The next morning,
Eli went ahead while Arthur stayed back. He couldn't understand why he couldn't go with Eli to school.
" Why couldn't I go with Eli to school?." He asked with a shrug.
" Cause we have to visit the principal's office for your admission before you can attend class. Now let's go."
Alec ruffles his hair walking out, with a groan he followed behind. Arthur stared out the car window in the moving car, his eyes distant and seemed to be lost in his thoughts. Alec stared at Arthur through the rearview mirror.
" Something the matter?."
" Nothing."
Alec nods his attention back on the road. He knew the boys parents are having a huge fight at the moment, his mother asked him to look after Arthur for a while and make sure he's happy. She literally begged him on the phone.
" Listen Arthur, try and fit in and make friends okay."
" I have Eli, I don't need any other people."
" Just try... for your mother's sake, she wants you to be happy here."
The black jeep pulled into the parking lot. They made their way to the principal's office.
" Mr Qinn, what a wonderful surprise seeing you twice in a week."
" Good morning, Principal."
" Please take a seat, how may I help you this morning?."
" This is my Nephew, Arthur...I would like to enroll him into this school."
" Of course, I will see here what class is available and he can get started."
" I would like to be in the same class as my future wife if you may be so kind."
" Uhm...f-future wife?." Head principal raised both brows.
" He means Eli."
" But aren't they--"
" We're not related in that way, so it's alright for us to marry one day."
" Oh... well Arthur, putting you in the same class as Eli is impossible, your file here says you were in 10th grade, you will have to resume in that grade... Eli is in 7th grade.
Once everything was settled, Alec left while Arthur went to his assigned class.
" Class, we have a new transfer student joining us today. Please introduce yourself to the class dear."
" I'm Arthur Qinn, transferred here from East London."
" Are you related to those..those.. Qinn family?."
" Yes I am."
" Wow, so cool."
A foreign girl walked up to him looking at him with her squirted tiny eyes, she seem to be japanese.
" Konnichiwa, Hana desu. Me...engilishi trying."
She introduced herself in Japanese with a friendly smile. Luckily he took a Japanese class back in London, his mother loved to travel there when he was still younger, he hated the fact that he couldn't understand a single word they were saying and took it upon himself to take a class when he returned.
" Konnichiwa Hana San. Arthur desu."
" Kawaii... You speak Japanese."
Arthur smiled seeing her excited and amazed look on her face.
" Hana, Arthur. Take your seats, you two can catch up later."
He took the seat opposite Hana's seat.
Meanwhile back at Qinn Estate. Winter walked down stairs to grab a cup of coffee before heading to college. She bumped into one of the maids who was rushing upstairs with a bunch of sheets in her arms.
" I'm sorry ma'am, I didn't see you coming."
" Why's everyone moving up and down, is there a function or something?."
" Not quite but it is wonderful news, Mrs Qinn is coming home."
Winter's face suddenly turned pale, her bright eyes slowly losing its shine and smile fading.
" W-what?."
" Oh...I thought you already knew. Mr Qinn ordered for the sheets to be changed and have a special dinner prepared for tonight."
" I see." She forced a smile and could barely hold it.
" Are you okay Ms Bloom?."
" Yeah...yeah I'm fine just, don't include me for dinner I have a lot of work to finish, so I will spend the night at campus. Do inform Mr Qinn when he returns."
" Yes ma'am."
Forgetting to take a coffee she stormed out of the house.
" Ready to leave Ms Bloom?."
" Thanks but I will get an Uber."
She said without throwing a glance at Aron. Aron kept a composed expression, but that didn't stop him to wonder what's gotten her so worked up. Does it have to do with Ms Emma returning home today?. He thought. Either way he couldn't let her take a damn Uber.
He gets into the car driving behind her. She was walking so slow it was easy to catch up on her. And this place was isolated and far from the city, she can only get to call an Uber once reaching the bus stop. It would take her approximately 2 miles from here, let's just say 2 and half with the pace she was walking in.
" Get in Ms Bloom, you'll miss your class."
