Anastasia's POVI opened my eyes slowly and hesitantly, I was tired but still felt the need to wake up. My brain must have known I had slept for way too long. I reached out to my waist but his hands weren't there. Had he gone out?“ I guess, you did miss me after all,” I heard his voice from the end of the bed. I sat up to see Kasper standing by the end of the bed. Had he been watching me like this?“ I gambled on the slim chance that you'd look for me the moment you wake up and I was right,” he snickered. It's like no matter how hard I tried to resist him, he kept outsmarting me.“ How long have you been standing there watching me?” I questioned as I sat up.“ What if I said throughout the time you slept? Would that scare you ?” He smiled as he approached me.“ Don't bother, you're anything but scary,” I scoffed as he sat besides me.“ You wanna dare me?” He smirked as he brought his face closer to mine.“ I think we can save Mr. Horror face for later,” I said pushing him away from m
Kasper's POV Anastasia had been in deep thoughts ever since we came downstairs for lunch. Was she uncomfortable with our kissing? But then again, she seemed to like after all, she kissed me back. That couldn't be why she was so lost in thought, something else must be on her mind.“ I thought you said you didn't want to come, what's with the sudden change of heart?” Grandad talked to the figure behind me. I turned to see who it was. “ Last minute alterations, I guess,” turning to see the face behind the familiar voice I was hearing, it was Lucas. I wasn't surprised even though I didn't know he was coming beforehand but then again, it would be strange for granddad to nag me to come home without doing the same to him.“ Have a seat,” granddad instructed and grumpily he sat down opposite me. Our eyes crossed paths for a moment and he didn't hesitate to glare at me. It was none of my business if he felt hurt by my actions. It was only right that I protect the woman I love, moreover, sh
Anastasia ’s POV I wondered why Mr Bourne had called Kasper and Lucas in, I felt nervous for reasons unknown to me. “ Mummy, are you alright?” Chloe tugged at my sleeve as she had noticed how distracted I was from the meal. “ You've been acting strange,” Claude picked up from where she stopped. “ I'm fine, maybe it's the whole trip here that's making my thoughts so disorganized,” I lied through my teeth hoping the kids would buy it. “ While dad and Uncle Lucas are with grandpa, let's take a look around,” Claude suggested. “ Alright, let's do just that after lunch,” I smiled.After lunch, I, Claude and Chloe left the main house and went for a stroll in the courtyard but it seemed more like a we were on a marathon walk if there was anything like that rather than a stroll. Who would have thought the premises of the estate would be this big?? I know I sounded contradictory in my head since an estate was supposed to be huge after all. “ What do you say we p
Cora's POV “ We'll get it finalized in a week, be rest assured,” I smiled at the business associate as we shook hands. I had decided to work in dad's company officially. I needed to do what I could to fit Kasper's image of his ideal woman. “ Your daughter is really doing better than I expected. She didn't look the part so I presumed that she couldn't handle business,” he spoke to my father. I guess in the eyes of everyone I was nothing but the pampered heiress of the Vanderburg family. “ I guess, the saying is true about not judging a book by it's cover then,” he and dad shook hands as they laughed heartily in a way common to rich middle-aged people. “ I'm really impressed. We'll meet again next week, then,” he smiled briefly before leaving. “ You're doing excellently well, Cora,” dad praised. “ I never thought you'd praise me like this,” I laughed. He had always looked at me as a child though never in a way that was degrading or disappointing.
