~6~

~~~~~~~~~~~

~Laurel~

 "How dare him hurt her?! How dare him even lay his hands on her?! Is this what I pay you guys, money for? To hurt her?"

"Andre didn't mean any of those things."

"Yeah but he still hurt her. And he won't stop now."

"Andre has been her father for nine years, what makes you think he's doing all these on purpose?"

"Because he's not really her father."

"You're wrong. Mirabelle is my daughter, mine and Andre's daughter. We adopted her from you. We raised her. We've been taking care of her for so long now. You can't just come and accuse us of things we did as her parents.."

"So hurting her is part of the upbringing too?"

"I've told you. He didn't mea--"

"Do you even hear yourself? I was the one who gave you money for part of her upbringing. I'm the one paying her bills, I'm the one sponsoring her, I'm also her mother!"

"No you're wrong. Material things cannot compete for a mother's love Laurel, and the sooner you get that, the better. We bought her from you, are you forgetting? And besides, what kind of mother do you think you are? A mother that couldn't accept the fact that she's actually a mother. A mother that gave her own child away and claims she hate her. What kind of mother are you? A mother that despises her own blood and despite having so much luxury, couldn't raise her own child..."

I lifted my hand in the air, ready to bang my fists hard on her face but suddenly stopped when I realized that she was older than me. She was also Mirabelle's mother. Hitting her also means breaking my promise to Mirabelle.

I lowered my fists. "Don't you dare talk to me that way. I gave you a child when you were incapable of bearing one. I gave you the answer to all your problems so don't you even dare, turn the tables on me. Because I could take Mirabelle away from you, right this moment. I could take her back and you won't even dare lay your eyes on her again."

"And you think she'll go with you?" She said, mockingly. "Mirabelle has grown so attached to this little farm of ours and even to me and Andre, so what makes you think she'll ever go with you?"

"Because she looks up to me. I'm her role model and her godmother. What makes you think you can ever come against that fact?"

She sighed then lowered herself onto a chair. "I'm sorry Laurel, I am. I really am. I didn't know what came over me. Like Mira, I am only defending Andre."

"And yet you couldn't protect her from his clutches?"

"I'm sorry." She got up from the chair. "But give me a chance, I swear I'll protect her with everything I've got. Please Laurel, do not take her or Andre away from me. I'm begging you."

"And her allergy?"

"I've been taking care of that so no need to worry. Just give me another chance."

"We'll see about that."

  ~

"Godmother, did you think if they hadn't found the glass shoe, Cinderelly would have ended up with the prince?" Mirabelle asked me as I tended to her bruises softly.

"She married the prince at the end, that's what matters."

"Hm. Do you have a prince in your life, godmother?"

"Quit asking questions, Mira."

"I take it as a no. So why don't you have a prince in your life? Don't you want to be swiped off your feet like Cinderelly?"

I glared.

"Oh I know that face. I'll shut my mouth now." She said and pinned her lips with her fingers.

I sighed, rubbing my temple slightly. "Look Mira, I'm sorry. I'm not in a good mood today."

"You were in a good mood, until you discovered Papa's been hurting me."

"Why didn't you tell me about it? I thought you said we were friends, how could you have hidden something like this from me?" I queried, frustration bouncing in my veins with every passing minute.

"He's my father. No matter the things he's done, he's still my father and I couldn't bring myself to snitch on him. Because that's how much I love him."

"Snitch?"

"My teacher said it's when you do something behind the back of someone that's close to you. Like relate your closed one to someone else."

"So, telling me about it means snitching on him?"

"No that wasn't what I meant, I...."

I knew I was going to regret this. "Choose."

"What?"

"Choose between your papa and me."

"You know I can do that, godmother. I can't choose between you and my papa. I love you, but I also love my papa very much too."

I got up then straightened yourself. "Then you've made your decision." I said then turned my back on her.

"Godmother wait!"

I wasn't even moving. I felt her turn around to face me. "Godmother please don't do this. If I let you take my papa away from me, then mama and I would be so lonely. Our farm would be so lonely without papa. Who will take care of mama if papa is gone? Please don't take him away from us and please don't ask me to choose between the both of you. My decision doesn't mean anything, it..."

"Goodbye, Mirabelle." I said and started walking toward my car.

"Godmother wait.... godmother please don't... please don't leave me..."

I got into my car as the driver started the car. The car got on the road as I let the tears roll down my eyes. This wasn't how I wanted things to be. This wasn't how things were meant to be. This was the last time I was coming here. It doesn't matter about love, what matters is that I can't afford to get caught.

"Ma'am, look behind you." The driver said.

I turned and look. To my utmost surprise, Mirabelle was chasing after my car.

Goodness!

I turned back again to look at her. She was panting heavily and I could see tears stream down her face. I knew she wasn't going to last long but I would be also hurting myself if I should let her keep running.

"Stop the car."

The car halted and in a swift motion, I got out as Mirabelle, in an attempt to halt herself, collided her body with mine.

I pulled her into a bone crashing hug. "Mira, you have to go back."

"Please don't leave me godmother!" She cried. "Please don't.."

"Mira go back insi--"

"I love you very much. Please don't leave me alone, godmother."

"I love you very much too. But until you decide who's more important to you between your father and I, then it's goodbye."

"Then take me with you!"

"Go back inside, Mira. Promise me that if Andre hurts you, you won't hesitate to contact me with your mother's phone."

She nodded. "I promise."

"Good."

~

I knocked on the door then waited. No sooner than ten seconds, the door flung open and my mother came out. She had her blond hair tied up in a bun and she was wearing an apron. It didn't take more than a second for me to realize what she was doing. Mom could live on cooking for years. It had always been her passion, her hobby.  Even in her early fifties, she still looked so beautiful and so much younger than women of her age.

