Michy's POV

Ending the video call with the client I've been trying so hard to pin down for sometime now after promising to send him a draft of our new business deal, my fingers swiftly moved across the laptop keyboard as I typed away on it, trying to beat time and meet my goal for this morning and deliver it as promised.

I decided to stay home for the rest of the week after my flopped engagement dinner with the gang on Monday, all because of that jerk Rexford, our night didn't go as planned.

On coming home, I told Nae the truth about what happened back at the restaurant and she didn't seem too surprised after hearing it. I took that as she must have experienced many of his atrocities or heard of it so I decided to quiz her and found out he dared give her a love bite and worse, tried to rape her!

I lost all my sanity as my blood boiled with livid anger, it took Nae and Heidi more than twenty minutes to get me to calm down and not bolt out of the door and make him pay. He took it too far and I won't tolerate it, he's going to pay for it even if it's in the past, no one dare hurts my Nae and goes scot free, I still haven't forgotten about they throwing her out so late in the night.

Within two minutes, I was done. I sighed in relief as I exited the app after sending the mail and pushed the swivel chair sideways to take my iPad and check on the affairs of the ranch, I need to pay a visit there soon and personally supervise the next batch of shipments, I don't want a repetition of last time where the dairy products weren't probably packaged and before being taken out of the port, half of them were destroyed.

It cost me a great deal of money, I'm not Jeff Bezos or Bill Gates not to care since they have billions of dollars, to let such things slide, every penny I have is from my sweat and I'm not about to let my workers drill holes in my pockets with their carelessness. I'll probably go there next weekend and get that work done or send Heidi over and get her involved in the business. I trust she'll have things done the same way I will after all she's the one I looked up to while growing up and her passion for business influenced me.

I scrolled down the screen with the Apple Pencil as I read the reports from the head of my farm business, things were pretty much under control there save for some petty issues with the other landowners, everything else was great. I made a mental note to resolve them as soon as I can, I can't have it affect my business.

Tired from working all morning, I checked the time and realized it was about five minutes to midday, I smiled in satisfactorily for the work I've been able to do although I wasn't done for the day, at lease some of the workload is off and the rest wouldn't be much of a problem.

Dehydration hit me and I poured myself a glass of water, gulped it down and resumed working. I was in the middle of it when my study door swung open, I raised my head to see who it was and saw my Nae all dressed up.

My eyes consciously took in my baby's appearance, she looked really good..stunning with her hair slicked back in a low puffy ponytail, her light make up made her face glow radiantly and cladded in her black and white wavy romper dress that I'm happy doesn't show skin because the thought of others looking at what's mine is sending me to an early grave.

She caught me checking her out and smiled, walked behind me and threw her hands around my neck as she leaned into me and pecked my cheeks. I rolled my eyes, swiveled the chair and pulled her onto my laps. I wrapped my hands around her then kissed her. My hands left her waist to rub her back as I deepened it.

"You missed me that much?" She asked in between breaths after breaking away and wiping my lips.

I nodded, smiling and tracing her bottom lips. "Yeah." I've been stuck here for two days now to complete an overdue deal which left me no time to spend quality time with my fiancée but that is going to change now because I've closed it after a lot of coaxing. "Did you?

"You don't even need to ask, I missed you so much." Replying me, Nae cupped my cheeks and pouted her lips. "Aww look at my poor baby, you look as if you haven't slept in months. Take a break Sugar, your health is more important than money besides you have shit tons of them—"

I kissed her to stop her from scolding me and pulled back and smiled. "Trust me babe, I'm very fine."

"Yeah right then I'm a twin...convincing right?" She said, rolling her eyes as she attempted to get off me but I was quick in pulling her back and pinning her down.

"Babe, we all now you're an only child so where from this twin?" I chuckled though I know what she was trying to mean but I got serious and made her straddle me, I rested my hands on her behind, cocking my head to the side and stared at her. She looked so beautiful, too beautiful for her own good. Pride hit me hard in the heart knowing she was all mine and that I had with me forever, a beaut with an envious personality.

