Anna/Linda POVThat shut me up.I stared at Flint.Remorse spread through me when I saw the hurt in his eyes.“I don’t want to cause another friction in your family. I already did that once. I promised myself not to cause the Fords any trouble again.”I expelled a loud breath.“But here I am. Just a day passed after you reconciled with your family, and I am bringing another trouble for you. I am sorry, Flint.”Flint shushed me.
Flint POVPenelope thrashed in my arms.She was crying in earnest now that I had curtailed her freedom. “Daddy!” She was kicking her legs. When we reached the elevator, I pulled Anna inside and let Penelope down. Once she was on her feet, she lifted her head toward me and smiled, finally winning this round. Anna pinched me on the side.What can I do? I can say no to my little Queen for too long.When the elevator pinged, announcing our arrival on our destination floor, I took Penelope’s hands to hold it securely. “Let’s walk together, Penny,” I told her before grabbing Anna’s hand to entwine our fingers together. My secretary rose from her seat when she noticed my arrival.Her eyes were drawn to our clasped hands but tactfully said nothing about it. “Good morning, Mr. Ford, ma’am, little miss.” I nodded at her and asked. “Did they arrive?” She nodded in response. She opened the door to let us inside my office.I saw Anna stiffened when she saw who was inside my room. “Tha
Flint POVWhen the four filed out of my office, I turned to Anna and asked.“Are you disappointed that I shut down your proposal? Tell me, are you still eager to meet your ex?”I wanted to shut my mouth, but I couldn't unsaid the words I said even when I saw Anna’s face twitch as I slapped her.Immediately, I vacated my chair to stand at her side.“I am sorry. That was uncalled for.”She did not respond, and that triggered my insecurity.“You don’t trust me,” she
Anna/Linda POVWe did not discuss Logan after that, and I decided not to press. I realized I had to give Flint time to think and absorb whatever I told him. I hope he will do it fast because time is running out. “Let’s go,” Flint said when Penelope awoke. He took her bag and carried her in his arms. Then, he turned around to grab my hand, and we walked alongside each other. “Are we going to Briana’s place right now?”I looked at the time and noticed that we were still early. Flint shook his head. “Not yet. We are going to the restaurant. I am sure my little Queen is hungry.” He made faces at our daughter, making Penelope laugh. We went to Rosewood Hotel’s famous restaurant.At the entrance, we gathered attention, especially the father and daughter. Flint did not seem to care and ignored it. The manager showed us to a secluded table.“We’ll order something light,” Flint said, addressing the wait staff.He also ordered an assortment of fruits for Penelope. “I remembered Ma
Anna/Linda POV“It was a blast!” Flint said when we said goodbye to his family.Penelope was already sleeping in his arms, tired with so much running around.But the happiness on our daughter’s face was unparalleled, especially since she was able to bond with her cousins. Briana made it a point to include everyone. No one was left behind. Before we left, Briana invited all the cousins for a playdate.“On Sunday, let’s do this again. The kids loved it.”I could not agree more. Penelope loved hanging out with her cousins. “Expect us next Sunday,” Flint promised, smiling wide.I could see that the rift I inadvertently caused the siblings had been repaired, and my heart eased somewhat. He exchanged fist bumps with his brothers - Charles, Rowan, and Marcus. Then, Noah. “Let’s have a girl bonding, too,” Hanna suggested.“We will do a manicure and pedicure at the hotel,” Briana said. “Okay, but let Marcus pay for it,” Martina said, looking at her husband, who gave us his approval by st
Flint POVI saw the excitement on her face and toned down the green-eyed monster that was raring to go out of its shell inside me. Anna needed my cooperation, not my resistance. She needed my strength to provide her a haven from life’s raging storms. Her eyes made quick work of her mobile phone, searching for something. Then, her expression lit up. It was as if she arrived at a Eureka moment. “I already found his secretary’s number. It’s in my contact list. I will call him now.” She explained, eager to be done with the deed. I grabbed the phone from her hands and placed it back on the bedside table. “Flint!” She protested.Her head lifted as she followed the direction my hand was going. “Do it tomorrow,” I told her sternly.Anna pouted. “It’s morning in Arkadia today. It’s the best time to call.” She argued, but I was determined to dissuade her from pursuing it now. Timing is always important when taking crucial actions. Plus, her overexcitement does not bode well for me. I
