CHAPTER 16

Casabella's POV

"Bella! come take this bag to the car for your uncle" Lora screamed from the living room.

What have I turned into? An errand girl managed to upload my uncle's bags to his car.

"Yes, I'm coming."

"What took you so long to respond?"

"Ain't you the one who asked me to clean the bathroom in your room? "

"Whatever, take this bag to the car, you know he's leaving tonight."

"Okay." I answered and picked the bags to the car.

She's always fond of assigning unnecessary work to me. It's not like the bags are heavy for her to carry it to the car herself but she just likes stressing me out.

I dropped the bags in the booth and headed back inside to see uncle already seated with her.

"Honey, I hope you won't spend much time over there? "

"I won't sweetheart. Once the contract is finalised, I'll head back so we can celebrate the success."

"That's alright darling but that means I'll still have to tolerate her guts. " She huffed giving me a disgusting look.

"I don't want any trouble from the outside world, Lora. You've got to control yourself."

"And you Bella, I hope you don't do something stupid to make her get angry, is that clear?"

"Okay uncle. "

"Dad, what are you going to get for me when you get back?" Annie announced walking up to them.

"My love, what do you want?"

"I want to be working in the company with you when you get back."

"It's done, sweetheart." He promised and she smirked at me.

Such a bitch! She won't get that opportunity, not even for a lifetime. Once I get to find the original copy of my dad's will, then all the possession is back to me.

And the only thing I'll have in mind will be how to get back at them for everything they have ever done to me.

Madison's POV

We arrived in New York about 8 hours and the bodyguards assigned by my dad came to pick me up we're already waiting for us.

"Good evening madam." They uttered in unison.

"Good evening." I answered as they opened the car for me and Mary to get in.

Coming to New York brought the memories I had with my parents each time we came visiting for Christmas and how everything looks good and warming, having peace of mind and a free soul filled with love and happiness.

"Boss, New York is indeed a beautiful city." Mary uttered beside me.

"Yeah, it is. I think I should be coming for vacation often other than only Christmas."

"It really looks imperial and glamorous."

"Vey much."

*****

"Have you reviewed the presentation, boss?"

"Yeah, I have. I know the presentation will go smoothly just like we never gave up with their company in the first run."

"Yes boss, I believe it too."

It really has been a while since I had fun with someone and spending time with Mary at my favourite restaurant wouldn't be a bad idea.

"Mary, I was thinking, why don't we head to one of the fancy restaurants around here and have fun? Their food is really good."

"Yes please. I'm so famished. You're really the best." She beamed.

"Thanks Mary."

"Take us to the Per Se restaurant." I stated to the bodyguards seated at the passenger's seat.

"Okay madam." He replied and informed the rest of his crew the location through a wireless phone.

Mark's POV

"Brother, you're still up at this time?" Rosy, my kid sister, uttered from the stairs and walked into the living room.

"Yes Rosy. I'm handling some office work." I replied and took a sip of my coffee."

"You've got to look after yourself brother. You know how much I love you and I wish dad was here to see how stubborn you've turned." She said in a sad tone and took a seat close to me.

"You don't have to bring that up."

"Then why don't you always listen to me. You've been working late at night lately and I keep telling you it's not good for your health."

"Rosy, I'm working on something important. If you know, you will give me your full support but everything is under control."

"What is it brother? Tell me about it?"

"I can handle it, little sis. You don't have to worry. I'll be done with it soon enough and go back to how we used to have fun together."

"I hope so brother. Anyways, I'm off to bed. Make sure you don't spend too much time out here."

"Sure little sis. Sweet dreams."

"Good night brother." She yearned and gave me a light peck on the check and left.

I must seek out all those evil monsters and who was involved in turning my sister sad and tired of life but I'm grateful she has someone who makes her feel happy and loved.

Those monsters will all pay dearly once I find them.

Casabella's POV

It wasn't until an hour my uncle left, Lora assigned a series of work to me within a limited time.

She has already begun her bossy ways and ranting of cussed words but my uncle already cautioned me not to do anything. If he hadn't said so, I would have neglected all she's asking me to do.

"Casabella, will you hurry up with the cleaning? I'm expecting a guest in a couple of hours." Lora screamed from the living room.

"I'm trying to get everything done just like you asked me to do." I fired back, feeling frustrated with her bossy attitude.

"Don't you raise your voice at me and get the job done." She thundered back while I didn't bother arguing and continued with the laundry leaving her to carry on with her nagging.

********

"Mum, he's here." Annie said from the door and came in view with a man who looks like someone I met.

"What? Isn't this the same man who bumped into me at the mall the other time? What's his name again? Yeah, he called himself Jace." I wondered as he pointed at me.

"Casabella! Do you leave here with them?" He asked with evident shock in his face as Lora and Annie looked puzzled with a series of questions on their faces.

I know what they are thinking but I don't have anything with him or ever saw him again after the incident.

"She stays with us but how did you know her, Jace?" Lora inquired.

"Yes brother Jace. How did you know someone like her?"

"It's a long story, Aunt Lora. I'm so shocked she lives with you guys."

"Yes son. She's Smith's niece." Lora said with a pause and continued, "How have you been doing and how was your stay in Canada?"

"It was great and the best, Aunt Lora."

"I'm happy for you, son. Come take a seat." She urged him and they took a seat including Annie.

"Don't just stand and stare at us. Get him something to drink." She fired at me.

"Good afternoon sir. What would you like to have?"

"Stop the formality Casabella. Call me Jace, like I told you."

"Okay, Mr Jace. What should I offer you?" I asked again.

"A glass of water will do. I'm so happy to see your face again. You have no idea how I felt when you left." He replied, smiling, making Lora stare at me with curiosity.

I head to the kitchen and get the water before heading back to hear Lora asking him how his Journey went and other random stuff.

"Here is the water." I uttered, handing the glass of water to him which he collected.

"Thank you." He replied with a smile as Lora and Annie stared at us in surprise.

"Brother Jace, how did you meet her?" Annie asked him, pointing in my direction.

Our encounter was pretty funny but it was the perfect encounter I've ever had with someone like her." He laughed and continued, "I met her in the King's Plaza where I went to get something for my mum. I was busy on a call with her when I bumped into Casabella and made most of the groceries she got damaged so I had to pay for it."

"You shouldn't have done that. If she knew who you were she wouldn't have asked you to pay for it. I'm sorry for that."

"It is not a problem, Aunt. I was the one who insisted on paying for it since it was my fault."

"Alright son so tell me, how's your mum doing? She didn't inform me you'll be coming to pay a visit. If you hadn't called me up, I wouldn't have known."

"Don't feel bad, Aunt Lora. I told her I'll inform you myself just to surprise you."

"You're a darling."

"Aunt, where's uncle?"

"He left for a business trip today but he will be back soon."

"No problem." He answered and turned to me. "Why are you standing, come join us?"

"No, thanks. I got work to take care of. Enjoy your stay." I rejected sharply and left their presence heading to my room.

I don't know why fate had to make this man turn up in my life and the worst part is, he knows Lora, Annie and my uncle. Isn't it a bad fate for me?

I hope he doesn't cause any problems for me with the way he was acting in the presence of Lora and Annie like we shared something together.

I pray Lora and Annie don't take it otherwise because I wouldn't want them accusing me wrongly for seeing a man and having an affair with him who I met recently.