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 SALVATORE POV-I wore a sleeveless sexy backless white dress high waist slim a-line short dress, paired with three inch black ankle strap heels. For the make up I did I kept it simple, for my short hair is loose.After checking myself I came out of the walking closet. I straiht to the mini living room where Lance was watching a children’s cartoon with our children.“What do you all think?” I asked them.Lance turned off the tv first then he looked at me, followed by our children.“Mummy, you’re beautiful!” Sunny, lauded.“You look amazing, mummy.” Skye, acclaimed. “You look gorgeous as always.” Lance, extolled.“Are you all sure? Look again.” I turned around once to show them the entirety of what I was wearing.“What the f*ck, why is the back of your dress like that?!” Lance exclaimed as he stood up.I glared at him for swearing in front of our children.“Mummy, what is, what the fa... fa…” Sunny asked curiously but had difficulty saying the word she wanted to know.“That’s a
SABRINA RODRIGUEZ POV-I smiled after Celine sent a picture to our group chat. Joy welled up inside me at the thought of their happiness. I keep telling myself that she deserves her happy family. Despite all the problems and hardship they have gone through she and Sir Lance still love each other very much.I put down my phone and I drank the twentieth shot of whiskey.“Please have one more shot of whiskey.”I think the spirit of alcohol had kicked into my body. My head was aching from the loud music and the surrounding people, plus the various smells mixed with the smell of alcohol and cigarettes. Why did I even think of going to this bar?Since I’m finishing the project I’m doing for a client who will build a mansion for their growing family, I take a whole day off. I shopped almost everything I wanted I remained unsatisfied, so I went to the nearest bar I saw. “Thank you.” I told the bartender as he handed me a shot of whiskey.I drank the whiskey straight again and paid. I should
CELINE SALVATORE POV-Lance fulfilled what he said, after the grace period of three days he would finish all the work and, could take care of the wedding preparation. Today is our fifth day of preparation.We hired a wedding planner that Christine suggested to us. Her recommendation felt like a sure thing, given my experience with her previous wedding planning success. The wedding planner also suggested our photographer.This evening, we got back from Italy because we had a dress measurement.In Italy we found a designer who will sew wedding gowns, suits and bridesmaids’ dresses. I took the bridesmaids’ measurements one by one three days ago,. For the final touch, one week before the wedding, the tailor and designer themself will come to New York for last fitting for all of us.We have accomplished a lot in the five days of wedding planning. We might move the wedding to an earlier date.“I’m leaving.” I let him know after I took the bag from our room and returned to the living room.“
CELINE SALVATORE POV-I put back my gaze at the secretary. “Thank you.”I stood up and left in front of the secretary.I took a breath and it seemed heavy to know about that thing. It was clearly a work discussion, but the thought lingered–I quickly dismissed it from my mind.I shouldn’t waste time thinking about other things. Lance loves me, he loves our children, we love him–it is the important thing and above all I trust him.I was about to get in the car but I saw the man get out of the car and come towards me.“Can we talk?” Lucian asked as he approached me.I sight at the time on the watch I was wearing. “Sure.”——————————Lucian take me in a private restaurant, where he rented the entire restaurant for the entire time.I invited him to a coffee shop, but he refused. He said what he had to say was a private matter.When we arrived at the restaurant and sat down, the waitress served us food, after that, Lucian told them to leave us.“I’m sorry, Lucian. I didn’t plan on staying lo
