Phillip's POV “Miss Richards, I said, buckling my trousers. “What are you doing here?”“This is off limits to staff,” Celine told her arrogantly. “You don’t belong here.”“I am sorry to interrupt, but please you need to keep it down. Anna isn’t feeling well and is trying to fall asleep,” she told us.“That is your business! Do your job and take care of her!” Celine barked.“Hold it Celine!” I snapped. I turned to Rebecca, “Gran is ill? What is wrong with her?”“She is running a fever. I have taken her to the doctor and given her medication, but she needs peace and quietness so she can fall asleep,” she explained.“How dare you talk to your boss like that?” Celine snapped. “You need to fire her, Phil!”“When did it start?” I asked, ignoring Celine.“Since this morning.”“Let me go see her,” I said, buttoning my shirt.“But Phil-“ Celine began.I ignored her and followed Rebecca to Gran's room. She was lying down, half awake.“Hey Gran, how are you feeling?” I asked, sitting beside her
Becky’s POV I opened my eyes and found myself looking straight into the emerald green eyes of Phillip Dale, his lips locked on mine. He moved back suddenly, as if I had bitten him.“Miss. Richards…it is not what you think…..I …I was trying to… I mean… I tripped… you were…” He kept stammering, not making any sense.I sat up and looked around, wondering where I was. I remembered I had read to Anna till she fell asleep, then I decided to have a cup of tea before bed. After that, I couldn’t remember anything else. This is not my room. I mean, how did I get here? And what's Philip doing in the same room as me, on the bed? Did he bring me here? Why? Had he been kissing me? Yes he had. So many questions and thoughts were running through my mind.I thought he said what happened the other day was a mistake? I asked myself.He continued stammering, red-faced, and I tried not to laugh.“It is okay Mr. Dale, I understand. You fell on top of me. I get clumsy too.” I smiled, trying to help him out
Becky’s POV “Who were you expecting?” Celine’s father asked, sitting across from me.I had no answer. I was not in my wildest dreams expecting to see him, even though I had no idea of the identity of the person I had come to meet.“I don’t know sir,” I said, a little uncomfortable. “But I didn’t think it would be you.”“Why? Am I too old to meet a pretty girl?” He smirked.I shifted uncomfortably. What does he want? We do not know each other. I only met him some days ago at the ball, so why is he interested in seeing me?“What would you take?” He asked me.“I am okay.”“I insist.”“A cup of coffee would be nice,” I said reluctantly.He waved to a waiter and we ordered.“Why did you want to see me?” I asked.“Any idea of who I am?” He asked, ignoring my question.“We met a few nights ago,” I said.“But we weren’t properly introduced. I am Ben Davis, a business executive with a lot of influence in this town. And soon to be Phillip Dale’s father-in-law. Celine, my daughter, is his fianc
Becky’s POV “Like I said, he doesn’t scare me,” I said.“Well, be careful of the guy,” Frank warned.“Why do you think he wants to get me away from Anna?” I asked.“I don’t know, did he say much to you at the ball?”“No. Phillip didn’t really introduce us.”“He saw you with Phillip?” Frank frowned.I nodded.“Maybe he is worried you are trying to take Celine’s place.” I laughed at how silly the idea was.“Are you?” Frank asked, looking at me.“What? That is silly. I wouldn’t have even gone if Anna hadn’t insisted on it.” I protested.“I know. I’m only joking. Just ignore the guy.”We drove in silence for a while. I thought about what Frank said. Me trying to take Celine’s place? It wasn’t possible, or was it? Phillip kept acting like he didn’t care about me, but what about all those kisses? I blushed remembering them. They must mean something.I noticed Frank was staring at me.“Phillip is going to marry Celine. So, no room for another woman,” he said suddenly, as if reading my mind
Becky’s POV “He wanted you to say you were in love with him. Are you seriously that dumb Becky?” Jenny asked.I had woken her up before dawn to tell her about the awful time I’d had with Frank the night before.“Are you sure?” I asked, surprised. “He has feelings for you, and he wanted you to say you felt the same way,” Jenny explained.“But I don’t. I see him as a friend,” I protested.“Then let him know that.”“Why didn’t he just come out plainly and say so?” I wondered.“Maybe he is a dork, but if you don’t feel the same way, then tell him plainly,” she advised.“Sure, thanks.”“How about Phillip? Any improvement?”“No, Phillip is a jerk and I want nothing to do with him,” I said firmly.“Are you sure?” She teased.“Yes I am. He yelled at me last night for no reason. Look, forget him. Let’s talk about something else.”We talked a little, then I hung up. I had slept badly and woken up in a bad mood. I had been waiting for Phillip and Celine to leave before I went to Anna, but it w
Becky’s POV I lay on my bed, fully clothed and cried myself to sleep. I couldn’t believe Phillip would really go through with his decision to fire me. Although I should have guessed from the look on his face, and tone of his voice this morning.I woke up just before dawn and was embarrassed by my reflection when I glanced in my vanity mirror.I looked a mess with my wild hair and red, swollen eyes. I took a warm bath and forced myself to accept I would no longer be working for the Dales. I don’t care, I told myself as I combed my hair, I would survive. I will definitely get another job. It is just that I will really miss Anna, and it hurts that I won't be able to bid her goodbye. I began to arrange my things into my bag, then there was a knock on the door.As I made to answer the door, I was surprised to see Phillip standing there.“Good morning, Miss Richards. I need to talk to you,” he said.I stared at him, my eyebrows slightly raised in wonder.“Due to some unforeseen issues, yo
Becky’s POV “And I was thinking you really wanted to hang out with me. I should have guessed your behavior was too good to be true, you sneaky little witch,” he said, coming into the room.“You should be ashamed of yourself you heartless bully,” I said angrily. “Picking on an old lady.”“What is it to you?” He asked. “I am her caregiver and I will treat her anyway I like.”“Not on my watch!” I told him.“Please go dear,” Brenda urged me. “Chris, please let her go.”“Shut up,” Chris told her.“Don’t you yell at her!” I told him. “I will make sure you pay for this.”“Honey go please,” Brenda pleaded.“She is not going anywhere.” Chris closed and locked the door, putting the key in his pocket.“I warned you to mind your business, but you won’t listen now you will wish you had,” he said, moving towards me.“You don’t scare me,” I said firmly. “I am not leaving here without Brenda.”“What is it to you what I do with this old bat?” He asked angrily. “I have told you to let me show you how
Becky’s POV “Oh my goodness! Rebecca! What happened to your face?” Anna asked in alarm.“Nothing Anna, I am okay, really.”“Is it true Brenda was attacked?” She asked.“How did you know that, Gran?” Phillip asked.“One of the neighbors was here just now. She told me Brenda was taken away in an ambulance. It is true, isn’t it?” She began crying.“No Gran, it isn’t. Brenda is fine, thanks to Rebecca,” Phillip told her.“Yes Anna. I was there. Brenda is fine,” I repeated.“I need to see her for myself,” Anna insisted.“Not now, Gran, tomorrow,” Frank said.“We will go see her tomorrow, Gran, I promise,” Phillip agreed.“What happened to you, Rebecca? Is it to do with Brenda?” She asked.“Calm down Gran, let’s go inside and I will explain everything,” Phillip said, then turned to me. “I will look after her, you get some rest.”“I will walk you to your place,” Frank offered.I followed him, happy I wouldn’t have to explain to Anna. My face was swollen up where Chris had hit me and talking
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