HELLO WESTWOOD.... I AM BACK

💍 CHAPTER 6 💍

Melina and her kids finally arrived at Westwood International Airport together with Barbera. Shantel and Leon were excited to finally see the huge city they'd heard so much about.

"Mommy, this airport is very huge and classic. And they are a lot of people here. I like it!" Shantel, who was more enthusiastic remarked, a bright beam on her face. Melina held the little girl while Barbera held Leon as they made their way to the arrival section.

While waiting at the arrival section, someone spotted them and started waving at them.

"Melina! Over here!" A feminine voice called out and when Melina's eyes spotted her, waves of unexplainable happiness washed down her. There, standing not so far from her and her kids was her longtime best friend, Abigail but there was someone else with her, a little girl of about 4 years old.

The two women, now overwhelmed with emotions ran to each other in a very tight hug, tears of happiness running down their faces.

"Oh, Melina. It's been so fucking long. I missed you so much" Abigail mumbled in tears. It's been seven years since the two best friends saw each other. Yes, they kept in touch over the phone, making sure to call each other whenever they got the chance but nothing felt better than seeing each other again.

"How have you been, Mila?" The two women finally got a hold of their tears and pulled out of the hug.

"I've been doing great" Melina chuckled.

"And you?"

"What do you think?"

"You're looking amazing, Abby. I can't believe it's been seven years"

"I'm really sorry I couldn't make it to your wedding. I couldn't even share that day of joy with you"

"It's fine, Mila. It was nobody's fault. Besides, we shouldn't be talking about that now. We should be talking about you. Take a look at how more breathtaking you've become. I'm sure you were killing all the single men in Bordertown" Abigail teased making Melina laugh heartily.

"Oh, come on, Abby. Stop it. You still haven't changed this behavior of yours"

"Hey, forget the fact that I've added a little bit of weight due to, you know, pregnancy stuff. I'm still the same Abigail seven years ago, nothing has changed" The two women were now laughing together. It was indeed a healthy reunion.

"By the way, Mila. I will like you to meet my little angel. The greatest gift life has given me."

"Serena, say hi to Aunty Melina."

Melina's eyes landed on the cute little girl Abigail was holding and a smile crept up her lips.

"Hi, Aunty. I'm so happy to see you. You're my mom's best friend, right? I also want to have a best friend like you. Mommy always say that you're the bestest best friend in the world."

"Awwnn" Melina's heart literally melted. Serena's voice was just so angelic.

"It's so nice to meet you, Serena" She smiled.

"By the way, where is Aunt Barbara?"

"Oh, so you finally decided to remember me" Barbera who have been present all while the two women were busy with each other remarked.

"Oh, Aunt. I'm so sorry, I didn't see you" Abigail hugged the old woman who let out a slight chuckle.

"I didn't know you were here all this while. I was just so happy to see my bestie again."

"I understand, Abigail."

"Thank you so much, Aunt Barbara for taking very good care of my bestie. She's looking fine, she's looking great, she's looking... sweet. Thank you so much."

"It's nothing. Melina is like a daughter to me. If I don't take care of her, who will?"

"I will!" Shantel who was standing beside Barbera exclaimed. Abigail was surprised to see the cute little girl who had a bright smile on her face.

"Hi, Aunty. My name is Shantel and I'm my mom's favorite!" The little girl introduced herself and got an eye roll from Leon who was standing beside her. Abigail was amused and speechless as to how much the little girl looked like Melina.

"You must be aunt, Abigail, right?"

"Yes"

"Mommy has told us so much about you and I'm so happy to finally meet you. You're so pretty, Aunty."

Abigail blushed at the compliment the little girl gave her.

"And you're even more pretty, Shantel"

"Just like Mommy, right?"

"Yes, just like your mother" Abigail chuckled happily. She was already loving this little girl. Her eyes landed on Leon who was busy looking around the airport. The little boy was busy examining how ecstatic, uncluttered, and well organized the airport was.

"Just perfect" He mumbled to himself much to Abigail's surprise.

"And who is this handsome little cutie here?"

