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
Laura turned back to see David walking towards her with a big smile on his face."Hey, how are you?" David said, walking up to her."Hey, uhm, I'm fine; how come you're here?" Laura asked, surprised.David chuckled. "Well, everyone knows everyone; I'm kind of close to Vivian," he replied."Oh, that's nice; I guess I should not be surprised," Laura stated with a smile.David got a seat and sat close to her as he looked over to Rita and greeted her. "Hello, ma'am, it's nice to see you today." "It's nice to see you too. How have you been?" Rita asked."I've been very well; thank you," David replied.Laura turned to Rita to ask her if there was something wrong, like she had planned to just before David showed up."Uhm," Laura was saying just as David interjected."I see you've come a long way from when you first came to town. See you attending parties now," David said with a grin."Oh, you're new in town?" Rita asked."Yes, I am; I came back about two months ago," Laura explained."Oh, r
Lisa and Liam's eyes spread wide as they noticed what was taking place in front of them. The tides were changing, and they were changing fast.David looked at their tangled palms, then back at Jason, his brows going up in surprise."It's a game of mercy; that does not mean I should show you mercy," Jason said with a smirk."Oh, no, you aren't going to win that easily, man," David replied with determination.Jason smiled and waited another minute to allow David to flex his muscles before slamming his hand down on the table."Uncle Jason won!" Lisa shouted, jumping up in excitement.Jason had no idea what had gotten into him, but he had suddenly wanted to win the game. He could not explain it, but he felt great satisfaction in seeing the excited look on their little faces."I think there's foul play in this; how did you do that?" David inquired, still looking surprised."Well, you know, strong arms—that's the secret," Jason teased with a grin."Now, what do I get for winning this for yo
Jason walked into the hospital the next morning, hoping he would get the desired news."How did your day end yesterday?" Tim asked."Good," Jason replied as they were directed to the waiting area.Tim raised a brow, wondering why Jason had little to say about the first time he and Laura finally spent more than a minute in each other's presence without turning it into a fight."Hmm, that sounds like you have more to say, but you just don't want to say it," Tim teased.Jason shook his head and smiled. "If you are so bent on knowing, well, just know that I finally got her on board to work for us," he replied."Oh, wow, how did that happen?" Tim asked in amazement."This is not the place for that discussion, Tim," Jason reminded him by spreading his hand to emphasize their location."Yes, sure, but I don't see why you would want to see a doctor the morning after getting such good news," Tim replied.At that moment, Jason was called into the doctor's office, leaving Tim wondering about the
Laura couldn't tell if it was her statement that got Jared pissed or the fact that a waiter had mistakenly knocked his fork from his hand."Oh, I'm so sorry, sir. Let me fetch you a new set. My apologies, please," the waiter said hurriedly."You should watch where you go next time; don't they teach you that in waiter school or something?" Jared hissed in anger."I'm sorry, sir. I'll get the new set, please." The waiter stammered again and hurried away to do as he said."It was a mistake; I believe you should just forgive him," Laura said with a smile."A mistake—no, not all mistakes are considered mistakes by others," Jared replied.Laura didn't know if he was still talking about the fallen fork, but she replied, "As long as the person involved is truly sorry and confesses, I think that's what matters."After that statement, they were silent for the next few minutes as the waiter returned to change Jared's cutlery. They were both lost in their individual thoughts; Laura, however, coul
Lucy's smile broadened as she hugged the visitor, then stepped to the side to allow her into the room."How have you been, Lucy?" she asked."Fine, you look really good, and it's been a while since you came to the house," Lucy replied as they walked to the living room.At the table, Anna was smiling as she said, "I just knew she would come."Then they all saw her, looking all gorgeous like she usually did when she appeared on TV."Hello, Mr. Philips and Mrs. Philips, thank you for inviting me to dinner," Gift Hatcher said."You're welcome, Gift; please have your seat," Jerry replied.Gift could not remember the last time she had visited the Philips. All those years ago, when she was friends with Laura, she was hardly welcomed into the house, and now they are inviting her for dinners."How has work been? You look really good," Grace said with a smile."It's been good; the year started with quite a few great projects," Gift replied."Lucy, could you please serve the table now?" Anna ins
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