**Eliana Pov**The next morning, I was still paranoid. I don't want Axel coming back here.I quickly got Amelia ready and went out of the house to take her to Zia's place. We have a different shift this week.I kept looking around as we walked towards Zia's house. Axel is not here. I let out a breath in relief when we were at her door.Zia's husband, Benjamin, opened the door."Uncle Benny Ben" Amelia ran and hugged his legs. "Amelia... How are you?" He raised his hand and she gave him a high five after she released him from the hug."Come on in" Benjamin looked at me and opened the door wider for us."Good morning Benny." I said as I walked in."Hey. How are you?" He looked apologetic. I know Zia has told him everything going on in my sad life. I don't mind though. They are like the family I never had."I am good," I smiled. "Where is she?" I looked towards the stairs.Benjamin chuckled "still in bed, but awake though." I nodded before walking towards the stairs. Amelia ran up the
**Eliana Pov**"Mummy, is Uncle Jace my daddy?" Amelia asked again.I was lost in my own thoughts and didn't realize I was just looking at her without saying a word.What should I tell her?I felt the world stopped. Everything stops, even my heart beats and my breath."Amelia sweetie, it's late" I mustered a smile and creased her hair. "We will talk about this tomorrow, ok?" I said with a smile.She looked at me for a while, she must be thinking about what I said. She nodded with uncertainty."Good night. I love you." I kissed her forehead and pulled the duvet to her chest before turning off the light and exiting the room.I need a drink.I walked through the leaving room and went straight to the kitchen to pour myself a drink. I changed my mind on pouring the drink, instead, I went the whole bottle to the living room. I sat on the couch.The shocked expression is still plastered on my face. I can feel it.Amelia's words were replaying in my head. Does this have to happen now!? Now
**Axel Pov**"Please leave and never return " Eliana's words sting. Why is she so bitter today?She wasn't like that the first day I met her at her house. Why is she behaving like this now?She walked away before I could have a chance to say anything. Damnit! I followed behind her. "Wait Eliana. Please listen to me." I don't care who would see me begging her, I will. She should just listen to me. That is what I want. Afterwards, she can make her decision, but at least she should know the whole truth first.I went through the door I saw her go through. It is where the food is prepared. She looked shocked once more. She walked quickly towards me."Axel, what is wrong with you!?" She came closer and whispered. "Are you trying to get me fired!?" She then looked around.I noticed we have started getting an audience. The people in the kitchen looked at us strangely."I need to talk to you. It is important." I looked back at her. "I am not leaving until you listen." I might have to be stu
**Eliana Pov**Thinking I would be able to give Axel a chance, I asked to meet after my shift was over. But what chance could I possibly give someone that had chances for 5 years?I didn't know why, but meeting him here just made me pour out my mind without hesitation. I noticed he was speechless. Damn right he should be.He realized I had figured out the reason he came back now. He probably didn't want me finding out."You got it all wrong --"I cut him off before he could finish his sentence. "I don't want to ever see you again. We don't want you and we definitely don't need you."I said. I could see the bus coming now. "I hope your people caught this on camera?" I finally said before turning away from him. The bus stopped then and I got in. I was making a silent prayer for Axel not to think of following me by also getting into the bus To my dismay, he did. Immediately I turned to sit, I saw him tailing me behind. I sighed in exhaustion. It seems Amelia will be staying for the nigh
** Axel Pov**I told Eliana the whole story. She was quiet for a while. I want to know what she is thinking. I made sure to be honest with her. I know I am not all that innocent because I was foolish enough to just leave her when my mother convinced me to."I can't believe this." Eliana said. She stood up, took a few steps away from me and stopped.She turned and looked at me. Her brown hazel eyes looked less angry than it used to be each time I saw her."I know I am not all innocent either." I stood up from where I was and walked towards her. "I shouldn't have listened to her." I held her hand again.I am glad she did not pull away. But she looked lost in her thoughts."I was young, ambitious and naive." I said. "There is no excuse for my actions. I should have some decency and a level of respect for our relationship and spoke to you before I left. I am so sorry." I honestly spoke.I really hope to see my daughter. But it seems she is not here. We have been here for more than 30 min
**Eliana Pov**"Mummy..." Amelia called again. With a shaky voice this time around like she was about to start crying.She was napping earlier, knowing she is a light sleeper, I tried to talk softly so that I wouldn't wake her up. But Axel kept trying to get under my skin. Now our argument woke her up.I turned to go to her but to my dismay, Axel beat me to it. He rushed towards her and picked her up into a hug.She got scared a little at first, but she then relaxed. She kept looking at me, while Axel had his back to me.He turned around and what I saw softened my heart a little, Axel was in tears. Now it is my turn to be shocked by his affection.He is not going to make me feel bad. I am not going to feel bad."Hi little one. It is lovely to finally meet you" Axel spoke and released Amelia from the hug, but she is still in his arms.Amelia looked at him with confusion. She has her hands on his shoulder to hold herself away from his body, as if she doesn't want him too close to her.
