LaylaI got to the hospital around 12pm when Hannah was already getting discharged, and it was a miracle cause no one else was around to help her with her things. I grabbed her baby bag, which contained the things we had bought for the baby, and I helped her into my car where she settled down."What of Mr Cooper?" I asked.She shrugged, "I haven't seen his since yesterday.""And Sofia?""She came around early this morning but had to go to school""That's right.""Georgina also paid a visit late last night after Mr Cooper and Sofia left. I made him call the important people.""And how was he with you when you gave birth?""I had just finished telling him he was the father when my water broke.""Oh, so he helped you to the hospital?""Yes, and one young lady, actually almost everyone in the cafe. I was quite embarrassed.""There's no need to be" I said, looking at her through the front mirror."He'll come around, okay?" I added and she waved it off."I really don't care, I'm just happy
LeoI stared at my dad who seemed to be more anxious than I was, "what's wrong dad? You couldn't just have called me here not to say anything again""I'm coming, I just don't know how you'll react to it.""Just say it."I had a feeling he had done something bad, like really terrible, and I wondered what that was..."I had an affair"I had no time to process what he just said. The coffee I had swallowed came back out of my mouth as if it was bitter, and it splashed on the table in between us.My dad was beside himself explaining, but I couldn't understand, wouldn't understand, "I just thought it was a.... And then she met me.... Told me she was....""Stop stop stop!" I affirmed when I got my tongue back and started at him as if he was an alien."You what?""I... I had an affair"The people in the café were probably starting at us cause of my initial reaction and a waitress came to hand me a napkin which I used to clean the mess. "Thank you," I said to her and she left."So what were yo
AriandeThe kissing bodies of my brother and manager which were in the corner stopped moving, and they stared at me in horror. I stared back at them with the same expression."I... I can explain," Jeremy said, hurrying after me as I walked past Tony and I felt that that conversation was still very far from over."Seriously, how long have you been f*cking my brother?" I stopped outside and spurned around to him for an answer."I... I... Uhm... A few months""A few... Wow, I'm really speechless. So he's the one who has been making you lose focus.""No, I've never lost focus or been distracted, it was just fun and messing around.""Oh really", the voice of my brother, who I hadn't known got behind us, said, and he came into view, "I thought we were more than that."He walked off, and I saw the distress on Jeremy's face, to go after the guy he probably liked or stay around for his boss who was demanding an explanation.I rolled my eyes and got into the car. Take me home.""Okay ma'am"He
LaylaI received the mail that Martha had promised to send two days later, and it contained the list of shareholders the company had, including the evil deeds which Ethan had done. I gasped at one of them.When I was done with reviewing the embezzlement and boycotting that Ethan had done with the company's resources, I opened the list of shareholders and went through them. A lot of them were popular companies and individuals that were with my dad before, but I did see one of the names that was new, "William Gould?"He's a shareholder in the company?Wait was that Cooper Corp too?I gasped, realizing that the two people I had been supposed to team up with in order to bring Ethan down were also shareholders in the company. What could that mean?Was that part of the grand plan he had planned out earlier?I picked up my phone to call him without thinking and cleared my throat when his voice sounded online."Miss Carter, didn't expect to hear from you so soon.""I want us to meet again."W
KaiThe paintings arrived some days later. I called my agent and I arranged them in the workshop, placing some that I wanted on the floor and the others on the wall. I also arranged my tattoo workshop and the designs I had on paper for customers to choose from were pasted on the walls. Some were in my sketchbook and I arranged the tables and chairs. I put a couch in one corner for waiting customers and I put in some neon lights to give the vibe I wanted.Next, I arranged my bedroom, kitchen, living room and bathroom to ain't my style, and they didn't contain much, just my essentials.I collapsed on my bed when I was done for that day and took out my phone to scroll. That was when I remembered the number Kira, my agent, had given me to call.Kim galleries.I dialed the number without thinking and waited for the receiver to pick up. She did."Hello, this is Kimberly Lesley. How many I help you?""Uhm, I... Kira Anderson gave me your number to call""Uhn, Kira Anderson?" she looked throu
Layla"So you guys were dating before?"I choked slightly on the chicken slice I chewed on."Mum""What? I just want to get to know her more.""There's nothing to know, mom.""Let me be the determiner of that."He sighed, and I ate the potatoes, which were looking rather delicious and tender. Nana interacted with Nathan constantly, ignoring the rest of us, and Ariande seemed busy in her own world.The rest were especially interested in me except for Mr Cooper, who was also in his own world. He was probably wondering how he would tell Mrs Cooper the news and, considering the smile and happiness on her face, I didn't want it to be gone.I ate more of the potatoes and faced Mrs Cooper, who was asking more questions. Mrs Stathom was in on it too and Mr Stathom tried to have a conversation with Mr Cooper, but it was very brief."I saw the news... In the tabloids" Mrs Cooper started"Yes, that's right, that Nathan is Leo's son. Is it true? I thought it was just rumors, so I didn't pay much
