Surprisingly Mark hasn't asked or said anything about what transpired the previous days. This was making August restless.
The noise of trucks woke them up... Probably the whole neighborhood how much furniture did one have.
Urgh!!
The moving trucks rattled away just as Evelyne set down the teapot.
"so we have new neighbors now" August asked curiously
"yes. Hope they have a child your age.. You get have someone to play with" Evelyne said cheerfully
"I already have lilay anyway and others from the project, neighborhood friends disturb peace"
"August baby that's rude"
Mark "well she's not lying. Morning to my two angels" he said making his way into the kitchen
Are they still moving in? " these trucks have been moving since 5am
" maybe they also have illegal stuff "August said carefree muching on strawberries
" Mark see what I told you... The child needs therapy, she's traumatized by the whole thing that transpired "
" she's fine, your daughter here is a critic and a blabber mouth " August nodded in agreement and quickly left the kitchen to look out the window.
Later that day.... .
Across the street, the new family waved cheerfully, their smiles polished, their gestures rehearsed.
By evening, they knocked on the door Mr. Harrow, his wife, and their teenage son.
"Lovely to meet you," Evelyne said warmly, ushering them inside.
Mr. Harrow's handshake was firm, his eyes sharp. He wore a heavy blazer and neatly ironed slacks,
"Thought you wouldn't get time to pop by since y'all still moving in"
"oh not at all, we not lifting a finger, the moving company is doing all the work" lilian (Mrs Harrow said rather bragging.. Before they came here, Evelyne happened to be the richest wife kn in the neighborhood.
"Then you surely have time for a chit chat please come in... I'll call my husband"
They all got inside and sat down, while Evelyne called for her husband, August was having her quiet time... Weird how they allow her to do that anyway...
"nice to meet you all, was actually mad at my wife for inviting you guys over when you still moving in".. He said scrutinizing the Harrows in a polite manner...
"babe the moving company is doing everything so they don't mind being here" Eve said smiling.
The parents introduced each other and engaged in light conversations..
Mr Charles Harrow "Yes we've just relocated. My company's been through… changes. Lost a few men we thought were trustworthy. Turns out they decided to steal from us. A shame, really. But we're rebuilding."
Mark's brow furrowed, though he kept his tone polite. "That sounds difficult. What kind of company is it?"
"Oh, logistics," Harrow replied smoothly. "We move things. Keep them safe. But when men forget loyalty, well… safety disappears." He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.
"I see. Logistics is a tough industry sometimes, been there... That's what I do aswell but side hustle...trust really comes in handy in our business hey" Mark added hinting something at Harrow
Just then August bounced into the room, deliberately acting younger... Well acting her age for knce in her life. She twirled a strand of hair, plopped onto the couch, and chirped,
"Are you the new neighbors, the big cars were making so much noise" she said innocently
The Harrows looked at each thwir confusion could not be hidden... This can't be the girl...
"Do you have pets? I want a puppy. Or maybe a parrot! Do you have a parrot?" she asked the teenage boy who was trying to hide his annoyance, she kept disturbing his game
Mrs. Harrow laughed lightly, though her gaze flicked to her husband. "No parrots, dear. Just a cat. Troy does not talk much"
August leaned forward, wide‑eyed. "What's its name? Is it fluffy? Does it bite? My dad says cats are sneaky. Are you sneaky?"
The teenage son shifted uncomfortably, muttering, "She asks a lot of questions."
"so sorry August is an only child so when she sees other children she acts this way" Evelyne said immediately, she wasn't stupid something was definitely happening under her own roof... She looked at the father and daughter.
August noticing how uncomfortable the boy looked she went and sat on Mark's lap something she has never done. Acting or not Mark felt happy. August behaved like their sister not like their daughter sometimes
Mark placed a hand on August's shoulder, a subtle signal to calm down. But she pressed on, feigning innocence. "What did the men steal? Was it candy? Or toys? Or maybe gold?"
Turns out she was listening from the beginning... Gave her time to rehearse huh
Mr. Harrow chuckled, though his gaze locked on Mark . "Not candy. Not toys. Something far more valuable. And when people take what isn't theirs, they pay the price."
The room fell quiet. Evelyne forced a smile, pouring tea, but Mark's jaw tightened. He recognized the statement for what it was: not small talk, but a warning.
August giggled, pretending not to notice. "I'd steal candy if I could or something worse. But Daddy says stealing is bad." She tilted her head, eyes wide, masking her fear with childish play.
Mr. Harrow leaned back, sipping his tea. "Your father is right. Stealing is very bad. Especially when it's from the wrong people."
Mark met his gaze, the polite veneer slipping just enough to show suspicion. "And those wrong people… they don't forgive easily, do they?"
Mr. Harrow's smile sharpened. "No. They don't."
"I don't forgive either, I'll see you around Troy if your mom allows me to come over" August said looking at Lilian and her son...
"ummm sure baby you can come over anytime i work from home... We still looking for a college for Troy"
"okay.. I'll come see the cat then" with that she skipped happily going to the fridge
Mr Harrow's gaze was still fixed on August she knew he was staring, but she was not going to look back instead she continued acting childish..
This can't be the highly unstable... Intelligent girl... Rafael played him again..
.....
The Harrows left soon after, their politeness intact. But the air in the house felt colder, heavier.
August dropped the act the moment the door closed.
Evelyne "can someone care to explain what the fuck is going on in my house, what are you two involved in....
The two looked at each other and shock their heads,
August signaled Evelyne to be quiet...
And Mark knew why she did that
BUGS....