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"Good morning, Miss Del Mundo," my personal assistant greeted me.
I decided to go visit my family in my hometown.
It's been three weeks since I last visited them.
"You... look great today," I responded amusingly.
"Miss?... Oh thank you very much." She smiled awkwardly.
"Hey, you could relax!" I tapped her shoulder to let her know I meant every word.
It was awkward since I never been this relaxed and at ease to them.
"Thank you, Miss. Are you heading to your office?"
"I'll take a quick peek first at the kitchen,"
"I'll follow you then, Miss. I'm glad you're looking fine now. Will you be back?"
"Maybe?" I grinned.
Am I fine now?
I'm not sure. I was just havubg a great time with what Kenzo and I were doing.
"But for now, follow me." I walked toward my grand kitchen while I roamed my gaze around the main part of the restaurant.
I just entered in at the automatic sliding double glass door at the exterior entry that opens via sensor. It was maintained the way I instructed everyone working at my small cafe restaurant.
The full-length windows glazed at the half-bottom by the side of the path walk along the road were designed with small led lights around.
"Good job with the doors. I like the lights around the windows, it gives off lighter ambiance." I stood beside the counter for a moment, taking in all the hard works that finally paid off.
And it was always important to praise your employees for every single good job they accomplish. Either big or small accomplishments.
I put down all my things on the counter and hurried my way into the kitchen. As I stepped in, I immediately sniffed all the delicious smells coming from the kitchen.
"Mommy!" Vri jumped at me excitedly.
"VRI! How are you, my baby? I missed you." My lips quivered while I tucked her in a tight hug.
"Stella. Come here. Taste this." I picked up Vri and carried her towards this happy-looking old man.
"Hi Dad!"
I wanted to cry, but I can't. I was hurt because of my choices, and I promised to never give them more heartache since Vri.
"Your mom's been grumpy again since morning. She kept failing to like the taste of this new baked recipe she wanted to add to the menu." My father laughed as he cut a slice from this nice-looking bread.
"Ok, let me taste." I grabbed a piece and excitedly tasted it.
"How does it taste?" Dad asked nervously.
"It's..."
"What? Come on."
"It's good!" I said in delight.
"Really?"
"Yes, Dad! I guess Mom's grumpy because..."
"Well, she's just worried and missing you. She was like that since you barely went home after telling us about Dein."
"Dad!"
"Yummy!" Vri interrupted us and did her silly little dance when she likes a food.
"Owww! Come here, my little boss. Let your mommy rest." My dad lovingly get Vri from me.
"Thanks Dad. I'll go talk to Mom. Everyone, don't you dare stress out my father. Work properly. Every customer deserves a quality meal. Ok, chef, one hour before opening. I expect the best again." I announced after making a few short rounds in different food stations and food storage, just to check the ingredients.
"Hey! No slacking off! Faster!" I heard Vri shouted in her cute voice, and the kitchen staff broke into laughter.
That's my gal there.
Where could she even inherit such a surly attitude? None other than from me.
"Exactly like you, Miss." My PA whispered.
Everyone here is in love with Vri. Who would not?
She's the most amazing kid that I have ever known.
I took longer strides on the specially designed glass stairs with high-quality wooden railings and shiny-finished steel reinforcements that run to the second floor, where my office was located.
"Miss, I'll be leaving you now," my PA asked for permission to leave.
"Ok. But are all the sales since my last visit filed accordingly on my computer?"
"Yes Miss. And I'm sure your mother has been doing a good job on the sales,"
"Thank you. You can leave now," I smiled to my PA.
The metallic door swung open as I stepped into my office, and my mother's face changed abruptly upon seeing me.
"Mhie!" I smiled.
"I'm glad that you thought of coming home," she responded grumpily, as always.
"Mommy!" I almost broke into tears as I hugged her.
It had been three weeks since I last went home since we fought about Dein.
"The sales are doing well, so you don't have to worry about anything. Go clean yourself and eat. You are losing weight. Then we'll talk later. We have something to tell you. And Vri missed you so much. Spend time with her." My mom ravaged the folders on the table, looking very unsure of things.
I could not hold it anymore. I turned my back as tears swelled in my eyes. I walked hastily to my room, which I accessed through the connecting bathroom from my office.
I sprawled on my bed and cried my heart out.
I felt so much pain from leaving home just because I chose to fight for the wrong man.
Now, how could I say that Dein and I were over?
After some time bawling my eyes, I changed my clothes and checked on my computer for the sales.
I smiled to see such profit.
Six years ago, we were so tight when it came to finances, but then, when I started teaching, I got to save up money. Then I funded our bakery, which was about to close. Luckily, we got lucky, and when the money from the café grew, I bought this two-story building for sale just a few meters away from our old address and decided to have a small clothing line for kids when Vri came to make use of the second floor. It was renovated, and I decided to add a clothing line for moms too. I managed to buy the other building at the back and turn it into our home. Six years later, boom! I no longer worry about money.
That's why my father wouldn't just slack off because we were earning more than enough; he knew we had to take care of everything that we worked hard for.
My phone vibrated on my bed, and I jumped to check who had messaged me.
It was a voice message.
["I miss you, baby."]
I almost froze.
Kenzo.
Gosh, his voice.
Right, I'll be brave and tell them I was wrong. Because I've got a new reason now. And he's worth fighting for.
I stood up from the bed, and a sudden sharp pain hit me below my abdomen, and I felt dizzy.
I rampaged my way to the bathroom and threw up heavily from the food I just ate this morning before I headed home.
"No!" I gasped.
I feel like fainting.
It's impossible.
I barged out of the bathroom, grabbed my phone out of the bag, and checked my period calendar.
"I'm late!" I breathed heavily while holding my phone. My hands started trembling, and my body started sweating profusely.
I grabbed my wallet and marched out of our house. Gladly, our house was oriented backwards the café and the clothing line.
I headed to the nearest drug store, bought a pregnancy test, and hurriedly went home.
My heart kept pounding loudly as I waited for the results.
Then a red line slowly appeared, which brought some relief to me, but when I was about to go out of the bathroom, another one appeared.
I stood there staring out blankly. My mind wasn't processing anything.
"I...I'm...pregnant."