The Wallflower's Revenge

Chapter 32: The will of love

"Denysse, any thoughts about the new wife of dad?"

"Honestly speaking, I won't mind at all. If she could take good care of our father, then it's okay I guess."

"You're always acting stupid." Deiana couldn't help but to glare at her sister as she rolled her eyes. They were sitting in front of each other as they had their breakfast from Deiana's favorite restaurant.

"You know what? If you can't accept her, then don't force others to dislike her, too. You have your opinion, I have mine."

"Okay. I apologize for asking it." She said while slicing her waffles with a fork and knife. Then, she chewed it slowly as she avoided Denysse's gaze.

"Of all places, you're always going here every time we go home. I am suggesting exquisite restaurants to choose from, yet you've always wanted to eat here."

"Don't talk when your mouth is full." She answered her sister with sarcasm.

"Why? What I am saying is true. If I am acting stupid for my honest opinion, then you're the one whose acting cheap."

"Lilian, do you think we should consult another doctor aside from Dr. Rimes?" 

"Ma'am, Dr. Rimes is the family doctor for more than ten years. I guess Deiana and Denysse will worry if we will do that." I looked at my personal maid's expression.

She's right. I know it will create a buzz when I'll do it but seeing my husband, I noticed he's getting weaker as weeks goes by.

It's like he's not getting stronger day by day. Last few months before Deiana and Denysse came from the U.S.A, he could still walk like a young man. Now, he's already dependent on his wheelchair. He couldn't walk anymore like he used to. And that's something I worry the most.

"I am worrying about his health. However, he trusted his daughters so who am I to stop them?" Lilian looked at me as I sighed. She held both of my hands as if comforting me right now.

"Ma'am, let us just trust Denysse and Deiana. I am sure they only think of their father's health more than anything."

"I understand but then I noticed his health is deteriorating. As I observed, it's not normal anymore because of his age as well."

"Don't worry ma'am, I will ask Ms. Denysse about this one. I will update you as soon as possible." Lilian nodded.

"Thank you so much, dear."

"The pleasure is mine. Do you have anything else before I leave this room?"

"Where's Dustin?" I smiled as I asked her. We both looked at the door because someone was knocking three times before she entered.

"Mommy!" Dustin exclaimed. Deiana giggled as soon as she gently let Dustin stand on the carpeted floor of our room. He slowly ran into me and hugged me tight.

"That little baby is disturbing her beautiful sister..." As soon as my baby heard it, he turned his back to Deiana who was laughing.

"No, mommy." 

"Miranda, don't worry. I never mind at all." She winked at Dustin and my baby ran to her again. She gladly carried him in his arms.

"Oh my, Dustin is heavy, Deiana. I am so sorry."

"Of course, I am taking care of my baby brother. I will never let him get thin." I couldn't help but laugh. I never thought they'll develop that kind of relationship with each other.

We all stopped when one of my personal maids shouted on top of her lungs. It came from our room. Deiana left Dustin to one of the maids along the hallway. We both rushed to where the sound came from.

"Daddy!" Deiana shook her dad's body but he seemed lifeless.

"Ma'am, Mr. Reike is not moving from his bed. He's not breathing anymore." The maids were all crying while looking at Deiana who was wailing aloud.

As soon as I heard it, I felt dizzy. It's like my world is shattering apart and everything went black.

When I opened my eyes, Lilian sat beside me with swollen eyes. I met her gaze as she held my hand. I couldn't stop myself from crying as soon as I saw her.

So it is not a dream, after all. The man who loved everything about me died without me by his side.

"Ma'am, Dr. Rimes said that Mr. Reike died because of cardiac arrest."

"It's all my fault. I never stayed by his side."

"Ma'am, please don't say that. Nobody wanted that thing to happen. We don't want him to die. It's not your fault. Please be at ease."

I hugged Lilian tight. "Please give me Dustin right now." My personal maid gave me my baby and he is now sleeping peacefully on my arms. His delicate, round face, cute nose and adorable mouth...these qualities somehow made me feel that I am not alone in this world. I still have my baby after the loss of my husband.

The funeral rites were only attended by one hundred people as my request. Many VIPs and colleagues came to witness as he laid to rest after seven days of necrological service at the grand mansion. The two sisters were distant to me after their father died, especially Deiana.

I have this feeling that she's somehow blaming me for the death of their father. Even me, I couldn't believe that he will be gone from me. The times that we shared were quite short.

A month after Khalid Reike, my husband's death, his personal lawyer called all our attention. This is concerning the last will and testament that he left from all of us. We were all seated in front of each other. The two sisters were seated on the left side of the long table, facing me. While I am seated facing them, with my husband's lawyer beside me.

My heart raced fast when the lawyer finished reading everything from my husband's last will and testament. He left me with fifty percent of all the properties he had, namely the Empire Reike hotels and casino based on Singapore, the Reike Jewelries, coffee shops, banks and telecommunication companies under him. He also left the grand mansion to me. He funded one million dollars for our joint business that still has no name yet.

