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.

Raina Williams

It was finally the day of the dinner, I was nervous and didn't know what to expect. Well I had been to many dinners and lunches with the Le roux family but this particular one was different because Angelo would be having his girl friend Yasmine over there. Sadly, that should be me.

I parked in the spacious parking that I have gotten used to and familiar with, even the Security of the Le roux's doesn't even question me anymore when-ever I come around.

"Ashton, Ashley...babies wake up we are at your Grandparents house." I whispered waking them up gently. They looked so peaceful as they both squinted their beautiful eyes looking at our surroundings.

I opened the drivers door as soon as I was out I opened the passenger door at the back.

"I can't wait to eat granny's blueberry pie." Ashton muttered stepping out of my Silver Land Rover. I don't know I guess I always had a thing for big cars.

"All you do is eat Ashton. Grandpa said you will be fat." Ashley replied a glint of innocence written on their faces as they argued which I got used to because it happened on a daily basis.

In about twenty minutes later we were all sat in the dining room. Alma with her husband Kennedy, who worked at his father's real estate company but it was soon to be his anyways besides that Kennedy Michaelson is a nice and kind young man and a great husband sometimes I find myself envying my own close friend Alma Le roux. She might have shared the same womb with Angelo but they are nothing like each other. On the other side Martha and Robert Le roux were sat together then of course Yaya and Angelo.

He didn't look happy at all when he saw me. I knew I wasn't welcome, when he pulled his mother to the kitchen to talk about me obviously as for Yaya she was dressed all elegant and she made my self esteem drop a little. I was dressed in a red knee length dress that shaped my figure and curves with black heels. As we ate there was a lot of tension around the table even though Richard tried lightening up with his jokes and Alma too but nothing would work. I really felt out of place.

I will always be the girl who got impregnated by her Boss's arrogant son.

The gracious family talked about all sorts of things and Yaya just seemed to fit in perfectly since she mentioned originating from Netherlands meaning she could speak dutch with the Le roux's

Perfect.

"Raina, so how is the Derrick case going ?" Richard tried adding me to the conversation.

"Its going well." I smiled then looked down at my not touched food.

"Raina, I'm actually working on a business collection for women and you have the perfect body for it." Yaya commented I had recently learned that she is a fashion designer by profession.

Suddenly Angelo coughed and I knew he wasn't happy about the idea.

"Honestly for someone who has been in the maternity ward you have a ravishing body Raina." Alma added.

"I'm jealous too dear." Martha added.

"Thank you, but Yaya I have to pass." I said in the most nicest way possible.

The twins were done eating and wanted to go and play with the dog Fierdo. Richards dog, he's quite the animal lover like his grandchildren. When the twins left Angelo cleared his throat as if he wanted to say something and I knew damn well it wasn't going to be splendid.

"Can I just make something clear ?" He said.

"Go ahead son." Richard spoke and everyone else nodded.

"Especially Raina." He sighed looking frustrated at the thought of my name... does he hate me that much ?

"Honestly I don't know why you were invited to this dinner because it was meant for Yaya."

My breath hitched as he continued. Everyone looked shocked by his choice of words but it was honestly expected. I knew I had it coming but I just didn't expect him to be so heartless. This was the man, I had been madly inlove with-

"Don't meddle in my family, just stop meddling. Raina just because I made you pregnant doesn't mean I married you. I know you are inlove or rather obsessed with me but just move on stop forcing yourself on me or my family. I don't love you Raina and I never loved you and its likely never to happen ever. If I could get you out of my life I would trust me but I know the twins need their mother. I only tolerate you for their sake nothing else. Now, i would really appreciate if you stopped interfering in my personal relationships. Everywhere I go.. you're there. I can't even have piece of mind or space for fucks sake. You are always at my dad's company, with my mom... I have to see everywhere even when the kids aren't involved which is honestly really draining for me."

I'm stupid.

Was all I could think, very stupid. Mixed emotions was all I felt but mostly pain, everyone was just as shocked as I was except Yaya who kept giving Angelo an encouraging smile. This was it, my official gut wrenching moment.

"Uhm excuse me." I mumbled feeling my eyes get heavy with tear under my eyes.

Good lord Raina you can't cry in front of them.

"Raina-" Martha stood up trying to stop me but Angelo was right, its time I moved on. But will I ever ?

"Its okay Martha, thank you for the wonderful supper. I hope it won't be too much trouble if I left the twins....I just need to be alone." I swallowed the last words, I have to go before I cry.

"Its okay, honey." Martha hugged me.

"Go rest Raina, the twins will be fine." Richard stood up to hug me as well as Kennedy and Alma.

"Stop spoon feeding her for God's sake, she is a grown ass woman." Angelo spat bitterly.

As soon as I realized my body had betrayed me my eyes were flowing with tears I quickly pulled back.

"I have to go...thanks again." I muttered before walking out the door.

I think I heard Yaya say something between the lines.

