Present time.

"Mommy, Ashton removed the powerpuff girls." Ashley snuffles into my office with her blonde hair up to her shoulders and blue eyes staring sadly at my own brown eyes.

"Baby, go tell him to put it back okay?" I smile and she nods going back to the lounge as I turn back to my lap top trying to crack this case of my client Derrick Collins charged with homicide.

"Mom, Ashley removed teen titans." Ashton stormed into my office for five year olds, these dumplings are quite voluble. His blonde quiff messier than ever and his green eyes looking at mine for attention.

"Anyways its time for bed... so no one will be watching any cartoons." I stand up leading both of their grumpy faces to their rooms. Once they are both asleep, I head back to my office. The past four years haven't been easy but Angelo and I managed to give our babies whatever they needed and they absolutely understand that mommy and daddy are not together so every weekend they spend time with their father then I have them for a full week well only in the evening because they go to kindergarten through out the day otherwise everything is perfect.

not perfect.

perfect would be you and Angelo raising your kids as a family. - my subconscious mocked me. Deciding that it is late and I should get some sleep, I head to my bedroom suddenly Angelo calls and I'm forced to answer.

Forced to answer because if it were up to me I would ignore but it might be important.

"Hey..." I vaguely greet through the receiver..

"Hey Raina, just wanted to remind you that tomorrow I will be taking the twins out." He says enthusiastically, he loves the twins, you could tell from a mile away.

"Uhm okay." I say with a yawn, its midnight I need to sleep.

"They will be meeting my girl friend, Yaya." He gabbles.

"What ?!?" I say vociferously.

"She isn't replacing you Raina, you will always be their mother." I could literally picture him rolling his beautiful green eyes, clenching his jaw while saying this.

shut up.

"I can't believe you right now." I frown at the thought of them playing happy family with this Yaya.

"I'm sorry but at least now you know."

He isn't sorry.

"Wow like that actually makes things any better." I say sarcastically.

"It does because I don't want you to get any hopes up." He says confidently. A part of me weeps because I know it's true. No matter how many girls I see Angelo with, there is always that hope that it's temporary and one day we will be a family.

hopeless romantic.

"What do you mean ?" I frown.

"I know you are inlo-" I cut him off.

"Actually I'm happy for you Angelo at least you will stop being a male little whore sticking that dick anyone that fits and get settled down." I gush out before hanging up. I quickly receive a text.

you forget you used to accommodate this dick. - Angelo

what an Asshole.

I think to myself before closing my eyes. Hopefully my babies don't get introduced to a strumpet (prostitute). Yaya is a stupid name.

***

Woke up early and got ready for work wearing my black pencil skirt and white blouse tucked in, as well as my black heels then added light make up and tying my hair into a bun, I was ready to run the day.

"Morning Miss Raina." Maya greeted me in the most sincere way.

"Morning Maya." I smiled walking into the kitchen sitting on the kitchen island stools. Maya is in her late forties, she occasionally takes care of the twins when I'm busy or when Angelo is busy. She is very nice and friendly and her advises are always the best.

"So Angelo will be picking up the twins later on..." I frown.

"Oh, Raina why do you seem unhappy ?" She says wiping the island with a white cloth, she doesn't have to but she just loves tiding up. She is like my second mother here in Los Angeles.

"He is going to introducing them to his girlfriend." I muttered.

"That's wonderful is it not ? " she gushed.

"I guess." I shrugged more Ike rolled my eyes.

"You always wanted him to stop being a play boy so he could be a good example to his kids." She convinced.

"Yes but now that its finally happening I don't know how to feel about it."

That should be me, this is so sad.

"I understand but just be happy he is changing for them." She assured me with a smile.

"Well you are right, thank you Maya." I hugged her. "Let me get going, Derrick Collins is not going to be happy about the news I have for him." I stood up grabbing my laptop bag and car keys from the counter.

"He deserves what ever news that are coming for him, Raina don't forget he is a murderer." Maya spat.

"Everyone is innocent till proven guilty." I flounced out of the kitchen heading out before Maya continues arguing.

"Bye Maya." I yelled as I went inside the elevator that went down to the basement.

Maybe Maya is right, Angelo has been wild and unsettled...the media knows him for all the wrong things but at least he is making the effort to change maybe just maybe this woman is exactly what he needs to become a better person.

You couldn't do that.

Maybe I wasn't the person for him, my feelings never faded he was my first love and I don't think its easy to try and move on from that even though he reminds me all the time that there will never be a us. I always assumed the twins would bring us together but not really.

Its quite sad, the things we do for love.

