The past two days we’ve spent at the Millers' mansion have been splendid and full of laughter. Arianna and Derek kept at their cat fight every hour. Mr. Miller had resumed back to work and he took a trip out of town. Mrs. Miller was at home with us every single hour and promised to take me shopping when I fully recovered. If only she knew what Derek and I had been up to every minute, she wouldn’t contemplate my recovery. Derek’s youngest brother, the medical doctor, came home once in a while but never stayed for too long. It appeared his relationship with Derek was getting better. Derek talks to his brother without a frown these days. Still, nobody was talking about Caster. I placed the book I was reading down and stretched a little before sitting back down. I’ve been reading for hours without an interruption because everyone was busy with one or two things. Derek had a meeting at one of his clubs, so he had to go out early this morning. I picked up my phone and switched it back on.
DEREK’S POV I was in a meeting with a Brand manager when I got a call from Arianna informing me of an unwanted visitor. Never in my entire life will I imagine seeing Brie again. It’s been over a year since I last saw her and never had I expected her to be back with a baby that she claimed was mine. I had to quickly excuse myself from the meeting and drove back home like a mad man.The meeting would cost me a twenty million dollar sponsorship deal but if I had waited any longer, it would’ve cost me my marriage and my woman. The ride home was short and quick and before I knew it, I was running out of the car, hoping I’ll find a way to stop Brie before my parents could even meet her.Brie was a friend of mine, a friend with benefit. We had an agreement that bounded us just to the rules of FWB and nothing else. As time passed by, Brie demanded more, she wanted to know where I was, who was with, and what I was doing, and started acting like she was my girlfriend. That actually pissed me o
LILY’S POV The whole two hours that I spent inside the room alone were excruciating. I was in pain but I just couldn’t pinpoint where or how. I guess I was hurt by the situation but not by anyone. It was like I wanted to be mad, to be angry at something but there was no justifiable reason for anger. I want to yell and scream and cry but at the same time, I kept on asking myself why I would do that.Derek didn’t date this girl after he got to know me, whatever happened between them happened before we knew each other. He didn’t know she was pregnant and I don’t think she told him about it either, he didn’t even know he had a son until she showed up at the doorstep to break the unbelievable news to everyone. When I heard those words, my world became silent, I didn’t even know what to say or what to do. Was I supposed to even feel hurt or feel anything at all? Was I supposed to act as if this was normal and not say anything? In one sentence, I’ve never been so sad and confused at the sam
Derek's POV"What are you going to do, Derek?" My mom's voice pulled me out of my train of thoughts. I was staring at the garden from the balcony. My mom was right there beside me hoping I would say something or give her at least an answer to that question.I shrugged, not having an answer again this time."You've been asking me that for twenty minutes now, I still don't see myself giving you an answer if you ask more than ten times," I replied."Even if you don't have an answer, you should have a plan. What if the paternity test turns out in her favor? What will you do? Will you have to wait till then before you think of what to do?"I groaned loudly, obviously tired of thinking about anything. My past caught up with me unaware and I think I deserve a break from thinking too much."What should my plan consist of? Accepting her and the child? Divorcing Lily? She's still mad at me about what happened and she's not even talking to me," I explained."I'm not asking you to plan towards di
Derek's POV The following week, I decided to go on a vacation with Lily. We both needed the break, away from the insanity and recent events. It was much needed. "Thank you for lending us your private jet, Mr. Miller," Lily was on the phone with my parents right before we took off and she had been giggling while talking to my mom and Arianna before they gave the phone to my dad. "It's my birthright, baby. Stop thanking him for doing the right thing," I replied, into the phone, making sure my dad could hear me. "I don't know how you cope with that bastard, Lily but thank you for not divorcing him yet even though I'll still appreciate it if you do," "News flash, dad, she's stuck with me. You should be the one who should be very careful because Mom can divorce you at any time," "She never will. I'm the sweetest husband and I always have nice things to say unlike someone else," I was about to give him a response when I received a call from Henry. "I'll talk to you later, Dad," I st
Lily’s POV “Wake up!” A voice commanded. I could’ve responded but the voice sounded miles away and I felt I was still dreaming.“Shortcake,” My eyes fluttered open as I stared into the beautiful eyes of my husband. I smiled as soon as I took in my surroundings and realization hit me. Our flight came in late yesterday and I had to drop into bed as soon as we arrived.“Sleeping beauty,” Derek whispered as a smile grazed his lips.“That’s what you get for marrying me,” I joked. Even though he hadn’t married me willingly, I thought joking like that was harmless.“Let’s go downstairs for breakfast,” He suddenly said.“Okay,” I grumbled. There was a shift in the atmosphere after that. I don’t know if Derek was angry because I mentioned our marriage or maybe he felt uncomfortable, either way, I wouldn’t just let it slide like that.“What’s wrong?” I asked him. He was already putting on a white shirt that complimented the blue pants he was already wearing.“What? What’s wrong with what exact
