GOOD DAY CHILDREN!

I know I said I was joking about the 'see you next year' thing but it turns out I did see you next year T^T.

I'm REALLY sorry. I did write this chapter in August when I last updated but I've had a change in jobs recently and completely lost track of my sad little fanfiction life crying in the shadows. I wouldn't say I'm back because I completely forgot where I was even going with this story LOL but I am doing my utmost best. (Best being every like month LOL IM SORRY).

I finally am stable in my career at last till I'm finished uni. So hopefully I can sort of reach an end with this story. Or at least make start *sad author noises*

BUT THERE ARE SO MANY WONDERFUL STORIES THESE DAYS YAY! I'm so happy and grateful to those who've held onto my little 14-year-old tragedy. I will always love youse and am doing this all for you hehe 3


Being around Brandon still felt like a small thorn jabbing into her side despite all the effort she was doing to ignore his presence. She blinked hard, inhaling a breath of fresh air to clear her mind before focussing her vision back onto the tall brunette in front of her, clad in a pair of black dress pants and a white shirt that conveniently had the two top buttons undone, giving a peak of his build beneath. He stood before her as she remained seated on the white sofa of his living room listening to him throw sentences in her direction.

After breakfast, Nic had helped himself to one of the toys Mr. DeCaro had gifted him in the abundance of presents yesterday, busily playing on the rug that possibly cost her entire years' worth of rent. While Brandon insisted he brush over the agenda for this fake marriage he had concocted.

"…and we have a charity event to attend tomorrow afternoon," he spoke with much distaste, running through the agenda for the next couple of day. He had his freehand tucked into his pants pocket once again, with his tablet in his other hand as he continued to read off the calendar his secretary had sent him that morning.

Stella nodded, taking note of how much Brandon had changed from the last time she had properly spent time with him. He was mature and definitely more defined but looked like he hasn't aged a day in the last 4 years. He still harbored the same hate for irrelevant and unnecessary uses of his time like events and parties. Despite his aloof and workaholic personality, there was always something about him that always made her heart flutter.

Even to this day.

"I'm heading back to the office tomorrow morning for some shipments I need to look at first if there-" He continued before being cut off by the jingle of his phone, bringing Stella back to reality as well from her aimless stare of his figure. Brandon's eyes flickered annoyedly to the phone he fished out of his other pocket before putting it to his ear, "What?" His left eyebrow twitched as he snapped into the phone speaker.

As his eyes cast away onto the busy street from the window, Stella couldn't help the small smile that ghosted her lips. It was such a Brandon expression when his left eyebrow moved convulsively, it made it so obvious he was irritated despite how hard he tried to hide it.

His tempered hasn't changed at all in the last 4 years it seemed.

"Yes okay, I'm well aware, tell him I'll meet him in an hour if he's so insistent," Brandon's eyes closed as his free hand pinched the bridge of his nose. "Bring that car around in 15," He vexed, exhaling deeply, and hung up the call without another utter.

Before Stella could question the situation, Brandon's glance cast on her immediately, the look of exasperation evident in his coffee-colored orbs. "Sorry, I'm going to need to step out for a moment," He told her before releasing another displeased groan. He didn't even wait for her response before taking his leave. She watched him grab the black coat that hung beside the room, slipping his arms into it and pulling it over his shoulders.

"When are you going to be back?" Stella found herself asking absentmindedly. There was no reason for her to ask his whereabouts or what time he'd come home. They weren't even really married so there was really no need to play the role of husband and wife outside of the public's eye, but she did before she could stop herself.

A small pause before Brandon answered, "I don't know, this might take a while. I've been negotiating this one for weeks already." He replied, clearly expressing the struggle he was having in closing this particular deal. "Make yourself at home Cara, order room service in my tab if you'd like,"

Despite Brandon hoping she'd just stay at the penthouse till his return, Stella had other plans, "Nic and I are going out for the day," she told him quickly before he could reach for the door.

"Where?" It was none of his business. He knew that. But the curiosity was too much.

"To see a friend," A smile unconsciously stretched at her lips as she glanced away from him which piqued Brandon's curiosity even more so. She hadn't been to New York in 4 years. What possible friend did she have to visit?

