Final Destination

"We....We called you here, not only for dinner but for something much more important than that"

Michelle looked at her parents faces and nodded. She forced a smile and said "What is it?"

Thomas took a deep breath, he didn't know how to break the news to her... she had only just recently recovered from her treatment but he felt like he had to tell her. He had been convincing himself for the past few months that his decision wasn't being selfish...it wasn't selfish!

"John...John isn't our son neither is he your brother" he said in one breath.

Michelle's eyes widened as she stared at her parents, she clenched her fists secretly and forced back the tears that were threatening to spill.

"Is that all?" she realized her parents were gauging her reaction... were they afraid she would pass out or something?

Silver shook her head but didn't say a word, instead she turned to her husband....it was his decision, she never agreed to it.

Thomas calmed his nerves, John's real father was a very influential person In the country...after taking care of his son as a favor for him, he had decided to give him the one thing he had always dreamt of.

"Has John ever told you about...His true feelings towards you?"

Michelle sighed before nodding, he had already told her....when she was on a hospital bed at the brink of death, he never told her anything about not being her real brother but he did tell her he was in love with Ber which made their relationship really complicated....she hadn't spoken to him in months... she didn't even know what to say to him.

"What about it?"

She asked. Thomas spoke in a loud voice making sure she heard every single word. "I think it would be better if you to get married to him and-"

Michelle slammed her hands on the table before he could finish his words.

"Do you even consider me your child?....you expect me to marry someone whom I've known as my brother my whole life. You made thus decision without asking me...without even think of how I would feel about it...my answer is no!....I will never do such a thing!"

She didn't wait for them to say anything before walking away...she was already in a bad mood as it was.

Suppressing the urge to cry, she decided to do what she had been doing for the past three weeks, go to a bar and drink.

Through which of course she ended up in Carlos's house, after her parents moved to the states, she had already been considering going back to Nigeria and starting afresh... leaving this past behind her.

"You seem to be fully recovered to be actually drinking like this....luckily I was there, there were a lot of men trying to take advantage of you in your drunken state"

"Should I cry?....should I just bow and say 'thank you'?"

Michelle sighed and shook her head, she really didn't even want to spend anymore time here. "Thank you for helping me...I'm leaving"

Carlos looked at the girl who was already making her way to the door, all the words he wanted to say got stuck in his throat.

"A..At least have breakfast before leaving...please?"

Michelle turned around to look at the man. It had been so long since she last saw him...he seemed to have lost weight but it only made him look more mature than before. She hesitated for a bit before nodding her head "Okay.." she said in a very low voice. Carlos's face lit up with a smile as he caught up to her and led her downstairs.

He seemed to be sure she would agree to breakfast because the table was filled with enough food for both of them, trying hard to ignore the strange stares she was getting from Carlos's maids....they were probably wondering why their boss brought an unknown woman home...she looked around the kitchen and didn't spot Aunt Mary anywhere.

"She resigned last year, she finally decided to go home to her family so I couldn't bring it in me to top her" Michelle tried to hide the surprise she felt....it was like he read her mind. "Hmm" she nodded and ate her breakfast silently.

"I'm sorry" Carlos suddenly said. Her hands stopped moving and she raised her head to stare at him with much difficulty

"What for exactly?" She asked, her voice laced with sarcasm.

"Everything" He replied. The maids already left after getting a secret glare from their boss.

Michelle chuckled dryly and wiped her lips "Thanks for breakfast...I'll be leaving now"

Carlos got up quickly and went closer to her before she could leave the house "Michelle, I made a promise to you and I broke it...you're angry...I know, you have every right to be. It was never my intention to hurt you, I got blinded by my pride and need for revenge that I made such a stupid decision and did something stupid...I'm sorry Michelle"

"What do you mean by need for revenge?"

Carlos sighed "Your father was involved in my father's murder, when I found out about it... I was so angry, so I...."

"So you decided to take it out on me because of course...I am my father's daughter" Michelle was not surprised hearing about her father, she knew her father wasn't who he wanted others to think he was...unfortunately she had to learn about it the hard way.

"I'm sorry..." Carlos didn't have any excuse to give, he wanted to make things right with her.

"I'm sorry as well, about what my father did to yours. I accept your apology but...we can't go back to the way we were before.... if that's what you're thinking" Michelle forced a smile before picking up her purse and searching for her phone.

"I...I love you but, I won't force you to be with me again after everything I've done...I'd rather have your forgiveness... this is better for me" Carlos said before handing her her phone which he held on to since the previous night.

"Thanks" Michelle mumbled out before raising her head to look at him...if it was her, she would have done the same. All these years she had been thinking of him, if he still loved her...if he missed her....if he was with another woman..all these questions had haunted her for a long time.

"You...love me right?"

Carlos was taken aback by her question but he still quickly regained his composure and nodded "More than anything..."

Michelle cleared her throat, pushing back all the bubbling emotions in her chest.

"Then marry me....are you willing?"

Carlos looked at her shocked...'What?...what's going on?'

"Will you?" Michelle asked again, acting like she had just asked what he wanted for lunch. She was killing two birds with one stone. Getting the man she loves back and also...she was most definitely not going to marry John!.

"I...yes...yes, I will!" Carlos said quickly said afraid she would change her mind the next minute.

"Good" Michelle smiled before turning around and walking away leaving the stunned man behind her.