(Red’s POV)“Don’t cry, Daddy,” Onyx raised her hands, wiping the tears about to roll my cheeks. “We made you some, too.”I chuckled and sniffled, kissing my little boy on his head. “You say hi to Aya’s daughter, Katie, and her father, Dean.”Katie ran behind Aya but peered at my kids, her eyes wide as she looked at them. Although Katie wasn’t her biological daughter, their resemblance was visible. She looked at her mother, and though Aya said it was okay, she shook her head and hid again.Dean was surprised when my kids dashed to him, calling him grandpa, but chuckled as each of my children hugged him and kissed his cheek. He laughed when they began to tell him about their pancake experience and how much they liked Aya.“Umm… Grandpa?” Sapphire moved her pursed lips and glanced at Katie.“Yes?” Dean asked, following the direction of her eyes.“Can Katie come and play with us sometimes?” she asked shyly, then furrowed her forehead like she had changed her mind. “Can Katie live with us
(Red’s POV)The kids sitting on the floor looked like we had a book reading. Addie had to put the center table to the side to give the kids space, and they had to sandwich the four of them, my cousins, Leslie and her, on the couch while I sat on the loveseat, waiting for Aya.The sudden change in her decision excited the kids but worried me. Aya had not gone out of the bedroom for an hour, and when I went upstairs to check on her, I chickened out when I heard her crying. Addie went upstairs and promised me she would talk to her, and when she returned, she would follow her, so we could sit and talk about the wedding.Everyone went quiet, and even my heart stopped beating when Aya walked in our direction. Her eyes were puffy, and her nose was red as she sat beside me, forcing her lips to curve into a smile. She glanced at her cousins and mine, then at the children.“Can we call you mommy now?” Blue asked, his eyes wide as he waited for her answer.Katie, unsure of what was happening, lo
(Aya’s POV)“But you’re my wife,” Red muttered like he was testing me, his lips curving into a wicked smile.“Let’s not go there if you don’t want to wake up with a black eye,” I warned him. “I told you, you’re not my type,” I lied, but it scared me, thinking about how to stop myself if he touched me.Addie pressed her lips tighter because she knew Red had a strong effect on me. Although I would deny it and continue to lie about my gender preference, I had no idea until when I could hold myself from touching him. I didn’t love him, but any woman would fall for his gorgeousness and hotness. If I didn’t need a job and I had no respect for the dead, I would probably be one of those women who would lie naked in his bed.“This is crazy,” I murmured, upset not with Red but with myself. One minute I hated Red, the next, I thought of him naked.Red stared at me worriedly, afraid that I had changed my mind. He heaved a sigh and smiled apologetically at me.“You know what, Mike, just ready the
(Aya’s POV)“Does that sound believable already?” Red asked, smirking at them.It was as if I was standing on the foot of the mountain, having an avalanche and all the snow fell on me. It was believable because Red almost got me. Embarrassed, humiliated that I allowed to fall myself into his act, and angry, when Red turned to me, my palm instantly landed on his left cheek, slapping him hard.“What’s that for?” He asked angrily, his palm on the cheek I hurt.“I told you I’d kill you if you touched me without my permission,” I screamed angrily, breathing hard and turning my back on him.“Where are you going?” He panicked.Addie and Mike stood up, alarmed that I walked toward the door.“We’re not yet done,” Red snarled. “I’m asking you, Aya, where are you going?” He asked, following me, but halted abruptly when I stopped and turned around.“Weekend, remember? I have work!” I growled.“Are you sure this is the right decision? They’re not married yet, but they’re likely ready to kill each
(Aya’s POV)“Lucy!” I called when I saw her walking toward her office.I glanced at the puff pastry with custard and strawberries I baked and designed with fancy heart-shaped biscuits before dashing to my supervisor. She stopped walking and raised her eyebrows, waiting for me to come closer.“Can I have another shift today?” I chewed on my lower lip, hoping she would say yes. If she allowed me, it would be my third shift already.She chuckled. “Is it because of Chef Heidi?”“Yep!” I grinned, wiggling my eyebrows.Chef Heidi was not a regular cook in the restaurant, only when there was a VIP or special occasion. Toward the end of my first shift, I heard she would be here later. As to who was the special guest, I didn’t ask. She taught Culinary Arts education at an elite university in the country, and learning from her in that school was definitely out of my budget, so whenever she was here, no matter how tired I was from my two shifts, I always took my chance.When I called Addie and L
(Aya’s POV)“Mommy, can Red be my daddy, too?” Katie asked, wrapping her arms around my waist and raising her head to look at my face.If she were asking me for an ice cream or a new toy, I could answer her question, but my little girl wished for a father to be part of our lives when no one was ready. I imagined getting married but someday, not right away.I was too focused on the kids that I did not notice the door opening. Sapphire dashed to Katie and held her hand, tugging her toward her other siblings. The two girls giggled as they joined the others, and Violet led them to the table.“Aya,” Red’s baritone voice startled me.I should be furious at him for including the kids in his crazy plan, but my heart was thumping crazily inside my chest, unsure why I was feeling emotional and where it was coming from. Slowly, I turned around and saw Red standing gorgeously.“What’s this, Red?” I choked, fighting my tears and pretending to be mad.“This wasn’t my idea, but Ariana’s. I’m so bad
