Winter's POVIt's been a week now since I started avoiding Matthew. It was kind of hard at first, but I think the day will come when I finally won't care about him, just like when we first met each other. He still tries to talk to me, but I'm always ignoring him as if he doesn't exist at all."Miss Winter, are you mad with brother?"I almost got choked on the sandwich I was eating when Elisse suddenly asked me that. It was Sunday, and so I wanted to go out with her to have some fun. I took a sip of my lemon tea before looking at her again. "Mad at him? Why are you asking me that?""Because I no longer see you talking to each other. Whenever brother tries to talk to you, you ignore him. Did brother do something bad? Don't you love him anymore?""Elisse, listen to me. I'm not mad at him, okay? It's just that it's better not to talk to him, even for a while. It's something that you won't understand, for now, okay? But I'm not mad at your brother. Don't worry about anything. For sure, on
Winter's POVAs I opened my eyes, I saw an unfamiliar place full of cobwebs and old things. It was quite dark and the only thing that was lighting up the small room was a candle. I was sitting on a wooden chair with my hands tied behind my back and my mouth gagged.Where am I? And why am I here?Wait, I remember now. I went to an amusement park with Elisse. Then, as I stepped out of the public toilet, someone appeared from behind me and covered my mouth with a handkerchief. All of a sudden, the door went open and a fat man wearing a black shirt and holding a tray of food stepped in. He put the tray on the small table and placed it in front of me. "Here, eat that if you're hungry. You're too lucky to even get food from us. You should be thankful to our boss."He removed the gag in my mouth, which gave me the chance to finally speak."Who are you? And why am I here? What do you want from me?""Just stop asking and eat. Boss will come here tomorrow, so might as well you reserve all of y
Themis' POVI sat down on a bench while trying to catch my breath. I've been trying to find Winter since last night, but I still couldn't find her. Whoever abducted her must be a rich man and took her somewhere we can't easily find her.Who abducted her? And what is the reason behind it?"Damn it," I mumbled as I ran my fingers through my messy hair.Suddenly, my phone rang. I immediately took it out of my pocket and answered the call without looking at the name of the caller."Hello?""Matthew.""M-Mr. Wesley?"I haven't told him about Winter's disappearance yet, since I don't want to stress him even more."Someone called me a while ago, telling me to quit being the president of Royal group companies. They said they would kill Winter if I didn't agree with it.""I apologize for not informing you about it, Mr. Wesley. My men and I are trying our best to find her now. Also, can you forward the caller id of the one who called you a while ago? We might be able to track their place.""It'
Winter's POVI could still feel my body aching when I woke up. Slowly, I opened my eyes and the first person I saw was Elisse and Ian who looked so worried about me."Winter! You're finally alright! Oh, God!""Miss Winter! We were so worried about you!"All of a sudden, the door went open and grandpa together with Summer and some bodyguards entered the room. Even if I don't ask them, I know we were at a hospital. I sat up on the bed and hugged grandpa. "Oh, Winter... I'm so glad you're fine...""I'm alright now, grandpa. Don't worry about me too much...""Winter, I was so worried about you. I really don't know what I would do if something bad ever happens to you." Summer then said to me while obviously faking the worried look on her face.I looked around the room before looking at them again. "Where's Matthew?""He's in the other room." said grandpa."Don't worry about him now, Winter. Worry about yourself. The doctor said that you didn't get something serious, but you need to at lea
Belle's POVI just got some food and was about to bring it to Themis when I passed by the glass window of his room. I saw him hugging Winter so tightly with his eyes closed as if he really longed for her.Seeing them like that immediately caused my chest to tighten. The worry on Themis's face when Winter disappeared. It was the same look he gave me before whenever I get into trouble. The look that he will never show me again."You like him, right?"I almost dropped the tray of food when Ian suddenly appeared from behind me. I averted my gaze from him, and I was about to leave, but then he spoke again."I've been loving Winter for so many years now. I've been loving her since we were just kids. It's funny how she's been in love with different guys except me. When her first love left, I thought I would already have the chance, but this asshole came." he said while looking straight at Themis who was talking to Winter."Why are you saying these things to me?"He looked at me and smiled. "
Themis' POV"Are you feeling okay now?" Belle asked me as soon as Winter and Elisse left the hospital room.I looked at her and smiled. "I think I'm doing better now. The doctor told me to take some rest for at least a week, though.""Then you should obey that.""You know I can't stand doing nothing even for a day."Belle laughed. "Yes, I know that. Even before, you're always used to doing so many things even when you're supposed to rest. That is the reason why Timothy looks up to you. He said he wants to be like you, too.""Well, he has grown into a man who is better than me, anyway.""Both of you excelled and grown into a man your parents could be proud of.""By the way, Belle. Can you not tell him about this? I mean, about what happened and about me getting hospitalized? I don't want him to worry about me. You know Tim, he gets too emotional so easily.""I understand. Don't worry, I won't tell Timothy about this.""Thank you, Belle."She smiled at me, then the room was filled with
