~Laurel~"Oh my goodness, Gen are you okay?!" Mom said, moving to hug Genevieve but she stepped away. That shocked me as well as Kurt who was standing few miles away. She smiled and wanted to do the same with me but I retreated. "Guess, I'll.. I'll just go inside.""Gen, are you okay?" Camilla asked, checking her body and she nodded. "What happened to you?""I'm fine. At least, I'm not dead." With that she strode past Camilla, past Kurt and went inside."Laurel, what happened?""She almost fell. Down from a cliff," Kurt's eyes immediately snapped to mine. "But I caught her right on time. You see that's what happens when your security isn't tight enough." I bit out, my gaze pinned to Kurt's."They were watching her, Laurel." He said, stalking toward me. "They didn't notice the time she snuck past them."I wrapped my arms around myself and nodded. "Right. You do know Alanis or whatever is out there? You'd better protect my children or you'll get it from me." I pushed past him and walked
~Laurel~"Gen!"Shocked on seeing us, she tried to hide behind the man she was with. Ryder Pierce. Ryder himself tried to get into the cab they got down from but unfortunately, Kurt's trolls had already surrounded the area, leaving them trapped in the middle.Kurt got down and started for her. She squealed and tried using Ryder to block him. "No please.. please, no.""Genevieve." Was all Kurt started with."Sir, please...""I know who you are. What do want with her?" Ryder asked protectively."And who the hell are you?" Kurt shot back. "Get out of my face now, I'm talking to my daughter.""Daughter?" Ryder's mouth dropped open. "Gen, he's your... he's your father?""Don't let me repeat me what I just said, boy. Get out of my face. Now."Abruptly, Ryder moved aside, revealing Gen. "No sir..."Kurt didn't wait for her to finish before taking her hand and starting back for our car."No, wait! You can't take her away from me!" Ryder just had to interfere. And seeing that look on Kurt's fa
~Mirabelle~"You're late, Genevieve.""Well, hello there, sister. Good evening to you too. Tell me, has that father of yours paid you to keep an eye on me?""He's keeping an eye on you even as we speak, Gen, so there's no need to worry about that.""Well, I see no reason why you should stand in my way then." Seeing that I was reluctant to move, she curled her fists and forced out a smile. "Your leg's gotten better. You know I enjoyed watching you leap around like a little frog but the thing is.. I've always felt guilty, seeing that I should have been the one in your position, not you. But now that all is over...welcome to reality, dear sister." She sneered, a wicked smile plastered on her face."We are in reality, Genevieve. A reality when you'll be seen for who you really are. Nothing but a green snake under the green grass.""Well, I'll make you watch as that green snake take everything away from you. Your father, your mother, wealth, care, protection, influence, everything.""I sho
~Laurel~The drive home was quiet. Kaitlyn volunteered to drive, leaving me to completely bury myself in my thoughts. I couldn't stop my hands from going around my abdomen. It feels amazing, yet so unreal. "Okay, now you've had your time. Would you at least remove your hands from your belly now?" Kaitlyn announced, interrupting my pool of thoughts. I frowned. "Why should I? Can't I shield my baby from the world anymore?""You can. But you will give people the impression that something's definitely in there. And we don't want that. You don't want the public to find out now of do you?""Of course not.""Good. Now, let your hands drop."I did as she told me but it didn't stop me from sneakily rubbing my hands around it from time to time. "Could it be a boy?""Judging from the looks of it, it could be."I put my hands around it again. "God, I'm so excited! Do you think we made a mistake by not shopping for baby stuffs?"Kaitlyn laughed. "Laurel, you're still early in your pregnancy. The
~Laurel~"Thank you." I said to the waiter as I collected a champagne flute from the tray of drinks. I sipped my drink, while watching Kurt introduce our daughters to his associates and friends."Laurel Hyde, isn't it?" Two blond women appeared from nowhere and smiled at me."Yes, how may I help you?""Is it true that you sent your own daughter to jail?" The shorter one of the women asked.I nearly spilled my drink. "What?""Don't deny it. You hate her, don't you? Everything you've been doing has been one silly hell of a show, hasn't it?" The taller one shot back with a devious look. "Just take a look at yourself. You're a green snake under the green grass, you're not even happy with your husband, are you?""Excuse you?" Genevieve interrupted, standing in front of me to face to face the blonds. "And how dare you that you can speak to my mother like that? My mother loves me dearly. Everything she's done, she did all for their own specific reasons. Who the hell are you to judge? You're
~Laurel~"Gen, please bring Laurel's purse from the car."Quickly, Gen rushed down and moved to the boot area. "Yes sir."I halted to stare at the mansion. This place had been my home for five years. Returning here after what happened between Kurt and I...makes it seem more harder to want to step into it. Particularly, our room. The room I had planned on burning down."Laurel, come on." Kurt wrapped an arm around me as we stepped into the mansion together. The lines of servants standing to greet us were unending. I didn't even think we had this much servants because you wouldn't see them swimming around the house unless you need them.The first thing to escape my lips was a gasp when I entered our room. Wow, was all I could say. Kurt had changed our room and turned it into our own little paradise. White was the warm colour that filled the entire room. I didn't even know what to say. All I could think but not muster was that there was no man like Kurt Kenton. Absolutely, no man. He was
~Laurel~"Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness, Laurel, I am so so sorry." I lifted my leg on my desk and frowned at her. "You know you're a freak, right?""Look, I...I didn't even take note. Guess I didn't observe long enough." She said stalking toward my desk. "But isn't there supposed to be a bump as it is four months old?""Well, there is. Tucked under my blouse in a way you or any other person wouldn't notice.""Wow." She pulled a chair in front of me and plopped down on it. "This is great news, Laurel. I mean..how did Kurt react?"I stilled and thought about the look on Kurt's face at the hospital when he found out I was pregnant. "He was so... happy. I haven't seen him as much as he was that day. Lavinia, I... I think this baby really means a lot to his father...and I'm so happy I'm getting to experience this.""How's the morning sickness holding up?""It'll do just fine. With Kurt around, I think it's getting easier to manage.""So that's the reason why he assigned those two huge l
~Laurel~With a smile, I lowered my sunglasses as I watched as Kurt stalked toward me with his surfing board. With his hair dripping wet, his hot body on display and that gorgeous sun-kissed skin, he looked good enough to eat. Mine. All mine. When he got to where I sat, he dropped his board, picked me up from the ground like I weighed nothing and planted a kiss on my lips."I miss catching waves with you." I admitted softly when we pulled away from the kiss.He kissed my forehead. "You will again. Very soon."What if I told you that I won't be around for that 'very soon'?"Come on," still carrying me, he quickly swapped my weight to his back. "it's almost lunch time. Hey buddy, what do you want for lunch?""I think he wants something smouldering for lunch."He chuckled. "Buddy, is that true?""Yes, daddy." I mimicked a tone.He laughed.Giggling excitedly, I wrapped around his neck from behind. "You're going to break your back if you keep on carrying me like this.""That's impossible
*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