(Aya’s POV)It was a quick kiss because the children ran toward Red and me, giggling happily as they embraced us. I chuckled, reaching out for the table napkin on the side and wiping the corners of the twin’s and Katie’s mouths because of the strawberry and chocolate-covered cake balls they ate.“I like this, mommy,” Onyx said, biting the one still in his hand.Mommy.They didn’t come from my womb, but my whole body was filled with joy, and I didn’t know why I was too excited that a few hours from now, it wouldn’t be awkward for me to hear them calling me their mommy. The tears I was holding rolled down my cheeks.Blue gasped. “Oh no! You made mommy cry, Onyx.”I chuckled, wiping the tears and sniffling as I shook my head. My heart was so full, unsure where the happiness was coming from because it was overflowing inside me. I glanced at Red when he called me, extending his hand to go with him and meet our family.“Dad,” I muttered nervously.My father only smiled and hugged me. I knew
(Aya’s POV)Dante fetched us from home and drove us to Rose Hills after breakfast. We had to go there early because Mike mentioned I had to sign the prenuptial agreement before the wedding. I didn’t need to explain it to my family, especially to dad, because they understood. I was just worried because even last night, when we came home to the apartment, he didn’t say much except he knew that there was something special about Red and me.When we arrived, and Dante stopped the SUV in front of the villa, I did not wait for him to open the door. Even Addie and Leslie went out of the car and helped Katie get out of her child's seat, but we let him help my father.“Wow!” Leslie opened her mouth in awe as she looked at the luxurious home of her boss. “This is more than winning a lottery, Aya.”Addie had a different concern. “You walked on that hill and from that gate to here?”I laughed, nodding at her. I could not believe it was only recently that I thought I would die in coming here, hopin
(Aya’s POV) Three months later... I raised my hand, my fingers trailing my little one’s soft skin as she had her milk from my breast. I smiled when she stopped, a habit she seemed to have whenever she heard something familiar. “You heard daddy’s voice, Athena?” I asked lovingly. When I raised my head, my lips curved into a sweet smile seeing Red stopping and leaning on the doorframe. He kept his cell phone inside his pocket and gazed at us. “Cora left already?” I asked as I fixed my nursing bra and thought to pump milk later. I could not believe I was blessed with lots of milk. He shook his head. “She’s hiking with Ariana tomorrow. Can you believe it?” He chuckled. “Or should I call a rescuer in advance?” I chuckled, shaking my head. “Don’t say that in front of your sister. She might think of something else, like camping there for the night. So, please...” As Roman promised, his two children, Ariana and Red, stayed until I gave birth, and they seemed to have changed their mind
(Red’s POV)“Are you sure?” Mike asked me as Emmet and Scarlett went to the playroom to talk to Rosie.“You said it yourself, Mike, that even if I don’t press charges, she will still go to jail,” I muttered, sighing as I eyed Aya sitting in the living room, murmuring words to our little one as she caressed her belly.I hoped it was still because of her pregnancy that she was soft-hearted, sobbing over the story she heard from Scarlett. She lived poorly with Emmet, who worked as a security guard in a warehouse in the province he mentioned, but she never looked sad, not even regretting marrying him. If asked, she said she wanted to stay dead in her family’s eyes rather than go back, but Sherrilyn found her again, threatening her of hurting Emmet and Rosie if she didn’t help her with money. Sherrilyn must have forgotten that even her daughter signed a prenuptial agreement before our marriage, and the few gifts I gave her as a gift would take time to repossess because of her death. “But
(Aya’s POV)Almost eight months ago, when I first came here to the Carlington Residence, I believed I was born a selfless person with no ‘me’ time in my system. I had never expected to be part of this family when all I wanted at that time was to get a job and replace the parure Ryan gave me. I was not qualified for the job, but I had to lie to Red. The pieces of jewelry, the need for money, and the hope of finishing my studies and getting a good job for my father and Katie were the forces that pushed me to pretend to be someone else. Who knew I would meet Red, the man who had told me many times I was not qualified, had given me a chance because of his love for his children? It was not even a year, but a lot of things had happened in my life. I turned my head and gazed lovingly at my husband. He didn’t have to say it, but I knew deep inside he was hurting. I might not have witnessed their long years of marriage before the plane crash, but I saw how he tried to cope, live for his chil
