Sean woke up a little after midnight, empty bottles clinky as they hit the floor at the foot of the bed. His throat was dry and his mouth felt cottony. He attempted to ring for the maid to bring him some water, but decided against it. It would be much quicker to do it himself, plus he wanted to walk around while no one was awake. 

He couldn’t hide his joy any longer, he’d found her. She was here within his reach. The only thing he wanted in this world was to possess her. 

“You won’t believe it,” Sean says all giddy like a schoolboy, “She’s here”

“Who is?” came a yawn from the other end of the line

“The girl!” Sean retorted

“What girl?” the voice came back with 

“The one from the rose garden, with the red hair,” Sean replied impatiently, “The girl that I couldn’t get out of my head” 

“That’s why you called so late, Sean,” Caroline replied annoyed “You could have waited till morning to tell me, you know that right” 

“I know but I just had to get it out, I couldn’t talk to anyone about it but you”

“What about Brian or Steven?”

“They don’t care about stuff like this”

“Or are you afraid they’d take her from you”

A flash of anger appeared on Sean’s face “NO! They don’t compare in anyway to compete with me for her”

“...”

Caroline knew how much Sean loved his mystery girl, but she couldn’t be happy for him. They had been friends for so long, their mothers were best friends therefore, it was only natural that they would be together but it wasn’t going to end up like that and she knew it. However, just knowing was not enough for Caroline she would fight for him till them and no red-haired whore was going to get in her way. 

“Caroline are you there,” Sean pressed on after he noticed her silence. 

“I’m going to bed, we can meet up tomorrow for lunch and plan strategy,” she replied 

“I can’t tomorrow, I’m escorting my mother for a charity luncheon”

“I’ll see you tomorrow Sean,” then she hung up. 

Sean, still excited, put the phone down and walked towards the East wing of the mansion to find her room. He wasn’t going to bother her, he just wanted to see. Actually, he wanted to confirm she was still here and not just a figment of his imagination. 

He stopped by the drawing room’s mini fridge and got himself a bottle of water before making his way to the East wing. 

He walked by he tried quietly opening every door on his path, he got to the third door when he started hearing muffled groans coming from the room at the furthest end of the hall. He couldn’t control his movements anymore. He knew nothing good would come out of him knowing what was going on behind that door but it was too late now. 

The whole reason he was called back home was to inherit the family legacy and everything that came with, including the secrets. And this was a big one. 

Before he got the door, the groans stopped, there was a quick shuffle and the door to the room flung open. His father stepped out and was taken aback to see Sean standing a few feet away. 

“What are you here?” He tried to clear his throat so that a deep growl came out, instead of a flustered whine.

Sean looked at his father trying hard to hide his contempt, “Nothing”

Sean stood still and tall waiting for his father to leave, he was no longer afraid of his father. They stood at eye level staring each other down for what felt like eternity. Just when Sean was about to crack under his father’s gaze. Sean Clyde chuckled to himself and walked past his son. 

“We will talk in the morning”

Sean waited for his father’s figure to disappear around the corner of the hallway before pushing his way into Ophelia’s room.