Winter's POVI was sitting on a bench outside the hospital when someone suddenly sat next to me. I didn't mind it since I thought it was just a stranger, but then she suddenly spoke. "Why don't you go inside and go to Matthew's room?"It was Belle.I didn't turn my head towards her."You have a relationship with each other, right?"She suddenly laughed as if I said something funny. "How I wish. How I wish what you just said is true. I wish he really sees me as someone more than just a woman he always wants to look after.""Don't try to lie to me just because you want to make me feel better.""Winter, why do I even want you to feel better? I don't even care about you and your feelings."That's when I finally looked at her. "I've seen you kissing on that cruise ship dinner. A-And just a while ago, I saw you hugging each other. And not just that, Matthew said your name for so many times while he was with me. Now, tell me you don't have a relationship with each other.""You know what, Wi
Winter's POV"Good morning, Miss Winter!" Elisse greeted me as soon as I arrived in the dining room.I smiled at her and patted her head. "Hello there, sweetheart! By the way, is Matthew still asleep?""He's cooking our breakfast, Miss Winter.""W-What?"I immediately headed to the kitchen, only for me to see Matthew flipping the pancakes using his right hand. He was wearing a pink apron and I couldn't help but smile because of that."Let me just do that for you. You should be taking some rest, not doing house chores.""Oh, you're already awake. It's alright, I still can use my other hand. Also, I'm not forcing my left hand to do things.""You're so hard-headed. How can I even take care of you when you love taking care of us instead?"Matthew just laughed and started putting the plates on the tray. Together with our maids, I helped him bring the breakfast to the dining room. I couldn't help smiling while glancing at him while we were eating. I keep on remembering what happened last ni
Winter's POV "Pumpkin! You won't believe who I just met this morning!" I excitedly said as soon as I entered our house and saw Matthew preparing our dinner. He turned around and kissed me on the cheek before speaking. "Who is it?" "It's Winston. My first boyfriend." His brows furrowed. "Y-Your first boyfriend?" "Uh-huh. He is my very first investor. Oh gosh, I didn't expect it to be him. He didn't change, actually. He is still as handsome as ever." "I see. So, you think he is more handsome than me?" he said as he continued cooking. I giggled as I hugged his back. "So, are you getting jealous now because he is my first love?" "Of course, not. I just hate the way you smile while talking about some other man being handsome." "Oh, Matthew. You still get jealous when you already had me first." I whispered seductively in his ear which made him immediately turn around and widen his eyes at me. "Winter! Elisse might hear you!" I cupped both of his cheeks as I chuckle
Winter's POV "So, where's your girlfriend and why are you here?" I asked Ian as soon as he stepped into my office. He sat down on the couch from across my table and looked at me. "She's at work." "Then why don't you bother her instead?" "I just went here because your boutique is much closer to my restaurant. And also..." I looked at him. "And also?" He looked so serious as he looked directly at me. "I've heard about it." "A-About what?" "About your family." When I realized what he was talking about, I averted my gaze from him. "Well, you heard it right. I'm not really a part of their family. And now, I don't even know who my real parents are." "That must be tough for you." "It is. But then I realized that there is no reason for me to agonize about it. They never treated me as a part of their family, anyway. At least I no longer have to wonder why they can never appreciate the things that I do." "Winter..." "Anyway, I still have a meeting with a p
Winter’s POVI woke up with Matthew still sleeping beside me. I couldn’t help but smile while looking at him. Something happened between the two of us last night and I don’t regret it. Although I still can’t forget about what I just found out about my family, Matthew made me feel better. “Winter…” he looked at me worriedly as soon as he opened his eyes. I gave him a smile. “Good morning, Matthew.”“Are you alright now?” “I feel better now.”He heaved a sigh of relief. “That’s good to hear then.”“You’re such a naughty pumpkin.”“Huh?”“I didn’t know you’re so good at it.” I teased him. That immediately made him blush. “D…Do you want to have breakfast already? I’ll prepare it now.”I laughed as I hugged him. “Look at you getting embarrassed so easily. You really are so cute.”“Winter.”“I finally made up my mind.”“Huh?”I took a deep breathe before speaking again. “Let’s go somewhere far from everyone. I want to start a new life; I want to find who I really am. I want to know who
