"Mama! That's my mama!" Matteo shrieked again, and Elena struck right on the stage and felt as if the whole light on the runway was turned on her, her eyes wavering.
That was Matteo, alright, standing and clapping while everyone else smiled at the cute little boy who had a locket on his neck. To make matters worse, he was making his way to her.Conscious of herself, she swept her blonde hair back; how did he find her? How did he even recognize her? He was so tiny when she left; he was almost three when she left, for goodness' sake.Fighting the wave of emotions about knocking her off her feet, as she watched Matteo's head, he ignored the stairs and climbed straight to the podium, struggling to hold onto it.A sob rose to her throat, deep happiness seeing her baby again, and fear, for if he was here, it meant Nikolai was behind him, somewhere, around.She saw him now, Noah, coming forward to help the little boy climb on the stage where she was, all those time maintaining eye contact with her, surprisingly even after all those years, she could read his eyesHe wanted her to play along.What the hell was happening?Matteo was before her now, looking into her face, confusion in his eyes, for if that was his Mama, why didn't she look happy to see him? But he didn't care; he wrapped his hands around her leg.She heard him mumble against her jean, "I miss you, Mama."There and then, the cameras and lights clicking away didn't matter anymore; she broke down, kneeling before the handsome little man before her, gently pushing him back to see his relieved face."You recognized me, Mama?""Oh Matteo," she caressed his face, "I'll never forget you,"He hugged her again, this time tighter, as if he was afraid she would disappear without him again, and she went in, her hands on his back and in his hair, nose in his shoulder, sniffing in that baby scent she missed so much."Oh God, Matteo, I missed you so much."Amid the tears, she opened her eyes, seeing Noah struggling to push the press back. It sent a Deja Vu through her, this life, the spotlight, Cameras, and snide questions.That life again.Seeing Noah was quickly losing the struggle, she promptly held Matteo's hand and hurriedly led him into the dressing room, dropped him, and shut the door turning in the keys.The thud of her heartbeat was uncontrollable as she placed her forehead against the door, whispering silent prayers and hoping this was one of the numerous dreams she usually had about Nikolai.He couldn't be here.He shouldn't find out about Mia."Mama," her first love's silent voice came up again, and she turned, peering into the pained eyes, "Why did you leave me? You said you won't leave again."Her bottom lip trembled, and she placed her hand over her nose, sniffing into it; the accusation was raw, so raw it hurt. How did he remember all of those?Matteo reached for a locket around his neck, opening it; out of curiosity, she peered into it and immediately wished she hadn't.He had a picture of her around his neck; she felt herself fold, her fingers trembled, the accusation in those innocent green breaking her in tiny bits.She knelt to him; she'd sort that out later, right now... "Matteo, who did you come with?""Only Noah, Mama"Phewww."And Dad"Oh welp!She sprang to her feet, looking for a window she could jump through away from this place that suddenly felt stuffed and hot at the mere mention that he was around.It didn't help that there was a pound on the door, and Noah's voice came through, "First Lady, open up."First what? She felt trapped."FIRST LADY!" more heavy knocks on the door.Running past a confused-looking Matteo, she ran to the table where makeup kits were scattered and quickly snatched her bag, then ran for the window.Matteo couldn't hold his laughter at the sight before him, "Mama, are you ok?"Hell, she wasn't, but before she could make another step towards the window, Noah kicked the door open, sending her freezing on her spot, when the familiar dark pupils met her.He looked from her to laughing Matteo, then to the window, and then back to her, who was readying herself for an angry burst."That door cost a lot, sir."He blinked, "Forgive me, First Lady. But His Excellency wants a talk with you."