Becky’s POV “Rebecca, is everything okay?” Sandra called from the head of the stairs.“Yes, all is fine.” I stammered glancing at Phillip who was as embarrassed as I was. We heard her coming down, and straightened out.“Phillip, what are you doing here?” She was surprised to see him just as I had been.“I was passing when I suddenly started having trouble with the car, so I wanted to ask if I could leave it here until tomorrow?”The lie sounded dumb to me, but Sandra seemed to believe it.“Sure. Feel free. Why don’t you stay too? It is late.”“Really?”“Yes. You can use the guest room. Could you please show it to him, Becky?” She asked me.“Sure thing.”She wished us good night and went back upstairs.“That was a pretty dumb lie,” I whispered when we were alone.“As long as she believes it, who cares?” He said, pulling me towards him.“Behave,” I said. “Come on.”“Where are we going?” He asked, reaching for my hip.I pushed his arm away.“To show you your room. Where have you been al
Becky’s POV I snuck back to my room before 6:00 am. I did not want to risk Sandra catching me coming out of the guest room, and discovering that I had spent the night with Phillip. Sure, we were adults, but it was her house, I had to respect her.But it had been a very romantic night. I smiled as I remembered it while under the showerhead.Sandra was sitting at the dining table when I walked in.“Did you sleep well?” She asked me. I couldn’t tell whether there was a mischievous light in her eyes, or if I was imagining it. Had she guessed about my night with Phillip?“It was fine. Thanks,” I said, taking the seat next to her. “I have sent those new designs to you. Look at them, and make whatever improvement you like. But remember, keep it between us.”I nodded. “Sure.”I looked out of the window, trying to see Phillip’s car and wondered why he wasn’t up yet.“Phillip left a couple of minutes ago,” she said, guessing what I was looking for.“He did?” I was startled.“Yes. He was able
Becky’s POVI stared at my laptop. Someone had moved it. It was upside down, clearly not how I had left it. With shaky hands, I boot it. It came on like normal, and my password still opened it.“Phew! Maybe whoever it was that moved it hadn’t been able to open it.” I hoped, not for my sake, but for the secret design that was in it. If anyone assessed it, I was doomed.I tried to calm down. Who could have done this? Steve of course! He knew I was working on something, and wanted to find out what it was.Should I confront him? With what evidence? Or should I tell Sandra? But I risked looking incompetent and reckless, especially since it was clear that the designs were intact. I decided to keep silent, and be more careful. Next time, I would lock my desk drawer.“Rebecca.”I jumped slightly as Steve came in.“Yes?”“I wa
Becky’s POVMy jaw hit the floor as I read the news item. A rival company had stolen our new design as theirs, and had already launched it; and guess who the rival company belonged to? Ben Davis!“How did that slimy beast grasp his hand on the secret design?” She asked. “It was just you and I who knew about it.”I was too stunned to say anything.“The investors have already paid for this design, and they are expecting it tomorrow, what the hell am I going to tell them?” She continued, frustrated and angry.“I have no idea of what is going on, I swear I did not leak this,” I said, my mouth was so dry and my voice sounded hoarse.“But do you have an idea of who must have done it?’”I nodded, feeling stupid and told her my suspicions about Steve.“Steve? Impossible. Yes, I know he was a little mad about being replaced, but he would never betray me. We go back a long way.”“He is the only one I can think of,” I said.“If you suspected he had tampered with your computer; why did you not sa
Becky’s POVI turned to see Jerry.“Hey gorgeous, just the person to see at this moment,” he said, then occupied the empty space beside me.“What do you want?” I blared angrily.“Easy. I just came in to grab a bite when I saw your beautiful face.”“Go away, Jerry. I don’t need any trouble.”“Neither do I. I just want to talk with you and catch up. How have you been?”It took a lot of effort to stop myself from slapping him across his face. The nerve of him to sit with me, and act friendly after all the hurt he put me through. I decided I wasn’t going to lose my cool because of the jerk, and stood up to leave.“Hey, I am talking to you,” he said, grabbing my arm.“Let me go!” The few people in the café looked at us, wondering what was going on.“You heard her, let her go!”We turned to see Steve.“Who is this? Another loser? How many are you dating now?” Jerry sneered.“Take your hands off her now!” Steve repeated.Jerry glared at him, but obeyed.“See you around,” he grinned, and lef
Becky’s POV“Fiancé?” I was astonished. I couldn’t believe it.She nodded. “We have history together.”She went to stand before the high school picture.“We dated in high school, and he proposed to me the day before I graduated from college. We were so much in love. We planned to get married and set up a company together. Everything seemed so perfect. Until I caught him in bed with my bridesmaids a day before the wedding. The beast wasn’t even remorseful. It was then I realized he had never loved me, but had just wanted to use my business brain all along.” She released a sigh. “Steve did warn me then, but I was too blinded by love to listen.”“I am really sorry,” I said, coming to stand beside her. “What did you do?”“I left and never looked back. He used my ideas to start his own company, but being the idiot he is it never worked out. I started Lenora Fashions, and look where I am today. Success is really the best revenge.”“Wow, some history.” I smiled. “What happened to the bridesm
