Chapter 7
Alaia
Two Years Later.
Days Before the meeting with the Garnetts.
I glanced at my wristwatch and got ready to go home. In two years, I managed to finish my degree, albeit with some difficulties and setbacks. I had my precious children, a girl, and a boy; my parents, Ash and Aidan, were with me throughout the entire pregnancy and were
everything I needed. The pregnancy phase was full of learning, love, and many emotions. The first few months were tough due to the intense symptoms, but everything went back to normal after the fourth month. I fully embraced my pregnancy with everything it entailed, cherishing every memory from those months until the day they were born, a day that will be the most unforgettable moment of my life. After hours of labor, I saw them for the first time.
The nurse placed those little pieces of me, wrapped in delicate blankets, in my arms, and I saw their faces. I could smell their scent, and see every small and adorable part of them. Oh how beautiful they were. I knew those two little beings were worth everything. I fell madly in love with them. They are the most wonderful thing that has happened to me. My parents and all my family members are crazy about them; they all adored them, well, except for Darius.
They don’t need him, though. The love from everyone else was more than enough. Now they are a little over a year old, and I must admit that they don’t resemble me much; they look a lot like their father- the father who wanted to get rid of them.
I sighed and gathered my things to leave the office. I already learned about the company. I handle the projects and the technical operations of it and I am a member of the board of directors. It has been a couple of very busy years, but they have helped me grow as a mother, and as a professional as I am preparing to lead this company.
My father’s father never approached me during this time, and neither did I approach him. We only discussed business matters, something he initially refused to accept but gradually softened when he saw my capabilities.
“Thank you, Ignacio,” I said, leaving a folder on his desk. “The purchase is signed and
authorized. Please take care of it.” He nodded and I noticed the number of folders on his desk.
“What happened to your assistant?” I asked. My assistant needed an assistant. I have a team that allows me to have time for my children.
“The human resources department is still conducting interviews. It’s taking them too long,” he said, exhaling. I didn’t know what happened to his previous assistant, but they resigned.
I Don’t Usually Separate People
month after starting, which I find strange. Before Ignacio was promoted, we had Inés, who was my direct assistant, and Ignacio was her assistant. She was a lovely and pleasant woman who completed her work period and retired. Now Ignacio has her position and needs a replacement for his.
“Alright, I’ll talk to them. We can’t delay our work,” I said and nodded, ruffling his hair. “See you tomorrow p>
“Say hello to the little rascals for me,” he shot back. I smiled at him and walked towards the elevator.
I drive through the beautiful streets of the UK. I have fallen in love with this city, with this country, and it wasn’t hard to get used to living here.
I entered my father’s house, which we decided not to move out of. I thought about it when my children were born, but then reconsidered. During that time, we managed to become a family; my mother, my father, my brother, and I, even Ashley. We were a somewhat dysfunctional family because my mother and father argue now and then, but they are wonderful parents and grandparents. I know my children love seeing the house full of people, so this became our home.
The heels of my shoes echoed on the shiny floor. I heard a small scream in the backyard. I smiled. My little Alana is very expressive and lets out small screams whenever she gets excited. I greeted Sondra and Loli, the nanny of my children, who is well–prepared to take care of and teach them everything they need to learn as they grow, while I am at the office.
“Who’s here?” I said as soon as I reached the patio.
“Mommy!” my children smiled and ran to hug me.
I covered them with kisses as they smiled and their little arms wrapped around my neck.
“Are you well–behaved?” I asked without letting them go.
“Yes.” They nodded eagerly.
“That’s not true.” Aidan arrived behind them. “They’ve hidden all my video games,” my brother said. I look at my children.
“No, no, no, no,” Alana said, continuously shaking her head while Noah laughed mischievously.
“My loves, I’ve told you not to hide your uncle’s games,” I calmly said, looking into their eyes. I then turned to my brother. “Honey, don’t leave your video games within their reach. You know they’re very curious,” I told him. Aidan’s forehead wrinkled. I looked back at my kids.
“And you two little ones, you will take me to where your uncle’s video games are, alright?” They
I Don’t Usually Separate People
looked at each other and nodded. “Let’s go.” I held their little hands and we went to their room.
They took me to the place where the video games were–in one of the boxes where they kept their toys. I handed them over to Loli after explaining to them that they shouldn’t take their uncle’s things.
“Take them to Aidan, please,” I asked and went with my children to my room. I washed their hands and Loli took them downstairs again while I changed into comfortable clothes.
I headed back down and my little girl was in the living room. I picked her up in my arms and looked for her brother to take them to eat.
“Where’s Noah?” I asked, not seeing my son anywhere.
“There.” My daughter pointed to the study, which surprised me. The study is always kept closed.
I took a step to look for Noah when-
“Sweethearts!” my cousin, Ashley, sang as she entered the living room, causing Alana to let out a small scream.
“Auntie!” I put her down and she ran to her auntie who gladly received her and kissed her chubby cheeks. My little girl just smiled.
“I’ll see you in a second; Noah has gone into the study,” I told Ashley after giving her two kisses on the cheek. She nodded and took Alana with her.
The study door was slightly ajar, and I heard my little one talking. For a moment, I got scared because if it was not me, it was my father who entered this room, and my father is in Los Angeles these days. I thought about what they say that children have imaginary friends who aren’t so imaginary after all.
“Mama, Tita, Tito, Uncle Aidan,” he said. I stepped in a bit more only to see him sitting on
Darius’s lap. I blinked, not understanding what he was doing with my son.
Darius laughed at something that Noah said as they looked at each other. This was something I never imagined seeing. He always seemed to keep a distance between us and everything related to me.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were here,” I said. My son looked at me. “I’ll make sure this doesn’t happen again.” I approached to get Noah.
“Noah is my great–grandson, just like Alana,” he said, making me stop. His stern expression has softened. I remained silent. “They came into the study one day right after they took their first steps,” he explained, and I couldn’t believe they did that. Only innocent children like them.
I Don’t Usually Separate People would approach someone like him. “I’ve been coming to see them since then,” he confessed, and I was stunned by his words. “Your father knows. I asked him not to say anything; I didn’t want to create conflict p>
My son was drawing something on a piece of paper while we had this conversation.
“I see he’s comfortable with you,” I replied as I swallowed the lump in my throat. I could see my son’s comfort with Darius. “I won’t interfere in your relationship with my children. I see. you’ve earned their affection,” I said, keeping my distance. “I don’t usually separate people; it’s not something I’m good at,” I asserted.
“I’ll take him to eat,” I added, seeing that he didn’t respond to my last statement, and only maintaining his serious expression and observing me in silence.
“It’s time to eat. I’ll see you later,” Darius told my son. Noah nodded and came to me. He took my hand and waved goodbye at Darius.
“Thank you,” I heard Darius say as the door closed. I held back my surprise at hearing a thank you from his lips.