"Aunt Agnes?" Laura called softly as she turned back fully."Laura, did you just get back from work?" Agnes asked."I got back not too long ago; are you alright, aunt? Did I wake you?" Laura asked, concern lacing her voice."Yes, I am alright, and no, you didn't wake me; do you want to come in?" Agnes asked, stepping aside."If it's not a disturbance to you," Laura said, stepping into the room."No, it's not; you should have just rested and come to see me in the morning," Agnes said, moving further into the room and straight to stand by the window."I was worried since I didn't hear from you all day. What happened? You don't look good," Laura asked again."There's nothing to worry your head about, Laura; we'll talk about it later," Agnes answered."Room service," someone said from the door."I didn't ask for anything," Agnes said, wondering if it was a mistake."That's mine; I asked Teressa to have my dinner sent over here," Laura said, standing up to go get the door."Oh, okay," Agne
Laura saw the name of her father, and she quickly looked up to tell Agnes, "Aunt Agnes, don't."Agnes smiled at her. "Don't you worry, Laura; there's hardly anything he can do to me over the phone."Laura watched as Agnes picked up the call and went into her room. Laura wanted to know exactly what was going on, but she was going to wait patiently until Agnes told her."Mom?" Lisa called, drawing Laura's attention back."Yes, dear," Laura said, looking back at them."I asked if we could go to Little Bobby's birthday party," Lisa repeated."Humm, what about you, Liam?" Laura asked."Can we go, Mom?" Liam also asked."Okay, if that is what you want, then yes," Laura told them."Yes!" Liam shouted, adding, "I'm going to play a lot of games. Little Bobby told me he has a lot of games at home.""Oh, really, that would be fun for you then," Laura replied with a smile."Okay, now that we have that out of the way, your home teacher will soon be here, and Aunt Agnes will be around also, so I wi
"Laura?" Audrey called softly as she stared at her face. Laura looked really pissed, and Audrey wondered what Tobias had said to her."Laura? Did you guys agree?" Adurey asked."I should have just heeded your silent advice," Laura muttered."What did he say?" Audrey asked."He asked that I know my place and not come, causing any issue when I don't even bear the white name," Laura replied."What? That pompous arrogant...!" Adurey exclaimed. The words had left her lips before she knew it. She raised her brows in surprise as she looked at Laura cautiously.Laura burst out laughing at Audrey's look of surprise. "I would have to agree, but I don't think you should say that to his face," she said.Audrey smiled and nodded. "I won't; I'll try. He didn't have to tell you that coming to a final decision that would benefit the corporation would be better than having Lily screen someone out," she said."It turns out he isn't seeing it that way," Laura replied."I'm sure he would have had a chang
There she was, lying flat on the floor, her eyes closed. She looked like she was asleep, but in an odd way."Mrs. North? Lily!" Tina shouted as she hurried over to her side, tapping her face.She got up and got a little water, which she sprinkled on her face."Mrs. North?" Tina shouted again.Just then, her eyes opened, grimacing with pain as she looked up at Tina."Are you alright, ma'am?" Tina asked."Yes, I am, Tina," Natasha managed to say.Lily walked into the kitchen, a look of panic on her face as she asked, "What's wrong, Tina? Did you see a ghost?""No, just her," Tina replied, drawing Lily's attention to the side of the kitchen where she was kneeling beside Natasha."What happened to you?" Lily asked."I fell; that about sums it up," Natasha replied, adding, "I didn't think you would get here so fast; I assumed you were just leaving home when you called me Tina.""Oh, no, we weren't; we were already in town, which is why we got here so fast," Tina explained."Why did you fal
Laura stepped out of the elevator, walking quietly towards the person standing at her door."Hey, Laura, you're here; how was work?" Agnes said, stopping right in front of the door."Why are you standing outside? You could be waiting in the room. Is something wrong with Lisa? Liam?" Laura asked."No, nothing is wrong; they are all fine. I just left to check something in my room, and I was just heading back," Agnes replied."Okay, but you were pacing. Is something on your mind?" Laura asked cautiously."No, it's nothing, apart from the fact that I'm hungry," Agnes said with a smile.Laura smiled and shook her head. "Okay, let's go on in."Agnes opened the door and stepped in, and before Laura could go in, she saw the door to the other suite open."Thank you, Charlie; please ensure you are on standby just in case," Tim said to Charlie.Laura didn't go in after Agnes; instead, she dropped her bag by the door inside the suite."Aunt, please give me a minute; I'll be back," Laura said to A
By the time Laura got back to her suite, she had to struggle to calm her breath. How could I have forgotten it was Jason North I was dealing with? Laura thought. "Mom!" Lisa shouted and ran into Laura's arms, pulling her out of her own thoughts. "Hello, sweetheart, How are you? How were your lessons today?" Laura asked. "It was great, mom," Lisa replied. Laura decided to push all thoughts of Jason out of her mind. She had done what anyone would have done in her situation, she thought. "Where is Liam?" Laura asked Lisa as she looked around. "He went downstairs with Ms. Teressa to get us ice cream," Lisa replied. "Okay, what about your aunt, Agnes?" Laura asked. "I'm over here!" Agnes exclaimed, stepping out of the twin room. "Okay, what are we having for dinner, Lisa?" Laura asked causually as she dropped her bag and fell into one of the couches. "I want steak, mom, steak!" Lisa shouted, jumping up and down on the couch. "Young lady, if you really want that steak, I suggest y
"What are you guys whispering about?" Laura asked her twins when she noticed they were giving each other the eye. "Nothing!" Lisa exclaimed, keeping her voice low and her eyes away from Laura's. Laura noticed Agnes had stopped a few paces behind them. She looked back and saw her staring ahead. "Aunt Agnes?" Laura called. "Uhm, yes, I'm coming," Agnes said, walking over to them while still looking ahead. It was him; she was sure of it; after so many years, he looked the same. "Oh, there he is; hurry up, guys," Laura said as soon as she saw David. They were a few steps close to David before he noticed them approaching him. He smiled the instant he noticed Laura, just before he saw the children with her and the elderly woman right behind them. "Hello, I hope we didn't keep you waiting for long," Laura said. "No, you didn't." David replied. Then he looked down at the children and raised his eyes to Laura, waiting for her to say something. "David, meet my children, Lisa, Liam, and
"Now that you look more pissed than you did before, do you still want to deny my earlier claims?" Gift asked."How do I know you're not lying?" Jared asked, with a raised brow at her."For someone who wants to claim her, you sure look doubtful, or is this the fear of Jason North?" Gift teased."Quite yapping nonsense, Gift," Jared stated.With her hands still on the table, Gift pulled her face closer to Jared, barely inches away from touching her lips to his."You could have me, you know; you're going to have to succumb to my chase one day," Gift whispered in a small voice.Jared kept staring into her eyes, his gaze unwavering even when she touched her lips to his. After a minute, he pulled back and told her, "That's not going to happen, Gift; let's quite this," gesturing with his hand up and down as he continued, "Whatever this is that you're doing.""We'll see about that, Jared; we'll see," Gift muttered as she turned and left the office.She walked down the hall to the elevator, he
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