~~~~Aria~~~
I woke up to the scorching sun that shone brightly in my room, casting a warm orange glow over the luxurious setting. I rubbed my eyes, trying to shake off the fatigue that had become my constant companion. The past five years had been a blur of work and responsibility, leaving me exhausted.
As I lay in bed, contemplating the daunting task of dragging myself to the office, a knock at the door broke the silence. "Who's it?" I asked, my voice laced with a hint of irritation.
"Ma'am, it's Ruby," a cheerful voice replied from the other end. Ruby, my loyal house help, was more like a sister to me – one I never had.
"What's the news, Ruby?" I yelled back, the distance between my bed and the door feeling like an insurmountable obstacle.
"Breakfast is ready, Ma'am," she announced.
I felt a surge of relief wash over me. "Oh, okay, are the kids awake yet?" I asked, referring to Melissa and Michael, my rambunctious twins.
"They're all set for school, Ma'am," Ruby replied.
A wave of gratitude washed over me. "Oh, Ruby, this is why I love you," I exclaimed, feeling a sense of relief.
I reluctantly threw off the covers and headed to the bathroom. Minutes later, I emerged, feeling somewhat refreshed. I got dressed and applied a light layer of makeup, trying to conceal the dark circles under my eyes.
As I made my way downstairs to the dining area, I was greeted by the sound of Michael munching away on his food. Melissa, on the other hand, sat staring at her plate, her face a picture of sadness. Ruby tried to coax her into eating, but Melissa refused.
"Come on, Mel, eat your food, please, or you'll be late for school," Ruby pleaded.
Melissa's face scrunched up in a stubborn expression. "No! I want to talk to my mummy!" she yelled, her tiny fist pounding the table.
I felt a pang of guilt and concern. "Then say less, because Mummy is already here," I said, trying to sound cheerful as I walked up to them.
I placed a light kiss on their foreheads, trying to reassure them. "What's the matter, Melissa? You're always so excited to go to school. What's happening today?" I asked, concern etched on my face as I sat down to begin my meal.
Melissa's eyes locked onto mine, her expression accusatory. "When am I going to see my daddy, Mummy?" she asked, her voice trembling.
I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. I tried to compose myself, but my mind was racing. I glanced at Michael, hoping he wouldn't chime in, but he just gave me a 'don't look at me' expression.
I turned back to Melissa, trying to sound calm. "Come on, Mel, I thought we've discussed this."
Melissa's face scrunched up in determination. "No, Mom, we haven't. You only told me that my dad was on a faraway trip, and he would soon be back to visit, and that was two years ago when I was three."
I felt a wave of guilt wash over me. I had been avoiding this conversation for far too long.
"Oh...now that's one sassy little five-year-old," I thought, trying to deflect my emotions.
Melissa continued, her voice unwavering. "Mom, it's Victoria's birthday party in two days."
I nodded, trying to show interest. "And?"
Melissa's eyes sparkled with excitement. "And she said it was a 'dad's only birthday party'."
I felt a pang of anxiety. "A dad's only birthday party? What does that even mean?" I asked, trying to sound calm.
Melissa explained, her voice matter-of-fact. "It means that only dads are permitted to bring their kids to the party."
I felt like I'd been punched in the gut again. Michael, sensing my distress, chimed in.
"Mom, I actually told her I could take her there and be her dad," he said, trying to sound sarcastic, but I could sense the underlying empathy.
Melissa rolled her eyes. "You can't be my father when you're already my brother, dummy. We're twins."
I intervened, trying to prevent the argument from escalating. "Hey, no abusive words, alright?"
Melissa apologized, but I could sense the underlying frustration. "Sorry, Mom, but Michael keeps getting on my nerves."
I sighed, feeling overwhelmed. It hadn't been easy dealing with these two since birth.
"Mel, how about we talk about this when I get back from work? I promise I'll give you an answer by then," I pleaded, hoping to placate her.
Melissa relaxed a bit, and I could sense her willingness to let the matter drop for now. "Okay, Mommy," she said, her voice softening.
I heaved a deep sigh of relief as I rushed through my breakfast, trying to avoid any more questions. As I finished up, I gave Ruby a quick nod of appreciation. "Thanks, Ruby. I owe you one."
Ruby smiled warmly. "Anytime, Ma'am. Have a great day at work."
I nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards her. As I headed out the door, I couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. The day ahead seemed daunting, and I knew I had to face the challenges head-on.
As I walked to my car, I couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt and anxiety. Melissa's question had struck a chord, and I knew I had to confront the reality of my situation. The truth was, I had been avoiding the topic of her father for far too long, and it was time to face the music.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. I knew I had to be strong, not just for myself, but for my children. As I drove to work, I couldn't help but wonder what the day ahead held. Little did I know, it was going to be a day that would change everything.
As I stepped into the office, my secretary Elise rushed to my side, relieving me of my burdens. "What's today's update, Elise?" I asked, my heels clicking on the marble floor.
"Ma'am, the CEO of Z' Hotels is here and ready to sign the partnership with us. He's accepted your conditions," she announced, her voice laced with excitement.
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh, really? Took him long enough. Where is he?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
Elise gestured toward the elevator. "In the conference room, Ma'am."
I took the elevator, my mind racing with anticipation. As the doors slid open, I pushed the large conference room door open, revealing a sea of faces. My staff and the CEO's entourage were seated around the long, polished Mahogany table.
But as I approached my seat, my heart skipped a beat. Someone was already sitting there – Zeyden Jenkins, my baby daddy, the man who had abandoned me and our children five years ago.
I stood frozen in shock, my eyes locked on his. The air seemed to thicken, heavy with unspoken emotions. I couldn't read his expression, but I knew exactly what was coursing through my veins – anger, anxiety, and hatred.
The room fell silent, the only sound the soft hum of the air conditioning. All eyes were on us, sensing the palpable tension. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of emotions, unable to breathe.
Zeyden's gaze held mine, his eyes piercing, as if daring me to react. My mind racing, I struggled to maintain my composure, to keep my emotions in check. But it was no use. The past came flooding back, and I felt like I was staring into the eyes of the man who had shattered my world.