Jules's POV
The living room air growing thick.
But again Keira tugged my sleeves. I looked at her helplessly.
"Come with me Fairy. I have someone to introduce to you."
Before I could say anything or protest she grabbed my hand and moved to the couch. She going to the elegant lady. But the moment I see her the time stopped.
I mean it felt like I'm witnessing a impossible happening.
Seinna Watson.
The mother of Keifer.
Nobody knew where she was. Only Keifer knew. And I saw her on a video call in a hospital room, attached with every life support available.
The second time I saw Keifer cried that day. Holding her hand helplessly hoping she might wake up.
My thoughts are blur. My words frozen. Only I could see her. Alive. Breathing. Sitting in front of me and the world wrapped with elegance in a white fullsleeve dress with pearls. Not intimidating just there.
But the silence broken by her.
"You're Ana! "
Her voice is surprisingly cool and have a warmth that hit my heart. But couldn't let that show. She stand up slowly. Come close to me.
Her next action surprised all.
She hugged me.
Not like saying-hello or corporate kind of hug. It's the kind where your soul melts. Like she's providing me the warmth I was craving for the lifetime.
When she pulled back, she's looking at my face closely. Then she smiled.
"You exactly look like her with same storm in."
"Who? "
My voice is so low like I'm afraid that the moment will break if the tone is gone for a little high pitch.
"Angelina. Angelina Laurent. "
I froze. The whole room froze. There eyes practically popping out like they have witnessed a ghost.
Angelina Laurent, my mother. Died in my childhood. The only person who loved me. But she's gone.
I felt her soft finger brushing my tears, I didn't know they falling.
"Are you the SW she always mentioned? "
My heart drummed when I asked her the question. Because after so many years I'm joining the dots. It left my mind. But when Mrs. Watson tells that she knew my mother a old hope stimulated in me.
She nodded.
The name, SW. I saw my mother writing letter to her, receiving letters. She always mentioned her. Always told me if something happened to her she'll will be my back. But after her demise I couldn't manage to find SW tangled in my own mess of survival the hell.
Then the whole silence broke by my so called father.
I turned around. Eyes red but not showing anykind of kindness towards them.
"Ana! "
I snapped.
"Laurent. Or Josephine. We're not that close. Remember? "
I flinched. Then again.
"Okay. Josephine. Sit here. Ask your friend to sit down with you. "
The hallroom air changed again.
I could sense the mystery is about to burst out. I looked at Athena. She instinctively moved beside me. I was still standing. Then Miss Seinna squeezed my hand softly implying to sit beside her.
I sat. On my right there's she. And on left Athena. Keifer and Keira settled in the couch across. They all settled. But before they could say anything I asked,
"Where's grandma? She's not sick right? "
A slow smirk formed in my lips. The looked uneasy when I asked it. The masking of the truth is on their face.
I was right and stupid simultaneously. Why didn't I guessed first. I leaned back on the couch.
Mr. Harrington cleared her throat.
Took a moment. Then blowed the bomb.
"I want you here. Mrs. Watson want to see you. I didn't know the reason. She tried to search everything for you. But we can help her with the only information we have. "
I stared at him. My eyes are cold. Still trying to figure out what's the point.
"So you made a lie again?"
I smiled like a disappointed soul. Which I'm of there lies and believing me again in there lies.
He said again.
"Now I can see she know you and your mother."
Just the time left from his lips I could feel the past anger, agony hit at the same time. How he got the audacity to take my mom's name.But I keep quiet.
Then he finally stated his intension.
"Harringtons are struggling in business. So I want to propose an engagement between you and Mr. Watson."
I can't process the things. How I can be involved.
But there are mixed reactions. Mrs. Watson placed her soft hand on my shoulder like assurance,Keira bouncing beside Keifer with excitement, Athena shocked as me, Lyra Harrington is not at all happy like she's loosing her chance to intervene. And her daughter looked like her soul left her body.
But Keifer.
He looked unbothered. His eyes on me. Like he looked at me back then. His eyes are happy like he's going to own the world but his face cold, unreadable like the classic Watson.
But my limit pushed, I snapped.
"What's my interference in it? I'm not in Harringtons business even not in the family, not carrying name. "
"But you have some responsibility."
I stand up like I have spring attached in my butt.
"This is all bullshit. I'm not for yours games. "
I stormed out behind the couches.
Mrs. Watson stand up instantly, Athena followed me behind.
