Chapter 12: A Meeting The ringing of the doorbell snatched Rose from her sleep. She rose up from the couch on which she had slept and sat up. She used her hand to rub her sleepy eyes and yawned out loud. “Gosh!” she muttered, still rubbing her eyes. “How long have I been sleeping?” she said, fixing her eyes on the wall clock, and her eyes flew open. “Darn! I slept for 3 hours?” She gasped in shock and stood up from the couch. “It’s exactly 5:20,” she suddenly realized. The kids should have been back by now, but they weren’t. As she stood there, she wondered what could be keeping them in school when the doorbell rang again. She didn’t realize the doorbell had rung before, even though it was the sound that woke her from her sleep. She was too asleep then to realize it. But now that her eyes were beginning to clear, and she was more aware of her surroundings, she heard it this time around.“It must be them,” she giggled, rushing off to the door. As she got to the door, she stared
Chapter 13: Bad NewsAs Derek’s driver pulled up in front of a massive mansion. Derek walked out of his car after gathering his important files and phone. He stood In front of the massive mansion and breathed out, as if he was trying to catch his breath.His eyes scanned the peculiar building, as it beauty shone forth. It was a three-story building, a type you would barely come across. It was built with the most expensive materials gathered from around the world; its architecture was top-notch, and the color complemented the entire building. It was painted a bright milk color.Huge trees surrounded the building, giving it a relaxing view. Benches were positioned under each tree, inviting visitors to sit and enjoy the view while the breeze from the trees swept through their faces.“Sir Derek,” Derek suddenly heard behind him, and he was forced to look back only to see his grandfather messenger.“Your grandfather asked me to bring you in; please, can you come with me?” The messenger b
Chapter 14: A shocking Discovery Sofia walked down the stairs, her eyes plastered with an evil grin. She seemed to be making a call as she headed to one of the parlour couches and sat down.“Oh, come on! I know what I’m doing,” she giggled into the phone. “You know, I’m so happy. Things are finally going our way,” she continued, her face etched with joy.“How much longer do I need to wait?” the receiver questioned, and Sofia giggled.“Soon, baby, in no time, we will have victory,” Sofia smiled, her heart laced with joy.“You know, I just can’t wait for all this to be over. I’m seriously sick and tired already,” the voice from the other end said.“I know, right? Don’t worry, everything will soon be over, so just hang in there for a while,” Sofia replied.“Right? So, how are things going in your own part?” Sofia chuckled.“Things are going really great, baby girl. Like, I’m literally having the upper hand in everything,” the receiver replied.“Oh, I see. You must really be on the uppe
Chapter 15: A Battle Line“She has a twin; a boy and a girl?” he screamed in disbelief as his eyes stayed on the picture of two young children, who would not be more than 5 years of age.“Why didn’t you tell me this sooner? This would have really gone a long way in helping me,” the man smiled at his messenger and tapped him on the back.The messenger returned the smile, feeling proud of himself. “I only got to find out about this this morning,” he chuckled to his boss, who gave him a weird look.“You only got to find out about it this morning?” his boss threw at him, and he nodded.“How did you find out about it?” his boss questioned further, a hint of curiosity in his voice.“It was sent to me by an unknown person who said they wanted to help you deal with Rose,” he replied to his boss.“Uhmm! This sounds interesting. So the person didn’t reveal their identity; it’s unknown?” the boss stuttered out, and his messenger nodded in confirmation.“Okay, then. Thank you, buddy. I think I n
Chapter 16:An Upper HandRose and Mr. Reynolds walked to their cars, parked outside the mansion. They had a lot to discuss inside the office, and now it was time to bid each other farewell.As Rose got to her car, she let out a sweet smile. “Thank you, Mr. Reynolds, for having me and making me feel at home. I really enjoyed your company today," Rose smiled and bowed her head In respect.“Oh, come on, Rose,” Mr. Reynolds smiled back. “It’s nothing, and I really wish to see you soon. When are you resuming work?”“Well, Monday will be fine, since it’s already Friday. I need to get myself ready,” Rose smiled.“You know, I’m missing you already. You’re working with us for just a month, so you’ll be leaving soon,” Mr. Reynolds let out a sad smile, which sent Rose laughing out loud.“Come on, Mr. Reynolds. I still have a whole month to spend with you, and seriously, if not for my profession and tight schedule, I would have loved to stay longer,” Rose said.“But you know, as a model with a t
Chapter 17: I need to be sure Derek paced up and down the opulent room, his eyes fixed on a picture resting in his hands. “So Rose has kids?” he muttered, his eyes still locked on the picture of the twins. It still seemed like a dream to him.“How could she have kids already? And why don’t I know about this?” he exclaimed, still in disbelief. “It’s not even on any of her social media accounts.” He remembered the day he went through her social media account, the day she revealed herself, but there was nothing about the kids. Not even a single hint could inform him that she had kids.“Why is she hiding the kids?” Something seemed off about the way she was hiding the kids from the world, but he just couldn't place what exactly was off.“He hasn’t even seen a picture of her husband,” he suddenly realized, clicking his tongue as his thoughts drove deeper. “If Rose isn’t remarried, then how did she have kids? Or did she give birth out of wedlock? Was that the reason she was hiding the k
