Chapter one

A cherry- red Audi S5 convertible drove into the Mitchell's driveway as it halted. A clear- complexioned guy with a tall and athletic build hopped out of it as he smiled contentedly.

"Ivan! ", Emilie called out as she ran to him, encasing him in a longing hug while she beamed .

"Seems like someone has missed me so much", Ivan said as they eased away from each other.

"Seriously, you can't imagine", Emilie pouted as Ivan seemed amused.

"Wow! You don't look bad. Florida has really been good on you"

"Same as you...". " Just stop it. You don't mean to tell me that I'm looking okay besides living under mom's certain restrictions. Seriously, that's mocking". Ivan laughed.

" You can never change, Emilie. Aside that, seems like mom isn't at home".

"Of course, she isn't. As usual", she replied with a glint of sourness in a tone.

" Didn't she know I was returning today?".

" And how am I supposed to know that?", she asked, rather rhetorically with a hidden lip-curved smile. " Come on, Let's go inside. I have something to show you ", Emilie said as she locked her arms with his as they both started towards the entrance of the mansion.

A fair-skinned woman, tending to be around her mid-fourties, stood poised at the porch of the mansion. Aside being employed as a housekeeper, the job has always been her only means of survival for some years now.

" Miss Gresley", Ivan noticed her presence and moved towards her, giving her a light hug. Fondly. " I'm so glad you're back home safely". " Me too. How've you been?". " I'm fine. Obviously I see you look good too", she opined. " Thanks ". " Why don't you go inside and rest, while I go prepare something for you to eat ". Ivan nodded, " I'd appreciate that ". " Oh! Let me get your bags ", she willingly said and head towards the car on the driveway.

"She's changed so much", Ivan asserted smilingly. " I thought I was the only one who have always noticed", they continued inside.

Few hours later...

There was a light knock at the door. Immediately, Ms. Mitchell stepped into the room, closing the door behind. Ivan, who was putting on an earbud which was connected to a MP3 player, with his attention being focused on the laptop in front of him, didn't notice her presence. Sitting on the bedside, Ivan looked up at her and plucked away the earbud from his ear.

" I'm sorry for not being home when you returned...". " No. It's okay. Emilie told me you went for an appointment". " Yeah. I had an appointment with the director of a finance division. I had to go". " I understand". Ms.Mitchell smiled with a glimmer of formality. " So... tell me, how was your trip?". " Smooth. Not much eventful ". " It feels good to have you back home dear ". " Me too ", he sighed. " Alright... just get some rest . We'll talk later ", she got up and left the room.

* *

" Hey!", Ivan said affably as Sidney looked up. " Hey man. Long time, No see ", he got up as they hugged each other. After being sitted, Sidney asked: " when did you return?". " Yesterday". " Honestly you look good. What's up?". " Well...at the moment, nothing much". "You can't be serious ". " What were you expecting?", Ivan queried. " Well...I guess, a babe on the side ".

" Like seriously?", Ivan laughed.

" Look, you'd better not act Mr. Nice Guy here. Admit it already ". " To what?".

" Yeah, I know I look kinda different but that doesn't mean... Really?", he was completely amused.

" Well, if you think I'm gonna believe that then be my guest ". " It's pointless trying to argue with you. You're free to think whatever you want to."

Sidney hesitated for a moment, " um... have you recently heard from Jane?".

" Jane? No. What about her?". " I was just thinking if you're still gonna continue dating her".

" To be honest here, I don't know where I stand with her right now. So, I can't give you a direct answer". " As far as I can recall, you both had a little misunderstanding before you travelled, right?", Sidney asked intently as Ivan expression charged.

" Yeah... it's been a long while now". " And you haven't spoken to her?". " Sid, why the sudden interest? Are we suppose to be discussing this right now?".

" Alright. I hear you". Ivan called out to the waiter and immediately, an olive-skinned man appeared beside him. After ordering for two glasses of Rosé, minutes later... The man served the wine courteously as they smiled their thanks.

" Enough about me, how've you been ever since?". " Well, as you can see, just trying not to make life difficult", Sid replied. Ivan sipped slowly at his wine . " Hmm... Interesting".

" Look Anita, I see no sense in what you're talking about right now. I mean, how could you be getting yourself all miserable because of a guy? Who does that?", Emilie said on the phone. " Maybe you won't understand 'cause you haven't been in a relationship before. If you had, probably then you'll understand how I feel right now". " No offense girlfriend, but I don't want to understand that feeling 'cause it's not worth it and it doesn't matter if I've been in a relationship before or not. It isn't judged that way,'cause apparently it just hurts you ", she continued, " but hold on a sec, this guy in question is your ex. Why're you making a big deal out of it again?", she gestured annoyingly.

"We didn't officially break up", Anita said.

" Oh! Now I get where this is coming from. You're basically killing yourself over a guy who doesn't know your worth". " Look Emilie, don't tell me that. I know what I'm feeling...".

"Emilie", Ms. Mitchell called. She looked up at her mom and said over the phone, " um... Anita, let me call you back later", she hung up.

" Where's Ivan? I didn't see him in his room".

" Yeah, I think he went out to meet a friend". "A friend?". " I guess that should be Sidney ". " Oh! Okay. When he comes back, let him know that I sent for him, okay?". " Alright,mom . But...I hope there's no problem ", she asked curiously.

" No. Not at all. Everything's fine, darling ". "Okay"