**Eliana Pov**When can I see her again?"I thought for a minute before answering him. Does this mean I have to be seeing him more often? "Next weekend." I finally said. I don't want him lingering around me."No!" He protested. "That is way too long, besides, I will be leaving for the city soon."I felt a sting."Of course you do." I said with sarcasm.It is no different with his daughter too. I was foolish to think that it would be different."What is that supposed to mean?" He looked puzzled by my response."It means you can see her whenever you return."I stood up and walked to the door. I opened it and returned my gaze to Axel, who is still seated.Then he realized what I was suggesting by my action.He mouthed an oh, before standing up and walking towards the door."Can I see her tomorrow instead?" He pushed again.I massaged my forehead. "She won't be here tomorrow." I said without looking at him. He stood by the door and refused to budge. "Eliana, why are you doing this?" He
**Eliana Pov**"I am ready." Amelia repeated, due to my long silence.I am trying to choose the right words with her. She is just a child. I have to say what she can easily comprehend and at the same time, not make anyone look bad in the story."The man from yesterday is my daddy, right?" She continued."Yes he is." I finally spoke and leaned forward to hold her hand.Amelia gave a toothy grin. "Ok. Good." She nodded."Before I came to this town back then in our hometown, there came a time that your daddy had to leave for school. I also left the town because I wanted you to be happy when you were born."I purposely left out part of my stepmother's story. I don't want her hearing anything that will make her sad."So I moved here and I had you. I was very happy when you were born."I smooth her hair and smile at her. She smiled back."What about daddy? Why didn't you follow him when he was going to school?" Amelia questioned with furrowed brows.I had to think before responding again. "
**A day earlier, before the opening of the new hotel.**Maya came out of a spa, her phone on her ear with the support of her shoulder. When she exited the place, she then held the phone with her hand."I am on my way home now. I will be home in ten minutes -" Maya was speaking to Axel on the phone when she sighted Noah exiting his car. He then got into another car that was parked In Front of his car."Maya? Can you hear me?" Axel asked when Maya went silent while talking to him."Make that twenty. Twenty minutes. Something just came up." Maya quickly said and ended the call and got out of her car to hail a taxi."Go straight, " Maya ordered after getting into a taxi. They came in sight of the car in no time. She then told the taxi driver to follow the car but he should be careful not to be caught by the car In Front of them.They continued to follow the car low-key for another fifteen minutes. They arrived at a motel.maya was confused. "Stop here." She told the taxi driver before he w
"Wifey, Where have you been?" Jace spoke with a sleepy voice. He stared in his sleep and felt the other side of the bed empty. Almost immediately, the door opened and Eliana walked in. Jace's attention turned to her. Her phone in her hand and her face looked determined."I was making up my mind on what you asked of me last night." Eliana replied as she walked to Jace.Jace sat up on the bed. "Yes?" His face was hopeful of a positive answer from his wife.Eliana bit her lips nervously before saying, "I decided to take on the job -""Really!? That is wonderful news. I know you are going to do great." Jace said, holding her hand, excitedly.Eliana chuckled. "You didn't let me finish." She reasoned."Oh.. what else?" Jace asked."I will take the job on one condition." Eliana said, raising one finger up."Whatever you want, my love." Jace confirmed."I want Zia by my side in the kitchen." Eliana said. "She would act like the strength with authority there." She added."Done. Anything else?