"Laurel!" She squeamed excitedly and flung herself into my arms. "You didn't tell me you were coming. Come in." She took my hand as we entered her abode. It was a four bedroom flat with literally everything she wanted. After dad passed away, she withdrew from everyone and came here to New York, with a booming restaurant business that I had opened for her years ago. Although she had so much millions to her name, she still insisted on living off the public and even donated most of dad's fortune to orphanage. Dad was Greek, but he had moved from Greek to Santa Carolina before he died. Making me half-Greek, half American.

I curled on the sofa beside her.

"Angela, get Laurel something to drink." She said to her housekeeper, a woman in her mid- thirties.

"No, I'm fine. Don't bother." I said, my words halting Angela immediately.

Mom stared at me. "What's up?"

I laid on the sofa and rested my head on her lap. "Can't I visit my own mother again?"

"You know you're always welcome here, Laurel." She caressed my temple gently, planting a small kiss on my forehead. "I prepared lunch. Wanna eat something first before telling me about everything?"

I nodded. Getting up. "I missed your cookings."

"Then come on."

~

Towards the evening time, I took my bath and arranged a few of my things in my room. Mom had always kept a room for me, anytime I came visiting. I quickly pulled myself in a grey cashmere shirt and a pair of boy shorts.

As soon as I was done, I stepped back into the living room and saw mom seated on a sofa, her eyes glued to the TV. As soon as she saw me, she flashed me a cheeky smile. "Hey."

I walked over to her and dipped beside her, my head on her shoulder.

"You've be awkwardly silent Laurel, what happened? Something wrong with the company? Your shooting? Modeling?"

"No, not those. It's just...I wanna tell you something, mom."

"Go ahead, I'm all ears."

I fidgeted with my nails then bit them. She quickly brushed my fingers off my mouth. "Mom it's just... remember when I told you I had given birth?"

She nodded. I knew she'd remember. There was no way in hell she'd forgive Kurt for what he did to me. "Yes and you told me the baby died during childbirth."

"I lied, mom, I'm sorry." I said, nearly bursting out in tears.

Mom stared at me. I couldn't tell if she was shocked or surprised. All I knew was that, mom wasn't going to take this well.

"So the child is alive?"

"Yes Mom."

"So you made a fool out of me?"

"I didn't...I just.. didn't want the baby. I didn't want a child. A child is the least of my priority. And most especially if that child is Kurt's."

"But you lied to me. Where is the child now? What did you do to her?"

I swallowed a lump in my throat. "I gave her away."

"You what?"

"Some couple own her now. They adopted her, nine years ago."

"How much?"

I threw her a questioning gaze. "How much?"

"How much did you sell her off to them?"

I sighed. "Two hundred thousand dollars."

She shook her head. "As a matter of fact, I don't really know what to say to you. But think about something, Laurel, if I had given you away for two hundred thousand, to another family, and you later discovered that I was your real mother and I didn't tell you or even bother to get you back, tell me, what would you feel toward me?"

"Hatred."

"Good. Now you know how it feels. Does Kurt know that you gave up his child for adoption?"

"No. And I don't plan on telling him. Ever."

"I hope the Lord forgives the both of you for the damage you've both made." She said and walked away, leaving me to ponder at her words.

~

"Good morning, mom." I greeted mom when I got down to the kitchen and saw her chopping a few things along with Angela.

She didn't respond, rather she set a few plates on the table. "Breakfast is ready. If you wanna eat something before you leave, then it's fine." She said and was about to leave the kitchen when I held her back.

"Mom, I'm sorry." I said, my voice cracking into sobs. "You know I can't help it when you stay mad at me for long."

She heaved a sigh then turned to face me. "Then why did you do that to an innocent life? You gave her away for something as cheap as two hundred thousand dollars! If you didn't want her then why didn't you tell me?"

"You were mad at Kurt and I... I couldn't bring myself to tell you anything more about the baby. I was scared. That you would probably give her away too and tell me something happened to her."

"I wouldn't do such thing to an innocent life, Laurel. I would have raised her like my own. Not that she's not." She gripped my shoulders gently. "Where is she now?"

"I don't know." I lied, again. "The couple that adopted her left for Switzerland, years ago. I don't really know where she is."

"How is she like? Is she pretty just like you?" Mom said, flashing me a small smile.

"Yeah. Very pretty." I said, memories of Mira and I, flooded my brain immediately. "She has blue eyes, a very pretty smile, long hair, dark brows and long lashes. She's also very strong and so beautiful. And she's also my birthday mate too!" I said excitedly.

Mom didn't looked surprised. "You speak of her like you saw her a while ago. When last did you see her?"

I scratched my head. "Um, three years ago?"

Mom watched me suspiciously. "You sure you're telling the truth?"

"I am." I said, my voice filled with assurance.

"Laurel, you know... you're all grown now. You're matured and you're a very wealthy woman. You're twenty seven years old and you've achieved so much at such a very young age. Don't you think it's time for you to settle down?"

"Mom..."

"I'm getting old, Laurel. Don't you think I'd like to see my daughter happy with the right man before I die?"

"Mom!" I exclaimed, my scream halting her words instantly. "I'm sorry but please.. don't say such things. Don't tell me you're planning on leaving me all by myself?"

"I didn't say now. But someday for sure. No one lives forever. So will you settle down soon and get rid of those numerous men of yours?"

"Mom, I can't promise you that. I'm still seeing marriage from that angle."

"What angle?"

"Marriages don't last long! You either are truly in love; and I'm not in love with anyone, you either come out of it with heartbreak, hurt or loss. I can't... I'm not strong enough for all that."

"Don't worry Laurel. Someday when you've found the right man, the fear of losing him would be the last thing on your mind. Because you would want to hold onto him, forever."

~~~~~~

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