Becky’s POVI am here to take you to lunch.” Phillip beamed.“Hmm…sorry; but I can’t make it.”“Why?”“I have an appointment.”“Cancel it. We are more important.”“No can do. This person I want to see is even more central.”“Who?” He asked suspiciously.“Anna.” I laughed seeing the look on his face.“I do not advise you to. She is not really in good shape right now.”“Why? What is wrong with her?” I was concerned.“Nothing serious. She just isn’t up for visitors yet.”“Too bad. I really wanted to see her.”“Maybe at the weekend.” He promised.“Okay.”“So how about lunch?” He grinned, coming to kiss me.I laughed and nodded. “Sure.”“And you look beautiful,” he complimented as we headed to his car.“Thanks. Wendy helped me pick it out.”“Wendy?”“Yeah, she came by over the weekend and we went shopping, thanks to Sandra. We really had a great time.”“Hmm... then perhaps I should take you shopping and beat the record.” We laughed. Then I turned serious.“What is it?” He asked.“Wendy me
Becky’s POVSandra was in a meeting as I prepared to head home, and she wasn’t answering her phone.I decided to call her later, and walked to my car.Vicki was waiting for me. I smiled, wondering if she thought I would not keep to the appointment.“I know just the right place. I will give you directions,” she said as I got behind the wheel.“Do you go there often?” I asked.“Yeah. I like to have fun when I am done with work. Nice ride. Your family must be loaded.” She grinned. I smiled, not wanting to discuss it. “How do you like the corporate world?” She probed as we took a table in the small busy bar.“Great. I really enjoy the job.”“You like the ups and do not mind the downs?” She smiled.“Yes. And Ms. Martins is so easy to work with.”“She is. I have been here for approximately a month, and it already feels like I am a member of a big family.”I nodded in agreement.“How long have you been working with her?” She asked, sipping her drink.“Not too long.”“And she made you her PA
Becky’s POV“Are you okay?” Jenny asked as we left the café.“Sure,” I nodded.“I hope you aren’t thinking about Jerry, the jerk?”“A little. I don’t want the loser making trouble for me.”“Relax. He won’t. He is just making noise. Come on, let's go pick out your wedding dress.”I winced. I didn’t want to go with her because I knew her very well. She would pick out the thinnest, most expensive dress in the shop and I was right.“No way Jenny. This dress barely covers me,” I protested as she pulled it from the hanger.“So? It is a wedding, and not a funeral dress. This is perfect.”I squinted my eyes, “No it isn’t.”“Try it on and see.”Sighing, I did. It was worse than I imagined.“I need something more covered up,” I said, frowning.We tried a few more dresses, but still couldn’t find the right one.The store assistant asked us to come on Saturday afternoon when a new shipment would have arrived.“Okay, we will be here on Saturday, and I promise to get you a dress,” Jenny said.“I ca
Becky’s POV“We read you are getting married, congratulations,” he said.“Thanks.”“You are preparing for the wedding, right?” Someone else asked.“Yes.” I answered, not sure what to make of it.“Would you be able to juggle working and preparing?”“It will not be easy actually, but I will try.” I shrugged.“How about you take time off and let us handle things here until after the wedding?” The manager suggested.“No, I can’t. I have to run this place.”“When you come back,” the company’s accountant added. “We will help you hold this place down. Meanwhile, concentrate on your wedding.”Everyone agreed. I didn’t want to, but their suggestion made sense. So I had no choice but to obey.By 3:00 PM that afternoon I was waiting for Jenny at the airport. Her plane was late and l was getting impatient when I saw her coming towards me. “Becky!” She said, hugging me tightly. “It feels like centuries!”“I have missed you too,” I said, putting her bags in the truck.“I have so much to tell you a
Becky’s POVA week has passed, and I still hadn’t gotten over the shock of my discovery. Phillip tried to help me heal, but I was still upset anytime I thought of how much time I had spent not knowing my real mother. I tried to imagine if she had ever come around to visit. She hadn’t. She just abandoned me.Luckily I had already quit Lenora Fashions, so I didn’t have to go there or see Sandra. She called me almost every day, but I ignored those annoying calls. I wanted nothing to do with her.“Sandra called me. She says she has been calling you, you aren’t picking up,” Phillip said at breakfast one morning.“Why is she calling me? What does she want?” I snapped.“To talk to you.”“She has survived years without talking to me, or even seeing me so why the sudden change?” “Babe, I know you are hurt and angry, but please you have to calm down and talk to her. She is your mother. And she loves you.”“No, if she did, she wouldn’t have abandoned me.”“She does. She didn’t abandon you. Try
