Hello folks...I know I was very bad on updating. My father in law passed away suddenly and we had to fly to France. I came back home last week and still fighting a drowsy jet lag. I don't know if I can do justice to this update as I am still numb with loss but seeing all your reviews I just couldn't ignore it anymore. Sorry for the wait and I am just giving you guys a head up. My sister is getting married in 4 months and I am the dress designer for all her functions. So I am gonna be busy as a bumble bee. Updates may be low, thank you for your continuing support and encouragement.

TO ANDRÉ - MERCI DE M'AIMER COMME VOTRE PROPRE. VOUS AUREZ TOUJOURS VIVRE DANS NOS COEURS.

Chapter 10

I got up hearing the blaring voice of my TV, some lady was blabbering about the movement of stock markets, derivatives, repo rates, bears, bulls, butterflies. I always hated these channels because it was plainly boring, I squinted my eyes open and scanned the room wondering why the hell the channel is on. Christian was standing in front of the French windows facing our garden rapidly firing orders to the phone. He was wearing a pajama bottoms that hanged from his hips in a totally hot way and a black t-shirt.

"No Ros we can't afford that proposition, try offering him a tender offer but go on buying the stock in silence…"

I pulled myself up and turned off the TV, it took a second for him to register that the constant droning was away. He pulled the phone off his ears and turned back to the room in anger,

"What the fuck..." he saw me standing in the middle of the room and his face softened a bit, "Ros, I will call you back. Carry on what we have discussed". He threw the phone on to the bed and looked straight at me, "Ana why did you turn off the TV"

"because I don't like waking up hearing boring market views, and partly because it's my room" I replied back with an attitude, "awww I am sorry, I forgot you wake up hearing sesame street or was it telly tubbies because you are too immature like a three year old" he smirked back.

Anger and humiliation filled up in me like a volcano, his audacity to speak to me like I am kid, "arghhh I hate you" I screamed at him. He laughed and added in a serious tone, "seriously Ana, I need to hear the business news, you are blocking the economy to Seattle's next big business tycoon" he smirked.

I snorted and said, "Ya when Dumbledore gets to be the president ". He puffed up a bit,

" juvenile brain"

"Selfish prick"

"Boring grandma"

"Granny banger"

He whistled, "Phew low blow baby, low blow". I smirked and went to the bathroom to get fresh. I brushed, washed my face deciding to have a long shower in the afternoon. I started tackling my hair which was like a dry haystack, after a 20 min struggle I gave up and pulled up a pony tail and came out wearing a yellow dress with yellow flats wondering if I looked odd.

"Aww don't you look cute, just like an omelet." Christian said batting his eyebrows. He was looking dashing in a crisp white button down and jeans.

I huffed and went back in to change again, I didn't want to look like an egg yolk as he had put. I scanned my wardrobe and found an orange sleeveless dress which I hadn't worn since my mom gifted it last Christmas. I changed quickly and came out.

"Wow is Halloween early this year. You look like a little pumpkin" that moron commented while scanning his phone.

I lost it completely, a bad hair day and a bad start of morning and I had a whole day to watch Elena boast about the famous engagement party to come, I sat on the ground and hugged my knees. He saw me and his smile changed to an understanding look. He got up quietly and went into the wardrobe and came out with a white summer dress which I didn't see before. He took matching heels and my diamond drop earrings and laid it out on the bed. With a smile for me he left the room.

I got up and changed quickly, and I looked beautiful if I could say for myself. He had an excellent taste in dress selection I had to agree. I gave myself a kick in the rear and vowed to let him watch his stupid market channel in the morning. I was being a total bitch to him and he only had helped me. I skipped my way to the dining room.

When I reached down I was greeted with the sight of my dad doubled down in laughter at something Christian said. His loud booming laughter which I seldom heard when I grew up immediately brought a smile to my lips. Christian himself was laughing out loud and it was a rich sound filled with the 'adonisness' of his character. Jose' was attacking his toast as if it offended him mortally, Elena was smiling politely and Leila was plainly sulking.

"What is the big joke here" I asked walking towards the table, Christian stood up and smiled at me looking deep into my eyes. He lifted my right hand and kissed it and pulled back my chair for me to sit.

"Oh Annie Christian here was telling about your camping trip to mount Reiner. Oh baby girl your reaction to seeing a bear was super classic" he said and started laughing again.

I sat dumbfounded, I looked at Christian questioningly and he just winked at me as if saying 'play along'. I made a grumpy face and sneered at him angrily.

"I am sorry baby, ray was telling me about the picnic you guys took when you were 7. I felt like I had to contribute something to that" he added grinning.

I was mortally embarrassed. When I was 7,daddy and me took a hike to the local trekking place to give both of us a break from my mom's cheating fiasco. I being the clumsiest kid ever born in the world made it to the top of the hill with 8 or 10 scratches and a bandaged knee. We pitched up our tent and were getting the camp fire ready when I heard a small hiss sound from the tent. I was scared to death and started screaming 'snake snake' and made a total scene only to find out later that it was the sound of the sausages sizzling on the stove dad had brought. It was one of his favorite jokes as I had made him half pack our tent and insisted on going home that night itself.

"I was a kid Christian, daddy I officially am mad at you" I said in an undertone. It only lead to more laughs.

As we were tucking into breakfast , Collin came into the room, "Mr. Steele, Mrs. Adams is on her way here".

Mom! Why is she coming home that to without letting me know earlier. I and dad exchanged a puzzled look while Elena looked uncomfortable. Well it would be fun to watch my mom and Elena interact. If my mom and I had a similarity it was that we both hated Elena. Mom had seriously considered referring a psychiatrist to dad when she came to know he was marrying Elena. She was one of our favorite topics to bitch.

I glanced at Christian, who was looking at me for an explanation. "My mother is coming here" I said in a hushed voice. His face lit up in recognition and nodded his head squeezing my hands silently saying he has got it under control.

After a few minutes mom entered the room chatting to Collin, "send Martha my love Collin and tell her to come around the next time she is in the locality ok". She scanned the room and spotted me, her face lit up with a smile and I was also grinning back. She looked beautiful in a blue dress, her face soft with love, she looked just like I remembered. She had turned 50 last month yet she didn't look a day older than 30.

"Oh my precious little girl, come here baby" she pulled me into a long tight hug. I held her tight inhaling her usual flowery scent and feeling home. "I missed you so much baby..Look at you so beautiful" my mother was crooning in my ears.

We broke apart and smiled at each other with tears in our eyes. "Carla what a surprise" dad said with a smile, "Oh ray, I just couldn't wait to see her. We just did well with this one didn't we" my mom said giving him a hug.

"Carla, a pleasure" Elena said, "Elena, did you put on weight or something" mom replied with grin. "Mrs. Adams, let me introduce you Ana's boyfriend…" Leila began squeaking at the end of the table, but my mom stopped her mid speech. "Leila I think its Ana who should do the honors, well young women what are you waiting for" my mom turned to look at me ,eyes narrowed. Due to years of experience I could smell a fight and I started praying to stop the drama that was about to unfurl.

I know it's kind of lame. Promise I am gonna update tomorrow another one. Leave me your thoughts and comments.

Rachael XOXO