SELENA'S POV
"Nanny Karen? Can you help us—" my words cut when her room is empty. Where did she go? I walked downstairs to ask Haxilla.
"Where's Nanny Karen? I can't find her," I asked Haxilla while looking around the house. She throws me a balloons and tapes, instead of answering my questions.
"Put some air for that and put it around the banner."
"I'm asking you if you know where Nanny Karen go," I repeat my question.
"She picked up the others on the airport. Hurry, they'll be here any minute," she said and run to Hershey when she heard it cry. I shrugged and fix the other decorations, while doing it, someone knocks on the door.
"Please open the door, Sel. Maybe it's the cake I ordered."
As I finished tying up the balloons, I walked quickly to the door, a delivery man holding a box of cake smiled at me, "Delivery for Haxilla Demetrius."
"Ah, she said that I can receive it. Is this paid already?" I asked while pulling out my wallet to pay it if ever it isn't paid yet.
"It's paid already, you just need to sign this for confirmation."
After signing, I gave him a two hundred dollars for his tip. I was about to close the door when someone blocked his hand on it, "May I come in?"
"Jacob, you're early."
He smiled at me, "Am I?" I opened the door widely to let him in. He looked around the house as he put down his present for Raven, "Their house has amazing interior design, huh."
"Hmm, Haxilla and Britanny studied bachelor of arts, that's why their houses or office are not that boring."
"I see," he looked at me, "Do you need some help in decorating?"
I shook my head, "It's fine. Just sit there, the other visitors will be here soon, by the way, do you want some juice or anything?"
"Can I have an apple juice? I'm kinda thirsty."
I put down the banners, "Of course, hold on a second."
My forehead creased when he stood up and walked at my side, "You can just wait there..."
"I'm shy to be alone there."
While we're talking in the kitchen, Haxilla suddenly appeared at my back, "Oh, hi Jacob."
"Hi, I'm sorry, I'm really thirsty."
"No, it's fine, I'm just surprised that you're already here. By the way, feel at home, don't be shy or something, we won't eat you." Haxilla joked, Jacob laughed, but I lift the corner of my lip.
"You're so corny."
She pinched the side of my belly. She wants to say something, but a familiar voice echoed in the whole house.
"Let's party!"
Jacob laughed, "They are here."
HARU'S POV
"We're finally home!" I exclaimed when we already stepped in Raven's house. Wade is smiling while looking around the house, as well as his wife.
Nanny Karen pulled us to sit on the couch, "Sit here first. I'll take care of your—"
I instantly stepped back and stopped her from getting our heavy luggage, "No, we can take care of this. You can rest now, Nanny."
While Nanny Karen and I are fighting over our luggage, Haxilla suddenly came out from the kitchen, she screamed and run towards to Britanny that hushed her immediately because her baby is sleeping.
"I miss you! Oh, hi, baby Wylow, welcome to our home!"
While Haxilla is playing to the baby, Wade walked closer to me and helping me to arrange our luggage, "Jacob is here too," he whispered while looking at my side.
I looked at it, Jacob is standing behind Selena like he is getting ready if ever something happened to her. Our eyes met, he smiled at me first, "Oh, you're here also."
He nodded, "Selena invited me here. I heard that you worked to London for the company."
"Yes, it's quite tiring, but it's worth it."
Selena walked closer to me and fixed my collar, "You still don't know how to make your t-shirt collar neat."
I looked at her while she's doing it. Her eyes tell it all— she's tired, scared and sad. She smiled at me, "I'm fine, don't worry. Haxilla and Jacob take good care of me while you and Jaxon are gone."
"That's good to hear."
"Oh, oh, oh, Raven is on his way now here. Hurry, let's prepare now."
We all move to surprise the birthday boy. I'm smiling while watching Hershey is waiting for her dad at the door, holding a cute card and present.
"Hon, the director let me—"
"Happy birthday to you... Happy birthday to you..."
Raven is stunned while looking at us, the surprise on his face make the atmosphere funnier. Almost all of us can't sing well because of his funny face, Hershey is also laughing at her dad.
"Dad, you're ugly," Hershey said as he kissed his dad. She gets it from her mother's trait, for sure. Haxilla walked closer to him while holding a cake and her laugh, so she can't mess the cake.
While everyone is taking video or pictures of this moment, I looked at Selena's side. Her tummy is getting bigger from the last day we saw each other, I'm so proud of her because despite the problems that she faced this past few months, she's still strong.
My eyes moved at her waist where Jacob's hand is, I felt uncomfortable, but Selena is probably fine with it because she let him do it. Did something really going on between them?