Winter's POV"Here, have some hot chocolate first." Matthew sat next to me as he placed a glass of water on the center table.He brought me to an inn after what happened a while ago. I told him that I want to be away from everyone for a while."Matthew.""Hmm?""Elisse... We should have brought her with us."He shook his head. "Don't worry, I'll get her tomorrow morning. I have also told Maggie and the others to watch after her.""Okay...""A-Are you alright? N-No, I mean, what do you want to do? Do you want to eat or something?" he asked, obviously worried about me.I heaved a sigh and slowly nodded my head. "I think I'll just eat...""Okay. Wait for me here, okay? I'll prepare something for you.""Okay.."I leaned on the couch as I pulled the blanket and covered myself with it while waiting for Matthew.It only took thirty minutes before he finally brought some food and placed them on the center table."It's Almond Butter Curry.""You do know a lot of cuisines, huh?"He smiled as he
Winter's POVI woke up with Matthew hugging me tightly like a pillow as he slept.I roamed my eyes around the room and didn't find Elisse anywhere. I couldn't hear her voice from anywhere inside the room either.She woke up early today, huh?She probably went out to play with Maggie. She's really that close with our maids. That's why we had no choice but to bring them with us here in New Zealand. I turned my body to Matthew, who was still sleeping soundly. I couldn't help but smile as I stared at his handsome, innocent face as he sleeps. He really looks like a little kid whenever he sleeps. His brows were furrowed as if he was fighting with someone in his dreams and his lips were pouting. He got so tired from driving and carrying all our things yesterday, that's probably the reason why he's still asleep right now."What a sleepy head," I whispered, then pinched his cheeks. Good thing, that didn't wake him up. Instead, he turned to the other side without opening his eyes.I got up and
Winter's POV"Can I go hiking with you, guys?" Summer asked when Matthew, Elisse, and I were done preparing for our hiking that I planned the other day. We weren't able to do it yesterday since we went out with the whole family although Matthew prepared everything that we'll need and he was also able to call some staff. I shook my head immediately. "No, you can't. Why don't you just go yourself? It's a family day, so you can't go with us. Also, you're afraid of heights, right? Something bad might happen there and mom would blame me for it, for sure.""But, I haven't experienced hiking yet. That's why I thought I could go with you guys. I promise I wouldn't be a burden. I won't let anything bad happen to me.""It's alright, you can go with us." Matthew suddenly said. I turned around and glared at him. "She can't go with us. It's a family day.""She promised not to bother us, anyway. Besides, she's also a part of our family since she's your sister.""Thank you so much, Matthew! Wait,
Winter's POVAfter wine touring, we then went to South island to ski and try the Hanmer Springs.Snow-capped mountains and towering forests surrounded the place. It also has a main street filled with boutique shops, cafes, and eateries. The sun was already setting when we accomplished all the activities, so we already proceeded to the thermal resort. It has children focused swings which Elisse enjoyed, slides, and tunnels to pools with a range of temperatures.Summer, mommy, Elisse, and I went to a different pool from the boys.The warm water felt so relaxing, adding up to the relaxing, scenic view of our surroundings."Mommy, can I go to that slide thing again?" Elisse suddenly asked me."Huh? Sure, if you want to. I'll just ask Maggie and Eula to accompany you. Just make sure to behave and careful, okay?"She nodded her head with a smile on her face. "Yes, mommy!"I followed her with my eyes until I couldn't no longer see her. I was about to close my eyes to relax while dipping myse
Winter's POV"Ah, I'm so glad that you agreed to go with us." Summer said with a smile on her face as soon as we arrived at the said meeting place.She organized a family trip, including me, Matthew, and Elisse. I actually wanted to refuse, but then Matthew convinced me and said that it would be a great time for us to bond with the whole family. Also, Elisse really wanted to go."Grandpa. Are you sure it's alright for you to travel?" I walked over to grandpa who was busy talking to Matthew. He smiled at me. "What do you think of your grandpa, an old hag who can't walk anymore?""It's not like that. I just—"Ah, come on. Stop worrying about me and just make sure you and your husband, together with your daughter, will have fun there.""Fine. We'll have some fun there. That's for sure.""Mommy! Is it going to snow there?!" Elisse asked me.I lifted her up in my arms. "Of course. That is why we brought sweaters and gloves with us. We are going to climb mountains and skate there.""Skatin
Ian's POVI couldn't help but ball my hands into fists whenever I see Winter and Matthew acting sweet with each other. Why is he acting like a gentleman when he's actually a jerk? It's so obvious that he and Belle had some past, but he acts as if he never cared about her or they never had a relationship. I mean, why would Belle react so much if they never had a relationship?"Don't make it too obvious that you're jealous. They might notice it, you know." I whispered to Belle while we were walking towards the booths. She glared at me. "I should be the one telling you that. You keep on frowning at Matthew even if he's not even doing anything. Also, the way you smile at Winter reveals everything already.""Oh, so you're jealous now? You're jealous because I smile a lot at her? Huh?" he suddenly said as he put his arm around my shoulders."And why would I even feel jealous? I don't care about anything you'll do, anyway. Can you remove your arms around my shoulders already?! It's annoying