Laura and the twins got back to the hotel quite late, with wide grins on their faces as they got out of the car."You two are really a handful; how do you handle them?" David asked as he walked out of the car with them."With a lot of patience, I must say; they keep me on my toe," Laura replied with a grin."When would we go skating again, Uncle David?" Lisa asked."Very soon, dear, if you can convince your mom for me," David replied with a wink.Lisa jabbed Liam in the belly as she replied, "I will convince her for you."Laura laughed. "You all are ganging up against me in my presence," she said."I think she just heard us," David whispered loudly to the twins.Lisa and Liam burst out laughing as Laura pretended to be offended by them."It looks like we are in trouble now, Uncle David," Liam said with a grin.David winked at them and replied, "We'll just have to charm our way out of it, won't we?"Laura smiled, drawing Lisa and Liam to her side as she said to David, "Thank you for to
Shawn yawned, tired of following Tobias with his eyes just to keep him in his field of vision. He had come to spend a peaceful weekend with his friend, but instead he is saddled with the responsibility of a babysitter."For someone who says it does not matter, you sure look worried. I didn't come here to babysit you, Tobias, so what is it with you and the oldee?" Shawn said to Tobias, who had on a sollen look.Tobias paced the length of the living room, looking out the windows at intervals."I don't really know what goes through the old lady's mind; it's really hard to predict her move, and it's getting frustrating," Tobias stated in anger."I bet that oldee doesn't like me," Shawn replied.Tobias nodded as he replied, "I'm sure she doesn't, but she respects your father too much to tell you that."Shawn grinned. "I bet she does, but you, my friend, are f*cked if you're not careful.""Exactly!" Tobias replied in frustration.Shawn laughed at him, pointing his finger as he said, "You sho
Laura took in a deep breath of Jason's, and she felt his presence eveloping her."What did you just say?" Laura whispered.She held her breath as her eyes went to his lips. He was so close, she didn't know he had moved to stand directly behind her."It looks like I'm right," Jason murmured softly as he looked down at her.Laura could feel his breath on her as she lifted her eyes to meet his."Jason," she breathed softly, raising her hands up to his chest but keeping them inches away, ready to will herself to push him away."Yes, Laura," Jason whispered back to her, lifting his hand to hold her jaw in his palm.Laura's heart skipped a beat as his hand touched her jaw. She saw his eyes darken, and for the first time, she was afraid of him."Don't!" Laura said, her voice barely above a whisper, as she saw his face moving closer to hers."You're going to work for me, Laura; it just might take some time," Jason muttered, his lips inches from hers.Before Laura could say another word, the d
Agnes walked into the room and saw Liam and Lisa's heads close together, whispering. She placed a hand on her lips to signal Teressa to keep quiet. She walked over to their backs and placed her head close to theirs."What are you talking about?" Agnes whispered to them.Lisa yelled in surprise while Liam jumped up, startled by the sudden voice behind them."Aunty Agnes!" Lisa shouted, adding, "You scared me."Agnes raised her lips in innocence, squinting at them as she said, "Why would you be scared? Are you plotting something bad?""No!" Liam shouted, looking at his sister from the side of his eyes.Agnes pointed at him and dropped her voice a notch as she said, "You look suspicious; I just might pull out that secret with my powers."Teressa struggled not to laugh as she saw the panic on the twins faces.Agnes closed her eyes and said, "Hmm, I think I can see your secret."She opened one eye to see the look on Lisa and Liam's faces. Unable to hold it any longer, she burst out laughin
Jason's expression changed as he read the message from Shawn. Shawn knew how to get to him, but Jason was not going to give him that power, at least not today."Jason?" Tim called.Jason tapped away on his phone and then dropped it before looking up to face Tim."Yes?" Jason replied."What was that about? You didn't look too good." Tim asked."I'm just recovering," Jason replied."You know what I'm talking about. We were just talking about Shawn, and then your whole expression changed after that," Tim stated, pointing at the phone Jason had dropped."It's nothing, just the usual, and yes, it was from Shawn," Jason replied."Okay? I hope all is well. From the way you look, I doubt it is, though," Tim stated curiously.Jason thought about the content of the message for a minute before deciding against telling Tim. No one knew the story behind that night, and he was not about to reveal it to Tim either."You look so interested, like you wish to know what exactly I just read." Jason state
Laura didn't know how to react. Surprised? Yes, she was, but beyond that, she was feeling a sense of kinship. How was it possible that the guy who had saved her all those years ago is the one she has grown close to since she got back to town?"I know a lot must be going through that mind of yours," Agnes said, giving her raised brows and adding, "but I believe you can share some of those thoughts.""Yeah, I am actually surprised." Laura replied as she spread her hands to measure the extent of how surprised she was."Yeah, you do look like you've just been told about a gold mine. Imagine my surprise when I saw him too," Agnes replied with a chuckle."Yeah, why didn't you tell me the moment you realized he was the one?" Laura asked."And ruin your night of fun? Of course not," Agnes replied."It wouldn't have ruined it; more so, it would have made it all the more worth while. I'm not sure he recognizes you, though," Laura explained."No, he does not; you should invite him to dinner soon
Grace held her breath, her hand going to her mouth to keep from shouting as she retreated quietly, sure not to alert them to her presence.“What did I just hear? Oh, my god, I hope it’s not exactly as it sounds.” Grace muttered to herself in confusion as her racing heart calmed down.“I’m sure they don’t exactly mean what it sounds like; I just need to find out the truth.” Grace muttered again as she took a deep breath and plastered a smile on her face.She walked boldly down the stairs, like she was just heading down, ensuring that her steps were loud enough for them to know she was coming down.“Mom? What exactly is in this book? I’m sure Lucy could have gotten it for you,” Grace announced as she walked into the living room.Jerry Phillips arranged his expression, trying not to give anything away. He stood up and walked towards the kitchen as he called out, “Lucy, I’d like to have apple juice in the garden, please.”Anna watched him go as she took the book from Grace and placed it o
Laura looked at her children, wondering what their urgency about following Jason to the party was all about."Mummy?" Lisa called again, drawing Laura's attention to her.Laura looked down and saw Lisa's eyes filled with pools of water about to start rolling down her cheek.Laura sighed and decided, "Okay, fine, let's go with him."A shout of excitement erupted from Lisa and Liam, who jumped up and down, unable to contain their joy.Instantly, the water in Lisa's eyes vanished, replaced by a wide grin. Laura knew then that they had just played her to get what they wanted."Okay, shall we?" Jason said, just as Lisa and Liam latched onto his hand, each on either side."Let's go!" Liam replied with a grin, all but forgetting their mother after getting what they wanted."Laura, I would transfer the gift to the other car, and then I would head back to the hotel with Matthew," Teressa said, walking up to Laura."Uhm, yes, thank you; see you when we get home," Laura replied, turning to Emily
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