LEXIFour Years Later.I stepped out of the car, holding a textbook in my hand. I was just coming back from a lecture, and I don't have a car. Don't misunderstand the situation. My father has opted to get me a car countless times, and I kept rejecting the offer anytime he asked. I mean, I just didn't want to start living a flashy lifestyle. Only a few people knew that I am an Alexandra, and I wished to keep it that way so that I could live a normal life without having to go everywhere with guards around me. "How much is the ride?" I questioned, lowering my head so that I could see the driver's face.A smile spread on the driver's face, and he shook his head. "I'm not a taxi driver," he revealed.My eyes widened and almost left their socket in disbelief when I heard his statement. Did I really board a stranger's car without suspecting? What if he was a kidnapper? I've got to be careful next time."Oh my God! I am so sorry. I thought you were a taxi driver. That was why I entered withou
ENGLANDRYANDescending from my car, I strolled into the house. Emily hurriedly sprang up from the couch she was seated on before I stepped in and rushed towards me."Brother, welcome home. I...," She tried to talk, but I tossed the bag I was holding, flinging it over an empty couch, and I quickly dashed over the stairs into Lexi's room.My face fell with disappointment when I found the room empty again. What was I even expecting? Have I really gone mad? Do I expect a woman I mistreated and chased out of my house to be sleeping in her room? I knew that was a crazy thing to ask, but I really wished it happened that way. Every day for the past four years, I have been coming into Lexi's old room, hoping that I would meet her here. It took me six months to accept that I was really worried about her, and it took me a year to accept that I was actually in love with her. Why did it take me so long before I realized? Why does it have to be when I have deserted her and chased her away?Ever s
ITALYLEXI"Thank you for the patronage. Please, do come around next time." The cashier said, handing over the things we picked at the mall to us. I collected it from her and returned a wide smile. With Isabelle's hand intertwined with mine, we trekked home since the mall we visited was just down the street. It was Isabelle who suddenly requested chocolates and creamy yogurt who made us step out of the house at that time of the night.Just as we were about to step into the house, I sighted a bouquet of flowers by the entrance, wrapped with a blue wrapper. A part of my brows creased as I looked outside, trying to see if the owner was around, but I couldn't find anyone."Mum, is that yours?" Isabelle asked, letting my hands go.With creased brows, I shook my head negatively. "No, darling. It's not mine. I don't know who owns it," I responded.Isabelle rushed to where the bouquet was kept, picked it up, and removed the letter from it. Before I could reprimand her for picking up what doe
LEXI"Ladies and gentlemen, we have begun our descent into England. Please turn off all portable electronic devices and stow them until we have arrived at the gate. In preparation for landing in England, be certain your seat back is straightened and your seat belt is fastened." The announcer's voice wafted into my ears, and I obliged, doing what he asked me to do for myself and Isabelle, who was sitting beside me.After what seemed like forever, our plane landed, and we trudged out after clearing our bags and taking them.I shut my eyes and opened them back as I inhaled the fresh air of England, the same country that held most of my memories. I wouldn't say that I had the plans of returning now, but my father's situation forced me to come back. Yesterday, when mom called me again, she told me that his condition is now stable, but the little girl in me wouldn't want to stay back in Italy knowing that her father is in a critical condition, which was the reason I booked the next flight
LEXIStepping out of the airport, we luckily found an empty cab and hopped into it after tucking our luggage into the trunk. The drive began, and a deafening silence fell in the car. It felt peaceful and surreal. I loved every bit of the atmosphere. "Isabelle, I hope you didn't do anything when I left you at the reception." I asked, breaking the silence. I didn't know why I felt like Isabelle shouldn't be trusted. Maybe because she was too quiet and behaved when I returned from the bathroom. That wasn't who Isabelle was. She lifted her head, glanced at my face, and gave me a knowing look. "What do you mean, Mum? Do you think I have committed a crime?" She questioned. I swallowed hard, piercing into her gaze. As I had suspected, the glimmers in her eyes were filled with eagerness, which meant she was hiding something from me."What is it, Isabelle? Say the truth right now. You know very well that I didn't train you to be a liar." I held her hands, looking into her eyes as I muttered
