SJ went out from his early the next day and headed straight downstairs. As he took the last few steps down, he saw William walked by him with a blanket in his arms. The butler immediately stopped and greeted him formally.
“Where are you heading, William?” He asked patiently.
“Madam fell asleep in her studio,” William answered calmly. “I’m going to put a blanket over her.”
“Wait,” SJ said calmly. He looked at him before asking the questions that has been bothering him after he got back in his room. “Has she always had these nightmares? Ever since she started living here?”
“Madam never really talks of the reason why she’ll be there at studio,” William responded after some thoughts. “All she tells us that she can’t sleep and so she paints to pass time until she will feel sleepy. She started being like this after the death of her father. Those late-night racing tha
Elli looked up from her laptop when she heard footsteps coming her way.“Brought you some coffee, Elli,” Paige said with a smile as she placed a cup beside her notes as well as hers and sat down on the vacant chair. “Why don’t you take a break for a few minutes? You’ve been engrossed on your work after finishing lunch while your boss took a nap.”“Thank you,” Elli said as she reached for her cup.“How are you doing?” Paige asked softly.Elli remained silent for a while, contemplating on what to reply. “Did he tell you what happened?” She slowly asked. “On the reason why, I was at the studio a while ago?”“SJ doesn’t tell us much, to be honest,” Paige answered honestly. She leaned back on the chair and crossed her legs and looked at Elli seriously. “But I know he cares for you deep down. He’s worried as well, believe me. I know he’
SJ waited patiently for Elli to come down from her room that night for dinner. He looked up the stairs and finally saw her coming down, wearing a sleeveless, emerald knee length crepe fabric, dress with draped detail in the front and back, braided belt detail and a boat neckline.“Jasmine’s making me wear this,” she commented stiffly as she tried adjusting the dress to her comfort.He smiled down at her.“You look good, Elli,” he assured gently. “Stop fidgeting.”“I’m not used to wearing this,” she complained lightly. She looked up at him. “I’ll just go up and change into something comfortable.”SJ held her by the waist when she was about to turn and go up again. He brushed some hair off her face. “They’re waiting for us,” he remarked as he gestured his head towards the outdoor dining area. “There’s nothing wrong with what you’re wearin
Elli went out an athletic store on a Wednesday morning, carrying some bags after buying some trainers and active wear to join Luisa on a field trip with her students on Friday. She only said yes to her friend after getting SJ’s approval.It’s been a week since she came back from the country and one week more to enjoy the vacation that she had asked from him. SJ had called her a few days ago and told her that Mr. Grande had finally approved the design for his granddaughter’s room and had his construction group started on the work. He then told her that he will be going on overseas for a quick business trip.Her phone suddenly rang, and she took her phone from her bag.“Hello?” She greeted politely.“Elli, where are you right now?” Her husband’s voice came.“I just came out of the athletic store after buying some trainers for Friday,” she answered patiently as she sat on a vacant bench. &ldq
SJ went out from the shower and wrapped the towel provided by the hotel around his waist that evening in Tuscany, Italy, before walking towards the lavatory counter and reached for his shaver. His phone suddenly sounded, signifying a message.“Babe, I got this today,” Carmela’s message read with a picture of her wearing a diamond tennis necklace. “It’s perfect, isn’t it? I’ll be wearing this for your mom’s party. When will it be, by the way? News is circulating that there’s no word yet with regards to her birthday party. Is she going to have one?”He placed down his phone and concentrated on shaving, his thoughts on her message.After a while, his phone rung and it was Carmela calling.“Babe, why didn’t you answer?” She whined at the other line.“I was shaving, hon,” he answered as he entered his room. He reached for the remote and turned on the TV. “Was
Elli sat beside Luisa after she got her lunch that Friday. They had just had an educational and fun tour at El Museo de Arte y Ciencias and now they are at the museum’s café where lunch is being served to the students. “My male students seemed to have crushes on you,” Luisa teased with a grin. “Have you noticed that they were trying to outdo each other during the mini quiz given by the guide? They were trying to impress you. It’s kind of cute watching them.” “Because the tour is very interesting and fun,” Elli corrected as she took a drink from her juice. “They don’t do that often in my class,” Luisa chuckled. “But, I’m just happy to see them learning and listening. I don’t get that often. Mostly it’s me tearing my hair just to get them to listen to what I’m teaching them in class.” “Hi, Ms. Porter!” The two looked up and saw the jock from the class, standing in front of her with a shy smile. “Is there something you need from Ms. Porte
