The Boss in New York

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen:

Today felt like a great day. It's just one of those days where you wake up on the 'right side of the bed'. Last night felt amazing - magical. I cannot believe that the man everyone wants is mine. And boy, he is amazing!

I was currently browsing online in Brendan's office at home, wrapped around his white, thin blanket from his bed. I heard the door open and he came inside.

"Ah, so this is where you are," He chuckled and his eyes lit up as soon as he saw me sitting on his chair with nothing but his blanket wrapped around me. He came up to the table and sat on the table, opposite me. "What are you doing?"

I shook my head and shut the laptop's lid close. "Nothing."

He sighed. "Kristine, last night was amazing - " I smiled. "But if you're going to keep secrets from me then I might think that you're still with those - those liars."

I shut my eyes completely. I opened the laptop and turned it to show him.

His face turned serious as soon as he saw what I was doing. "You weren't going tell me about this, we're you?" He asked sadly.

"I was going to tell you but I just had to make sure."

"How did you access this in the first place?" Brendan asked.

"It's called the Internet."

He rolled his eyes. "I'm coming with you," He stated.

Was he out of his mind? He's a busy man. I can't let him come with me and miss out large opportunities that may come while we're gone. It won't be hard to find my family, right? I hope that the website is up-to-date, however. But I won't give up.

My eyes widen. "No, you don't have to do that!"

He smirked at me. "Yeah, I do." He walked around the table and he took me in his arms.

"No, you don't," I protested once again.

He raised his eyebrow. "Are you trying to get rid of me?"

"No!" I blurted out, "Of course not. I just don't want to interfere with your work."

He snorted. "I think it's time for Josh to actually participate and attend meetings."

I was confused. "I thought he works for you?"

"It's more of him doing his own thing and not being any use to the company," He put on a sour face.

I chuckled. I considered him coming along. It wouldn't hurt, right? And besides, I may not stay for long. They gave me away but that won't stop me from seeing them finally. "I would really like you to be there."

He grinned. "Great. I'll get the plane ready."

I raised my eyebrow.

He groaned. "Come on! I'm a guy with, um, resources," He winked.

I rolled my eyes. "Fine, whatever. When do we leave?"

"Whenever you want."

"Tomorrow," I whispered.

He kissed my forehead and wrapped his arms around my waist, his chin resting on my head. "Then it is set."

I smiled and then the events of this morning flashed through my head. He had someone sent up room service. It was really sweet how he had set it up and surprised me with breakfast in bed. Also, after that, we had some morning fun… if you know what I mean.

"Thank you for this morning, by the way," I said gratefully.

"Which part?" He asked playfully. I knew he had a smirk on.

I playfully slapped his chest. "Just the part."

"Please, refresh my memory,” he cheekily said, wrapping his arms around my waist while his forehead is resting onto mine.

I laughed.

"That's a nice sound,' He complimented, giving me kisses on the cheek.

I blushed. "My laugh?"

"Mhmm."

And he kissed me.

~

"Kristine, babe, are you okay?" Brendan asked me.

I looked up at the snow-covered house. It was an old bricked European townhouse with stairs going up to the door.

"Maybe we should just go," I said throatily.

Brendan sighed. He rested his hands on my shoulders and looked into my eyes. "We have come this far, Kristine. Don't make this the biggest regret of your life. I'm here for you and I don't mind if we come back here all the time. I'm here with you and for you. Always," He kissed my forehead.

I felt tears starting to fall from my eyes. "But I can't do it! What if they don't want to see me ever again? They gave me away, remember?" I said exasperated. I looked at the house.

He sighed. "Kristine, they will love you. What's there not to love?"

I looked up at his perfect blue eyes. He loves me?

"You have the greatest personality ever. You have a beautiful smile, laugh, and heart. I am a lucky man to have you. I want you and your family to be together."

I nodded. "Can you please knock for me? My hands are frozen," I pouted.

He chuckled and kissed my forehead once again. "Of course, my love."

I blushed and started to walk towards the door.

Brendan rang the bell and then knocked. I hastily gripped his hand and I felt him look at me.

"It's going to be fine," He told reassuringly.

