Becky’s POV I felt a sharp pain as I slowly woke up. My head still hurt, and my throat was sore. “Are you okay?” I flipped my eyes wide to see Phillip staring at me with concern. “What are you doing in my room?” I mumbled. “You are in the hospital,” he grinned. “Why? What happened?” “You passed out. The doctor says you have a fever, and are really stressed.” “But I feel better now. When can I go home?” “Tomorrow. The doctor wants to keep you overnight.” I remembered I left Anna at home. I tried to get up. “Anna is alone, I have to go to her,” I said, struggling to get up while he held me down. “Anna is fine. Her new caregivers are with her already.” I was stunned for a second, then my eyes fell. “Well as long as she is happy that is great, I guess,” I said sadly. “Rebecca, I am sorry about the way I acted. I have been a jerk, and I want you to please forgive me.” “Yes, you have been a jerk,” I murmured. “I was scared when you informed me about Anna's health, and I r
Becky’s POV I read it and stared at the letter, too stunned to speak.“Are you okay?” Phillip asked gently.I stared at him, but still I couldn’t say a word.“A college admission letter?” I gasped finally.“I have had it for a week now. I was waiting for a romantic time to give it to you but I guess now is good,” he said gently.“But how?”“It was not difficult,” he grinned.Tears stung my eyes, and I shut them tightly, imagining if I was dreaming and would soon wake up.“Phillip, I can’t-““You deserve it. It’s your dream. Take it, consider it a gift from Anna and me.”I nodded, fighting to stop my tears.“Get some rest. Tomorrow morning, I will send Larry to come and pick you up. Please forgive me that I won’t be the one to take you home. I have something crucial to attend to, but I will try to be back early.”“Thank you for everything,” I whispered.“I am happy to do it.” He smiled and kissed me lightly. His lips tasted like honey, and I wished he could deepen it, but he withdrew
Phillip’s POV After I spoke to Rebecca I called a florist and asked him to deliver a bouquet of flowers to her. I called the estate security to tell him to be expecting the delivery man, and to let him in. I didn’t want him calling the house and spoiling the surprise.Then I sat back dreaming of what I had planned for the evening. I was going to make Rebecca’s last few days in the mansion memorable.Frank came in not looking very happy.“What are you smiling about?” He asked suspiciously.“Nothing. Why are you looking so grumpy, anything the matter?”“Rebecca is leaving to go and live with Sandra Martins, I don’t think that is a good idea.” “Why not?” I asked.“Celine and her dad. That’s why not. How can you even allow such a thing? You should have said no.”“Rebecca is not my slave nor my kid. She is an adult, free to make her own decisions. If she feels living with Sandra is what she wants then who am I to stop her?”“But it is a bad idea!” He insisted. “Celine and her dad are st
Becky’s POV I looked at the flowers Phillip had sent me and smiled.I was surprised to receive them with the note attached.SEE YOU TONIGHT.Was this real, or was I dreaming? Was I really experiencing romance? Maybe he was trying to tell me that even though I had decided not to live with them any longer, his feelings for me hadn’t changed.I took the flowers to my room, and fixed them in a vase. I would take them along when I went to Sandra’s place.I opened my wardrobe and ransacked it with my eyes , wondering what to wear for the date. Thanks to Anna, I now owned more than enough clothes to choose from.I decided on a red evening dress. Anna and I had picked it out the last time we went shopping, and I had never worn it. My heart raced at the thought of what was ahead. Would something happen? I needed Jenny’s advice.I called her. She answered, but spoke very fast.“Is everything okay?” I asked.“Almost late for my next class, what’s up?”“Okay, I won’t take your time. Phillip is t
Becky’s POV What just happened? I screamed in my mind. A sudden chill flushed over me, and I realized I was still half dressed. Red with embarrassment, I quickly pulled up my sleeves, then sat on the edge of the bed thinking where I had gone wrong.I had followed Jenny’s advice. She called me earlier in the evening while I was getting set.“Okay, so what do you want to talk about?” She asked.“I am moving out in a few days, your aunt has invited me to stay with her,” I began.“Really? That is great!”“Do not fuss. I am certain that it was your idea in the first place,” I said.“No honestly, it wasn’t. I admit I did consider it, but when I brought it up Aunt Sandy told me she had already invited you.”I was surprised, I had thought Jenny was behind it all along.“So when are you moving in with her?” Jenny asked.“On Saturday. But tonight, Phillip has arranged to take me to dinner, and I think he will try to… you know what I mean... kiss me a little more. “I stammered.“What do you me
Becky's POV It was an article on a news blog, with a picture attached that showed Phillip having dinner with Celine. I quickly read through the article that talked about them getting back together.“I have no idea why Phillip will be anywhere near Celine? Do you have any clue what he is up to?” Frank asked.I shook my head not trusting myself to speak.Phillip had said he won’t be able to have dinner with me because he would be working late, was this the work? I remembered his odd behavior and wondered if he had been lying to me all along.No, there must be an explanation.” I thought.“Are you okay?” Frank asked with concern.“Yes I am fine. This means nothing. Maybe it is part of Phillip’s plan.”“What kind of plan involves getting back with Celine?”“I do not know, but I don’t think he is getting back with her. Maybe he is trying to get information from her,” I said.“Does not look that way,” Frank said, looking at the picture again. “They look really close.”I handed him back his
Becky’s POV “What is wrong Rebecca? Have you finally gone dumb?” Celine asked mockingly.Her sharp voice jolted me back to reality. I was surprised and scared by what I had been imagining.“Leave me alone, Celine,” I said, and pushing past her, I ran out of the mall“No matter what, I wasn’t going to let her goad me into a fight,” I thought. If I had known that I would bump into her, I wouldn't have come. I started looking around for a cab. I got one and jumped in. I was halfway home when Frank called me. I had forgotten all about him in my hurry.“Where are you?” He asked.“Sorry Frank, I am on my way home.”“Home? Is everything okay?” He asked, alarmed.“Something came up. Please, I will call you later.”“What? Is it to do with Anna?”“No. I am not feeling so good,” I lied.“Sorry about that. I guess I will see you later.”“Sure.” I hung up, sighing. What was wrong with me? I was thinking all sorts of crazy things. I couldn’t wait for tomorrow, maybe time away from here would do m
Becky’s POVWell, I couldn’t complain, I had urged him to take the deal, so I had no right to be mad that he had listened. If anything, he should be mad at me for getting him into this mess. “What I want to know is why did you lie to me? You could have told me the truth,” I asked.“I didn’t want to upset you. Besides, like I said, it isn't real. I don’t even know how the person who put it on social media found us there. I tried everything to keep it quiet. I guess Celine must have invited them. Please don’t be mad.”“I understand. I am not angry. After all you are in this mess because of me,” I said sadly.“No. It has nothing to do with you. I would do anything for you. I love you.”“I love you too.” I smiled.“What else did Celine tell you?” He asked.“How much you both love each other. And her dad is planning to get my dad’s company, and make me a cleaner.”“She is lying. Whatever she said is a lie. There is no way they are getting the company.”I know. I don’t believe her. But I d
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