HUDSON'S POV I took a moment to actually look at her though, her short black hair that was styled in some sort of beach wave kind of thing as it hanged loosely around her shoulders, coupled with her complete white outfits, a top & trouser, and topped off with a cream colored shawl wrapped around her shoulders. She looked modest and at the same time elegant, despite her age. Only Mom could pull off such a look, she looked good."So my end point is that you two are a team, no one can afford to loose the other player. At least not right now, not now that Abrille has this condition. You need to -"So she told you that, huh?" I interrupted calmly, my gaze fixed on her features to make sure I read every one of the emotions that crossed her face. She pursed her lips at my question and swallowed gently before speaking, "Yes, she told me. She-"Did she also tell you her role in all of this?" I cut her off again, adjusting on my seat as i got serious. It was high time I put an end to this conv
VALERIE'S POV "Are you sure about this, Valerie?" Nana asked for at least the third time today. "You haven't practiced for a very long time, plus you had kids too. Don't you think this is a bit of a stretch?" Anyone could sense the worry in her tone and I totally understood her concerns but I had already made up my mind to do this so I must see it to the end."Which is why I'm here practicing, isn't it Nana?" I responded and paused to catch my breath for sometime. Sweat dripped down the side of my face, tiny baby hairs that escaped the bun on my head glued to my forehead from all the rigorous bodily movements I had subjected myself to for the past 40 minutes at a stretch. This was probably the 5th round of dancing that I had done since I arrived at Nana's estate this morning and girl! I had never felt so alive!Don't get me wrong, my lungs were literally killing right now, my throat was all patchy and begging for even a the smallest drop of water but still, I had this insane feeling
Third person POV *****Night of the show The stage was set up with big bright lights flashing down to give the audience a clear view of the presenters currently on stage. And right at the center were ten young dancers, completely dressed up for the role that were presenting. Each of them, not looking more than six years of age."We rock! Hurray!" They echoed in perfect sync and froze in their positions, the music in the background stopping almost immediately as everywhere fell dead silent. But then a moment later the sea of parents burst into cheers and applause, their delighted whistles piercing the air causing the young performers to grin excitedly before breaking free in their poses. Their innocent eyes sparkling with excitement and in the spur of the moment, a tiny dancer squealed, "Mommy! I did it!" spotting her mother in the front row. "Yeah, That's my girl!" The lady exclaimed, with as much enthusiasm flashing her personal camera wildly at the littke girl and the cro
Third person POV *****Night of the show And that she did. Cause just like other men, the man in front beside Hudson held his seat in pure anticipation, his eyes hungrily fixated on the woman's hip movement, not wanting to miss any moment of it, totally disregarding his wife. Then the music swelled, taking a sharper note, and instantly the woman spun around, facing the audience, the skirt of her bloody red dress shuffling from her movements as she revealed her face. Smokey green eyes first came into view, quickly followed by a flawless makeup and red bold lips. Her luscious hair was styled up in a classic side-parted sleek bun on her head, adorned by a single gold hairpin that seemed to shimmer under the dim lights of the stage, alongside het other jewelry. The audience held their breaths as the woman's bold looks came into view, the huge TV screens in the hall quickly picking it up and showcasing her to all. Everyone had one or two reasons to gasps out loud, if not for the
THIRD PERSON POV ****At the dinner after the show The sounds of glass clicking filled the air as the environment buzzed with light conversations and laughter, warm breeze moving gently in the space, probably due to the trees in the school grounds. But regardless, most will say it was a welcomed change from the heavily air conditioned hall they had just left about 30 minutes ago. True to the proprietress words, a dinner was specially organized after the show for the parents. Nothing too grand, just a few meals to warm the tongue and enough champagne to wash it all down but still, the chairs arrangement remained in the order of relevance to the school. A rooftop space was used to host the dinner. Several round tables that had already been decorated with white tablecloths filled the space, the color-coded ties on each chair round the tables signifying the rank/relevance of each parent. An Ivory colored tie for the Diamond class, a burgundy chair tie for the Ruby class and lastly
