As soon as Angelina was through with making lunch, she packed Maxwell's own in a picnic basket before placing a call to Gregory, asking him to come in order to deliver it to him. Thereafter, she headed upstairs for a quick shower before Isabella finished whatever it was she was busy doing on her laptop.While shuffling through some clothes she had never worn, her eyes fell on a bag at a corner of the walk-in closet and she instantly slapped her forehead. She had completely forgotten about it! She had seen the familiar customized M.J Tech bag placed on her bed a long time ago but she was in a hurry to do something at the time so she had placed it in a secluded corner inside her very large closet. And since then, she had completely forgotten about it as she hadn't gone to the corner she placed it until now.After hurriedly dressing in a simple mustard yellow turtleneck top and a black flared skirt, she took the contents of the bag out and what she saw reminded her of her first day at wo
As Maxwell obeyed, Angelina didn't know when she hastily jumped behind him, using his tall, muscular frame as a shield from Nanna's scrutinizing eyes. "M–my skin is not glowing. I–I mean there's nothing to see. I'm not…erm…I'm not…"At that, both ladies within earshot— Nanna and Isabella burst out laughing while the corners of Maxwell's mouth moved a little, as if he was also suppressing laughter. "Pregnant. The word is pregnant, chica. Don't worry, there's nothing to be scared of about pregnancy and childbirth. All those scary stories you might have heard were highly exaggerated. There's nothing more magical, more amazing than being a mother, chica. It's the most wonderful experience in the whole world so don't be scared of becoming pregnant, okay? And I have seen you with Isabella. You don't even have to put in any effort as you have natural maternal qualities, chica. It's in you. It's who you are. And so I'm sure just like in every other thing you do, you'll be spectacular
Just then, Angelina's phone, which was closer to Maxwell as she had left it there after their video chat with Nanna, started ringing, bringing him out of his reverie.Looking down at the screen, his expression instantly changed from poker to grim upon seeing the name floating on the screen. Angelina on the other hand, let out a broad smile when she picked up the phone and saw who was calling her. Jeremy had earlier called to ask if he could come pick her up to help him choose a ring for Alicia as he was terrible at those sorts of things and he needed to impress his fiancee. "Hi Jerry! Are you here already?!"She became silent for a short while as she listened to the person on the other side. "Cool! You're right on time! I just finished doing what I needed to do. I'll be with you in a jiffy. I just have to run upstairs to grab my overcoat…"She trailed off as she bent down to give Isabella a peck, mouthing "See you later" before hurrying out of the dining room, without even
Angelina felt as if her whole world has come crashing down and thus she had no idea how she managed to do it but in a heartbeat, she was standing right there in front of the slumped figure of her husband. Slowly and in great anticipation, she bent over and as her glassy, tear-filled eyes finally registered his deeply, peacefully asleep form, she didn't know when she released a very, very deep breath— the breath she didn't know she was holding.He was just sleeping! He was fine! He was okay! He hasn't fallen unconscious! Geez! Angelina had never felt so relieved in her entire life!And as the relief wore off, she couldn't help but rove her eyes all over his sleeping figure, gawking at him and drinking in his beautifully handsome features as hungrily as she had never done before. While asleep he looked quite different— good difference. His features were much softer while sleeping. The grim lines which usually crease his brows were nowhere to be seen, making him look more handsome and ap
November passed by in a blur and just like that, it was the festive month already. By the middle of the month, an excited Angelina suggested to Isabella that they should go for christmas shopping, making the teenager's eyes widen as large as saucers. She had never been to a mall or supermarket or anywhere else for shopping or whatsoever in her life.Though she does her own shopping, choosing the type of clothes she wants, shoes, cosmetics, snacks and other cravings— just everything she wanted but it was all online. Right from childhood, Maxwell sits down with her in front of the laptop, browsing through Amazon, eBay and other different shopping platforms, allowing her to choose whatever she wanted and he buys them for her. The mansion was like her whole world. It's within its four walls that she had lived her entire life and the only few times she had stepped out of it was when either Angelina or Nanna insisted on an outing, just like the unforgettable trip to the resort they once ha
By the time they reached the top-notch, renowned hospital, true to his words, Maxwell was already waiting with two nurses holding a stretcher at the entrance. Before Gregory could even get to park the car properly, Maxwell had burst the car door open and pulled Isabella out of the car.He wasted no time in laying her down on the stretcher and didn't wait for the nurses as he himself wheeled her straight to the emergency room, where the doctors were already waiting for her, with a tearful Angelina in tow, anxiously pushing the stretcher from her side.As the doctors sent them out and locked the door behind them, the couple helplessly waited in the hallway, right outside the emergency room. While Maxwell just stood with his back against the wall, so still and emotionless like a statue, Angelina kept restlessly pacing up and down, crying profusely. She wasn't really a prayerful person but desperate times call for desperate measures and so after pacing for the umpteenth time, she bent dow
