The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Sandy was completely caught off guard. No matter how much she planned, she never expected Tavon to come back today.

She stood there, frozen, as Tavon walked up with his suitcase. "Sandy, why are you just standing there? Have you eaten yet? The food on the plane was awful, and I'm starving."

"Dad... Dad..." Sandy grabbed Tavon's arm, stopping him from going inside. If he went in, it would be all over.

Trying to keep her cool, Sandy said, "Dad, why are you back so suddenly? Weren't you supposed to be in Riverdale?"

"This is my home. Why wouldn't I come back?" Tavon found Sandy's reaction a bit strange. He was just coming home-what was the big deal?

"I visited Ana and the kids, and then I came back. If I didn't, your mom would bombard me with calls. I'm pretty much at your mercy now, living by the grace of you three. Do I have a choice not to come back?" Tavon's tone had a hint of self- mockery. He really was living on his family's goodwill now.

With that, Tavon tried to head inside again.

Sandy held on tight, saying, "Dad, the housekeeper's off today. We were just about to head out for dinner. Come on, I'll take you out."

She couldn't let Tavon step through that door.

Tavon insisted, "But first, let me put my luggage inside."

"Just leave it in the yard for now. I've already booked a table. We're running late." Sandy tugged Tavon towards the street.

"You kids, always in a rush." Tavon freed his arm from Sandy's grip. "Fine, I'll walk myself. No need to be so frantic, young lady."noveldrama

As Tavon straightened his rumpled clothes, getting ready to head out, he heard voices inside-Ashley's and a man's.

Herman had just come out of the bathroom, his clothes slightly damp from a faulty faucet. Ashley noticed and said, "Quick, go upstairs and change, take those wet clothes off..."

Because of the partial wall and Sandy's attempts to pull him away, Tavon could only see half of the living room.

Hearing those suggestive words, and with Sandy's insistence on leaving, Tavon jumped to a conclusion.

Ashley was sneaking around behind his back.

His daughter Sandy was in on it, trying to cover for her.

Tavon's face darkened immediately. "What's going on here? Is there a man in the house? Did I come back at a bad time, catching your mom in the act? Who's the guy? Are you covering for her?"

"Dad, no, there's no one. You misheard. Let's just go eat..." Sandy was desperate. She had to get Tavon out, no matter what.

But Sandy underestimated a man's fury when he suspects betrayal. Tavon was livid. He shook Sandy off and stormed inside.

"Ashley, how dare you sneak around behind my back! Show yourself,

How dare you sneak around yman. Let's see

to mess with me..

Tavon charged into the living room, and Sandy's heart sank. It was over.

Inside, Ashley was sitting alone.

There

was

s no man in sight. Tavonet

demanded, "Ashley, where's the guy? Who was that man talking to you?"

Ashley didn't flinch. "What man? I was just watching TV. That's the sound you heard."

Sandy followed him in, surprised to find no sign of Herman.

Ashley gave Sandy a knowing look-Herman had already gone upstairs.

Ashley had spotted Tavon outside and quickly ushered Herman upstairs to hide.

But if Tavon kept this up, the truth would come out for sure.

Just then, from the top of the stairs, Herman called out, "Sandy, is that your dad back?"