But before I could go out my father's security head with others formed in a semi-circle. Like they can stop me.
"Let me go. "
My voice sounded gravely. Cold.
They didn't backed of but the security head, Bruce tried to grab my hand. I backed off instinctively then perfectly landed a punch on the square of his face. He stammered back, blood coming out. I looked surprised.
I could hear a collective gasp behind my head. They didn't expect this. But the other guards are so relentless. They got it on there ego like how I girl can beat, then loyalty maybe for there head.
They approached. Then it's a complete mess. My punch and kicks landed on them, my fist clenched in pain. I got a punch on face and one at gut. But stopping is not an option now. But a cowerd wanted me hit from behind.
But a strong grip prevented him.
I looked back.
KEIFER.
He's not the composed businessman right now. He's now a Watson. The lethal anger on his face, eyes dark.
His low voice is echoing through the hall.
" Touch her and no one would ever know who you are, where you go."
Then a perfect punch landed. The guard knocked out.
He looked at the guards on the floor then two of them standing against The piller.
He turned around to the family.
"This is how you treat your family Mr. Harrington? Huh? My mother wants to meet her. We are not here to cage her. "
Then he comes to me. Looking at my eyes. My heart did a stupid backflip.
Aahhh!
He's scanning me whether I'm hurt or not. He looked at my swollen knuckles, bruised, covered with blood.
"You had your fight Laurent. And now you're not standing here for a minute. "
Before I could protest Mr. Harrington barked.
"She's a brat. Always like this. Never listened. Never drawback. We're supposed to seal a deal Watson. "
His eyes are red, practically fuming.
I don't do business with cowards. You can't ever stand before her opinion and played dirty. And she's not a trade or transaction. If she allows then the engagement will take a place or not.
Hearing this my heart did a backflip again. It's the warmth we shared once.
"You'll pay for it Watson. " He hissed.
And the second left, guards practically coming out of nowhere just to prevent us going out. My body tensed instinctively, ready to fight.
Then the door burst open. Armed guards with black uniforms coming in, practically tackled Harrington's guards.
Mrs. Seinna and Keira moved to us. Keira practically shivering in fear. She hold my hands tight like she's hiding behind me from them. I understand and pulled her flush against me. She lingering in my side. Other side Mrs. Watson is terrified as well as disappointed.
Keifer's voice raised," You think I'm leading Watson Enterprises with your IQ? Mark my words. If anyone try to lay a finger on Ana or my family prepare themselves to be burried alive in six feet. "
The guards guided us out safely.
We moved to the car. Silently. I can't resist going with them now. Ego is not for everywhere.
We settled in the car. Keifer on the driving seat. The passenger seat occupied by Keira.
Thanks. I can't sit against him. That will be too much for the day. Let my heart breath a little.
In the back Mrs. Watson, me and Athena settled.
The drive was going quiet before Mrs Watson ordered,
"Keifer first go to the hospital. Ana needs check up. "
He looked at me through the mirror.
I bounced on the sit.
"No, no ,no need Mrs. Watson. I'm completely fine. "
"Who's Mrs. Watson? "
She narrowed her eyes, looking like a Chinese woman with thick eyebrows.
I pointed at her. "You."
"Call me Aunt or Mama. You understand. "
A lump formed in my throat but I gulped it. My eyes burned.
"OK ok Aunt but I don't need to visit hospital. I have been in worse."
I murmured.
Her eyes softens. She caressing my head.
"You're brave Ana. "
The tension broke by Keira.
"You are so strong Fairy. You landed perfect punch and they knocked out. You fought like a real superwoman. "
Her voice is full of joy, proud and excitement.
My cheeks flushed. For that moment rage took over and I forgot about them. Just moved.
"You actually fight great."
Aunt said.
Then again she make me off guard.
"We're not going to hospital as because you can promise me that you'll shift to Watson Mansion. "
My eyes go wide.
"I'm sorry Aunt but I'll leave in few days. I was trapped for being here. "
"Okay just spent the days with me and us then."
I hesitated.
"But I've Athena with me. "
She boomed," Don't worry about me Jules."
This bitch!! You're not helping!!
Aunt gave the verdict. Pointing me and Athena one after another," You and You moving now to the Watson Mansion."
Then she looked at me with softener eyes," You need to know manythings. And I have some serious talk with you. Don't put me down."
Her eyes are soft, voice pleading with possession of warmth, hands never leaving me.