While each of his two daughters has twenty-five percent of his total properties.

"Can you believe that, Denysse? That w***e had more than what we had!" She said, slamming the table with her hand as she stood up. Denysse looked at me with a blank expression while holding Deiana's hand to stop her from what she's doing.

"W-Why, Mr. Phelps? Why did father give fifty percent to her? As what we knew, our inheritance will be forty percent each." Denysse calmly explained their side. I am only shifting my gaze to the family lawyer and to the two sisters. They both look at me as if they want to roast me alive.

"He changed his last will and testament three years ago, after he married Ms. Miranda. She is considered his new spouse that's why she has the right to have that percentage of the inheritance. This is already done and irrevocable."

"Shut up." She responded as she took a sip of her favorite strawberry milkshake. A lot of people around them could tell their unique fashion sense. They were almost the only people in the room that's eye-catching because of their beauty.

Denysse couldn't help but look around as she noticed the way other people look at them, especially from the table with most guys seated. She leaned closer to her sister who was focusing to chew her food slowly.

"Gosh look at that...it's too awkward. We're already getting the attention of most people inside this place. Can we just eat somewhere else?"

"Treat that as a compliment. You are just being noticed as a superstar, how'd you like that?"

"I am not like you. You're used to seeing people and admiring you face-to-face while me? I want to melt."

"If you go with me, please expect that you'll experience it as normal as it is."

"Gosh I know what to do next time." Denysse grunted quietly as she continued her pasta and coffee quietly.

As they were eating facing each other, Deiana caught someone in her peripheral vision. It's a fine-looking gentleman eating alone on the table. Her heart fluttered all of a sudden.

"What's wrong?" Denysse asked her because she's  stunned for a moment as she quickly avoided her gaze at him.

And, no doubt, it was indeed Alexander, her ex-boyfriend! Why is he eating breakfast at this place? Deiana couldn't help but think of him not moving on from her yet. Just like what Denysse is asking her, why here? Of all places?

Knowing how her heart acted when she saw Alexander again for more than three years, she realized that she still had feelings for him, too.

"Denysse, please eat faster. We'll get out from here." She leaned closer and whispered to her sister's face.

"Huh? Why? I never understand you, Deiana...a while ago, you didn't even want to stand up from your seat and now, you want me to hurry up? You're totally out of your mind."

"If you're not going to hurry up, I will leave you here." She attempted to stand up and it made Deiana pull her arm all of a sudden. It made her sit down again as she sighed.

Good thing, Alexander's table is a little far from where they are right now.

"I'm done," As soon as Denysse told her that, she pulled her as they went outside to a different exit place next to where their table is.

"What is wrong with you?" Denysse almost yelled at her that made her cry in front of her all of a sudden.

"He's there...a while ago." She said between sobs. Denysse gave her a sympathetic look as she gently rubbed her back.

"Who's who? Who is he?" Deiana looked at her in the eyes. She leaned closer to her face. She knew this familiar feeling of melancholy coming from her sister with the same guy almost three years ago. She just wanted to make sure that's why she's asking this question from her.

"Alexander?" Deiana slowly met her eyes. When their gazes locked, she nodded. A sigh escaped Denysse's mouth as she looked at her eldest sister. She knew it!

"Now I know the reason why you wanted to eat in that restaurant. Did you assume that he'll be here as soon as you stepped on that door?" She nodded again for the second time. Denysse wanted to laugh because her tough, eldest sister is being soft-hearted right at this time. She's not used to it.

She's used to seeing her eldest sister as the tough cookie. Arrogant, self-centered brat most of the time...who would have thought that she'll act this way?

"My goodness, you're beautiful and wealthy. You can even buy a guy for yourself if you wanted." She joked around. She expected that Deiana would laugh at it but instead, she received a death glare in return.

She raised her hands as if wanting to give her an 'I surrender' hand sign by opening both of her palms as she showed it right in front of her face.

"You never heard anything from me, ever."

She started the engine as she wiped her tears using the facial tissue placed in front of them. Denysse is sitting beside her on the front seat of her car.

"Fasten your seatbelt...we will fly." She even tapped her hands playfully on the steering wheel as she looked at the peaceful road.

"Hey sis, if you plan to suicide, please don't include me. I still have a lot of patients at the hospital for my night shift." Denysse reminded her. She just grinned in response. In a matter of less than a minute, they were already 60 km/ph.

"Too much love could literally kill us. Please slow down!" Denysse yelled as she wanted to get the steering wheel to control it for Deiana. Maybe, she  had already lost her sanity from the restaurant that she's acting this way.

The car moved from left to right as the steering wheel was being grabbed by both of them. The car went a zigzag motion on the road as it ran at a quick pace.

When Deiana stopped the car, Denysse almost bumped her head on her shoulders. Deiana cried in pain as she held her right shoulder blade while Denysse held her forehead.

