~Christian~Just as I was about to board my waiting vehicle, Audrey Hepburn crossed my path, a coy smile on his face. 'Well, well. Congratulations brother. I couldn't let you leave without telling you one.' His tone was mocking rather than congratulatory. I snickered disapprovingly without saying a word. He sized me up. 'So, what am I supposed to address you as now? HEIR. Christian Forbes?' he added spitefully, emphasizing on the word 'Heir' aggressively. 'Now that you have most of our father's share and the legal head of Forbes Consortium, the respect should be accorded to you, right?''If you've got nothing to say, step aside. I have somewhere to be' I grimaced, sickened with his childish display 'How did the News about my unborn child go with you?'Somehow, I knew the conversation was going to lead here. For Crissakes I've no strength to deal with this or him.I ignored and walked past him. Our shoulders hit each other as I did so.'It's so sad she wouldn't be working for you an
~Lauren~It was my first time visiting the 'Forbes exclusive mansion', as they call it. It was similar to the ones displayed and seen on magazines, news papers, TVs e t c. Everything about it screamed luxury. The air itself had a floral scent. Several guards were by the gate, few within in the mansion, standing in positions as if waiting for an opportunity to charge at unwanted visitors. I was thoroughly examined before allowed to go further into the compound. Interlocks were arranged neatly on the ground, a water fountain was located in the center of the compound. A guard led me to the main entrance of the mansion, handing me over to a short, stout maid by the door.'Miss Lauren Palmer, I presume' she uttered the instant she saw me. I nodded, concurring to her conclusion. She smiled, revealing her lost, two front teeth. 'Well, Mrs. Forbes is in her study, waiting for your presence.' she mentioned. 'I'll lead you there but please give me a moment''Sure ma'am'. I nodded politely, wat
~Lauren~The maid arrived in less than ten minutes, placing the steaming coffee right in front of us.'Thank you..' I mouthed then position my palm on either side of the mug, allowing the steam to warm them.I recalled the picture from the front room again. It was her. There was no doubt about that. 'Is there anything you want to tell me?' Mrs. Forbes silently questioned,. slurping her coffee.It was as if she was reading through my mind. I had tons of questions to ask her. What was the picture of the woman doing in here? How come she's related to this family?.Does she stay here? Had she been this close all along? A surge of anger burst through me and the memory from years ago started to play out in front of me... 'Lauren?'I waved my thoughts off, concentrating on the present. I couldn't act weird and start throwing my questions now. I might either be thrown out of here, prohibited from coming in or earn myself a strained relationship with this woman in front of me. I couldn't affo
~Christian~The next moment she laid in my arms, feet curled up on my thighs as she sobbed quietly into my chest. I almost forgot. One thing she has proven to be scared of was the sound of thunder or lightening. Last time I asked, she associated the cause of the phobia to her childhood days. She was traumatized. She is still traumatized. Whatever annoyance I had left towards her, earlier, dissipated as I tried to soothe her in every way possible. Her shoulders slumped and I felt her stiffened body relax a bit..'Do you feel better?' She nodded against my chest, refusing to look up at me. The heavy rain already subsided and it was back to drizzling now. The sky was getting clear again. My body was aware of everything. Her soft breath on my skin, the tiny movements of her chest as they heaved up and down, the way her slender fingers gripped the nape of my shirt tightly like I'd disappear if she lets go. I wrapped my arms around her. Held her close to myself, breathed in the fresh scent
~Christian~Another hectic week was wrapping up. The media wouldn't stop talking about my new official title as the Forbes' heir, reminding the world about how fake Audrey Hepburn is. Some even went as far as making an article, a small piece based on our little family drama. The attention was too much on both of us. Positive for me, Negative for him and for the first time, I feel bad for him. I bumped into another article less than six minutes ago. Where the writer brought to lime light the strained relationship of two step brothers, how the Chairman was an ingrate for choosing me as the official heir after Audrey had been with him all his life. The article was irritating itself and when I searched for the author's pseudonym, I completely lost it. The same who always had unfriendly things to say about anything concerning the Forbes. This author has been doing it for long, before I stepped into the picture, it was something I personally figured out. I wondered whether the chairman has
~Lauren~We sat across each other, the atmosphere charged and I was certain I'm not the only one feeling that. Neither of us was willing to touch the feast of meal laid out on the table. Instead we sat in complete silence. The silence was heavy, almost weighing down my shoulders. I tucked a stubborn strand of my hair beneath my ear the umpteenth time, annoyed that it wouldn't stay in place. I felt his intense glare on me which made me become aware of myself. My body tingled when I sensed perspiration grinding down my chest onto my cleavage. His eyes followed. I shifted in my seat, Heaved a last deep sigh then broke the silence.'You should eat something instead of ogling... at me.' I grabbed a fork to stab a piece of fish ruthlessly.'I don't think I want to stop ogling.. if that's what you now call a mere, harmless stare' Sarcasm laced his words.I bit insides of my cheeks, fighting the embarrassment that accompanied his denial. 'I don't appreciate your 'mere, harmless' stare. They a
~Christian~The weather today was chilly, cold. It was getting close to winter so it was understandable. I shut my car's door quite aggressively. Today, I drove down alone, giving my driver the opportunity to have the day to himself. I entered the small pub, warmth embracing me right from the entrance. The small furnace at one corner of the pub provided heat to the place.Virtually seeking the chairman, I finally found him in a dark corner where he continually rocked his chair, delightfully watching the scene in front of him. His eyes lit a sparkle when an equally old man offered to pour more Turkish coffee into his cup. I realized over the few months that that was his favorite. He smiled, nodding approvingly of the act. I finally walked up to where he sat, giving him the privilege to notice me in the pub. It was a room filled with elderly men and women. They seemed to be enjoying the solo music being sang by a couple in the center of the room. 'There you are!' his eyes disappeared i
Christian~Getting to deal with Lauren's obstinacy the whole week was beyond exhausting for me. I've tried every possible measures to persuade her to move into the new apartment I got on a lease just for her and Aiden's sake. I had personally went in search for this apartment, furnished it with the necessary equipments and utility. It was a shame that she kept rejecting it without remorse. 'I don't need you to pity us, Christian. We're doing very fine here' those were the words that replied mine the day I told her about it.I tried to convince her, say everything enough to convince her I didn't do it for pity but for the safety of Aiden and her but it was all to no avail.