***MIRABELLA'S POV***“Alright, that's the last of it.” I stated as I zipped up the last box. We had packed a lot of things for the trip, our tent, raincoats, lots of snacks, a first aid kid and a lot more.“So grandma and grandpa can't come?” Alfred asked with a sad pout.“Sadly yes. I had no idea there was a number limit to family members but hey, you have me. I'll be with you all through the trip.” I responded with a smile as I tugged at his cheeks playfully.“What about daddy?” Alfred asked while batting his long lashes and I pressed my lips into a thin line.The doorbell went off before I could respond, and I excused myself to get it. The maids had all been sent off on a break. They work hard so we often give them days to rest up.“Easton?” I furrowed my brows on opening the door.“Am I a bit early or...?” Easton dragged his words as he stared at me with uncertainty and it finally dawned on me that we were supposed to go on the trip together. I had forgotten about that for a spli
****EASTON'S POV***“Okay so first we'll begin with our scavenger hunt. Each family will be given a map and a list of treasures to find. Once you locate each item, take a photo of it and move on to the next. The family with the most collection by the end of the game wins. We will be awarding five winners but everyone will still get a prize for their participation, however the winners will be offered the grand prize.” Gina explained and everyone listened intently.I glanced at Alfred and noticed the excitement in his eyes. This really meant a lot to him, and I felt the urge to impress him during this trip.“Alright so everyone will get a speaker phone so we can all stay connected. Call out to us if you encounter any difficulty on your way and feel free to return to base if you get exhausted along the line. This is supposed to be a fun game, so while you're at it, make the most of your time with your kids.” Gina added and we all applauded her after her speech.I was able to count about
***MIRABELLA'S POV***My cheekbones were hurting at this point from the constant smiling and laughing. Easton and Alfred were such characters, and no, we didn't win the flag game.Apparently Easton captured the wrong flag, more like he captured our own flag instead of our rivals' and had it taken away from him. It was such a fun sight to watch and I never stopped teasing him about it.Tomorrow would be the last day of the trip and Gina said we would all go hiking. I wasn't a fan of climbing mountains but I won't mind trying something new. My ankles felt a better now as Easton had massaged them both with a heat balm before the game. Now we were all seated around a small campfire with fresh marshmallows to roast. I watched with a smile on my face as Easton showed Alfred how to stick the marshmallows to the edge of the stick and the proper way to roast it. Their bond was truly sublime.“Here mommy, this one's for you.” Alfred said as he passed me the marshmallow he had roasted.“Thank
***MIRABELLA'S POV*** Remember when I said I wasn't a fan of climbing mountains? Well that's not the only thing I dislike at this point. It was the last day of the trip and we had all gone hiking, everything was going well until a large spider fell on my hair from one of the trees. “Are you still grumpy over one little spider?” Easton asked, and I glared at him. "That wasn't one little spider! It was a really big one!" I snapped and he laughed at me. Somehow it seemed to calm my nerves but I was still upset. “I didn't know you were this afraid of spiders.” He said with a chuckle. “You clearly don't know anything about me at all.” I responded with a frown and his smiles faded away immediately. Did I say something wrong? “I guess you're right, I really don't.” He responded with a long sigh. “Well here's your chance then.” I said with a smile before walking ahead to meet up with Alfred who was with Sandy and her father. We were halfway through the marked-out road, with Gina expl
***MIRABELLA'S POV*** “Earth to Mirabella.” Roman's voice snapped me out of my trance and I glanced up at him with a smile. “What did you say?” I asked him and a small frown appeared on his face. “You've been this way since you got back from the trip last week and yet you won't tell me what happened. Anyway, I was just reminding you of our new client coming in this afternoon, I hope you still remember?” He asked in a somewhat serious tone and I bobbed my head. “Logan West, yeah I remember.” I responded and he nodded. “Now can you tell me what happened? Did everything go well with Easton?” “The trip was really fun and Alfred loved every moment of it.” I replied with a bright smile and Roman raised a brow at me. “Just Alfred?” “Okay fine. You can say that things between Easton and I have changed since after the trip.” I responded and Roman smiled faintly. “So you're giving him a second chance?” He asked but I could sense a small warning in his question. “I mean, you're the one
***EASTON'S POV*** Mirabella's words kept repeating at the back of my mind as I watched her retreating figure. I couldn't understand what went wrong. We were doing just fine and I thought I was finally succeeding in winning her over but hearing her say those words, I knew she was back to being cold towards me, but why? “Mr. Grey, your fiancé is still waiting for you in your office.” Emma said and I furrowed my brows. “My fiancé?” I asked with a frown and she nodded slightly. “A lady came by earlier looking for you. She said she was your fiance so—” “So you let her into my office?!” I snapped and Emma flinched. “I'm