The collaboration of L&L Designs and Smith Group, their press conference, and the welcome bash caused quite a stir. The buzz lasted a week. The internet was on fire. The P City’s upper class could feel the tremors of change. The societies were eager to get their hands on the products of L&L Designs. Social media was divided and kept things trending. Vivian’s lies were exposed, and she was hiding in her house, trying to think of various torturous ways to get back at Liliana. The Jacobsen had a quiet party at their home as Mariana and Liliana both had returned to P City for good. They adored the twins and were happy to get acquainted with Henry, Jenn, and others. The Aprice family was thrown into disarray. They had thought Liliana was dead. Not only was she alive, but she had also firmly established herself as the founder of L&L Design and cooperated with Smith Group without anyone knowing. Lydia Aprice got wind of it abroad and flew back right away. She had only been acting like
Liliana was on her way to the airport when she received a call from Jonathan. “Hey, how have you been?” Jonathan asked. “Since when are you so free to ask that?” Liliana joked. “You did not answer my question,” Jonathan replied. She explained, “I have been fine. The kids are just getting used to the new environment. They have poor health, so they need a few weeks to get used to the new city.” She paused and added, “After the inauguration is over, I plan to take them out and show them their hometown. For now, they are just getting bored at home.” “What about you? Been busy throwing out the flies?” She teased him. “You are always so well informed.” He teased her back. “Do you mind if I visit the kids someday?” “You are more than welcome.” She informed him as an afterthought, “Just so you know, Li likes making robots and cars, and Jo likes designing.” “Thanks! I was gonna ask Henry what they like.” He confessed. “Anyway, I am sure you did not call me to chit-chat.” She got to
After Jonathan and Liam finished talking, Liliana introduced the little guy. “This is Kyle Preston, my Godson. Kyle is three days younger than Jo and Li. I met Kyle’s mom when we were both in the hospital. We both had a complicated pregnancy and had the same doctor. She was a great woman. I am quite indebted to her.” Jonathan offered a handshake to Kyle just like he had done with Liam, rather than treating him like a child. He was adept at reading people and could tell Kyle was intelligent and far more mature for his age. Expectedly, his action created a good impression on Kyle. “It’s nice to meet you, Little soldier,” Jonathan said. Kyle held his hands on his smaller ones with what was his best attempt at a firm handshake. “The pleasure is mine, Mr. Smith. Hope we have an amicable relationship as your contributions to the city’s economy are outstanding.” Kyle said, which stunned Jonathan. “The pleasure is all mine. I will ensure I don’t break any laws. It is bad for business
Amidst light-hearted conversation and food cooked by Liliana, the kids and adults all had a good time. During dinner, Liliana asked, “Ready to face the music, Liam!” Liam shook his head, “God help me! I have half a mind to leave Kyle under your care and never tell anyone.” Kyle interrupted, “I am okay with that.” Nathaniel countered him, “No. That’s not acceptable. He is your son. You must grant him his rightful place in the family.” Liam signed heavily, “I never said I would hide him. He is a Preston. He has a place in the family tree. It’s just exhausting having to explain who his mother was.” Kyle looked down sadly, “It’s alright, Daddy. I have Mommy Lil. You don’t have to feel bad.” Liliana shot Liam a dirty look and explained, “What he meant was his family would want to know her whereabouts, which family she was from, and all the details.” “Liam respects your mother too much to dig into her background after she has been long gone. The people who don’t know this might take
The twins continued to play with the toys Jonathan had brought them after lunch. After Liam and Kyle left, she sent the twins for their afternoon nap. Finally, Jonathan and Liliana sat on the swing in the garden as they talked. “You seem very free today,” Liliana broached the topic. “I cleared my schedule,” Jonathan said without mincing it. “I am flattered,” She said with a laugh. “Why does the entire Aprice family hate you so much?” He asked directly. “What do you mean?” She feigned ignorance. “I heard Lydia Aprice came back to P city after our press conference. Lester Aprice and Lydia Aprice have both been looking for you. They even went by your studio in Central Mall. They have something against you,” He clarified. “Alas, the first question you have asked, I am unable to answer. At least not entirely,” Liliana sighed. “Can you tell me how deep the grudge runs? I need to update security accordingly. The Aprices and Stones aren’t invited to the inauguration,” He explained.
