After a few heartbeats, Laura turned her eyes away from her, plastered a smile on her face, and continued."Join me as I welcome Steve Anderson," Laura announed.The whole room erupted into loud cheers and a round of applause as Steve walked onto the podium and hugged Laura."Thank you everyone for having me, and thank you, Laura, for hosting this luncheon," Steve said with a smile.In the next few minutes, Steve spoke about some of his investments, most of the work he had done outside of New York, and the uniqueness he was looking for."Now I know how intense all of that sounds, but let's just say I'm here to hear you talk while we have snacks together. Easy, right?" Steve said it with a grin.Everyone in the room chuckled at his words as he continued."Let's make today memorable. I look forward to interacting with you all. Thank you once again," Steve said as he stepped away from the podium.The event commenced on a light and interesting note, as everyone took advantage of the lack
Jason looked up from his phone as Tim and David approached him."I didn't know I would have to hunt you down at such an event, David," Jason muttered as they got to him."I was just talking to Laura, and you said it yourself; you were not ready to see Steve," David responded.Jason looked at Tim, raised his left brow in question, and Tim nodded in response."What? Are you asking him if I'm telling the truth?" David asked, amazed.Jason smiled and replied, "Just checking David; no insult meant."Tim chuckled and stopped instantly as David turned and muttered, "That's not funny, Tim; maybe I chose the wrong side."Jason smiled as he turned and started walking. "We both know you chose the best side, David; don't complain about that."Up ahead, there were just a few people who were standing close to the table where Steve was having an audience with those who wanted to speak with him."It seems half of New York just came to enjoy the party," David muttered."It seems so, which makes it all
"Where have you been?" Tobias asked Shawn after finding him a few minutes later."I was getting some important things straightened out with a friend," Shawn replied."Oh, who is this friend, if I may ask?" Tobias asked."Nothing for you to worry about; I have it under control," Shawn replied, adding, "Have you seen Jason around?"Tobias shook his head, knowing there was no point in arguing with him."Yes, I did; say him over there earlier," Tobias replied, pointing in the direction of Steve's table."Oh, I see. I hope Steve does not do anything stupid," Shaw muttered to himself."You guys must not be enjoying the party; why do you look so down?" Lily White spoke from behind them.Lily had decided to attend the event at the last minute, just for appearances sake."Oh, uhm, aunt Lily, I didn't know you were going to be here," Tobias replied as he turned."Of course, I should be here; Laura has pulled off a huge one for the corporation, so it's only appropriate that I show up for the eve
Laura didn't look up at him, but she could feel him sliding down on the seat. Instead of turning to look at him, she decided to count those who were sitting at her table.To her right was Lily, followed by Steve and Maria, and then Vivian, who had David beside her, and last but not least, Jason, who was on her left."Are you okay?" Jason whispered loud enough for just her to hear."I'm okay, thank you," Laura replied, looking at him at last.To say that her breath caught in her throat was an understatement. She could not deny the flutter in her stomach as she met his gaze."You don't look good to me," Jason replied, looking into her eyes.Laura could not say anything; the concern she saw in his eyes was getting to her. It was probably because of all the emotions that were going through her."Uhm, I'm good," Laura stuttered as she forced a smile on her face.Jason shook his head as he replied, "You're not convincing."Before Laura could give a reply, Lily held her right hand and said,
Laura shook her head and turned to Audrey. "Thank you, Audrey; it's fine. You can go along with Matthew; I'll head to the hotel with Jason.""Thank you," Jason replied."Okay, Laura, enjoy the rest of your weekend," Audrey said as she left them in the hall."Now what was that about not asking me to talk about it?" Laura asked as she picked up her purse."Well, you looked like you had a lot on your mind," Jason replied, following her as they headed out of the hall."I believe I told you I was fine," Laura replied, adding, "The only reason I am going along with you is because we have a long overdue discussion.""Ahh, I thought as much; you wouldn't just go with me without a reason," Jason teased with a smile.When they got to the car, Laura asked, "Where is Tim? I thought he went home with you.""I sent them home earlier; don't worry, I drive well; you've seen me drive before," Jason replied as he opened her door.Laura smiled and got into the car. "I was only asking about Tim, not that
The next morning, Laura woke up to see that Tim had actually sent all the documents she needed, like Jason had promised.Remembering what happened last night actually made her feel bad. She felt maybe she had overreacted.“Mom! Come out and have breakfast,” Lisa shouted from Laura’s door.“I’m coming right out,” Laura replied.She had slept past her usual time; yes, it was a weekend, but she had spent the later part of last night blaming Jason for saying what he said, and then she had moved on to blame herself for reacting that way and saying such a harsh thing.“I’ll just say sorry,” Laura muttered to herself. She stood up from the bed and went to freshen up.When she walked into the living room, it was empty. She looked around and wondered where they had all gone.“Teressa? Lisa? Liam?” Laura called as she walked into the twins room to find it empty as well.“Teresssa?” Laura called again, and just then Teressa opened the front door and walked into the living room.“Good morning, La
