~Lauren~The maid arrived in less than ten minutes, placing the steaming coffee right in front of us.'Thank you..' I mouthed then position my palm on either side of the mug, allowing the steam to warm them.I recalled the picture from the front room again. It was her. There was no doubt about that. 'Is there anything you want to tell me?' Mrs. Forbes silently questioned,. slurping her coffee.It was as if she was reading through my mind. I had tons of questions to ask her. What was the picture of the woman doing in here? How come she's related to this family?.Does she stay here? Had she been this close all along? A surge of anger burst through me and the memory from years ago started to play out in front of me... 'Lauren?'I waved my thoughts off, concentrating on the present. I couldn't act weird and start throwing my questions now. I might either be thrown out of here, prohibited from coming in or earn myself a strained relationship with this woman in front of me. I couldn't affo

~Christian~Another hectic week was wrapping up. The media wouldn't stop talking about my new official title as the Forbes' heir, reminding the world about how fake Audrey Hepburn is. Some even went as far as making an article, a small piece based on our little family drama. The attention was too much on both of us. Positive for me, Negative for him and for the first time, I feel bad for him. I bumped into another article less than six minutes ago. Where the writer brought to lime light the strained relationship of two step brothers, how the Chairman was an ingrate for choosing me as the official heir after Audrey had been with him all his life. The article was irritating itself and when I searched for the author's pseudonym, I completely lost it. The same who always had unfriendly things to say about anything concerning the Forbes. This author has been doing it for long, before I stepped into the picture, it was something I personally figured out. I wondered whether the chairman has

~Christian~The weather today was chilly, cold. It was getting close to winter so it was understandable. I shut my car's door quite aggressively. Today, I drove down alone, giving my driver the opportunity to have the day to himself. I entered the small pub, warmth embracing me right from the entrance. The small furnace at one corner of the pub provided heat to the place.Virtually seeking the chairman, I finally found him in a dark corner where he continually rocked his chair, delightfully watching the scene in front of him. His eyes lit a sparkle when an equally old man offered to pour more Turkish coffee into his cup. I realized over the few months that that was his favorite. He smiled, nodding approvingly of the act. I finally walked up to where he sat, giving him the privilege to notice me in the pub. It was a room filled with elderly men and women. They seemed to be enjoying the solo music being sang by a couple in the center of the room. 'There you are!' his eyes disappeared i

Christian~I tried to make her understand, say everything enough to convince her I didn't do it for pity but for the safety of Aiden and her but it was all to no avail. My hard glare was on one of my men as he reported the case of a robbery that took place two houses from hers. They had robbed the family occupying that particular apartment, shot the father who possibly tried to fight back.. he wasn't killed but he sustained injuries. '.... Fortunately, her house wasn't invaded. So she's safe' he completed his statement.A breath I didn't realize I was holding escaped my lips and my tensed shoulders relaxed.'Tried convincing her to move after the scenario?''Not yet, sir.'.I inclined my head positively in acknowledgement before dismissing him. There was only one thing I can do to make her succumb to my demands. I picked my jacket and exited the office......The head of school invited me into his office, regarding me with utmost respect. His eyebrows quirked in obvious astonishment

Lauren ~I kept my eyes glued to the walls, searching for the portrait I found the last time I came here. My doubt was knocked out of me, allowing me believe once again I was hallucinating the last time. Mrs Forbes had asked to meet her in this mansion once again. I was reluctant about it till she promised giving out tons of information I needed. Somehow, she managed to find out about my biggest desperation and she was ready to help me find out how to get answers. That was all she held against me. If only there were other options, I would have opted for it.'Ma'am' the short, stout, maid called my attention to her. She had that smile again, the one showing her lost front teeth. 'Mrs Forbes is in her drawing room, she wants to meet you there.'While she tried to lead me in, an unannounced visitor came in. Unannounced is an inappropriate word though, considering this is also his house. We locked glances for as long as I can remember before his intimidating figure came closer to mine. I