Larry arrived at the city police station and parked his car in the lot. He was fuming, his thoughts consumed by the image of Miranda at Derrick's house."How could she lie to me just to be with Derrick? It’s clear that she doesn't want to marry me because of him!" Larry slammed his fists on the steering wheel. He was enraged. He loved Miranda, wanted to marry her, and give her the good life she deserved. But today, he felt betrayed, doubting her sincerity and beginning to lose hope of her ever becoming his wife.After a few moments, Larry finally exited his car and headed into the police station to see his sister. At the very least, he needed to find out if Erica would be granted bail. As he entered the station, he saw Erica stepping out of the cell and approaching the counter. Her father had settled her bail, and she had signed an agreement to never approach Derrick Luis again.Erica wore a deep scowl on her face. *That bitch!* she cursed Miranda in her mind. It never occurred to Eri
Miranda was still lost in her thoughts, thinking about Larry's reaction. She knew he wasn't happy with her, especially with the added fact that Erica had been arrested.Miranda ate her meal slowly, while Derrick's two elder sisters, who were present, had already finished theirs. They wiped their lips and stood up to leave the dining table."Good night, Derrick. Miranda, we’ll chat more tomorrow; we traveled a long way to see our mother," said Lady Evelyn, and Miranda smiled."Okay, Ma. Good night," Miranda replied as the two women left the dining table, leaving her, Derrick, and Oliver alone.Miranda expected Derrick to bother her as his sisters had just departed up the stairs to the living room. However, Derrick finished his meal without casting a glance at her."Dad, what about Rita and Frank?" Oliver finally asked about his cousins, noticing they were not around. They had been there earlier before he followed his father to the hospital."They’ve gone to their father’s house, Oliver
Miranda finished bathing when she heard the subtle knock on her guest room door. She walked up to the door and pulled it open to see who was there. However, upon opening the door, she met face-to-face with Derrick."Huh, what do you want?" she asked him, not opening the door completely as she stood by the door and blocked his entry."Can I come in?" Derrick asked her, despite seeing that she was wrapped in only a white towel around her chest."No. It's late now. Goodnight and sleep tight," Miranda replied, still standing by the door frame as she peeked out her head and responded to him."Wait," Derrick took more steps closer to meet her, and he said, "I know that you want me. But that's not why you should be pretending.""Mmmm," Miranda was rendered speechless. She couldn't explain why she had hugged him either, and she tried to clarify the reason."Um, it's nothing. I just wanted to thank you for looking after Oliver and making him happy," she said."Hmm," Derrick turned to leave, an
Derrick felt elated as he walked out of Miranda's room, which was the old guest room she was using before on the left wing of the mansion. The maids on duty greeted him, surprised to see him strolling out of Miranda's room in just a white robe, barely covering his chiseled chest as he leisurely walked away."Good morning, Aunt," Derrick greeted Lady Evelyn, who was dressed in a light pink nightgown and seated on the living room couch, supervising the maids doing their work. It had been a long time since she last visited her father's house, and now that she was around, she took time admiring the view."Morning, Derrick. Where are you coming from?" Lady Evelyn gazed upward at Derrick's face and saw him smiling. She also noticed he was coming out of the maid's lounge."I went to check on my wife, Aunt. How was your night?" Derrick inquired, smiling. "Are you going to see Mum this morning?" he asked while Lady Evelyn nodded."Yes, I will, but after we have breakfast," she replied with a s
Larry awoke in his family's house, and the first thing he did was pick up his phone and dial Miranda's number."Hello, the person you're trying to call is unavailable at the moment. Please hold or call back later," he heard the voice say.Larry frowned and tried calling Miranda's number once more. "Oh! Why is she not responding to my call?" he wondered as he continued to try the number, but there was no response from her side."I cannot visit the Luis mansion today. I went there yesterday, and yet Miranda left me and accompanied Derrick to see his mother. Isn't it obvious that she desires to be with Derrick Luis more than she wants me?" Larry pondered, feeling frustrated as he truly loved Miranda."Where did I go wrong with her? I waited patiently for her, despite Mom and Dad not supporting my relationship with her," Larry tried to fight back tears, doubting he would ever be in love with any other woman as much as he loved Miranda.Consoling himself, he got out of bed, went to bathe,
Derrick unlocked the car door for Oliver to sit in the back with him, while Miranda quickly jumped into the front seat, as she didn't want to share any close space with Derrick.He smiled, understanding that she was avoiding him, but he tried not to dwell on it. He unlocked his side door, got into the car, and Josh started the engine and asked, "Where to, boss?""To the hospital," Derrick replied, as he gazed out the window after buckling his seatbelt.Miranda took out her phone from her bag, which she was clutching, and she finally switched it on to look at her phone screen. She didn't see any missed calls from Larry, but she knew he would have tried calling her to know how she was.Miranda felt guilty but silenced her phone. Her heart was in turmoil, and she finally made a decision to approach Larry and discuss it with him.The car soon arrived at the vast hospital in the city center and parked in the parking lot. Derrick got out of the car first and went to assist Oliver in getting
