From Cinderella?

It was like a soap opera to the people, they grew even more interested when they saw Gemma. I hated the fact that she was exposed to their judging eyes.

"Gemma, come here." I crouched down and opened my arms for her.

Without hesitation, she ran with her tiny feet towards me and hugged me. "I miss you," she confessed, "it's no fun without you there." She stumbled over her words whenever she spoke but she still managed to express herself.

I had left her in a private room with a nanny because I didn't want her to go through the stress of walking around with me all day while I attended to my guests.

Apparently she had grown bored without me and snuck out. I couldn't help the smile that warmed my face.

"I'm so sorry my baby, I know. Mummy is very busy you know, but I promise you that I will be with you very soon. Where's your nanny?"

"She's sleeping."

"Okay." Without any more words, I carried her into my arms and patted her back softly.

"Oh I get it now..." Ella suddenly uttered. "You're babysitting for a rich family aren't you? Then you snuck out in her mother's dress and now she thinks you're her mother."

I let out a sigh, trying to contain my anger. "Give it up Ella, I don't have time for all of this nonsense."

I made to walk away from them but Jacob suddenly blocked my path with his body. His blue eyes squinted, his mind obviously drowning in confusion. "You have a daughter?" He asked me, not moving out of my path.

"Yes." I responded, confidently, looking him dead in the eye and not batting a nervous lash.

"So... You're... Married?" He placed his words sluggishly, still taken aback by the fact that I had a child in the first place.

"Why do you care? Aren't you married?" I arched my brow at him. "I don't have time for this, I have to attend to my daughter's needs so if you could just move out of the way..."

I didn't smile, I didn't fidget, I had summoned all of the courage left in me. Gemma meant the world to me and I would look anyone dead in the eye if I had to just go protect her.

"I still don't get it." He said. "How do you have a daughter? When? How old is she? Were you cheating on me when we were together?"

"Ugh!" I rolled my eyes. "Not now Jacob--" I made to walk past him but he gripped my hand and drew me back.

"You can't go anywhere without giving me the answers I deserve." He commanded through gritted teeth.

I struggled to release my hand but his grip was just too tight. "Ouch! Stop it Jacob! You're hurting me!"

"I want answers! Tell me the truth!" He barked at my face.

Gemma began sobbing loudly in my arms, obviously afraid by what was happening.

"Leave me alone! You're scaring my daughter!" I pulled my hand as I yelled at him.

I tried not to yell too loudly, Gemma was already frightened by the scene. But Jacob made it impossible for me to leave as he kept pulling me back.

At that moment, I wondered where my staff were, my personal assistant, my head of security, anyone at all to save me from the mad man holding me back.

Then a voice caused us to quiet down and turn around.

"Don't you know anything about being a gentleman?" A soothing manly voice spoke up from the crowd.

His voice was soft yet it traveled with the air, somehow overshadowing Jacob's and I bickering and causing the ears of everyone to prick.

From the crowds that grew apart to make space in the middle, a handsome man walked towards us, his aura like a king on a respectable carpet and his loyal subjects on each of his sides.

His eyes were the lightest brown I had ever come across before, almost like they were glowing as he walked towards us.

He looked exotic in a very seductive way which made me wonder how a man could look so damn hot in a suit even though every other men around were also dressed in one.

He stood out effortlessly, yet his face was handsomely delicate and accurate. I had never seen a more perfect nose and lips. The color of his lips laid somewhere between red and orange.

He stopped in front of us, then reached out and placed his hand on Jacob's. "When a woman tells you to let her go," pulling Jacob's hand away from mine, "you let her go. No matter what it is you have to say to her."

Jacob looked him up and down, the look of intimidation glaring on his features. He sneered, "who the hell are you and what gives you the right to interfere in our discussion?"

Murmurs began to circulate around and I could help but to hear the words; "that's him!"

"It's McConnell's heir!"

"Oh my goodness it's Fabian!"

Ella propped up right next to Jacob and pulled him back gently. Her lips were spread out in a wide grin and an awkward chuckle left her mouth.

"Mr McConnell, it is an honor to be in your presence right now." She respectfully greeted him. "My apologies for my fiance's attitude towards you, he obviously didn't know that you are THE Fabian McConnell."

At the mention of the name, Jacob's eyes widened and he forced a smile. "Oh uh uhm Mr McConnell! How could i-- I'm deeply sorry for my attitude towards you, I would never have guessed-- from your humble look that you were someone so--"

Fabian turned towards me, ignoring Jacob. "Are you okay?" His voice was low and soft, like fresh wind on my face.

I felt so stunned by his masculinity and gentleness that somewhat, somehow contradicted each other.

He was like prince charming from Cinderella, manly, handsome, all the right features, yet so gentle and humble.

Then it hit me. Fabian McConnell, I knew that name.