" I said I will get an Uber."
" An Uber is two miles away, your feet will swell."
" I don't give a damn."
Aron sighs. Why does he have to be the one to deal with this? Does all the women he comes across with have to be stubborn? That includes his dear wife of course.
Not having much of a choice, he drove past her hitting the breaks and stopped in front of her, blocking her way.
" What do you think -- "
" I'm asking nicely, get in."
" What?."
She grits her teeth at him with a blazing look in her eyes. Aron pinched his temples helplessly.
" Please... get in, it's hot out and you'll be late for class if you walk. Which I can't let that happen cause it will be the end of my job."
He lied about losing his job thinking that would at least make her reconsider, which of course worked after she seemed to think about it for a while.
Of course he wouldn't get fired but he would get a proper scolding from his boss.
With a still gloomy face and stubborn attitude, she got into the back seat crossing her arms.
" Seatbelt please." He spoke with a slight smile. Winter glared at him through the rearview mirror belting herself up.
" Mr Aron?."
" Yes Ms?."
" Don't bother picking me up today, I will stay at a friend's dorm."
" Does Mr Qinn know?."
" He does not.... Probably wouldn't even mind...or care."
She stared out the car window, hiding the sadness in her eyes.
...
At Anderson Group, applauses and welcomes filled the lobby as Emma walked gracefully among the employees and other important stuff. A polite gratitude smile that warmed their hearts upon looking.
" Ms Qinn, good to have you back."
Betha stood in front of her with a bouquet of white roses and a texture of pink to them. Emma could see the woman was acting in profession, trying to be one of the ordinary employees but she wasn't just an ordinary employee, she was like family... and like any other family Betha was important to her, she has been ever since she was a little girl.
Unexpectedly. Emma pulled her in her embrace with a hug so tight but warm and assuring. " I missed you so much, Beth." She whispered. Betha stroked her back gently with a smile, tears forming in the corners of her eyes. She really thought she lost this girl, the little girl who grew up in her eyes, the little girl who's always been like a daughter to her, the little girl who's been so noisy and stubborn at everything. Betha couldn't help but drop those tears on the thought if she actually lost her, she rather dies first than experiencing that pain over again.
" Little sister."
A voice called out from a distance. Emma recognized that voice, how can she forget? How could she have forgotten? Her own blood, her own sister, her own flesh. Last night fragments of her memories hit her like a baseball bat and she remembered part of her memories, some not so pleasing cause she it seemed that wasn't her first time trying to die, she's been in that situation for a long time it seemed...not to mention a victim of almost rape. And in those lost memories was Ava, her big sister who was sent away by their own parents cause she was a danger, or more like a broken little girl who just wanted to be loved by her own parents and recognized. They settled their issues a long time ago and far as she could remember they are pretty good.
Emma ran to her hugging Ava, it took Ava by surprise and storm but happy. Does she finally remember her?
" Let's go." Emma dragged her by the hand inside the elevator.
" Do you remember?."
Ava turned to ask when the elevator shut closed.
" Part of it yes, but still not Alec or the others."
" Don't push yourself, it will eventually come back to you."
" I'm just glad I remember you now, I can finally talk to you about things like--"
" Julian?."
Emma gave a confused look. " Trixie told me."
" Of course she did." Emma smiled wery.
" Hey don't worry about it, so tell me is he good in bed?." She nudged Emma by the arm. Emma chuckled nodding shyly.
" I literally experienced three orgasms in one round."
" Get...out, are you being for real?."
" Hm, but..." The elevator stopped on the 8th floor and they stepped out heading to Emma's office.
" Good morning Ms Qinn, Ms Woods. Welcome." The receptionist greeted.
" Morning Rosa."
The two entered the office with Ava closing the door behind them.
" What's bothering you?."
" He wants more than casual sex, he already confessed his feelings towards me. But he knows I can't leave my family, my kids."
" He gets where I'm coming from, he's just a nice guy and Alex loves his papa."
Emma exhaustedly leaned back in her seat.