Leo"I didn't plan to run into you like this", she started, and I sipped my Americano."Me neither.""I'm guessing you know, since you look so cold.""Oh, were you expecting me to be warm then?"I stared at the baby in her arms, actually in a baby carrier."I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way."I sipped my drink again and looked out the transparent window."I'm really sorry about everything. I didn't mean to get pregnant for him and I didn't expect him to tell his wife, though that was the right thing. Maybe I should just have kept it to myself, but I guess... Things just happen. How is... He?""My father, you mean?"She nodded, "he must be having it hard right. He really loves his wife.""Then he wouldn't have slept with you.""Fine, people make mistakes, and it was a stupid one on both our paths. I had approached him for money and been the one to seduce him. He isn't really to blame.""Whatever. Is she a girl?"She smiled and shook her head, "no and seriously, even though all this
Ariande"What? I know her.""What?" Chloe was surprised, and she signaled me to raise the upper part of her bed up, so she could sit up."You know her?" she asked again, and I nodded."Of course. Apart from the fact that she's the owner of the LAYNAT brand as you've said, she's also a close friend of my fiancée.""Close friend?"She noticed the scowl that was on my face and cocked her eyebrows."Well, I think there's something more between them and I hate it.""That's right, you should. You're the fiancée. What are you going to do now?""I don't know, they keep saying there's nothing between them, so I can't take any action, but if I do catch them, I'll make sure I get my revenge.""You should.""How do you know her though?""She and my husband were together.""He was cheating on you... With her?"She nodded but wasn't looking at me, strangely"She should be punished, don't you think?" I suggested."Of course, but in what way?""I don't know her business, her personal or love life. I
8–9 months laterAriandeI was already having contractions, and it was obvious I was going to go into labor soon. It was great I was with Layla though, and I tried to call for her. A yelp escaped my mouth as the contraction hit me harder."Oh my God, Ariande, are you okay?" Layla entered into the living room where I was, dropping the glass of water she had gone to bring, and she took out her phone to call Tony.He arrived sooner than we both expected, and he helped me into his car with Layla, who was pretty heavy too. She was to be due in a few days or a week from mine, and we'd both be free of mood swings and erratic hormones. Then she followed us to the hospital where I went into proper labor and gave birth to my girls a few hours later.I could tell from the minute that Tony walked in after my labor that he had gone through a lot of anxiety and I collected the baby when the nurse placed her in my arms, "Oh my God, Ariande, I'm so grateful for this, thank you for bringing her into t
AriandeIt was so great seeing these two get married, and I think I had seen Tony staring at me intently during the vow saying, I wouldn't be sure what that meant though.I loved the wedding reception even more, and it started off to a great start with some good music which me and the girls had gone through, including Layla and some good champagne. Other alcohols of different types were being passed around too, and soda for those who wouldn't want alcohol. There was great food and the couple when they finally entered.The song we had chosen for them to dance to upon entering started, and I have to say Leo gave his best more than Layla. It seemed like she was rather shy about dancing in public.Games were played and a lot of activities were thrown out. When the most awaited moment arrived, the throwing of the bouquet, I was in the front row because I wanted to get the bouquet and I got it.I squealed happily, "wow, I got it."Everyone smiled happily, and we waved the couple off to have
LaylaWedding preparations went on in full swing by the time we came back and as Nana, Leo's grandmother, liked hosting parties, she was the one that took control of the entire thing. She did seek my permission on some things and I answered as best as I could.Hannah was so happy for me, so also Mr and Mrs Cooper, and they very much petted me like I was their new doberman.Ariande drew me to a fitting shop days before the wedding, and I was surprised to see the other ladies "were just here to give our opinions."I was happy that they were all rallying around me, but it was just making me more nervous. I looked through the variety of gowns they had and picked one, "Go try it on."I walked into the dressing room with Ariande to help, and I had to admit we had become pretty much closer.I came out to the sight of the other ladies, and they were like hmm, hmm, I felt like that too, it wasn't really giving. It was nice though, like an off-shoulder gown with a full train and veil too. I fel