sorry sir, I really thought she was your fiance —” "So you're saying that anyone that comes by claiming to be a family member, you'll just let them into my office?!" “I'm sorry sir, it won't happen again.” Emma said with her head bowed low and I shut my eyes, trying to calm my nerves. “It better not happen again.” I said in a warning tone before walking away and hea
***MIRABELLA'S POV*** “Let me take that.” Roman said as he collected the bags from me. “Thank you.” I responded with a slight smile as we walked into his apartment. “Mommy, why did we suddenly move?” Alfred asked with a curious gaze. “Mommy needs to take care of a few things so it's best if we stay where it's more convenient.” I responded but the look of Alfred's face told me he didn't buy my excuse. Of course he wouldn't, he was a smart kid. “But what of Grandma and Grandpa? Why can't I stay with them?” He asked with a slight frown. "Roman will take you to see your grandparents whenever you want, Alfred." I responded with a smile and he nodded a response. “I'll put your things in the guest room.” Roman said with a slight smile and I nodded before settling down on the couch. I let out a long sigh as I ran my hand through my hair. I wasn't running away, I just needed space. “All settled in.” Roman said as he came out of the room and sat on the opposite couch next to me. “Th
***MIRABELLA'S POV***“All packed up?” Roman asked as he walked into the living room and I bobbed my head, smiling slightly.“How long did you say you'll be gone for?” “Just a day. I'll be back after inspecting the property. We should get there in about 8-9 hours so I'll have time to inspect everything.” I responded and Roman bobbed his head.“Do you need me to come with? I will cancel my program for today and go with you if you just say the word.”“I can take care of myself, Roman. You don't need to worry about me.” I responded with a reassuring smile and Roman let out a sigh.“Alright then, I'll drop you off at the airport before heading to the office.”I didn't refuse his offer as I knew it was the only way to put his mind at ease. I was going to Malibu, California to inspect the property Logan had mentioned during our meeting. I needed to gather as much information as I could to build up a strong case in court.The court hearing was a few days away and this was the last step for
Wow, I can't believe we actually came to the end of this book. I have a lot to say, a whole lot. Firstly, I'd like to express my gratitude to you all my amazing readers. You all have been my biggest encouragement. Your support kept me going and I really hope that your time spent on my book was all worth it. From Mirabella and Easton's story, to Alfred and Sandy's story, to Kiara and Gabriel's story, to Hailey and Danzel's story, thank you all for sticking until the end. But this isn't the end, I have begun a new book to keep y'all entertained. Reborn As The Lycan's Luna will begin March 1st and I assure y'all you'll love it too. If you've come this far, then please kindly drop a review. I would love to know your thoughts on my story as it helps me to improve in my writing. Thank you so so much for your support, I'm truly grateful. Best regards, ©️Cathystar
~SANDY~I felt my palms getting wet as I was called out onto the podium to give my speech.I had imagined this day since the first day I got into Ousen University, and now it was finally here but now, I felt really anxious. What if I said the wrong things, what if I slipped while climbing onto the podium and fell?Why were my thoughts suddenly so wicked?I should be confident in myself. I came this far, I survived all the hardship, all the challenges and the best part of it all, was that among the audience, my family and everyone I loved was present.Uncle Roman, my grandparents Lionel and Lucia, my granddaughter Martha, my adoptive parents Easton and Mirabella, my sister Kiara, my best friends Hailey and Gabriel, my new friends Natasha and Danzel, my Aunt Paulina and her children, and lastly, the love of my life, Alfred Grey.They were all present, and cheering me on. I found my confidence the moment I got up on that podium and saw their smiling faces.“I thank everyone who is presen
~DANZEL~I groaned as I heard the loud banging on the door to my room. “Danzel, don't you have a morning shift or something today? Why are you still in bed?” I heard Jeffery's voice yapping nonstop and I finally pulled myself out of the bed.I just wanted to sleep in today. I didn't feel like going anywhere but the problem is I haven't felt like going out ever since Hailey left here that night.I felt so stupid for hurting her. She didn't deserve it. She didn't deserve someone like me, she deserved better.She had genuinely made herself vulnerable by telling me how she felt and I coldly shattered her heart. I let her down real hard and it has haunted me every night and day.“Dude what the hell? Are you sick or something? You haven't left the house for a week now.” Jeffery asked worriedly as I finally let him into my room.“I'm fine, I just need a little rest.” I responded but he didn't seem convinced.“You said that yesterday and every other day before. What's going on with you?”I s
