!! DO NOT SKIP !!
Hey guys!
I haven't been consistent with my updates so I understand that some, if not most, are confused with what is happening and/or have forgotten the characters. I'll give a short and rough run-through so that you're all refreshed. Some thoughts I've shared about the characters below I might have not shared before so if you still remember what's happening in the book so far or reread the entire book just to refresh yourself (bless you) please still read the run-through . I've added some gifs for certain characters. These aren't what they look like physically but more of how I envision the character overall ... sort of a rough image of how I imagine them (I'm the type who doesn't care much about the actor but rather the character they play ... so the associations I gave below are of fictional characters lol) :)
I'm sure you remember her. Ex-wife of Leo. Mother of the triplets, Lei, Lucca, and Laila. Owner of Swara Design Source.
Based on what you've read thus far, give one word to describe our dear heroine.
Another character I'm sure everyone remembers. Alena's ex-husband. Father of the triplets. CEO of McGregor Holdings.
Do you think Alena should give him a chance?
Eldest of the triplets. Plays baseball. I would describe him as happy-go-lucky but when it comes to his mother and siblings, he will care.
I haven't given him much "screen time" so far, do you want to see more of him?
Middle child of the triplets. Acts like he is the eldest. Very protective of his siblings and most especially his mother. I've established that the triplets are intellectually above average ... but he is the most "above average" of the three. Mama's boy.
Do you want a dedicated story for him when he grows up?
Youngest and only girl of the triplets. Can stand up on her own but enjoys being taken care of or "spoiled" by her brothers. Plays softball. Papa's girl.
I know there are people who are confused where from her name I got her nickname. To explain, I live in a place where your nickname, most the time, are miles away from your real name. So yah. But given the chance, what nickname would you give our dear Lillianna?
Father of Vicky, Laila's bestfriend. A divorcee like Alena. Interested in Alena but is not ready for a relationship. Originally his surname is Richardson but I decided to change it to Miller. I will make sure to change it in the previous chapters.
Who here is Team Ryan?
To the world, she is Leo's girlfriend (not fiancee). But truthfully, she is just Leo's friend with benefits. Main benefit being a repellent for his parents' 'you need to get remarried soon'. The sexual relations being more of a side benefit. Another side benefit was to keep Marina away. I imagine her having the personality of Breakfast at Tiffany's Holly Golightly. Sexy, sophisticated, and really quirky.
If you haven't watched Breakfast at Tiffany, I suggest you do so ... its really good :)
CEO of Blue Streak Technologies. Leo's college one-night stand before he met Alena. Leo has made it clear he doesn't want her, but she continues to insist they should be together. I imagine her as a mishmash Looney Tones' Jessica Rabbit + Cinderella's Evil stepmother + BBC Sherlock Holmes' Irene Adler. The sexy, sophisticated, bitchy type.
Some side characters:
• Trisha Jones aka Aunt Trish: Leo's previous secretary and most importantly the second mother figure in his life. Sadly, she has passed away. I imagine her as someone like the manga Hapi Mari's Souma Taeko. Those women who age gracefully so they look 10 years younger than their actual age.
• Shara : Alena's bestfriend who has not made an appearance again. I don't know what to do with her really.
• Alex : Aunt Trish's youngest son and Leo's bestfriend.
• Richard : Leo's secretary
• Laura : Alena's secretary
That's that. I hope that gave everyone at least a little bit clarity. Now, you may proceed with the chapter. I hope you enjoy yourself.
God bless and stay safe.
!! IF YOU SKIPPED, PLEASE GO BACK AND READ !!
Last updated. July 22, 2020.
Not Edited.
ALENA
"Thank you very much Ma'am, Sir. I will email you the revised plans next week." I say with a smile despite the searing headache threatening to break my skull into two. I exit the penthouse of the couple I am designing a house for and make my way to the elevator.
The events two days ago kept me up the past nights. No matter how much tears I shed, sleep would escape me. Rather, the unwelcome thoughts of Leo with that woman Lauren, or the tear-stained faced of my little angels. What is worse is that all these things equally bothered me. If anything happens to my angels it will always break my heart. But Leo? He shouldn't affect me. But, fortunately or unfortunately I do not know, he does affect me.
These thoughts cycled on and on and on in the silence of my room, hence, the sleep deprivation induced headache.
Ding.
Arriving at the basement parking, the elevator doors open to reveal a surprise.
Lauren.
Great.