'Maxine is pregnant, and I'm the father.'
Jaxon's voice suddenly whispered at my mind. I don't know if he really mean it, or he's just making excuses, so I would stop talking about Selena—it doesn't make sense. He didn't want to do it, for sure, we all know how Jaxon loves Selena so much.
"Haru, are you okay?" Selena asked that made me woke up to reality. They're all now sitting at the table, and I'm the only one who is still standing here. I cleared my throat and sit down with them.
Why do I feel that something bad will happen now?
HAXILLA'S POV
"Since when did you come here? I'm really not expecting all of you to come here," Raven said.
"Just now. Your wife planned this all for you," Wade said with teasing looks at Raven. I put down his plate and pulled his hair lightly.
"Stop that kind of looks."
They all laughed. I noticed that Jacob felt uncomfortable, maybe because the two major shareholders of his opponent company are eating with him. When I put down his plate, he looked at me, "Don't feel tensed, we're all friends here." I said, so he can ease the surrounding awkwardness.
He smiled and nodded. Britanny mouthed, "Why he's here?" I glared at her to stop her because Selena might also feel uncomfortable if Jacob felt left out.
We talked about random things while eating, everyone looks comfortable to each other, that made feel relieved. I'm actually surprised when Selena said that she was going to invite Jacob here as showing her gratitude for him. If I didn't see how Jacob take good care of her when she had bad times of her life, I wouldn't let her do it.
"How's your business going, Jacob?" Haru asked. I don't know what's with the atmosphere when he asked it—all of us became quiet and waiting him to answer.
Jacob smiled, "It's doing well so far. I'm just a bit busy because I also need to look for Selena."
Jealousy ate Haru's eyes. He doesn't know the word 'move on', he's still into Selena. He nodded while playing the noodle at his plate, "I see, thank you for doing that."
If Britanny didn't open a new topic to talk, the tension between the two will ruin the day. I should've said no to Selena when she asked me about this, argh, regrets.
"Ah, I'll get more pies in the kitchen." Selena stood up and get the plate, Jacob also stood up and walked to Selena to the kitchen.
"Can't you stop yourself, Haru?" I asked, he ignored me. He's always like that when he doesn't want to talk about something, I rolled my eyes. Nanny Karen suddenly run to us with panic.
"Look."
She showed us an article says that Maxine and Jaxon will get marry and —
"Expecting a baby?!" I exclaimed and get the phone from Nanny Karen and read the full article.
"Oh God, what's happening now?" Britanny asked with full of frustration, Wade and Raven also looked surprised and scared.
"Maybe it's just a fake news—"
"That's true."
We all looked to Haru. He sighed deeply, "Jaxon told me about that when I called him. I don't want to believe it, either, but he sent the pictures of Maxine's pregnancy test and check-up papers from an ob-gyne." He explained without looking at us.
"Then, why you're just saying that to us now?" Wade asked him. My heart is pounding loudly, this is a huge scandal and mess. Is that the reason why he didn't pick up all of Selena's call, except for that call that only last a second?
All of us became qu iet while still absorbing the things that we discovered now. What are we going to do now?
"Because I don't know how to say it to all of you. I'm also worried about Selena that time," Haru said.
I hold my forehead, it gave me a headache, why the hell Jaxon did this? He's so irresponsible, damn it.
"What your plans now?" Nanny Karen asked us.
"Tell her now," Britanny answered immediately. I glared at her, "What? There's no valid reason to hide this from her, she'll know about this anyway," she explained after she saw my glare.
"Are you stupid? You know what kind of situation Selena has now." I rolled my eyes on her. Raven hold my hand to calm me down, but it didn't help. She's so insensitive to suggest that, Selena is literally from hospital because of stress.
"Love, calm down."
Wade was about to spoke up, but Jacob and Selena suddenly appeared while holding the plate of pies.
"What's with the atmosphere? Why you all looked stressed and terrified?" she asked. Haru get a piece of pie and eat it.
"Why did you take so long to get this? I'm craving with this," he said to change the mood of the table. The others did the same until the issue earlier covered up.
While eating, I'm looking at Selena, she has been through a lot and as much as possible, I don't want her to suffer again. Maybe her baby survived before, but when she knew about this, I don't think both of them will survive.
Raven leaned closer to me, "Don't show her that you're stressed about earlier. You don't have an answer when she become curious." he whispered and kissed me on my temple.
Hershey run to him, asking a help to reach her favorite doll at her room. Nanny Karen replaced him on my side, she didn't say anything, just holding my hand and smiling.