"I really hate you when you fall in love. My love advice for you is to stay single and choose to live. Unlike what you're doing right now, I want to disown you as my sister any time."

Instead of responding, she hugged her sister sidewards.

"Thank you so much, Denysse."

"Denysse, here are the medicines for dad."

She looked at her eyes as she received it. Deiana smiled and tapped her shoulders.

"Thank you. You're really thoughtful, Deiana. I am sure dad will love it when he will know that you're personally coordinating with our family doctor for his health."

"Our dad is getting old. I know you're also busy with your patients in our family hospital. Miranda is also busy with our brother that's why I bothered myself to attend to dad's supplements."

"Wait, am I hearing it correctly? Brother? Since when did you consider Dustin as our brother?"

"He's adorable. I happened to bump with him while he was playing with the maids on the lawn. Instead of shopping, I played with him almost half of the day until lunch time." She grinned at Denysse. From her expression, she's learning to be fond of Dustin more.

"Wow! I am happy to hear that, Deiana!" Denysse couldn't help hugging her sister. Deiana rolled her eyes as she sighed.

"It's his fault. I am a victim of his being 'too cute to be ignored' kind of look."

"Yeah, I considered myself a victim of him, too." Denysse giggled as they did a high-five. Deiana went to his dad's room and knocked three times as she sighed. She even put her hand on her hips.

Surprisingly, it's her personal maid nurse who opened the door for her. They're with him and not Miranda. She roamed her gaze around the room because she wanted to find her but she's not there.

"Well, I didn't expect that she's not here. Where's my stepmom?" She gently said to her father that changed the reaction of all the people who were there with him.

"Am I hearing it correctly, my dear?" She can see her dad having misty eyes as soon as he heard it.

"Yes, dad. I realized that she's taking good care of you and you're happily in love with her. Who am I to stop it? If she makes you feel stronger, then I will treat her right this time." He opened both of his arms as if wanting to embrace Deiana. She walked fast towards where her dad was. They shared a sweet embrace. As her father let her go, his smile is really sweet and pure.

"I am glad that you're thinking about these things."

"I am thinking that it is your happiness that truly matters the most. Who am I to prevent you? Denysse told me everything and I realized I am becoming too harsh for you, dad."

She hugged her dad tight and Mr. Reike couldn't help but be excited that Deiana will accept Miranda at last.

"By the way, where's Miranda?"

"She's in the dining hall my dear. She will bake cookies and cakes for the midday snacks."

"Hmm, that's why I can't see stepmom. She should be the one to take care of you, right?" She smiled as she tapped her father's shoulders. Mr. Reike held both of her hands as she looked up to her.

"She loves to cook and bake. I am letting her do what she loves the most. She'll be happy to know that you're considering her as your mom."

"Well, if she's making you happy and in love. Good thing she's learning a lot in baking and cooking, too."

Mr. Reike pushed his wheelchair towards her as she held both of her hands.

"My dearest Deiana, I am thinking of you to become the model of my latest project."

"Sure, dad. You know I will always support you, right?"

"Thank you, dear. It's a joint project I proposed with Miranda." She smiled at her dad but she secretly closed her fist.

"Oh, I see. So, she's also into business, huh?"

"Yes. I can see her enthusiasm when it comes to fashion shows I am thinking of putting up a business that would match her likes."

"Tell me when's the photoshoot. I will have to adjust my schedules to that, dad."

"This is great news. You never knew how you made me happy, my dear."

She just smiled but deep down, it added up to what she felt towards Miranda. A grudge that she thinks impossible to remove from her system. This specific feeling she's only reserving for her stepmom.

After two hours, Miranda went back to their room to tell her husband that everything is ready. When she saw Deiana smiling at her, she couldn't help but fear what she's showing her. Mr. Reike told her everything and Deiana offered her hand for a handshake. She gasped a bit when Deiana grip her hand tight as she smiled.

She let go and showed her smile but she's not convinced about it. As she looked into her eyes, she could sense that something was going on. It's like her motives were opposite to what she's showing right now.

"Shall we go to the dining hall now? I am excited to taste your cookies and cakes, mom." She even emphasized the last word which made Mr. Reike chuckle a bit. Her husband is a bit happier now but she's doubting everything. She could feel it within her.

They went downstairs and she is assisting her husband as she is holding his hand on the other side while Miranda is holding on the other.

"Dad, how are you feeling?" Deiana asked him as they were on their way to the dining hall.

"I feel weak, I don't know why..." Mr. Reike scratched his head as he chuckled. Miranda could see Deiana and her worried face.

"Do you take your supplements?"

"Yes. Denysse is giving them to me but I guess I am not feeling any effects at all."

"Oh dad, I guess you're taking it the first time. Just continue your vitamins. I guess it will take effect after two to three days." As Deiana said that, she's looking at Miranda and grinned. It gave Miranda goosebumps like never before. 

This easy reconcilement between them is such a bother to her that she couldn't even understand himself.

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