Us

This chapter is dedicated to @Jeri_ and @reybety. Thank you so much for your powerstones ^^

"Don't be hard on him,Niel .. he's probably fallen for millions of his fictional characters," Ian said, and Niel laughed again while Jacob pouted. Ivy came out from her room, wearing a large shirt and sweatpants, Ian gave her a satisfied look and they continued with the process of eating.

" I'm feeling bored today, what if we play a game after breakfast,"Jacob suggested.

" What kind of game?" Niel queried.

"Rock climbing at the park, downtown,"

"I'm in,"

" I'm busy .. you guys go ahead and have fun without us, "Ian articulated and all looked at him with raised brows. What did he mean by 'us'?

"Ivy,do you want to come along?"Niel asked and she nodded. Ian looked at her with a betrayed gaze, he inhaled and exhaled deeply.

"I needed to stay alone anyways.. enjoy your rock climbing adventure," he mumbled before leaving the table.

×××××

Paris, France.

Bea and Anika left the vacation house to attend a makeup brand launch. Bea didn't know the entrepreneur but Anika insisted that she did and she probably forgot. When they arrived at the venue, both women greeted a few of their friends they remembered and settled on the VIP seats at the front row reserved specially for them.

The occasion begun and a middle-aged lady went up to the stage for the introduction.

"Bonjour, ladies and gents, I'm Vivienne Auclair and I'm a french cosmetologist. A few years ago, I got a phone call from b-list model, Ashley Williams and she offered me an opportunity to be one of the individuals who would create what is destined to be part of your delightful eyes. We've heard of so many products but have we heard of allure beauty? I'd like us to see the brains behind this alluring product... Ashley Williams! "She announced and the audience applauded the slim petite girl coming up to the stage.

She was wearing a short pink dress paired with black heels, she took the microphone from Vivienne with a smile and cleared her throat to speak.

"Thank you Vivi, before my dad took full custody of me,I stayed with my mom..here in France and I couldn't think of a much more better place to start my career. I've always admired makeup and stuff which deals with women and as a model I've had really huge opportunities to be on the front pages of your morning magazines and on the stickers of your favorite cosmetics. But, I finally had the chance to not be the person on the sticker only but to be one of the supervisors to produce the magical content. But I'd rather not waste our time I'd like you to make allure beauty a part of your life, our products are safe and easy to use. After my speech, you can check out the samples provided, allure isn't only for women but for men as well, to retain that fresh beautiful and alluring glow your body has to offer. Thank you, "

Her audience rewarded her with another round of applause before going out to check out samples.

" You said, I know her.. she looks a little bit familiar but I don't think I've met her before, " Bea whispered on their way to the lipstick shack.

"Yes, I-"

"Beatrice," a masculine voice uttered and she turned to look at its owner. It was a good looking man who looked like he was in his late forties , his black hair which was decorated with a few strands of grey was neatly arranged, his brown eyes were bewitching and Bea looked at him as if she saw a breathing angel. It took a while before she was drawn back to reality - thanks to Anika.

"W-who are you?" She queried, slowly.

"It's me, Arthur... remember?" The man posed.

"Umm-" She mumbled whilst trying to check through her mental dictionary of names then she looked at him again." Oh yes! I remember now, how have you been? It's been years since I saw you," she remarked and Anika snuck out to look at other sections.

"Yes, I've been good by the way and you?"

"Great.. so what are -"

"Dad," Ashley called, walking up to them.

"She's your daughter!" Bea asked, covering her mouth.

"Yes," he replied, placing his hand ok her shoulder.

"Gosh! You were so little when I first saw you. I'm Bea," she said, extending her hand for a handshake and they shook hands while exchanging smiles.

"Yes.. I know you, dad talks about you like all the time. I'm Ashley but you can call me Ash,"

"Ash, she's Ian Kim's mom, "

" Oh my!"Ashley squealed and hugged Bea in excitement.

" Yes, I'm his mom, " Bea said, talking between her teeth. Ashley pulled from her and smiled at her again. "Is Ian popular here in France, too?"

"Like a lot, Move launched a female clothing line here, last year and he always dominates fashion magazines. I've been dreaming about seeing him one day," Ashley added.

"Wow.. my baby punk's company's is in France. I've been so busy taking care of him, that I forgot about his company issues," she thought to herself.

Arthur was her childhood buddy even though he was nine years older than her, they bonded perfectly fine until Bea started developing feelings him regardless of the fact that he was in college and she was still in highschool.

When he got married, she was heartbroken but moved on after he had Ashley, a year later she gave birth to Ian and the kids were raised in France until Ian clocked one and she moved back to the US with her husband.

Arthur's wife got pregnant for her stepbrother so he filed for a divorce and took his daughter with him and raised her until she got into modelling.

"Is he here with you?" She asked, looking behind Bea.

"Nah, he's really busy with work and getting into trouble but if you'd like I could tell him about you and give you his contact info," she blurted out.

" Thank you so much, "

"Bea,you should try this shade!"Anika yelled from the shack.

"My sister's calling me, I'll see you around, Arthur, " she hinted.

" We'll come to your house tomorrow, " Arthur affirmed.

"I'll be glad to have you," she concurred before heading to meet Anika.