Chapter 3 Back to the city

Six years later...

LA...

Pulling down her sunglasses, she stared at the busy activities that were happening right in front of her.

There were so many families welcoming their loved ones right there at the airport; laughter and crying were heard, flowers and gifts flooded the air, as well as surprises and wedding engagements.

But nothing was happening for her, no friends, no relatives, - not a single soul to welcome her back, except...

"You need to stay next to me, Hazel,"

The little girl smiled, clearly excited to be back alongside her mother.

Brooklyn halted a cab, with the driver helping them carry their bags. She had no plans of coming back to LA, - but it was her mother's request.

She was back in the city - but as a whole different person than the one that left six years ago...

"Mummy, are we going to the beach?"

Brooklyn heaved a tired sigh, carefully helping her daughter into the car. Hazel was always curious and filled with questions, and she knew that wasn't the only thing she was going to ask, there was another one coming, the one she fought so hard to ignore-

"- Are we going to see Daddy?"

Yes, that one. That question had been on her lips for the past two years, and every time Hazel brought it up, Brooklyn couldn't find an answer.

"We're just going to rest for a while before doing whatever you want, okay?"

Hazel nodded reluctantly, her shoulders slumping. That wasn't enough to keep her totally quiet, but at least it would keep her shut for the next few minutes.

"Where's your destination, ma'am?"

Brooklyn realized that she hadn't informed him about their destination. The truth was, she didn't even know where they were going, but it was definitely not her mother's house.

"Just take me to any comfortable hotel. I need somewhere safe and secure,"

The last time she had said something like that, she had ended up in the arms of a stranger. Hopefully, history will definitely not repeat itself.

*

"I need to leave right now,"

Whitney frowned at his words, clearly annoyed that he was ditching her again...

"Why do you have to leave? I thought the meeting was by 6pm? It's just a few minutes past 2pm,"

Xander buttoned up his sleeves, his hands reaching for his watch on the table next to the bed.

"I have to prepare. You know how much my father hates tackiness,"

"I don't get it. What's so important about the meeting that needs you there? Can't he just give you the details over text or mail?" She pouted her lips, hating the fact that his father kept having him for impromptu meetings.

"That's Leonard Gray for you," he said with a chuckle, already dressed and ready to leave, "I sent you some money, hope it's enough for the days we spent together,"

Whitney bit down her lips in frustration. Xander still saw and took her as a 'call' girl, someone who was only there to warm his bed. She kept hoping he would take her seriously especially since she confessed her feelings to him.

"I don't want your money." She threw out, gritting her teeth, "I just want us to be in a happy and healthy relationship, that's all."

He huffed, picking up his phone from the table, "I'm not ready for a relationship right now, Whitney. I already told you-"

"- she's gone, remember?" She broke in, cutting him off the words she was already tired of hearing, "You don't even know who she is or if she's still alive. Why can't you just let go of the past and move on?"

Xander swallowed hard, the weight of her words hitting him. She was right about one thing,- she was gone. But, he never forgot about her, not even once for the past six years.

"I'll take my leave now." He said with his tone sounding hasty, "Bye, Whitney,"

*

"Gray view suites," Brooklyn drew the words slowly, the name striking a memory in her head.

This was it. This was the place. This was the same hotel she had given herself to a stranger only to discover she was carrying his child months later...

And now she was back.

"Is- is this the hotel?"

"Yes, ma'am," the driver confirmed, not knowing what was going through her mind, "This is one of the best and most secure hotels in the city, although it's a bit pricey."

She swallowed hard, memories of that night replaying in her head. Was she overthinking? Or was her mind telling her the truth about running into him here again?

It's been six years...

Six years of blaming herself and struggling not to give up all because of the decisions she made. She had gotten back every single penny she lost and still hasn't forgotten about Zayne and Kimberly's betrayal. She was going to get back at them no matter how long it took her.

"Mummy, I'm hungry,"

It took long enough. Hazel had been asleep all through the drive and had only woken up when they pulled up at the hotel.

"Don't worry, baby. We'll get food once we get inside, okay?"

Hazel nodded.

Brooklyn knew there was no way she could find somewhere else to go just because of a silly overthinking in her brain. She had put the past behind her and was only ready for new beginnings.

*

"Brooklyn will be here any minute," Sophia announced while taking a seat at the table and scrolling through her phone.

Zayne and Kimberly exchanged looks, with Kim rolling her eyes.

"Did you really have to call her here?" She scoffed, shifting in her chair, "I thought you disowned her,"

Sophia shot her a cold look, making her shudder slightly and keeping her mouth shut for the next few minutes.

"I have no idea why Xander is also running late," Leonard uttered with a hint of disappointment, "I told him to be here early,"

"I'm sure he's taking his time, honey. They'll be here soon,"

.

Xander walked in a few minutes later, his eyes catching sight of the little gathering with his father in the midst. Reluctantly, he walked towards the direction, plastering a forced smile on his face.

"You're late," his father's voice was stern and harsh, but nothing new to his ears.

"Yes. I had a meeting and the investors-,"

"-Take a seat," his father interrupted, cutting him off completely. Xander forced his words down his throat, trying so hard not to get offended by his father's remarks.