*****Minutes later, she was walking in front of Noah, Matteo's hand in hers, as they made their way towards a lone grey car in front of a black one.She could feel her hands getting sweaty, even though she felt cold inside; she looked behind her where Noah stood upright, his brows raised, a warning for her not to do anything funnyWas this a kidnap scene?What did he want from her now?"wait here," Noah suddenly said, making her stop in her tracks, and then he stood before Matteo, "Come on, big guy, your dad wants to talk with your mum."Matteo frowned, "I'm not leaving Mama again."Noah still stretched forth his hand, "That's what he wants to talk to her about," then his voice went conspiratorial, "Only he can change her mind,"Matteo looked up at her, his hand tightening around hers, struggling to make a decision; Elena saw him bite his bottom lips, which had her melting; she squeezed his hand and smiled at him, "Go with Noah, baby; I'm not leaving anymore."Knowing she was lying to him, she felt tears gathering; she blinked them back in before he could see them.Matteo gently pulled her hands down, and she went along, squatting before him and trying not to gasp when he pressed his lips on her forehead before leaving her and walking towards the grey car.She watched him go, knowing that might be the last time she'd set her eyes on him, that is after she gave his father a piece of her mind.He just ruined her show; he just ruined her life. Again!Seeing Noah come back for her after the gray car drove off, she subconsciously flipped her hair back, arranged her jean pant, and prayed her mascara didn't run down her face during her emotional moment.Noah walked past her and opened the door of the passenger's seat, "Come in, First Lady.""Please, it's Elen Santos."Noah's gaze hardened, and without being told and still clutching her purse, she walked forward, making sure he felt the hate in her gaze before she entered the car, looking straight at the windshield when the door jammed shut."Elena"The thick drawl hit her ears, and her anger vanished instantly; she found her hands clutching her purse as if only it could help her from being swept off her feet.She turned to find him looking out the window."President Nikolai," her voice came more like whispers.He turned to her, brown eyes taking in her blonde hair first before it lowered to her eyes, "I thought it was you."And there she knew she had lied to herself for three years.For she was still attracted to him.Loving this book? 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Elena's POV.My stomach felt like they were wrenching, and suddenly I was feeling the urge to throw up, and to make matters worse, I caught my reflection in the mirror, and there I was, looking like a heartbroken Maleficent.He didn't change a bit; the Camera and tv shows didn't do him enough justice. My business side was itching to make him an offer to model my male collection of beach shorts.I blinked.He blinked.I looked back at the windshield, clenching my teeth before steadying my breath, then I muttered, "You don't look bad, your Excellency.""You look blonde, Elena." I hated how his voice sounded steady while mine was a whirl of emotions; how had I forgotten that square chin was my weakness, and that hair, dear gawd..."I apologize if I interrupted anything."My frustrations were becoming anger, anger at myself for losing myself; I wished I looked better, but now I was looking homeless, and him .. with that stainless look, full brows and lash, hiding brown pupils so innocent
"The conversation went too far." Noah said, watching his boss stare at the telephone in front of him, his fingers on the keyboard of the MacBook, "It almost sounded like a threat, sir."A page popped up on the laptop, and picking up a pen, Nico wrote a number on paper, arranging his glasses before peering at what he wrote.The comfort he experienced upon returning home and discovering that Matteo was already asleep; after checking on the boy, he went to his office, carelessly shrugged off his jacket, sat down in front of his laptop, and researched every bit of information he could about her.His ex-wife wanted nothing to do with him, but unfortunately for her, he was ready to go to the extreme for her to return; he couldn't handle any more of Matteo's whining, especially now that he had seen Elena."In a way, sir, she's right," Noah tried again. The look in the president's eyes made him afraid, and he hoped what he was about to do didn't blow up in their faces. "Coming and leaving Mat
Clutching Mia's hand, I ran into the main headquarters of La Belle in Umbria, Italy. I glanced up at the high buildings, feeling my tension oozing out. For the first time in years, I wasn't so sure of myself.The company was mostly empty, and except for the receptionist standing at the side, who looked at me strangely when I entered, there was no one.I walked up to her and tried on a smile, "Elen Santos, please."Her face dawned in recognition, and she quickly came out of the counter and was in front of me in seconds, directing me towards the meeting room, where my fate would be decided.With what Char had said on the phone, hearing of the ruined show the day before, Mason had decided he couldn't wait for us to return to Vegas before giving me a piece of his mind. And he came along with other officials of La Belle. I knew this wasn't just about me messing up the show.Finally, we stopped before a door."Here we are," The receptionist said.I nodded, "thank you very much."Then she pe