RYANI searched the crooks and crannies of the airport for Lexi and Isabelle but never found them. It was as though they appeared for a second and vanished into the thin air afterward."Maybe they had gone this way," I told myself, hopping into my car."Drive!" I ordered, and my chauffeur started driving. However, I never caught a glimpse of her. My heart twitched. It was as if thousands of hands were squeezing it. "Where are you, Lexi? Where did you go?" I mumbled, sweats shrouding my body like a cloak. My breathing was unstable.After an hour of driving aimlessly on the streets of England, I commanded, "Pull over!" My chauffeur glanced behind me briefly, "Huh?""Can't you hear me, or are you just dumb? I just asked you to pull over. Stop the car, you fool," I yelled, exasperated. And immediately, he swerved his hands to the side and stepped on the brake. The car made a screeching sound before it stopped.I jumped out of the car and scrutinized the vicinity with my eyes. Hopefully,
LEXI"Father!" I shouted, running toward my family, who was already seated on the bed. His pale face had become fresh and alive, and his whitish lips had become plum and succulent. When he gaped in my direction and saw me, his perfectly molded lips curved into a sheepish smile."My daughter is here!" He muttered before his gaze darted over Isabelle, and his smile widened. "Oh my God! My princess is here!" He exclaimed, reverting his gaze from me as he focused on Isabelle. He totally forgot that he was about to greet me, and that almost made me jealous of Isabelle. But I was the one he knew before knowing Isabelle. I am his daughter."How are you doing, grandpa? You were sleeping when we got here yesterday," Isabelle asked in her tiny yet sharp voice.My father ruffled her hair and pulled her cheeks gently. "I'm okay now, my damsel. Seeing your beautiful face is enough to heal me," he affirmed, grinning.With pouty lips, I went to sit beside my mother while I watched Isabelle and my fa
LEXII blinked, uncertain of the suitable expression to make to the surprising revelation and turn of events. The famous Donald Simeon turned out to be the fake taxi driver and the one who sent me a bouquet the previous week. "Lexi, this is Mr. Donald Simeon, the partner who will help you when you become the CEO." My father's voice lingered in the air, causing me to veer around so that I could focus my attention on him."Uhm... Oh! Okay," I mumbled, my eyes flickering continually as my mouth widened. "Hello, Miss Lexi. I'm Donald Simeon, your COO," Donald introduced, stretching forth his hand for a handshake, which I took after a brief hesitation. There was something surprising and suspicious about the attitude he pulled up. There wasn't an iota of surprise on his face, as though he already knew I was the one he was coming to meet. I found it weird, but I shrugged the thoughts away as I shook his hand. "I'm Lexi Alexandra. Please, let's achieve a lot together." I mumbled with a lop
GENERAL Five Months Later The thump on the door caused Cinderella and Donald to raise their heads and look in the direction of the entrance. At the same time, the door opened slightly, and Lexi popped her head in, scrutinizing the whole place. When her gaze finally landed on the couple, she smiled and waved her hand. "Hello, mummy and daddy," she mumbled, strolling inside. She was followed by her husband, Ryan, and her daughter, Isabelle. "Lexi!" Donald muttered, walking up to Lexi and pulling her in a tight hug. "You didn't tell me you would be coming when we talked on the phone yesterday," he added, breaking the hug and darting his gaze over her. He was surprised to see her at the hospital. "Yeah! I didn't tell you, but it would be bad of me not to come to see my godson as soon as he was born," she said, sauntering past Donald to where the baby was. "Oh! My little pookie. You look so handsome," she complimented, taking the bed from his bed. "He looks just like you, Cinderella,"
GENERALThe sounds of gunshots reverberated across the building. Jasmine was shot in her legs and was forced to stagger into the fire she just created. Like a flash, the fire spread quickly and engulfed the whole building.Zoe and Emily screamed their lungs out for help. The cops who had arrived at the scene earlier rushed in before the fire could get to the people who were tied. Expertly, they released them from the hold and carried them out one after the other. Fortunately, nobody sustained burns except Jasmine, who fell into the fire. The fire was quickly quenched, and she was saved before she could be burnt beyond recognition. Her face, hands, and legs were burnt like an offering. Just when they thought the storm had calmed, Isabelle, who hadn't revived from her blackout, started breathing with difficulty in her mother's arms. Her chest hurled up and down.Lexi's jaw dropped and her eyes blinked as she looked at the girl in her hands. "Isabelle! My love! What is wrong with you?
