Five years later
Cora’s POV
I sprang up from my bed excitedly, I was in a really good mood. Today was finally the day I would meet my love after what seemed like forever. I hurriedly rushed to my bathroom to wash my face, I needed to look good before meeting him.
“ Young mistress, your green tea is ready,” one of the maids announced as she walked in.
“ Place it on the center table, I'm coming,” I instructed from inside the bathroom.
“ Yes ma,” she replied.
“ Are mom and dad still around?” I questioned as I stepped out of the bathroom.
“ Yes, but they'll be heading out soon,” she informed.
“ It's alright,” I said sipping my tea. I picked up my phone and dialed a number, it rang for a while. “ C’mon, pick up,” I bit my nails.
“ Hello!” Lily's cheerful voice pierced through the phone and into my ears,at least she was alive.
“ Yes, it's sort of a miracle that you picked up this fast,” I sighed.
“ Haha, you were just lucky my phone was close by,” she giggled. “ So what's up? Is there anything you want to tell me?” She knew I never called for no reason.
“ Please tell me that you're still in Italy,” I pleaded with her. The reason everyone called her to confirm if she was still alive was that she travelled everywhere and at any time. Today she's in Paris, tomorrow she's in India maybe Afghanistan next time. I didn't see what she enjoyed by being to places everytime. It's like she didn't like to be in a place for long.
“ Why? You wanna go shopping?” She questioned.
“ Shopping is just a category under what I really want to do. It's more or less a girls’ day out,” I explained. “ So please tell me you haven't listened to your feet and heart and gone somewhere else?”
“ Fortunately for you, I'm still here in Italy,” could I get any luckier today?
“ Yes,” I rejoiced. “ I'll meet you up in a bit at your house, just give me a second,” I said before finally hanging up. “ I'm going to take a shower now so no one should disturb me and don't worry, I'll be done before dad leaves,” I told my maid who simply nodded her head before leaving.
With my mini-skirt and my fur jacket on, I ran down the stairs in excitement after having a relaxing shower.
“ Mom! Dad!” I yelled for them as I entering the main living room.
“ Why are you acting like a child so early in the morning?” Gab, my cousin who I didn't even know was here complained.
“ You should have gotten used to it by now,” I stuck out my tongue.
“ Whatever,” he continued pressing his phone. I ran over to him and hugged him from behind. His neck rather. “ Shoo,” he attempted to drive me away but I wouldn't budge.
“ It's her again, isn't it?” I gasped as I read his chats.
“ Are you reading my chats again?” He turned to look at me and I quickly scurried away, apologizing half-heartedly and running away but that ended when I nearly bumped into my parents.
“ Cora! My goodness, why are you running?” My mom panicked, her English beautifully decorated with an Italian accent. “ Do you want to hurt yourself?”
“ Mom?!” I complained. “ I'm not a kid anymore, it's a bit insulting to treating me like one,” I frowned. I was already twenty-seven for pits’ sake.
“ I'm glad you know you're an adult now and that's exactly why you shouldn't be acting like a child,” dad folded his hands. “ If you keep behaving like one, then we'll keep treating you like one,” he concluded.
“ Whatever,” I rolled my eyes unbothered.
“ I'm curious as to why you're so bubbly this morning,” Mom gave me a suspicious look as she twisted her brows.
“ Isn't she always bubbly?” Dad looked at her.
“ I know her regular bubbly side and when she's excited, there's a bit of a difference. I don't know how I know but I know,”
“ And you're right, mom,” I nodded my head. “ Guess what? I'm going to see him today,” I beamed.
“ Do you mean...,”
“ Ah, I nearly forgot that I really did promise that I would send you back to the US to represent the company and still use the opportunity to meet him,” dad finally remembered his promise of a week back.
“ But that's not the only reason I'm here,” I said stretching my hands out. “ I'm going shopping and I need your card, black card precisely,” I winked at my dad trying to persuade him.
“ Shoo, go and find your man to bill,” mom shooed me away. “ Besides, don't you have your own card?”
“ Yeah, I have but not a black card. It's a regular credit card,” I emphasized on the regularity of my card.
“ Even if there's more than enough money to spend on there,” she tried to convince me.
“ It's not about the money. Can't I have my bragging rights?” Was that so hard to ask for?
“ Honey, anyone who sees you and sees your card is going to know who you are,” she stood her ground.
“ I'm not even asking you,” I really wasn't even talking to her.
“ Honey, it's fine,” he touched mom lightly on the shoulder. “ Whatever our daughter wants, she gets,” this was his catch phrase for me, talk about perks of being the daughter of the Vandenberg’s. He handed the card over to me, after which I gave he and Mom a peck on the cheeks before leaving the house.
