Anna looked up, waving the magazine. "Whose is it?" She asked the three employees who were in the kitchen with her.

"Oh, that should be me. I thought I misplaced it." The blonde girl flushed pink. Her name was Mena.

"Okay, please keep it away, properly." She smiled at Mena.

"Sorry. It won't happen again." Mena walked up to Anna and collected it from her.

"Back to work everyone." Anna told them, reaching for her flour.
💮💮💮💮💮

Exhausted and tired, Anna walked into her house. A storey, big, its exterior walls painted in beige while interior white and beige. She had nice Burgundy colored curtains for her large windows. In short, the whole place was black, white, grey or beige colored, including the decor. The interior designer really did a good job with the place. It had the classic straight style, L shaped staircase. In this design, the stairs made a 90-degree turn at some point, going right after a landing.

The lights were on and Anna quickened her steps, heading to her room.

"You're home." A woman had opened a door. It was Syla. She looked almost the same with the same bold brown tiger eyes, blonde hair.

"Yep." Anna stopped, turning to Syla. "Are you going somewhere?" She noticed that Syla was dressed up.

"I am. I'm meeting a friend of mine at a restaurant not too far away." Syla answered.

"Okay." Anna nodded. "Have fun." She smiled before walking to her own room.

Anna laid on her bed, sleeping peacefully when she heard the doorbell echo in her sleep. She sluggishly stood up, trying to tie her silk sleeping robes to cover her skimpy nightdress.

"Hold on, one second." She said when the person rang again and she was almost down the stairs.

Anna opened the door and immediately, her hands flew to cover her mouth in shock and her eyes widened.

"Hey." His deep voice vibrated. Then he smiled.

Anna smiled back... "You." She moved closer to him, wrapping her arms his neck.

"Surprise." He pulled her closer, hugging her.
................................................................................

Scott walked into the Ontario Mansion. The entrance hall had a beautiful bifurcated stairs which include one sweeping set of stairs that splits off into two smaller flights going in opposite direction, it had a black runner down the stairs and the whole wall was painted in white with a touch of gold and grey. The house was Victorian styled, three storeys, with two pillars extending to the top floor.

Ontario's Mansion....

He arrived in the evening after he had spent most his time at Ontario Jewels. Scott worked in the administrative department, although Daniel did most of the work.

"Scott? Is that you?" Rhonda asked as she saw him pass by the library.

Scott took steps back. "Hi mom." He smiled standing by the doorway to the library.

"My dear," She walked up to him, giving him a big hug. "How have you been?"

Scott pulled away from his mom. "I'm great. You look really pretty." He flattered her.

Rhonda chuckled, giving him playful taps on his cheek. "What have you been up to young man?"

"Nothing." He shrugged.

"Just take care of yourself and don't get into trouble. You know how your father can get." Rhonda said to him.

"Speaking of the old man, is he here right now?" He asked his mom.

"Yes. He's in the study. He's gonna give you a piece of his mind when he sees you, be careful with what you say him." She warned him.

"It's okay, I've seen him at his worse." Scott grinned.

"Off you go." Rhonda gently nudged him.

Scott walked down, stopping at a closed huge mahogany door. He turned the handle of the door and entered.

"Good evening dad." Scott said, using his most serious voice. It was deep in a way.

Ethan who was engrossed in the papers he was writing just pointed to a chair across the table without sparing a glance at Scott.

Scott pulled out a chair, sitting down with his legs crossed.

After a while of total silence, Ethan looked up at his son. "So, I heard you were at the office throughout the day." Ethan removed his glasses, placing it on the table in front of him.

"I was. Daniel told me you wanted to see me?" Scott rubbed his chin.

"Well yes I did, but before we talk about business, I want to remind you that keeping our family name out of those filthy mouths of the press is our priority too. Bad publicity is bad business." Ethan spoke with power.

"You've said that before..." Scott frowned at him.

"I don't want the reputation of my company's name to be soiled, do I make myself clear? That stupid title you were given is making it seem like the Ontarios are bunch of clowns. This will be the last time I'd entertain such an act, because, son, you know the consequence." Ethan stared at his son with watchful eyes.

"I won't do anything reckless I already said-"

"You said that before and what happened? A disgraceful video came out to the public, it was humiliating."

"Oh dad." He scratched his forehead. "We all know that wasn't me, it was Photoshop. Someone wanted to drag my name into the mud." Scott told him.