"Hi, Aunty. I'm Leon. Shantel and I are twins. Nice to meet you" The little boy introduced wryly.

"Awnn, you two are so adorable. I think he resembles their father"

Melina smiled faintly and mumbled.

"Maybe"

"Hi little girl, what's your name?" Shantel was now speaking to Serena who replied,

"Serena"

"You have a beautiful name and voice, Serena"

"Thank you. And you're pretty, Shantel."

"Thank you."

"Well since we are all here, how about we go have some fun at my place!"

"Yey!" Shantel was more than eager to go.

"Ok, let's go"

They were all about to move when Melina spotted Ethan from afar running towards them. Melina was taken aback.

"Oh, thank goodness! Thank goodness I made it on time" Ethan pulled a break on his legs on getting to them, panting heavily.

"My apologies for arriving late, Miss Melina. I couldn't outrun traffic." The young man was already sweating profusely.

"Ethan, what...are you doing here?" Melina couldn't help but ask.

"Boss sent me to...I mean!..."

"I'm here to pick you up and take you to your new apartment." Ethan quickly corrected with a nervous chuckle. He didn't want to reveal to Melina that his Boss, for the first time since he started working for him, instructed him specifically to make sure Melina and her kids gets to the apartment he had set up for them safely.

"New apartment?"

"Yes. Every new employee of the HARTLESS EMPIRE is given a new apartment to reside in. That's all part of the employee benefits. And each employee is given an apartment based on which is suitable for him or her."

Melina was dumbfounded. She didn't remember coming across something like that when she was signing the contract. But all the more she was delighted. At least living in a free apartment will help her save more money so she can enroll her kids at a better school.

"Wow, Mila. Let's go check out your new apartment and celebrate there instead"

"Mommy, who is this handsome uncle?" Shantel asked, goggling blankly at Ethan. Ethan was surprised when he saw Shantel but the moment his eyes landed on Leon, they widened greatly in shock.

Wait a damn minute!

Are his eyes playing tricks on him? Or is he now seeing things? How is it that this little boy looks exactly like his Boss?!

"Shantel, this is Uncle Ethan"

"Hi Uncle Ethan, I am Shantel and I'm my mom's favorite. Nice to meet you" The little girl snapped Ethan out of his thoughts.

"Nice to meet you, Shantel"

"Come on, Leon. At least say hi to Uncle Ethan" Shantel glared at Leon who wasn't even interested with all the unnecessary pleasantries. The little boy didn't see the need for it.

"Hi, uncle" He replied dryly.

"Oh boy, do you look exactly like my boss?" Ethan blurted out with a chuckle.

"Is your boss my father?" Leon raised a brow at Ethan with folded arms.

"And speaks exactly like him. Someone tell me this is just a coincidence." Ethan remarked.

"Well since everyone is here, we better get going. The kids need to rest from a long flight."

"My apologies, Ma'am. Let's go" Ethan bowed slightly and signaled the two men who were with him to help Melina with their luggage.

They were all taken to their new apartment; a three-bedroom flat, just perfect for Melina, her kids, and of course Barbera. The apartment had everything they needed, including foodstuffs that will last up to two months. Melina and Abigail prepared lunch for everyone, including Ethan who was asked to join them.

They all ate together, Melina and Abigail chitchatting about the old days. Soon, everyone left.

By the time Melina and Barbara together with Shantel and Leon were done arranging everything, it was already late. After taking their bath, Shantel and Leon reclined in their new room and so did Barbera.

Melina was now on the balcony, staring at the full moon and bright stars in the sky. A deep sigh left her lips.

Finally, she was back to her hometown. Everything was just the same as it was seven years ago except that there were new buildings. It was just as if time paused and waited for her to come back.

She couldn't believe that a time will come when she will have to come back to her past.

But Aunt Barbara was right; this is no longer her past, this is her present, and this is her life now. And now that she is back, she is going to prove everyone who abandoned her wrong. She is going to reveal to them that she survived without them; that she was able to make it on her own.

A soft laugh left Melina's lips and she exclaimed;

"Well, Hello Westwood... I AM BACK...