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“ Wait, are you for real? Are you still into him?” Lily questioned turning to look at me as we were being massaged. “ I mean, you barely even got to meet him that last time. How could you possibly claim to be in love with him?” She squinted her eyes at me. I couldn't really tell if the squinting was out of pain derived from the massaging or the fact that she didn't get me.
“ And what would you know about love?” I scoffed. “ Love doesn't need to exist for eternity, neither do I have to have met him a million times before knowing that he's the one for me,” I briefed.
“ You're crazy,” she shook her head in amusement. “ Didn't his girlfriend or was it his fiancee die sometime back?” She questioned.
“ Yes but why are we talking about it?” I snapped as my mood suddenly went sour.
“ Sheesh, no need to get mad,” she backed off. “ I was just saying,”
“ Well, it's his fiancee and she's dead.”
“ O-k-a-y...,” she stretched unsure of how to react. I knew I was acting all worked up but I couldn't help but feel that way. “ My point is, I'm not sure he'll be over her so what's the chance that he'll let you into his life?” She just had a way of dampening my mood.
“ Don't be a pessimist and besides, I'm going to make sure I'll be the only one in his eyes. Not to mention, that he never really loved her,” I smiled as I said the last part like I was bragging.
“ And how do you know that?”
“ Is there anything I don't know?” I analyzed my nails as I scoffed. I knew everything about everything especially when it dealt with my man.
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“ Ladies and gentlemen, Premiere Airways welcomes you to Riverdale city. The local time is one o'clock using GMT-5. For your safety and the safety of the people around you, please remain seated with your seatbelts fastened and keep the aisle(s) clear until we are parked at the gate,” the pilot announced through the speakers as we landed. I took a deep breath - I was finally back.
Getting off the plane, I walked through the lobby of the airport with the wheels of my luggage tap dancing on the smooth floor as my bodyguards followed me. I got into my expensive black Jeep with my entourage following in front and behind.
“ Young mistress, where would you like to stop first? Should I take you home or is there somewhere you would like to go to first?” The driver questioned.
“ Take me to Bourne Groups. That's the major reason I'm here,” I said looking out the window.
“ Yes, ma'am,” he said focusing back on the road.
Heads turned as the heels of my boots went clip-clop against the floor of the building as I walked in. Shades on and heads held up high, I walked past the gasping workers who whispered as I past. I liked the attention.
” You?” He froze as he noticed me, his men stopped abruptly behind him.
“ Yes. It's been a while, CEO Kasper,” I took off my shades and beamed. Our reunion was long overdue.
* * * *
Kasper's POV It was like I was standing in front of my very worst nightmare. Wasn't that the crazy girl from some years back?“ Sir, she's Cora. The daughter and the only child to the Vandenberg family,” Steve whispered to me. He had seen the horror on my face. “ Should I smile and acknowledge her presence of should I pretend like I didn't see her because the second option is really tempting,” I talked back to him.“ You're not the only one terrified by her presence but let's not forget that she's the daughter of one of our most trusted business associates,” he reminded. This was more annoying than I thought it would be, now I couldn't even snub her. “ Could today possibly get any worse?” I cussed underneath my breath and watched as she approached me with her guards and a girl I wasn't sure I had seen before.“ Do you remember me by chance, CEO Kasper?” Cora who now stood in front of me questioned.“ You're really hard to forget,” I muttered, nearly rolling my eyes. “ Yes, of c
Cora's POVI had never felt so embarrassed before, everyone had noticed Kasper's attitude towards me in the restaurant and then to crown it all, I just had to cry. “ Ma'am, would you like to stop at the convenience store for anything? Maybe ice cream?” My driver asked. He knew my mood was sour so he tried doing what he thought would relieve me but now that I think of it, why did he assume that I would want ice cream? Was I really this immature in everyone's eyes?“ Do you think I'm immature?” I questioned.“ Ma'am?” He was taken aback by my question.“ Do you think I'm immature?” I repeated myself sounding a lot more rigid.“ No, young mistress. Why would presume that?” He scratched the back of his head awkwardly, sweat beads forming on his temple from tension.“ So what did you instantly think I would want to take ice cream?” I frowned.“ Erm... I just thought you might want to get it since you do like ice cream and you were also angry so I tried putting the pieces together,” he pau