"It's because of that licentious attitude of yours, if you could just be a little more decent and have a little self respect then we could have avoided that embarrassing scandal." Ethan raised his voice. "I'm dead serious Scott, one more scandal and I'll disinherit you for sure. Don't think I'm bluffing." Ethan's face squeezed. His expression was hard and threatening.

Scott put his hands up in surrender. "Fine, fine. I promise." He said with a nod. Scott hated that his father always threatened to disinherit him. I mean, why would a father do that to his son?

Ethan's face softened. "Now," he relaxed against his chest. "I have an assignment for you."

Scott nodded... "What is it?"

"There's a gala, a fundraising gala to be precise. I want you to attend this gala and please don't take any of those unrefined women, go alone, or better still, take Chad with you. He knows a lot about handling people. There is a property I need from a man -Leon Smith. I want you to make a proposition..." Ethan explicitly explained Scott's work.

Scott listened attentively making sure he didn't miss a word. After Ethan was done talking, Scott asked. "Where is this gala taking place?"

"Galway, Ireland." Ethan answered.

Scott was thinking of fun places like Rome, Paris, Cuba or maybe Brazil. But Ireland? He's never been there not to talk of having thoughts about going. "Ireland." Scott's excitement died down.

"Yes Scott. I expect you to be on your best behavior when you get there. I'll have someone send all the documents you need so you can prepare. This contract would be for the greater good of Ontario Jewels, please don't make me regret giving it to you." Ethan told Scott.

"Why do you always make it seem like I'm the bad guy?" Scott rolled his eyes.

His father was a difficult man to please, even if Scott gave him the nine planets plus the sun, his father would still find faults.

"Until you start proving you're more than capable like your older brother." Ethan didn't bother to hide the fact that Daniel was a more competent person than Scott.

Scott scoffed at the last two words. "I'll prove you wrong."

"Everything will be sent to you, the time, venue, your hotel will be booked, so you won't have to worry about anything." Ethan told him.

Worry? Oh yes he was worried. Girls, did Ireland have hot girls? It better. He shamelessly thought. There was no way he will stay in Ireland without exploring. Speaking of fun, he remembered his memorable vacation in Brazil. Brazilian ladies were to die for, but of course he was cautions plus he only had a thing for brunettes.

There he was with his father, and the only thing he could think of was getting laid. Damn, a woman will surely be the end of him. But you know, it wasn't his fault. Ever since Anna left, he just couldn't bear it and he took solace in other women. He'd searched the entire earth to find Anna but Fuck! It was like she disappeared totally from the surface of the earth.

He still hadn't lost hope that he would find her. She was the reason he wanted the fame and popularity, he knew that with his international fame, he was sure that Anna would have noticed and maybe come back. But he was wrong, Anna never came and so, he allowed his fame take a turn. He became the lecherous playboy.
................................................................................

Anna climbed up the stairs of an apartment building. When she reached the third floor, she turns right, heading down the corridor. She got to flat 27, then rang the doorbell. A young lady opened the door seconds later.

"Finally, took you long enough." The girl in massive curls spoke with a smile. She was an African American. Naraya Windsor. She was slender and really tall. Naraya was Anna's cousin, from her father's side. She worked as sales lady in a big supermarket.

"Sorry." Anna chuckled, giving Naraya a hug. "Is she asleep?" She asked walking into the small but spacious apartment.

"Isla she's here!!!" Naraya yelled out. She turned to Anna. "You're a bit late, did something happen?"

"I lost track of time I was with-"

"Oooh." Naraya smirked, knowing. "You were with him, right?! God! You both should date already!!"

She rolled her eyes... "Why would I want to do that?"

"You're really stupid Anna." Naraya poked Anna's chest. "That guy is extremely hot, he's dripping with gold I mean literally, he's so so fine. Just make it official. Besides, he is Isla's-" She stopped mid-sentence when the voice of a little child filled the whole place.

"Mommy!!!"

It was a little girl of six. Long wavy brown hair that fell to her back, brown eyes, cute baby face. She was a Beaut, very adorable.

"Honey." Anna had her arms wide open as the little girl jumped on her. "Oh wow, baby, you're getting heavy." Anna said, kissing the top of her daughter's head.

Isla giggled, wrapping her arms around Anna's neck. "I know. Mommy, Naraya and I went to the gallery today!!!" Isla was excited as she kept moving while Anna tried to hold her in a place.

"Isla you'll fall." She tried to keep her daughter steady but Isla didn't stop moving. Anna looked at Naraya. "You should come by my place tonight, it'll be my treat." Anna smiled.

"Oh really, what's the occasion?" Naraya asked her.