Liam’s house erupted in chaos as he showed up with a 6-year-old son when no one had ever seen a woman around him. The boy looked too much like Liam to doubt his genetics. His grandmother, not unexpectedly, exhausted all means to find out who Kyle’s mother was and her background. But Liam was tight-lipped about it, as can only be expected of army personnel. She loved her great-grandchild, though. She felt sorry for the well-nurtured boy - he had to grow up without a mother. But the kid was too intelligent and well-nurtured to complain. The other relatives, however, did not think so. “She was probably a whore he fucked.” “Who knows if he screwed someone while interrogating her and was forced to take the responsibility.” “He is an unlucky bastard who killed his mother at birth.” "If she were any good, Liam would not be so tight-lipped." "Maybe Liam just picked a random child because of familiarity. That's why he does not know anything about his mother." "There was never a woman
“Lil, I am going to enjoy it,” Mariana shouted. “Me too!” exclaimed Jenn. “Jenn, don’t use your own devices. You suck at anything electronic, not medically related. They will find you within minutes. Use Mer’s alternate phone.” Lil explained. “Mer, you know what to hold and release, right?” Liliana vaguely asked. “I know. I know. It’s like the 10th time you have said it since morning. I will only provoke that woman enough.” Mariana replied, exasperated with the nagging. “I have a professional team who could have done this without my nagging. Don’t give me that attitude, darling. You wanted to do it. Don’t screw up!” Liliana snorted. Henry giggled, and Mariana glared at him but did not retort. “You are so nice to Jennifer but fierce with Mariana. Why?” Jonathan moved to sit beside her and asked in a whisper. Liliana replied without a pause, “Personality differences!” She explained, “Jenn, despite her playfulness, is quite serious about anything she does. Mer bulldozes through
The group answered a few questions from the reporters, and the ribbon-cutting went without a hitch. They followed her inside as Liliana started to show them around the place. Her assistant and manager for that studio ran the tour as she oversaw the entire thing and gave her inputs now and then. She would stop by a few pieces and explain the inspiration behind those few design pieces that were relevant or special. Things were almost at an end when Vivian pretended to glance at a wedding gown in the store that was on display. She had drawn quite a crowd as she exclaimed how ethereal the dress was. Just as they bent over, the glass frame toppled over the onlookers as they retreated hastily. Vivian, unfortunately, stumbled, and the entire showcase fell upon her. Vivian screamed and created a loud commotion. Reporters were busy snapping pictures, and some people did a live stream to show the netizens how the proceedings went. It was a great way to increase their followers. Nothing
Liam finished his narrative and went close to Kyle.He knelt beside his half-brother and said, “Kyle, you are my brother by blood. But in my heart, you have always been my son.”“I will do anything and everything for you. Not because I feel obligated or you were a responsibility thrust onto me, or because my mother ruined your mother’s life. But because I love you from the bottom of my heart. If anything happens to you, I will lose my mind.”“What happened to previous generations is their karma and their lives. What we do defines our life and our karma.”“You are my son and will remain so until you return to P City Military as the Colonel. Until then, you mustn’t tell anyone about it.”“I never told you about your mother because I have immense respect and compassion for her. I did not want to lie to you or gloss over her story. I wanted to tell you when you are older, so you can appreciate her sacrifices.”“Nevertheless, you will always be my son and my highest priority. I love you so
Liam took a while before he braced himself for the next part.“My mother thought my father was cheating on her with Aunty Keira.”“My father kept everything about Aunty Keira a secret because he hadn’t identified all the people on the inside who worked for him. So for her safety, he dealt with everything directly. He had created a fake ID and passport for her for an emergency. If she ran into any trouble, or if he died, then she could flee and settle down abroad.”“My mother thought he was planning to elope with her. She went after him when he had sneaked out, and she took photos. The next day, she posted all those photos in the newspaper calling Aunty Keira a bad person for flirting with a married army man and ruining a military marriage.”“Naturally, everyone found out, and the bad people captured and bullied Aunt Keira.”“The plan was almost complete. As per military protocols, my father had to prioritize the mission. My father had the last bits of information in place. So he hasti
Liliana began when Liam stalled for time.“Kyle, your mother comes from a long line of military spies. You know what a spy is, right?”Kyle nodded.“Traditionally, only men are sent as spies because women are physically more vulnerable and comparatively more emotional. However, during your mother’s time, there was a very powerful mafia in Z city. He was extending his terror in P city. He had bribed and coerced many people at higher positions - so he would not get caught. Someone inside the Military betrayed us, and he found our spies.”Liam added, “He killed 25 of our most trained and skilled spies within a week. It left the P City Military in a very vulnerable position. My father was the Army Commander at that time. My Grandfather was in a higher position, and the mafia approached my grandfather for something. When he refused, he killed him.”“Among the 25 spies, three were from your mother’s family. Apart from them, almost 100 people from the force - Police and Military - lost their
