if it wasn’t for the fact that Judy was standing in front of him and he didn’t want to look like a coward.

"How and when did you get here so fast?"

Asher smiled and rubbed his face.

"You were taking so long to come inside, and I wanted to check what was going on. So here I am."

Judy held her purse in front of her as she stared between the two brothers.

Feeling the gaze on him, Asher looked back at the girl.

He stared at her for several seconds. He even closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again.

’Clean, I guess.’

Nudging his brother with his shoulder, he whispered;

"Aren’t you gonna invite her in?"

"...."

Jayden blinked for several seconds before nodding.

"Ah, apologies. Please come in, Judy."

The two brothers stepped out of the way, paving a path for her to pass.

"Thank you."

She walked forward, her hips unconsciously swaying from left to right and drawing Jayden’s attention.

Asher stared at his brother for a moment before shaking his head and closing the door.

’He is finished.’

They all fully walked into the living room, where Clara was already on her feet.

She had been intrigued when the doorbell rang earlier and had been waiting to see who was coming.

But not until Judy revealed herself did she finally understand.

Walking towards the woman, Judy gave Clara a curt bow.

"Good evening, aunty. I’m Judy." She greeted, her hands now stretched out.

Clara stared at the girl, then at her hand, and finally at her sons, who were beginning to approach.

"Er... Mum, she’s the girl from the factory I have been talking about."

"...."

It took a few seconds for the explanation to sink into the woman’s mind as she blinked.

Then, her eyes widened in surprise.

"Oh. Hi, dear. Welcome to our humble abode." She replied as she snatched the girl’s hand in a firm handshake.

Then, they disengaged from the handshake.

Clara shot Jayden a glare.

"You didn’t tell me a guest was coming, though."

Jayden scratched the back of his head with a nervous chuckle.

"It was a last-minute decision. She was close by and then decided to drop by to see the family."

Clara glared at him for several seconds before shaking her head in disappointment.

"Please, make yourself at home. I will go whip up something for you, as my dumbass son didn’t give me a heads-up."

"Oh no, ma’am. I’m okay. I had something before coming here."

Clara folded her arms across her chest with a frown.

"Rejecting my hospitality, is it? Just so you know, you aren’t leaving here without at least taking something edible. You are basically trapped in here with us. Jayden, tell her."

Jayden smiled and nodded.

"Mum doesn’t take no for an answer. You have no choice but to take something."

The girl chuckled then lifted her hands in the air in resignation.

"Fine, then. I will eat."

"Better." Clara huffed before turning towards the direction of the kitchen. "Jesse, come help me."

Jesse quickly jumped off her seat and rushed after her mother.

Jayden looked back at Asher and smiled.

"Told ya. Phase one is complete. She’s now active."

Asher nodded in approval then walked forward and sat back in his previous position. He placed his laptop on his lap and continued whatever he was doing.

Jayden directed Judy to a seat and then sat down with her to chat.

Asher smiled silently.

’If it wasn’t for this damn curse, we would have been a happy family. Sigh....’

"Oh, please. You just like boasting." Judy chuckled while playfully slapping Jayden on his arm.

"... I’m serious, though. You can even ask Asher."

Hearing his name, the boy blinked and lifted his head to see Jayden winking at him.

"Right? I fought ten goons at once to save you one time, yeah? Didn’t I?"

Asher’s eyes bulged wide at the incredible lie.

"Ten goons? Woah, bro. You keep underestimating yourself. Wasn’t it a hundred?"

Jayden frowned while Judy laughed loudly.

"Tch. You’re going too far now."

Judy couldn’t help it as she continued laughing while Asher chuckled silently.

Jayden’s face was now red from embarrassment as he turned his head to the side with a frown on his face.

"Oh, come on, handsome. Are you now angry? Hahaha!"

"Leave me be, tsk."

"Meal is ready, guys!" Clara announced as she came out with a tray filled with food while Jesse followed after.

"Damn. That’s a lot for only her." Asher uttered.

"..."

Clara blinked confusedly.

"Only her? Fool, we’re all eating together."

"But we ate just two hours ago, yeah?"

"Tsk. I wasn’t full because of your shabby cooking." Jesse replied with a snicker.

Asher’s face reddened instantly.

"As if you could do any better!"

Everybody burst out laughing, including Clara.

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