"What made you think you would've gotten involved with my family?"
He shrugged, "I don't know, Louisa, things happen."
"Proceed."
He looked up at her as if asking if she was really sure about it. When her silence spoke, he shot, "The second time we met, I knew for sure it was a miracle,"
Louisa remembered that day like it was yesterday: she had managed to convince her brother to lend him his car for a shopping drive with friends after which they stopped for a bite at a Chinese restaurant. They bumped into each other upon opening the double glass door but he was leaving. His beam shone in all its splendor thawing her to a liquid mess.
'Hi,'
'Louisa, right?'
'Right,' her face heated up probably because he had recalled her name, or was it the intensity at which he analyzed her face; her freckled face. Louisa stylishly co
He was as eager as sad as he stood before the beach mansion with his coworkers; the Rudolph family were going to arrive any minute soon and he couldn't wait for them to see the great evolution, on the other hand, it meant the end of his coworking with Louisa.After his confessions to her the previous night, Mason didn't know where he stood in her life, what would become of them, and what she felt about him for he knew for sure that her feelings would metamorphose: it could be to something better or worst but then, he owed her that. The truth.From where he stood, he watched her from his peripheral vision. She was as fierce as always, her plum shaded vanished lip didn't even falter to a side twitch as she whispered something to Nerry."There they are, " Shawn alerted.Before them, approached two pitch-black cars in which Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph exited upon arrival, dressed in a baggy pair of shorts beneath a palm designed shirt and a vintage blue
Louisa had settled in the plane with a magazine in hand and even though it was spread open upon her face, her mind belonged somewhere else; Was she really going to take on her life like nothing happened back in Hawaii? It was plausible that the image of him will haunt her now more than ever. Suddenly, the fear of him returning to the states from wherever took control as possibilities swam in her mind that fate will take a pretty nasty toll on her and all that she had built. She felt the seat next to her squish as a good-looking gentleman of unmistakably late thirties occupied the seat next to her. She twitched her lip to him and when he did same, she kissed her face with the magazine again. Louisa returned to the 'what ifs' and 'what wills' whilst pretentiously flipping the magazine in other not to look like a red-haired sculpted greek statue when an alto murmured a "thank you very much." It was a familiar note which she had been hearing for the past days but if
"Anna," Louisa yelled from her daughter's room after noticing her absence. "You better be down there already dressed." Nothing but the children's show could be heard. Louisa reached the sitting room to see Gianna seated on the carpet legs crossed. One good thing is she was already in her uniform. "Won't you give mum a morning kiss or aren't you happy to see me?" She arrived at Marley's from the hospital when the kids were already asleep. Zaphrina pleaded to return the next day for her daughter but the urge to have Gianna by her side suppressed the pleads. The little girl must have been so tired to have slept during the ride home and not bulge when carried in and out of the car. If not for Gianna's slow breathes, she would've thought her daughter was dead. "I'm sorry, mum." She rushed to hug her mother tightly. "I missed you so much, sweetheart." Gianna nuzzled in the crook of her neck so much that Louisa felt like she was in a lake of lilies due to he
"What took you so long, Anna?" Louisa asked the little girl who was busy securing herself with the seat belt."Coloring. I wanted miss Agogo to see it before I left." Gianna explained."Okay, but please don't take too long next time, you got mummy worried, ok?" She swiftly turned to see Gianna nod."I made a new friend today!" she cheerfully announced."Really? Tell me about it.""Oh, I don't know his name but he helped me zip my backpack even though he mistakenly broke my crayon, but that was because it fell and he didn't see it.""Are you both in the same class?""No. He's a big friend," Louisa's phone chimed."Go on baby, I'm listening," she urged while picking the call, "yeah, Zaph I'm on my way.""He had a similar plaster to mine but he's was on his brow," Gianna continued even though she knew her mum wasn't entirely listening.As she dropped the call she asked, "how's this new friend of yours?""He's
Mason felt like a retired rugby player roaming up and down a sitting room with a potbelly behind an old jersey and a pair of undersized pantie. The only difference was, he hadn't a potbelly, neither did he have an undersized pant on even though that which he had on wasn't any different to one as it held his crotch a little too tight for his liking, also, he had plans for the day. He walked to his laptop when an idea wrecked his mind all of a sudden. He had spent all night restlessly thinking about Louisa; how to get to her if she didn't want to get him, why she acted so nervous at his inquiry before hanging up. He typed the only information he knew and fortunately for him, a load of necessities popped up from just her name. Mason stared at the building from the lowered tinted windows of his midnight black jeep. He had been there for quite a while contemplating whether to push forward or not. When his mind was finally made up, he shaded his eyes and dashed out