AUTHOR'S POV."what is going on?" Char muttered, watching Nikolai glare hard at Mason, whose confusion intensified the more, looking from Elena to the president whose eyes on him seemed to burn him down.Elena could swear she never saw his eyes get this fiery before; it made her stop squirming, looking at the side of his face wondering where all of this was coming from.From the side of her eyes, Elena saw the paper in Joey's hands drop, watching as the President suddenly stood before Elena, unbuttoning her dripping jacket and throwing it at the door.Elena faced the door in time to see Noah catch the jacket and then tip his head toward her direction, muttering respectfully. "You don't look too well, First Lady."She was about to pinch herself, so she woke up from this damn nightmare rendering her speechless.Mason laughed nervously, "Your Excellency, I'm sure you're mistaken," he pointed to her, "This here was a worker in this company; Elen Santos can not be First Lady,"Nikolai's re
She'd never seen the great Nikolai Rossi flinch, she'd never seen his eyes weaken, but right there, she got more reaction than she had expected; The President was knocked off his feet.No sound was emitting from him, she wasn't sure, but she thought she saw his hands shake, eyes on his daughter.Mia left her shoulders turning to take in her father again, and as brown eyes watched each other, Nikolai suddenly dragged his hair backward, swallowing and inhaling deep breaths."Years, and you kept her hidden, Elena? But for how long were you intent on keeping this up?" He demanded palms spread."For as long as it takes me, so you don't take her from me.""Are you kidding me right now?!""No, I'm not," she broke eye contact holding Mia tighter, "You powerful men get what you want with just a snap of your fingers, but she..." Elena inhaled, "she's all I have""Quit that bullshit!" He snapped through gritted teeth, his hand about to clench to a fist when his eyes met her fearful, wavering one
"I beg to differ," he had said, and next, he was in his office, sitting opposite her, eyes holding hers, demanding answers.Answers for?Entering the office, she'd felt Deja Vu; the night she left, she remembered the moans, his groans, and her pain finding the papers right on that damn desk he placed beautifully manicured fingers on.She remembered her tears.But then here he was, demanding she returns, peering at her from his gold-framed glasses.Whether she agreed or not, one thing was sure; he wouldn't have it easy with her.He pulled his glasses and sat back on his seat, twirling the chair, eyes searching hers until she looked away."You still haven't made up your mind, have you?" he raised a brow, "Or you enjoy making it hard for me, Elena? You want me on my knees, groveling at your feet."It wasn't far from the truth; she felt like shrugging. Now that she was open to the world, there was nothing to hide anymore..."Considering how I found the divorce papers, that isn't enough to
"... she's back with my kid, name's Mia, and she can't stand the sight of me," Nico grimaced, glaring at the clock, "And Milo, don't fucking make me repeat this shit one more time when all you do is..."Milo's hard laughter filled the phone again; Nico swallowed his annoyance. He wasn't expecting anything else when he told his brother about the events."Are you done?""No man," Milo wheezed, Finding fun in his brother's misfortune, "Mr. President, aren't you a wild one? Donna's going to be thrilled hearing about this one.""Don't you fucking tell Mum""Eissshh, too late, dude.""You never left the fucking phone; how did you...""I didn't tell you Aunt Abby is here. Did I?" Nico could almost see his brother shrug, "She overheard, and now she's on the phone"Those two..damnit."And you say she got my mole?" Milo inquired, and that was his only fascination in all of this, that and Nico panicking.How stupid of him to think he'll get comfort from Milo."Yo, Boris," Milo shouted, "Nico got
Nico's POV.Coming back from Rome was usually being in a car, with Noah driving, while I placed my head against the seat, struggling to catch a nap, which was futile when the sounds of sirens blaring behind us as we made our way to the airport made it even harder to straighten my thought.Today was different, for immediately I got into the waiting car, and my phone vibrated against the car seat.Father."I heard about the new development, Nicolas," he sounded like he had just woken up from a deep slumber and found out I existed, for it had been a week since the new development.Father took his time on a lot of things; it was like he feared overreacting, and that caused us a lot of anxiety growing up, like when we were fifteen and helped Milo leave the house when he wasn't supposed to.After Aunt Abby's wedding, he decided he needed to smoke his grief out, and Dad caught us after Milo went into a seizure.I could still hear Zayne laughing right on Milo's hospital bed while I crazed myse