Sebastian’s POV I sat down in my study signing a pile of documents that lay on my desk but to be sincere, my mind wasn't settled in my work like it normally is. Thinking back at what had happened on that night, I couldn't help but recollect the sudden appearance of CEO Kasper. ‘ Anna has a boyfriend and you're talking to him,” Kasper's words kept playing in my head and everything made sense now, from her children to what happened a few nights ago. I didn't even think someone like CEO Kasper would ever have anything to do with love but then again, I wasn't in the position to talk either. A knock came on my door just as I groaned in frustration. “ Sebastian, are you alright?” Liam walked in with a concerned expression on his face. “ You're the one scaring me with talks like that,” I rested my head on the headrest of my office chair as I spun around slowly. It was unlike him to say words like this even if he was worried.“ You moron! I'm just worried about you,
A few months laterKasper's POV I sat on the floor of the children's room while the twins stood in front of a black board. Heaven knows where they pulled out those spectacles and ties from. Even as their father, I was baffled by them. ” So... I'm assuming I was dragged here by both of you for a reason right?” I questioned sceptically. I wasn't sure if this was supposed to be regular tea party games with them or they were being serious. “ We wouldn't bother you like this if it weren't important,” Claude adjusted his spectacles and hit the cane in his hand against his palm which he ended up regretting not long after. “ I would,” Chloe his sidekick giggled. I looked at him with twisted brows as I folded my arms. “ Apart from her of course,” he cleared his throat awkwardly. “ So back to the main topic?” I hinted for them to go on. “ Oh right, we have an important occasion coming up and it should be handled with all care,” he m
Anastasia’s POVI paced to and fro the room nervously, tonight was the night and though I had no reason to be nervous, I was. “ Why is the dress delaying?” I groaned as I clutched my hair.“ Anna, calm down,” Stella tried to calm him down. “ It's just three minutes late, you need to take a moment to breathe,” “ How exactly am I supposed to calm down? If I show up a minute late for the awards, wouldn't I attract unnecessary attention?” Many weird thoughts passed through my mind.“ CEO Kasper, talk to her. I just can't handle her anxiety right now,” Stella got up from the couch and left. “ I'm going to the back.”“ Are you really going to pace about like this?” Kasper asked as he rested against the wall closest. “ I told you that we could have gone for something simpler or better still, I could have made my own dress. I'm a fashion designer after all,” I wish I had listened to my instinct now. “ It doesn't matter if we're a second late, I think it's to our advantage actually,” he
Anastasia’s POVWe walked into the hall and found our seats which had our names on it. I, Kasper, Stella, Steve and the twins sat down in one row. I heard some ladies gossiping as I and Kasper walked in, the men talked too but that was more of awe than jealousy.“ Is she wearing a gown by Designer Aime?” A lady behind us gossiped to a friend of hers. I had a feeling this would happen. “ It definitely looks like something Aime would make unless it's a fake of course,” she chuckled.“ What are you saying? Anna is rich enough to afford Aime’s designs, not to mention her company for tonight is CEO Kasper,” the other lady rebuffed. Where they idiots or where they just brainless? We were sitting right in front of them.“ Designer Aime doesn't just work for you just because you can afford his designs. He's very picky with his clients so even the wealthiest person can't just get him to make a dress for him or her. I can bet that it's a counterfeit, Aime would never pick her as a client,” the
Two weeks laterAnastasia’s POV Abel had been sentenced to what I would call a lifetime worth of jail term on various charges like murder, attempted murder, embezzlement, bribery, threats and so on. He kept yelling at us without a single form of remorse but I'm glad that case is closed. Meanwhile Bourne Groups and MooBi entertainment have began their collaboration deal and Bourne Groups stock prices have gone up just from the anticipation of such a huge collaboration ongoing. “ Anna, are you paying any attention?” Stella nudged me in the arm. “ Sorry,” I muttered. We were at a court procession, it was that of Cora's. Cora had turned herself in to the police and had agreed to take responsibility for her actions but she was yet to know that I and the others had decided that she wouldn't go to prison. I didn't like her but I wanted to understand her since she was somehow like a sister to me, with our identities switched at birth, I feel the need to be there for
Kasper's POV~"Yeah, I'll get back to you on that......*noise in the background*.....". "What's with all the fuss?" I thought as I walked over to the end of my office where the wall is totally made of glass. Looking through, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Hordes of paparazzi flooded into the company building following someone in a black suit. "Is that.....Uncle Abel?" I thought as I squinted to look clearly. I couldn't see the face from so high up but the figure and mannerisms certainly were his."....ello? Sir? Are you there sir?" The voice from the other end of the phone snapped me out of my thoughts. I had totally forgotten that I was on a call. "Oh I apologise. I got caught up with something" I explained, "Perhaps I'll call you back later and we'll talk about it thoroughly. How's that?" "Sure thing sir?""Alright....beep!" I hung up and continued to analyze the situation. If that really was uncle Abel, he would probably be headed to my office. I had been expecting him act
