CELINE POV-When we arrived at the mall except for the staff and security guards, there was no one else but the four of us.“Wow! We’re the only people here.” Sunny commented in amazement.“Did you rent the entire mall?” I pump Lance.“Yeah. So that we can enjoy it. Sunny can't be with the many people in the mall.”“Yes, she is, but you don’t have to do this. What about the other people who–”“Celine, don’t think about other people first. I only rented this mall, not the entire mall in Chicago. Also, Sunny could enjoy the mall without worrying and without you worrying about what might happen to her because of the crowded people.”I watch Sunny and Skye holding hands. Sunny pointed at the playground that we can’t go to sometimes or, if we did, we didn't last more than five minutes because of the number of people and children playing there.I think Lance is right, maybe it’s not bad to be a little bit egoistic for the happiness of my kids.“Mummy, can we go there first?” Sunny asked wh
CELINE POV-Our meal at the restaurant was good, and most of all, we enjoyed it. After we ate, we went grocery shopping, and since the kids were already feeling tired, it was already night when we finished grocery shopping, so we went home.“Mummy, will Lance come here again?” Skye asked after I applied lotion to him.“I think. Why? Do you want to play him again?”He nodded. “Yes.”“I will ask him when he will come here again.”I think Lance will come to see the kids every day, but I still don’t want to promise them without assurance. Lance still has a lot of work, and I’ll understand if he doesn’t come here every day.“I hope he can come here,” Sunny said when I was applying the lotion to her. “Mummy, isn’t Daddy Tristan coming here?”“It will take some time before he visits us. He was working far away.”“I miss him too.”“Let’s go to bed. You have to go to school early tomorrow.” I immediately changed the subject.As I placed the comforter on their bodies, they fell asleep in less
[ NEW YORK ]..LANCE POV-When I got off the private jet, my lawyer answered my call. “Have you finished everything I asked you to revise?”“Yes, Sir. Will you pick it up now?”“Yes. I’ll be there in less than five minutes.”I didn't wait for him to say anything, but instead I immediately got into the car after my personell gave me the keys. The time I stepped on the gas pedal, I wasted no time and drove the car at full speed.While driving, I accidentally glanced at the rear-view mirror, and I saw myself smiling. I didn’t notice I was smiling like this again, thinking of my own family. This day was the happiest thing that happened to me that I will treasure until my last breath.It made me realize that there is no equivalent or value to being with my own family. I want to be with them every day; when I wake up, they are the ones I want to be with and see until the end of the day.I regret everything I did to them, and I am so grateful that Celine became the mother of my children. I
CELINE POV-“Mummy, this is delicious!” Sunny praised what I had cooked.I made a simple spinach dish. I boiled the spinach to soften it, mixed it with tomatoes to reduce bitterness and trout fish to give it a more delicious flavor, and I partnered with brown rice so they would be full and have more nutrients in their food.“Mummy, is Lance coming here?” Sunny asked.I noticed Skye suddenly stopped eating. It seemed like he was also waiting for Lance; he just couldn’t say or ask.“I’m not sure. I haven’t talked to him yet,” I replied to them.I want to surprise them by saying that Lance and I will take them to school.I gaze at Skye. “Continue your food; you might be late for school,” I reminded him.“Yes, Mummy.”After we ate, I helped them brush their teeth, then washed our dishes and returned to my children in the living room.I eye at the digital clock next to the TV. We had to leave so the kids wouldn’t be late for school, but Lance wasn’t here yet.Not long after, someone rang
LANCE POV-“Lance.” Hannah stopped me.Hendrix lifted one side of his lips.I tightened my grip on his collar. “You and your brother, you both stay away from Celine.”“Don’t forget you’re not in your territory.”He seized my hand and released my grip on his collar.“Lance!” Hannah whispered loudly and pulled my suit from behind to make me sit up. “I will let this go, as compensation for what your men did in helping Lucian during your wedding,” he said while fixing his tangled collar.I turned to Hannah for an explanation. She shrugged her shoulders, not knowing what Hendrix was talking about.“What are you talking about?” I asked him.“Lucian went to Fire-Hart Castle six years ago,” he casually answered.Six years ago, that was the time I got married there.“He is with a woman, which is why your man let him in.”He is with a woman; it’s possible that Celine was with him. That means that day she was there and witnessed it. I didn’t know she was there that day. Surely she herded every
CELINE POV - When I arrived at the hotel, I noticed that there were people working at the former Stellar restaurant's place. “Madame Celine, you’ve arrived here. I was planning to come to you at the cemetery.” “Ah, yes. I left there early it because—” Possibly he’ll tell Lance that Tristan and I met. “What’s being done there?” I changed the subject as I pointed to the former Stellar restaurant’s place. “Matthew’s restaurant is opening soon.” “Matthew’s restaurant? Hannah’s brother Dylan’s restaurant, right?” “Yes, Madame. Would you like to take a look?” “Is that okay?” I’m curious that Dylan agreed to have a branch here, from New York to Chicago. Christine and Astrid had told me before Dylan didn’t want Matthew’s restaurant to have multiple branches because it was too tiring for Dylan. “Yes, Madame. Let’s go? I’ll join you inside.” I nodded and followed Conrad. When we entered, it was no different from the main branch in New York; it was just a smaller place
