"No it can't be. Could this day not get any better." Darielle mutters.
Her nose tinged. The man wore a mask that covered only the scar on his right cheek.
With just a glance she could tell he was,
Mr Bruks!
The man that ruined her was in the same room. Escorting a woman to a table were they got comfortable.
I need to leave here I can't let him see me.
And most importantly he can't meet Alexander. Darielle thought to herself.
She gets up intending to leave, just then Alexander walks back in.
Your done?
Yes I am. can we go now?
Alexander nodes. He pays for the food.
And walks her out of the restaurant.
"Where is Diego?" Darielle notice he wasn't in the car.
"He had something important to attend."
Alexander closes the door.
"Mr Alexander Wright." A man's voice called from behind.
Alexander already opened the driver's door slightly, turns towards the voice.
The man walked towards him. I thought I had mistaken you but turns out it was you. How is the land coming along?
He reached out his hand toward Alexander Wright.
Alexander completely ignored the gesture, pretending not to see it.
"Mr Bruks koll the land is good"
Bruks's hand hung awkwardly in the air before he reluctantly pulled it back.
Darielle in the car heard the name and looked at the man beside Alex. Her face became pale instantly.
Darielle immediately turned her head towards the car window.
Why is the universe testing me? Darielle inwardly thought.
Though the windows were tinted. The driver's door was slightly open.
He would see her.
"I see you have another one", Mr Bruks koll sees a lady in his car. Due to her head in another direction he couldn't see her face.
Alexander furrows his brow, thin lines appearing on his forehead.
Another one? The bones on his jawline tightened.
Realizing he had misspoke,
"I mean, you know women are all over you. I'm guessing this one caught your eye."A smile appears on his face.
Alexander's cold gaze met his. His icy grey eyes sending shivers down Mr Bruks spine.
Alexander enters his car and drives off. Leaving the masked man standing there in silence.
Inside the car the atmosphere was tense.
What did they discuss?
Was it pertaining to her? No I doubt it
Mr Bruks would have confronted her.
"Alex is something wrong?" Darielle needed to know she wasn't cause of his sour mood.
"Just a petty issue." He replied casually.
But Mr Bruks words lingered in his mind.
-Another one-, knowing that man, he would only have the audacity to spill such nonsense if he knew something.
The drive back was quiet.
Alexander pulled up at the street side.
"Darielle I won't be around for a few weeks."
I have business outside the country.
Hearing his words her heart sank.
Ok, I understand. She managed to say.
Though she wanted him away, hearing it now, made her uncomfortable.
Alexander opened a partition in the car.
"Here,you can call me on this."
Darielle's eyes bulged out of her socket.
He bought her a phone.
"Alex," Darielle scratches the side of her head. I… umm… I can't .. accept it. I'm fixing my phone today.
She just came up with an excuse. Not expecting Alexander to get her a phone.
Call me on this till your phone is fixed. Alexander said flatly not waiting for no as he gave it to her.
Thank you. Darielle didn't want to push futther and just took it.
Take care. She said.
He responds with a thin smile.
She opens the door and was about to head out.
Darielle turned back at Alexander.
She stretches her hand, signaling she wanted to hug with a smile crept on her face. Her demaneur made her look adorable.
Though she looked exhausted. She still looked beautiful and this didn't escape Alexander's eye.
He embraced her. His huge body covering hers.
The first time they hugged for a while.
Darielle smiled like she won a lottery.
She felt so secure and….. what was the other feeling she felt, it felt weird but in a good way.
Alexander felt the fragile woman in his arms. Her soft skin and lavender scent left him in a daze.
He straightened up a little and left a tender kiss on her head.
Cute, I'll call you. He stares at her, her long lashes fluttering as he savoured the moment.
Mmm, bye. She steps out of the car and waves.
Alexander watches Darielle walk into the apartment.
He felt really drawn to her.
As he stared at her, images of a cute lady flashed through his eyes.
" Cute, I miss you. I've found someone that's you."
He punched the gas pedal and drove off.
