Winter waved Karol goodbye descending the stairs outside campus. She noticed a bunch of crowed had gathered around, mostly girls with their squirming and whispers to one another. She was curious to know what has gotten them so excited that they had to heap up like bees surrounding it's honey. She walked over tiptoeing on with her short legs trying to take a glimpse but ended up being pushed back. With a frowned face, she pushed her way through the mob of girls but went to far. The girls had moved clearing a path... clearly with a motive of embarrassing her she fell forward abruptly.
" Ah..."
Winter stumbled forward losing balance, she shut her eyes bracing herself for the impact that was going to come when she hits the car parked in front of her. " Hmm." A squirming sound left her throat preparing for impact. Two hands held her shoulders stopping her midway of the fall, she slowly opened her green eyes and sank in air meeting Alec's blue eyes.
" Did you hurt yourself?."
He asked tucking strands of hair behind her ear. Winter nodded her head hesitantly.
" Let's go."
He takes her hand leading her to the car. She sat quietly in the seat as he drove them off campus. Winter was confused. why did he come here himself? Isn't he worried people will talk, he'll definitely make the news so why risk it? What happened to Mr Aron picking her up?. All these questions went through her head without actually knowing his motive, or what he's willing to gain out of it.
" Where are we going?."
She finally asked seeing they took a different route from home.
" You'll see when we get there." He told her. With a anticipated look on her freckled face, she sat back staring through the outside view window. It was close to dawn but the sky was a clear blue, not a single white cloud. The breeze was soft and smooth, as though wanting to be part of it...to be one with it.
They drove for an hour and later stopped at a bridge over looking the city of Manhattan. Winter got out of car walking over to the rails of the bridge, her eyes gleaming staring at the city lights. A smile making it's way to her face, she's never seen something so beautiful. How much a place can change at night fall. The night air blowing her loose hair back.
" Do you like it?." Alec spoke beside her.
" I love it, it's beautiful."
She takes out her phone from her denim jacket taking a picture.
" Allow me to take one of you."
He stretches out his hand. She hands him her phone and took a picture of her smiling at the camera, and another one looking at the beautiful view of the city.
" Can I- can we...t-take a picture together? I totally understand if you don't want to it's-
Alec pulled her wrist spinning her around with her back hitting his broad abs.
" Say cheese."
He whispered lifting his arm to take a picture of them both. Winter blushed with her cheeks flustered.
" C-cheese."
She spoke in a lower tone, he took two pictures of them before handing her phone back.
" Ready to head back?." He asked.
" Uhm... can we stay for 5 more minutes?."
She hurried to say. Alec stared down at her before casually nodding at her request to stay a bit longer. Alec received a text from Zain asking him if he saw the news.
Confused, he opened his internet and the first video that popped up was Emma sitting in a conference hall surrounded by reporters and mics. She had finally made her appearance public for all the nation to see, explaining her situation and what she went through and why she never showed up earlier. But now that she's back she's going to try and live her life accordingly, rectify the lost times with her daughter and family. And go back to her work.
" Are you aware that your husband Alec Qinn got remarried again? What is your take in this situation?." A reporter asked.
" Well, I can't blame him for taking another woman as my replacement. In fact I encouraged it if anything ever happened to me, I wanted him to be happy, to move on and not let himself be lost in his own emptiness. I love him and seeing him happy is something any wife that loves her husband would wish for him."
" Will you two get back together since you're here? Will you snatch him away from his current wife?."
Emma kept silent for a while, looking straight at the camera and said.
" You can't snatch something that once belonged to you... Thank you so much but we're done here."
" Emma Rose Anderson, what do you mean by that? Please tell us."
Security walked her out while the rest blocked the reporters from going after her.
Alec gave a slight smirk that disappeared instantly.
" Ready to go?."
" Yes." She goes to the car and he followed behind her.
Alec and Winter arrived back at the mansion and Eli ran to him from the living room with a wide smile.
" Daddy look who's here."
She points towards the living room entrance and a tall boy walked up to them with his usual calm face. Alec sighs nonchalant and an bothered.
" Do you always appear in the night without supervision?."
" Good to see you too, Uncle." Arthur simply said. " By the way I'm grown enough to travel on my own, I'm 11 years old."
" You said that the last time you were here, you were 5."
" I guess my parents trusts me."
" It's called neglecting, I'll give your mother a call later."
Arthur simply shrugged. Both Alec and Eli couldn't believe how tall he's gotten over the years, and he's attitude hasn't changed a bit.
" Well you better deal with me cause I'm moving in."
" What? You're joking."
" I'm not, I changed schools."
" School?." He raised a brow.
" Hm, I transferred at Eli's school. As my future wife I have to be there to protect her."
Alec coughed holding back his composure. " Excuse me?" He stared between the boy and his daughter who's cheeks turned a bright pink. was my daughter blushing right now?
" Thanks but I can protect my own daughter, and for her sake she's not interested in being your future wife, ever."
Arthur frowned questioning Alec. " Why not? If she marries me she'll get to keep the family name, and I will love and be there for her."
" This discussion is over, Arthur."
Alec waved his hand. Arthur rolled his eyes with a sigh. he might dismiss this talk today but not forever. He thought taking his eyes off Alec and to the lady standing next to him.
" I don't believe we have met, beautiful Ms."
" Oh, hi... I'm Winter Bloom." She gave a slight smile.
" Your beautiful face suits your beautiful name."
He takes her hand kissing her knuckles.
" Oh...h-how generous of you." She blushed awkwardly. Alec just stared at him without a blame or care. He's always been a charmer among women, no woman passes him by without flirting a little, it didn't matter their age as long as they were attractive and has a pleasing figure. The little boy was as cunning as his father, but respectful and kind like his mother. I guess the Qinn blood as it's disadvantages, even though himself isn't one by blood, but he was raised as one from birth. Grange Qinn taught him all he needed to know, and how he needs to take that to his advantage.
" We'll return to watching TV, come Eli." He took her by the hand.
" Don't take to long, you have school tomorrow... That includes you, Arthur."
" Understood." They walked away. Winter giggles covering her mouth with the back of her hand.
" I like him, he's adorable and funny."
" More of dramatic you mean." Alec corrected.
" I'm starving, can we have dinner?."
She spoke. He nods leading her to the dining room. They served them dinner and poured them juice and glasses of water. She smelled the Italian spaghetti with it's mouth watering sauce and greenery. A medium rare steak and smashed potatoes. She simply couldn't wait to dig in and fill her belly up.
" Enjoy your meal." The head maid spoke with a slight bow.
" Thank you."
She lifts a fork digging in on the spaghetti. " Oh my god this is so good."
She looks up from her plate and found Alec staring at her with his jaw resting on his knuckles. Winter swallowed raising her brows at him.
" Why aren't you eating, aren't you hungry?."
" I am."
" Then eat, quit staring." He chuckled eating his own food.