CELINE POV - “Good morning, sweethearts!” Sabrina greeted us warmly as we entered the kitchen. “Good morning, Auntie!” The kids greeted back at the same time. “Are you leaving?” I asked Sabrina while supporting the kids to sit down. “Wow! You are a big girl and big boy.” Sabrina complimented the two of them then turned her attention back to me. “Yep. I’m going to go to the store I saw; I might run out of that book if I did not buy it right away.” “Do you want me to accompany you with the children?” I offered while sitting next to her. “After all, it's weekend now.” “Thanks, but no thanks. Conrad will be with me, other thing,” Sabrina leaned her face close to my ear. “Maybe you have a family bond.” I don’t think so. Since yesterday, I haven’t known what’s going on with Lance. He didn’t pick up the kids; he didn’t send a message if he was coming or when he was coming. I don’t think we’ll be expecting Lance today. “Ask him if he knows anything about next week.” He was
CELINE POV-“Wow!” Sunny pointed to the huge playground.“Wow!” Sunny pointed at the zip line.“Wow!” Sunny pointed at the pool.“Wow!” Sunny pointed at the sea.“Wooooow!” Skye and Sunny utter in amazement while looking at the large and spacious house.From where we stood outside the house, we could see what Sunny had pointed out.Lance took us to the private villa he took me to when he kidnapped me.I didn't expect it, I didn't even know that he would bring us here. A lot has changed in this place, there have been things Sunny has pointed out. There is also a large inflatable playground in the sea and I can see a speed boat. There is a kiddie pool around it with statues of Skye and Sunny’s favorite cartoons. There is also an open area cottage not far from the sea.The area looked like a private beach resort with fun activities and more relaxing because there were a few plants around.“Did you like it here?” Lance questions the two.Skye and Sunny turned to face Lance. “Yes!” they
CELINE POV-“Why did you do this?”“I didn’t. I just saw that your car’s tires were flat.”“Do you know how much perversion you have done?”“Your tire will be fixed right away. These people can take your car to wherever you are before the end of the day.”I glanced quickly at the two people Hendrix was referring to, then at him.What else can I do? I can’t change the tire if I get angry. This needs to be done immediately so my children don't have to ride public transportation, which could be harmful to their health.“Wait a second,” I told the two mechanics.I went to the passenger seat to get my kids’ bags. “Let’s go, sweethearts. Our car needs to get fixed first.”Skye got out first, followed by Sunny. After I got off them, I took the key and gave it to the two mechanics.Once the two mechanics reached for the key, they quickly moved. One opened the truck door and the other started my car. After they got in my car, they left immediately.“Mummy, why did they take our car?” Sunny as
CELINE POV-As soon as Conrad got out of the elevator, Lance went inside.“B-Boss…”As the elevator closed, Conrad looked my way. His eyes widened after he saw me.“Madame Celine,” he called me in surprise as he came closer to me.“Hmmm?” I asked without opening my lips.I forced both ends of my lips to curve upwards while holding back tears.“Have you been here a while, Madame?”I opened my mouth. When I felt my voice getting hoarse, I took a deep breath before speaking. “Yes. Before the elevator opened.”He turned quickly to the elevator that Lance had taken and then immediately looked back at me.“Did you hear what Boss Lance said?”“Why did you come here?” I changed the subject.“Have you talked to Boss Lance?”I shook my head. “I don’t think we need to talk anymore. I’ve heard his reason.”“I think you need to talk to him,” he handed me my car keys. “Your car is parked outside the building, Madame.”“Thank you.”I followed Conrad’s gaze as he walked back to the front of the elev
CELINE POV-“Are you sure of what you are saying?” I asked her.“Yes,” she answered confidently. “Conrad went to the restaurant to meet you there. He can’t call Sir Lance's phone either.”“Conrad couldn’t call Lance’s phone number?” I assured her.“Yes.”Is it just a coincidence that Lance’s phone number couldn’t be called and he didn’t come?“Celine!”I looked at Sabrina in surprise after she yelled at me right in my face.“Why?”“I am asking you why you are not with Sir Lance. Did you know someone rang the doorbell yesterday, and then I checked the intercom? The man had his back turned, but I doubt it was Sir Lance; that’s why I didn’t open it. Because Conrad told me not to open the door if he’s not the one outside. I’m not one hundred percent sure if it’s Sir Lance because he has his back turned and seems to be talking to someone on the phone.”I assumed Lance had come here. Maybe something unexpected happened that made him not arrive?“CELINE!”I felt like I was going to be deafe