Anna shrugged... "No occasion."

"So you just want to host me?" Naraya asked, but before Anna could respond, she talked again. "Hell yes! Count me in."

"Mommy, mommy, mommy!!" Isla tapped her mother's cheeks, trying to get her attention.

Anna looked at her daughter. "Yes sweetie pie?"

"Naraya gave me chocolates, lots of them." Isla giggled happily.

"What?" Anna gasped, squinting her eyes at Naraya. "You did not give her chocolates." Anna faked a glare at Naraya.

"Yo Isla that was supposed to be our secret." Naraya pouted at Isla. "You broke the girl code."

Isla giggled.... "Mommy had to know."

Anna twirled Isla around. "Guess what honey, Dee's waiting for us at home." She grinned happily.

"He is?!" Isla screamed happily. "Why didn't you say something before!! Come on let's go see Dee!!!" Isla placed her small hands on Anna's cheeks.

Anna put her down. "Alright. Let's just get your bag first."

"Bye Naraya." Isla excitedly waved at Naraya.

"Okay now- Isla!" Anna called out to Isla but her daughter dashed out of the apartment. Anna groaned loudly. "This kid."

"Race you to the car!!"

Anna heard Isla voice echo.

"I love that kid." Naraya laughed... "She's packed with energy." She gave Anna a look. "I wonder who she took it from."

Anna ran her fingers through her hair. "Me of course, who else would she take after?"

Naraya rolled her eyes at Anna. "Yeah right, like you're Virgin Mary."

Anna chuckled... "Okay, okay, I gotta go before Isla does something crazy. Thank you so much for taking care of my baby." Anna said, giving Naraya a tight hug.

"It's nothing Anna, Isla is my goddaughter." Naraya hugged her back.

Anna finally pulled away. "My place tonight, don't you dare forget." She pointed a playful warning finger at Naraya.

"I won't." Naraya packed a few books inside a small pink backpack that belonged to Isla. "Happy mother's day." She said handing over a card that Isla made for Anna.

"Aww, Isla made this?" Anna smiled looking her daughter's drawing. It was a drawing of Isla and Anna, on the top were words spelt boldly in rainbow colors Happy mother's day mommy. I love you.

"Quite creative." Naraya nodded.

Anna looked at the card in admiration.

Mommy!!!

The tiny yell brought Anna back to earth. "Carp!" She quickly collected the backpack from Naraya. "Bye!" Anna rushed out of the apartment immediately.

"Byyyyye!" Naraya couldn't help but laugh as she then close her door.

Anna literally skipped some steps because her impatient daughter couldn't stop calling her.

"I'm coming, I'm coming!!" Anna chanted on her way out. She was sure that Isla would wake all the neighbors up with her yells.

"Mommy! Let's go, let's go!!" Isla hurried her mom as soon as she saw Anna.

"Isla-Isabelle Estephania Corazon Maria-Angelus Windsor, young lady, you are going to drive me crazy one day." Anna said, getting her daughter to the backseat before strapping the seatbelt over her shoulder.

Anna had given her daughter varieies of names and so it became a thing to call Isla by her full names whenever she was frustrated, shocked or reprimanding Isla. Sometimes, it just slipped from her lips.

"Mommy, why didn't Dee come with you?" Isla asked as she watched her mother turn on the ignition.

"Don't worry Isla, you'll see him when you get home." Anna smiled, adjusting the rearview mirror so that she could get a better look at her daughter's face.

"Do you think he'll stay longer this time?" Isla asked her.

"I don't know, why don't you ask him." Anna suggested as she drove off.

"I will." Isla nodded with a small smile.

"I saw the card." She said to Isla.

"Did you like it?" Isla's eyes widened in anticipation.

"Are you kidding?! Sweetie pie, that was the best card ever! I loved it so much." Anna said with all honesty. "It was so so so so so so so pretty."

Issa giggled happily....

"I think I'm gonna put it in a frame, what do you think Isla?" She glanced at her daughter through the mirror.

"It's a fantastic idea!" Isla cheered.

"Fantastic idea!!!" Anna laughed. She was happy when Isla was happy.

Anna glanced at her daughter who was now busy looking through her bag. She couldn't be more proud of the daughter she was raising. Isla was her perfect little bundle of joy and happiness that she would never trade for anything. Isla was out spoken, never intimidated, she was ever lively and confident, she did things that pleased her, she was very intelligent, although, she could be bossy, demanding and spoilt. Anna knew she wasn't the perfect mother, but she knew that having Isla was one of the best decisions she made.