Story Simmer | melanated queen ✊🏿👑 | storytelling extraordinaire 🖋 | multitasking mumsy | She/Her | bmc.link/obigem | patreon.com/user?u=78792704https://bsky.app/profile/obigem.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/obigem.bsky.social/post/3mvla5uvk7a2zJust a secret. A tiny little secret. If he left now, he could double back through some of the rooms they got turned around in and see what he could dig up. He'd make it fast then come back to the party and have Ri's back just like he promised. He'd protect her and guard their family's dignity.15 Sep 2026 18:15 +0000at://did:plc:w767ll7vd674saz6lsatf3ll/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvla5uvk7a2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/obigem.bsky.social/post/3mvl7deweka2fRi had said the Landgraabs had plenty of secrets. It could be pretty valuable to know one of theirs, especially since his sister was working for them. He just knew that was something Matthew could easily lord over his head, but if he had leverage to persuade him to keep his mouth shut...15 Sep 2026 18:00 +0000at://did:plc:w767ll7vd674saz6lsatf3ll/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvl7deweka2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/obigem.bsky.social/post/3mvl6ij57sc2cEverything in Jai's body told him that Ri was making a mistake, but when she got like that, there was no dissuading her. Jai let out a sigh. Ri would definitely hate him hovering around her, but there was no way he was in the mood to mingle. So that only left...his gaze drifted out of the room.15 Sep 2026 17:45 +0000at://did:plc:w767ll7vd674saz6lsatf3ll/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvl6ij57sc2chttps://bsky.app/profile/obigem.bsky.social/post/3mvl5nnf2fn2z"Yeah, sure, mingle with rich kids and make future customers out of them. I'll get right on that." Every one of Jai's words was dripping with sarcasm, but Ri let it slide. "I'll be back soon." Ri nodded toward him, and Jai reluctantly watched the two of them stride away.15 Sep 2026 17:30 +0000at://did:plc:w767ll7vd674saz6lsatf3ll/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvl5nnf2fn2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/obigem.bsky.social/post/3mvl4spqut62z"You should listen to your sister, Jimmy. Don't worry about her. She's in good hands." Lucas shot Jai a grin that made him want to knock it right off his face. "Trust me." Ri said again to try and calm him. "I'll find you when you through. In the mean time consider doing what we talked about?"15 Sep 2026 17:15 +0000at://did:plc:w767ll7vd674saz6lsatf3ll/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvl4spqut62zhttps://bsky.app/profile/obigem.bsky.social/post/3mvl3xttuwx2yRi turned back toward her little brother. "Jai, I appreciate you having my back. That's exactly why I brought you with me tonight, but for right now, I need you to trust me. Relax a little. Enjoy the party for a bit. I'll be OK on my own." "Adriana, I really don't think that's wise." Jai replied.15 Sep 2026 17:00 +0000at://did:plc:w767ll7vd674saz6lsatf3ll/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvl3xttuwx2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/obigem.bsky.social/post/3mvl34xrhx32l"I knew you'd understand." Lucas gave her a sweet smile that seemed to really communicate, 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭. Ri gave a tight smile in return. She wouldn't let him get under skin. She moved toward him, but Jairo hissed, "Ri, are you sure this is a good idea? He's a snake."15 Sep 2026 16:45 +0000at://did:plc:w767ll7vd674saz6lsatf3ll/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvl34xrhx32lhttps://bsky.app/profile/obigem.bsky.social/post/3mvl2cd4axh2z"Fine." Ri said tersely. "Fine?" Jai leveled an eye in his sister's direction. "Ri, what are you doing? Are you forgetting he's scum?" "It's OK, Jairo. Lucas wants to talk, and honestly there are some things I need to discuss with him as well. Now's as good a time as any."15 Sep 2026 16:30 +0000at://did:plc:w767ll7vd674saz6lsatf3ll/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvl2cd4axh2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/obigem.bsky.social/post/3mvkzhcctfc2f"It's like I said at the start. I've been meaning to catch up with you. Urgently. How about a dance? We always did have the most productive chats in the midst of fun." Adriana heard Lucas's words, but he was really saying: 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘰𝘳 𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶.15 Sep 2026 16:15 +0000at://did:plc:w767ll7vd674saz6lsatf3ll/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvkzhcctfc2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/obigem.bsky.social/post/3mvkynbpxci2v"Meaning