"Okay," He replied, containing the plethora of questions he had, "I'll ask my driver to take you then," She nodded but didn't turn to face him as she continued to cast her eyes on her child busily playing with his toys on the rug. Despite every fiber in his being wanting to know who the friend Stella so hastily wanted to see, he also knew it was frankly none of his business.

She wasn't his wife. Her personal life was not a matter to him.

Stella's POV

Leaving the penthouse was a lot easier said than done. Considering Brandon's take on wanting personal privacy, the hotel staff ensured no paparazzi could have unauthorized entrance through the lobby but that didn't exactly stop them from crowding and bustling the front moments after Brandon had left the building.

His chauffeur, Vince, was diligently able to take us around back and bring the car for our departure before anyone noticed. Despite having not been to New York in almost half a decade, the streets of Manhattan felt familiar with the smell of coffee and fuel exhaust in the morning still as prevalent as ever.

"Mama, where are we?" Nic asked, his big eyes casting around excitedly at the concrete dwelling before us.

"To see mommy's best friend," I smiled at him as he held my finger tightly and we faced the faded dark red door I had gotten so used to seeing all my life, despite my initial disdain for it.

"It's kind of ugly don't you think?" I questioned, scrunching my nose up in distaste and casting a glance at the most ridiculous color for a door I'd ever seen in my life.

An offended gasp sounded from beside me as my best friend gaped her mouth at my forward review of her most recent apartment find, possibly on Craigslist. "What do you mean?! I love it! Red is my favorite color,"

"Please tell me you didn't buy this apartment just because of the red door," I pressed my fingers against my forehead trying to comprehend what exactly drew her to this particular house.

She remained silent, giving me a nervous chuckle to validate my thoughts. Dear lord. I turned around, smacking her upper arm followed by her sheepish grin. What an actual dumbass!

"It's hideous B!" I told her blatantly as she narrowed her eyes at me. "I mean, look at it, I can't believe you've already paid the deposit for this abomination,"

"You take that back! She'll hear you," She whispered at me harshly and I rolled my eyes playfully. A small teeter escaped her lips, and I couldn't help the laugh that sounded from my own mouth. It really was the ugliest door I've seen in my life, but if she was happy with it, then who am I to judge?

I had seen this absurd door on so many occasions in my life. From the day she moved in, I had seen it almost blacked out drunk on Friday nights to the last time I saw it, blurry in tears and drenched in the rain.

Intaking a sharp breath I shook my head, dissipating the memories that crawled back into my head. Things were different now; I was in a better position than I was 4 year ago on that night. I won't ever put myself, or my child in that kind of hopeless state, ever again.

Stepping forward with Nic gripping my hand I pressed the doorbell hung on the wall and waited. I had hoped she hadn't moved out but there was no telling how much had exactly changed over the last few years. I held my breath upon hearing the lock click from the other side and a small nervous pit formed in my stomach.

The door peeled open slowly and I was met with the same pair of ocean blue eyes I had seen on my last night here. Although they were a bit droopier than that night considering how it was only 9 in the morning and she doesn't usually get up on weekends till 12pm.

I couldn't stop the relieved breath that left my mouth when I realized, she hadn't moved. Upon registering my presence, her eyes widened a little and immediately she violently shook her head. "I'm dreaming," She mumbled more to herself as she blinked at me incredulously, "Stella?"

"Bloom," I smiled, feeling the happiness illuminate my face as my best friend continued to blink at me like I was a hologram.

"No fucking way," Her hand immediately covered her mouth at the shock, and I could see the small brim of tears build up in her waterline. I scrunched my nose at her use of profanity before casting my eyes down at the curious yet a little shy Nic had hidden behind me as he gripped my skirt tightly.

Bloom's confused eyes trailed from my face, following down my own gaze to the blonde-brunette staring back at her bashfully, partly hidden behind my skirt.

Her eyes widened even more, and I saw her jaw almost hit the ground. "Oh my god," She whispered, unable to stop the tears from pooling into her gaze. "Is he….?"

I didn't need her to complete her sentence because I was already aware of what she was insinuating, "Yes," I replied, a small content laugh escaping my lips as the tears built up in my own eyes.