Liliana walked up to them and hugged them.She checked them from head to toe, much to the boy’s embarrassment. When she was satisfied that they were unharmed, she spanked them.Li looked at his mother incredulously, but she glared back at him.“How dare you run away? Didn’t you know the address of your home? If you encounter something you can’t handle, you come to me. Is that such a difficult concept to grasp?”“Look at how filthy you have become! Is this how you plan to set an example for your siblings?”Kyle hugged her and sobbed, “I am sorry, Mommy.”Li did the same, and Liliana hugged the two children close.Liliana exclaimed, “Ah! It reminds me of when we had just returned to P city. Jo - that traitor, left me for her father. I had the two of you to hug.”She led them to the ensuite bathroom and asked them to clean up. She sat them down and asked them to drink water and eat the pies she had made that afternoon.After the kids were well-fed and hydrated, she sat on the couch with
One day after the divorce, Mariana took the twins to see grandma Preston.Kyle was supposed to leave with her but changed the plans last minute when Nathaniel called, saying he had something to discuss with Kyle.On the other hand, James had taken Jacob’s twins out with him.Jacob did not realize that Kyle and Nathaniel were at home.He turned on Netflix and beer and enjoyed the rare me-time.Liam unexpectedly came back, and upon gathering that they were alone at home, they locked the doors and windows and started making out.Their time together was always short. They had to act like they were just friends.It was tiring, and Liam always felt sorry for Jacob. The man had left everything and followed him to P City, but he kept him away like a dirty secret.Their noise had attracted the two kids who were deep in discussion in Kyle’s room. They thought it was a thief and tiptoed to find him.Unexpectedly, they witnessed something not appropriate for their age.They hid behind the curtain
Liliana, Jonathan, and all their friends lived a non-gossipy, uneventful life in the next few years.Jennifer got married to Junior Doctor Cox.Jacob’s company got listed.Leonardo stabilized his business and left to complete his studies.Vincent and Alice McDraw tied the knot.Henry had a whirlwind romance with a difficult patient, and they ended up in a shotgun wedding.Henry collaborated with his cousin Amelia to perform some of the miraculous medical feats which brought the Qazi family to the forefront of the Medical industry as they had been for generations. Terry Draw ended up with his assistant’s sister. Surprisingly, that was the most challenging match as his assistant accused him of betraying him. He took a long time to accept the truth.Terry completed the Green Field orphanage within the stipulated time. His achievements were widely renowned, and he ended up as the spokesperson for Green Living.He would go on to collaborate with several charities and manage most of the no
James remained unperturbed and laughed.He added when he had calmed down.“Jacob said he kissed Mariana and realized that he was gay.”Jonathan was speechless. He hadn’t expected that twist.James ignored his friend’s expressions and slurred, “He said they were best friends and sort of dating. But the vibe between them was closer to cousins than lovers. When they kissed, he realized how much he never wanted to kiss any girl in his life ever again.”Jonathan had to stifle his laugh.‘Good for Jacob!’‘Poor Mariana lost her first kiss like that. Tch! Tch!’James continued his ramble.“Then they became even closer. Which may have been why Mariana never dated anyone.”Jonathan thought about it and added, “Makes sense! She wouldn’t have needed to look for a relationship, and others would have assumed she wasn’t available.”James continued, “Jacob once took her horse riding. She fell and had a fracture. Her hymen tore when she fell. Then I slept with her and shouted at her for making a fuss
The next four months went by uneventfully, except for Liam being missing for that long and the Preston family members trying and failing to get any benefits from Mariana.Finally, a series of good news came one after the other.Liliana was pregnant. The couple had wanted to keep it a secret until the first trimester ended well. Then when the doctor confirmed everything was alright, they made the big announcement to their friends and family members.Liam came back after completing two different massive projects.He had ended Bronsson Mcclory’s illegal business completely and had apprehended him.Jeffery Cruise kept Mcclory in strict custody until the courts sentenced him to life imprisonment. Then he was sent to a high-security prison that held long-term inmates.Mcclory’s entire business, all networks, all partners and associates, clientele - the police had nabbed all of them.Consequently, Liam worked with several different authorities to arrest everyone from the criminal underground
Jonathan and Liliana stopped talking and embraced each other while lying quietly on the bed.Jonathan was about to drift asleep when Liliana spoke.“Do you still want to have another child?”He was stunned and sat up immediately.“What do you mean?”She turned around and asked, “Well, you never brought it up since we talked about it half a year ago.”He couldn’t understand what she was getting at. He asked, “So?”She mumbled, “I just think it is the right time, and maybe we should try. I will turn thirty soon, and it might cause complications.”He asked, “I still don’t know what you are trying to say.”She rolled her eyes and asked, “I want to know if you still want another child. It’s been half a year since we started living together. What do you think? Are you ready? Do you think having Li and Jo is enough?”He lay down and turned her towards him.“This half a year is the best half year of my life. I love you very much and would love to spend the rest of my life with you. Jo and Li