Bryan's POV Danielle Arnold. Everything about her had changed. From the moment I stepped in, all I wanted to see was her face. Her burnt gray eyes were dusty. She looked more like a woman now than the lady she used to be. Having her stand before me had a lot of effects that she imposed on me without even knowing. "So, I am waiting," I said and crossed my legs the old-fashioned way I used to when I was here. "All you need to do is go through your mail. Read through everything. You'll understand it all. If that is all, I'd like to excuse myself… Boss." She turned around and went back to her courtside like I always called it. Savvy woman, she hasn't changed a bit. I didn't bother her, I would get used to it. Used to it? When did I start getting used to nonchalant average people? Danielle doesn't fall in that category, or so I thought. I went through the emails she sent but they were way too much. How did she remember to send a letter at the end of the week? If I start reading this,
Danielle's POV "Mom, I want more," Mila stood with me in the kitchen with her plate. They just finished breakfast and I wondered why she was eating so much. None of them eat much food. Most of the time, they keep remnants and I end up throwing them in the thrash. "Okay," I collect her plate. "Go back to the dinning now, I will be back with a full plate." She nodded and hopped back to her seat. I could hear their chitchats on the table. The three of them have grown older than their ages. They were talking about a particular subject which I have found interest in. I refilled Mila's plate and joined them at the table. "...and that is how we get money here. That is why Mom goes to work every day," Ella said. "But I don't agree with you. I believe there are other things Mom can do at home that would still give her a better income. How much is she taking anyway." "I smiled and dropped Mila's food in front of her. "Thanks, Mom." "Mila, you eat too much. You'd soon be fat and heavy," Li
Isabelle's POV It was a very bright day. Mostly, I didn't have anything to do. Mom has been happy since I gave her the news that I'd soon get married. All her nagging had disappeared. Tony on the other hand had grown so tall. It was just four years and he looked like he was 18 already. I sat on the couch and watched him come in. I hadn't seen him since I arrived. Mom said he went out with his friends and he would come back when he felt like it. I wonder what else has changed. Mom was lenient with him and he had friends. I sat there and waited for him to throw himself at me like he used to. I remembered how he held me when I was leaving, he kept telling me to take him along which was not possible. He walked in and paused when he saw me. He should be my height now, or even taller. He had a meh expression when he saw me. He blinked and kept on moving without saying a word. "Hey!" I called out and went after him. "Did you not see me there?" He turned and placed his headset around hi
Gabriel's POV The hate Danielle had for Clara seemed to have reduced but you could easily tell that she was fighting some demons within her. "Uncle, why do we have to hide when someone comes to our house? We go to the mall with you and Mom most times," Ella asked behind me in my room. The three girls had been with me since the day Clara came. Danielle hasn't been in a good mood and she Instructed her kids to play with me for the time being. She is probably in her office, cooking up some work for her boss. I chuckled and poked her nose. "Ouch! What was that for?" "You are too clever. Your Mom makes you stay indoors because she values you. She doesn't want any harm to come your way. You see, you can't trust everyone you see around. That's why you should always obey her and stay away from people that come around." She nodded and went back to okay with Mila and Lila. I heard the sound of my phone ringing but I couldn't tell where it was ringing from. "U
Danielle's POV I sat by the window, brooding at the innate beauty of sunrise. The laughter and chuckles of my kids were the early music of the day. Like every other day, I was glad I had them. " You are at it again, Danielle," Gabriel's voice echoed through the room. Most of their things in my room had been moved to the kids' room. They were grown up now, no need to stick with me all the time. "It's beautiful, isn't it? The sun, the birds, the sky. Everything is so natural and neutral." "Just like you. I have good news." I felt the heat of his body against my back and took a step to the right. We have been doing fine without getting too close. I do not want to dig up feelings that have been buried. "We won a million-dollar deal?" He laughed and stood beside me by the window. " We will be having some visitors soon. And by soon, I mean today. You would enjoy their presence." I turned to him. "Did you invite someone over? Do I need to hide the kids?
Danielle's POV "Danielle, calm down," Aunt's voice called my attention in the room. Her voice boomed my anger. I refused to turn to her. "What do you expect me to say? You came back all of a sudden and you are telling me there's a guy that I have to get married to because of some shitty bargain." Perhaps that took me as an idiot, but I know what I am doing. I stick to my principles no matter the cost. "I told Pa Bruno to let you know. I thought you knew all about it already." "If you thought of it that way, you wouldn't have asked if I wanted to get married. I am not doing this and no one is going to force me to do it." Gramps entered the room, and so did Gabriel and Aunt Rose's husband. Even Gabriel has joined them in begging me to accept it. "Danielle, just a trial. If it doesn't work out, you can back out," Gabriel said. "They have succeeded in poisoning your mind too. What would happen to the family we have built together? I don't even wan
Danielle's POV Mark drove us to a bar that was scanty. I sat there by the counter with him. "Now what?" I asked. Now, I had calmed down and I had regained myself. My temperature was calm and my hands were stable. He gave me a drink which I left on the table. "I know you hate me, Danielle. First impression stuff. I didn't know I was coming to see you also. I had a huge fight with my mom before leaving the house and I have a girlfriend." I nodded. A strand of my hair fell across my face and I tried to blow it off. He reached out his hands and I flinched. "Woah woah. What were you trying to do?" "I was just trying to take off that…strand of hair…right there." He brushed it back and tucked it behind my ear, "And there you go…" "You were saying…you have a girlfriend. I am also not interested. Works for both of us, right?" "I had a girlfriend. Came out wrong the first time. I understand you do not want this marriage but I'll give you a chance. You can d
Danielle's POV I typed the digits on my phone and took a very deep breath before dialing. Beads of sweat rolled down the side of my cheeks. I choked on my breath and started to feel uncomfortable. Why was I this nervous? I hung up before the number could ring. Taking deep breaths, I counted…one…two…three. Then took one last breath to regulate myself. Phew, I can do this. I rested my back and dialed the number again. This time, I left it on the table and closed my eyes. I heard it ring and waited for the owner to pick it up. A common ringtone rang in the office, precisely Mr Smith's table. I didn't know he was using an iPhone. Every time I saw him, he was always with his Samsung fold. I shook my head and focused on what I was doing. The person I was calling wasn't picking up his call. Now I have to go through another process to put a call through again. If only he knew how hard it is to make a call, he'd just pick up at the first trial. I decided I would