CHAPTER 77M I R A N D A"Daddy Hugo look!" Bethany calls out.Hugo and I moved our heads towards our baby girl as she holds her hands up to us then smiles while looking at it."I made the perfect flower." Bethany says while giggling.Hugo's beautiful dimpled grin appears on his cheek and right then I fell in love with him all over again, "That's lovely baby." He responds.I stare at Bethany as she puts the little flower down over the plate carefully. She already has flour over her forehead and over her hair while she was busy making that perfect flower a while ago. She was busy shaping the tiny dough into another flower again even though the petals didn't look even, to us it was still the most beautiful flower, like her. I watch as her little fingers mold on the dough, but then from under my lashes, I caught Hugo looking at me.He smiles at me while his hands were busy making another dough. "You've got flour on your face sweetheart." He calls out to me."Really? Where?" I ask while w
CHAPTER 78M I R A N D A"Love!" Landon calls out from the living room.I rushed out of our bedroom and stared at him, he was holding his phone next to his ear."Great news!" He exclaims."What's happened?" I asked.Landon smiles. "Hugo's up!"I exhaled heavily and clasped my hands together in between my breasts as my tears filled both of my eyes very quickly. I ran to Landon and hugged him tight while he hugs me back with one arm while the other was still holding onto his phone."That's a really great news. We will be there right away." Landon says over the phone.When all of us heard that Hugo had gained his conscious back, all of us went there quicker than a blink of an eye. We were all worried for him since he was unconscious for three consecutive days. His parents have been worried sick, most especially Mrs. Anne. She would even call me at night and cry over the phone as I comforted her. Whenever we would visit Hugo, Gladys would hug me tightly and I know she's being strong for h
CHAPTER 79M I R A N D AWe were all back in London safely and as soon as I reached the lands of England and felt the brisk British air, I feel more relaxed. I don't feel frightened anymore since Ridge has been caught.But Hugo was still in France, he decided to stay behind for work and his recovery. He's trying to regain and recover from what happened to him and he's also trying to work at the same time even though his mum told him not to wore himself out.Meanwhile, Landon has been out to his studio, he's been busy with two new songs since one from it will be by performed his newest artist during the British Music Awards next year. Since it was nearly Christmas, I've been busy buying gifts for the kids, for Landon, for Landon's parents and siblings, for Vivian and Art, for the lads, for Hugo's parents, for Gladys, for Paris and for Scarlet and their kids, and of course for Hugo too.I already feel the cold wind of London changing as it gets colder than the last time I was here, the
CHAPTER 80M I R A N D AI smile nervously."Merry Christmas Eve." I answer.We stare at each other for a while and I snapped myself out of it since I've noticed that I've been looking at him longer than a minute now and it is damned cold outside."Come in." I hollered right away as I gestured with my hands as he comes inside the foyer as he was pulling a black trolley with him which looked even smaller because of his huge height and big hand."The others are all busy at the kitchen, preparing for the feast tonight." I tell him nervously.Now why am I so nervous?"Well I'm glad I'm going to spend the Christmas Eve with you." He tells me firm with a sweet smile and I smile too.He side-glance me, "And the kids."I bite my lower lip as everything between me and Hugo always gets awkward."Al of the people that are very important to me." He continued to say with his thick accent.I shake my head off from it and act natural."How'd you come here? I thought there was thick snow?" I ask him.