When all of us are done eating, they all suggested going home early.
"Why? There's a lot of time to enjoy," Selena insisted while pouting.
Jacob rubbed her back, "Let them be. Britanny looks like needs more rest because of jet lag, Wylow needs it too."
"He's right, Sel. We will go back tomorrow and visit your house, okay?" Wade said and looked at me with meaning.
Raven came out while Hershey is on his shoulders, "Are you going home now?"
"Yes bro. Happy birthday again, thank you."
The three of them left the door with Nanny Karen.
"I'll drop you off at the parking lot." Selena recommended. I was about to speak, but Jacob already did.
"Are you sure?"
Selena nodded and looked at me, "I'll be back." She kissed my cheeks and walked with Jacob.
The tears that I'm holding since earlier, burst out. Raven catch me when my knees weakened, he hugged me tightly while rubbing my back.
"Daddy, what happened to mommy?" Hershey asked. Raven told her to go to her room for now and play her toys.
My chest tightened, I can't imagine how hurtful it is to Selena when she knew about this. I'm scared that she'll take her own life for real.
"Shh, stop crying. Selena might see you."
"I can't lose her, we already lose our parents. Losing my sister will also my end, Raven. I feel so bad for her."
"Don't say that, everything will be fine, okay?"
My heart beat raced a second later after he said that.
"Why are you crying, Hax?"
ALEXA'S POV "Alexa! Alexa!" I looked at Haven, who is running hurriedly towards me, "What's the matter?" I asked. She showed me her phone, an article is there, Sir Jaxon and Ms. Maxine are the thumbnail of that article, "Read it." She let me get her phone, so I can read properly the article. My eyes widened while reading it, this must be a fake news, there's no way that Sir Jaxon will do it to his wife. "That's fake news for sure," I said and give her back her phone. She stomped her feet while shaking my shoulder, insisting that it's real. "Haven, please, we have so much to do here to believe that kind of shit." "It's real." Konrad suddenly appeared at her back. He told Haven to leave my office, he looked at me while dropping off the documents that I asked him. "Don't tell that you believe it—" "Sir Ja
HARU'S POV "Where are you going?" Jacob asked as he stopped at my front. I ignored him and continue my walk to Selena's house, he suddenly pulled my arm to stop me again. "What's your problem?! I just want to check if Selena is fine," I shouted at him. He smirked, "She's not that well, so please, go back wherever you're from because any moment now, Selena will wake up." And motioned the way out of this house. I put my hands at my pocket and directly looked at his eyes, "What's your plan?" "What do you mean?" "I know you're planning something, that's why you keep on getting close with Selena." He laughed and tapped my shoulder, "You're so observant, Haru. That's right, I'm doing this to get her trust and my business will run smoothly." "What?!" My forehead creased, my fist clenched and any moment from n
SELENA'S POV "You don't need to do that." Jacob appeared at my side and took away the dishes from my hands. He smiled at me that made me pout, he is always smiling at me like it will convince me to do whatever he says to me. I rolled my eyes and continue washing the dishes," I'm fine, okay? It's not that hard." His stares are making hole to my soul, it made me look back at him while my brows are furrowed. "What's the thing with that stare?" I asked him. "What if Jaxon didn't do that thing? Do you think you will be in this kind of situation?" He asked me back that made me shocked and get hit by realization. I smiled, "No one wants it to happen, and he's not the one to blame why my life became like this. It's his parents." Even though my heart literally crushed into pieces when I knew the news about him
HARU'S POV "What is she doing there?" I asked myself when the GPS was at the empty lot, a bit far away from their house. Did Jacob just... Oh, shit! No, it can't be! I immediately get my keys and jackets, rushed to get to my car to go where Selena is. While driving, my heart beating so fast that it can go out of my ribs at any moment, the cold sweats also covered my forehead and palms. "What?" I answered Haxilla call. [Where are you going? Why you're so in rush?] I'm biting now my nails because of anxiety, "How did you know?" [I'm about to go to your house and saw you that you're in rush. I'm actually behind your car now.] A red car is tailing me, that's Haxilla. She shouldn't follow me, she can't see the body of her sister if ever that Jacob did something brutal. That bastard, I should have killed him