Raina Williams

"Unfortunately Mr. Collins I have bad news and good news !" I clarified to the man who was sat across me in a prison visiting room.

"Let's hear it." He said in a grumpy voice, I couldn't blame him though if I was in jail for two weeks and my lawyer comes to visit me with nothing but bad news I would fire them on the spot.

"Our appeal for bail was denied." I said not proud of it at all.

"What ??!? So how long am I going to stay here for a crime I didn't commit. This is bullshit, you are not doing your job dammit !" He raised his voice making the other visitors and prisoners stare at us including the guards. I hate this place it gives me the chills it's so dried out the only colours that brighten the place up are the orange uniforms for the prisoners as for the guards they are so intimidating.

"A crime you didn't commit, that's rich coming from you." I said sarcastically earning a cold glare. "If you didn't hit and run an innocent young man then you wouldn't be here... now would you Mr. Collins ?"

"You are not paid to judge me missy !" He retorted and I nodded.

"Anyways since you were not granted bail this means our trial date will be moved closer unlike if you had received bail." I said calmly.

"That doesn't make it any better." He grumbled.

"I know but please Mr. Collins just hang in there." I added.

"Hang in there ?" He gave me a sardonic laugh. "I will be hanging on a rope soon enough straight to hell."

"Trust me, i will get you out of here." I laid my hand on top of his.

"No physical contact with inmates." The guard shouted and I jumped in my seat clearly caught off guard.

"I feel like an animal." He sighed rubbing his grey and black hair. Mr. Collins was a well know business man in Los Angeles that was until he committed this gruel some crime. He is my client and I will do whatever just can to get him out if this mess.

One night he was drunk and he accidentally hit and run on a man named Eric Winters... and now he might be charged with homicide if I don't work harder on this case. This was a television sensation as he was well known everyone accused him of murder but as a lawyer I don't judge I just do whatever it is to defend my client.

"Don't worry...we will go through this together as long as we can prove that you were not in your right mind and that Eric was also drunk he just crossed the street without thinking." I assured him with scenarios I had been working on.

"Please Raina call me Derrick and I'm really sorry about the outburst."

"Its okay Derrick besides I asked a sample of DNA from Eric's body so we can see if there was any sign of drugs or alcohol."

"Okay." He mumbled.

"Derrick be positive, I will not let you die in this rotten Hades you will be a free man." I genuinely said.

"Thank you Raina." He sighed.

"That's what I'm here for right." I chuckled a bit and he did as well.

"Well let me get going..." I said.

"Raina you should meet my son, Grayson...just assure him that everything will be okay and you know he really needs a friend at this moment." He shrugged.

"Erm sure I can do that but I didn't know you had a son." I glanced at him suspiciously.

"I do, from my previous marriage."

"Oh alright, I will inform you of any changes Derrick, stay well if you are mistreated let me know I will assign you for a transfer as soon as possible."

"Its okay Raina, now get out of here so you can work on getting this old geyser out of here." He chuckled standing up as the guard handcuffed him my heart bleed.

"You are only fifty four, what are you saying." I laughed, he replied but I didn't quite get what he said as he was being taken away. My only thoughts were I should really work hard and get Derrick out of here.

As I arrived at my apartment the twins weren't there but Angelo would bring them back in about an hour before eight then we can discuss things. I changed into comfortable clothes sweatpants and a T-shirt while I searched for any other clues on Derrick's homicide case. Just in time there was a knock on the door, I jumped knowing it was Angelo. I remained stoical as I saw Angelo arrive with his mistress.

I was hoping to catch him alone.

"Uhm hi." I greeted her and she smiled back. She was blonde and looked like a model. She had Kylie Jenner lips, they didn't look natural at all. The way she pursed her lips made me want to gag, i wasn't a fan of fake eyelashes but she certainly was. Her eyebrows were a little way outdone for my own liking and the way Angelo looked at her like she is the only thing that mattered made me want to sulk or send her far far away from here if I could. My face always talked, even if my mouth had not said anything. My face described exactly how I was feeling about a person.

I wasn't sorry about that, at least till now.

"Raina, this is Yasmine. Yaya this is Raina." Angelo introduced us.

"Nice to finally meet you." She hugged me out of the blue then giggled. "I’m such a hugger, I'm sorry." she said quickly making Angelo give me the 'wow look at her, she is adorable isn’t she ?' look. "Your kids are so beautiful now I see where they get it from." She gushed.

Okay so she is nice, a bit sweet..

I can't hate her.

Angelo pretended to be hurt by the comment then she kissed his cheek and whispered something in his ear that made him lick his lips.

Eew.

"Oh please come in." I snarled and honestly Angelo has never treated me like that ever.