Louisa barged in on Zaphrina, while she warmed little Beth's breast milk, like someone suffering from dementia pacing uncontrollably from one end of the huge kitchen to another."What is the matter with you this early morning, Lou?" Zaphrina calmly asked, her eyes being conspicuously encircled with dark grey rings.Louisa tossed her purse on the granite kitchen island before plugging off her shoes. "I can't be having Bethany number two at day too," Zaphrina complained, preparing to make Louisa some adult 'breast milk ' as she reached for the pantry, "I'll get your coffee started but please sit down first, ok?" "He knows," Louisa chewed on her index finger as she continued pacing, "how...whe...who cou...I don't even know...did he...God! Why is--" she muttered incoherently. "Lou, please sit down, put your shit together, and tell me what is going on." "He knows, Zaph. He knows about Gianna...Mason knows about Gianna." Zaphrina sighed and sat opposite her sister-in-law after starting t
Louisa had deposited her daughter in school. She met the class mistress and pleaded with her to not let Gianna out of class until she came as well as not let anyone see her. She was very much specific about the sex and physical description. After being assured and reassured, she left for her office, passing through her sickening pretentious workers, where Nerry immediately jolted out of her seat to welcome her with a trembling vocal."What is it?" She frowned."Eh...Miss, I...I tried to tell him to not get in...to wait for you here but--" Nerry stammered."Who is it?""Mr. Adrian," she lowered her head, expecting her verdict. "He's seated in your office ma'am."Louisa puffed furiously as she stormed into her office to sight Adrian seated on her leather chair with a folder concealing his face. At the sound of the creaking door, he returned the folder and stood up hands wide open, "Princessa," he cheerfully called, "how are you?""What do you
Gianna was nodding at something the janitor told her when Louisa walked in after handing Mrs. Heather a tip. The little girl smiled at her mum, picked up her backpack, and bid the kind janitor goodbye as she obediently walked straight to the car as told by her mum."Hi," the janitor began, stopping Louisa on her track, "I'm Ruth. Nice to meet you." "Louisa." She simply replied taking in the appearance of the lady who looked too old from stress and depression rather than age. "You have a very sweet daughter." She rested her chin on the hand which covered the head of the mop. Louisa smiled warmly, "thanks." "I clean up daily and never have I had the chance to talk to a kid this long after classes," she insinuated. "The weather's super sunny these days, haven't you noticed?" She said, hoping the nosy lady would keep to her path. "Then you might have to start including sun creams in her backpack," Ruth prodded. "You don't have a problem with my daughter being here, now, do you?" "O
It was a silent ride to school so far. Neither Petra nor Gianna seemed to be in the mood for a dispute and Louisa was very much happy and okay with that. The last thing she needed was to drive to work with a thumping head as the routine had it which is why she preferred Mason to drive the kids to school. He knew the tricks which never worked when she tried. He wasn't going to be in town until two days and she missed him dearly. Louisa and Mason, a year before their wedding, were lucky enough to purchase three hectares of land in their dream town—Philipstown. They'd taken out time to visit it after their contract in renovating a retired baseball player's home— Joey Duran—was over. They'd fallen in love with the serenity of the little town, its adorable boutiques, and classic restaurants. Louisa had most especially fallen in love with Cold Spring Harbor. It's greenish-blue glimmering water at day and different hues of orange and yellow at dusk due to the reflection of the setting sun.
"Before you all present here, most especially Mr. Frederick Woods, I, Mason Donovan plead to have your blessings and to let go off your daughter, Louisa Ariana Woods to the realm of my love, care, and affection. I do not want to make empty promises but I give you my word that I'll give her all that I've got." He turned to Louisa, took a step back, and gradually went down on a knee."It's been a short, yet a long time since we've known each other, Lou, and during all this time I've learned so many things about you and with you. You might think this is too early but I don't. I have made up my mind," he fished out a blue velvet ring case from his pocket."To spend the rest of my life with you," he opened the box to a shimmery diamond ring. "Louisa," he called. "Will you marry me?"Louisa covered her mouth with a palm as the tears which had built up during his little speech finally rained."Say it!" Doris yelled from the crowd."Yes, say Yes, Lou," Elizabeth added.Soon enough, all the wom
Everything went on successfully. It was indeed true that happiness originated from a peaceful mind, an entourage of sincere positive energy from family, friends, and even strangers. Everyone's face dazzled with smiles and laughter as plates and dishes were passed from one to another. The atmosphere was inundated with chatters about everything and anything.What more could one ask for? Zaphrina was barely thirty seconds into her meal when she noticed Ace's absence. She could swear he was present during grace but now where was he at? "Bread?" Louisa who was sitting beside her asked with a basket of buns. At the latter's sight of worry in Zaphrina's countenance, she asked, "what is it?" Zaphrina vacated her chair. "I'll be back, permit me."It was in the boy's room, after adventuring in the playroom, that the young mother found her boy crying at an idle corner, his head bent to his knees. "Ace, what is wrong, my baby?" She rushed to h