"It's so nice to see you," Sophia said to him with a smile, her hands reaching to his for a handshake, "I've heard so much about you,"

Xander smiled, - another forced one, "Same here,"

"Meet my daughter, Kimberly, and her fiancée, Zayne. My eldest daughter has been out of the country for years now, but she's on her way here,"

Xander nodded, not really caring about what she was saying. Kimberly shot him a smile while Zayne exchanged handshakes with him.

"Brooklyn is the only one we're waiting for, and I'm sure-''

"- I'm sorry, I'm late," A voice broke in, the sole of her heels making tapping noises, "Traffic was crazy, and-"

"- Brooklyn?" Sophia called with awe, unable to believe she was finally seeing her daughter after so many years, "Is that really you?"

Brooklyn ran her tongue over her lips, slowly taking off her jacket and handing it over to the server.

Kimberly's jaw hung in the air, and Zayne wouldn't stop staring. The Brooklyn standing in front of them was a different version of the one they knew years back.

Amid the whole emotional drama, Xander watched keenly, his eyes never leaving the stranger who had just walked in.

Those green eyes... soft pink lips... and brown hair that had gotten darker.,, she hadn't changed at all... it was her, the girl he had longed to see again.

"Hello, Brooklyn. It's so nice to meet you again,"

She shot her head up, her eyes darting directly to the voice who had called her name.

The voice... the familiarity... the face... the man...

The ghost of her past had returned, and was staring right into her eyes...

Brooklyn swallowed hard, feeling her knees go numb and unable to hold her anymore... it was happening... her overthinking had been proven right once again...

"Mummy?"

They had been so engrossed with each other that nobody saw the little girl she had walked in with. A girl who was the exact replica of her... Hazel.

"Did- did she just call you mummy?" Kimberly asked with surprise, her mouth refusing to close. All eyes turned to little Hazel, and they all exchanged looks and murmured under their breaths.

"Is that your daughter?"

"Are you married?"

"Is her father here in LA?"

Each and every one of them kept asking questions and eagerly waiting to know what was going on. Everyone including Xander.

"Yes. This is my daughter, Hazel," she announced, trying to sound normal and not disrupted while pulling out a chair for her and Hazel to sit, unluckily for her the only seat left was right next to Xander, "I hope you don't mind her joining us,"

Nobody said a word.

Everyone was too shocked and stunned to speak, and Brooklyn knew they were all trying to process every single thing that was happening.

"Not at all," Sophia finally spoke up, grinning at the little girl, "Hazel, was it? Come and sit next to your grandmother,"

Hazel looked at her mother for confirmation. Brooklyn, who was trying so hard not to pass out or make a wrong move, gave her daughter a nod to go ahead, earning a smile from the little girl as she scurried all the way to her grandmother.

Xander's eyes never left her, she could feel it. The tension in the room was palpable and heavy, but the one between them was worse.

She tried her best not to look in his direction, or directly into his eyes. But, it was the most difficult thing to do at the moment. She felt a surge of adrenaline when his hands mistakenly touched her skin, and she decided she was going to ignore him till the whole meeting was done for good.

Xander couldn't stop staring, his heart thumping with a mixture of excitement, relief, and sadness.

He was excited that their paths crossed again, relieved that she was still alive after disappearing into thin air, and sad that she hadn't come back single,- she was now a mother.

Another emotion grew within him, - anger.

Who was the man who had dared touch her? The father of her daughter? Who was the man who had already taken the spot he had been dreaming about?

Brooklyn tried to eat, but her hands were shaking. She had tried to let go of his thoughts for the past six years, forcing herself to move on. But here she was, sitting right next to him and with his whole focus on her. How could she possibly feel free? How long was she going to ignore him?

"We both called you all here because we have an announcement to make," Leonard finally spoke up after the drama had died down a little and after whispering with Sophia. Giving her a nod, he said, "You can go ahead,"

Sophia smiled broadly, carefully holding Hazel who was sitting on her lap, "Leo proposed to me a month ago,"

Loud gasps emanated from the table, and just when they were all trying to process the news, she broke the one that tore their spirits completely, "Leo and I,- we've decided to get married,"

Brooklyn's hands dropped the cutlery she was holding and started trembling. Xander's glass fell off his hands, crashing into the ground. Kimberly? She still had her jaw hung, and as for Zayne, - no one really cared about his reaction to the news.

Brooklyn's heart started racing as she caught a glimpse of her smiling daughter who had no idea what was going on. After years of dreaming, Hazel meets with her father. They are sitting across from each other, not knowing their relationship.

To make issues worse, they were going to be step-siblings! Imagine being a stepsister to the father of your child. Brooklyn felt like puking at the thoughts and realizations, knowing things had only gotten worse.

Xander's world came crashing like a pack of well-arranged cards. Getting married? Becoming step-siblings? After years of waiting to be reunited with her? No. It had to be the biggest joke of the century.

"Getting married?" Kimberly confirmed, "So you mean, we're all going to become one family?"

Sophia nodded, "Yes, darling. That is why we've called you all here together to get to know each other,"

Brooklyn stared directly into Xander's eyes for the first time in six years, and she saw the same look she had in her eyes.

It was never going to work being siblings. The relationship between them was more than an innocent, mutual one that needed no boundaries.

Especially not after what had happened between them and the result of that night sitting right next to them...