"Oh its you!" she says as I step out of the elevator. Though confused on how I should respond, I do not forget my manners. I force out a polite smile and say "Good mornin--"
"Tu es sa femme!" Lauren interjects with a big smile on her face "Oh it's a great pleasure to meet you. You left so fast last time I wasn't able to introduce myself. Such a shame really but doesn't matter cause you're here. We ..."
I am in such a shock that I do not follow what she is saying. I am left speechless by her seemingly friendly reception.
How could a woman be so bubbly but look so elegant?
Once I return to my senses, she is smiling at me we beautifully, offering her hand for a shake.
"Sooo?" She says.
"Excuse me?" I ask confused.
She giggles before saying "I asked for your name."
I decide to be polite since she has not shown any signs of hostility ... yet. I reluctantly shake her hand and I answer "Oh Athalena"
"Wow. C'est un beau nom." She responds.
"Excuse me?" Everything about her just confuses me.
"Oh sorry, force de l'habitude. I just returned from France. I said your name is beautiful. You're beautiful too. No wonder you're Leo's wife" she says.
"Uhm ... I'm sorry but I am not Leo's wife." I make sure to clarify.
"Désolée ... but you are the mother his kids right?"
"Yes ..." I answer reluctantly "... Leo told you about them?" I ask.
"Oui, I am so happy for him, and for you or course. Your kids are so cute and adorable. I wish I have kids just like them. But I just can't imagine myself pregnant. Trop fatigant. The 'cool auntie' would suit me better. Yes .. yes .. I should buy them lots of gifts. Quel âge ont-ils maintenant?"
"Sorry?" I asked again, still very confused. What is this woman up too?
"I asked how old are they ... so that I know what kind of gifts I should buy." She answered full of excitement.
"Wait a minute. I'm sorry for being blunt, but why exactly are you going to buy them gifts?"
"Like I said, I want to be their cool auntie." She responded with unwavering excitement.
"And why do you want to be their auntie?"
"I don't have siblings so I can't be a cool auntie to nephews or nieces. So I decided I will be a cool auntie to your and Leo's kids."
I'm rendered so stunned and confused that all I could do in response was stare at her. What is running in this woman's head?
After seconds of silence, she says "Qu'est-ce qui ne va pas?"
"Ah--"
"Wait are you upset with my relationship with Leo? Please don't worry about it. We're over. Leo told me two days ago. ..." She interjects.
What?
"I assure you it wasn't a serious relationship.. Just a mutually beneficial one. Neither one of us wanted to get married. So he kept my parents off my back, I kept his parents off his back. Plus a little fun on the side but nothing to linger on. ..." She said with a shrug of the shoulder. "I guess I think of him more as a friend than a lover. So like I said, you have nothing to worry about. I mean no harm in any way, shape, or form." She pauses, seemingly remembering something. "In fact, he told that even as friends we can't meet anytime soon. Said that you and the kids are uncomfortable with me and the status of our relationship. That he was doing his best to earn back his family. Of course I told him it was no problem and that he should do everything in his power to do so. Tout le monde n'a pas une seconde chance." She ends with a smile.
And like a roller coaster that smile suddenly turned into a frown "Of course I approached you thinking that he already explained to you about me. Oh no oh no ... did I mess up?" She pauses dramatically putting a hand on her chest.
"Please do not be mad at Leo. He clearly told me to stay away but look at me being so stupid. Idiote. Wait ... I also can't buy your kids gifts because I should be staying away. Urghh ... quel idiot. Je suis vraiment désolé. Will you forgive me?"
I do not know what to make of everything that she said. Should I believe her? Is she lying? If so, why would she? Whatever the case is, I need time to digest what she said. So for now, I opt to plan my escape.
I do my best to give a polite smile and say "No need to apologize ..." I make a show of looking at my watch before continuing "Oh look at the time. I'm sorry Lauren but I have a meeting in 30 minutes."
"Is that so? C'est dommage ... it was a pleasure to me--"
I turn to make a quick escape before saying "I'm sorry I really have to go. Goodbye!"
It takes me a few minutes to get to my car since I was parked at the farthest slot. But when I get there, I am greeted with another surprise.
My tires are flat from being slashed open.
What the?
I check the other side of the car to see that all four of the tires were slashed. And last but not least, a statement was written on the side of the car.
FUCK OFF BITCH
I rub my face with my hand, as I dial 911. My already searing headache goes up a notch with this newly found surprise. Suddenly, I remember the incident with the carcass and the feeling of dread washes over me.
Are these related?
What is happening?
What do you think about Lauren?
P.S. Forgive the French if its wrong, I just used Google Translate.