It was like time had frozen, and all Laura could hear was her own heartbeat.The world seemed to fade away as their lips met in a soft and gentle kiss, sending shivers down Laura's spine. Jason's hand went to her neck as he deepened the kiss, pulling her closer to him.A moan escaped Laura's lips, "Jason," as she eased more into the kiss.Suddenly, Jason pulled back. What in h*ll am I doing? he thought. His eyes were dark, and his mind was in a daze as he looked at Laura's full lips, slightly parted and inviting.Reigning in his last tiny bit of control, Jason stepped back, and Laura instantly felt the change.Laura opened her eyes slowly, unsure of what had just happened. Her eyes were glazed over with passion, and her mind was crowded as she struggled to get it on track.She looked up at him and whispered, "Jason?"Jason shook his head and flipped his left hand through his hair as he said, "Uhm, I'm sorry, Laura; I shouldn't have done that."Laura instantly took a step back too and
The next morning, Laura knew the only thing that could take her mind off what had happened yesterday was to go to the gym. It was one of the facilities in the hotel that she had never spared the time to use, but today she knew it would do her some good."Hello, Teressa," Laura said as she stepped into the living room. It was still an hour until morning, and the twins were still asleep."Hey, uhm, Laura, good morning," Teressa said, looking startled."You're up early; it's Sunday; are you planning to go out later?" Laura asked, wondering why she looked startled."Uhm, no, I just wanted to get something done before everyone woke up," Teressa explained with a smile, adding, "I didn't know you would be going to the gym."Laura shrugged and said, "Yeah, I didn't know that myself till I stood up and put on this track pant.""I'll let the twins know when they wake up," Teressa informed her."Thank you; I'll be gone for about an hour. I'm with my phone, so you can call me," Laura replied."Ok
Shawn and Tobias looked back instantly, and the shock on their faces was so appealing that it brought a smile to Lily's face. "Laura? What are you doing here?" Tobias asked, looking shocked. "You look like you've seen a ghost." Laura said as she walked over and sat in front of them. Before they could answer, they heard a knock at the door, and Laura said, "Oh, that must be him." "Aunt, I thought you said she left," Tobias said, looking at Lily. Lily remained silent and only responded with a shrug. Laura opened the door, and Jason walked into the office, a sight that only made Tobias more scared and Shawn visibly angry. "You were saying something about my family," Laura said, addressing Shawn. "What is going on here? Why does this feel like a trap? Are you suspecting us of something?" Shawn asked, standing up suddenly. "Nobody is suspecting you of anything; we are just asking you about your last statement," Lily said, breaking her silence. "You know what? I'm leaving. I only
As soon as they were alone, Jason turned back to Laura and said, "Let's hear it."Laura shook her head and replied, "Jason, up until this morning, I didn't have the information I have now. I was actually trying my best not to be angry at you.""Why would you be angry at me? If for anything, I should be the one pissed, because you were not picking up my calls and you left without any notice from the event that day.""I know, but if you hear me out, then maybe you will understand my reasons," Laura said, holding up her hand."Okay, you have the floor," Jason said as he took his seat a few feet away from her."I came back to town to find my mother and to find out what happened to me seven years ago," Laura said.Jason was silent as he watched her speak, his expression neutral. Laura brushed her hair behind her neck and continued to explain her mother's relationship to Lily."Suffix it to say that I found my grandmother, but I was not able to find out what happened that one night that I c
Grace walked into Jared's office, demanding to have an audience with him."I'm sorry, ma'am, but you can't go in now; he is not on sit," the receptionist said apologetically."I know he is in there; tell him that if he does not see me now, he won't like the next news he hears," Grace responded.Having no choice, the receptionist put a call through to Jared's office again and relayed the message.After a few minutes, she dropped the phone and said, "You can go in, ma'am.""I thought as much," Grace replied, and she walked straight to the elevator.It had been radio silence since her last confrontation with Jared, but now she was going to rain down all the anger she felt within on him."I told you not to come here, Grace," Jared said as soon as Grace walked into his office."I don't give a damn what you say any longer, Jared," Grace replied with scorn."What exactly do you want, Grace?" Jared asked."What do I want? Huh, that's rich coming from you." Grace replied, adding, "You know I h