THIRD PERSON POV His emotions were just all over the place and he didn't know how to stop them either. This wasn't something he had learnt how to cope with, this wasn't something he had experienced before that he could think of solutions right then and there to address his issue once and for all! This was all new to him, she was new to him. This-this version of HER was new to him, and he had no idea what to do. At that tough realization, his shoulders slumped a bit and he saw her smirk a bit despite the distance between them. It was as though she heard his thoughts in that minute he glanced at her, a triumphant smirk slowly presenting itself on the left side of her lips... and without a second more he looked away. Better to die in silence than to let anyone hear the kind of thoughts he was having. "You're here for Aby, don't forget." He slowly reminded himself and reluctantly chose to focus his attention to Charlotte, who was now busy in a heated conversation with the proprietr
HUDSON'S POV What was that thing people always said about listening to your instincts...That it was never wrong, right? You should always listen to your instincts! Well, It was the same case with me right now. I should've listened to that calm voice inside of my head. That voice that warned me of my daring ventures outside that exit door...to follow her, but at the end i didn't listen. I didn't heed to those warning bells inside of my head when I reached for the exit door or worse, when i followed the scent of that flowery fragrance. If only I listened, maybe I wouldn't be in this cock holding situation right now. "Huddie!" Charlotte called out loudly and instantly pulled me out of my thoughts. "Baby, where have you been?!" Quickly blinking away all distractive thoughts, and suddenly aware of my environment, I took brisk steps towards her. Forcing a smile as well to hide my inner turmoil as I took her side at the drink stand where I had initially left her earlier. "Are y
HUDSON'S POV "Argh, what are all these thoughts for crying out loud!" I groaned under my breath for at least the 100th time today since I saw Val on stage. Without so much as a thought I reached for the glass of champagne on the drink stand, maybe it would help clear my thoughts. Not like all the others I had gulped down had helped anyways, but there was no harm in trying for the last time. But just then as I reached for the glass, a slender hand with perfectly manicured white nails reached for it as well, pausing me in my tracks. Both our fingers were at the bottom of the flute glass, it was a simple mistake or unplanned action but i felt my throat go dry instantly. Without needing anyone to enlighten me, I knew just who had those fingers and when I looked up, following the smooth skin of those nails, I met the very green orbs i had been avoiding all along. Those green pools that seemed to draw me in and rope me down in it's grip the more I stared into them. Way to go Hudson,
VALERIE’S POV“That’s it? If that’s the issue then you don’t have to worry at all!” His voice sounded seriously as he turned me to face him.“I got you! You and our kids! You don’t need to worry about their birthday this time, you’ve been doing it alone for 4 years. Let me handle it this time, let us handle it together this time. Me and you, us…”Us…The small smile that appeared on my lips at those words couldn’t be helped at all. It was almost on instinct, automatic even. “Now, here’s what I think about the Christmas celebration… I wrote it all down, look!”“On this part we would have the Christmas celebration and, on this part, will be the birthday itself”“Only family are invited, right?” I added, joining in on his plans as we checked out everything.“Yup! Only family is invited.” He concurred seriously, “We’ve been through a lot of surprises this year, but the kids still need to see the family all together and complete. Mine and yours, and I will handle it all, don’t worry. Now o
CHAPTER 266VALERIE’S POVLeaving Papa’s house didn’t exactly feel like all the usual times. All the usual times where I had come to just talk with him, or go strolling or even delivered good news! Or even dropping off the kids with him. All of that ended on good notes, happy notes… except today.The moment I left, sitting at the backseat as the driver drove out of the yard and back to the familiar estate that housed my place, I finally felt what was like to leave home. To leave that bubble created by a parent or guardian. Which was funny cause this was not the first time I left him.I had long been leaving home, especially that year when I married Hudson. So just imagine how long that is, plus all the time I had spent out of the country with three kids! for five years of my life.So you see, having this sudden feeling that I had finally moved out felt be confused. But at the same time tensed. Especially anytime my words to papa concerning my situation with Hudson replayed in my head.
