A cute little bun dressed in a baby blue dress sat on a cream colored sofa in the comfy living room. The television was on, playing her favorite show yet it wasn't able to catch the little bun's attention.
Kiara sat with a blank look on her cute little face staring endless into space, her cute chubby face revealed childish cuteness with her rosy applesauce cheeks.
She looked adorable but her eyes held a different look. They were darker than normal with aged wisdom.
Her mind ran a mile on how to execute her plans for tonight.
Grandpa Dywen gave her a timeline before Christmas to find her and her mother a man which was just few months away.
Someone she could finally call daddy.
It was a good thing that the target was beautiful and successful, it would make it easier to find a potential man and a lot harder to find a suitable partner.
Kiara let out a sigh. As every little child she carved for a father figure and most times wonder why she looked nothing like her mother.
A pity.
The sound of a clang resounding on the ceramic stairway was what brought her attention back with unsealed anticipation to stare up in a daze.
Her mother was a true sight.
She was like an angel descending from heaven, like one of her favorite Disney princess, Cinderella all dressed up walking down the stairs.
She wore a beautiful midnight blue gown that held her upper body, showing off her slim waist, and flowed at the bottom moving with every step she took.
Kiara let out another dreamily sigh at her mother.
She took in how her mother's beautiful light brown hair was styled in the same style as hers, a delicate bun with a crown twist with little baby hair caressing her forehead.
Her mother was indeed a beauty.
Golden skin vs Fair skin.
One look at her mother, and there wasn't any resemblance towards her. As a child she would have doubts but she chose to trust her mother who ensured her that she was indeed her child and had received her late father's look but had her mother's character.
Her mother loved her and that was all that mattered.
"Wow! mommy, you look very pretty!."
At that moment, Rose had reached the last step, gazing warmly at her little sunshine who was smiling so cutely her eyes were closed to form crescent.
"Thank you."
Her attention was then averted to the middle aged woman who stood at the corner, staring not very subtle.
Rose had a blank look while addressing her.
"Mrs Yuri, has the driver from the Bacheman's arrived?"
Mrs Yuri, the housekeeper who was appreciating her boss from the side replied with eagerness. She was older than Rose and from a poor background but never had she felt less than herself while working for her. It was a total contrast to other rich heiress who gave no respect to their subordinate. She felt blessed working for Rose especially that child of hers who was a whole different character she rather not mention.
"Yes Ma'am."
"Okay. Thank you for today Mrs Yuri."
Rose smiled warmly at her in thanks, which the middle aged woman returned.
"My pleasure ma'am have a nice day. You too young miss"
Mrs Yuri left with a bow.
"Mommy, for you."
Rose got startled, turning to face down at her daughter who held a bouquet towards her. They were of roses, blue peonies and gerberas to symbolize her beauty, innocence and purity. She held it up to her face getting a sniff of its alluring scent which Rose accepted with a gentle smile on her face.
Kiara rosy cheek got darker at her mother's lovely smile.
"Happy birthday mommy."
Rose picked the card that was personally drawn by her, it had a drawing of her and Kiara inside a love shape with 'Best mommy in the world'.
Her eyes got glassy at the heartfelt gesture.
It's often the smallest things that make one smile the most.
"Thank you Kiara. But what about grandpa Dywen?"
"It's here."
She brought out another bouquet of blue peonies, marigold, Orchid and Carnations to symbolize large families, spiritual significants and celebration.
Rose caressed her baby red fringe feeling pleased at her daughter's caring heart. It hadn't been easy adapting to the Bacheman but luckily Kiara held Dywen in high regards just as Rose did.
What Rose didn't know was that Kiara and Dywen didn't see eye to eye and it was a deal that join them together.
"Lets go."
At the entrance of the huge doorway of the Bacheman's mansion two figure stood under the lightening, their arrival caused a sensation that had the beat of the music playing in a low tone, the loud chattering of the guest turned to quiet whispers.
Every eyes turned to the door where these two fairytale beings stood. One was an enchanting goddess dressed in an elegant midnight blue dress while the other was an adorable little princess dressed in a baby blue dress with a huge polka dot pink and white bow at the back.
Those eyes were sharp enough to access that the two looked nothing alike but the way they carried themselves was so identical, it only let envy and jealousy rear it's ugly head.
Women frowned at the goddess golden skin and perfect figure, their blood boiled at the thought that she had given birth to the little bun beside her who walked beside her with equal confidence that a little child shouldn't be capable of having.
The men lusted to themselves.
Rose and Kiara ignored all those envious look, walking straight until she reached the center of the crowd until a familiar face approached them with a huge grin.
"Rose!, Little K!"
Dressed lavishly in an expensive Italian suit, Eric brought with him a sense of tranquillity that had Rose's shoulders relaxing. Her eyes appreciated his appearance, despite his immature ways, Eric was an eye candy with his six ft something and lean muscular built, most especially with his one million watts smile and sexy hazel eyes.
Who wouldn't droll over this eye candy.
"Hi Eric."
Her lips relaxed into a small smile. She wasn't the only one who had these thoughts, numerous ladies had their chest pushed out and lips stretched into their most flirty smiles, hoping to catch it big with the youngest heir of Goldmine Co and also one of the most wanted bachelors in Manchester.
Unfortunately for them, they became background sounds as Eric was also doing the same thing as took in the sight of the little dress that held her figure so perfectly.
He already knew Rose was a beautiful woman with a perfect shape that always had men double checking and lusting over.
Only he knew how many men he had been chasing off ever since she became his adopted sister, only he knew how he was able to quench his thirst all these years.
Six years ago it was, when he discovery that the girl he had a hidden crush on felt the same, but he was too foolish back then to let her go, now he can only mourn and lick his hidden wounds.