CELINE SALVATORE POV-“What do you want for dinner?” I asked Lance after I cleared away the container. “I’ll cook dinner.”“About that.” He held my hand, his other hand caressing my knuckles. “I’m not sure what time I’ll be home. I still have a lot of work to finish, so I can finish everything by tomorrow.”He sounded sorry, as if the sin he had committed was too big.“It’s okay, don’t worry.” I said with a smile to ease his burden. “Just, please, take care of your health.” I said, almost begging. “On our wedding day, I don’t want our friends to drag you down the altar so our wedding can go ahead.” I joked.“I won't.” He said, laughing, then hugged me tightly, just enough so that my body wouldn’t be trapped in his arms. “Thank you for giving me strength. I don’t even need to drink energy drinks anymore.”I hugged him back.For a moment, the surroundings became silent as we still hugged each other.“Celine.”“Hmm?”“Can we have one round?”I pulled away from the hug. When I looked at h
FREYA POV-After I finished fixing myself, I put the final touch on my makeup, my red lipstick as red as blood. I checked my phone first. I tightened my grip on it seeing that until now, after two days, Lance announced his engagement to the whole world. They all kept talking about all this. Our wedding back then, it maybe, was grand because I pressured him into every detail but to announce to the whole world he didn’t do it. He hasn’t said who he’s going to marry yet but I’m sure it’s his pathetic ex-wife he’s going to marry.I called that stupid thing, but he still didn’t answer my call. In my annoyance, I threw my phone somewhere in my hotel room. That stupid. I cooperated with him back then because he promised he could find a way to keep Celine and Lance away. I even sacrificed my smooth face and skin. The beating me back then in the old building was our plan. No one kidnapped me. It was all a plan to make Lance believe someone else hurt me. After beating me and got hurt, I shoul
CELINE SALVATORE POV-“As soon as possible?” I asked, with a hint of doubt.“Why don’t you seem sure?” There was concern in his voice. “Didn’t you change your mind?” There was fear in his voice.“Of course not. I just don’t know if your schedule can handle it if we get married so soon.” I spelled out.The worry on his face quickly disappeared after I explained it to him.“When would you like us to get married?”“Before our kids go back to school, so they won’t be confused about which surname to use and can use your surname.”“When is the new school year for our kids?”“Two months from now.”“Two months?!” I was the one who was worried by his question. “W-Why?”“I thought I would have to wait just less than a month to marry you.” I lost my concern. I thought he was the one who changed his mind now. I wish to give back my surname to you. If possible, we will get married next week.”“That’s a short amount of time for preparation.” I explain with a beaming face. “On a serious note, when
CELINE SALVATORE POV-It’s not like it used to be that my children wake me up every morning, now I wake them up.Skye and Sunny were still rubbing their eyes when I woke them up.“Good morning, sweethearts.” I greeted them and gave them a sweet kiss on the top of their heads.“Good morning, mummy.” They greeted me sleepily.My smile widened seeing their father was still sleeping soundly. I saw that his forehead was unfurrowed, he didn’t smile widely, but his face was peaceful. He looked like a puppy sleeping. He was so cute when he slept like that.For all the years, I think this was the only time I’d seen him sleep. In all these years, I finally saw Lance sleeping without anger on his face.“Daddy!” Skye and Sunny happily approached Lance at the same time.Sunny climbed onto Lance’s tummy while Skye was on the side of Lance’s face.“Daddy, wake up!” Sunny woke up. I came closer to them, theb supported Sunny’s body when it moved.“Daddy!” Skye and Sunny woke up at the same time to th
RAYNE ‘ASHLEY’ EVANS POV-Pure happiness washes over me for my friend. She deserves that kind of happiness. The proposal alone almost made me cry with joy for Celine. How much more so when they get married? I would like to witness their wedding. Just by their smiles, I can feel the overflowing joy.“Yes, I’ll be there tomorrow.” I replied to my soon to be manager. As I ended the call, I took a deep breath. I have to say goodbye to Celine that I will need to leave.I was about to head back to the garden, but close to where I was standing, I saw Hendrix approaching Sabrina.“What do you need again?” Sabrina asked irritably.“I’m just reminding you of my proposal.”Sabrina scoffed. “You’re crazy if you think I’ll accept your marriage proposal. If you have nothing to do in life, don’t bother me.”Marriage proposal? Something seemed to tug at my heart when I heard that.At the instant Sabrina left Hendrix’s presence, I approached him before he could walk behind Sabrina.“Why?” I asked tear