The next day, Isabella was discharged from the hospital as she was now hale and hearty. And following Dr. Ipkins' advice, both Angelina and Maxwell avoided broaching any sensitive topic that could be a potential trigger to her.From that day onwards, nobody ever spoke about the unfortunate encounter with the blonde woman at all. Instead, they pretended as if nothing happened and went on with their normal lives. Knowing Isabella and how sensitive she was, Angelina decided it was best to treat her as they normally did and not cosset and pamper her more or treat her like a weakling just because of her ailment. She believes that doing that would make the teenager become insecure and hence, retreat back into her shell and revert back to the hysterical girl she had once been. Following her lead, Maxwell also treated Isabella in the same way he has been doing ever since Angelina came into their lives. And that really helped a great deal because at first, Isabella was apprehensive, thinking
It was Christmas day and upon Angelina's insistence, they all went to a nearby church for service before returning to the mansion for the lavish feast she and Isabella had prepared for everyone as Alejandro had travelled to his home country. Since Nanna couldn't make it, their only guest for the celebration was Ethan. Angelina had wanted to invite Alicia and Jeremy as well but the couple already had plans to spend Christmas with the Logans.After finishing the scrumptious brunch and clearing the dishes, Ethan and Maxwell excused themselves, leaving the ladies busy taking selfies on their cell phones. They were both clad in the beautiful matching dresses they bought specifically for the Christmas celebration. It was Isabella's idea for them 'to twine together as mother and daughter' and so they bought the same mauve colored dresses and both of them looked divine in it.After a while, Isabella excused herself and when she returned, she signalled Angelina to follow her. Curious, Angelina
Six months later… In the just concluded bakery section of the state of the art buildings of Isabella Gallagher Memorial Foundation, a heavily pregnant Angelina waddled around, inspecting the ultramodern baking equipments. Even though Lucy had volunteered to be the caretaker of the London-based foundation center, from time to time, Angelina goes there to inspect things, especially when a new project has been completed or when some newly- bought equipments have arrived. That's not because she didn't trust Lucy's capability of handling things superbly. No, far from it. She knows she's quite capable and just goes there to make sure things are running smoothly. After all, the foundation is her pet project and her lifelong dream and she loves it just like her own baby! So far, apart from the basic infrastructures that had already been established in both the American and London-based foundation centers, a culinary school, sewing and knitting center, sports arena, arts school for painting
Over the moon with joy, Maxwell hastily slipped the ring unto her finger and as he got up to seal it with a kiss, Angelina's hand suddenly appeared in front of his lips and pushed them away from hers. "Not so fast, lover boy! We have a score to settle first."Maxwell's eyes instantly widened in trepidation. What score do they have to settle? He thought they have already crossed that bridge earlier. He thought she had already forgiven him! But before he could voice out his fears, Angelina's melodic voice reached his ears. "You came here, wowed me with your mind-blowing confession, went ahead to steal my breath away by telling me I'm the one for you, your peace of mind, your bane of existence, your home, your soulmate and so many other mind-blowing things before going down on one knee and proposing to me. You did all that, without even giving me any chance to state my own feelings. Oh I forgot, I don't suppose to have any feelings. After all, 'you know I don't share your feel
Maxwell couldn't believe what he was seeing and hearing. And he knows for sure that he isn't dreaming so could this mean…He looked towards Ethan who was standing behind Angelina for confirmation and just as he nodded his head to confirm that indeed she has regained her memories, Angelina's voice rent the air once again. "Pfft! Can you believe this, bro? I thought that your friend would be a little more excited about seeing me but it seems…"Angelina never got to finish saying what she intended to as she suddenly felt her body engulfed in a very tight hug against a warm, tall, hard and familiar body. In a flash, her own hands automatically wrapped themselves around the tall, imposing figure. At the same time, her eyes fluttered close on their own accord. Their joined bodies reverberated as in unison, both she and Maxwell released very huge, deeply felt sighs of relief. Home, at last! At long, long last they are finally where they rightfully belonged; in the most blissful home ev
