SHANTEL AND LEON

              💍 CHAPTER 3 💍

         YEARS LATER

The door of a building was pushed open and a totally different Melina walked in. Dressed in a simple yet fashionable jumpsuit, her hair tied up in a neat ponytail that brought out the smoothness of her face, she walked elegantly and gracefully into the building. As she stepped through, all the workers stood up and greeted her with a slight bow.

"Good morning, Miss Melina. Welcome "

Melina eagerly returned their greetings with a broad smile before making her way to her small office. Plunging to the chair, she leaned back, resting her head with her eyes closed and a bright smile on her lips. She took out her phone and dialed a number.

The call connected immediately.

"Hello, Aunt "

"Hello, my dear. Have you arrived at work? "

"Yes, Aunt. I just got there now. Are my two little happiness still asleep? "

"They are fully awake, my dear. The only reason you're not hearing their voices is that they are in the bathroom, brushing... 

"Grandma, we're done brushing! So what's next?!" Two little voices quickly interrupted Barbera and a soft laugh left Melina's lips.

"You spoke way too soon, Aunt "

"Grandma, who is on the phone? Is it Mommy?! We want to talk to her, we want to talk to her! " 

Melina threw her head back and laughed heartily.

It's been six good years since she left her hometown and everything in her life has changed. Months later after she left, she found out she was carrying twins instead; a boy and a girl, and she couldn't contain the joy inside her.

She decided to pursue her goal despite being pregnant because, since day one, Melina was never interested in politics like her father wanted her to be. Instead, she wanted to become a fashionista. With the help of Barbera and the little money she saved from working part-time, she furthered her education to a fashion and design school. And even after giving birth to her two adorable little angels; Shantel and Leon, she didn't drop out.

After years of hard work, Melina finally finished schooling.

Now, she was a very successful fashionista and also a cloth model, working in the biggest Clothing and Design company in Bordertown, the small city she left Westwood to with her aunt. She has won a lot of awards for being the top best fashionista of the year.

Things have been going great. She made sure to give her kids the best life they could ever wish for and shower them with the love her parents never gave her. Despite how busy she is, she will always have time for them. 

And as for her kids, they and Barbera has always been her backbone.

But every once in a while,

"Mommy, when is Daddy coming back? " Shantel asked the one question she always bring up. The smile on Melina's face died down in a split second.

"Is he not done with his business trip yet? Does he love his work more than us? " 

When her kids turned three and could now understand what a complete family looked like, they asked Melina where their Daddy was and she lied to them that their father was on a business trip. Since then, her kids wouldn't stop questioning her especially whenever they go to school and hear other children talking about what their father did for them.

"Shantel, my baby. Daddy is not done yet but that doesn't mean he loves his business more than you. He will be back very soon, ok? I promise, he will." Melina didn't like that she was lying once again to her baby.

"Ok, Mommy. We believe you. "

"So tell me, have you both prepared for school? Are all your school accessories in your various bags? "

"Yes, Mom. All that is remaining is to eat and we're off. Grandma has prepared some delicious pancakes for us " Leon answered. Melina's smile resurfaced.

"That's good "

"Mommy will be going now. I need to get back to work. The both of you should enjoy your day at school, ok? And Leon... "

"Yes, Mom "

"Make sure to protect your sister. You know I always leave her in your care "

"You have that covered, Mom "

"Hey! But that's unfair, Mommy. I'm not a kid anymore so why do I need Leon to protect me? I can protect myself " Shantel huffed and Melina could already imagine how red and puffed her big cheeks must be now. She chuckled.

"Ok now. You both should go and eat. Give grandma back the phone "

"Bye, Mommy. We love you! " Melina could feel her heart melt hearing that from them.

"I love you both too "

The phone was given back to Barbera.

"Don't you think it's about time you tell them the truth about their father? They're six now and I'm sure they would understand "

"I will, Aunt. I will, very soon. I'm just waiting for the right time" Melina mumbled with a sigh.

"It's alright, dear. Let me send them off to school. Enjoy your day "

"You too, Aunt "

Melina let out a deep sigh, her head rested on the chair. Almost then, a knock came.

"Come in "

A young lady entered.