"Well done babe, you really put her in her place."

I shuddered at the thought that it was her idea or rather their idea.

This is the last time I will cry for a man especially Not Angelo !

Raina Williams

It's been over a month, everything is splendid. I met up with Derrick's son Grayson, such a nice young man. He made me laugh and cry while laughing which I hadn't done in quite a while. He was hesitant to meet me but I told him that I would do everything to help his father's case. Fact is Derrick wouldn't be coming out of prison but the least I could do is get him a minimum sentence then if he serves nine months I will push for parole otherwise he will be serving Life imprisonment or twenty five years and more.

Not to mention, I kept my word and distance throughout this past month, I didn't see Angelo. I avoided him for as long as I could after all its for the best. I also stopped talking to Alma and his parents honestly it's true I meddled quite a lot. If I was in his shoe's I would do the same thing, all I have to do now is keep my promise.

"Miss. Williams.." Nadia walked in my office.

"Yes, Nadia." I smiled going through some documents.

"Mr. Le roux insists on seeing you today." She said. Nadia was a nineteen year old, varsity student but was quite good at her job and I appreciated that she never let down.

"I can't, I'm busy with the Derrick case. Just tell him we can discuss it on the phone." I was quick to reply.

"Raina, you have been busy for a month." A voice interrupted. I looked up only to meet his forest green eyes. "Besides we can't always discuss everything over the phone." He walked over to sit on the leather couch on the other side of my office further from my mahogany table.

"I will leave you to it then, Oh Miss Williams... Grayson said dinner at eight pm sharp." Nadia smirked. I knew what she was doing, I had recently told her what happened because I was all grumpy. I couldn't keep everything bottled up after i told her everything I felt so much better. She is really nice to talk to, sometimes I forget that I'm older.

"Uhm okay, Nadia you may leave." She stuck her tongue out before leaving.

"So I found some schools that I think you will love, they are the best." I rambled walking over to where he was sitted looking at me closely. I was wearing my usual black pencil skirt that hugged my body and my white blouse that was tucked in smartly and loosely hanged below my abdomen. I usually wore my spectacles in the office so maybe he just realised how ugly I was compared to his fashion designer girl friend but that didn't matter. Life goes on.

"Well I actually wanted to talk about something else." He muttered.

"Uhm is it about the twins ?" I asked nervously but kept a stern look.

"Not really." I sighed.

"Then it doesn't matter." I smiled and he seemed befuddled, its just I promised myself that the only thing that brought us together was the twins and that's all we should ever discuss about.

"So this is the schedule I made." I handed him a copy.

"You take the twins two weekends a month then I have them on one weekend of the month. It's either you pick them up or Maya drops them off." I explained he looked stunned.

"But which means we never see each other." He mumbled.

"Uhm yeah that's the point we won't have to tolerate each other at all." I smiled. "You can run it past your lawyer if you like ?" I suggested.

"No, it's fine." He sighed.

"I knew you would like it." I gave a goofy smile but he seemed annoyed anyways after this he wont even see me that much anyways...

"So which school did you have in mind for their first grade ?"

He looked at me intensely before asking.

"Who is Grayson ?"

"Oh that's Derrick's son, he has been helping me with the case and stuff." I replied casually.

"Oh, I just thought he was you-" I cut him off.

"No.." I chuckled. "You should know love is not for me honestly." I laughed but he didn't respond.

"Uhm, let's just get back to the twins." I said awkwardly trying to avoid the change of subject.

"You know seeing you like this reminds me of-"

"Please don't say it." I mumbled looking away from his intense gaze.

"Park town or Roosevelt ?" I tried changing the subject, we were about to enter, I didn't want to be reminded of if stupid I was.

"Park town I guess." He ran his hand through his hair.

"Its Park town then." I said standing up. I liked the school it was quite expensive so was Roosevelt but only the best for my babies.

"So when is our next meeting ?" He asked standing up.

"I don't know, its not really necessary for us to meet if we stick to the schedule."

"Okay I will see you then." He followed me to where I was standing.

Don't be stupid.

I told myself as he stepped closer. He was about to do something we were going to regret the next day. "Uhm you should probably go Angelo." I moved back but I was backed up by my mahogany table.

"Angelo please." I murmured when I felt his breath on my neck.

"Fuck Raina, you don't know how hard it is to stay away from you." He whispered in my ear laying sloppy kisses on my neck which really sent me on the edge.

"Its for the best, I'm doing my part please commit to yours."

I knew all I ever was a sex machine to him, to calm him whenever he is frustrated.

"I can't, its hard." He kissed my jawline.

wow, ironic... it's hard, that's all I'm good for.

"Angelo you have the most beautiful girlfriend, you love her and she loves you don't ruin it because of some bitch you used to fuck in the office."

"Don't say that."

"Its true and I have accepted it so don't feel bad." I smiled.

Suddenly my phone rang then he pulled away before walking out with a sad look on his face.