Athena's POV~Sitting on the bench along the lobby in the hospital, I felt hollow. Everything felt like a dream. I couldn't believe it at all. "Audrey switched our babies? Audrey?" I thought. How could somebody I trusted so much betray me like that? She was my best friend. I trusted her like she was my sister. How could she do this?! "Oh mo....Please stop crying" Cora said to me as she offered me a tissue. I turned to the side and took a look at her. It was awkward and heartbreaking. This girl for whom I did everything wasn't even mine? I felt chills run down my spine as I thought about it. "Yeah, it's just gonna make it worse" Anna who sat beside me too on the other end said. I looked at her too. How was I supposed to feel now? My actual daughter....in front of me and I never knew all this time. "Just relax, okay?" Cora said as she gave me the tissue. I took it and wiped the tears off my face.Clip! Clop! Clip! Clop!"The doctor!" I sprung up in anxiety. I had been waiting. I still
Audrey's POV~"They're not here yet?" I thought as I took a glance at my watch. She said she wanted to meet me here about fifteen minutes ago, Anastasia that is. I looked around the cafe to see if maybe she was sitting somewhere else but there was no sign of her. "Maybe I should call her" I muttered as I dug my hand into my purse to get my phone. Then suddenly, I heard the jingle of the small bells at the entrance and my eyes darted in that direction. It was her. "Anna" I called with a wave as a smile cropped up on my face. My daughter truly was gorgeous. She saw me and walked over to my table and sat down. "Geez, what happened? It's not like you to be running late" I said with a smile. " Sorry, I got caught up with something" she apologized. " Work huh? Have you managed to make a designs yet?" I asked. " I have actually but none of them are to my liking. I guess I've been on a bit of a block lately " she said. She didn't look too happy as she said it. "Was something bothering he
Mom’s House - The next dayAnastasia’s POV “ Are you going out?” I came out of the kitchen as my ears picked up the sound of footsteps moving towards the front door. “ Yes, you're ears are rather sensitive,” mom complimented. “ Nah, not really. Besides, why are you heading out? I mean, I just came not too long ago and I'm making lunch,” I pouted. “ By not coming too long ago, you mean coming in the morning before nine and staying till past noon?” She placed both hands on her waist arching her brows as she questioned rhetorically. “ Haha, guess I've been here for quite a while,” I scratched my head awkwardly. “ Mhmm, you have. Anyway, I'll be back soon enough. I want to get some things then drop them at the orphanage before coming back so don't wait for me before you have lunch as I might take a bit before coming,” she smiled before heading for the front door. “ But...” “ Bye!!” She yelled, banging the door behind her as she escaped from the house. She wa
Anastasia’s POV Kasper and I sat on the chairs in the balcony and got a minute or two after we arrived, we didn't say a word. Maybe it was because we didn't want to talk about the night we came out to the balcony which ended up rather hot or we were simply unsure of how to react to the news of what truly happened to Aurelia. “ I don't know what to say to you,” he let the words escape his lips like air he had held in too long. “ What do...” “ I know we've already settled this issue of Aurelia’s death before and I regretted treating you the way I did but this is different. I feel guilty - guilty because I had made you suffer a lot for someone else's crimes,” he pushed his hair backwards with both hands. “ I couldn't exactly blame you, after all, I would have done the same thing if I were in your shoes,” I turned to look at him but contrary to his usual self, he wasn't staring back at me. “ Thinking about how I blamed you and forced you to get married to me just s
Anastasia's POV “ Can we all take a minute to calm down?!” Sebastian yelled for the first time which took not just me but Kasper by surprise. I had never heard him use a tone outside his regular calm tone. “ Even though I understand how you feel since she was once Kasper's fiancee and your best friend but I also know that the last thing we'd want to do is jeopardize our future because of the past,” Sebastian cleared his throat and went back to his calm nature. “ Do you expect me to just forgive her?!” I raised my voice at him. “ No one talked about forgiveness here, I said we need to focus on what matters first and that is getting Kasper out of this mess or should I be the one reminding me of your priorities?” He peered into my eyes. “ Sorry, I just let my emotions get the best of me,” I muttered. “ It's alright, I just needed you both to set your emotions aside, we'll deal with this later and trust me when I say she'll face her punishment due her once everything is settled. For
Anastasia’s POV Cora walked through the glass doors which jingled as she stepped in. She quickly spotted us - yes, I hadn't come alone. I had informed Sebastian about it and he volunteered to follow me for safety sake. “ You came with company?” She asked rhetorically as she got seated. “ Yes, do you have a problem with it?” I retorted. “ No, I just wanted to sound normal and friendly but I was wrong assuming you'd take it as a friendly question,” she mumbled. “ Let's cut the chase and get straight to the point,” I was strict. “ Agreed. What did you say you have to tell her?” Sebastian backed. “ Where should I start? I've done a lot of horrible things really,” she clutched her head. “ You don't say,” I remarked sarcastically. “ Let me start in a progressive manner. So the first or rather my first confession to make is about what happened that night between I and Kasper,” I sighed and grabbed the glass of juice in front of me to cool my nerves down.
Lucas'POV I took a deep breath as I walked into the Bourne’s estate. I needed to cast all my insecurities and brace myself for the worst possible results - simply put, I needed to confront grandpa. “ I thought it was a prank when the guards said you were here but turns out it wasn't,” granddad was already seated. “ It's unusual for you to give me sudden visits. Hmmm, last time I checked you disliked me but I guess the feeling is a bit mutual so to say,” I clenched my fist at his words. Granddad was always so brutally honest which pissed me, sometimes it made me wonder how he managed to live this long with a mouth like this. “ That's exactly why I'm here. I need answers,” I stated my purpose. “ And what makes you think I will answer willingly?” He brushed the petals of one of his plants. “ Because I'll speak and you will listen. Not only would you listen, you will answer all the questions that have long be eaten me up,” it was now or never. “ Hmmm, quite the ch