~Mirabelle~When I woke up, he was there. He was seated, watching me."What? Is there something on my face? Why are you staring at me like that?" I asked him, sitting up."You looked so beautiful in your sleep, I didn't wanna wake you.""Ugh." I groaned, still trying to register the fact that we just had mind numbing sex two times in a row."Yeah and uh, someone's doing a cleanup in the house now and in your room...."My eyes grew big. "Oh my God! I think I forgot something in my room," I said, getting up. "I have to----"He pulled me back. "Relax, Belle. She's gotten rid of the sheets already.""Oh my God, look I'm sorry! I'm sorry, okay?! I didn't mean for it to happen...""Mean for what to happen? Belle, you can't be serious right now. I'm proud of you. Not because of anything else but just because you insisted on standing out. And for that, you may have just won yourself a fan. Not just a protector only. I'm proud of you, baby." He said and kissed my temple. "And about the food is
~Genevieve~"Doc, how is she now? How is my daughter?" Dad asked the doctor as soon as he stepped out of ICU. "It's a good thing we were able to stop the bleeding on time. She's fine now. Although there's something I'll need to ask her parents.""We are." Mom and dad said almost in unison."Oh," the doctor cleared his throat. "Which one of you suffered from dysthymia?""What?"There was a brief of moment of total silence."I did." Dad spoke up."For how long?""Seven years."I gasped. "Oh my God.""Was it how long it took you to overcome it?""Yeah. After my mom died, there was really no close person to help me apart from a woman who later betrayed my family, Bella Daniels. She was my therapist for years.""And I suggest you get a much better one for your daughter. I'll recommend some antidepressants for her but she'll also need a very good therapist. One who is wholely capable of connecting with her psychologically.""I don't understand, doc, what does all these mean? Mira's only hu
~Mirabelle~I couldn't sleep. I just kept tossing and turning and when I decided finally that this night wasn't going to be for me, I gave up and decided to go to the kitchen. Get to what I was good at to get my mind off of him. For the meantime, at least.I was already pulling out cups of milk from the fridge when breeze suddenly pulled the windows of the kitchen open. Sighing, I placed the cups down and moved to where the window was to close it when I felt a movement behind me. I stilled. And just I was about turning around, a hand slapped over my mouth and I shrieked, trying to wiggle myself out from whoever had me in their grip."Sh, it's me, Belle."I immediately stopped making a fuss. Mariano?He let go of me as I turned to face him. "What are you--what are you doing here? How did you get here? How did you find me?""Shh, keep it down. I've been following you for hours." He said and closed the windows.I furrowed my brows. "For hours? Since when?""Since you got out of your hous
~Mirabelle~"Do you really have to leave? Why can't you just stay a few hours? And perhaps, wait until nighttime before making your way out?" I asked Mariano who was getting dressed."Duty calls. And besides, who said I can't get out now?""Then everyone would find out that you spent the night here.""Wesley's out. Kaitlyn's busy. The kids are at school. What better opportunity could there be? And besides, you could just say I'm your visitor. No one would recognize me anyway.""Easy for you to say. Stay a little longer?""I wish I could." He kissed my lips. "Do me a favor and never wear that short out to anywhere. Not even outside this room."I got up from the bed and straightened up in front of the mirror. "Why? What's wrong with it?" Apart from my bum standing out from under, there was absolutely nothing else wrong with it. I was just thick."Do you really have to ask that? Come here." He ordered and I obeyed as I slowly crossed over to where he stood. Burying his head under my neck
~Mirabelle~"Good. Now those are all the staffs you need to know about for the now. There are hundreds lots more. And finally, Mr Lee Jung. The CEO of this branch corporation," Dad introduced. The mid-forties looking man standing in front of me smiled. "Mr Lee, meet my daughter. The apple of my eye. And now the acting president of Kgroup. Not just the Corp alone. Kgroup as a whole."The man held out his hand for me. "It's an honor to meet you, Ms. Kenton."I blushed. "Um please no. Call me Mirabelle. Mira, is fine by me." I said, taking his hand."Mira, it is. And uh, Mira, have you seen your office?""No, she hasn't, yet." Dad answered for me. I smiled. "Well, I think it's high time you see it. We've been waiting for a long time now.""Waiting for a long time? As in, waiting for me?" I answered with a confused look.He didn't answer but his silence gave him away. "So dad, you've been planning this for a long time now?""We'll talk about this later, Mirabelle. For now, I'd like you t
~Mirabelle~"Mira, you're back."Hell no. Her face couldn't be the first thing I see this evening. I turned and started for my room."Mira, I'm talking to you.""Please mom. Not now. Let's not start now. I am honestly not in a position to argue with you.""I just want to know how you've been and how your first day at Kgroup went.""Really? You really want to know that? Why? Is that more important than my well being? Is that more important than my mental health? Well, I guess it is.""Mira. I only wanted to talk.""Well, here's the thing. I don't want to talk to you. Ever." With that I brushed past her and started for my room.~About an hour later, a knock came on my door. "Who's there?""Gen.""Come in." The door pushed open and she walked in. "Hey,""Hey,""Dad told me today was your first day at Kgroup. How was it?"I pushed away my laptop and leaned back on my bed. "It was fine till I attended the board meeting."She moved round and sat on my bed. "Why, what happened at the board