Eliana walked into the bedroom and her husband was on a call. She could easily make up what he was discussing on the phone. It was about the new hotel that was about to be launched. They haven't decided the date yet but everything was ready. It took Jace and his good friend Jayden to get the hotel done. Even though it was an expansion not completely a new project."Hey, beautiful." Jace said after ending the call. Walking towards Eliana, who was also walking to her husband."Hey, Babe." Eliana replied.They hugged each other after sharing a kiss."I love you so much. Today was just amazing." Eliana said."Anything to make my wife happy. Besides, you deserve it all." Jace said. Putting his chin on her head. "I love you even more.""Even Zia and her entire family!" Eliana said. Her hands still wrapped around his torso as they swayed gently in the silence of the night. "You are just so amazing. When did you have time to pull that off?" Eliana probed, looking up at him."Quite some time a
*** A year later ***A maybach drove into Bratkowski's mansion in the evening. In the back seat of the car, Eliana and her husband sat. Eliana looked sad."Wifey, this is supposed to be a happy moment. Why the long face?" Jace asked, caressing her hand.Eliana sighed. "Hubby, I invited them all but no one showed up. They all had one excuse or the other. Not even Maya. She works for you, you should have forced her to show up at my certificate awarding of culinary school." Eliana said with a pout.Eliana got to meet Maya in one of her visits to Jace's office. She was so happy when she met her and realized she was the same lady Axel was drooling over at her wedding.eDestiny is what brought them together because they were destined to be together. As Eliana believed.Jace chuckled and kissed the back of her hand. "I can't force anyone, especially if it is not work related. You know that, right?" He tried to reason with her. "I know." Eliana said, still pouting."Good. Now let's go. The ki
A week has passed and Eliana decided to put one of Chelsea's advice into action. She had already planned everything before she left home that morning.At school, she quickly concluded her practical for that day early so that she can achieve her mission. She headed to the company afterwards.Walking to the front desk at the entrance, Eliana approached the receptionist."Hello." Eliana said at the receptionist. She was still nervous but tried to put on a smile. She was holding onto the lunch she packed for them from school and some things she bought on her way."Good day, how can I assist you -" the receptionist began before looking up. When she looked up, recognition flashed in her eyes. "Oh, Mrs Bratkowski, you are welcome." Eliana was a bit relieved. At least the receptionist recognised who she was. 'She must have attended our wedding.' Eliana thought to herself. That could only be the explanation, since she has never visited the office."I am here to see my husband, can you direct
"Want more sauce?" Eliana asked."Me. Me. Me." All the three little girls at the table cooed, raising their hands up with excitement. They were all savoring the dishes served to them. Eliana prepared the food with the assistance of her kitchen staff."Wifey, this is amazing." Jace said when he was done with his meal. "It is 100 times better than anything I have had that was not prepared by you " he added, while cleaning his mouth.That made the adults on the table laugh. Although they also find her cooking amazing."Thanks hubby." Eliana said with a smile. The children were served a little more of the soup that they wanted more of.Days and weeks later. In the Bratkowski's mansion sat Chelsea and her husband, Jayden, with their two girls, Reha and Myra. Then the Bratkowski's family too. They were having dinner all together. Both families seemed happy as they sat and ate cheerfully around the table.Liam, the little one was on his highchair as well, having his own version of dinner.
"What are you guys not telling me?" Eliana asked. After following Jace into the closet. "After all, I was trying to play matchmaker for Axel." She added, putting her hands on her waist.Jace chuckled as he put on his pajamas pants. "I didn't know that. When did you decide to do that? Playing Cupid and all." He asked."Since our wedding." Eliana said. Picking up the towel Jace earlier had on him. "I noticed how he was gawking over a lady that was sitting at a different table. I wanted to introduce myself to her but then I was distracted for a moment. Before I could get to her again, she was nowhere to be found." Eliana explained.They both walked out of the closet. Jace first and Eliana tailing behind."It turns out he worked it out all by himself." Jace said before sitting on the bed. Eliana walked back into the bathroom. She hung the towel where it should be and then walked back into their bedroom."Yeah, it did. They would have been a perfect match though. She is beautiful and lo
"Wait! What!?" Eliana exclaimed. Her eyes grew wide at Axel's suggestion. She abruptly got up from her sitting position.Jace's eyes were wide as well. "You are joking, right? Don't get my hopes up and then you would say you are joking. Just tell me it's a joke." He blurted. Jace is still seated, but he was close to standing up as well because he was sitting by the edge of the chair.Axel looked between the two as they acted very surprised by his words. "No. I am not. I am sorry I caught you both off guard. After everything I have made you go through. This is the least I can do for her happiness and my way of feeling less guilty for the things that happened." Axel explained."Oh and Jace, that makes you the highest shareholder of the company." Axel announced with an assuring nod. "Because half of mine now goes to my daughter." He added.Alex was still at Eliana and Jace's home when he told them that he was waiting for his lawyer. A few moments later, two lawyers came to their house. T
"Daddy! Daddy! Daddy! You are here." Amelia cheered, running towards Axel. The butler that walked him into the house took a bow and walked away."Hey Princess." Axel said, opening his hands wide for the running Amelia. He picked her up and swung her around before hugging her close to his chest.Axel laughed and Amelia giggled at that. "Woah. My Princess is getting bigger by the day." He said, after putting her down."Yes. I am a big girl now and a big sister too." Amelia said, as she pulled her father's hand towards the living room. "Mummy, daddy is here." She announced, looking at the direction of the stairs.When Axel arrived, he called Eliana and let her know he was at the gate. The gate was then opened for him and he drove through the huge compound of the mansion.Eliana was changing Liam's diaper then. She told Amelia her father was downstairs. That made Amelia run down the stairs. She was screaming her father's name and could not hear her mother's calling. Telling her not to run