Becky POVI ran as if someone was after me. I didn’t know where I was going and didn’t care. I just wanted to get away. Running, I had only one thing in mind: Sandra was my mother! I had lived with her for weeks and never realized it. Phillip was aware, why hadn’t he told me? Who else knew? I imagined that I had run a few feet, but I was shocked when I saw where I was; in the center of the town. I must have run for an hour, perhaps. My heart and legs ached. I observed around, and noticed a café I often went to across the street. I went in and ordered coffee immediately, eager to calm my nerves, and get hold of the situation at hand.It was unbelievable for me. I preferred to run away because I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I was suddenly very furious. All along I had been living with April who didn’t love me, thinking I was the problem, not knowing my real mom was so close and didn’t say anything. If I hadn’t started asking questions, would she have still kept silent? And why had m
Becky’s POVOn Saturday afternoon Sandra called me.“Rebecca, how would you like to come to dinner this evening?” She asked.“Yeah, sure but,” I hesitated. Phillip and I planned to go to a movie. “Phil and I have plans.”“I won’t keep you long. I promise. I want to talk to you. It is kind of important.”“Is everything okay?”“Yes. Please come.” She sounded serious.“Okay sure. When and where?” I asked worriedly.“Five in the evening. At my house. I will be waiting for you.”“Who was that?” Phillip asked, coming to join me in the living room.“Sandra. She is inviting me to dinner this evening. I will try to be early so we can move on with our plans.”“Sure.” He joined me on the sofa. “Are you okay? You looked troubled.”“Sandra’s tone speaks of anxiety. I don’t know what it is, but it sounds serious.“Really? Have you told her you are leaving her company?”“Yes, but she said she was okay with it.”“Then relax. I am sure it is nothing. Maybe she just wants to sort a few things out,” he
Becky’s POVI looked at the door, but did not see anything unusual. I turned back and was shocked to see Phillip on his knees, holding out a sparkling diamond ring.My hands flew to my mouth; my skin turned crimson red, embarrassed by the number of people staring at us.“Will you marry me, Rebecca?” I could hear some people in the background saying, “Awn!” “Say yes!”I didn’t need much convincing. I had longed for this day.“Yes!” I screamed excitedly.He slipped the ring on my finger, and kissed me. Observers clapped while I blushed red.I couldn’t wait to get back to our car.“Phillip! Did it have to be in the public?” I asked, still flushed.“I love you. I want the whole world to know.”He kissed me, then started the engine. When we got home we changed into our pajamas and cuddled together in the living room, while sharing a bottle of our favorite wine.“How would you like our wedding?” Phillip asked as we sipped our drinks.“Something small, but beautiful.”He laughed. “It cannot
Becky’s POVOr could my mom have been lying to her sister? I didn’t think so. Why should she? I shut my laptop, and began thinking far back. Growing up, I had sometimes wondered if she was really my mother the way she treated me. Now after hearing this, I had my answer. But I needed more. Where would I get them? The only people who could have told me were her and my late Dad. I doubt if she would accept to tell me. I thought of Aunt Helen. Perhaps she knew something, and if she did, would she open up?I decided I will have to visit her and find out. But first, my arm had to heal. I was still sitting in the garden when an emerald green car drove in. I was wondering who it was before Phillip stepped out. He saw me and waved.“Nice car,” I complimented, walking over to him.“Do you think so?”“Sure. I love the color, and I know Anna would love it too,” I told him.“Anna? You think this is for her?”“Isn’t it? You talked about buying her a new car some weeks ago.”“Yeah, but her doctor
Becky POVI gasped in fear. “What is that?” I asked in alarm.“Relax. Dinner is about to be served,” Phillip grinned.“By setting us on fire?”He laughed. “It is the food that is being set on fire. This is a Hibachi restaurant. We eat and are entertained.”I have heard of such a restaurant, but had never been in one. I watched the chef perform magic tricks, and settled down to be entertained.It was a lot more fun than I had imagined. Phillip fed me the food so all I did was relax and enjoy. When it was over, he drove me to see a movie.“I enjoyed today. Can we do it again tomorrow?” I said.“I will be happy to. Maybe I will find another interesting place.”“How did you find this one?”“I was searching for something to entertain you.”“Why?” I asked teasingly.“Because I love you.” I smiled, and kissed him.“How about we skip the movie and just go home to enjoy each other’s company?” I suggested.Phillip was okay with my request as he said, “Sounds good to me.”It was late when we go
Becky’s POV“What does it look like?” he asked, nibbling my ear.“It looks like something romantic,” I said, staring at the picnic basket near the swimming pool.“Yep, a picnic by the pool,” he grinned.“Have I told you, you are romantic?” I teased.“No. Never.”He kissed my forehead, then led me to a deck chair. He gently brought out the food from the basket, laying them on the table.“Do you like it?” He asked.“It is cute, where did you steal the idea?”“Steal? No way, I thought it up myself. Are you saying that I am not romantic?”I laughed and learned back in my chair, watching him-- wealthy, handsome, and romantic, I really was a lucky girl.We sat down to our little picnic. “Did you tell Anna I was going to be living here again?” I asked. He looked uncomfortable. “Well I tried to but…” he hesitated.“What is it?” I asked.“Gran doesn’t really remember you,” he said sadly.“What? She does not?” He shook his head.I sighed unhappily. I was sad, but not surprised.“So it has got