~Mirabelle~Mason King. I typed search on Google and waited."Mason King. Twenty eight years old billionaire. Vice president to Mr Kurt Kenton; the president, founder and owner of Kenton's group." His long line of degrees and net worth were stated. I ignored it and scrolled further "Relationship status - Single. Other businesses - Owner and Chef; Y. Mel restaurant, owner of Davinos clubs and resorts. Known relatives - Mom, (Divorced), An aunt, A sister and a younger brother. Other information withheld.""But you just gave out all the information," I said and shook my head. I wondered if this what he wanted the public to know or maybe their life was built on the spotlight for such details to be uploaded online most especially the part stating his mom was divorced. Was that really necessary? A knock came on the door."Come in."The doors slid open and Sarah walked in. "Hey.""Hey,""I just brought the fruits you needed.""Alright, stack them up in the fridge." I told her and went to wh
~Mirabelle~Neatly tucked in a black gown and grey suit jacket, matched on with grey heels and black bag, I made my way into the boardroom for the so called fixed meeting."I'm sorry I'm late." I said and took my seat. They were all already seated and I could definitely see the look of impatience in their eyes."This isn't a fashion show, Ms. Kenton," Marie, Head of supplementary department stated. "At least, learn to be punctual to meetings like this.""Excuse you? But I just said sorry, didn't I? What's the fuss about then? And are you forgetting who you're talking to?""Mirabelle," This was the first time I had heard Mr Jung say my name and not the regular Ms. Kenton. "That's enough. Let's start now.""Mm hm," Mason King cleared his throat. "So we've come to a decision based on the K implantable bio-stimulant device." An awkward silence filled the room. "We will sell to the government and to the hospitals as well.""What?" Marie was the first to speak up. Fred Donald, chief officia
*One year later*~Genevieve~"Hey. You ready?"Mason asked me as he walked into the room."Do I look okay in this dress?" I said, referring to the floral gown I was wearing. "I feel... really heavy, you know. I think this baby is using my energy to do kicks, don't you think?" I asked him, placing my hand over my eight months and two weeks old belly.Mason smiled and walked over to me. "You look beautiful, darling. And besides, I'm always here to lend you my strength whenever you feel too tired to carry our little Gael." He knelt before my bump and caressed it over the skimpy dress I was wearing. "Hey buddy, don't give mommy a hard time, okay? We know you wanna come out so badly but patience, little buddy, patience." He looked up at me and I smiled. Then he got up and closed his mouth over mine. "I love you, Genevieve Kenton King."I smiled as I wrapped my arms around him. "I love you too.""Now come on. Before we arrive late for your dad's birthday dinner." He held my hand as walked o
~Genevieve~Just like that. I couldn't believe it. She was gone.Gone forever. We weren't going to see her ever again.Some of the soldiers that had ran into the smoke, came out few minutes later with Gonzalez men. One was half-dead, the other was injured but very much alive. They put them both in the van and walked around to see dad. He was saying something in low tune to dad when another set of military men walked out of the already burnt and collapsed building with a burnt, unrecognizable body that seemed to have ropes attached to it. A body that was perhaps tied. Then I recalled Mirabelle being tied up before Ryder threw me out."No! My Mira...." Mom was already shaking in tears as they placed the body on a stretcher. Dad dropped to the ground in tears, mom was wailing profusely, Mariano remained stiff and unable to move, Mason had tears rolling down his eyes...none of us could even touch the body. It was Natasha who mustered up the courage to run to where the body was and embrace
~Mirabelle~"What are we going to do? He's going to kill her!" Mason exclaimed out of frustration as he plopped down on the couch, running his fingers through his hair. Mom has been trying to calm him down ever since. But it seems all her words of assurance were falling on deaf ears."My men are searching the entire city as we speak." Dad who had been on the phone came back few minutes later to the living room and said. "They couldn't have gone far. We'll get them in no time.""Hey," Mariano knelt in front of me and places his hand on lap. "Are you alright?"I shook my head."Belle, listen to me, this is not your fault.."I was trying to hold back my tears. "Yes, it is.""No, it's not. Gonzalez has been planning his escape from prison for a long time now. And it so happened to fall on the same time period of your return so none of this is your fault, okay?""Grandpa, are you going to give me to him? The bad guy?" Natasha who was in mom's arms asked Kurt who had been restless."Of cour