"He looks just like him," Bloom muttered quickly wiping away her spilled tears before crouching down to level herself with Nic's height. His grip tightened around the fabric of my skirt and he quickly hid his entire face into the skirt in meekness.

"Hi," Bloom greeted him softly, giving him a little wave as he peeked at her again with one eye. "I'm your mom's best friend, but you can call me Aunt Bloom," She told him with a grin. I could see the shy smile materializing on Nic's face as he hid again.

"So, he doesn't know?" Bloom asked quietly as we sat on either side of her lounge room couch. I shook my head, staring solemnly at the hot liquid residing in the mug Bloom had prepared for me.

"He never believed it back then, so no, I didn't bother telling him," I told her bitterly. It had taken Bloom all of 2 minutes to befriend my child before he was confidently playing on her floor with her infamous Nintendo Switch. I should really stop people from exposing him to this much technology, he's going to get addicted at this rate.

"So what did you tell him?"

"Lover's child,"

"Are you kidding me? You really let that bastard think he was right?" Bloom vexed, huffing out an annoyed breath. I laughed at her disdain toward my ex, Bloom never really liked Brandon, she thought he was too egoistic and arrogant.

She wasn't wrong, Brandon was a bit of a jerk when it came to publicity but her minor dislike for him increased to a complete hate when she heard about how he treated me that night he kicked me out of the penthouse after learning that I was expecting.

"I don't want him to know Bloom," I replied, continuing to stare at the steam rising from the mug. She didn't question, but waited for me to continue, "He's going to take Nic away from me if he knew,"

Bloom sighed in defeat, "As much as I'd like to tell you that wouldn't happen, knowing the twisted bastard, he probably would sue for custody if he ever knew the truth,"

I nodded, "Brandon's not married and since Nic is rightfully his first-born son and only heir to the DeCaro fortune, he wouldn't hesitate to take my child from me,"

"So how long are you going to play this charade for?"

"As long as I need to," I told her wistfully, "As long as Brandon never finds out, nothing can go wrong, and if he ever does find out, I would be well and truly out of the country by the time he learns the truth,"

Bloom kissed her teeth to express her distaste to the situation, "I'm still not a fan of you exposing yourself and your child to this kind of life, it's risky,"

"What choice do I have?" I sighed in defeat, "Being a single mother working part-time won't let me give Nic everything he deserves to have growing up,"

"You wouldn't be in this situation if that prick didn't doubt you and abandon you when you needed him!"

I didn't respond. She was right. Brandon was the stem point of it all. The pregnancy, the false beliefs, and the fact that he outright left me when I was at my worst. But I would never blame him for it.

Nic was the single most best thing that's ever happened to me, even if I had to suffer the pain Brandon put me through, I would still do it again for my baby. That's why I would never let Brandon take him away from me.

"Are you planning to ever get married?"

I shrugged at her question. "Nic does need a father in his life, I have thought about it a couple of times,"

"Are you ever going to fall in love like you did with Satan's Reincarnation?" I laughed at her question and smiled faintly. I fell for Brandon hard, there was no denying that. I wouldn't say I've moved on from him, since my love for him had made it very hard to move on, especially when I see him every day, resonating from Nicholas.

But I had forced those feeling behind me. I wasn't in love with him anymore. But part of me will always care for him deeply.

"I don't know Bloom," I replied quietly, continuing to stare down at the coffee she had brewed for me before taking a sip out of it. She smiled sympathetically at me before scooting closer to me enthusiastically.

"Tell you what, there are so many good-looking and wealthy guys in Manhattan, why don't you try and find someone else while you're here?" She beamed, nudging my shoulder suggestively.

"Are you joking? I'm here as Brandon's 'wife', everyone who's anyone thinks I'm already taken," I pursed my lips distastefully. "Besides, good looking wealthy guys all turn out to be jerks,"

"Can't agree with you more on that one," She giggled, and I returned her smile. Before I was able to continue the conversation, the doorbell buzzed as both Bloom, and I conveyed our attention to it before gazing at each other quizzically.

"Are you expecting anyone?" I asked unsurely and she mimicked my equally confused expression before shaking her head.