SELENA'S POV "Do you want to have a wine?" Jacob asked me while holding a bottle of wine and two wine glasses. I smiled at him and get one wine glass. We are quiet while appreciating the beauty of the stars at night and a tasty wine. It's been a while since I felt this kind of peace, it is so satisfying. "Are you feeling well now?" he asked after a long silence. I nod, "Hm, thanks to you." "That's nothing—oh, wait, someone is calling." When he gets out of the room, I immediately tapped the recording app on my phone and checked the other phone if it's already linked to the other one. Since I found the GPS device at my bracelet, something unsual starting to bother me. His footsteps are getting closer and louder, that's why I just kicked my other phone under the bed because I panicked. "Did you wait for l
BRITTANY'S POV "Drive faster, Wade." I'm praying hard while we're on our way to Selena. I keep on telling myself that nothing bad will happen to her, nothing. She'll be safe while waiting for us. Wade tried to overtake from the cars in front of us. We both became annoyed when the red light appeared in the traffic lights. This shit, we need to get there faster, we don't know what things can Jacob do to Selena. "Jaxon is here already," Haru said when we saw men that are lying on the ground unconscious. I'm a bit amazed on how Jaxon did this all by himself, he's an ace. We followed Haxilla when she suddenly run at the warehouse. We saw that Jacob hitting Jaxon at the other side, while Selena almost lost her voice because of her screaming. I immediately run to her while our other friends trying to stop the men of Jacob. "Get away of here with Jaxon,"
"Wylow! Come here, baby." I wiped Wylow's mouth that is full of chocolate, Haru gave me an extra tissue. "Britanny should be the one who is doing that." He said, I threw the used tissue on his face. "She's busy on preparing the foods." He sat down at my side while fixing Wylow's hair, "If we ever have a baby, she will be beautiful like you or he will be more handsome than me?" I pushed him with all my strength, "Stop that nonsense. I didn't even give you a permission to court me again." "I can court you in bed," he said while twitching his eyebrows up and down. Yuck, he's so disgusting. We left him there, I heard him calling my name, but I ignored it. While waiting for Britanny and Haxilla, I scrolled at my feed. "Their baby is so cute." Maxine posted their family picture for the
My hands are encircled by a chain. My waking body was greeted by a cold and cement odor; this place is a shambles."You're awake, Selena."That familiar voice made me raise my head."Jacob? All of this was done by you?"He gets down on his knees and looks me in the eyes. I could see how much rage was now residing in his heart and spirit. His fingers twirled in my hair and brushed against my face."I apologize for using you, Selena. You're Jax's priceless jewel, which he can't afford to lose" with every point he makes, he says.I cocked my head and smirked. He didn't know anything, and my eyes are fixed on him, like if my death is a long distance off."You're wasting your time; Jax won't show up—"Because of a gunshot from elsewhere, my word is cut short."Get away from my wife, Jacob,"
"Wylow! Come here, baby." I wiped Wylow's mouth that is full of chocolate, Haru gave me an extra tissue. "Britanny should be the one who is doing that." He said, I threw the used tissue on his face. "She's busy on preparing the foods." He sat down at my side while fixing Wylow's hair, "If we ever have a baby, she will be beautiful like you or he will be more handsome than me?" I pushed him with all my strength, "Stop that nonsense. I didn't even give you a permission to court me again." "I can court you in bed," he said while twitching his eyebrows up and down. Yuck, he's so disgusting. We left him there, I heard him calling my name, but I ignored it. While waiting for Britanny and Haxilla, I scrolled at my feed. "Their baby is so cute." Maxine posted their family picture for the
BRITTANY'S POV "Drive faster, Wade." I'm praying hard while we're on our way to Selena. I keep on telling myself that nothing bad will happen to her, nothing. She'll be safe while waiting for us. Wade tried to overtake from the cars in front of us. We both became annoyed when the red light appeared in the traffic lights. This shit, we need to get there faster, we don't know what things can Jacob do to Selena. "Jaxon is here already," Haru said when we saw men that are lying on the ground unconscious. I'm a bit amazed on how Jaxon did this all by himself, he's an ace. We followed Haxilla when she suddenly run at the warehouse. We saw that Jacob hitting Jaxon at the other side, while Selena almost lost her voice because of her screaming. I immediately run to her while our other friends trying to stop the men of Jacob. "Get away of here with Jaxon,"
SELENA'S POV "Do you want to have a wine?" Jacob asked me while holding a bottle of wine and two wine glasses. I smiled at him and get one wine glass. We are quiet while appreciating the beauty of the stars at night and a tasty wine. It's been a while since I felt this kind of peace, it is so satisfying. "Are you feeling well now?" he asked after a long silence. I nod, "Hm, thanks to you." "That's nothing—oh, wait, someone is calling." When he gets out of the room, I immediately tapped the recording app on my phone and checked the other phone if it's already linked to the other one. Since I found the GPS device at my bracelet, something unsual starting to bother me. His footsteps are getting closer and louder, that's why I just kicked my other phone under the bed because I panicked. "Did you wait for l
