(Aya’s POV)“Are you okay?” Jared asked.I hid my surprise when I read the worry and concern that flooded his face when I saw him sitting on the rubber tire swing his father had made for Katie. It was Aunt Mae’s idea to invite everyone for a barbeque party near our dream pond, but my tummy began to get upset as soon as my nose caught the scent of the herb Gracie mixed in the sauce. I had to excuse myself immediately and dashed inside the lodge, imprisoned myself to the shared bathroom near the living room, and threw up.“Yeah, I’m okay,” I forced a smile, glancing at the pathway to the pond.I had no intention of going back yet, hoping to sit on the swing for a while, but with Jared sitting there as if he was feeling nostalgic about the place, I couldn’t ask him to stand and give me the seat. I was also feeling dizzy, so I opted out of the idea of relaxing on the swing. Instead, I chose to step toward the wooden bench near the tree.“Katie’s a smart kid,” he smiled, showing me the bac
(Aya’s POV)“You should have remained at rest, Aya. Hidden, you know, if you didn’t want to be found,” Deidre smirked at me as we waited for Katie and Gino.“I didn’t know you knew Newton,” I sneered, thinking of thousand excuses of what to tell the Cortez about the sudden delivery of kitchen appliances and ‘who-knew-what-else’ was in the other boxes.“We used to be friends… lovers,” she glanced at me and chuckled briefly, then sighed, her lips curving a sad smile. “We broke up.”I rolled my eyes, still wondering how I became acquainted with this crazy woman. I used to hate her, but after everything she did for Katie and me, I could not afford even to get annoyed at her.“I always hear it from Red, especially when he’s so determined to achieve something,” she scoffed, lifting one corner of her mouth. “Your husband won’t be a multi-billionaire if he remained in motion with a constant velocity.”When I raised my eyebrows, Deidre rolled her eyes and laughed, leaning to her side, closer t
(Aya’s POV)“How did you know I’m here?” I asked Myra calmly, reminding myself a million times of my present condition.“I’m the one who told her, Aya,” Aunt Mae answered for my sister.I heaved a deep sigh, not glancing at my aunt, who had told me she would set things right, but I must be a magnet of misfortunes because, as my eyes wandered, everyone was here, and the only person lacking was Scarlett.“I’m taking my daughter, Aya,” Myra muttered, not wasting her time.My sister did not even consider what Katie would feel or that we were in the middle of a gathering. I closed my eyes, breathing calmly, imagining mom telling me she was my sister, and hearing dad’s voice saying ‘enough’ as he tried to stop us from our overblown argument.“Don’t give me to that witch, daddy,” whimpered Katie, surprising us. She clung tightly to his neck, even wrapping her legs around his body.As if she was in real danger, her five siblings ran to their father, standing before Red, looking like they were
(Red’s POV)“Is it my turn?” I asked Aya again, releasing her hand but raising my arms, lightly cupping her face.As if we were back to square one, I was scared to hold her again. If only I could tell her that my heart was weeping, missing her so much, and those days of not seeing her were hell for me. Standing before Aya brought my heart much pang, thinking I failed her by not being there for her when she needed me the most.“Hi!” Aya smiled nervously. “If these people can find me, how could you not?” She smirked, lifting her hands and placing them on top of mine.“Why did you leave?” I whispered, pressing my forehead into hers. “I was already hating the world, Aya when I returned home and found you gone.”She held my hands, guiding them on her hips.“I was hiding from everyone, Red. It was so painful that I needed to run away from everyone and start again,” she murmured as she grazed her hands on my chest, slowly gliding her palms upward until she reached my shoulders. “Why are you
(Red’s POV)“I had always thought that if Scarlett rose from the grave, my family would be okay, but it didn’t. Before you came, Ariana and Aunt Conchita could barely manage my kids, but you’re our miracle who came into our lives, changing us... changing me, Aya. I need you. I need your help with the kids. Even Violet hated her mother, and I can’t do anything about it,” I whimpered.I sighed and thought it was better to pitch to important investors or clients, but with Aya, it was more like a matter of life and death for my heart and future. I wished to hold her in my arms and kiss her, but I was terrified she would push me away.“Okay,” she breathed. “I’ll help you with the kids. Talk to them. Or whatever convincing I had to do, I will do it for you, Red, but...”My heart leaped with joy, but when she said ‘but’, my eyes gaped at her, afraid she would ask me to leave tonight.“I have conditions.” She muttered in a hushed tone.My heart jackhammered in my chest, and if Aya did not lay
(Red’s POV)“What with the boxes?” Addie asked as she gestured her hand, calling Sapphire and Katie to the chairs.The two girls walked toward her, sitting on the chair quietly. After Leslie gave them a quick shower, it was as if sleep was pulling them to bed already.“I don’t know. I haven’t checked them yet.” Aya, seated on the couch, handed her the hairdryer and hairbrush.When I caught her massaging her temple, I grabbed her gently and pulled her to me, letting her rest her head on the cushion I placed on my lap. She must be feeling unwell because she did not fight me, and instead of complaining, she lay and breathed in relief when I began to massage her temples. “Argh! You should have told me there’s no water upstairs.” Ariana dashed to the stairs in her bathrobe, her face white with soap. “I’m complaining about this place. Where’s the owner?” She chuckled as she knocked at the shared bathroom near the living room.“I told you this place isn’t ready to accept visitors yet,” Aya
(Red’s POV)“I’ll bet my whole inheritance, but something’s fishy about Scarlett’s return,” Ariana hissed, closing the bathroom door slowly and walking toward us. Ariana sat beside Mike, and like us, her forehead creased as crazy thoughts ran through her mind. My sister never liked Scarlett, but I could not help agreeing with her. My forehead creased, shaking my head as I brushed off the thought. They were with me when my wife returned home and saw how devastated and sickly she was.When our eyes met, Ariana knew we shouldn’t talk about it before Aya. She had gone through so much stress, and the last thing I wanted was for her to worry about our children. She lifted her hand, pretending to yawn, and stood up.“Good night, sister.” She kissed Aya’s cheeks. “Just so you know, mom and dad are thrilled with the news of having another baby... or babies in the family, but are you sure it’s not seven or something?”Aya laughed amusedly at my sister, shaking her head. “It was something Kat
(Aya’s POV)“Mommy? Daddy?”First, it was only Onyx calling, but a few seconds later, I could hear five of them calling us simultaneously.“Mooommmmmyyyyy!!!”“Daaaaddddyyyy!!!”“Sshhh... Your mom and dad are still sleeping,” I heard Addie’s pleading voice, sounding like she was stopping the kids from entering because the tent’s door had moved.I knew somehow that after I reached seventh heaven a couple of times, I fell into the arms of Morpheus. Red and I were crazy at each other, making love as if it was our last. Well... it should be the last. I woke up earlier than my cell phone’s alarm and had to turn it off before Red woke up from its noise.Instead of getting up, I snuggled closer to him, arched my head back, and gazed at his godly face. My mind had been reminding me that Red didn’t belong to me, but my heart kept whispering that it was not my fault that I fell in love with him and him to me. No one was at fault, except last night; I wanted Red... I needed him to make me feel a