Epilogue10 years later3"Hey Lena! Is the cake ready?" My no so little brother asked me."Yeah. I will be there in a few minutes."Kade turns 15 in four months. Time just flies by. He is a freshman in high school and a very gifted and talented football player. I still remember how excited he was to make the varsity team as a freshman.Brian and I didn't want to rush into our wedding. We decided to wait two years until we finally tied the knot. Eight years later we are just as happy and in love as we were all those years ago."Mommy," I heard bring me from my thoughts, "I want daddy.""Okay. Go ahead sweetheart."Six years ago we introduced our own little bundle of joy. Sadie is one of the sweetest little girls out there today. She is a spitting image of
NEW BOOK( THE CEO AND ME )2Irene8The cabinet door creaked open, I reached for a bowl before closing it with a click. I broke the two eggs on the surface of the counter.Crack.Crack. I whisked the eggs, a rhythmic clink of the fork as it hit the glass bowl filled the kitchen.The tea kettle whistled. The eggs mixture sizzled in the pan, followed by salt and pepper.I leaned on the counter looking through the window, the autumn wind blew outside with whooshing sounds.Or at least that was what it would have sounded like to anyone else. Not me.I was deaf.Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed my teenage little b
My eyes widened as I quickly pulled my arm from the lady grip, and pulled the cart out of their way, feeling my face heat up in embarassement.The lady waited outside as the men walked in. Before the doors closed, my dark eyes met penetrating bright blue orbs. Then they were gone.The woman turned to me, and if looks could kill I would have been six feet under. She glared at me in so much anger someone would have thought that I had just told her her red suit did not match her red hair. It really didn't."What were you thinking?! Do you have any idea who that was?! you c...."I couldn't read her lips after that because she shook her head and spoke way too fast. But by the way she was moving her hand wildly, I could have guessed she wasn't pleased.I guess I screwed up, I thought fishing my note book from my pocket.
I looked at him after he finished, not sure if I read his lips correctly, or maybe just wishing I hadn't read them correctly. He stared at me for a couple of seconds, His heavy breathing indicated that he had been yelling."Forget it. You'll never get it anyway", he said before stalking out of the apartment. Slamming the door so hard that I felt the vibrations, and leaving me stunned into silence.I fisted my shaky hands and stood up, walking to my room and locking my door before I curled into a ball under my blanket.I gulped down the knot in my throat, but the tears still spilled, wetting the pillow under my cheek. Tears of anger and sadness, tears of frustration.That was a feeling I was very well familiar with ever since I lost my hearing. I had thought it would go away with time, but I was wrong. It never did. It was always there, lurking deep inside, eating
Leo.3"I swear, sir! I had no idea!"The man said with pleading eyes that flickered away from mine more often than not. I knew people found it hard to return my gaze, but the least this bastard could do was try hard enough if he wanted to convince me that he wasn't aware of the theft that had been going on under his nose.Sweat beaded his forehead. His hands tugged nervously at his tie, loosening it."You're telling me", I said in a calm voice tapping my finger on the arms of the chair I was sitting on.Hischair inhisoffice in the finance department floor, while he stood on the other side of the desk, "that you, the head of the financial department of the whole corporate,
"Whoa," I said holding up one of my hands, "it's okay, you can stay".She froze, looking at me as I stepped on the surface, I decided against standing and just sat down. She stayed up."You can stay," the words tumbled out of my mouth before I knew what I was saying, "if you want to be alone, I can go", I added then made a move to stand up.She quickly shook her head and her hands no. I nodded fighting back a smile then crossed my legs in a comfortable position while she stood there for a few minutes, just looking at me.Then a giddiness I hadn't felt in so long bubbled in my chest when she sat down, cross legged, caddy corner to me where she had originally been. Far enough so I couldn't reach her but close enough to hear what I said.1"You come here often?" I asked looking at her, her eyes were fixed on my lips as she nodded. It m
He nodded then did as told. Lydia cringed when she took a sip. She eyed her drink suspiciously, before shrugging and finishing her drink."Hi! You made it!" A woman called from my other side, looking at me in a smile I recognized all too well. Her brown eyes trailed over my suit clad body. I had seen her before, probably a model for one of Lydia's shows. She was attractive, but her eyes held a glint I was well familiar with."I'm Selena, I asked Lydia to invite you, I didn't think you would actually come", she said as I shook her soft hand. She squeezed mine a little before letting go. She flipped her brown hair- or was it red? I couldn't tell under the dim lights- over her shoulder, then joined the three of us by the bar.1Jayden was trying to keep Lydia from drinking too much. But there wasn't much he could do once she blinked her baby blue eyes at him. He was making a commend
He nodded then did as told. Lydia cringed when she took a sip. She eyed her drink suspiciously, before shrugging and finishing her drink."Hi! You made it!" A woman called from my other side, looking at me in a smile I recognized all too well. Her brown eyes trailed over my suit clad body. I had seen her before, probably a model for one of Lydia's shows. She was attractive, but her eyes held a glint I was well familiar with."I'm Selena, I asked Lydia to invite you, I didn't think you would actually come", she said as I shook her soft hand. She squeezed mine a little before letting go. She flipped her brown hair- or was it red? I couldn't tell under the dim lights- over her shoulder, then joined the three of us by the bar.1Jayden was trying to keep Lydia from drinking too much. But there wasn't much he could do once she blinked her baby blue eyes at him. He was making a commend