He did give you loads of kisses, while thrusting into you. - my inner voice mocked.

Because you were a girl he fucked in office for fun. My conscience added.

"Can I get you anything ?" I asked.

"Uhm no, I just came to introduce you to Yaya, we actually have a reservation waiting." Angelo smirked at his Yaya.

"Oh okay and the twins ?" I said concerned.

"They are at my parents house, I will pick them up tomorrow." He said before leaving me there stupefied so he really just came to flaunt his girlfriend in my face.

Ouch.

"Well enjoy your dinner." I muttered more to myself closing the door shut and sliding down to my knees.

I didn't want to feel sad but I couldn't help it.

Raina Williams

"My babies, I missed you already..." I hugged the energetic twins as they both ran in my arms. They make everything worth it, even having to deal with their father and his bullshit, they make it all worth it.

After the long hug, I stood up straight to acknowledge the man standing in front of me, looking devilishly handsome just like the first time we met, its like he gets younger by the day.

"Maya already prepared your breakfast so go say hi to aunty Maya." I said to Ashton and Ashley and at the sound of Maya they scurried off, they loved her a lot sometimes I'd even became jealous but I love Maya too she is truly amazing.

"Morning Raina." Angelo greeted and I couldn't help but feel affected by the way he talks to me, it sends thrills all over my body, I hate it...

"Morning..." I replied at the awkward scene which I did not want to endure any longer.

"So how was your dinner ?" I decided to ask sincerely. If she makes him happy then why should I be step mother in this Cinderella story.

Because you love him.

No I don't.

Yes you do.

Shut up, I'm getting over him. I debated with my mocking conscience.

"It was wonderful, thanks for asking." He paused playing with his car keys.

"My mom said you should give her a call." He cleared his throat.

Angelo's mother was always so nice to me, she is like a second mother honestly.

"I will." I smiled. Things have just been awkward between us since that phone call or rather since he got a girl friend.

"Well let me get going." He concluded heading out the door.

"Bye." I muttered when the door closed.

***

The day was spent with myself and my two angels watching movies well rather cartoons and lazily talking about most of their encounters of the week.

"So what did you do at granny's house ?" I genuinely asked.

"We baked cookies but Ashton didn't bake, he only wanted to eat." Ashley sticked out her tongue at Ashton who simply shrugged before saying "Baking is for girls."

"But its fun." I tried reasoning.

"Sometimes..." Ashton deadpanned while playing video games which he practically played everyday any chance he got but that would have to change because they would be starting first grade soon.

Sometimes I saw more of Angelo in Ashton than myself, the way is realistic about everything and never fails to act mature like when Ashton told Ashley that Santa doesn't exist...I mean how does a five year old come to that conclusion honestly I had a feeling Angelo was behind it maybe he told my baby all that crushing his imagination almost immediately.

Well Ashley is like me, she has a hard time making friends unlike Ashton and she is so observant about other people's feelings like when she asked me if I loved her daddy, I lied and said no but they both know that this is how things will always be between mommy and daddy. Leaving twins to do whatever they were occupied with I decided to call Angelo's mother.

"Hi Martha." She always interjected that I call her Martha than Mrs. Le roux.

"Oh goodness is this Raina." She said in awe.

"Yes, I was just checking up on you." I smiled sitting next to the island in the kitchen.

"Are you okay dear ?" She suddenly asked sensing sadness in my voice which I'm trying so hard to hide.

"I'm fine, how are you ?" I strayed.

"I'm fine Raina after spending the day with my two favourite grandchildren, I couldn't be more happy."

"They always love to visit you."

"You should come to dinner tomorrow, just Alma and her husband, you and the twins as well as Angelo and Yaya." My heart stopped at the last mention.

"I would love to but I wouldn't want to intrude, I'm sure I can just drop off the twins."

"Don't be Silly, Raina you are part of the family you wouldn't be a intruder."

"I will see if I can make it."

"Of course you can, I haven't seen you in a while it would be great just to catch up....Richard and I will not take no for an answer."

"Okay fine." I said after thinking about all the excuses in the book to come up with.

"I can't wait dear." She said excitedly.

"Same here." I lied.

How awkward will it be with Yaya there !

"Don't worry yourself about Yaya, this is just a phase my son is going through, he will soon realise you are the one for him." She convinced.

"I hope so." I said biting my bottom lip.

"You know, a mother always knows what's best for their children and Angelo belongs with you."

"But let's not jump into conclusions." I supervened a grin sprawled across my face. Any girl would be very lucky if their mother in law or so spoke to them like that.

"I have to go dear. Take care." She said.

"Okay Martha see you soon." I smiled before hanging up.