"I trust you," I whispered.

I looked at him and saw his dashing grin.

The door opened and my heart instantly stopped. A woman with dirty blonde hair and blue eyes came in our view. Is this my mother? She looked like the exact replica of me. She wore a grey sweater, a black beanie, and a green scarf with black tights and fuzzy slippers.

"Hi," I greeted. "Do you speak English?"

She cleared her throat. Her eyes showed confusion. "Yes, how may I help you?" She asked in a thick Dutch accent.

"Is your last name Jansen?" I asked.

She nodded. "I am Helena Jansen. What can I do for you?"

I froze. What if this is my mother? I felt Brendan squeeze my hand. I was numb. It was almost impossible for me to feel his touch.

"What was your daughter’s name?" I asked her.

"Arabella Jansen, why is that?"

I closed my eyes briefly. Is this the wrong woman?

"Do you have another daughter?" It was Brendan's turn to ask her.

I looked at him and his face showed seriousness. I'm really glad he was here with me right now or else I would've broken down on the cold, winter street.

"Kristine," She whispered. "Kristina."

I gasped.

"Kristine or Kristina?" Brendan asked.

"We called her Kristina. Her name on birth certificate Kristine."

"Oh my god," I broke down. I turned around and let go of Brendan's hold. I walked down the stairs.

"Kristine, wait!" Brendan called out. "Excuse me," I heard him tell her.

He grabbed me gently and made me look at him. I already had tears flowing down my face.

"Kristine, baby, isn't this what you wanted?"

I nodded.

"Then why are you crying?" He asked, wiping my tears away.

"Because I can't take it! I thought I could. But I can't! It's hard, Brendan, it's hard," I gushed.

He hugged me. "Shh, it's okay."

I buried my head on his chest. "The feeling of having a huge part of your life taken away from you feels horrible."

"Shh, baby, it's okay. Everything will be alright. Please, talk to her and sort everything out. Everything will be fine," He soothed.

"Don't go," I whispered.

"Never. You can't make me leave anymore, no matter what happens."

"I'm glad." I pecked him on the lips.

We ascended the stairs again and stood at the porch.

"I'm sorry for running off like that. That was quite rude - " I tried to apologize.

"Kristina?" She asked.

"When is my birthday?" I asked her.

"September 29, 1991," She answered.

I felt my eyes sting. She was right. "Why did you leave me?" I asked ever so quietly.

"We did not leave you. You were stolen from us."

I looked at her confused. "What do you mean?"

She sighed. "I think it better for you come in. The fire is on, it will be much warmer."

I nodded. She opened the door wider and we stepped in her home. We took off our wet shoes and followed her to the small living room.

The living room was small and simple. It had the couches against the wall and the tv opposite it. There were a few photos up on the wall of her family.

"Please, sit down," She offered.

I sat down on the floral couch and Brendan sat next to me, holding my hand on my thigh.

"You two dating?" She asked.

I nodded. "So, what happened?" I asked, wanting to go straight to the point."

She sighed. "Luke was my husband. He was your father. He was an alcoholic and he decide to give you away because he did not want to use the money on you. We were not poor. We were okay. He wanted to use the money for his beer. I never wanted to give you away. He said he did not remember where he gave you away. I tried to look for you, call the police, but they no find you," She explained.

I knew I had tears. I felt Brendan drawing circles around my hand. It was soothing.

However, that doesn't change the fact that my father was an alcoholic and gave me away. How cruel is that? I shook my head mentally.

"You said he was your husband?" I asked, trying to clear things up.

"I am a single mother. He left and divorced me a few years after you gone. You have a younger sister. That why he left," She explained.

"Where is Arabelle?" I asked. That is her name, right?

"Arabella," She corrected me.

"Sorry," I mumbled.

"She is at work right now."

I nodded. The woman in front of me is my biological mother. I've been living with people who have lied to my face. How messed up is that?

"Mom," I whispered.

"Oh, Kristina," She cried out.

I went up to her and gave her a hug. This was a mother's hug. And I loved it.

"I finally found you," She said. "I thought you were dead!"

"No, I'm here. I'm safe. I'm home."

And that's when I finally felt at home.