CELINE POV-Hendrix extended his palm. “Shall we go in together?” He asked me.We toured the theme park, rode the few rides we had planned to ride before, and we also played the machine games as well as the arcade games.Now we were in front of the Ferris wheel, and we planned to ride it last.“No, thank you.” I refused the hand he offered.I rode the Ferris wheel first and as he rode someone locked the door and started it.During the few hours I was with Hendrix, I didn’t think about anything else. I tried to focus and try to enjoy this place.Once we reached the top, the Ferris wheel stopped whirling.It was scary, but I still found myself smiling slightly after I saw almost the entire theme park.“The Ferris wheel is actually what you've wanted to ride the most since then.”I nodded without taking my gaze down. “The way you drew the Ferris wheel before, it was colourful, and you could see a lot from just one seat. Then it was close to the stars, and this is the exact one you showed
CELINE POV- “I don't have time to joke around.”“Likewise,” he said meagerly.I calmed my feelings down first. “You won’t hurt me, will you?”“No,” he answered sparingly but directly.Somehow his answer made me feel at ease. I had no choice but to just believe what he said. I didn’t have anything with me except the mini makeup kit in the purse I was carrying.“Where are you taking me?”“To my gift for you.”“Gift?”“Don’t you accept late gifts?”“No. That’s not what I meant.”I didn’t explain anymore, and I didn’t open my mouth for a while.I’ll wait until we get to where he wants to go, so his nonsense can end.“We’re almost where we’re going,” I heard him say as I looked out the window.————About ten minutes later, he stopped in front of an amusement park.“Come on!” He was so excited that he even giggled.I laughed a little at his reaction.I also got out of the car. I looked around; except for the amusement park staff, Hendrix and I, I didn't see anyone else.What was surprising
CELINE POV-“Thank you,” I said with a smile to the manager and the female server who served me a glass of water earlier when I saw them in the lobby.“Ma’am, wait!” They exclaim at the same time.I stopped walking when they ran towards me.“I want to apologize again for what happened earlier,” the woman regretfully said.“I also want to apologize for my negligence,” the manager said and bowed his head.“Don’t think about that. It’s okay,” I told them. “Is that all you want to say?”“Ah, no.” They suddenly panicked.The manager handed me a paper bag. I took it and peeked at the contents. Inside the paper bag was a suit coat and a familiar calling card.“What is this for?” I asked.“Sir Hendrix Morgan left those. He asked me to give you the paper bag.”I returned the paper bag to the manager, but he didn’t take it.“Give it back to him,” I stated.The manager took a deep breath. “I…” then he exhaled, and his face was covered with worry. “I’m sorry, ma’am. If you give back to me, he war
CELINE POV-“You should have let the woman kneel down earlier,” my eyebrows furrowed at Hendrix’s words. “Or you should have let her terminate her job.”Is that the kind of person he is? He likes seeing other people suffer? Didn’t he think about that person’s situation? Maybe that person’s job was too valuable to her. That person wouldn’t dare to lower her knee to the ground if she did not badly need the job.“Don’t judge me,” he said, laughing.He read my thoughts?He faced me, he crossed his legs, and rested his elbow on the table. “Someone like her needs to learn a lesson; she needs to pay for her mistake—that’s all I’m saying. It’s not just the surprise that that person ruined but also your feelings. That person not only ruined the surprise for you but also your feelings. She hurt you badly, and your mind was confused by what happened. Who wouldn’t think and be glad that you were expecting someone, but then the wrong person would come in front of you? Right?” He raised his pointed
CELINE POV-I couldn’t move from where I was standing as I turned to look at the man who uttered my name.My forehead wasn’t wrinkled, but my body was full of wonder as I looked at him, and I was sure the question was, 'why is he here?' was printed all over my face.What’s going on? Why is he here? Why is he in front of me? Why is he in front of me in this situation?“Hendrix?” I utter hoarsely.After seeing his face, my tears came back to my eyes; I felt again the pain in my back from sitting for over five hours and the hunger I was feeling. Most of all, the hope may be that the proposal was from Lance.I couldn’t make a mistake in my gaze; I’ve been looking at his face for a few seconds, and his appearance hasn’t changed. I also couldn’t be hallucinating because there was no reason why I should see him in my mind. I never thought about him after our last encounter.Why is he here? Why isn’t the person I expected and waited for here? Why isn’t Lance in front of me now? Where is he?
CELINE POV-Here’s my tear again while looking around. I smile and quickly wipe away the teardrop before it even falls down my cheek.I was taken to a high-end and exclusive restaurant where Lance rented the entire building. It was quite far from the hotel, which took more than an hour to travel.When I looked around again I smiled. The only light at this time was the scented candles that each table had. What made the ambiance even finer was the night view from where I was sitting overlooking the bright city lights outside the glass wall. Each table had a single red rose flower and on my table there was a bouquet of red roses.The surroundings were quiet until my attention was caught by a server who went to three tables and replaced the scented candles there. She checked on me and smiled at me.“Ma’am, would you like us to serve food for you? We have an appetizer ready for you.”“No,” I refused. I coughed softly because I felt my throat tighten and dry. “Can I have a glass of water?”