CHAPTER 81M I R A N D AAfter our week stay inside that marvelous and luxurious mansion, all of us went back home to spend our New Year's Day with our respective families even though we had an enjoyable amount of time together with a couple of friends around. I spent the eve of New Years with Landon’s family and we had so much fun together. We exchanged some gifts and ate together.We drove Ben and Bethany to Hugo's the next morning just so Hugo's side of the family could spend time with them and would get to know them even more. I gave Hugo a gift because I didn't get the chance to give to him when we were at the mansion, also I feared being alone with him since Landon was around. Another year had passed by and it's a new year for all of us, most especially for me. It's time to make fruitful and rightful decisions. Wiser decisions.That includes being professional around Hugo. He's the father to my kids so I think I need to get used to seeing him often without being affected by hi
CHAPTER 82L A N D O NFRANCEA few nights ago…When I was done making Miranda something to eat at two in the morning, I walked my way up to our bedroom to give it to her. Even though I know I'm not much of a great cook, I still want to make her something even the simplest things to show her that as her husband, I can serve her too and not just her to me and the kids. I've been practicing my best to make her the greatest meals I can ever cook for her and if not the best then maybe something edible at least.When I reached the bedroom, she wasn't there anymore. I placed the tray down on top of our bedroom table, turned on the lights of the entire place and walked to the bathroom. She's not there too.I began to panic. Where could she be?I walked to the kids but I couldn't find her there as well. I searched for her at the living room, the kitchen, the dining room and back to the living room but she's nowhere to be found. She's not inside the penthouse. My heart raced even more when I t
CHAPTER 83M I R A N D AI froze with what he said to me. I'm trying to process everything inside my head if he was joking or not but Landon wasn't laughing and neither was I. The wind was blowing through our hairs but we were both silent after those words.I fake a laugh, "It's not yet April Landon.""I'm serious." He says sternly.I moved my head back to him, "What?""I've been..." He breathes heavily. "I've been thinking about it lately and I think it's best if I just... Set you--""No." I cut him off. "You can't decide for both of us. I have the right to actually say something about this marriage too Landon. Not just you."My tears building fast inside my eyes and my heart is hurting."I've been so selfish Miranda. I've been selfish to you and to Hugo. I've only thought about my happiness the entire time we were together. I didn't think of how you felt when you were with me. And I didn't know how much you were hurting." He says."What are you even saying?" I asked."I…” He stares
CHAPTER 84M I R A N D AHe didn't say anything to me and continued to drive instead. We went quiet and we were still quiet when we reached back home. The kids were still with Landon's mom so I follow him inside the foyer where he stopped, so I stopped too. He stares at me and I know he's trying his very best to be strong for himself.He extends a hand, "Let's make dinner together for the first time."I stare at his blue eyes and I am sure that he was hurt so I take his hand as we walk silently to the kitchen. We began to grab the things we need as if we know what we were going to make. I side glance at Landon and he was busy getting some spices from the fridge while I take out the possible pans we were going to use."Let's make that pasta you showed me the other night." He says calmly, as if we didn’t talk about having the divorce."Alright." I sniff, wiping my tears from my cheeks.We began to chop everything we need for the sauce while Landon was busy boiling the linguine inside th
87 T H E A Sebastian committed suicide. He ended his own life with a gun in his head. No one even knew how he had a gun in the first place and no one had any idea he was going to do that. He was supposed to meet Ben and the others tomorrow for a reunion. He was supposed to live a new life after being sentenced in prison for seven years. He was supposed to live in a tropical place and start a new life for himself. He was supposed to live a life filled with dreams now that he is out in prison. Sebastian was supposed to live. I was supposed to forgive him. The autopsy report stated that it happened around twelve midnight which means just a few hours after he left our home. I have never felt so depressed in my entire life that I wasn't even able to tell him a lot of things that I wanted to say. I didnt know what I was exactly feeling, completely lost in my thoughts and emotions after Sebastian's passing. I knew that there was something wrong in his eyes when he talked to me becaus
86T H E A"How have you been?" He asks.Sebastian wore blue, white and light pink plaided top, a pair of faded jeans and a dirty white sneakers. He looked older than the last time I saw him and his hair has gotten longer too. He looked different, but those eyes still frightens me.Those merciless eyes.I couldn't stare at him longer and I had to look away from his gaze. I clear my throat, "I have been well." I answered."I'm really glad that you are." Sebastian tells me."Um, do you want to drink something Sebastian? Tea?" Ben offers.I quickly held his wrist, stopping him from leaving me alone in here and stared into his eyes as I said to him. "Please don't leave me here."Ben stares intently at me before he turns to Sebastian who speaks, "You dont really have to offer me anything."I bite my inner cheek and breathe in some confidence before I faced Sebastian. "What are you doing here?"Sebastian stares at me eagerly."What do you want?" I asked firmly."I came here to see if you ha
85T H E AI couldn't sleep the entire night as I was bothered about Sebastian's release happening in just a few hours.Thoughts were filling and piling inside my head one over the other and I don't know if this was going to let me sleep at all.So I slipped out of the bed where Ben was sleeping soundly and headed out of bedroom to get myself a glass of wine from downstairs. I hate myself when I turn to alcohol every time my thoughts are fogged up and fucked up. I hate when there are questions left unanswered and my solution is alcohol.I hated it.I hated it so much I hate myself too.I finished two glasses of wine and spent almost thirty minutes just sitting on a chair where I tried to drown and sort my troubled thoughts. I finally pulled myself up and headed back to my bedroom only until I saw Xavier heading out of his room, crying. I rushed to his side and wished that he wouldn't smell the stingy scent of alcohol from my breath."Xavier." I cooed. "What happened?""Mommy I had a n
