CHAPTER FIVE

FIVE YEARS LATER

"The flight will be landing in the next ten minutes," Bryan, my secretary, announced as he slightly bowed his head.

Bella squealed in happiness as she heard that, "Oh yeah! We're almost there!"

"Are you really that happy?" I asked.

"Of course I am, Miss Ariel," she said cheerfully, and once again, my heart panged with pain as if it were being pricked with needles.

This was how I always felt every time she called me ’Miss Ariel’ and It hurt so much to see my own daughter unable to call me 'mommy,” instead seeing her calling another woman 'mommy.' It was nothing but a raw punishment, as I felt as if I was being killed over and over again.

"Miss Ariel, why are you crying? Are you sad?" Bella asked in a sad tone with her puppy eyes blinking up at me, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I touched my face and that was when I realized that tears had unknowingly slipped down my face and I quickly masked it with a wide smile.

"Of course not! It's just that my eyes get like this when there's too much air!" I lied.

"Really?" She said happily, but her voice then quieted down as her expression sudden turned sad. "But why is it that… there is too much air whenever I talk to you?" she pouted, lowering her head.

Oh God! I did not even realize she had noticed this. When ever she called me ‘ Miss Ariel’, tears always slipped off my eyes. Why am I so careless that I did not realize that she was no longer a baby.

"Is that so?" I replied with a smile. "Maybe it's because you're so so special," I joked as I slightly pulled her cheek, but she still seemed down. Leaning back in my seat, legs crossed and arms folded, I sighed. "This is bad. I thought we were going to visit so many places together... but you are... hmm..."

As soon as she heard that, she quickly lifted her head and her eyes sparked with happiness. "I'm happy!"

"Huh... but I thought you were sad," I teased.

She nodded quickly, assuring me she was happy, and I smiled at her funny reaction. Then, Bella jumped up happily and went to meet Mia, who was seated on the other side.

"Mummy, I'm going to visit lots of places with Miss Ariel!" Bella exclaimed happily to Mia, and I looked at her, giving her a reassuring look.

I sighed as I picked up my pad and scrolled through the internet, where I saw news about A&R Empire revealing its heiress today, which was why I had returned to America. I picked up my phone and reviewed the guest list and I was pleased to see he had been invited, just like I had requested.

Only top companies were invited, but I specifically instructed them to send him an invite and I was very sure thst he would be very happy about it because I remembered how he use to say his life dream was meet the CEO of A&R Empire and now I had made his dream come true because he would be meeting me instead.

My private plane landed, and I was escorted to my car, while Bella and Mia were taken home immediately. As for me, I am heading to the event where I would be announced as the new CEO of A&R Empire, taking over all family business because Dad said he wanted to rest and enjoy his remaining life, but I knew he would still be pulling the strings from behind the scenes.

"I need a dress," I ordered Bryan, who nodded immediately and began making calls.

We stopped at one our department stote, here in Los Angeles and I changed from casual wear into a party gown. After I had my makeup done, I looked at the mirror and I admire myself with my brown wavy hair cascading down my back in effortless waves, framing my face in a soft and natural way and I smiled at me own reflection.

"You look beautiful! Even Ashley Millier can't be compare to you!" the makeup artist complimented but I didn't appreciate the compliment as I had been received many of it six years ago, when would people praised me and I would be happy, unaware they were actually mocking me.

I maintained a cold expression on my face and the makeup artist's smile quickly faded when she noticed my mood. No one needed to tell me how I looked; I would be the judge of that.

But she was right; I was truly beautiful as I was no longer the fat and shapeless Maya again. I was now Ariel Roderigo and back in Italy, I even work as a model for some of our product. I did not undergone any plastic surgery or liposuction but I earned this with my own hard work, dieting, and exercise.

Standing up from my seat, I picked up my purse and then walked toward the makeup artist, who seemed intimidated by me. "Be mindful of the words you speak or else…….you might lose you job" I said coldly and she bite hard on her lips.

I headed outside and was escorted to my car, heading to the event. As I stepped out of the limousine onto the red carpet, the camera flashes blinded me momentarily as they all bombarded me with questions. My elegant gown that hugged my curves in all the right places trailed behind me as I walked and the off-shoulder neckline revealed just a hint of my collarbones, giving me an air of mystery and elegance and I stood tall in my high heels as I felt confident and powerful.

They are all asking about my identity while some who recognize me as a model asked me how I was invited because this event was for the rich and wealthy conglomerate. I did not answer any of their questions before the bodyguard rushed closer, clearing a path through the throng of reporters, and I walked straight into the hall. As I waited patiently at the door to be announced, I breathed heavily as I felt tense because many eyes would be on me, especially the eyes I had longed to see all these years.

“Now let me introduce to you, my one and only daughter, my pride and my life,” Immediately he said that the hall was filled with murmur but I could guess everyone was anticipated to see the only daughter for Marcus Roland whom he claimed to be his ‘life.’

“The only one who will carry on my legacy and lead this empire.”he added and I breathed out heavily. “Everyone, please welcome Ariel Rodrigo!" my father's voice boomed through the hall and the giant door swung open.

I suddenly felt someone’s presence by my side and I raised my gaze and saw Kinsley, my childhood best friend and my husband-to-be as we are announcing our union tonight. Kingsley stretched forth his hand to me and I placed mine on it. With a squared shoulder and head held high, we entered and everyone stood up in respect. Claps and camera flashes echoing across the room with each step I took.

But as I walked toward the podium where my father stood, the applause and camera flashes faded into a distant buzz as my eyes locked with a familiar gaze in the crowd. He looked at me, shock etched boldly on his face with mouth agape, and I smirked at him.