Lily was surprised to hear that, so she gripped her hand tightly and asked, "What else is there that I haven't said?"Laura shook her head and replied, "No, not you; it's from me.""Oh, what is it?" Lily asked.Laura pulled her hand from Lily's grip and brushed it through her hair as she sighed deeply."Actually, I came back to town because of two things. The first was because of the note you sent to me about my mother, and the second was because I wanted to find out what happened to me about seven years ago." Laura explained.Lily's face squeezed in confusion as she asked, "Something happened to you? What might it be?""Well, I don't know either; all I know is that I got pregnant after, and that was what resulted in my father sending me away from town," Laura replied."What?" Lily exclaimed in shock."Yes, you see, I was betrothed to Jared Tuner, but my stepsister set me up that night," Laura said, explaining what Grace had told her about the same night.There was more confusion on L
"Jason?" Tim called, wondering what was wrong."Okay, Liam, thank you for calling me. Do you know where you stay?" Jason said this on the phone.Tim realized he was talking to Laura's son and shrugged, hoping he got the answer he was looking for."No, that's fine. How is Lisa?" Jason asked.Just like magic, the hard look on Jason's face cleared as he spoke with the children. After a few minutes, the call ended."So?" Tim asked."They are leaving in two days," Jason said."What two days?" Tim replied, surprised."Yes," Jason replied, his voice sounding dejected."Oh, oh," Tim muttered."What did Gift say?" Jason asked."Nothing, just like I told you she would," Tim replied, adding, "Don't the kids know where the house is?""They don't; I think Liam called me from the card I gave him sometimes back," Jason replied."Hmm, well, I think you have tried all that you can," Tim said encouragingly.I am really going to lose Laura, Jason thought as he sat there, staring into space.*************
When Jason walked into the office that morning, everyone who saw him knew something was wrong."Jason, you don't look so good," Tim whispered behind him as they walked through the building lobby."You look like you did not get any sleep last night," Tim added as he noticed a few people staring at Jason."That is of less concern right now, Tim; I need you to get Gift here today," Jason replied as they boarded the elevator."Gift? You mean the same Gift Hatcher?" Tim asked."Yes, I need to ask her about Laura. She mentioned some time ago that they had been childhood friends," Jason replied.Tim shook his head, knowing that was not going to be a good idea, considering the outcome of the last meeting Gift had with Jason."I can basically feel you shaking your head from here," Jason muttered."Uhm, I just don't think Gift would be a good idea; I mean, after the last time, she would not be so keen to see you." Tim explained.Jason was at his wits end, and he was only trying to hold it all t
Jason woke up that morning with a heavy concern in his heart. He had tossed and turned through the night.The night before, he had been stunned by Tim's statement, and for a moment, his heart had frozen."What did you just say?" He had asked."Humm, I just heard from Emily, who heard from Laura's live-in nanny that Laura is leaving town," Tim had replied carefully.Jason had sat at the back of the car, stunned by the news. He had imagined a lot of outcomes from her sudden departure from the hotel, but he had not imagined that she would leave town."When did you get this information?" Jason had asked."Uhm, just before you stepped out of your office," Tim had also replied catiously."Why isn't she telling me about leaving town? Why is she suddenly avoiding me?" Jason asked himself, feeling a sinking feeling in his belly.Now, at the dawn of a new day, Jason climbed out of bed, looking dazed as he murmured, "I never thought I would feel this way."He walked over to the balcony and stare
"I really must have feelings for him," Laura muttered under her breath."Laura?" Teressa called again."I'm fine; I just felt a tiny pain in my chest," Laura said."Okay, let me get you water or something," Teressa said, hurring over to the mini-kitchen in the apartment.Laura's phone rang, and she saw Audrey's name on the screen."Hello, Adurey," Laura said, picking up the call."I think something must be really wrong," Audrey said in response."What?" Laura asked, her brows squeezed in confusion."You never miss a chance to work; that's why I'm wondering what's going on. How are you feeling now?" Audrey asked.Laura shook her head as she replied, "I'm fine, Audrey; I'm just not up for work yet.""Okay, no problem; I just wanted to check in on you," Audrey replied."Thank you," Laura replied, adding, "If there is anything that requires my urgent attention, please let me know.""Don't worry, I will," Audrey replied before ending the call.Laura pulled the phone from her ears and rubbe
"Hello? Lily?" Jason said as soon as he heard her voice."Jason, how are you?" Lily said, breaking into a smile as she realized it was Jason."I'm okay. How are you? Is Laura there? I called to speak with her," Jason replied.Lily looked back, and to her dismay, Laura was gone. She looked from Audrey to Tina, both of whom had unreadable expressions on their faces."Humm, she is not feeling too well and has taken the day off," Lily replied, adding, "If there is anything you want us to help you with, I'm sure Audrey would take care of it.""Oh, yes, of course," Jason replied, the line silent for a few seconds before he added, "Are you aware she moved out of the hotel?"Lily coughed slightly as she replied, "Uhm, yes, I am.""Uhm, so do you know where she moved to? Well, not that I am particularly interested; I'm just, you know, trying to be a good neighbor; I believe we were neighbors," Jason replied, forcing himself to stop after realizing how he must sound."Hmm," Lily said, her brows