It was true when they said 'Yoi never know what you have lost until it was gone'.
"Hi Uncle E."
Kiara beamed cutely at him, her eyes formed those beautiful crescent, her smile all rainbow and sunshine. A perfect mask to hide her sneer.
Eric didn't move his gaze from Rose, upon realizing how inappropriate it was, he forced himself to harden his gaze.
(Maybe one day his fate would smile down at him. One never can tell.)
"Happy birthday Rose, you look magnificent.; May your birthday be filled with smiles, sunshine, love, and laughter."
Birthdays are the milestones of this adventurous journey which we call life. All her life, Rose had always spent her birthdays either alone, with her grandfather, Rachel and Kiara. Yet this family despite their extravagant way of celebration burned a place in her heart with their warmth.
The fact they would go through their ways to host a birthday under her name though shared. Who wouldn't be sentimental.
"What about me, Uncle E?"
A child was indeed the most sensitive in their early age. It took Kiara one look at her mother to understand her sudden silence.
Her little heart ache for her. Eric dive his gaze towards Kiara missing the expression. His smile were gentle and filled with humor at her.
"You will always be my adorable little princess."
While his attention were diverted once gathered her wits, blocking the door to her past. She gathered her composure and instead requested from Eric.
"Thank you Eric. Where's dad?"
Rose knew to take formalities in public. Those eyes hadn't left her since he arrived. She wanted nothing more than to leave as fast as she came and not be a pretty time the mindless high social life she so much disdain.
This pressure of being in the front light were being back memories.
Eric oblivious to her tensed smile answered in
indifferent tone.
"Anxiously waiting for your arrival. He wouldn't start the function until you arrived. Like seriously! I wonder if he really still sees me as his son with the way he's always bother about you."
His words ease a little bit of her tension, Rose couldn't help but smirk. Without knowing Eric was able to ease her frightful heart.
"Maybe if you looked half as good as I do then he will look your way."
He was always able to bring out her comfort zone. It was one of the reasons why they were still friends.
"Ha! ha! so funny. Come on lets get you to the other celebrant."
He commented dryly, rolling his eyes mockingly, he then guided them through the crowd towards a table around a corner where the said celebrant sat with a sullen look.
"Dad, she's has arrived."
Seeing his sullen look Eric was sour at heart as he informed his father in a bitter look. He could help shaking his head at his wondering thought.
(Who was he kidding, he was obviously glad that Rose had someone to share such empathy with.)
Rose quickly approached Dywen going straight to her kneels with bowed head as she prayed for him.
"Happy birthday Dad, may the showers of blessings grant you more life and many more celebration to come."
Despite her background Rose has great respect for two people; the elderly and the people who cares for her. Her life experience has thought her that the only true people in this word wordy of her protection were under this two symbols also those whom she consider family.
Dywen was moved by emotions by her act. It was a consistent tradition that daughters of respectable families showcase during such events. Dywen had to fight back the tears that came from the feeling of finally having a filial daughter.
Her little action didn't go unnoticed from the crowd, especially the social circle that talked aimlessly about the arrogant adopted daughter of the Bacheman's.
"Isn't that CEO Bacheman's adopted daughter?"
"Wow! How cultural this girl is!"
"Who? Rose Bacheman?"
"She's a little dark."
"She is as beautiful as they say."
"CEO Bacheman is so lucky."
Dywen already felt proud from the murmurs, he appreciate his daughter good looks and good trait but chose to act arrogant instead.
"Thank you my dear. Happy birthday to you too my child. Its about time you got here. Hump!"
His heart was filled with praises but he nags over this unpredictable daughter of his who worries him a lot and also fill him up with emotions.
But he loved her nonetheless.
Rose knew the emotional state of Dywen yet she chose to humor him with a listless reply.
"Sorry about that, there was a little delay in the way but we got here safely."
Once Dywen bought the excuse, Kiara approached him with the bouquet.
"Happy birthday grandpa, may you continue to smile and look more handsome."
The bouquet were mainly for appearance, Dywen's real gift were already perfectly wrapped and resting at the top of all the other gifts in the store room of the mansion. It would be the first he get to see and open the next day.
"Hump! of course I'm the most handsome, where did you think those two brats got their good genes from."
The crowd erupted in laughter. Eric and Paul's face were painted black.
"Alright! alright, old man we get it."
Eric felt aggrieved, how could his own father kick him to the curb after his usefulness.
"Thank you little one for such meaningful and beautiful flowers."
Dywen happily accepted them amongst the various whispers that the flower were petty gifts, they wondered how unfilial Rose was to gift her father flowers instead of expensive gifts.
The crowd were ignorant people they didn't know that Dywen was actually feeling proud, he knew how rich Rose was and what these flowers signified.
The more meaningful they were the more symbolism they had to his real gift.
A flash of light suddenly went through his aged hazel eyes before he sent a sly look similar to Eric's mischievous look toward Rose that had her guards high up.
"Well, if you want be to forgive y'all then.... you have to perform a piece for me."
Rose blink in confusing l, staring at Dywen to elaborate more.
Dywen only smirked further, stroking his goatee with a flicker in his eyes.
"A little birdie told me you play the piano. I want you to play me a piece."
It was then his words fully register consuming her like a parasite. She froze as terror overtook her entire being. Colors instantly drained out of her face. Her expression hardened as she took emphasis to those words wishing they were false.
"What?.... What did you just say?"
The words stumbled out of her lips like a broken track as she fought to keep her panic at bay.
Dywen subconsciously flinch in guilt but nonetheless he restated his proposal.
"I want you to play me a song, Rose."
If the ground was made of sand, could it burry her and hide her from the backlash of her past?.