VALERIE'S POV“You really have not thought of ending things, have you?” Papa’s voice filtered into my ears; his concern crystal clear. Even before I looked up to his face, his worried eyes earnestly hoping I wouldn’t utter the wrong words. The words even I, myself couldn’t believe I was about saying. But still, “I want to stay with him” I said finally, my voice soft as I took in Papa’s downcast look.“Pumpkin, no. No!” He disagreed weakly, his shoulders sagging as he retreated in his seat. His worried reaction broke my heart, I could tell just how concerned he was for me. “Papa,”“No. Don’t do it,” he insisted softly, blinking back a bit of tears that now swarm in his eyes. Breaking my heart further as I watched him. “You’re going to get hurt. You’re going to get hurt, Valerie. He is going to leave you again; he won’t take it from you. He won’t!”“Papa… I know, I know I sound crazy right now but… I still want to try.” I pleaded softly, “I-I don’t to end things. I don’t want to.” His ey
VALERIE’S POV“Hmm, so that’s what happened!”“Things really got out of hand like that and yet, you didn’t mention a thing to me!” He scolded, frowning as he faced me. “I didn’t even know anything and I just let you be. What if something had gone wrong? Or that wicked woman had gotten something on you and turned the tables even before you realized?”A deep sigh left my lips at his words, my shoulders sagging. “What if she had managed to turn everything on you and that man of yours believes her again like before?! You were too reckless, Pumpkin! Too reckless!”“That wouldn’t have happened, Papa! C’mon, I’m not that stupid!” I complained, sighing as i tried to remain calm as possible rather than get flustered by all his accusatory questions. But the truth was that, the disapproving look painted on his features right now was not helping. “Pa, I had everything under control and-“It was all part of your plan?” He offered, his tone mocking as he cut me off. “It was all part of the plan an
HUDSON'S POV“I can’t believe this!” Aby praised, smiling brightly too.“Better start to! Cause it’s all ours now! It’s our new home!” Mason squealed, jumping around with Miley as they screamed in delight.Wow, Mason was squealing with Miley! Now, that was new.Hahaha! He always complains of how noisy Miley was and yet today, here he was doing the exact same thing he normally complains about! And with her of all people! Hahaha!“You like it?” I called out, smiling and they eagerly nodded.“Yes! I can’t wait to tell Papa all about this!” Mason responded eagerly, mirroring his sibling’s reaction.“Really?! Then I can’t wait until you see your rooms!” I said, and immediately dramatic gasps filled the air. Excited squeals following after as I chuckled before leading the way. Taking the elevator instead of the stairs.“The 3rd floor?” Miles asked, watching as I pulled back from the button.“Yes my boy! Your rooms are on the third floor, Nanny Beth and the maids are on the second, while mom
HUDSON’S POV“Woah”“Look at all these buildings…” Miles mumbled softly; his green eyes wide with wonder as he stretched to look around despite been locked in place by the seatbelt in the backseat. “They are so tall! So tall… are they connected to the sky?”At his words, the others joined in stretching just a bit. Shuffling in their positions as they looked around, “Daddy, look! That one looks like a star!”A chuckle left my lips at the comment, a proud unwavering smile lingering on my features as I took in the sheer serenity and excellence of the environment, while my gaze flickered ever so often to the rear-view mirror so I could get a clear picture of the wonder in their eyes. Every one of them had their eyes wide as they stared out the car windows, curiosity swimming in their depths.Now I know how big of a mistake I have been making all this time that I haven’t taken them to my office or even to any one of our sites. I should’ve done so at least once! That way I would have seen j
HUDSON’S POV“Wow!”“Wowww!“WOWWWWW!” the kids gushed dramatically, their voices echoing all over the place as big smiles graced their faces. Causing everyone present to chuckle in delight and Aby to smile shyly as she concluded her final walk therapy for the day. Her every step slower than her usual steps but it was still a progress compared to not moving at all!And the kids were most supportive, simply ecstatic just watching her!“Amazing! You can walk now, Aby! You can walk now!” Miley gushed cheerfully, her happiness clear and very much contagious. Just as she had been ever since hearing Aby speak last night. A very eventul night might I add, we barely had any sleep at all! As the kids wouldn’t stop asking series of questions over and over and over again.They were surprised, that much was obvious. But above all, it was the sheer happiness they displayed that really got me. Their innocence and just pureness of heart… it was truly amazing. Just as I had thought, and even better!
HUDSON’S POV “I will- I will take care of you. I will take care of you Aby, you can stay with me! You can live with me, even if your mommy doesn’t want you!” her voice sounded softly. But yet, with just the right amount of sincerity, that had my head swiping up at her with wide eyes. Because I knew. I knew the very implications of her words.I understood them all!Even she did, but yet… here she was. Her eyes teary as she knelt to Abrille’s height, a child that wasn’t even hers or had anything to do with her in any way! She was here, holding her hands, holding the world for her as she uttered words that no woman I knew would ever say.Not after understanding everything that she had experienced ever since our paths crossed.“I want you, okay? I want you, Abrille Rodriguiez.” She continued softly, “Even your daddy wants you too! Miley wants you, so do Miles and Mason! And grandpa! We all want you, Aby. We love you, and we want you. We are right here and you can also come to my room too
HUDSON’S POV“Val? “Valerie!” I called out, my heart throbbing in my chest as my mind went on an overdrive. It was the same thing. The exact same thing that happened that day! That day when the accident occurred and I was too late to stop it!It was happening again; Val’s call, talked about Aby and then-“Oh God!” I breathed, my legs moving on their own accord and before I knew it, I was storming out of my office and down the hallway! Heading for the elevator!If only this thing could move faster!“Argh! Move dammit!” I cussed harshly, pressing on the down button more than necessary. Just so I could get down faster. To which I eventually did, just after wasting nearly 2 minutes of precious time!The drive, like that day was swift. Like really swift and probably dangerous as well for anyone that was on the road but, I had to do it. It was the only way to get home faster and I so wanted to do just that. I didn’t want a repeat of the last incident when I was several hour