Her equally beautiful eyes stared at me and blinked rapidly. "You're so beautiful."

"Oh come on." She shyly said, covering her face with her hands.

I yanked them off and told her, "I'm dead serious, you're too beautiful."

Just then Heidi walked in, I know it was her because she's the only one who aside from Nae can walk in without entering.

I snapped my head in her detection, annoyance in my action and face. She just interrupted our moment, I was about to confess my love again and whisper sweet nothings to her before she leaves but somehow my sister found it the appropriate time to barge in, how wonderful!

"Oops." Her unapologetic smirk made me roll her eyes and badly wanted to show her the middle finger, playfully though. She looked over at Nae after her eyes left mine. "I look around the house for you and finally find you here almost getting dic—"

"Heidi!"

"What?" She feigned ignorance and smirked, her lips twisted to one side, her eyes holding amusement.

Although I'm happy she's finally happy and coming around, I need to have her out of here so I continue. "Why are you here?"

"Oh that? Didn't your fiancée inform you we were going out?"

"You and her?"

"Yup—"

"Are you ready to?"

"Yeah, I can't be home all my life while I'm here. What happened is over, I came here to start afresh and that's exactly what I'm going to do, so if you'll permit me, can I please whisk your fiancée away? She's my ride." She said the last part, batting her eyes with a smile.

"How can I say no if that's what you say, but just know I'm tried to warn you."

"Relax baby brother, I'm going to be fine...trust me and if you'll excuse us, you're delaying us."

"You can ride one of my cars if you're really in a hurry."

"Really?" I nodded and she blew me a kiss. "Thank you, thank you. I thought you were never going to say it. Bye sister in law." She waved at her then at me and left.

"You just made her the happiest, you know?"

"Unless you tell me." We both heard a message come in on her phone as I told her that.

Unlocking and checking the message, she gave me puppy eyes. "Im sorry but later, I need to get going."

"Cool." It wasn't a big deal, she can leave but I low key want her to stay back. Yeah the selfish me wants her with me here all day, but she needs it, she hardly has any life outside of home and her school, "when will you be back?"

I walked with her the garage since she hardly uses her car. "It depends so I have no idea but I'll text you when I'm about to leave."

"Okay that's fine with me." I pecked her, "I'm not being controlling or too possessive but I have no idea where you're going or who you're going out to meet. For security sake, please let me know."

"Don't worry boo, she's a very trustworthy person, we're only meeting up probably at a restaurant or spa, I don't know but there's no cause for alarm."

"I trust you so I'll take your word for it, I love you, sweet."

"I love you too honey."

"Have fun."

"Sure I will." She said back and was almost inside the car when she turned back. "Don't wear yourself out while I'm away, take rest when you're tired."

"Okay ma'am, I promise I will."

******

I emptied the remaining of my pomegranate juice into my mouth and swallowed it before setting the glass down then I stood up and stretched my body once more. Just like I promised my baby, I'm going to get some rest.

Luckily for me, majority of the work is done and what's left won't take me much time or effort so I'm going to sleep and finish them later.

I walked back to the desk and shut down the laptop before leaving the study to my room. After taking of the ripped tee I was wearing, I stripped out of the sweatpants and changed into shorts then got into bed.

Taking my phone, I put it on don't not disturb and laid back on the pillow. Minutes passed by and I couldn't sleep although I had my eyes closed.

I gave up trying to sleep in my bed and scrambled out of bed, heading to Nae's room. I've come to realize sleeping by Nae or anything that has her scent in helps me to sleep and even without knowing.

Her room like always was tidy, leaving no spot for dirt. I made myself comfortable on her bed which smelled so much like her, I almost thought she was beside me. I hugged one of her pillows to my chest, pretending that was her and closed my eyes.

I don't know for how long I slept but I woke up, my eyes felt heavier than before as I turned to face the door and saw Thea, one of the maids in the house by it.