Elli leaned back on her pillows that night as she placed down her phone beside her after finishing scrolling through the photos on Carmela Steinfeld’s Instagram account. She felt sorry for herself after seeing the beautiful and appealing model that everyone is raving about.She had over fifteen million followers worldwide on her Instagram alone. She then checked her other social media and one had forty plus million followers.Elli started feeling insecure.“Why am I feeling like this?” She asked herself. She clutched her head lightly and dropped them on her knees, closing her eyes tightly. “What’s the matter with you, Elli? Why are you suddenly feeling unsure of yourself? You were never like this before.”She stood up and went out from her room and went to her studio. She had brought back from the countryside the outline of the painting she did of SJ. She looked at the canvass intently, his profile coming to life with t
SJ got out of his car after parking at the driveway, fronting his parents’ house that night and went to the passenger door side to open the door for Elli. He extended a hand and she placed hers gently as she stood up carefully.“Thank you,” Elli said softly as she fixed her dress.He looked down at his wife and a frown appeared on his face as he took note of the low V-neckline of the dress she is wearing as well as the front split. Her bare back is also exposed, and he took every ounce of patience not to take off his dinner jacket and put it around her.“Who helped you choose this dress?” He asked tightly.“I asked Luisa to go shopping with me,” she answered calmly, smiling up at him. “She was set on making me wear a tight-fitting dress, but I had to decline. It was too much for me. We both agreed on this one. It’s perfect for the dinner tonight, she said.”SJ cursed inwardly.The m
Elli placed down her teacup gently on the saucer and remained in her sit once the dinner was finally over. SJ and his parents went to his father’s office to discussed on something important while Jackson bade her goodnight and made her promise that she will visit him again. SJ’s sister also took off, bringing their glasses with them. She was left alone in the table and has been on her own for nearly one hour and the silence and absence of her husband’s presence is making her uncomfortable. “Would madam like another slice of cake?” Mason asked politely. Elli looked up and gave him a polite smile. “No, thank you,” she answered softly. “I am already full. The dinner was delicious. Please give my thanks to the chef.” “He will be pleased to hear that,” Mason assured. “Let me guess,” a voice drawled out behind her. Elli looked up and saw Clarisse and Jenny coming back in and looking at her amusingly. She watched as they pulled out th
7 Years Later… SJ looked up from the contract document that he is reviewing inside his office at the sound of his two sons, squealing and laughing at the game they are playing with their playmates. He smiled at the sound of them enjoying the sunny afternoon. After scanning through the document one more time, he finally signed on his name indicated below and closed the folder and putting it on his outgoing tray. He stood up and walked towards the glass door that will lead him out to where his sons are. He stood there for a while and watched as seven-year-old Michael run happily while holding a giant pinwheel in his one hand as his younger brother Alexander Philip, who just turned five last month, was running after him, clapping happily. Their nannies were keeping a close watch on them while he saw William arranging the long table outside by the pool with Cherry and two more helpers. “My turn!” Alexander exclaimed as he pointed at the pinwheel.
Elli leaned on the bed that night two months after she got out of the hospital and watched as SJ continued swaying their baby and humming lightly to get him to sleep. The look on his face squeezed her heart so tight, the look of pure love visible on his face. It's been two months since that eventful night. Who would have thought that something dreadful and dangerous had led to something much more memorable with the birth of their son? Michael Elliot Kincaid. Elli could feel tears in her eyes when SJ told her the name that he wants for their first born. The name is not from someone in his family but from hers. She remembered hugging him so tight that he had thought of Michael Porter. She was planning to use that name on their future children. “Well, if it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t have gotten married in the first place,” SJ pointed out with a smile. He gave her a long kiss. “I told your dad about it, and he was more than happy about it. I also discus
SJ watched, with tears in his eyes as the baby was finally laid on Elli’s arms and she lovingly cuddled him, looking down at him with so much love in her eyes. The baby is continuing to cry in his mother’s arms.“Hi, baby,” Elli whispered softly, rocking him gently. The baby, somehow felt familiar with the voice that is soothing him, started to lower his cries. “Mommy’s here. I’m so happy to see you. I love you so much, sweetheart. You just made me the happiest person, right now.”Elli turned towards him and smiled up at him widely.“I love you,” SJ said as he kissed her head gently and his one hand shakily touch the top of the head of his first-born. He could feel tears running down his face. “Hello, son. Daddy’s here now.”The two looked down at their baby lovingly, just feeling the joyful moment it brings them.“I hate to interrupt this moment, guys, but I need y
