Winter woke up filled up with energy the next morning, a smile plastered on her delicate soft face. She took a quick shower and changed into her newest clothes, a pretty summer blue dress with flowers printed on it. Tying her hair up she went down stairs wearing that warm smile but saw no one. ' am I up early?' She thought and asked a servant.
" Where is everyone?."
" Oh, they went to pay tribute to the late Mrs Qinn."
" Oh... okay." Winter's smile slowly vanished.
" Breakfast will be ready in 5 minutes Ms."
She nods taking a seat on the dining table, wherever she looked or went in this estate she could see Emma's shadow passing by, her presence is so strong and everywhere in the house. Not that it's her ghost but the love everyone has for her in this house.
" Ms, breakfast is served."
A servant pulled her out of her thoughts. She took a sip of her coffee not thinking about it too much, after all she's the one here now... she's the one in Alec's life now. She's his wife now, even though it's just by name.
She heard a distant charter from the main hall and figured they had returned. Winter stood when they walked into the dining hall.
" Good morning." She greeted humbly. Alec glanced at her for a few seconds.
" Morning." He greets. " I'll freshen up real quick." He proceeded upstairs. Zain gave a slight nod towards Winter before he too proceeded upstairs.
" Nice dress." Ava compliments her.
" Yeah... It brings out your eyes." Added Trixie.
" T-thank you." Winter smiled happily. They all sat down to eat together.
" How about we hit the pool later, you're welcome to join us if you'd like Winter."
Trixie invited her to join them. " I would love to."
" Where did Lucas said he was going again?." Asked Ava.
" Down West, Something about a client who went lunatic at the hotel and began crashing things."
" Oh my god did they call the police?."
" Yes but since it's my day off today I decided to ignore the matter and leave it to them."
" You're a cop?." Winter swooped in the conversation, she was trying so hard to get along with these powerful women and some day soon to be good friends.
" Yes I am."
" That's so cool."
" She's no ordinary cop that's for sure."
" Ava, what's that supposed to mean?." They all laughed.
****
Somewhere in Thailand...
Alex's cry came from the living room and Emma was stuck in the shower with shampoo in her hair.
" Julian."!
" I ghot him."!
He abandoned his work to check on baby Alex.
" Hey buddy what's the problem? Don't you like your new toys...I can get you new ones?."
They went out on the balcony to look at the view out looking the city and watching the cars drive through the streets. His apartment was big enough and had a magnificent view of the city. Alex eventually stopped crying looking at all the cars and trees, this made Julian smile seeing the little guy's fascinating face.
" Hey, is he okay?."
Emma approached them drying her hair with a towel in bum shorts and a spaghetti top.
" Yeah he's fine. Sorry I don't own a hair dryer... I'll get one when I go to the store."
" It's fine the towel works just fine see," she shows him her still damp hair. " I'll get food ready."
" Can you even cook Ms Anderson?." He teased her.
" Mr Ken, how dare you underestimate my magnificent cooking... Of course I can cook." Emma entered her dramatic mode making her way to the kitchen. Julian chuckled watching her in silence. He was happy to have company with him, this big apartment was always quiet and gloomy before these two came along and filled his life with joy and a purpose of life.
" Can we go shopping later I don't feel comfortable wearing your ex girlfriend's clothes."
" Sure."
After a fulfilling delicious meal the three of them went out shopping and had ice cream on the way. They visited the not to crowded play park and watched Alex as he played on the sand all smiley and full of giggles.
" So.... When are you planning on contacting your family?."
Julian asked. Emma breathes in staring at her son.
" I don't know, I mean I don't know what to do from this point... I have been away for years, people think am dead and they probably moved on. In all honesty I'm scared."
" Scared of what?."
" The truth... Think about it. I was knocked out from a coma for 5 years and I only ended up in that condition cause someone shot me. Someone must have want me dead."
" True, but how does that have to do with letting your family know you're still alive?."
" I had rivals with other companies but they wouldn't go as far to kill me, and I wouldn't say it has to do with my profession of being a lawyer. What if it's... Alex's father who wanted me gone."
" What, come on."
" Think about it, maybe he found himself a mistress and he wanted me out of the picture so he can be with her...makes sense right? Things like these happen all the time in movies between wealthy people."
" You should reduce watching those, you're losing your mind."
Emma chuckled. " I don't know what to think at this point Julian. Anything is possible."
" Or maybe you were just at the wrong place wrong time, those also happen in movies."
" Haha very funny using my own words against me. Let's return to the apartment I'm exhausted."
" Yes ma'am."
" Alex sweety! Time to go." He ran to her and she gathered him in her arms.
****
Trixie handed Winter one of her still new bikini she hadn't opened yet.
" Thank you, I didn't think to buy one yesterday."
" You can have it I have plenty more."
They went to the pool and just sat on the laid back chairs to enjoy the sun and chat.
" So you're 21?." Trixie asked.
" Yes, will soon turn 22 in three months."
" I still remember my 21 like it was yesterday, but being 27 hits differently.... Since we were the same age with Emma she suggested we celebrate our birthdays on the same day."
" You two shared birthdays?."
" I was a month older than her but we celebrated it on my day."
" That's so sweet, you must have been really close."
" Yes, we were like sisters...we did grow up together."
Trixie wiped a tear with a sad expression.
" I'm sorry."
" No it's fine, I was the one who brought her up after all... I just miss her so much."
Winter didn't know what to do or say In this situation, she's never had a friend and dealing with emotions is way out of her reach.
" If you two are talking about some sobbing mother f*cking story from a movie scene I swear to go back inside."
Ava approached them with bottles of alcohol. ' thank goodness she's here' Winter breathes a sigh of relief.
" It was some f*cked up movie scene alright."
Trixie smiled taking a bottle from Ava.
" Oh no I don't drink." Winter refused a bottle.
" Seriously, you're 21?." Ava spoke.
" I'm sorry."
" Do you always apologize for everything?." Ava found this girl really weird.
" Well I... forgive me."
" There you go again apologizing, don't do that."
" Sor-... I-i mean sure, I won't do that."
It's a habit of hers to apologize over everything, that's what her family back in Texas expected her to do... Always apologize even though it's not her fault, that's how she learnt to survive all the days of her life in their captivity. The world outside was so limited and stopped her from certain things, the only time she would be out of their sight was when she went to school... but even so her time was restricted. She was expected to get home as soon as class was over, if she delayed even for a minute she got what was coming to her. Physical punishment from her step mother.
" I'll ask a servant to get you a juice then."
Whilst from a distance. Zain and Alec sat on the garden chairs talking about business.
" The stocks have risen and some people are not in agreement with the deals."
" And the finance office, what are they doing about it?." Alec asked.
" Nothing, as long as it's benefiting them they don't care. If this continues it will raise concern and talking."
" We should arrange a meeting tomorrow morning. This is getting so annoying."
Sighs Alec.