"Sir I'm sorry—"

"It's Michele."

"Uh I know sir-uh Michele, I'm sorry to disturb your sleep but there's a woman downstairs with a man. She's behaving so hysterical and is demanding for you, I told her you're busy but she insisted."

"It's fine, don't worry. But what who is she?"

"I don't know how true it is but she said she's your mother."

"Blonde haired and slightly tall?"

"Yes s-Michele, she has a model like stature."

"Unfortunately she is, thank you for informing me."

"You're welcome, what do I tell her, uh, them?"

"Tell then I'm coming and while I get ready to meet them, please serve them something and make them feel at home."

"Okay Michele."

"Thanks." Exhaling deeply and somewhat irritated my nap has been ruined, I got out of bed nothing less and left her room.

Opening the door to mine, I wasted no time as I headed straight for the closet and threw on a baby blue shirt, changing from the shorts, I slide on ripped denim jeans.

After checking myself out in the mirror and in no time, I was out of the closet and in the elevator. While in the elevator, I braced myself for what was to come. I know without doubt it will have something to do with my love life, for all you she must have heard about my engagement.

The relationship between my mother and I has strained a little bit, I love her very much but I hate the too much control she thinks she has to yield over my life and in everything that involves me.

Sooner than I wanted, the ride came to a stop and I stepped out of it.

"What is it that I'm hearing about you getting engaged?" Was what a mother who hasn't seen her son in years, two or three maybe, utters.

I can't believe this, I shook my head and took some minutes to stare at her before I caught my father's eyes which were clouded with unbelief as well.

"Don't actually tell me you took all that trouble just to come here and discuss something you already know and is aware of." Since she decided not to cut the chase and not mince words, I decided to do same and took my seat.

"Oh so it's true?"

"I never denied it just now or won't deny it later so yes I am already engaged to the woman I love, how is that a problem?"

"So you honestly don't see the problem with that?"

"Getting engaged to the woman I love and who loves me back isn't a problem in the least unless you're against it which I know you do because you already have someone else in mind."

"Yes which is exactly why that engagement can not hold, you have to break it."

"What? Excuse me?"

"Yes you heard me right, call it off. I'm sure there are lots of other men around she can find someone else from."

"Unbelievable, freaking unbelievable." I said, clapping my hands. "You think just because you said it then it holds? You think you can just come here and tell me what to do with my life, my love life to precise and I'll obey you?"

"I am your—"

"Don't even add that word to it." I warned as I was seething by now. "You were but not anymore."

"Excuse me, I won't have you disrespect me just because you think you're all grown and wise!"

"Yes indeed I am grown, I may not be that wise but I at least know better we don't force relations and love on people."

"Who is talking about forcing love here?"

"Do I need to honestly answer that?"

"It was a question and I demand answer to every question I ask you. The girl in question knows you better than all those girls you've gone out with these past years. I've seen them all and heard it all, there were never good and will never be good for you because you know why? They aren't meant for you and luckily for you, you already have that woman who's your rib."

"Of all what you just said, I agree with you at the last part. Luckily for me, I already found and have that woman and God being so good we're engaged."

"Michele."

"Ex mother."

"Just because you have chosen to only bear your grandfather's surname doesn't mean you're not my son. You still are and as a good son, you should do what your mother asks of you, knowing very well everything is for your own good."

"Look honey, I decided not to say anything till I was fully aware of where you both stand and add to it without it looking like I'm taking places but I'm sorry you've compelled me to. Listen to your son for once, he's an adult and he has control over his own life, his love life. You made a pact never to interfere in that so why are you doing so now? I hate to rub it in your face but look where the interference of your family ended you up in."

"Exactly father, this is what I'm talking about but mother has decided to be so blind and deaf. It hurts me so say this but I have to. She has chosen to side with the very people who caused her children, her only children harm all in the name of friendship, to hell with that.. I refuse to be a part of it."