Miranda stood there for a while and saw Derrick emerge from a door, which she assumed was the restroom. She used the opportunity to speak to his mother, "Mom, we will start going home. When will you be discharged? I came here to spend some time with you.""I know, my dear. By the weekend, I will return home, but why not spend time with my son? You know that he likes you unless you have work to do in the area where you live and work."Miranda looked downward. She was the boss, and her absence didn't affect her business since she had trusted workers working for her."I know, Mom. I just want to be with you and serve you again if that will make you better," Miranda said."No. You're not my maid, but my daughter. It's okay if you don't want to be my daughter-in-law," Lady Loretta added, just as Derrick approached them. He heard her response to Miranda and frowned."Mom, what are you telling her?" he inquired."Nothing. You both are free to head home. Allow me to rest, and don't add to my
Miranda's heart was still in turmoil about how Larry would react. But she decided not to spoil the moment with Derrick, after she saw that he was indeed sorry for all his arrogant nature to her before. She smiled and walked with him into the house, as he was her first love, and he held her by her shoulders.Derrick led Miranda to the dining table. "Come, let's have our lunch first," he said. Making no attempt to go to his office as he wanted to spend more time with Miranda.He was glad that she had forgiven him and accepted to be with him. But they had Larry to do with it.Derrick knew he didn't have a close relationship with Larry, so he was prepared for Larry's reaction.As they neared the table, Oliver was sitting there alone, while Derrick and Miranda approached to join him, just as a maid was dishing out Oliver's meal."Oliver, you didn't even wait for your Mom and I to join you for lunch," Derrick teased Oliver as he pulled a chair out for Miranda to take her seat first. While O
The following day, Miranda and Derrick stepped out to go for their wedding shopping, while Oliver insisted on going with them. Miranda wore a red dress that was loose-fitting, paired with black shoes, and had her blonde hair styled in a bun. Derrick wore a blue shirt and black pants, along with black shoes. Oliver wore a similar shirt design like Derrick's, along with black trousers and black shoes.They looked adorable as they walked into the big mall, browsing beautiful wedding dresses and accessories."Welcome, sir, madam. What would you like to purchase?" the sales assistant asked."Wedding gowns," Miranda said, and the young lady clad in a white top and black skirt showed Miranda the collection of wedding dresses they had."Wow, they're all pretty," Miranda smiled as she browsed through the long white gowns beautifully displayed on mannequins."Which do you prefer?" the young lady asked with a bright smile."All of them," she joked, and the sales representative laughed."Lovely!
One week later, it was a bright, sunny Sunday, and Miranda with Oliver was set to travel to the city with Derrick. She had already packed most of her essentials and delivered them to the city. What was left for her was to carry her last box, filled with her clothes and also Oliver's clothes.Most of her cars had been sent to the city as well, but she didn't intend to sell her house or close down her shop. Getting married to CEO Derrick Luis didn't mean that she should discard all her hard work.The sound of a car honking at her gate disrupted her thoughts. Wearing a pink floral dress and plain black shoes, Miranda walked out of her house and approached the black gate to find out who was there.She planned to rent the house once she completely moved out and settled in the city. She had dismissed her gate man, but the estate gatekeeper was still present.Upon reaching the gate, she pulled it open after confirming who was there."Derrick," she smiled, opening the gate for his driver to e
THE NEXT SUNDAY MORNING..Derrick was in Miranda's room, and he spoke to her about her business."Babe, you know that as we're getting married, we will need to know more about our businesses. To follow me to my company and also, make our business jointly together," Derrick said. He lay on the bed, watching Miranda brushing her teeth, as he finished speaking to her about his father's company."That's nice. There's nothing much about mine. You know, I was thinking about it. I won't be able to keep in touch with them here if I go with you. So can we open another branch in the city, while we base there?" she asked him, as she finished brushing her teeth in the bathroom."That's fine. I haven't considered that before. But we need to expand our business to more states," Derrick said.Miranda smiled and joined him on the bed after she was through brushing her teeth. She hugged him and kissed him directly on his lips."Babe, I'm discussing with you about our business, and all your focus is on