The alarm clock beeped rather loudly, vibrating as it did. I used my hand to hit the alarm, I couldn't stand it ringing any further, besides, today was the day. “ Chloe,” I rolled over and called out to my twin sister who lay on the bed next to mine. After all she said about waking up early, she was still the one who refused to get up. She winced. “ Chloe!” I called louder, kneeling beside her bed to poke her. “ Stop it,” she slapped my hand still fast asleep. She rolled with her teddy bear held tight in her arms, her back facing me. “ You're so annoying when you sleep,” I grunted. I needed to come up with a plan to wake her up. “ Chloe, mom just made your favourite strawberry shortcakes and I'm going to have them all if you don't get up now,” I deviced. “ Huh? Strawberry?” She sat up slowly, her eyes bleary and unfocused. “ That's so mean of you to want to eat everything,” she replied finally awake. “ Really? Do you really think I care about your strawberry shortcakes?” I looked
Kasper's POV A knock came on my office door as I scanned through the piles of files on my desk. I suddenly didn't feel like answering. “ Come in,” I sighed. “ Sir, I have big news,” Steve walked briskly and stood in front of my desk. I looked at him, not a bit of curiosity or enthusiasm on my face. “ I'm being for real,” he knew the look I gave him. “ Go on then,” I rolled my eyeballs. I picked up the glass of water I hadn't acknowledged was there ever since. “ Lucas is back,” he went straight to the point. “ What?!” I spat out the water in my mouth. Thank goodness I didn't drink much but did I just hear right? “ He's about landing here in Riverdale, sir,” he repeated with more detail this time. “ And how come I'm only hearing this now?” I demanded an answer. “ Besides, why is he back?” I bombarded. “ I have no idea, sir. When he gets to the mansion, you can question him personally,” he didn't want to
Lucas's POVI woke up relatively early the next morning, I was going to cook something for Kasper. I didn't know how my cooking would taste but I don't mind trying.“ Young master, what are you doing here?” Mrs Margaret questioned.“ I'm cooking or at least I'm trying to,” I scratched the back of my head awkwardly.“ Why don't you leave the cooking to me?” She suggested.” No need, it's alright. I can handle things just fine,” I disagreed. I had made up my mind to do this so I would.“ Your cooking hasn't exactly been the best,” I heard her mutter.“ Hey!!!” I frowned. ” That was like when I was seventeen and it's been years, so you can't judge me by that. I'm twenty-nine now - an adult with lots of experience,” I emphasized the last part.“ I'll leave you to it then but don't poison yourself and master,” she advised? I couldn't even place it as that. It felt more like she was underestimating my cooking skills.“ I'll have you know that I cook alot better most maids and I guarantee th
Anastasia's POVI flipped through the magazine in my hand as I sat down in the first class cabin, the kids were occupied with the coloured book they were reading while Stella was glued to her phone, smiling like she was being possessed. Well, I wasn't sure if anyone would smile when something like that was happening. “ Why are you grinning like an idiot?” I questioned Stella.“ That's some way to put it,” she twisted her lips. “ It's something...,” she paused glancing over at her before looking at me once more.“ Or someone,” I raised my brows inquisitively.“ You'll find out soon enough,” she hummed and continued her business. “ Anyway, I nearly forgot to ask,” she said seriously.“ What is it?” I inquired.“ Should I send an anonymous tip to the media about your arrival?” “ No, I don't want the paparazzi following me about especially with the twins. The last thing I want is for their identity to be exposed publicly, their dad is still alive after all,” I explained.“ Ahh, that's u
Kasper's POV We drove for a few minutes before stopping over at a flower shop. I got down with Steve and my bodyguards. Everyone both customers and workers gasped and whispered as I walked in, it was expected, after all, it was a regular flower shop, nothing special. “ Erm... What would you like to get sir?” The attendant who was a lady in her mid twenties asked as she smiled at me from behind the counter as I approached. “ Flowers,” I stated. That much was obvious. “ Haha, I know it's flowers you want. What else would someone want in a flower shop?” She scratched the back of her head awkwardly. She was right, what the hell was with my response? “ I mean, do you have a specific request? Like a particular flower you would like to get?” She questioned more specifically.“ Yes, I do,” I said scanning the entire shop with my eyes. “ Do you have an azalea?” I asked.“ That's definitely a nice flower to pick, not everyone buys them. Do you have any idea what it means?” Sh
Claude’s POVThree days later “ I'm telling you, I saw dad,” I told Chloe as we sat down on our room floor. Chloe occupied herself with her dolls.“ How did you know it's dad when you've never seen him before?” She questioned, doubtful of my observations.“ Well, he looked exactly like me. It has to be him,” I was frustrated from explaining to her.“ Well, mummy hasn't confirmed if that's dad and if she hasn't, then it's not him,” she ruled out.“ And where did you get that idea from?” I asked puzzled.“ Well, mummy is the only one that has actually seen dad so she would know him if she sees him,” she shrugged. Why was her talk making sense a bit?“ And the only reason mommy hasn't confirmed it is because I haven't told her yet,” I put my hands on my waist. “ I still think you don't know what you're saying,” she looked at me and shook her head.“ Well, I'll show you if we ever run into him again,” I was willing to prove my point. “ Let's go downstairs,” I suggested.“ Alright,