"Probably just the package I ordered," She shrugged, placing her mug on the coffee table as she gathered herself up from the sofa and headed for the door. I nodded understandingly and leaned myself back comfortably on the sofa, bringing the warm cup of coffee closer to me.

Why did I bother agreeing to this? What did I gain out of it? Was it even for Nic or was it my own selfish desire to see the man I was so infatuated with again?

"What are you doing here!?" Bloom exclaimed venomously as heavy footsteps clattered over the floorboard that lead down the corridor to the front door. I hastily sat up, my eyes darting towards Nicholas out of panic from Bloom's heightened tone. "Hey! I was talking to you!"

"I don't ever recall talking to you," Brandon's blunt voice sounded whilst he stood at the onset of the corridor, his head turned over his shoulder emotionlessly addressing Bloom as she fumed behind him.

Bloom's mouth hit the floor at the stoic expression he had on his face while I sat on the sofa, blinking incredulously. "You're in my house asshole!" She threw her hands into the air frustratedly. Brandon ignored her and shifted his gaze to me who sat uncomfortably on the sofa before his chocolate brown eyes caught sight of Nic sitting on the floor absorbed to the Nintendo. "Stella, tell him to leave!"

It was like every time I saw him, my heart rate increased tenfold and my breath was caught in my throat, "W-What are you doing here?" I managed to choke out in discomfort. His eyes met mine one more and not a hint of emotion was present in them.

Didn't he say he was going to be a while? It hasn't even been more than 2 hours since I left the hotel.

He paused for a split second as if contemplating a reason to give. Before he could exert his excuse, Nic gazed up from his game and immediately brightened at the sight of Brandon's figure in the proximity.

"Ah! Hi!" He beamed, dangling the game in one hand as he rushed towards Brandon without a moment to spare. I felt my heart rate quicken and the tears threaten at my waterline at the sight of my son…no, our son – running to him. Dear God, I never thought I'd ever see the day.

Brandon looked down at him as Nic chummily wrapped his arms around Brandon's leg, stepping casually on his expensive leather shoes to gain more height when he did. "Hey buddy," He greeted him, ruffling Nic's hair in return. There was an unfamiliar hint of softness in Brandon's voice that I had never heard in the span of this whole thing. It was like his whole demeanor changed when faced with a small child.

"Brandon," I murmured quickly trying to cut the scene off shortly before I broke down into tears again. His eyes flickered to mine as he turned his attention back to me from under his hooded gaze. "What are you doing here?"

"I have a couple of things we needed to get done before tomorrow's event, that includes a dress," He replied back casually. From where Nic was standing, latched onto Brandon's side, any blind fool could see the resemblance between father and son.

But Brandon was never going to accept it.

"And you couldn't do that at any other time?" Bloom grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest. To which Brandon blatantly ignored as he continued to stare right at me.

"Mama, I'm tired," Nic interrupted, placing the Nintendo onto the floor and rubbing his eyes to ensure we knew he was sleepy. Of course, it was the afternoon, he should be needing a nap right now. I placed my cup down and stood up hastily, walking towards him to pick him up into my arms.

"I'm not sure if I can go without Nic," I told Brandon as Nic pressed his head onto my shoulder to begin his snoozing then and there. Brandon's eyes glazed over in thought for a moment before abruptly turning his hard cold gaze back to Bloom.

"How big is your living room?" He asked emotionlessly as Bloom took a quick step back to avoid his penetrating frost stare.

"Uh…not that big…" She knitted her eyebrows together as she spoke in a dumbfounded tone.

Brandon didn't bother answering her back before fishing out his phone.

"What are you doing?" I question quickly as I watched him dial a number. His eyes flickered to me as he tucked his free hand into his pocket and held the phone up to his hear mid-ring. His expression remained blank as his eyes bore into mine from over his forearm.

"Asking the designer to bring his collection here," He replied impassively and turned his back on Bloom and I as we stood gaping at each other.

What?! Bring the designer here?! To Bloom's house? Wait a minute…

Just exactly how rich was Brandon DeCaro?


Okay no, I WON'T See you next year, I will update in a bit...i think.