"Welcome," Miranda told Derrick as she hugged and kissed him lightly on his lips."Welcome, Dad," Oliver said, and Derrick smiled at him. "Thank you."They entered the house together and made their way to the couch."What's the delicious smell? Is your chef around?" Derrick asked about Emily, and Miranda blushed."No, Emily isn't my chef but my friend. Her mother works for me though, so I took her like my sister," she said, leading Derrick to the dining table, and he smiled as he settled on a chair beside her.Oliver took his seat beside Derrick, and Miranda stood beside Derrick and set his meal in front of them. She walked up to meet Oliver and placed his meal in front of him before she went to sit across from Derrick."How do you see the meal? It's my first time officially cooking," she blushed, observing Derrick's and Oliver's faces as they prepared to taste the food."Um, it's yummy, Mom," Oliver beams and smiled."It's nice," Derrick commented, and Miranda smiled at them and resp
When Derrick arrived in the city, he went home, getting the notification from Lady Stephanie that his mother was at home.As he arrived home, he walked into the house happily. "Mom!" Derrick rushed to meet her and hugged her.Lady Loretta sat on the couch and smiled as Derrick hugged her warmly. She knew he was in a good mood and had heard he went to meet Miranda."Welcome back, Mom," Derrick said, and his mother replied calmly, "Thank you. You look so happy. How are Miranda and Oliver doing?""They are fine, Mom," Derrick said, still smiling, and that made his mother look relieved."I am happy to hear that. It's good to see that she has forgiven you. So when did you both plan to marry?" Lady Loretta asked."Soon," Derrick said, standing up from the couch. "I will propose to her, I have lovely plans for that. So don't worry."Lady Loretta smiled, looking at Derrick's handsome face. "Okay," she agreed."I have to go upstairs and freshen up. How is your health now, Mom?" He looked at hi
Once Derrick and Oliver were in the room."Would you like to bathe?" Derrick asked his son."No, Dad. I am tired," Oliver replied and went to his bed to sleep."How do you see my room, Dad?" Oliver asked as he went to climb on his bed happily."It's beautiful and handsome like you. A typical boy's room," he replied and saw his son smile."Mom helped me to furnish it and buys a lot of game toys for me," he said, grinning from cheek to cheek."That's so sweet of her. I am sorry that I wasn't there with you before. But I promise to set up a bigger room for you in the city, okay," Derrick said as he moved over to his son's bed to meet Oliver.Oliver sat up on the bed and took off his socks."Okay, Dad," he replied and went to lay on the bed and drift to sleep.Derrick looked around his son's room, feeling guilty for being absent in his son's life. He finally walked up to cover him up with his small blanket, careful not to make any noise that would awake Oliver.After that, he turned off t
Derrick's car arrived at a fancy restaurant, and they got out of the car and went into the Restaurant building together. Miranda was nervous to be in the same space as Derrick. This was the first time that he was taking her out on a date.Derrick requested a private spot, and he was taken away with Miranda to the Restaurant's private section.Derrick could see that Miranda appeared nervous. He smiled at her and considered in his mind to get her a lovely wedding ring and to propose to her. But he wasn't confident to propose to her in a restaurant.Miranda sat down first, before Oliver and Derrick, as there were only three chairs surrounding a table where they sat."What would you like to have?" Derrick inquired. Miranda picked up the menu and replied, "Just chicken pepper soup is okay."She looked at her son and asked him, "What would you like to have, Oliver?""The same, Mom," Oliver smiled. He was happy that his parents were together."Okay, bring the same request for me too," Derric
Derrick looked from Miranda to Larry as Larry walked out of the house with a smirk."Good morning, Mr. Luis," Larry greeted Derrick, extending his hand for a handshake.Derrick looked at Larry's open right palm, not wanting to accept his hand. However, upon seeing Miranda looking at him, Derrick finally shook hands with Larry."You should consider yourself lucky that she chose you over me. Congratulations," Larry smirked and waved goodbye to Oliver.He walked away to his car while Derrick shifted his gaze and looked at Miranda.Miranda blushed as she watched Larry get into his car and drive off."What were you doing with him?" Derrick asked as he moved closer to meet Miranda by the door frame, just as Larry's car drove out of her residence."Mom!" Oliver let go of Derrick's hand and rushed to hug his mother, as he was also surprised to see Uncle Larry in his mother's house. Although Oliver knew they were friends, he didn't suspect anything bad."We are friends. So he came around to se
Derrick wasn't pleased that Miranda didn't respond to him after he had woken from his sleep and checked his phone for any possible missed calls. He decided to have his bath, bathe Oliver, and they dressed up in black suits, preparing to visit the local town. "Dad, where are we going to?" Oliver inquired as Derrick dressed him up in the room, combing his son's black hair. "We are going to see your Mom, and my company too," Derrick's reply was short, but Oliver giggled "Yay!" Oliver excitedly walked out from the room with Derrick, and they made their way downstairs. "Good morning, Aunt," Derrick greeted Lady Evelyn, who was around and wearing a white nightdress. She was a chubby woman and very tall in height. "Derrick, where are you and Oliver heading to? I almost forgot that you are controlling Dad's company. Because you're always at home," said Lady Evelyn. She sat on a chair at the dining table. Derrick smiled as he led Oliver to settle on their seat. "I just wanted to t