Laura
Five years later;
Did I put myself together and move on? Yes, I did. I did it for Lena and Luke. My miracle twins.
The Ferrari Enzo's door opened. I stepped out of the car, flipped my hair and wore my glasses.
"Ms. Roberts," screamed a group of Reporters pushing to get to me. My driver closed the car's door behind me and my bodyguards gathered around trying to stop the Media from getting close to me.
I returned from the States, a month ago. The medias, reporters, journalists and paparazzi have been hovering around my company— Xpresso Beauty Company for a while now.
I walked past them as my bodyguards led me into the building.
"Ma'am, your phone," one of the guards said, giving my phone to me.
"Thank you," I said and collected the phone.
I glanced at it and answered it. "Hello, Cassie." I listened to what she had to say.
"Eight million dollars should go straight to the Single Mothers Organization. Another eight million dollars to the Motherless babies and orphanage home."
"Understood. Sorry for the inconvenience caused," she said.
"It's fine," I said and ended the call. I was a billion dollar worth heiress running an NGO to help the needy. I have always dreamed of helping the needy since I was little but my life was no better from theirs. Now, I had the chance to do what I had always dreamed of doing.
I started heading to the elevator that would take me to my office.
I got to my office and sat behind my long luxurious desk.
Father had said to me, "Sweetie, everyone wants to know who is the Founder of Xpresso Beauty Company, who calls the shot, who has been running the company, anonymously, who is Ms. Roberts. I think it's time for the world to know who you are."
My eyes caught a glimpse of the newspaper at the far end of the table. I collected it and glanced at the headline: XPRESSO BEAUTY COMPANY TOPS MAGICAL BEAUTIES AND HAS BECOME THE FIRST COSMETIC COMPANY IN THE COUNTRY TO MAKE OVER TWO BILLION DOLLARS WITHIN FIVE YEARS.
"Cheers to greater heights for me and my company," I said to myself with a smile.
I remembered the reporters and paparazzi waiting for me outside the building. I've been trying so hard to avoid their questions because I knew they'd ask about my ex-husband. He was my past and I wished they'd respect that and let sleeping dogs lie.
Immediately, the office door opened and drew my attention. I raised my head to see who was at the doorway.
"Shawn," I called with a mix of surprise and excitement as he walked into the office.
"I'm back, miamor," he said, spreading out his arms.
I stood and slowly approached him. It's been years since I saw him. I wouldn't be where I was if it wasn't for him. If it wasn't for that fated accident.
He stretched his hand and caught hold of my wrist, gently pulling me closer to himself. "I missed you so much, Laura," he whispered in my ears.
I swallowed hard. "I'm glad you're back, Shawn."
"You have really made uncle and I proud, Laurie," he said, lifting my face with a fingertip.
"Thank you," I said with a smile as I stepped backwards.
"I saw the headline, today. You made history. This calls for celebration."
I smirked. "It wouldn't have been possible without your support and dad's support."
"Laura, it's all thanks to your business acumen."
"Can't wait to see how big the kids have grown," he added taking a seat.
"Lana and Luke will be so happy to see you."
He nodded. "Of course. So.."
I stared at him, keenly. So what? "You have a fiancée?"
"No, jeez. Except you want to be my fiancée. I could order the best ring, right now."
"Stop joking around," I giggled.
"I want to take you out on a date, tonight to celebrate your success. Please, do not refuse," he ran his hand through his hair.
"That was kind of sexy," I complimented.
He winked. "Should I do it again?"
We both laughed. "Well, it is to celebrate the company's success, so… yes."
"Thank you, belle," he said with a curt bow.
I nodded with a smile.
His phone buzzed. He glanced at it. "I have to go. I'll come pick you up by 7:30pm."
"Bye," I bellowed, waving at him.
"Bye, Laura," he said with a grin. He turned around and left.
***
6:00pm
It was time for me to go home. "Cole," I said, pressing the telephone to my ear. "I'm heading home. Have Ariana go through those documents I sent to you and send over the files I asked her to send, to my house. Thank you." I returned the telephone to its booth and walked into the elevator.
I walked out of the elevator and walked to the receptionist.
"I'm signing off for today, Carla. I've seen all the products and I like it. Especially that lip combo. I must say, Misha is doing a nice job. Tell her I said that. I'm in a hurry if not, I would have said it to her myself."
"I will do that, Ms. Roberts," she said, with a smile and stretched a bouquet of rose flowers to me. "Someone delivered this in your name."
I stared at her quizzically. "Are you sure these flowers are for me?"
"Yes, ma'am," she said, with a nod.
I collected it and searched for a paper in it. I found one and opened it, expecting to see the name of the person who had sent the flowers.
But what I saw in the piece of paper was: I'M SORRY FOR EVERYTHING, LAURIE.
I was taken aback. Roses were my favorite flowers. Who had sent them?
All of a sudden, it reminded me of Lorenzo. My heart hammered in my chest.. Lorenzo used to give me a bouquet of rose flowers sometimes when he returned from work.
I returned the bouquet of flowers back to her. "You can have it, Carla."
She collected it. "Thank you so much, Ms. Roberts."
"You're welcome," I said, with a warm smile.
"Ms. Roberts, your car is ready."
I nodded and started leaving the building, with my bodyguards.
Outside the building, I began moving past the crowd of reporters and paparazzi. The reporters kept throwing their questions at me. "Ms. Roberts, how does it feel to be the owner of such a big company?"
"Ms. Roberts, why did it take so long for you to make yourself public?"
"Miss Roberts tell us about your love life."
I was about to get into my car before a reporter's probing question made me halt.
"Miss Roberts, can you finally tell us what really happened with your husband five years ago?"
If I didn't give them an answer now, they'd never stop asking. Before I could respond, a familiar voice interrupted, dripping with confidence.
"You will not ask my wife any further questions about me. I never stopped loving her," Lorenzo declared, stepping out of the shadows.
Stunned, I spun around. How did he find me?
"I'm not your wife!" I fired back, my voice steady.
.
"Not yet, darling. But I've made arrangements. We're getting remarried… today."
What? You betrayed me, you jerk! I wanted to scream.
The audacity. My hand formed fist. I wanted to leave a stinging red mark on his cheek.