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1076 Words
“Mummy!” My daughter, Imogen Red jumped right into my arms the second I walked in.
“Hey, beautiful.” I gave her cheek a peck. “How was your day?”
“Great! Uncle Leo allowed me to watch TV.”
“We had an agreement, Imogen.” Leo said, leaning on the railing. “I distract your mother and you don’t expose me.”
“Oh. Sorry.” She giggled either way.
“You better me.” He walked down the stairs, then smiled at me. “So, how many fake smiles did you survive tonight?”
“More than the last time.” I shook my head. “It was boring. As usual.”
He chuckled. “You always say that.”
“‘Cause it's true.” I set my daughter down. “Thanks for watching Imogen while I was gone.”
He brushed it off with a wave. “Anyways, I saw what's trending.”
“What's that?” I threw the heels off, then went to lay on the couch, not surprised when my clingy daughter followed, laying on my legs. She was cute when she did that.
“You and Drex.”
“It's trending already? They really don't take a break.”
“Why're you not bothered? Everyone's probably seeing the video.”
I just shrugged. “They'll feed on something else when they get tired.”
“Lisa…”
“Just let it be.” Leo had that habit of letting things get to his head too much.
He slipped his hands into his pocket, watching me carefully. “I'm just thinking… if you're not comfortable having Drex this close, then you can just cancel the deal. It's really not that important.”
“I'm not losing half a billion dollar deal just because of some guy I barely knew.”
“But—”
“There's no ‘but'. Now, just drop it.”
He exhaled, then nodded once. “Alright. I’ll mind my business. For now.”
I didn't even bother to reply.
“Rachel says you're going somewhere tomorrow.”
“Yeah.” I was scrolling through my phone now.
“I don't have anywhere to be so you can drop Imogen over again.”
A grateful smile pulled up my lips and I turned to him. “Thanks.”
“Anytime.” He grabbed his cap. “I'll get going now. Bye, Imogen.”
“Bye!” She giggled when he winked at her.
“Bye.” I said, and watched him leave, before getting off the couch. “Alright love, it's time for you to go to bed.”
“Okay mummy,” she allowed me to take her hand, and we walked up the stairs together.
••
I woke up early the next day, brushed and showered, before dressing in a dark green strapless top over a black blazer with black palazzo pants, and heels that made me a good four inches taller.
After getting Imogen ready, I drove her to Leo's place, before leaving for work.
The company was not as huge as my main branch in New York, but I could still do with it.
By one that afternoon, I got into my car, started it and drove straight to the one place I hadn't been in five years already. Not before buying a bouquet of flowers though.
When I stopped the car, I drew in a large amount of breath, before getting down.
Then my feet moved me inside.
Into the cemetery.
Until I stopped by the stone:
*Beloved memory
Sarah Monty Rajel
1975 to 2002*
A soft sigh left my lips, because when was the last time I visited here?
Ever since I was a teenager, I always visited every day on her birthday, which was funny, because most people would expect me to hate my mother for abandoning me as a child, and leaving me to live in that rotten house.
But I just couldn't. Because a part of me knew whatever story my dad told… wasn't the full story.
“Hey, mom. It's been long, hasn't it?” I muttered, then laughed under my breath. I was starting to see this as a silly action.
It wasn't enough to make me stop though.
“Sorry I couldn't come all these years, it's just… I've been gathering myself, you know?” I smiled. “And now, I return as a woman way better than who I used to be.
“I own one of the biggest industries in the US, and I have nice friends. It wasn't easy, but I made it.”
To be honest, it was harder than not being easy.
Five years ago, Leo had suggested I move to the US since that was where he lived. He was even nice enough to accommodate me, because I was basically penniless.
Rachel had been sweet enough to follow (although it was mainly because her boyfriend lives there), and the two assisted in building me.
When I started the design industry, I never imagined becoming this successful.
I didn't even think I would earn millions, not to talk of becoming a billionaire.
But now… “Dad used to pride on how I'd be nothing without him or his money.” I huffed. “Well look at me. Someone's literally offering me five hundred million just to collaborate with them. That's nice, isn't it?”
“And you want to know the best part?” My fingers brushed the stone lightly. “I have the most beautiful daughter. You're actually a grandma, mom.”
I smiled. “I'd have brought her with, but I'm still keeping her from the media. For now, at least.”
Being pregnant was one of the reasons I left California. I just couldn't risk Drex finding out.
For all I knew, if they could leave me to die, then knowing I had a part of him could make them do worse.
“Even if he ever finds out, I'm still not letting him play a role in her life. She is…”
Footsteps from behind made me trail off.
I turned sharply, brows dropping the second I noticed Drex.
He was there. Standing a few feet away.
My breath held as he froze, eyes meeting mine.
At that moment, I couldn't care why he was there.
Only one question filled my head.
Did he hear what I was saying?
- Writer