Chapter 18: A Payback It was a bright Monday morning in NYC. The sky was crystal clear, and the clouds were white as snow. Rose walked the kids into the car. The kids were dressed to go to school, and Rose was dressed to go to work.She opened the back seat for the kids, and they got in. She helped them wear their seatbelts once they were seated. “You guys are good, right?” She smiled at the kids before going to the driver’s seat.She pulled out of the garage after fixing her seatbelt. She watched as the gateman pulled the gate open, and as soon as he did, she drove out of the compound after passing a command to him. ”Take good care of the house while I’m away,” she muttered, and the man nodded.She smiled and rolled up the window before driving out of the compound. “Mummy, can you play us a song?” Ken pouted, pulling out a cute face.“You don’t always have to do that,” Rose giggled at his silliness. “You know I’ll always play a song for you, even without you being all cute,” sh
Chapter 19: He is not our dadThe evening sun loomed around the sky, indicating that the day would still come to an end. Its crystal shine fell upon an opulent school, the school with a symbol of wealth and class: “Maeyland International.” Cars could be seen trooping in and out of the school to pick up their respective kids.In the midst of all this, a car loomed in the distance, waiting for the perfect time to execute its plan. A man in his mid-thirties sat in the driver’s seat of the car, sipping from his cigarette, which was positioned in his left hand. His eyes preyed upon everyone and everything that walked into and out of the school.His eyes quickly moved to his wristwatch, and he nodded, signaling that it was the right time to carry out his plans. He Immediately tightened his seatbelt and drove to the gate of the school. Getting to the school gate, he alighted from his car and walked by foot into the school. He had to get things done before things escalated.“Good evenin
Chapter 131: Another Display “I need to bathe and rest too,” she made to leave, but Derek stopped her before she could make another move.“Please, I want to discuss with both of you,” Derek said, catching them off guard.Sofia quickly stopped on her track and gave Derek a quick stare. Slowly, her eyes moved to Rose, who stared back, blankly. “Ok,” she stuttered and returned to her seat. As she sat, she wondered what was going through Derek’s mind, what exactly he wanted to say to them.“Uhmm! Sorry for interrupting you, but I just couldn’t stop wondering, so I decided to inquire from you both.” Derek spoke, his eyes moving across the ladies. The room was silent for a while before he began again, “I wanted to know how you two know each other.” Derek asked the most confusing question.The ladies gave each other a shocking stare, unsure of what he meant by such a question. “What exactly are you trying to say? How do we know each other?” Rose was the first to speak, her face bathed in
Chapter 130: A Word The family sat on the dining table having dinner together. The dining table was filled with all kinds of assorted food. “Yum! This tastes so good,” Ken said with a mouth full of spaghetti. “I really missed having something this good,” he added. “I think this tastes better; the taste is just so nice,” Kendell chimed in, her mouth also filled with food.“Don’t forget the table manners, eat and stop talking,” Rose said calmly, her eyes dancing around the kids, who nodded calmly and kept quiet. “Please, let my grandchildren be; why are you dismissing them? They are marveling at this beauty, so let them,” Mr. Reynolds chimed in, his eyes quickly moving to Rose and then to the kids.The kids gave a bright smile and looked at their mom, who only shook her head and remained calm. “You see why Grandpa shouldn’t stay here? He would definitely spoil the kids,” Derek rolled his eyes at Mr. Reynolds. “Oh my! Oh my! You little brat,” Mr. Reynolds twisted Derek ears who sat
Chapter 129: A Child Three weeks later… The family has been discharged from the hospital, and now it’s time to return home. “It’s finally great to be able to return home,” Kendell releases a broad smile and looks up at her mom, who stood behind. “Right? I really wished to go home right away because I really don’t like the amount of people being rushed here daily. It breaks my heart,” Ken, who was standing next to her, chipped in with a sad scowl. “Honestly, it breaks my heart so badly that I wish to cry whenever I see such,” Kendell backed her brother.“Gosh! They talk like they have existed for ages,” Sofia, who stood not far from Rose, said to her in a surprised tone, and the entire room erupted in laughter. “You haven’t even seen anything; sometimes I wonder if they are really kids because they act so mature, and let’s not even talk about the way they talk,” Rose laughed.“I have already seen everything that is needed to be seen. The few days I have spent with them are enough