~HAILEY~“You got everything?” Mom asked as I zipped up my box, ready to leave.“Yes, I think.” I responded, my gaze scrutinizing the room to be certain I wasn't forgetting anything.When I was certain I had it all, I pulled my luggage downstairs. Sandy and Kiara were both waiting for me.Kiara was celebrating her nineteenth birthday this weekend and I decided to spend the week with them since we were on a school break as well.“Don't worry, Mrs. Jordan, we will take good care of her.” Sandy reassured my mom and I chuckled softly.“I trust you will. Have fun sweetheart.” Mom said as I hugged her goodbye.“I'll call you the moment we arrive.” I said and she nodded in response, giving us the green light to leave.The ride back to New York was a rather quiet one, until Kiara broke the silence.“So no one is going to say anything? Come on, tell me how it went!” Kiara beamed and I pressed my lips into a thin line.I wish I had never confessed to Danzel but at the same time, I had no regret
~HAILEY~ I opened the door, letting Sandy and Kiara in. They wanted to meet my mom before they headed back. Funny how five minutes after refusing to come with them, I had changed my mind and agreed to it.I wanted to spend more time with Sandy and school break was around the corner, so maybe I could leave then, and come back on resumption.“This is my first time being in your house in Pennsylvania. We mostly met up at your apartment next to school or you would come see me.” Sandy pointed out and I slowly bobbed my head.She's been talking nonstop about things we used to do and things we never did. I could see that she was making a lot of efforts to get me to remember, but even my mom couldn't make that happen.I guess I was the one slowly blocking my memories or something. I thought I would miraculously remember once I met Sandy, but even Sandy seemed strange to me at some point, while another, she was familiar.“My mom should be home shortly. Do you need anything while you wait?” I
~HAILEY~ Sandy's eyes teared up the moment I called out her name and she immediately rushed towards me, engulfing me in a tight hug. “Hailey! My God it's you!” She cried out and I found myself crying as well. I could feel her love for me radiating through her every being. Just like my mom, I didn't have to remember her to know that she was truly an important part of my life. She was my best friend, and I'm certain she was also like a sister to me. “I have missed you so much!” She pulled out of the hug, her gaze scrutinizing me from top to bottom. I suddenly felt a light smack on my shoulder and turned to the side to see the blue eyed lady glaring daggers at me. “How could you?! How could you ghost us like that?! How could you abandon Sandy like that?! Did your friendship mean so little to you?! Did we mean so little to you?!” She kept on ranting and I felt a bit overwhelmed with confusion. “You vanished without a warning. Did you know how worried we all were?” She asked but I
~HAILEY~ What the hell was I thinking?! What in the world made me think I could juggle working and studying at the same time?! I swear I would faint if I got there one more time. I barely had time to do anything, and to think I've only been there for a week! “Hailey, come help me off load the new stocks.” Charity, my work colleague called out and I let out a heavy sigh. I couldn't remember the last time I had a goodnight's rest. My weekdays were taken by school and my weekends were taken by work! Even Sundays weren't any exception. “You can quit now before it's too late.” Danzel's words to me on my second day echoed in my mind. I hated that he was so certain I couldn't handle the work. I wanted to prove him wrong, but at this moment, I think I wouldn't mind raising my white flag. “Have you been sleeping well? You have visible eyebags.” Charity pointed out and I let out a frustrated groan as we restocked the shelves with the new products. Today was Saturday, and since I didn't
~HAILEY~ The moment my name left his lips, I felt my pent up anger melting away instantly. I mean who cares if he ghosted me, that smile was more than enough to make me forget it all. “Danny!” My happiness was short lived the moment a blonde haired lady ran up to him and engulfed him in a tight hug. “We missed you at the party. I'm hosting another this weekend though. Do you think you can make it?” She asked but all the while, Danzel's gaze was fixated on me, and I found myself not being able to look away. At first I wanted to murder the blondy with my gaze but seeing how Danzel didn't even reciprocate her hug, it reassured me that she wasn't his girlfriend. “I didn't know you attended Bucknell. What a coincidence.” Danzel said to me, his expression blank but his gaze still held mine. I eventually gave up and looked away. Something about the way he stared at me always made me feel weak in the knees. “I didn't know you were an engineering student as well. I guess you're multi ta
~HAILEY~ “There you go. All done.” The nurse at the clinic said as she finished wrapping the bandage under my feet. “How long will I stay like this?” I frowned as I stared at my legs. Just when I was finally getting back on my feet, now I will be forced to go back to wheelchair until it's all healed up. “I would say about two weeks. Thankfully the cut wasn't so deep so it shouldn't take too long to heal up.” The nurse responded with a smile and I let out a sigh. “What were you thinking, Hailey? Why would you step on broken glass pieces like that?” Mom scolded. I lowered my gaze. I had no idea what happened. The only thing on my mind was the memory flash I had. Why was I on that bus? Why did only I survive out of everyone on that bus? While I was being wheeled to the clinic, I had done a little digging from the phone on the accident. That's how I found out about everything. Everyone else in that bus had died. “Hailey, are you listening?” Mom's voice pulled me out of my though