I promise to be good

Chapter 4; I promise to make you proud

Back at the hospital, Cindy and Shane shared the bed of the private room, his arm extended over her shoulders in a gentle embrace. On her other hand, an IV drip linked to its stand was flowing at twenty drops per minute.

Compared to back when she was comatose, Cindy's face was fuller, and she wore a cheerful smile as they watched the movie *Rain Man*, starring Tom Cruise.

"Wow, I really love this kissing scene between Raymond and her. It's so awkward and cute, just like when you first kissed me in my parents' basement," Cindy said excitedly, her free arm holding on to him tightly. Due to Shane's lack of response, she lifted her head to check on him.

Shane appeared to watch the screen intently; however, after how many years of growing together, Cindy knew he was not in the moment. He must have dazed off.

"Shane, babe," she called out gently, but got no response.

"Shane!" Cindy said again, her fingers brushing over his broad shoulders. Still, she received no reply.

This got on her nerves. She frowned, yelling at him, "Shane!"

"Yes, baby," he responded, looking lost. Shane stared at Cindy, who pouted her lips in anger. She looked cute while doing that, and he felt his heart warm. Caressing her cheek, he inquired, "What is wrong?"

Feigning anger, Cindy let go of him and looked away dramatically, folding her arms. "Ever since that woman left, you have been avoiding me. Are you affected by the divorce?"

"Me?" Shane laughed at her silly question. Alissa was not the one he truly cared for. He smiled, "Are you jealous?"

"Shut up!" Cindy frowned.

"That woman doesn't hold a candle to a goddess like you, my love."

Upon hearing this, Cindy's smile grew wider. She was secretly happy to have successfully driven Alissa away.

Soon, her parents flocked to the room—Marilyn and Joe Reynolds, carrying a basket of fruits and a bouquet of flowers.

Cindy was the spitting image of her mother while taking her father's gray eyes. The second they entered, Shane took his leave.

In the lobby of the hospital, he scanned the area for a familiar figure.

"I guess she is gone now," he murmured to himself. Shane recalled Cindy's cries and the spirit of possession that claimed him. He scuffed the ground, cursing under his breath. "I should not care about you, Alissa. Cindy is all that matters now. She is back."

###

The next day, Alissa woke up in the moving vehicle. She had slept a lot in the jet too, but for some reason, she was still sleepy.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," she heard a gruff voice.

Alissa's heart skipped a beat at the voice. She fluttered her eyes open and was met by a different face. No, it wasn't her husband—ex-husband; it was Asher, her foster brother.

He had been taken in by the Kincaid family even before her birth.

Shaking her head, Alissa clasped her mouth to yawn. As she did, her stomach tumbled loudly. Due to this, her cheeks grew red from embarrassment.

"Someone is hungry. We are almost home," her grandfather said.

"I am sorry," Alissa apologized out of habit. Whenever she was hungry and had to ask for food from the Reynolds, they would ask her to apologize for being a burden before they offered it, which happened after she had done all the house chores.

Recalling this, Alissa shook her head. She was a maid to that family and would be a princess to her new family.

Narrowing his eyes, Fabrice Kincaid laughed, "Why are you apologizing? It's a human thing." His eyes drifted as they arrived at a huge gate. The corners of his eyes crinkled with a smile. "We are home."

At a glance, Alissa grew speechless. The view was mesmerizing, with acres and acres of land. There was a fountain at the center, and guards guarded the gate. Two rows of servants clad in similar outfits pulled out bouquets of flowers.

Alissa could tell the flowers were the most beautiful orchids and cost thousands of dollars. Even the servants' uniforms were more expensive than the dress she had on. Alissa knew a bit about design to recognize the difference.

Stepping out, she walked down the red carpet that was laid out. Each servant welcomed her with a polite smile and a bouquet. By the time she reached the last of them, her hands were heavy with flowers.

A tall, muscular man came over and bowed respectfully. "Welcome back, young mistress. I am Boris, your personal driver and bodyguard."

"Hello," Alissa said shyly. Everything was too much to swallow. She faced the servants; now even the guards who had earlier been patrolling stood in front of her, all raised their hands and gave her a military salute.

Confusion etched on her delicate features as Alissa looked around to see if there was someone of the government or a high personality around.

"Ma'am, they are saluting you," Boris told her in a whisper.

Alissa felt her cheeks turn rosy and offered a kind smile. "Thank you for the welcome."

Suddenly, they all started to move in unison. One by one, they held up cards that had a letter each. Alissa followed each letter and read it: *Welcome Back, Young Mistress*.

At that moment, her heart warmed with happiness. No one had made her feel so special before. Tears stung her eyes as she stared over at her grandfather, who had a proud look on his face.

Inside, Alissa was stunned to find several paintings by famous artists. She touched some of them and recognized them as originals. She calculated that every painting could cost at least a hundred million, while she could not boast of twenty thousand in her bank account.

In order to please Shane's family, Alissa had given up her job at the firm and become a full-time housewife. Now, she felt like she had lost all her potential over a man.

It made her mad.

"Your mother was quite a painter too. Do you want to see some of her work?"

Hearing this, Alissa was greatly touched. She also loved painting, especially in her free time. Unfortunately, Cindy had a love for drawing, so their parents decided to send only Cindy to the classes and accused her of stealing Cindy's hobby.

Unable to waste such an opportunity, Alissa nodded excitedly.

"Wow, Mom is K Blast?" she asked in awe.

K Blast was a famous painter known for her brutal dark paintings that depicted scenes straight out of horror movies. Alissa looked up to this painter, although her paintings were more lighthearted.

"Yes. She was a woman of several identities."

To this, Alissa gave a sly smile.

This was her home. It was hers. She felt at home.

When all alone, she patted herself on the back. "Welcome home, Alissa."

###

During dinner, two other people joined them at the table: Rita, her cousin, and Dominic, her father.

Rita was a brunette with shoulder-length hair and long legs. She ate her food in an elegant manner.

Upon noticing that Alissa was staring at her, she rolled her eyes. "Don't you know how to eat? Is that why you are watching me to imitate?"

"No," Alissa frowned. She was only staring at Rita because she was a famous attorney in the country. She never lost any cases. It was out of admiration, but she lost all of it when Rita opened her mouth.

To prove her wrong, Alissa picked up her cutlery and ate in the same manner. Fabrice was proud to see this. Alissa smirked at Rita, who was clearly annoyed.

Seeing the whole family together, Fabrice finished his meal. He elegantly wiped the corners of his mouth and then cleared his throat.

Immediately, everyone looked his way. Rita trembled slightly, Dominic, who was chewing, stopped, and even the servants froze. Alissa only stared at him, waiting for what he wanted to say.

"I want to announce that since my granddaughter is back, she is going to take over one of the companies that Dominic has been handling."

Instantly, Alissa's mouth dropped at his announcement, while Rita's and Dominic's faces lost all color.

Rita's grip on the fork grew stronger. "Alissa? Grandpa, she has no experience. She is just a lowly assistant at a firm and not even a lawyer. How can she take over a business? You do know she has been wiping floors her whole life, right?"

"And you have been kissing asses, which is worse," Alissa barked back. She was not going to let anyone climb over her again.

At her response, Fabrice's lips broadened.

"Settle down, ladies," he hushed them sternly. Turning to Alissa, he said, "I am not going to give you everything for you to swallow. You will take over our designing company and prove your worth. Double it's profits in six months. ''

"I promise to make you proud, grandfather," Alissa said confidently. She was aware of abilities to do it. 

While Rita thought, smiling slyly *Alissa, you don't even know the mess you are getting yourself into.*