LaylaBy our fourth day there, the grill was out with the game night preparations being underway, and I helped as much as I could with the preparations. For one, I was feeling quite dizzy and nauseous and I did have an idea of what it might be, but I wasn't sure though, so I didn't want to make a big deal out of it.Tony and Leo helped set the lights on the beach and the chairs were set out around a fireplace in the middle. The beers were placed by the side and someone was to be manning the grill while everyone ate; Tony and Leo, of course. Kai offered, but the boys turned it down, and we all faced Kim."So what are the games we are going to be playing?""Okay, so I prepared quite a number of games, but the two most interesting ones would be never have I ever and two truths and a lie.""Oh, Kim" Ariande commented, making all of us laugh."So here are the rules for 'never have I ever'. Actually, it has just one rule. Everyone gets a turn to say 'never have I ever' and if you've done it
Ariande"Something fun, what would you consider something fun". The girls and I were sitting on the kitchen island pondering on what was fun, as the guys had gone off to God knows where."Well, we could go clubbing," Kim suggested, to which I agreed, though I wasn't sure I could drink with my pregnancy. Actually, I couldn't."We could also have a game night, just sit out on the beach and have some drinks too while we play some games,""I agree too," Layla said in agreement to Kai's suggestion."Well, we could go shopping. That would be for the girls, but the guys could also tag along if they want to."We all nodded in agreement, planning the whole thing and I and Layla offered to go buy the groceries for the day we would be there.It would be nice to just bake and cook for everyone. I learned there was a grill too."So have you decided on anything?" Layla asked as we drove to the mall."Yes, I decided to tell him first before I made any decision. I'll tell him probably a day or two fr
AriandeI was feeling quite funny and that was not good. I couldn't fall sick during production and at a crucial moment like this. I smiled happy when I saw my daily dose of bouquet delivered to my dressing room on set."He's just being so open now, isn't he?"Jeremy smiled, unsure of what to say."So how is your relationship with my brother?""Uhm... Actually I was going to say something about that. You're going on your break soon, right? I was wondering if I could take some days off then?"I cocked my head, "are both of you going on a vacation or trip?"He nodded slightly, "I could be back quickly if you want me to or cancel but...""It's okay, you can go. I'll manage on my own.""Really?"I nodded. As it was going to be my break soon, I wouldn't be having any shoots or production during that time because I would want some peace and quiet and, since I wouldn't be doing much then, it wouldn't be fair of me to rip his vacation from him.I called Tony when I was done with the scenes fo
LaylaThe designs were created within weeks and the collections were out together for another week. I looked through the portfolios of models that had been placed on my table and decided on the ones that we were going to use for the fashion show and campaign too.Amanda and Henry came in from New York to help with the process and a date was given for the fashion show. As for the campaign, I supervised the photo shoot and video shoot of the collections, and it was posted on both the models and CARTER'S official website as well as social media handles.I was going through one of the documents when my secretary came in, "this young lady...""Aunt Layla!" I looked up from the document to see Sofia rush in, and she was looking all bubbly and happy. I signaled the secretary that it was okay, and I gave her a big hug."Hey girlie, how have you been?"She smiled, "good""I heard you were in trouble" she smiled again, but this time more mischievous."It wasn't my fault that somebody wanted to
KaiI wasn't sure what to expect as I walked into the family house with Leo and Layla, and I was definitely surprised at the number of people that were there.Isn't that the famous actress, Ariande? And Leo's friend Tony, who were the couple that were looking about the same age as Leo's parents in a corner there too? There was also a grandma and grandpa too. Guess I had a lot of family."Leo honey" The Grandma greeted him, pecking him on the cheek, and he greeted her back. The woman also greeted Layla and a younger woman came to greet both of them too. Grandma stared at me, "and you're...""Oh you must be Kai, right?" The younger woman said, making me guess that she was Mrs Cooper, and I nodded."It's nice to meet you""Nice to meet you too", I shook her outstretched hand."This is Park Woojin, also Kai, Steve's daughter". Grandma looked confused."Steve didn't tell me about having a daughter.""Kai, meet Nana, your step grandmother and your step grandfather over there too."I greeted
Ariande"You still haven't figured out who is sending you the flowers yet?" Tony asked as I sat on the island in his kitchen. He had a bowl in his hand as he mixed chicken with mashed potatoes and I shook my head."No. I plan to use a private investigator though, because it could be a stalker and..."He nodded and smiled, "I understand.""Why did you invite me for dinner though?" I asked, surprised, since I hadn't been to his house since the last time I was drunk.He has only ever come to my house since our altercation and had sex with me. Nothing else, no dinner, no nothing, not even a drink, so what had changed that?"I just needed company to eat with today.""Oh" I felt honored even though I shouldn't, and I watched him intently as he started frying the mixture together on a bone stick.It was crazy just how much he had invaded my head. It was like I couldn't think of anything else but him and I deserved it because it had been the other way around. I had manipulated him at first, p