Elli finally stood up, holding on to the grab rails, from the bowl after she finally relieved herself and pulled up her underwear carefully. She winced a bit when she felt a pain on her lower back as well as her belly. She turned to flush down the toilet and noticed that she had a pinkish discharge on the bowl, and she took note of that for her next appointment with Paige.“Marissa, do you have my phone?” She called out softly. “I’ll call SJ and tell him that I want to go upstairs to the room and rest. I don’t feel like going back to the function anymore.”“Yes, Madam,” Marissa answered softly. “I’ll have your phone ready when you come out.”Elli heard the door to the bathroom open when she had another pain shot up her belly. She massaged her stomach gently, breathing slowly and calmly. After a few minutes, she finally decided to unlock the door of the stall that she occupied.“Do you
SJ looked at his watch for the fourth time and looked towards the doorway and waiting for Elli to appear back from the bathroom. He is tapping his hand lightly on his leg, a motion that his mother had accidentally saw when she turned to receive her wine.“Is something wrong, dear?” Mrs. Kincaid asked in concern.“Elli’s not yet back from the bathroom,” he answered calmly.“Give her another two minutes, dear,” she replied, putting a hand on his and squeezed it lightly. “It usually takes a little longer for pregnant women.”SJ nodded and pulled out his phone. He dialed Stu’s number and waited for the bodyguard to answer his phone. He grimaced and cursed silently when his call went unanswered. He pressed the number again and still his call went unanswered.He looked up and motioned to Sam.“Yes, sir?”“Please check on my wife,” he whispered straightly. &l
SJ held Elli’s hand as he gently assisted her down the Range Rover late Friday afternoon in the driveway, fronting The Grande Duchess Hotel, who is fully lighted for its inauguration. He made sure that her dress behind is flowing neatly.“Thanks,” Elli said with a smile and her hand automatically went to her stomach, which is now round and big. “Do you have my jacket?”He nodded as he placed them around her shoulders.Elli is now nine-months pregnant and in a few days will be giving birth to their baby.A son.SJ couldn’t hide his happiness when during their gender reveal, the baby is a boy. He wouldn’t mind having a girl as well and he will make sure that after a few years, he will be having one.Both of their families as well as their friends were overjoyed by the news. Piles of gifts started arriving at their home and Elli was shaking her head in amusement when SJ had converted one of the guest ro
Elli hugged her grandmother after the wedding ceremonies were over as well as the picture taking was completed. As instructed by SJ and getting her consent, they allowed one official photo by photographer be uploaded by the wedding organizer that SJ had hired. It created a buzz online the moment it was uploaded. “I can’t believe you came all the way here, Grams,” Elli said with a smile after giving her a kiss on the cheek. “I’m so happy that you’re here. As well as with you, Grandpa and Uncle.” She then hugged them both. Elli was glad that she decided to go overseas and see her mother’s family last year. She spent most of her time with her grandfather, who she knew was a hard man based on her mother’s journals as well as from her father. It took her a while but finally, she was able to convince him that she will lead the life that she wants. “That man better take care of you, Ellisande,” Phillip Montagu said seriously as he hugged her tightly.
SJ watched lovingly as Elli stood at the end of aisle while Luisa, Paige and Jasmine helped put on the veil that was included in the dress that he had custom-made for her. He saw her smile widely when she was handed the bouquet of flowers made of peonies, tulips, and roses with some lush greens.That night when Elli had told him about their baby where he couldn’t sleep, he decided to give her a surprise.He will marry her all over again.With their wedding anniversary coming up in less than two weeks, he had to pull a lot of strings to make everything happen. He sought the help of his mother, his and her friends, Debra, and her father, who he called overseas that same night.He had to pay a big amount just to get Le Bernardin to say yes to his plan because the place has been known to never accept any occasions. He had to rely on his biggest connection and that was Elli’s grandfather, who he finally got to talk to a few days ago.SJ was
SJ gently pulled a sleeping Elli to him and watched her snuggle automatically closer to him. He dropped a soft kiss on her forehead and just continued watching.He could not sleep even after making love to her.He just can’t. Not after getting the best news in his life.“I’m going to be a dad?” He asked when he finally stood up. “You’re not joking, right?”Elli shook her head with a smile, tears running down her cheeks. “This is supposed to be my surprise for you once we get to Le Bernardin,” she answered as she took the ultrasound photos from him and looked down at it lovingly. “But I got upset when I saw you pull those brakes.”SJ chuckled as he placed both hands on her face.“I knew you can make it to top five when you were still practicing,” she said softly. She placed her hands on his as well and smiled through tears. “I watched the replay of the race be