Anna/Linda POVI woke up with a smile on my face. Who wouldn’t when the man of your dreams was the first person you would see when you open your eyes in the morning?“Good morning, dear. I missed you.” Flint said tenderly. I bit my lips because they sometimes get ahead of me. Like right now, I could not stop them from extending at the corners because of how Flint looked at me - like I was the most beautiful thing his eyes laid on. I lifted my hand to cover his face. “Don’t.” Flint peeled my hand away and kissed the back of it. “What?” “Don’t cover my eyes because I want to fill them with this image of you. I want to etch this morning in my memory to remind me of when we were both old and gray.” He told me. I felt a twinge in my heart. His openness filled me with a warm feeling inside. “I like the idea of that.” My voice sounded hoarse because his words affected me very much. He stared at me, waiting for me to expound.“Growing old together. I never had anyone tell me he wa
Anna/Linda POVI have often imagined in my head my meeting with Logan. I have prepared for this eventuality, but nothing beats reality when it hits you in the face. I was dumbstruck, unable to move. Just a while ago, Flint and I were discussing reaching out to him through Goldstone, but the plan was already useless since he was in front of me now. Logan vacated his chair, and in a slow motion, he approached me. I stood frozen on the spot. My brain was not working. Should I leave, or should I stay?My eyes surveyed the cafe, looking for an escape route, if ever. Logan tutted, making me look sharply at him. It was like he guessed what I was doing. Well, we grew up together. Logan knew me. “Relax. It is just me.” He was trying to placate me.Despite the assurance, my head was screaming at me to take caution.This man followed me here from Arkadia, that I was sure of. Otherwise, he would not pretend to be a client to score a meeting with me.My eyes narrowed into slits when he
Anna/ Linda POVAfter my discussion with Flint, my father called an impromptu meeting.We had to leave the care of Penelope to Briana to be able to attend. Penelope squealed when she saw her cousins. She ran to them, ignoring us. “Take care of my daughter, sis.” Flint reminded her. Briana snorted. She turned a little to eye Penelope, running toward her cousins to make sure she did not trip on her way. “Of course. Penelope is our little Queen.” She kidded.“Good luck!” Briana called out before closing the door to their suite.“Let’s go?” I asked Flint, and we walked together to the meeting room, Of course, I am bringing Flint with me. Me, taking the crown would affect his life, too. I wanted to get his two cents worth on the table and see how we can work out our lives around this recent development. When the royal guard announced our arrival, I was surprised to see familiar faces. People who had been part of my father’s administration as he ran the country.My brother, Colter,
Anna/Linda POVMy father looked astounded.“I thought you don’t want it anymore?”I nodded. “I still do. But you needed me, Daddy. I will hold the fort until one of my siblings, Colter or Isabella, is ready to take over from me.”“Colter is…” My dad spreads his arms wide in helplessness, his mind groping for the right word to describe my brother.“Happy-go-lucky.” I supply for him.“Do you think it was because you put all your faith in me? Colter could be King. You only needed to believe in him.”
Anna/Linda POVWhen our tears subsided, he gently tapped my head.“I want to talk to your husband. I wanted to get to know the man you married.” Daddy said, wiping his face with the paper towel.I did the same, feeling a chunk of load on my shoulder had been lifted.There had been an easing of the knot in my heart.I felt lighter, especially when his request was not that difficult to achieve.“Flint and his family primarily came here to support me. The Ford siblings are tight as a family. Penelope and I are lucky to have them.”