YOUNG BEARDED GANG HQ. "Relax, man," Marley reassured Mason by tapping his shoulder, "you're as stiff as a corpse." The latter hadn't realized that, in fact, he seemed to not have known what was going on as he walked into the company of other bearded gangs of the family with Marley looking all happy-panky and friendly. Like nothing ever transpired.He would've thought so if the plastered cut on his jaw didn't sting so bad. The dude had quite a fist, he had to admit. "Gentlemen, I present to you an aspiring new member of the gang, Mason Donovan." The room which was filled with a dozen and three more men turned dead as fifteen pairs of eyes glued their way.The room was a typical men's garden with a bar growing a variety of liquor, a billiard table, flat-screen TV, beer fridge, and much more his eyes hadn't landed on yet. "What happened to your face, dude?" A tall man resting his feet on a coffee table asked. His low cut, exposing his scalp, made him look younger than his age could
Gianna had fallen asleep in the middle of a story that her father narrated. A kiss and a good night wish crowned the event. Mason strode to Louisa's room afterward, the latter was changing into a tempting shimmering dark red silky nightdress. She flew her hair out of the dress's trapping neckline in a way that was not only alluring but dick-breaking. He stood there staring in awe. "Is she asleep already?" "Uh...yeah." He broke out of his daze and began discarding his clothes. A warm shower and a lower body cover—boxers—entitled him to the bed right next to Louisa. She laid her head on his chest, closed her eyes, and listened to the quietness of the room then to the melody of his heartbeat. "How did your visit go?" He played with her hair. "Great. She's growing strong." "Yeah, I noticed that too. It's a good thing." "What about work, how did it go?" It was rare that they worked on Saturdays and when they did, it usua
The proper introduction of Gianna to Ruth went smoothly, joyfully, and amicably. To Louisa's surprise, Gianna enjoyed the visit to the extent of not wanting to return home. The little girl stuffed herself with Ruth's pastries and sumptuous meals so much that it was almost impossible for her to walk. Louisa at some point had second thoughts on going even though joining the duo was her idea. The fear was due to the first impression she made of herself in front of Ruth a few months back. The twists and turns of life. But luckily for her, the lady was receiving and behaved like nothing out of place ever occurred between them. "She's fast asleep," Mason commented after a glance at the rearview mirror. Louisa swiftly turned. "I'm afraid we'll never hear the end of Grandma Ruth's apple pie."That was all Gianna chanted halfway through their journey before falling asleep. "She reminds me of Ava. She too loves my mum's apple pie." "I
"It still hurts you isn't it?" "Badly." Dylan exhaled. On his way to Lydia's, he had seen Louisa and Mason from a distance cheerfully hopping into Mason's jeep. Credit to his gallantry to make sure she was secured in first.Why did that detail bother him? Because whether he did that or not, she won't come flying in his arms for severe reasons. "Did Louisa tell you...her brother wishes to help?" He had immediately jumped to narrating to his sister about his encounter with Louisa days back after telling her about seeing the happy duo down the street. "Why help?" Lydia lowered her head. Even though Dylan was closer to her than Levine and Max were, she still found him intimidating when talking about certain things with the fear of not knowing how he'll take it. Especially since Corey came into their lives. "To reduce Corey's penalty." She hesitated. "Because that's what you want?" She remained silent for a bit. The only time Dylan ever got mad at her was when she settled for the di
It was very understandable how Dylan reacted to Corey's case. She would do the same if she were in his shoes. Lydia hadn't to worry about him, not now, not in the next life because of the strong support system that existed—family. From a visible distance, Louisa couldn't sight her daughter at the meet-up point and the premises had begun to dry out of human presence. Panic surged.Louisa brusquely fled out of her car into Gianna's classroom where she walked into Mrs. Heather with a stack of papers. "Hello, Miss Woods, how can I be helpful to you?" She adjusted her glasses upper her nose. "I haven't seen Gianna so I was wondering if she was still in class." "Not at all. All the kids flew out as soon as the bell went off," she laughed but stopped when Louisa's face was still insipid. "Uh, have you checked the restrooms? Or perhaps someone from the family must have picked her up." She didn't know or assign anyone to pick Gianna up. Zaphrina was under house arrest, Marley around that t
"You're ridiculous, you're fucking ridiculous, Conrad." "What is it this time?" A woman in black and red ombre hair tossed a phone to the dark red-haired man. "Who is she? You've been texting her since three days ago, isn't it?" Conrad opened his mouth to speak. "You can't lie to me because the proof is right there in your phone, so tell me the truth." The woman yelled. "Come on, Jenny, she's my coworker and nothing more." "You call your coworker sweet names?" Conrad gently approached Jennifer as a zookeeper will do to an escaped Leopard. "I swear, there's nothing going on between her and me. It happens that we call each other sweet names but there's nothing more to it, believe me." He tried to touch her but was yelled at in return, "don't touch me. You're a bloody liar, Conrad." She pushed him to run downstairs. "Jenny," Conrad called behind her, "Je...Jenny, hear me out." "Don't follow me, Conrad, don't talk to me