NOT INVITED

EASTON’S POV

“Who was she?” I asked Nicole, eagerly awaiting her response. We had arrived at her place and were heading towards the building.

“Charlotte Benson! Can you believe it?!” Nicole exclaimed and I unknowingly put on a deadpan expression. Charlotte isn’t even someone I know personally; she’s an old acquaintance of Nicole from our college days.

“It’s okay if you don’t remember her since it’s been years since we last saw her.” Nicole said, and I let out a sigh, disappointed that the woman didn’t turn out to be Mirabella.

“Are you certain you wouldn’t like me to accompany you?” Nicole asked when I was about to head back to the car.

“You should get some rest; I’ll see you tomorrow.”  I replied but she held onto my arm.

“How about staying over tonight? We haven’t seen each other in two weeks, and-”

“I have work to take care of Nicole.” I diligently turned her down. I just wanted to take a long nap after the stress of the day and to stop thinking about some stranger from an airport. I wasn’t in the mood for whatever Nicole had planned that evening.

“Oh, I understand. Another day then.” Nicole said it with a smile on her face, trying to mask her disappointment. I gave her a simple nod before leaving her apartment. I drove straight to my parents’ place, as I had discussed with Nicole. I knew we would end up arguing, like Nicole said, so I prepared myself prior to that.

My parents weren’t in the living room when I got in, a maid told me they were in the garden, and I went to meet them right away.

Upon arriving, I could hear my mother laughing, which had not happened much in this house since my divorce. I shrugged it off and headed toward them. They both had smiles on their faces as they stared at a piece of paper, but as soon as my father heard me walking, he looked up and folded the paper quickly.

“You came home?” Mother asked, her smile getting replaced with a frown.

“Will you stay over this time around?” Father asked, his face void of all expressions. I had the impression that they were keeping something from me, but I didn’t give a damn at the time. I was prepared for a heated confrontation with them that night, so it was satisfying to see that they had not brought up my case within the first minute of my arrival.

“I’ll spend the night and then leave in the morning.” I said that and turned around before they could give me a response.

Even after six years, my parents continue to remind me about my divorce on a regular basis. And without Mirabelle’s mediating, our relationship got even worse. That’s why I don’t often stay at my house. Moreover, this place reminds me of Mirabelle a lot...

I left my parents in the yard and quickly made my way to my room. A maid was waiting for me outside the door of my room.

***

I woke up quite late the next day, and I noticed that my parents had been out. It’s odd because they even didn’t leave me a note.

The maid brought me some coffee shortly after and I asked her where my parents were headed. She might be new here with her hands trembling when I stopped her.

“The masters left early this morning after receiving an invitation to a welcome party last night.” She responded with a slight bow after.

“A welcoming party?” I furrowed my brows. “And which family is hosting this party?” I asked curiously.

“The Brookwood family, sir. They’re celebrating the return of their daughter.” She replied.

Their daughter’s return? They had just one daughter, therefore if the maid’s account is true, then…

I was at a loss for words at the time. I wasn’t sure if I should have been happy to hear the news or upset because my parents had kept it from me. They would still be angry with me over the divorce, of course, but hiding it from me could only mean that I wasn’t invited.

I don’t know what the feeling inside my heart is, but when I regained my composure, I found myself in my car, driving toward the Brookwood estate, to Mirabella.

***

The celebration had already begun when I arrived at the Brookwood estate. Many had come to celebrate the return of Mirabella. Persons that I was personally unaware of. They were all laughing and chatting, and I could see how happy and excited they were.

I headed toward the main building and, as I was about to step inside, I noticed an elegant beauty approximately fifteen feet away. Her dark, silky hair obscured part of her face, just like the woman I’d seen at the airport, but then she pulled it back behind her ears, revealing her face.

 'It’s her!’ I exclaimed within.

My heart started to race inside my chest, and I experienced a knotting sensation in my stomach. Although Mirabella has always been stunning, her appearance today was truly captivating. In contrast to the ray of sunlight that seemed to have come out specifically to highlight her attractiveness, her rosy skin shimmered.

She had on a satin mini dress with an open back that stopped just above her knees, paired with matching black shoes. She had grown considerably more curvaceous compared to the last time I saw her. Mirabella had such a poised and self-assured charm that I was initially hesitant to approach her. I just observed as she grinned broadly and greeted the guests.

At last, I worked up the nerve to walk up to her, but as I was about to step forward, a child darted toward her.

“Mommy!”

My eyes went wide in shock as I stared at the duo.

“Mommy?”