Fine, fine!" he rubbed his face, "whatever you want, just... don't do it." "Don't get involved in my life, and I will not get involved in yours." **** **** After Matt was dealt with, I felt much lighter. The next day was a Saturday. I woke up first, like usual. On most days, Irene slept in. She had admitted to me that for years, she could rarely afford to sleep in the mornings with the kind of work that she did. Now that she could work on her own time, she took full advantage of it. Thoughsleeping inwas a relative term. She would never stay in bed past eight thirty. I would make breakfast, and we'd have it together before joining our family in the tennis club. 2
I see." I stepped closer until I could whisper in his ear, "I don't give a fuck about your excuses, Matt. We both know what's really happening here. But I'm not dealing with you tonight."I pushed past him towards Irene. I would deal with Matt properly, and by the time I was done with him, he would come begging for mercy.1Irene smiled and rose when I reached her. The interpreter looked more than relieved to be spared signing the two women's words. What kind of crap had they been spouting?The two women looked at me with wide eyes. They scrambled to their feet."Oh, Leo! I didn't know you were coming?" one of them said, her name was Elizabeth or Isabella or something like that.I gave her a look and wrapped Irene in a short hug. She might look calm and unaffected, but I knew her enough to read the anger in her face and body. She wa
Leo"So, what do you think?" Lydia asked me as soon as I picked up my phone."About what?" I replied, motioning for Brandon to take the documents I just signed. He nodded and left the office, closing the door behind him. I turned my chair to look through the ground to ceiling glass behind my desk. The city below was busy.4"Ugh! I sent you a video of the venue five minutes ago!" Lydia said.I closed my eyes. "Lydia. You know neither Irene nor I care about the venue. We just want to get married.""You are going to be the death of me! I can't wait for Irene to come back!" she screamed and hung up.I sighed and checked the message she'd sent me. It was a video of yet another wedding venue. This one was outdoors, in what looked like a lush garden. Irene would like it.Except that, unlike
Nathaniel held on for about a year, respecting Irene's mother's wishes to leave them alone. But then he started looking for them again. It was about the time his company faced difficulties. So Eve made him the offer to pull his company off the ground if he would drop all efforts of looking for his daughter. Nathaniel did. And that was why I would never get along with him. He had chosen his company over his child. I didn't care about his excuses. Nothing in the world would keep me from my child. 3 The man hadn't even had the guts to tell Irene the whole truth back when she asked why he didn't look for her. Nathaniel was a selfish bastard. 1 Sure, he was now present in Irene's life, trying to be a father to a daughter who'd been through more than he could imagine. I didn't care
LeoWe were having dinner in mom's house. Everyone was in attendance. The Allens, Julianna, her husband Ethan, and the twins, Nathaniel and Vincent.The living room was buzzing with activity. Irene was sitting with the twins on a couch, engrossed in what seemed like a senseless conversation with the two toddlers. She was so good with them, it was no wonder Julianna worshipped the ground Irene walked on. Well, pretty much everyone did, really, not just Julianna.1Jayden, Grayson and I were standing by the french doors of the living room leading out to the garden. The weather was nice enough to keep them open."So, I heard Megan stopped by the exhibit," Jayden said. I made a face. Irene must have t
IreneIt was only minutes later that Nathaniel Braxton called Leo.'It's Nathaniel,' Leo signed, after checking his phone. I fisted my necklace. 'He'll probably want to see you.'I didn't know whether I wanted to see him now or not. But I had decided I would get my life together, and the first step in doing that would be to face my past.I took a deep breath and nodded, "yes, I'll meet him."Leo hesitated for a moment. He looked like he wanted to say something, but he held back and took the call. I looked away, not wanting to read his lips. I really didn't want to meet Nathaniel right now. There were so many questions that onlyhecould answer, and asking those questions meant digging de
I had lunch with Julianna, then headed to the library. The coffee shop was only a ten minute walk from the center, so I walked there. It gave me time to think. What did I want to do with my life?The answer came immediately. I loved painting. If I could paint for the rest of my life, I would be the happiest person alive. But I also knew that it wasn't easy to make your name known enough in the art industry in order to make a living out of it. I did want to try, however.Which meant that I had to find a job to support myself, while at the same time working on getting my paintings out there.A job? Most well paying jobs require a college degree. With Julianna's payment for the mural and what Sophia paid me for the painting she commissioned, my bank account was no longer suffering.3When I reached the library, I went online, did some research, then some calc
She grinned and propped her chin on her hand, "you're not going to tell me it's too dangerous."I rolled my eyes with a smile, 'now you're just being mean.'She laughed. The waiter arrived with menus and left. Irene wrinkled her nose at her menu."I have no idea what half these dishes are," she said. There was humor in her eyes. I relaxed.'What are you in the mood for?' I signed.She pondered over it for a moment, "I'm craving seafood."I scanned the menu, then signed, 'trust me?'She pretended to think about it with a deep sigh, "Maybe. But youarea good cook, so I'll just have to take my chances.""Alright, smarty pants," I said with a smile. Her sense of humor had gotten more... unrestricted recently. But only with me, and I loved it.Food arrived.
Leo's eyes landed on Mrs. Braxton, he stopped beside me. I was now surrounded by three giant, over protective and angry men. I felt sorry for the hotel staff.8Two guards took a few steps back and stood behind the young employee. The poor guy spoke with a bobbing throat to Jayden, while Mrs. Braxton stood her ground. Her stubborn chin raised, but her features had gone from contemptuous to cordial when Leo and Jayden joined us.The only time I had seen Leo this mad was at Lydia's birthday party, when he punched that man, Matt. And just when I thought things had gotten blown way out of proportions, life proved me wrong. Nathaniel Braxton and his son, Vincent, walked up to us with matching frowns.Of course! Join the party! This is the most dramatic bathroom trip ever...I should've just held it in!47I fumbled with the lotus at my n