DEREK’S POV The meeting with my business partner didn’t take more than an hour. We only discussed the need for a mobile app for the business and even though I disagreed at first, he managed to persuade me. We agreed on carrying out enough research about it before going into it. The meeting ended and I went my way.When I got back to the hotel room, Lily was nowhere to be seen. I decided to look around and see if I could find her.I didn’t want to panic because I actually want to trust her enough to know that she didn’t wander off like a child, she had always acted mature and responsible and even if she deiced to be immature and irresponsible this time, it's allowed.As I walked towards the poolside, I saw just a few people and I nodded, realizing it would be easier to look for her. I saw two guys talking to some ladies sitting on a swing and I smirked, before looking elsewhere to search for Shortcake. Just as I was about to turn and look elsewhere, my eyes caught a movement from tho
LILY’S POV “Have you heard from Caster?” I asked Derek. He was on his way out of our hotel room and even though I knew it was bad timing, I still had to ask before I forget.“Can we talk about this once I’m back?” He asked.I nodded. I knew at the back of my mind that there was nothing to talk about. When he gets back, he’ll be too tired to discuss anything or I’ll be asleep already. We’ve been at this resort hotel for the past three days and I’m wondering if we came here for his work or actually for a vacation. At this point. I don’t think I can wait to go back home.“Are you okay, baby?” he asked. He was already holding the doorknob, ready to leave the room. I don’t know what prompted him to actually turn back. I faked a smile and nodded.“I’m good. You should go for your meeting, we’ll talk later,”He kissed my temple before finally leaving the room. I sighed loudly before picking up a book to read. I would’ve loved to visit the town but I also hate the fact that Derek’s bodyguard
LILY’S POV ONE YEAR LATER “Love, can you please check up on the baby? I need to pee,” I called out to Derek before rushing into the bathroom. I heard him saying something that sounded like yes but I didn’t bother to listen. I was so pressed that if I didn’t rush into the toilet like that, I would’ve messed myself up. Once I was done, I took my time before coming out. I knew Derek got her, he’s been by her side the moment she was born and never left mine either. He has proved to me that he was a good dad and I’m so proud of him. Three months into my pregnancy, I told him I got a job but he was not comfortable with it and I had to convince him that it wasn’t anything strenuous. I’d learned how to program as a starter and I got an internship program that helped developed me into a junior developer. I know it's stressful when combined with college and the baby but I took a gap year to focus on my career and my child. Once I’m ready, I’ll get back it college and maybe change my degre
DEREK'S POV “Would that have made you feel so much better about yourself? Would you have felt accepted by the family? Would that have been enough to erase the fact that you’re nothing but a bastard?” I gritted my teeth.He started growling like a wild dog, repeatedly.“You shouldn’t have messed with Lily. She wasn’t a part of the family from the start, she shouldn’t have had to pay for the sins of our parents, she had enough already on her plate. Q wouldn’t have died and the family wouldn’t be in so much pain,” I told him.“She chose you and that was her offense. I had my eyes on her since she was at mom’s agency. I’ve always wanted to have a taste of her but mom took her to you and even when I moved into your house, all she wanted was you and not me, why? I would rather kill her than listen to that answer,” Inodded, realizing he was an unapologetic, unrepentant and crazy bastard.“I’m not disappointed in you, Caster because I knew just who you are, I could see through you when othe
DEREK’S POVI banged my hand on the table, controlling the anger that was already boiling inside of me. I was at the police station with my parents, Alex and Arianna. Lily had refused to come to see Caster on the excuse that she had a class but I knew it was because she didn’t want to see him or she wasn’t ready.I don’t know how Arianna summoned the courage to come with us but if I was her, I wouldn’t have been able to. Alex, on the other hand, had tried talking to Arianna but she wasn’t bulging. I was the only person she was talking to, the rest were being ignored and I mean my parents.“You’re telling me that someone knew Caster messed up with Lily’s car but you had to wait till the accident before you did something, right?” I asked my dad again for the third time because I didn’t want to believe the answer he was giving me every damn time.“I’m sorry, Derek, the guy I hired said the only way they could lure him out was to wait for the accident to happen. There’s no way Caster woul
