Rose’s appearance set off a metaphorical bomb in the room. “No, it can't be you,” Miriam said, her voice barely above a whisper.They all stared at her like she was a ghost that manifested in front of them. No one moved; it was as if they feared that if they moved, Rose would disappear.“I don't believe it... Is it really you?” Rachel voiced out.Rose nodded. “Believe it, it's me, sister.” She smiled at her sister.Rachel couldn't control herself anymore; she rushed to Rose and hugged her tightly. “It's really you... You're here; you're really here.”“Aunty!” Camila finally found her voice, and she joined the embrace, hugging both her mother and her aunt.Biting back tears, Rose embraced them back, saying, “I'm sorry I ran away, but I'm back now.” she said.She released herself from their embrace and then walked over to Amelia. ''Baby,” she said as he placed a gentle hand on her cheek, her voice shaky. “I'm back, and I'm never leaving again, I swear." She hugged Amelia, and Amelia me
"Aaaaah,” the women let out gut wrenching screams as Miriam's limp body fell to the ground in a pool of her own blood.One of the officers crouched down to check Miriam’s pulse. “She has a pulse; she's still alive.” The officer said, “Get medical assistance here now!” The officer barked into his radio.Amelia clung to Jason like a little girl, her tears staining his suit jacket as she sobbed into it. “She..she…” She tried to form a sentence, but she choked on the words."Oh, my love,” Rose said with tears streaming down her face as she comfortingly stroked Amelia’s arm.Rachel and Camila were also a sobbing mess, holding each other for support as they cried.The paramedics arrived at the scene swiftly, pushing through the crowd of officers and family members to reach Miriam. They knelt beside her, working quickly to stabilise her condition.Jason stood in shock, watching them carry her away as he absentmindedly stroked Amelia’s shoulder. He did not expect things to end this way. He wa
It had been a day since Miriam passed away.Immediately after she died, Jason, Amelia, Camila, Rachel, and Rose were brought in for questioning.They gave the police all the details, and Jason and Amelia chose not to press charges against Rachel and Camila, provided that they sought professional mental help.During Jason’s questioning, he insisted that the police look into Miriam’s partner. He told them about her study and every other detail he could remember about her having an accomplice. The police promised they would look into it, but they also encouraged him to calm down and told him that the threats were over, but Jason was not convinced in the slightest. He was sure that whoever Miriam was working with would come to finish whatever plan they had.He kept replaying her final moments in his head and wondering what she was trying to tell him.The police were also of the opinion that Miriam was the one who organized the shootout, but Jason was not convinced of that either.He was
As Jason drove to the hospital, his mind was full of anticipation. He was incessantly tapping his feet as he drove. Out of all the things that bothered him, Lana's paternity was the most sensitive.Even though he didn’t plan to be a father at this time of his life, a part of him hoped that he was her father, and he didn’t know why. When he held her in his arms, he felt so warm, and she fit perfectly in them like she was made to be there.They finally arrived at the hospital, and Jason saw that Diana’s car was already parked in the parking lot. As he got out of the car, he felt the anxiety rise inside him. “Are you sure you’re okay waiting in the car?” he asked Reuben.“Yeah, this is an intimate moment for you two,” Reuben replied.Jason shut the door and dialled Diana’s number as he walked to the entrance so he could find out where she was, but he heard her phone ring from the distance. His eyes darted around till they landed on her figure; she was standing at the entrance of the hos
Back at the apartment, Jason ran into Amelia in the lobby. She was wheeling a rolling suitcase and had another luggage bag in her other hand.She greeted Jason, "Hi.” Jason replied, “Hi. How are you?”Amelia’s lips curled into a small smile that did not reach her eyes. “I'm trying to be okay. I'm going to my hometown for Miriam’s funeral.”“Have a nice trip." Jason’s tone was soft and genuine.There was something different to him about Amelia. Maybe it was the fact that now she wasn't being pressured to marry him, so unlike before, she didn't give him big awkward smiles or try so hard to win his affection. She could just be herself around him now, and Jason liked that much more.“Thank you,” Amelia said.“Honey, wait for me!” Rose called out from the end of the lobby.“Hurry up, Mom; the taxi is waiting for us,” Amelia said. Soon Rose was by her side, saying, “Sorry for taking so long." Her eyes darted to Jason. "Hello, Jason.”"Hi, Miss Marren,” Jason greeted.Rose took Jason’s han
That night, Jason stayed in a hotel like he had planned. It was the Starnac Hotel.The next day, he began his journey back to the city. He hadn’t opened the box of his mother's things; he was saving it for when he got to the apartment.On his way, he decided to stop at the car dealership to get the new car. He knew that if he didn't do it now, he wouldn't for a long time, so it was best if he just got it out of the way.He reached ‘Regal Motors’, the car dealership that Dario had recommended. The building had a sleek exterior that made it look sophisticated. There were large windows that allowed onlookers to catch a glimpse of the gleaming vehicles within. It was definitely a place reserved for the elite.As Jason entered, he was greeted by the sight of polished floors and rows of pristine cars. Sales representatives moved about with purpose, assisting customers who all looked like they were plucked straight out of a fashion magazine in their luxury clothing and accessories, a sharp c
The manager had given Jason his new car along with the car keys.“Timothy, let me drive you home,” Jason offered.Timothy looked at Jason with confusion etched across his face. “Young Master, I can't accept that; I'm the one who should be driving you home.”"No, I want to drive; I want to be the first one to drive the car, plus you came all this way,” Jason insisted.Timothy pondered Jason’s offer with furrowed brows. “Are you sure, Young Master?”“Yes… Remember what I brought up to you some time ago? I want us to talk about it.” Timothy knew exactly what Jason was talking about and how much it meant to him, so he nodded. "Okay, young master... But you really don't have to drive; I can.”"Timothy, get in, or I'm driving away," Jason said his tone was not authoritative; in fact, it was playful, but Timothy wasn't going to take any chances.He ordered the two men to drive the Escalades back to the garage before entering the passenger seat of Jason's new car.Before entering the car, Ja
As Jason drove back to the city, he felt his stomach grumble. He wanted to wait until he got to the apartment before eating, but he still had an hour and a half left of his drive, and he remembered the promise he made to himself that he wouldn't skip a meal because of what happened with Christopher.Thinking of Christopher, he remembered that he told Diana that he would try to reach him.A part of him was worried by the fact that Diana said that she couldn't reach him. Jason couldn't even imagine what kind of condition he was in or what he had gotten himself into.But another part of him was relieved to not have him around; after all, he had tried to kill him. Jason would've had him arrested if not for the fact that Cole would've gone down with him.Instead of a restaurant, Jason decided that he'd eat in the food court of a mall, so he could buy groceries and stock up the apartment.He arrived at the mall and parked his car in the parking lot. As he entered the mall and approached th