Chapter 128: A Family Chat “But I hope you are not in serious pain?” Ken asked, his voice laced with a concerned tone. “No, I am fine,” Derek lied, so his son would worry less.“Ok, I am glad you are, Dad,” Ken said with a broad smile, and Derek smiled back. “So, when are we returning home?” Kendell asked, desperation evident in her eyes.“It’s obvious you are tired of this place already,” Rose giggled, seeing the desperation in her daughter’s eyes. “Yes, Mom, I am so tired of this place and want to go home already,” Kendell replied.“Well, I seriously don’t know when the doctor would be discharging us, so I can’t answer that question,” Rose answered kindly, and Kendell pouted. “Ouch! I really wanted to go home,” she said, pushing her lips out and rendering her face in a sad scorn.“Don’t act like a baby now; you are a big girl,” Ken interrupted, already having enough of his sister’s silly behavior. Kendell gave him a deadly glare and hissed, “I am not acting like a baby; I just mis
Chapter 127: I Miss YouRose yawned and stretched tiredly on the bed. She rubbed her eyes with her hands and sat up from the bed. Her eyes quickly moved to the wall clock, and she flashed up from the bed immediately. She took a quick glance at her husband and daughter, who were still sleeping, before she rushed out of the ward.Outside the ward, she rushed to the surgery room, where she met the doctor standing outside the room, accessing a file in his hand. “Thank goodness!” the doctor exclaimed on sighting her. “I was looking for your details so I could call, but glad you came at the right time,” the doctor said with a bright smile.“I couldn’t sleep throughout yesterday night, and when I eventually managed to sleep, I couldn’t stop thinking, so as soon as it was daybreak, I hurried over here,” Rose explained hurriedly.“So, can I see them now? You said the surgery was successful,” Rose’s eyes danced around the doctor as she queried.“Yes, ma’am, the surgery was a success,” the doc
Chapter 126: Be Positive Rose sat on Derek’s bed after keeping her daughter next to her. She gave him a long stare of pity before pulling his hands into hers. “Derek,” she mumbled slowly.“Didn’t I warn you not to go after them? Didn’t I warn you to stay back with us and allow the police to do their job?” she said to her unconscious husband.“What if something happens to you? What if you have died? What would have become of us? Who gave you the right to come into our life and leave again?” She couldn’t hold back her tears this time around.“Your son is having surgery right now, and I am scared. You know I am not strong-hearted; you should have been here to comfort me and assure me that everything would be fine,” she sniffed, the pain hitting deep.“You should have been hale and healthy by now, and not lying unconscious on this hospital bed,” she continued. “So you better wake up now, because I am tired of seeing you in such a situation, because it is eating me up, and it isn’t funny
Chapter 125: The surgery After what seemed like an eternity to Rose, Sofia and the doctor showed up. Sighting them from afar, she rushed to them and inquired about the results of the test. Her worried eyes darted from her sister to the doctor as she awaited a response. She watched as the doctor’s lips spread into a bright smile before he replied, “They are a match.”“They are?” Rose exclaimed excitedly, and the doctor nodded, a bright smile on his lips. “I am glad I am able to save your son’s life,” Sofia said with a bright smile, and Rose pulled her into a warm hug. “Thanks so much, Sofia. Thank you,” Rose said amidst the hug.“Mom, does this mean that Ken will be fine?” Rose heard and immediately knew it was her daughter. She looked down below her, where the voice erupted, and there, in front of her, stood her daughter, just as she expected. She pushed out a bright smile and bent to her daughter’s level. “Everything is going to be fine now; everything will be perfect now,” she
Chapter 124: Check Mine The nurses pushed the stretcher into the surgery room; Derek lay weakly on the stretcher, and the officer ran after them.“Please, can you keep him safe? Please protect him,” the officer pleaded with the doctors, his face etched with worry.“We have no guarantee for now, but we will do our best to make sure that nothing happens to him,” one of the nurses replied in a comforting tone.The officer couldn’t respond; he just watched the nurse like a fool.“Ok, you can’t enter here with us, so please just remain outside and pray for him,” the nurse said when they finally got into the surgery room.The officer staggered back and fell weakly onto one of the chairs in front of him. He sat there, confused and unsure of the next thing to do.“I need to inform his wife about this; I really need to,” he muttered after a while, and he wandered off to look for Rose.He asked anyone he came across until he really got to a person who knew her.“Sorry, do you know about any pa
Chapter 123: Deadly Encounter Derek walked out of a corner, his frustration growing thin. His hands were placed on his hips, and beads of sweat washed down his face. His tired eyes danced around the police officer as he waited for a response.“Yes, sir, I just finished looking and can’t find anything, but the other officers are also looking around,” the man pointed to the rest of the officers who were combing the area.“And I also placed other officers to comb through other areas in the city,” the officer added, and Derek nodded casually.“Gosh! How could that jerk escape?” Derek felt a surge of pain wash through him, and his anger extended. “We really need to find them, because apart from the fact that they need to be brought to justice, I also have a lot of questions to ask them,” Derek said.“I will make sure we find them; they couldn’t have left the city, also because we have put officers in every exit and airport,” the officer reassured again, and Derek felt a bit of hope wash