HARU'S POV "What is she doing there?" I asked myself when the GPS was at the empty lot, a bit far away from their house. Did Jacob just... Oh, shit! No, it can't be! I immediately get my keys and jackets, rushed to get to my car to go where Selena is. While driving, my heart beating so fast that it can go out of my ribs at any moment, the cold sweats also covered my forehead and palms. "What?" I answered Haxilla call. [Where are you going? Why you're so in rush?] I'm biting now my nails because of anxiety, "How did you know?" [I'm about to go to your house and saw you that you're in rush. I'm actually behind your car now.] A red car is tailing me, that's Haxilla. She shouldn't follow me, she can't see the body of her sister if ever that Jacob did something brutal. That bastard, I should have killed him
SELENA'S POV "You don't need to do that." Jacob appeared at my side and took away the dishes from my hands. He smiled at me that made me pout, he is always smiling at me like it will convince me to do whatever he says to me. I rolled my eyes and continue washing the dishes," I'm fine, okay? It's not that hard." His stares are making hole to my soul, it made me look back at him while my brows are furrowed. "What's the thing with that stare?" I asked him. "What if Jaxon didn't do that thing? Do you think you will be in this kind of situation?" He asked me back that made me shocked and get hit by realization. I smiled, "No one wants it to happen, and he's not the one to blame why my life became like this. It's his parents." Even though my heart literally crushed into pieces when I knew the news about him
HARU'S POV "Where are you going?" Jacob asked as he stopped at my front. I ignored him and continue my walk to Selena's house, he suddenly pulled my arm to stop me again. "What's your problem?! I just want to check if Selena is fine," I shouted at him. He smirked, "She's not that well, so please, go back wherever you're from because any moment now, Selena will wake up." And motioned the way out of this house. I put my hands at my pocket and directly looked at his eyes, "What's your plan?" "What do you mean?" "I know you're planning something, that's why you keep on getting close with Selena." He laughed and tapped my shoulder, "You're so observant, Haru. That's right, I'm doing this to get her trust and my business will run smoothly." "What?!" My forehead creased, my fist clenched and any moment from n
ALEXA'S POV "Alexa! Alexa!" I looked at Haven, who is running hurriedly towards me, "What's the matter?" I asked. She showed me her phone, an article is there, Sir Jaxon and Ms. Maxine are the thumbnail of that article, "Read it." She let me get her phone, so I can read properly the article. My eyes widened while reading it, this must be a fake news, there's no way that Sir Jaxon will do it to his wife. "That's fake news for sure," I said and give her back her phone. She stomped her feet while shaking my shoulder, insisting that it's real. "Haven, please, we have so much to do here to believe that kind of shit." "It's real." Konrad suddenly appeared at her back. He told Haven to leave my office, he looked at me while dropping off the documents that I asked him. "Don't tell that you believe it—" "Sir Ja
SELENA'S POV "Nanny Karen? Can you help us—" my words cut when her room is empty. Where did she go? I walked downstairs to ask Haxilla. "Where's Nanny Karen? I can't find her," I asked Haxilla while looking around the house. She throws me a balloons and tapes, instead of answering my questions. "Put some air for that and put it around the banner." "I'm asking you if you know where Nanny Karen go," I repeat my question. "She picked up the others on the airport. Hurry, they'll be here any minute," she said and run to Hershey when she heard it cry. I shrugged and fix the other decorations, while doing it, someone knocks on the door. "Please open the door, Sel. Maybe it's the cake I ordered." As I finished tying up the balloons, I walked quickly to the door, a delivery man holding a box of cake smiled at me, "Delivery for Haxill
THREE WEEKS LATER SELENA'S POV Haxilla runs towards me while holding a bouquet, "I bought you your favorite flowers! Coral roses." "Thank you," I looked at her and smiled, "Do you want to go to Bay Area with me?" She shook her head that made my shoulder to fall, "I'm busy for Raven's surprise party," she whispered and shake my shoulders. "All right, all right, stop it. What are your plans now?" "I'm planning to tell Wade and Haru to come over, a little reunion to be precise. What do you think?" she excitedly asked. "Hmm," I hold my chin and acts that her idea is bad. She holds my arm and pouted at me, she's so cute. No wonder we're siblings. "You don't like it?" "Did I say something?" She throws a tantrum, "Just tell me if it's good or bad!" "It's g