"Good morning, Ma'am" 

"Good morning, Lily. Any update? " 

"Yes, Ma'am. All the designs you introduced last week have been successfully completed. You can take a look at them later. But for now, all novice employees have reported their presence. They are waiting for you to start the training, Ma'am." Lily reported.

"Hmm. That's good."

"Also, Ma'am. Director Maxwell wants to speak to you. He is in his office, waiting."

"Is everything ok?." Melina questioned with a slight frown.

"Of course. He's actually in a good mood today." Lily chuckled and Melina smiled faintly.

"Ok. You can go now." 

Lily bowed and left. Melina stood up and left too. She knocked on getting to the supposed Director's office and a voice ushered her in from inside.

"Good morning, Mr. Maxwell. You called for me."

"Oh, Melina, dear! Welcome! Have a seat " A middle-aged man, seated on his chair with his protruded belly begging to be let free from the almost tight shirt he was putting, clamored, his eyes glittering in excitement.

Melina let out a scoff before sitting.

"You seem to be in a very good mood today, Mr. Maxwell. Can I know the cause of your joy?."

"Well, of course, you will, Melina, you will." Mr. Maxwell chortled.

"Finally, after all these years, EXMO CLOTHING AND DESIGN COMPANY is getting the recognition it truly deserves. Soon, people all around the world will come to know of us. More investors will start coming and we will finally expand to various branches all around the world! " Mr. Maxwell wasn't making any sense to Melina who stared at the overexcited man with confusion.

"Can you head to the point already, Mr. Maxwell? "

"Ok, sorry " Maxwell let out a slight cough.

"We are having a special visitor tomorrow."

"Dominic Hartless, the richest and most powerful man of Westwood is coming to visit us! "

"Mr. Hartless has recently intruded the fashion industry and wanted to introduce the best clothing industry in his city. EXMO was among the companies he was recommended to try out. Can you believe this, Melina? "

Melina on the other hand wasn't even listening to what Maxwell was blabbering. The moment he had mentioned Westwood, her mind wandered back to the memories she has been trying to forget.

"Melina, are you even listening? " Maxwell's question snapped the lost woman out of her thoughts.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Maxwell. I didn't listen attentively."

"It's fine. But I'm sure you heard what I said. "

"Yes."

"Perfect! I want us to give Mr. Hartless the absolute best even more than what he would ask for. We have to present our top best design so far so I'm leaving everything to your care, Melina. Can you handle that, Melina? "

"I will try my best, Mr. Maxwell."

"Splendid! I know I can always trust you! That's why your my top fashionista! "

Melina let out a slight scoff. This man is just overdramatic.

"Is that all? Can I leave now? "

"Of course, you can! Enjoy the rest of today"

Melina stood up and left. The gloom in her face quickly reappeared when Westwood came playing in her mind again.

"I wonder how Mom and Dad are doing? Are they living fine? Have they already forgotten about me?"

×. ×. ×

"Shantel! Leon! I'm back!" Melina announced as she stepped foot into her house. She was back from work.

"They won't hear you. They're pretty much busy upstairs." Barbera who was stepping out of the kitchen muttered.

"Good evening, Aunt." 

"Mila, my dear. Welcome"

"Thank you. What are my two little angels doing upstairs?"

"Those geniuses. Well, Shantel is in my room dancing and singing. Since they came back from school, I haven't heard a thing apart from her voice. My ears should be bleeding by now." 

"And as for, Leon, you know what he's doing by now."

"Playing video games. Yeah, I know " Melina laughed and Barbera joined her.

Shantel and Leon were indeed two very unique and smart kids who were way smarter than their age. Shantel from a very young age loved dancing and singing. Melina and Barbera noticed Shantel's love for music from as little as when she was three. And the older she gets, the more perfect she becomes with her dance steps. Whenever she comes back from school, she would go to Barbera's room to practice and pull the whole building down with her angelic voice.

Leon on the other hand was a master of drawing and of course, gagets. Barbera always refers to him as 'the little engineer' as he would always experiment with any electronic device he lays his hand on. There isn't any gadget in this world Leon can't handle.

"You should go and freshen up, Melina. Dinner is ready. I will go and call Shantel and Leon"

"Don't worry, Aunt. Let me do that" Melina headed upstairs. She was still at the stairs when,

"And oh, I forget to tell you, dear. We will be having a visitor this evening"

"Who?"

"It's a surprise, Melina...