SICK DAY

had been no honeymoon. Both parties, Duncan and Misty Shepherd, were too invested in their jobs to take the time to enjoy themselves. In fact, an onlooker wouldn't have even suspected that anything had changed in the household. In reality, the only thing that had really changed in Cindy's life was her last name.

Duncan remained a resident in his large studio apartment that over looked the D.C. skyline, a view of the capital building being his grand view. Misty continued to reside in her large home surrounded by other large homes in the gated community. Cindy and Melanie continued to wake each day for school, their routine never changing.

When she thought about it, nothing had changed. Cindy remembered waking up the morning of the wedding and questioning the universe in how her life would be altered. Now she felt like asking the universe why her life hadn't changed at all. She was growing tired of doing the same thing over and over, day after day. When she talked to her mother about it, she said that it was a normal teenager phase and it would pass. That was six months ago.

Two weeks after the wedding, Cindy woke up at 6 am, like she did every week day, for school. Listening to Ariana Grande's vocals in the background - it served as her alarm - she stared up at the ceiling. Today is going to be the day. I'm going to do something different, something spontaneous.

Getting up and silencing her alarm, she walked out of her bedroom and across the second story of her house, fabricating a lie that would get her out of going to school for the day. Reaching her mother's room, she had the perfect lie. She was going to play the classic sick card. The great thing was that Cindy never missed school so her mother would let her stay home.

"Mom," Cindy lightly knocked on the door, lowering her voice so it seemed like it was hard for her to speak. Pushing open the door, she let herself into the master bedroom. Her mother was in the grand bathroom, getting herself ready for a busy day in Congress. "Mom," Cindy repeated, putting one hand on her stomach and the other over her eyes to shield them from the bright bathroom light.

Her mother looked up from the mirror, pausing momentarily from straightening her long, dark hair. "What's wrong, Cindy?" She asked, a hint of annoyance in her voice. Misty despised when anything bothered her in the morning as she had one thing on her mind: getting to work.

"I think my period is going to start soon because I have a horrible migraine and I feel really nauseous." Cindy faked feeling ill, going as far as closing her eyes for long periods of time to act as if the light was bothering her. "I was wondering if I could stay home today?"

Her mother shook her head no, "Absolutely not! You may not miss school. Take some medicine and suck it up! Besides, you couldn't stay home today even if you wanted it to. I'm having the security team come to the house and update the security systems. I don't want you here alone with a bunch of strangers."

Cindy blinked in disbelief, not believing the words that came out of her mother's mouth. Quickly fighting back, she spoke up, "Mom! You know how bad my period pains are but I never stay home from school. Actually, I haven't missed a single day of school this year and I only have a few months left! Besides, I can just stay with Duncan!" Cindy was going on a limb with the whole Duncan idea so she crossed her fingers behind her back, praying her mother would agree.

Becoming irritated with her youngest daughter, Cindy rolled her eyes and reluctantly agreed, "Fine! But you better call Duncan and get his approval. If he says no about you coming over then you're going to school and that's final!" Without saying another word, Misty returned to straightening her hair and Cindy ran to get her mother's phone.

Easily unlocking it - the password was Melanie's birthday, of course - she found Duncan in her contacts and called him. Sitting on her mother's bed, Cindy hummed as she listened to the phone ring. Finally, four rings later, a raspy voice answered, "Yes, darling?" Duncan asked, fake cheeriness in his voice.

"Sorry to disappoint but it isn't your dear Misty," Cindy sarcastically responded, wanting to laugh at his fake delight.

"Oh." Duncan replied, immediately dropping the fake tone. "What can I do for you, Miss Cindy? And why the fuck are you calling me at six in the morning?"

The girl giggled at his cursing, "So here's the deal. My period is about to start so I feel like a truck ran me over and then backed up to run me over again. Your lovely wife has asked the security team in our neighborhood to update our systems on the most horrible of days and doesn't want me here with them. So I'm hoping that my lovely step daddy can be a doll and let me stay with him today." There was a long pause of silence on the other end of the phone. "Please Duncan! Please do this one thing for me and I won't tell my mother that you have to fake happiness to talk to her!"

Cindy could practically see Duncan rolling his eyes on the other side of the phone, "Fine! I'll just work from home today. You better not say anything to your mother, we'll talk about it later."

