(Aya’s POV)The Sophia House Bed & Breakfast was a small lodging place known to tourists years back as a good stop when hiking at St. Clair Mountain, a popular destination in Sta. Lucia. Marco said most hikers would prefer staying here than in the hotel because they not only pay a cheaper and fair price but also love the friendly atmosphere and the surrounding.It was not hard to agree with their guests because when I saw the whole place, Katie and I fell in love with the lodge. Until now, I could not believe my mother inherited this place, and as to the reason why she gave it to me instead of Myra was a question I would never get an answer to.I glanced at Katie, playing at the rubber tire swing Marco made for her. He said there used to be a tire swing on that branch, but he took it off when he closed the place. As if Katie was an adult, I asked her if she wanted to be my partner in running the B & B again.“Like playing, Mommy? Violet’s always my partner,” she asked, closing her one
(Aya’s POV)“Aya, you saved me!”Gracie sighed, relieved, as she walked toward their restaurant’s kitchen and stood before the table to see the round birthday cake. She looked admiringly at it for a couple of minutes before she stepped beside me and watched me place icing and sprinkles on top of the cupcakes.“We have one skilled and talented pastry baker under our nose,” Ofelia smiled, glancing at her daughter before she continued counting the plates she took from the cabinet. “Tell your brothers to come home already, and I’ll let Aya choose from one of them,” she joked.Ofelia sucked in her lips when Katie raised her head and shot an eyebrow at her. It was only for a second, and then she returned her attention to the cupcakes she lined up before her. Gracie turned her head to me, narrowing her eyes and pursing her lips.“You look familiar. Have we met before?” She tilted her head as she asked me. Katie and I had been here for two weeks, but this was our first time seeing each other.
(Red's POV)Aya...Slowly, I opened my eyes, realizing I had slept on the couch in the study room again. Ever since Scarlett returned home, I could not bear sleeping in our bedroom. Either I would stay in the penthouse I bought for Aya, sleep in Liam’s place, or work all night in the study room.I heaved a sigh and thought of Aya as I got up. Although it had been two weeks, I was not losing hope that I would find her and Katie. If only Aya would turn on her cell phone... If only she had a social media account, it would be easy for us to track her.Addie excitedly told me yesterday that she and Leslie talked to Katie, but the call ended before she could tell where they were. She only told them she and her mommy were on a field trip, and she was calling from a telephone as big as Sapphire’s doll house. Which of Sapphire’s doll houses, I wondered because they had plenty of dollhouses in the playroom.My cell phone chimed in a message from Cora, giving me a heads-up about my schedule toda
(Red’s POV)“Woah!”Deidre raised her hands as she moved to the side when Violet bolted out of the kitchen, followed by her siblings. Her hands were still in the air as she stepped into the kitchen, ignoring Scarlett and me and walking toward the cake she saw on the table.“What is she doing here?” Scarlett growled at me. Her face was crimson in anger as she walked past me, going in Deidre’s direction.My unexpected guest, not threatened by the possible attack of my wife, was enjoying as she took a picture of Violet’s edible artwork before picking up one flower and tasting it.“Are you trying to be funny?” My angry wife asked her. “What are you doing here? You think you can come here just like that?”“Hmm...” She raised her index finger, stopping Scarlett as she closed her eyes, having a whale of a time as she chewed the flower fondant.My nostrils flared in annoyance as I followed Scarlett before she picked up something to hurt Deidre.“Deidre, what are you doing here? We have an app
(Aya’s POV)My optimism went under the bed, and my perspective hid in the closet as my hand grabbed the doorknob. I thought my hand stiffened because I could not open the bedroom door as soon as I twisted the knob. I stepped back and walked to the mirror to check on myself again. I inhaled, filling my lungs with air and slowly breathing out in my mouth.Ofelia and Marco had mentioned the possibility of their children helping in financing the business. I had been preparing my pitch for days to encourage them to support us with our plan, but I realized baking was easier than asking for investment, and discussing how we intend to return or grow their money was complicated.On our second day here, as Katie and I looked around the area of the B&B, I thought of renovating and upgrading the whole site of The Sophia House, not just the lodge but everything. But adding more amenities and fun activities so guests could enjoy their stay was too good to be true because when Marco and I asked abou
(Aya’s POV)I swallowed hard, pushing my heart back to my chest as I looked at Ofelia and then at her two sons. Why didn’t I see it from the beginning? Mourning was not an excuse for me not to realize where or how I met Ofelia. We did not precisely meet in person per se, but I had seen her photos before, and she might have seen mine in his son’s gallery or on his social media account. It must also be the reason why Gracie thought she had seen me before.“Aya? What are you doing here?” He asked again.When I answered him with a blink, he curved his lips into a friendly smile and gazed lovingly at my daughter. “Katie, what are you doing here?”“You know each other?” Ofelia and his eldest son asked at the same time.“Mommy and I…” she pursed her lips and craned her neck to look at me before answering. “We’re on a field trip.”“How do you know her?” asked his brother as he studied my face. His eyes narrowed, slowly gliding his gaze from my head and stopping at the slope of my breasts hidd
(Aya’s POV)“Why?” I stood up, my eyes not leaving Jared.Curiosity joined us in the living room. Gino eyed his brother, probably wondering at the amount he wrote in the check. Even Ofelia looked at her older son and gave him a quizzical look at his son’s behavior.“Why?” Jared scoffed. “Let’s just say I love this place. I grew up here and...” His lips curved into a smile, causing my heart to beat strangely. “I love the pond idea.”Katie giggled when he winked at her, but she moved her lips from side to side as she turned her head at the paper I held because Gino seemed could not take his eyes off it.Jared returned the checkbook to his bag and took it. “I changed my mind, mom. I’m staying a day or two.”“Huh?” Gino furrowed his eyebrows. “I thought you’ll leave after talking to the owner?” Gino asked before their mother could raise the question.He smirked. “The drive here was not a joke, Gino.” He looked at Katie. “Besides, if my dad fills the pond with water alone, it’ll take years
(Aya’s POV)I waited until Katie was finally asleep before getting out of bed. I kissed her forehead again and took the folder and a pouch before exiting the bedroom. I found Aunt Mae smiling and sitting on the couch, browsing her phone. When I got closer, I saw she was looking at the photos she had taken a while ago, mainly of Katie’s.“Your daughter’s so adorable,” she chuckled, zooming in on her picture. “We have one of these in Myra’s photos her age. It’s like looking at her when she’s four.”I sat beside Aunt Mae, placing the envelope and the pouch beside me, and leaned closer to look at the picture.“You know she’s not my daughter...” My voice trailed off as I stared, panic-stricken, at my aunt.She tilted her head and nodded, pursing her lips as she held my hand. “That’s one of the reasons why I’m here, Aya. Myra asked for my help and -”As if I was burnt by the name she mentioned, I took my hand away from her and clenched my fists, placing them on my lap. I lowered my head and