~Mirabelle~"Mama, where are we? What is this place?" Natasha asked me as Mariano pulled the car to a stop. I got out and so did Natasha, who looked inquisitive, looking around the place."Hello, Natasha."She turned to stare at the people standing few metres away, her whole face lightening up. "Grandma! Grandpa!"In a blink of eye, she was running into dad's open arms. "My lil baby. She looks just you, Mariano." Dad said to Mariano who was standing beside me as he ruffled her hair playfully, picking her up from the floor."I'm quite heavy, you know. Mama feeds me with good stuff." Natasha said jokingly."Well then, it's a good thing I have quite the strength then." Dad smiled as we walked into the house."Camilla," I greeted Camilla who was standing with the other servants. "I see you're still here." I said, moving into her arms. "Thank you.""Always, Mirabelle, always." She responded and we pulled away. "I'll make coffee and some toast."I nodded and she walked away. "It feels good
~Genevieve~He wasn't in bed with me when I woke up.I got up, stretched and slipped on his shirt. Then I got up and went on a mission to go look for him.I heard noise coming from kitchen area and do I just decided to follow my instincts. To my surprise, he was standing in front of the cooker, flipping something in a pan, shirtless in an apron and in a pair of sweatpants. He turned around and our gaze met."Hey. Good morning."I smiled as I made my way toward him. "Good morning. You're up early.""Yeah, I got up to make breakfast. Come on, have a seat. Breakfast is ready."I did as he told me and sat put as he served me. Breakfast was bacon, scrambled eggs, pancakes and maple syrup.As I ate, I noticed he was stealing glances at me. "What?""You're very beautiful, Gen. Very very."I snorted, hoping that was a joke. "I'm sure I look like a mess.""You look breathtaking."I met his gaze and he smiled. Then he got up from where he sat and walked around to where I was, then to my surpris
~Mirabelle~A lot of people were hovering over me when I woke up. Mom, Mariano, two women, a man, Natasha...."Natasha." I called out gently and she was the first to notice as she ran into my outstretched arms."Mama! Mama, you scared the hell out of us all." She was already crying as I brushed the tears away from her face. "Mama, we were so worried...I was so worried. Promise that you won't ever make us worry like that again."I smiled and pulled her close, her head was resting gently on my chest. "I'm fine, sweetie. I'm just...scared." I admitted softly."But why are you scared, mama? We are here for you, remember? Don't be scared, okay? Daddy is here for you. I am here for you. Grandma is here for you. Don't ever feel scared, okay? You're my best friend. I wouldn't know what I'd do if anything were to happen to you. I can't ever live without you, mama."I couldn't help chuckling as I wrapped my arm tightly over her. "Oh my sweet little red haired baby. I love you so much my darling
~Mirabelle~I stood there and watched as Genevieve expressed how she felt about Mason to Ryder. Ryder on the other seemed to be furious but he looked as if he was holding back from lashing out all on his anger on Genevieve. The moment he walked out, I decided to stay for a while. This was bad. I should be with her right now. She had just made a life-changing decision that would probably require a shoulder to lean on and here I was, hiding behind the wall.All of a sudden, she stood up. She glanced at the mirror and then stopped. But just before she could turn around, a hand grasped mine, pulling me into the shadows."What on earth do you think you're doing?""Mariano, she's my sister. I should be in there with her right now. I should--""Then what's stopping you?"I stared into his eyes."Go on. Go to her. She's your sister, right? She needs you. You should be with her right now. So why are you here?""I--I don't think that's a very good idea. She's down right now, I can't afford to a
~Mirabelle~The congregation was filled to the brim. The people present were mostly friends, elites, actresses, musicians, business elites and government officials from all over the world. From where I was seated, I could see Mariano, my friends, Gabriel and even mom. Natasha and I were both at the back row. We didn't want to draw much attention so we just hid there.Then there was Ryder at the altar, waiting like the gentleman he was. Although, there was something about Ryder. Something off about him, he didn't seem quite the man for Genevieve anymore.And then, there was the bride. Walking towards the altar with dad's arm strapped to hers. On getting to the front row, she quickly hugged mom and Gabriel before proceeding to kneel in front of the altar with her soon to be husband. After a short prayer, they were back on their feet as they proceeded to the ring part and then the exchanging of vows.Well, now it was time to declare them husband and wife."If anyone have reason why these
~Mirabelle~I was trying out the dresses, mom had brought earlier for Gen's wedding tomorrow. There was a silver splayed gown with emeralds, a beautiful black straight one with deep cleavage curve and split up the right thigh and a pink short one with diamonds stashed all over. According to her, the theme of the wedding was black and pink, if I wanted to fit in to be noticed, I'd wear pink but if I wanted to remain anonymous and hidden, I'd wear black.At first I didn't want to go. Mom and Mariano were the only ones who knew about my existence. Mariano had argued with mom about telling dad about me but she had slid him off, telling him the consequences that would result from my dad abruptly finding out about my existence. According to her, she would wine and dine him after Gen's wedding then tell him about me. As for now, I still have to remain hidden and try as much as possible to apply heavy makeups contrary to my skin tone, wear sunglasses and colored wigs. That way, they would nev