(Aya’s POV)“Think, Sherrilyn,” I chuckled nervously. “The restroom is small for me to trip. And wait! Are you threatening me?”I thought of different ways to run toward the door, but Sherrilyn’s plan of possibly pushing me would be more realistic than the one in the restroom. I took a deep breath to calm myself and hoped Red would come on time. If I weren’t pregnant, I would care less about what she planned to do, but my sole concern now is my child.“Mom, will you please stop!” Scarlett grabbed her mother’s arm, stopping her.“Stop?” Sherrilyn hissed at her daughter. “As long as she’s here, she’s going to be the end of you.”“What do you plan to do with her, huh?” She asked annoyingly. “We’ll only make Red furious. Mom, all my life, I did what you wanted. Will you listen to me once? Let Aya go.”“What’s happening with you?” Sherrilyn brushed off her hand and gave her daughter a dagger look. “Have you gone mad?”“No!” Scarlett stood before her, blocking Sherrilyn from coming to me. “
(Aya’s POV)“Did you bring everything you needed?” Addie chuckled, asking me jokingly the same question she had the first time I got here in the villa in Rose Hills.I laughed as I get off the car, hating that I had to feel like my bladder was about to explode if I didn’t find a toilet right this minute. I had no intention of getting inside the villa, but Dante stopped the car in the driveway. I already had the chills, my tiny hair standing up, and my baby seemed to feel my need as it moved and kicked. I almost rolled my hair, seeing Scarlett standing in the doorway, waiting for her family.“I’m not sure I need them now, Addie,” I growled on the phone, thinking quickly about where the nearest restroom would be. “What I want now is to pee, and if I don’t, I’ll leak in Gino’s car… or worse, here in the porch!”“Then leak there first. I’m sure Scarlett won’t mind,” she advised. “Got to go, cous. We have a guest. Take care, okay?” she said, ending the call.“Why don’t you use the one nea
(Aya’s POV)“Will I get a discount if I give referrals?” Miles smiled as he picked up his cup of coffee. His eyes wandered around the common room.“Even if you don’t give referrals, Miles. I’ll still give you a discount... or maybe have your accommodation for free,” I promised him.Miles chuckled. “I’ll call you when I have the time to hike,” he sipped his coffee and then put his cup back on the center table. “But before my hiking plans, I should close this case first.”He must be working overtime; his wide-set eyes looked tired but still focused on our discussion. I wondered if he had ever slept or had time to eat. When Red called Mike and asked them to come, they arrived in less than three hours at the lodge.It was almost midnight.“You should go home, Red,” Miles said, surprising us with his advice. “Bring the kids back to the villa and pretend for a while, at least for the kids, that everything’s normal between you and Scarlett.”“I think it’s too late for that,” I cut in and smi
(Red’s POV)“Did we do something wrong?” Blue blinked his adorable eyes at me. “I’m okay having a baby sister, I swear!” He said, raising his right hand. “It’s okay we lost the bet.”We were in the main bedroom, looking like having a story-telling class, when I asked them to sit on the bed while Aya and I sat, almost leaning on the bed’s headboard, facing the children.“No,” Violet answered without breaking her gaze at me. “Mom and Dad are going to talk to us about Emmet and Rosie... and mom... the Scarlett mom,” she muttered, emphasizing her mother’s name.Katie pursed her lips as she played with her slime toy. “Why is your mom also Rosie’s mom?” she asked, leaning forward to look at Violet and her round eyes blinking curiously at her sister.She leaned back when my eldest daughter pursed her lips. Katie’s eyebrows knitted as she thought, then she shrugged her shoulders and continued playing with her toy.Violet sighed. “I hope I know the answer to that question, Katie,” she muttered
(Red’s POV)“You... know that I am Scarlett’s...” I gritted my teeth, clenching my fists but trying to control myself from hitting Emmet’s face.Emmet met my eyes and slowly shook his head. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. When he opened his eyes, he looked at his sister.“Emily, why don’t you take Rosie home?” He begged and smiled sadly at his daughter.“I don’t want to go home yet,” Rosie pouted her lips, her eyes pleading with him to let her stay.“You should listen to your daddy. Go home, Rosie,” Blue said as he got off his chair. “I’ll play outside. Triplets, do you like to play with me?”This was the first time I saw my children push away another child. Ariana always said that my kids could be awarded for amiableness and friendliness, which she sometimes disliked because it sometimes ended up trouble for her wallet when my kids also wanted to treat others with ice cream or any treats. My twins, even Katie, the sweetest of our daughters, said nothing about Rosie. She got
(Aya’s POV) “Can we name our baby sister now,” Green muttered excitedly as he ate his cake. Red turned his head to me, raising his eyebrows and asking me in silence if it was okay. I nodded, also excited about their suggestions. “Oh…kay…” He nodded slowly to them. “We’re open to suggestions,” he said, emphasizing the last word and glancing at the open main door when a familiar girl peered from the outside. “Can we do that later? We have guests.” Emily showed up at the door, smiling apologetically at us and glancing at the little girl she was with. For Rosie’s sake, I begged Red not to file a case against Emmet because on the day he ran toward me, he was not attacking; he was also trying to catch me. Violet smiled at Rosie, walking toward her and extending her hand to the child. “Hi, Rosie. Do you like cupcakes?” She nodded, her eyes wide as she looked interestingly at the balloons. She grabbed Violet’s hand and followed her toward the table. Red and I walked toward Emily, who st