Ethan and Robert had just finished having an early dinner together and were on their way to the airport when the former received a call. Upon checking the caller id on the screen, a frown materialized on his face. But that notwithstanding, he swiped and answered the call. "What's up Dr. I-know-it-all? Have you perhaps forgotten your stethoscope with me? Or is it your brain?"From the other end, Dr. Nick sighed. "Look, Mr. Marlowe, I haven't called you for another round of bickering. We need to talk. Urgently. Where are you now? Since you're answering your calls I can tell that you haven't boarded the plane yet, so where can I meet you?"It was Ethan's turn to frown as he instantly became alert. "What's the matter? What happened? How is Angie? Don't tell me anything happened to her! M.J would kill you if anything happens to even a single hair on her head!"Dr. Nick huffed. "Relax, dude. Jolie is perfectly fine. Well, I guess she'll be if only you keep quiet, listen t
Dr. Nick clamped his eyes shut as out of nowhere, sudden pain, sadness and gloom overcame him. How could he have been so blinded? How could he have let his feelings cloud his rational thinking? He had fallen for a woman who is way beyond his reach! He knew right from the onset that she belonged to someone else, that she was someone else's wife but he still let his guard down such that his hidden and long-suppressed feelings for her gradually resurfaced!And now, she is pregnant. What cruel game is this that fate is playing with them all? Here he is, deeply and passionately in love with his childhood buddy but he can neither express it nor even think of acting on it because she's carrying the baby of another man. Another man whom she has absolutely no memories of at all– the man she believes is nobody but a complete stranger to her! God! What kind of mess is this?!What is he supposed to do now? How is he going to break the news of her pregnancy to her when she doesn't even remember h
Angelina grinned widely at him. "Of course! You're my best friend so of course you can't just like me! And you know the feeling is mutual too, right? You're the bestest best friend in the whole wide world and so I love you too!"Once again, Dr. Nick gave her that strange, intense look and cleared his throat. "Erm…Jolie, I have something that I want to tell…"Just then, the shrill sound of his phone interrupted him and as he looked down at the caller id, his entire demeanor instantly changed. Without answering the call, he abruptly got up from his seat while saying to Angelina, "Shit! I completely forgot that I'm supposed to meet someone by two pm today and it's already a quarter to two now."Perplexed at his reaction to the call, Angelina, who had also seen the caller id before he silenced the phone, frowned up at him in confusion. "Who is this Mr. Blondie whose mere call has gotten you so worked up like this? You don't even behave this way when the hospital medical
Maxwell stood in front of the large painting of Angelina and himself in his exquisitely furnished living room, slowly tracing the outline of his wife's gorgeous face with misty eyes and a forlorn and wistful expression on his face.All of a sudden, he felt a hand on his shoulder and even before her gentle, soothing voice rent the air, he knew it was his mother. "You know that staring at her picture will not magically conjure her up, right? Why are you doing this to yourself, son? When will you stop punishing yourself? It's been almost two months now since we left Croatia. Since you left your wife with a complete stranger! All you do is keep sending money, stuffs and either Ethan or Robert to go check on her while you remain here torturing yourself with depressing thoughts. Just take a look at yourself. You haven't just lost a lot of weight but also look so haggard! Arnold told me that once I'm not here, you don't eat at all and hardly sleep at night. And now you're standing here
When Dr. Nick had given Angelina the two gadgets that Maxwell sent over for her, she had only accepted the laptop and refused to accept the phone, claiming that she had no use for it since she had no one to communicate with.Even though that's what she claimed, the real reason is because she doesn't want any reminder of her past life at the moment, the past life that she has no memories of as at present. She knows that once she has a phone, someone connected to her forgotten past might call her and that will inevitably push back those depressing thoughts which she had shoved away to the forefront and hence, make her sad and gloomy. And that's the last thing she wanted at the moment. All she wants is to pretend as if all is well, to live in the moment, to be happy and keep having great fun with her best friend. Therefore, she surely doesn't want a phone as of now! If her memories return in the future, then she'd surely require a phone. But as of now, she had no need for it!When Dr. Ni
Dr. Nick didn't get a chance to return to his office until much later in the evening when he had rounded up all he had to do for the meantime. And after having one look at his tired face, Angelina abruptly got up, took the lunch basket in her left hand before holding Dr. Nick's hand with the right one. "You're coming home with me right this second, Dr. Lifesaver!"However, instead of letting her to pull him along with her like she intended to, Dr. Nick stayed put in his place while shaking his head and saying, "No Jolie. I can't leave now. I just performed surgeries on two of my patients and I have to be there when they eventually come to. I need to assess them and…" "Oh no, Dr. Lifesaver, you have already done your part. There are other doctors who can do whatever needs to be done. Besides, you look so tired and dead on your feet and as far as I know, you can only save lives when you yourself are alive and well! So like I said earlier, you are coming home with me now