GENERAL"What! What are you saying?" Zoe let out a stutter. Her lips shook with her eyes dilating in disbelief. She was certain that she didn't hear right. Jasmine would never say that.Jasmine prodded into her eyes, and her lips curled into a sinister smirk. "You heard me, Zoe Middleton. I still have unfinished business with your son," she repeated herself."No, Jasmine. You promised me. This wasn't the agreement. Don't you even try to go back on your words?" She interjected, "I don't like when you try to act sly. I hate betrayals, and I don't pity them." She spurted out, her eyes revealing anger.Jasmine snorted, unfazed by her reaction. "Well, I lied, Zoe. Feel free to call me a betrayal," she asserted.Lexi burst into a peal of hysterical laughter, throwing her head backward. "Such a fool! You think you are smart. Nobody knows Jasmine better than I do. She is just a desperate attention seeker. You are doomed," she muttered amidst her laughter.Angered and frustrated, Emily walked
GENERAL Ryan's eyes blinked when his sister, Emily, and Zoe, his mother, walked in. He couldn't believe his eyes. He was forced to shut his eyes and open them back, and they were still there. They didn't change. "Mum!!!" Ryan muttered, stupefied. It was as though he had just seen horror. If he had been told that he would be betrayed by his own family, especially his mother, he would have argued blindly. What pushed his mother to this? Zoe and Emily strolled closer to them and folded their arms. "Surprised?" She muttered, and he gulped. "What are you doing, mother? Why are you here? Why are you with Jasmine? Don't tell me you've joined hands with her..." He mumbled, and his mother shrugged her shoulders, asserting his speech. His mouth opened and he scoffed. "What are you thinking, Mum? What is wrong with you? Why would you do such a thing?" He retracted his gaze from his mother and moved it to his sister, Emily. "And you? Can't you tell her that this is wrong? Did you join an ou
GENERALRyan drove like a madman to the spot where he was told his wife's car was found. Getting there, he met some cops doing their work. "Mr. Ryan," one of them called the moment he stepped out of his car. "Did you find any clue? Have you checked the dashboard? Isn't there any CCTV in the street?" He hurled questions at the cops, scared. "The card in the dashboard has been removed. We guess the kidnappers took that with them. And for the street CCTV, we've asked the residents here, and they said it isn't working. It was just there as a camouflage," the cop explained, and Ryan hissed. What was happening? Why did bad things keep happening anytime he was happy? Who would dare kidnap his wife and daughter?He ran his fingers through his hair and placed a hand on his waist. He hated that he was helpless. His child and wife had been kidnapped, but he didn't know what to do. How would he save them? Where were they taken to?* "What! My Lexi? Never!" Mrs. Alexandra's eyes widened when
GENERAL "Please, have your seat," Donald said, pulling the chair out for Cinderella to sit on it.She scrutinized the restaurant they visited with admiration in her eyes. She didn't know where they were going before they left home. Donald just told her to dress nicely. She blushed as she took her seat. He walked to the other side and reclined on his seat. "Welcome, ma'am. Welcome, sir. What would you like to take?" A female waitress walked up to them as soon as they settled.Donald picked the menu and skimmed through it. "Seafood, and a bottle of champagne," he responded, handing his debit card over to the waitress. She took the card, bowed curtly, and left to prepare their order. The seafood he chose was Cinderella's favorite. Soon, the waitress arrived with their orders and arranged them on the table. She returned Donald's debit card. "Enjoy your meal," she said and left.Cinderella's eyes sparkled with hunger as she saw the seafood. The urge to dig in surged within her, b
GENERAL "Finally! You've come to visit me," Ryan's grandmother said, grinning as she went to welcome Lexi, Ryan, and Isabelle, their daughter. "Oh, my Goddess! Is this my little Isabelle?" Grandmother asked, ruffling the little girl's hair. "Hello, grandmother," Isabelle greeted with a smile. "Hey, granddaughter. You've become so big," Grandmother said with admiration in her eyes, and they laughed.Lexi went close to her. They prodded into each other's gazes and embraced each other. Tears brimmed in Lexi's eyes. There was no way she would count her blessings and not count her grandmother. In fact, she would count her twice. She was the only one who never looked down on her despite her poor status in the past. She took her like a daughter and made sure she never lacked a thing. Seeing her again after five years brought back memories, and tears strolled down her eyes. "Thank you for everything, Grandmother," Lexi said with a croaky voice. A lump clogged her throat.Breaking th
GENERALLexi and Ryan weren't surprised by their presence. They glanced at them indifferently, waiting to hear why they were there.Zoe swallowed hard. "Hey, son!" She mumbled with a fake smile.With an emotionless expression, Ryan said, "Why are you here, ma'am?"Her eyes widened. She stuttered, "What... What do you mean by that? Why would anyone ask why I am at my son's house?" She darted her stare over Lexi and threw her deadly and hateful glare. Lexi didn't mind the looks from her. In as much as she didn't step her foot into the house. "I thought I told you not to bring your legs here unless you are ready to repent." Why are you here with the devil you birthed?" He snapped at his mother, fixing a cold gaze at her sister, who was hiding behind her mother.Zoe's face changed into horror. She wore a squinty countenance. "What! Did you just call your sister a devil? What has gotten into you? Has this witch messed with your sense of reasoning?" She hurled questions at him, throwing
GENERALJasmine's step slowed as she neared her hideout. It was evident that she was scared. Perhaps not scared. She wasn't just ready for the drama that would follow once she got to where she was staying. As expected, she saw the man she had been staying with, standing outside and looking fierce.With the way he paced up and down, Jasmine discerned that it wouldn't be a good day for her as usual. He was drunk and exasperated. She was going to get beaten for the umpteenth time. When she escaped the prison some weeks back, she met this grumpy man who offered to help her if she agreed to be his wife. Without thinking, she accepted since she was in dire need of help. And that marked the beginning of her misery. If she was beaten today, she would be sexually abused the following day. Should we talk about the dirty streets and the stinky houses? If she was the previous Jasmine, she would have puked the first time she stepped into his house. "Look who is here. The Almighty Jasmine," The