DEREK’S POV We decided to keep the pregnancy news from the family. It was a mutual agreement between Lily and I. we thought it was for the best for the safety of both mother and child. The family was still dealing with Caster’s case and we didn’t want to put ourselves in danger by revealing the news.“Why did all these pregnancy symptoms decide to wait for two months before hitting me?” Lily groaned as she walked down the stairs.“Did you throw up again?” She nodded.“For the second time this morning alone,” Damn! That was bad. I was beginning to get worried about her. Even though the doctor said it was normal, I still wasn’t okay with it.“You should’ve called me, baby,” She laughed as she walked into the kitchen.“Meanwhile, what bomb have you been cooking up in here? Everywhere is a mess,” She started laughing again. I could only smile as I watch her laughing her ass off at the current state of the kitchen.“Well, I’ve been preparing pancake,”She stopped laughing, her mouth fell
LILY’S POV “You can leave now, my family will soon be here for me,” I dismissed the woman standing in front of me.“You don’t have to be so mean, Ataraxia,”I gritted my teeth as I glared at her. It took everything in me not to face her and yell like a lunatic right now.“My name is Lily, not Ataraxia, and thank you for your help, I’ll compensate you if you want,” I told her again for the tenth time and still counting.A few hours ago, I was on my way to get some groceries from the store when my car’s brake stopped working all of a sudden. I couldn’t even hold my emotions together as I saw my life flash in front of my eyes. I could only beg God to take the wheels because, at that point, death was calling. My car maneuvered out of the road and hit a street pole.Even though that stopped the car, both the car and street pole were damaged. Smoke was everywhere in the car and as I tried to open the door, I realized that I was stuck. I couldn’t find my phone to make a call and help wasn’t
DEREK’S POV “I found out that Roman returned to Italy a few weeks ago, precisely two days after Q was buried,” Sebastian informed us.Well, we were currently meeting at my office together with Luke. Someone has been messing up with things a lot around my house and the mansion. My parents don’t feel safe and my dad had to suggest for my mom leave town for a few months till we can get things back to normal.Caster is still MIA but we could all tell some of those things were his handwork. Threat notes were being sent to our homes, strange calls as well as someone messing up with the car tires while we were out. It’s like he’s stalking us all every minute.“Your Intel is fast, I’ll give him that,” Sebastian rolled his eyes at Luke’s comment.“Are you serious right now? I’m trying to help here, what have you done?” Luke scoffed.“It took you and your Intel a few weeks to realize that Roman wasn’t in town and probably not helping Caster. Stop giving yourself more credit than you should, Se
DEREK’S POV “Uh, I still want to sleep,” Lily groaned as I drove to my parents’ house that Saturday morning. I had to wake her up by eight and she grumbled for more than thirty minutes as we got dressed and left the house. “You should have some sleep before we get there,” I advised. She mumbled something incoherent before she closed her eyes and slept off. I smiled as I took in her features; her plump pink lips, those butterfly eyelashes, and her beautiful nose, I want to keep kissing them for the rest of my life. A few minutes later, we arrived at the house. She was already awake, complaining about how she still needed more sleep. “We can officially call you sleeping beauty now,” I joked. She glared at me and I smiled. “You don’t have the right to throw a joke at me right now,” I frowned. “Why?” “Why didn’t you tell me earlier that we’ll be visiting your parents this morning? We were at the club till 1 am and you still didn’t let me sleep when I got back,” I grinned. “Don’t
DEREK’S POV It took everything in me to not stand up and punch Damien when he walked into my club a few hours after the show started.The artist that was invited had already concluded his performance and left after signing and taking pictures with some of his fans. I thought Lily would love a picture with him but my girl stood back, shook her head when I mentioned it, and told me she wasn’t a fan. She was just here to support me and accompany Brandon and Scarlet.After the concert ended, about a hundred thousand fans of the guy wanted to party at the club but I had to turn down about 90,000 of them. Ten thousand people were enough, I couldn’t risk having such a large number of people in such a place. It’ll be bad for business.“Don’t do anything crazy, Derek,” Lily pulled my hand, already noticing how I was glaring at Damien. He had told me he won’t be here, so what’s with the surprise?“I promise, I’ll only hit him once,” I smirked, letting her know he was getting his ass beaten up
LILY’S POV On Friday afternoon, after my final paper, I came out to find Brandon and Scarlet waiting for me. I was surprised that Brandon would actually be here. I know I told Scarlet that I would be giving them free passes to the concert at Derek’s club but I still doubted Brandon’s presence because of what happened with Derek. That was the last time I saw him though. He’s been MIA since then around me and even though Scarlet and I met a few times after that, he never showed up.“I wasn’t expecting you to show up, Brandon. I thought you still hate me and Derek,” He snorted. I couldn’t help smiling.“I might hate Derek but I don’t hate you and who am I to say no to a free pass to that concert. So many people are trying to buy the ticker but can’t. It’s not even available anymore,” He said excitedly.The concert has been the talk of the town and for like a week now, everywhere I turn to in school, people were talking about buying the concert. I’m so proud of my man.“So, am I off your