chapter 7

Arianne's pov

Five years later....

"Tara! Come down now if not, I'm going to get you myself!" I yell on top of my lungs to my four year old daughter.

Years have gone so fast my daughter and her brother are all little grown up now.

Seems like yesterday that I don't know what to do with them. I've read many books on how to take care of newborn especially in my case, they're twins.

But in reality, nothing could define or explain how difficult it is. First, change the diaper of Jacob my son or feed my daughter Tara because she's already crying out loud which she does a lot of times.

Yeah, I have twins. My son Jacob was seventeen minutes older to his sister Tara.

My father has helped me go through with my pregnancy. He didn't leave me and gave me a comfortable pregnacy life and even after I gave birth.

That's why we really really love him soooo much. That's what me and my kids tell him everytime we have a chance.

Now he already retired from his job and just help me raise my kids whom we often called "double troublemakers".

I never went to further my education thinking that the twins needed more of my time.

Right now I'm working, for already three years, as an assistant to the HR manager in an advertising company. I love my work and to think this is just my first regular job.

My plans to work when I got pregnant went downhill when almost everyday I would throw up and have cramps several times in a day. It was indeed a very difficult pregnancy but my determination to become a good mom helps a lot for me to endure it.

"Mommyyyy!!!!!" Tara screams while sobbing as she going down the stairs. I quickly grab her in my arms.

"what's wrong my sweetheart? 'you okay?"

"I don't wanna go to school!" she said in between her sobs.

I carefully placed her on a separate chair in a corner as I turn to give her a glass of water for her to drink which she didn't refuse.

"my baby we talked about this already. You are going to school and isn't it great you have company. You have your brother with you. Me, when I first went to my school when I was like your age, I also got scared but thankfully, my teacher and my classmates are all nice. Then I got more friends. Don't you like that?" she nodded but pull me into a bear hug.

Tara's got her dad's eyes and hair. My dad always says my children resemble their father a lot. Not to mention Jacob, my first born.

He not only look like a mini Jace, but also talk and act. One thing that make me smile about my son, it's that he also sounded like his dad when he tries to sing, very awful!

And that one thing is I'm proud to say about Tara. Without any training, she sings good and very natural.

After our talk, I transferred my daughter beside her brother and quickly clean her face with tissue. Then I served her breakfast just like her brother who is already enjoying it.

"Mommy! C'mon we're going to be late!" Jacob said after he drank his milk.

I nodded. "Dad we're living!" I yelled to my dad upstairs. He's already done with his breakfast but he's also coming with us for my kids first day of school.

"okay I'm coming in a sec!"

I quickly clear the table and turn to double check their bags and lunches.

Then I gently grab Tara who already stopped crying, and their school bags then headed to my car. My dad and Jacob followed excitedly.

When my kids enter their classroom, I talk shortly with their teacher then take my leave to go to my workplace.

My father said he's gonna stay a little more and said he'll just take a cab back home after.

"Good morning ma'am Arianne!" Rico, the security in the entrance area said.

"Good morning!" I said in a formal face and voice tone.

Yeah I kind of act like that whenever I'm facing or dealing with men.

I then went to my office and started my work. A little later there was a knock in my door.

"Yes, Mrs. Roddick? How may I help you?" I said smiling to my guest. She's the manager and she's been so kind to me since I started to work here.

"Dear, I got some news for you!" I nodded and she continued. "First, you know my plans on retiring, right? Well dear, I'm afraid it's going to be an early retirement for me. My daughter in London is asking me to go there so I can help her. She got herself involved in an accident and she badly needed me right now you know. This is I think also a good way to bond with her again."

"Ohh Mrs. Roddick I hope your daughter will get well fast. And yeah you also deserve your much needed break!" I said sincerely to my kind superior.

"thanks dear! So I already told our boss to arrange things so you can replace me and he said yes to my request. I know you can do it, you're ready to take charge!"

"Mrs. Roddick I don't know what to say. Thank you so much!" I said very gratefully then I came to hug her and she hug me back.

"one more thing, I dont know if you are already aware of it, but I believe this piece of news is a little surprising so brace yourself. This company was sold to another company."

"but why? I thought we're doing good!?!!" I say in confusion after.

"yes we are that's why Keller Industries bought us for their own services."

I gasped upon hearing who bought our company. I've been avoiding any chances I could not to cross path with him.

Jace and his company are always on the news, his company being on the top spot and him being a man who slept with anyone or anything you put a skirt on.

Staying low profile I think made me invisible for him to know that I'm also staying in the same state.

"so dear Arianne, that's also one reason I went here, every manager in every department will conduct a meeting with our boss at 2 pm today so as the new manager of HR you have to come too." I just nodded to her still in shocked and she then said goodbye.

The meeting ended good. Mr. Farris, our company's owner acknowledge me as the new manager and thanking Mrs. Roddick for her service and dedication to the company.

Lastly, Mr. Farris said his thank you and goodbye because he said, Keller Industries will gonna operate the whole company next month.

I felt emotional as we bid both Mr. Farris and Mrs. Roddick goodbye. They've been so kind and very caring employers to all of us after all.

My whole week was, I must say, has been so intense. I spent it working as the new manager, and it's not easy. Like I heard something like I got it because I did the other way around.

Well, I can't tell everybody that I work hard for three years here to get what I have now. I just don't have the time!

And also the most terrifying idea, that in maybe less than a month, I will have to face him again. I don't think I'm ready or will I ever be ready for that. And that thought still bring me over the edge.

Good thing the first week of my children in school was quite okay. I bring them to school every morning then my dad pick them up in the afternoon.

"Mommy, you look so tired! You need to rest!" Jacob said bringing my spirit back to our dining table. He's always been the sweetest and very sensible person I know for his age.

"yes Mommy! Maybe you work a lot now." Tara added though I felt she just took a ride into her brother's words. 

"I'm okay my babies. As long as I'm with you I'll be fine." I told them gladly.

My twins though their looks are almost identical, they have different personalities. Jacob sometimes can be sweet and loving but also he has a tendency to get annoyed and irritated  instantly. 

While Tara on the other hand is a very patient girl. She can be sweet too when she wants, but most of the time, she can be full of herself. She tends to speak what's in her mind and don't get shy easily.

But they are mine so I can only say that they are both loving and caring children!

"Mom, when is our Daddy gonna come back? My classmates have their dad bringing or picking them up in school. They even ask me where is my dad? I told them he's working abroad, right Mommy?" Tara said innocently which made me remember this fear I've been holding for a long time.

"but of course Tara! He's already excited to see you guys but his works still can't and won't allow him to go back here for now." I said looking at my dad for some needed help.

I used to tell them both that their dad is working abroad but his contract says he has to stay there for fifteen years straight. I thought that's enough time that my children can digest the real reason why their dad has never been present in our lives when I will try to explain it to them one day.

"I'm done with my meal. I think I want some ice cream now. You want too Jacob, Tara?" my dad said chirpily which instantly brighten their faces. 

I just thank him through my smile.