"You don't have to work from home, Duncan! I'm a big girl. I can stay home by myself."

He laughed, his raspy voice answering her, "Cindy, if you think I trust you in my home alone, you're crazy. I'll see you in a little bit. Tell your mother I said hello." With that, Duncan hung up.

Cindy stood in front of the tall building that looked as if it was made completely of glass. The valet had taken her black jeep and left her standing with her backpack slung over in front of the entrance to the lobby. She had found the building easily as her mother told her which complex Duncan lived in - one of the most expensive and lavish that the capital had to offer.

Wearing a white long-sleeved crop top, a black skirt that stopped mid-thigh, paired with a Gucci belt around her waist, and a pair of white and black combat boots , she walked confidently into the luxurious lobby. It reminded the blonde of a five star resort. Going up to the front desk, she checked in with one of the receptionists.

"Hi, I'm here to see Duncan Shepherd," Cindy said, smiling politely at the woman who typed away on her desktop. Cindy waited for a moment, getting annoyed with the receptionist who was blatantly ignoring her. "Ma'am, I said I'm here to see Duncan Shepherd."

The receptionist finally acknowledged her, letting out a long exaggerated sigh, before looking up at Cindy. "And why would a little girl like you be here to see Duncan Shepherd?" She asked in a stuck up tone, the emotion clearly written on her face. "Shouldn't you be at school or something?"

Cindy kept her composure, not wanting to make a scene. "Sarah, is it?" She asked sarcastically, clearly knowing the woman's name as it was printed in bold letters on the nameplate that sat next to her computer. "It is too early in the morning for me to get you fired by asking to speak to your manager so if you could do us both a favor and buzz Duncan to let him know I'm here, that would be great."

The receptionist got nervous at the mention of her manager being called. Grabbing the phone on her desk, she typed a few numbers, and waited for Duncan to answer his phone. "Good morning Mr. Shepherd there's a young lady down here asking for you. Is it okay if I send her up?" The clearly fake blonde nodded, "Right away sir." Hanging up the phone, she addressed Cindy, "Top floor."

The seventeen year old turned on her heel and headed towards the elevator without even thanking the woman; she didn't deserved to be thanked. Getting in one of the many elevators, the girl pressed the button with the largest number, and rode up. Shortly the contraption came to a stop and Cindy stepped out, immediately being confronted with the single door in the whole hallway. Duncan literally owned the whole top floor.

Knocking twice on the dark wooden door, she bounced on her toes as she waited for him to answer. When he finally did, she found herself staring at him in awe. His hair was neatly styled - like always - and he had stubble covering his face. He wore a black sweater that was snug around his arms, dark jeans, and black boots. An expensive watch also sat on his wrist, accenting his outfit nicely.

While she had been taking in his features, Duncan had been doing the same to the teenager. He secretly adored the way her white crop top left some of her fair skin exposed and how much of her legs were on display because of her short skirt. "What the fuck are you wearing?" He asked, playing off his true thoughts.

"Gucci." She stated matter of factly, flipping her hair over her shoulder, before pushing past Duncan and into his studio apartment. He closed the door once she was inside, liking the dynamic the two had already. He leaned against the door, arms crossed over his chest, as he watched her.

"Holy shit, Duncan! This place is beautiful." She complimented him, looking at every detail of the apartment that she could see. Her particular favorite was all of the artwork that hung on the walls. She fancied the art more than the family photos that hung on her walls at home.

"Language," He commented, pushing himself off the wall. "But thank you Cindy. I appreciate it as I personally decorated the whole interior myself. I didn't trust a professional to come in here and do anything."

"You don't trust anyone, Shepherd." She told him, continuing to look at the expertly decorated apartment. The new thing catching her eye was the stack of books that sat on the coffee table.

"Right you are. Smart girl, you pay attention. You can't trust anyone in the world of business and politics, especially when the two are mixed together." He replied, now joining her in looking at his apartment. He stood next to her at this point.

"You can trust me." She responded, tearing her eyes from a painting to look up at him. The height difference was to her disadvantage.

"We'll see." He said, looking back at her.

I have so much inspiration for this story! I'll update again tomorrow! 🧝🏼‍♀️😘