to catch up? Since when? When's the last time you even called? Do you even have her number? Do you have your 𝘴𝘰𝘯'𝘴?" Jai was done playing nice. He wasn't going to let Lucas Munch belittle his sister. "Jai, it's fine." Ri waved Jai down. "But Ri—" "Lucas, what do you want?"15 Sep 2026 16:00 +0000at://did:plc:w767ll7vd674saz6lsatf3ll/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvkynbpxci2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/obigem.bsky.social/post/3mvkxrp25uv2f"How unexpected it is to see you here. When did you become acquainted with the Landgraabs?" "I work for them." Lucas lip quirked for just a second. It was almost imperceptible. "Wow, good for you." He kept his composure. "Actually this is great. I've been meaning to reach out, catch up."15 Sep 2026 15:45 +0000at://did:plc:w767ll7vd674saz6lsatf3ll/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvkxrp25uv2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/obigem.bsky.social/post/3mvkwwwar332c"Adriana, wow, look at you!" Lucas's voice was big, booming, jovial. To the untrained ear he might have sounded pleased to see her, but Adriana knew better. She knew him too well. There was an edge of panic there. "Lucas." She tipped her chin at him. Jai refused to communicate more than a glare.15 Sep 2026 15:30 +0000at://did:plc:w767ll7vd674saz6lsatf3ll/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvkwwwar332chttps://bsky.app/profile/obigem.bsky.social/post/3mvkw43zafr2kBut unfortunately, Ri wouldn't have long to ruminate more on Jai's suggestion. Noting Lucas's distracted gaze, Thorne remarks, "See someone you recognize?" "Excuse me a moment, Thorne." Lucas promptly moves past him without elaborating any further, plastering on a smile as he approached Adriana.15 Sep 2026 15:15 +0000at://did:plc:w767ll7vd674saz6lsatf3ll/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvkw43zafr2khttps://bsky.app/profile/obigem.bsky.social/post/3mvkvbo5qjh2k"Are you sure? You know I have to ask because it's what Korey would do. Ya know, protect you from that asshole." Even after 10 years, Jai could still remember the intense glower on his older brother's face the last time Lucas Munch showed up on their front porch wanting to play at coparenting.15 Sep 2026 15:00 +0000at://did:plc:w767ll7vd674saz6lsatf3ll/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvkvbo5qjh2khttps://bsky.app/profile/obigem.bsky.social/post/3mvkugghuso2s"If you don't wanna be around that slimeball, Ri, I have your back. We'll go home and pretend we never saw him." Jai gave his older sister a stern look. "I appreciate that, Jai, but I'm a big girl. Lucas was obviously invited just like me. He can do as he likes, just as I'll do what I like."15 Sep 2026 14:45 +0000at://did:plc:w767ll7vd674saz6lsatf3ll/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvkugghuso2shttps://bsky.app/profile/obigem.bsky.social/post/3mvktlrt66x2zWhen the time to step up and be a man—be a father—came, Lucas turned tail and left the burden of raising a child on Adriana. It was because of Lucas that Ri was forced to work as much and as hard as she did. Lucas didn't deserve their restraint or good nature. "We don't have to stay." Jai faced Ri.15 Sep 2026 14:30 +0000at://did:plc:w767ll7vd674saz6lsatf3ll/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvktlrt66x2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/obigem.bsky.social/post/3mvksqpumf42c"I'm asking because I know you're better than that. You're better than 𝘩𝘪𝘮." Jai clenched his jaw with all the restraint in the world to not talk back. He didn't know Lucas Munch much outside of old pictures and stories. But what he did know is he all but abandoned DeShawn—and Ri.15 Sep 2026 14:15 +0000at://did:plc:w767ll7vd674saz6lsatf3ll/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvksqpumf42chttps://bsky.app/profile/obigem.bsky.social/post/3mvkrw3ih572k"You have got to be kidding me." Jai released an exasperated breath as his eyes settled on the estranged father of his nephew. "What the hell is he doing here?" "Language, Jai." "If you want me to be polite toward 𝘩𝘪𝘮, it's not gonna happen." "I'm not asking because he deserves it."15 Sep 2026 14:00 +0000at://did:plc:w767ll7vd674saz6lsatf3ll/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvkrw3ih572khttps://bsky.app/profile/obigem.bsky.social/post/3mvimdr3ilv2sJai cut off abruptly as his eyes lifted back up to his sister's and realized she was no longer listening to him, an expression of shock capturing her face instead. "Ri, what's wrong?" Jai asked, but when Ri appeared too frozen to respond, he followed her gaze, right over to Lucas Munch.14 Sep 2026 17:15 +0000at://did:plc:w767ll7vd674saz6lsatf3ll/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvimdr3ilv2shttps://bsky.app/profile/obigem.bsky.social/post/3mviljrwuwl27"Let's just say I've seen enough around here that it wouldn't surprise me. But I'm not stupid enough to actually go looking for anything to make sure of it." But the prospect of them having secrets intrigued Jai. "Sure, but with as many rooms as they have I'm sure it'd be easy to uncover a tiny—"14 Sep 2026 17:00 +0000at://did:plc:w767ll7vd674saz6lsatf3ll/app.bsky.feed.post/3mviljrwuwl27https://bsky.app/profile/obigem.bsky.social/post/3mviknzcssu27"What is that supposed to mean?" "It means, that this place isn't without its own secrets. Sometimes people have lots of rooms so it makes hiding things easier when searching for it becomes too exhaustive." "Wait, so you're saying the Landgraabs have something to hide?" Jai arched a brow.14 Sep 2026 16:45 +0000at://did:plc:w767ll7vd674saz6lsatf3ll/app.bsky.feed.post/3mviknzcssu27https://bsky.app/profile/obigem.bsky.social/post/3mvijth2xpw2k"It makes sense for people who don't live here to need help navigating" "Or maybe they should stop overcompensating and have a normal size house like honest working people." Jai scowled "It's more that that, Jai. People like the Landgraabs don't get where they are without burying a few skeletons."14 Sep 2026 16:30 +0000at://did:plc:w767ll7vd674saz6lsatf3ll/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvijth2xpw2khttps://bsky.app/profile/obigem.bsky.social/post/3mviiykbi3l2p"I normally work in the kitchen area. Anywhere else I might be needed, I'm usually escorted to. There was supposed to be a butler at the door to direct us to the party, but—" "Escorted to?" The choice of word caught on Jai's ear. "Feels very jail like." "It's only because it's a large home."14 Sep 2026 16:15 +0000at://did:plc:w767ll7vd674saz6lsatf3ll/app.bsky.feed.post/3mviiykbi3l2phttps://bsky.app/profile/obigem.bsky.social/post/3mvii6osflz2f"Jeeze, I feel like we ran a marathon!" Jai let out a breath. "Why does this place have 5 living rooms? Who needs that many living rooms? I thought we'd be lost in a sea of leather ottomans forever." "Relax, Jairo. It wasn't that bad." "Not that bad? You work here and still don't know your way!"14 Sep 2026 16:00 +0000at://did:plc:w767ll7vd674saz6lsatf3ll/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvii6osflz2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/obigem.bsky.social/post/3mvihcqs2d32yOr rather, someone. Lucas Munch's gaze and full attention were fully transfixed by the sudden appearance of Adriana Reynolds. Adriana and Jai had finally found their way to the second floor of the Landgraab mansion after much confusion and wasted effort locating the designated party area.14 Sep 2026 15:45 +0000at://did:plc:w767ll7vd674saz6lsatf3ll/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvihcqs2d32yhttps://bsky.app/profile/obigem.bsky.social/post/3mvighvztlp2f"Because not everyone has the luxury to toil." Lucas swirled his champagne. "You don't know what it's like to struggle for as long as my family has. The choices I'm making now are both sensible and fiscally responsible. Love on the other hand is—" Lucas's gaze drifted then caught on something.14 Sep 2026 15:30 +0000at://did:plc:w767ll7vd674saz6lsatf3ll/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvighvztlp2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/obigem.bsky.social/post/3mvifn462ue2lThorne cleared his throat as he half choked on a sip of wine. "Yes, well, I only meant that you're so young. If you're going to marry so cynically why not at least experience a little love first before resigning yourself to something so dispassionate?"14 Sep 2026 15:15 +0000at://did:plc:w767ll7vd674saz6lsatf3ll/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvifn462ue2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/obigem.bsky.social/post/3mviet54skr2s"I see. So not a love match." Thorne surmised. "Love? I wouldn't think anyone in our position would be so foolish than to forge a contract of marriage on something as capricious as love." "Octavia and I married for love." "Right, and how are the current circumstances serving that decision?"14 Sep 2026 15:00 +0000at://did:plc:w767ll7vd674saz6lsatf3ll/app.bsky.feed.post/3mviet54skr2shttps://bsky.app/profile/obigem.bsky.social/post/3mvidxgrgmu2s"Elizabeth is great. She's a sweet girl. It helps that's she not particularly unattractive. But the most important thing is she's rich. She's a Landgraab. In our world, all you have is your name and your ledger. I was lucky to be born with one, she'll help me with the other."14 Sep 2026 14:45 +0000at://did:plc:w767ll7vd674saz6lsatf3ll/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvidxgrgmu2s