In another car across the street, images of a man and woman in pictures, laid on the car chair. A man dialed a phone. The call connected,
" Ma'am the job is done"
"We'll meet tomorrow." A voice came through on the other end.
Yes ma'am. The call hung up.
Inside the apartment.
As Darielle got into the apartment she was all smiles.
She wore her slippers and walked into the living room.
"How was it."
Cecilia drowned in the couch. Stuffing herself with popcorn.
It was good. Darielle let's out a smile. As she tucks her hair behind her ear.
Hmm, is that a blush I see? Huh?
Darielle sits still smiling.
What blush. Darielle feigned ignorance.
Though her red nose and cheeks gave her away.
What's this? Cecilia grabs the bag from Darielle.
Seeing the content in the bag, her eye twitched.
Darielle do you know how much this cost? Why did he get you a phone?
And who said it was him? Darielle asked.
Darielle I'm not a child. Why did he get you a phone?
Umm. Ceci..
"Oh no don't call me that we both know when you shorten my name, you tend to choose the short way around an issue."
Cecilia cut her off.
I couldn't tell him. Darielle blurted out.
I know. Cecilia said. Obviously if she did, Darielle wouldn't be smiling. There were two options, either he refused to see her, or he needed time to process. Definitely leaving her in a mood of no smiles.
However here she was.
Darielle places her palm on her face.
"I came up with an excuse that I was sick and my phone was bad.I tried to tell him, but I just couldn't bring myself to."
I understand Darielle. What ever you choose to do I'll support you.
A smile appears on Cecilia's face as she holds her hand. To Darielle it was one of comfort, but to the the owner Cecilia really felt good Darielle hadn't told him.
But sooner or later she would have to tell him the truth.
If it were to be her in the situation she would take the secret to her grave. She wasn't perfect after all.
However Darielle wasn't that kind of person. And she wouldn't push her choices on Darielle.
"Darielle this is an expensive phone, it's the latest in the market. An iPhone 17 air. Not many have access to this."
Cecilia shifts the topic trying to lighten the mood.
Darielle realizes something,
"Oh let's get ready. I'm going back home today."
No, don't go. Cecilia pounces on Darielle, hugging her tightly.
I'm going to miss you.
Same here but I have to go back.
Ok. Cecilia pouts her mouth like a child.
Let me freshen up. Then we'll head out.
They both walk into the room.
You didn't tell me what you had for lunch.
Cecilia mumbles in between words due to the tooth brush in her mouth.
Huh? Darielle works on her appearance. She had to make sure her mom. And Evie wouldn't notice her pale face.
Soon they were done. they hailed a taxi and went to Darielle's home.
Cecilia paid the fare and they got out.
Facing the huge building before them, Darielle began to shiver.
Cecilia gave Darielle's hand a light squize.
"It's alright I'm here." She reassures Darielle.
Cecilia adjust Darielle's coat. Let's go.
They both reach the entrance and knock on the door.
The door opens.
Evie's eyes widen in surprise.
Sis, she jumps on Darielle. Give her a tight hug. I've missed you.
Same here I can't breath. Evie let go.
Cecilia smiles as she watches the two.
Aunt ceci, come over here. Evie hugs her.
They all go in.
Where's mom? Darielle pours herself a glass of water.
She went to get some items at the grocery store. She'll be back in any minute.
Why didn't you get it instead?
"Mom insisted, she said I should stay and wait for you and Aunt Cecilia"
Cecilia settles herself in the couch, " what did mom prepare for me?" I haven't been around for a while, I deserve a welcome buffet.
"And a welcome dinner you shall have.
Not buffet." Evie emphasize the third and fourth word in her sentence.
I'm home my babies. Adelia's voice filled their ears.
Mom, Darielle rushes and hugs Adelia.
I missed you. Hope Cecilia didn't make you do her laundry. Adelia jokingly said.
Oh, mom is that what you think of me?
Cecilia pushes Darielle aside and embraces Adelia.
No honey, you know I always pull your leg. How was work?
It was good mom.
Oh yes, where is she?
Come in dear.
Cecilia's expression darkens on seeing the lady at the entrance.