84T H E A“Why didn’t you tell him?”Benedict's question still lingers in my mind.Why didn't I tell Sebastian back in the day?I have been asking myself that same question over and over again for the past couple of years. I used to tell myself that I wasn't ready and I know I wasn't ready. I lied to myself when I said I was ready to confess to him about our child but I was absentmindedly denying the fact that my mind was filled with so many thoughts as soon as I faced Sebastian.When I saw him, I was reminded of how he raped me mercilessly. When I saw him, I was reminded of how dirty of a woman I was. When I saw him, I was reminded of how I didn't want this baby to be born if only it hadn't been for Ben.Ben has always been my rock and my strength after everything that happened to me. All these years, he accepted me no matter what and I have been beyond blessed to have a man like that in my life.That kind of love and care he showed me is going to be something I didn't want to waste
83T H E AI stare at my own reflection in front of the mirror, I gained weight but I look different compared to the old me a few weeks ago. My eyes travelled down to my baby bump and as I turn to my side, I feel more anxiety building in the back of my head. I am not confident enough that I will be a good mother to this baby once it’s out when I know this baby came from a man who I trusted so much but just raped me. My bump is starting to show now and I know I have a lifelong responsibility waiting ahead of me. I just hope I will be responsible enough.I rub my hand over my small tummy then smiled at myself.“You will be fine.” I told my baby.Ben is here for me and for us. He always has. He made everything feel better. He made me better and happier without asking too much in return. He is a very selfless man and I owe him my life. My everything and all that I have left.I breathe out heavily and tucked my hair behind my ears as I stare at myself wearing this white dress and white ba
82B E N E D I C TShe stands by the balcony sliding door, staring at an empty space wearing my shirt and some pajamas. Standing here afar from Thea, looking at her, I can see and I can feel that her mind is full. It’s full of endless thoughts and worries. I wish I could take some from her restless bothered thoughts and I wish I could help her with what she is going through.Thea is strong but I don’t want her to have another breakdown. I hope I can share the pain and confusions she is going through right now. I wish, at least I could make her happy despite of what has happened lately.But I don’t know what to do as well.I am bothered too, restless, anxious, troubled and angry. I still have this growing hate in me and unwillingness to befriend Sebastian.I hate him.I walk towards Thea and wrapped my arms around her. She didn’t budge but still sets her eyes out the window. “There are no stars tonight.” I say.She sighs heavily.“Aren’t you hungry sweetheart?” I ask.She didn’t answer
81B E N E D I C T“The CEO of Saintclare Enterprises , finally off the market!!”I read mentally the newspaper’s headlines as soon as I got into my office. I scan through the magazines which were also over my desk, and the headlines were also all about me.I sigh. “I knew this was gonna come out first thing in the morning.”The phone on top of my desk rings, I quickly picked it up, “Yes.”“Mr. Saintclare everyone is calling in for an interview with you. They’re all asking if you have any available time.” I can hear telephones ringing from my secretary’s background.“Cancel all interviews. Tell them I have a busy schedule up until next week.” I hung up.Suddenly the phone in my pocket rings. I stare at the screen and it was Mrs. Brown, my PR.I sigh as I answer, “I know what you’re going to say.”“It’s everywhere. My phone has been ringing since six o’clock this morning. I don’t know what to answer them.”“Did you say anything about Thea?”“No. Not unless you tell me to. I’m only wait
80BENEDICTI stare at Thea, and she has been looking out of the window for minutes now. I know she still has a lot of things in mind with what has happened lately and I’m sure she’s tired of thinking about it too. She has talked to Khaleel and I have had talked to him too. Despite her past, we wanted to keep it to ourselves than letting the others know about it. They wouldn’t understand what she went through to survive and it isn’t our story to tell.I have asked myself a couple of times why she had to choose such job but then I didn’t have the courage to ask her. I don’t want her to feel bad about herself and the more I ask about her past, the more she would think it bothers me.Honestly, it has been in the past and we all have had done crazy shit a thing or two. All of us deserves a second chance and women like Thea who strives hard to change herself to become a better woman deserves more than that. I am proud of her and she knows it.A smile creeps on her face as soon as I rubbed
79THEASometimes, in our lives there are instances when you just want to disappear because of awkward situations or embarrassing moments. And right now, that’s what I want to happen. I want to teleport to another place far from here.It feels like everything inside my system malfunctioned and brain feels dead. I have never felt more disgusted of myself and my past than how Sebastian is embarrassing me right now in front of Ben. No one has ever made me feel so little of myself, only Sebastian.This bastard. This one of a hell man. I wish he dies.My tears were just flowing from my closed eyes and I feel this growing pain against my chest. I try to breathe in but the pain grows as I exhale so I remained quiet. I don’t want to face anyone or see how they look at me with disgust and filth. I just want to disappear like one pop of a bubble or run out of this house and never look back.But I cant, I know I have to face them now. I have to face Khaleel. I have to face Benedict even if it’s