"He's my son and I know what's good for him—"

"Your son really, and you still want to ruin my life? You talk so much about love and affection but unfortunately, you're investing it at the wrong place. I wish this new profound love and affection you're doting on me would have been extended to Heidi as well, perhaps her life wouldn't have turned out like that."

"Michy!"

"That is the truth mother, you failed as a mother. You failed to be a mother for us, for Heidi especially. She's a girl, she needed you the most, I am a man father was there for me but her? Who did she have? Me, yet failed her as well but unlike you, I'm doing something to atone for that."

"I'm sorry honey, the truth hurts but Michele is right. All these years I tried to make you see the harm you were causing to both our children yet you couldn't. I wouldn't blame you much, I won't because I see you realized your mistake and tried to make amends by being there for Michele but it's all wrong. You ended up being controlling and possessive rather than being loving."

"Mom? Dad?"

"He..Heidi?"

"Yes, in flesh and blood. Accept what father and I said I'm good terms and do correct your mistakes, she has a good heart just like you and will definitely forgive you." I cooled down and told her, getting up. "Unfortunately, I won't sit here and witness it because it's between the three of you. Good luck." With that, I walked out of the living room and went up to my room.

*********

They needed privacy and to be honest after what ensued between my mother and I, I didn't want to be in the house anymore. I needed to just get out, be out here, somewhere just to clear my head.

But after an hour and some minutes of practically driving to nowhere and wasting my time and fuel on an aimless search, I reversed the car and turned on the road that leads to Drake's house. I haven't heard from him after the dinner since I've been busy with work and all, I hope he and his wife have sorted things out between them. They've come far in their marriage to give up and split after things were turning out great.

Jozelynn had an extra marital affair, yeah right, I'm not condoning it but I do pity her and I think whatever that she did, she did it because she thought Drake and her were never going to be how they are now and to be frank too, my best buddy had a hand in it as much as she did. His actions indirectly influenced her decision so instead of splitting, he should suck it up and fight for his marriage.

I'll tell him that when I get there and more, that isn't the only thing. I still haven't forgotten about the uncanny resemblance between her and Nae, maybe he saw it too and together we can find out the truth.

Thankfully, my mind has already been cleared after driving around aimless. I thought about a lot of things and realized my nun wasn't at fault entirely, she only tried to amend her ways by getting involved in my life since she failed so do so with Heidi's. It's only, she had it all wrong and ended up being worse, I shouldn't blame her much, though I won't, I can't excuse her negligence as a mother to Heidi, that is not pardonable, it cost us a lot and might still be causing us.

I raked my hair with one hand and the other negotiated a curve then sped through the neighborhood at a moderate speed and before I knew, I was in front of their gate. The security man saw and recognized me immediately, with clumsy gait, he opened the gate and I drive through, pulled up to their drive way in minutes and turned off the engine.

Getting out and locking the door, I looked down at my feet and regretted just wearing slides. I shrugged, I can't change it now even if I want to so I might as well deal with it.

I made my way inside the house, I had to ring the doorbell before but there wasn't any answer so I let myself in.

"Hey." Drake greeted as he strolled into the foyer after I stepped inside.

I turned to acknowledge him. "Seems you were busy." I stated as I took in his almost nude body save for the towel that hang around his waist, on a glance, someone will think he had just taken his bath but the sweat trickling down his body and the redness of his cheeks tells otherwise.

"Uhm yeah, my wife and I—" he turned a deeper shade as he scratched his neck and looking somewhere else.

"Baby who's at the door..." Jozelynn allowed her words to trial off when she stepped in beside her husband and saw it me. Her hands clumsily tied the strings of her robe, her cheeks flushing as well.

So I thought right. I smirked, glancing at Drake. Too bad I have such a bad timing, I've interrupted them from having fun as married couples.

"You two made up quicker than I thought." I told and followed them into the living room. "But all the same I'm happy you two handled it like matured adults and not kids."

"What can I get for you?"

"Oh no." I was quick to say, "I'm no guest, I'll help myself out with anything..this