Anna/Linda POVAfter a few hours of rest, I sought out my father.“Are you sure you will be okay here?” I asked Flint, hesitation filling my voice.I was having second thoughts.I have half a mind to beg Flint to accompany me and be my support when I face my father for a heart-to-heart.My heart kept pounding in my chest in a blend of worry and fear.“Listen, dear. Your father might find it uncomfortable to talk to you if I am around. You won’t get the talk you wanted because I will be on the way if I come with you.”
Flint POV“Wow!” Riley exclaimed when we unloaded from our respective vans to gather in the middle of a massive courtyard fronting what looked to be an old but elaborate building consisting of almost twelve floors. “Is this your house Aunt Anna?” Anna nodded. “Yes. This is my home.” “Cool. Almost as big as my Daddy’s hotel. Is there a revolving restaurant inside? Can we go see?” He asked eagerly.Briana nudged him, and he zipped his mouth shut. Anna smiled. “There is no revolving restaurant in the palace, but we have wonderful amenities inside.” She offered and started walking toward the main entrance.Riley stopped when we passed by a uniformed royal guard who stood to attention upon our approach. Riley, ever curious, poked the man’s side. “Why doesn’t he move? And what was that in his head?” Riley asked, pointing to the tall ceremonial military cap atop the royal guard’s head. “Shh! Riley!” This time, Briana sounded stern.No one spoke after that. Each one is taking in the
Flint POVAnna and I looked at each other without any words passing between us.We were both overwhelmed by the show of support from my family.Then, Anna nudged me because I felt like I was too frozen to move.“Thank you, Briana. Thank you everyone for coming.” Anna said.When we walked out of the airport, there was a lightness to my steps that was not there before.With my entire family to back me up, what could go wrong?I felt like I could tackle even the highest mountain just by having t
Anna/Linda POVWhen the plane disembarked from the airport’s tarmac, nerves attacked me, and I gripped Flint’s hand.He misinterpreted.“Don’t worry, dear. I am here.” Flint squeezed my hand.I looked at Penelope strapped on her FAA-approved car seat, which Flint’s secretary sent.She was smiling at me. “Mommy! Fly!” The happiness on her face calmed me. I smiled. “Yes, we are flying, sweetie,” I told Penny and chucked her under the chin. She was using Flint’s tablet while watching a movie. When the plane took off, Flint pointed at the window beside her to show the view outside while he never let my hand go. When Penelope lost interest, she resumed watching the movie. Flint turned his attention back to me when I unclasped our hands. “You are not frightened anymore?” He asked. “I was not frightened during take-off, I was worried about what awaited us in Arkadia,” I admitted. When we reached cruising altitude, Flint hugged me close. “Let’s keep our fingers crossed.I could o
Flint POVWe were startled when the phone in my hand rang.I swiped the screen to answer it immediately.“Storm told me what happened. Are you okay, bro?” It was Rowan on the other end.“We are fine. Storm and his men intercepted Logan Winston. Noah and Brie helped, too.”“How is Anna and Penelope?”I could not help feeling a little tense when he asked about my wife.I had to quell my wavering thoughts about my wife and brother. Anna already clarified their situa
Flint POVNoah came just as we were finishing our meal. “Got a minute?” He poked his head in,Briana beckoned him to come in, and he walked to the table where the three of us were eating. He placed his hands on the balls of Briana’s shoulder. Briana, on the other hand, took Noah's hands to squeeze them before she tipped her head to receive his kiss. The affectionate gesture made me smile inwardly. They had been married for more than ten years. They divorced, separated, and found each other again. Seeing them together like this, no one can deny the love that flows and connects the two. It was hard work, but they are making it happen. “So.” Noah sat beside Briana and munched the apple slice he snatched from her plate. “We already cleared the hotel. The paparazzi and the police are gone.” He informed us after swallowing. “We can leave?” I asked, feeling an easing in my heart at the news. “Yes.”“Were you able to keep Anna’s identity under wraps?” Briana asked, pulling Noah's a