Chapter 4

• KIE
• SIX YEARS LATER
• “Annie!!! Alex!!!!” I yelled the name of my kids as I stepped into a room filled with toys.
• Gosh! Those kids were not going to be the death of me.
• That was my life as a single mother, constant screaming and yelling.
• I literally spent the whole day scolding my twins but they never listened.
• “Annabelle, Alexander!” I called again looking around the room for my five year old twins.
• I was still searching when I heard giggling.
• Gotcha! I knew where they were hiding.
• They were crafty little scamps, my kids. Despite the mess and chaos they seemed to thrive on, I couldn't deny the joy they brought to my life.
• I walked towards their giggling, stopping at the closet door. With a mischievous grin, I whispered, "I hear two little twin troublemakers in there. Should I take a peek?"
• My words were met with even more giggles.
• "Alright, kiddos," I said, swinging the door open to reveal their beaming faces peeking out from behind a mountain of stuffed animals.
• Pushing the toys aside, I knelt down to their level, looking into their sparkling eyes with a gentle smile.
• "Annie, Alex, what's all this about? Were you playing hide and seek?" I asked in a soft, teasing tone.
• "We were just playing, Mommy!" Annie exclaimed, her blonde curls bouncing.
• Alexander added, "Yeah, we thought it would be fun!" He flashed me his signature dimpled grin, the one that always melted my heart.
• “And so you decided to mess everywhere up?” I raised a brow at them, carrying both of them out of the closet.
• "We were just making a fort," Alex insisted as I lifted them out of the closet. I couldn't help but chuckle at his attempt to justify the mess.
• "Well, I appreciate the creativity, but let's try to be a bit neater next time, okay?" I suggested, setting them down gently.
• "How about we make a deal? You two can help me clean up and then when I get back from work today, I'll take you guys out to get some ice cream?”
• Annie and Alex exchanged a quick look, their eyes sparkling with excitement.
• "Okay!" they exclaimed in unison.
• I watched with a smile as they both ran around the
• room picking up the toys.
• My eyes sparkled as I watched them.
• I thought getting pregnant for them was a mistake but they turned out to be the best thing that has ever happened to me.
• Six years ago, I went through hell. But thanks to the money that stranger left for me at the hotel. I was able to get some cash and then I met a very good friend, Stacy.
• “We're done, mommy!!” Annie announced happily as she ran back to where I was standing, alongside her brother.
• “Good. You both did well..” I commended patting their head one after the other.
• They were so cute. And shared different features from me.
• The only person that had something in common with me was Annie and that was her blonde hair.
• Alex had brown hair and brown eyes, which I knew he got from his father.
• And another feature were his cute dimples.
• “So mommy will be out for a few hours and you'll have to behave yourselves..” I informed them as they both nodded in obedience.
• I was going to check out my new shop, the old one got demolished by a restructuring company.
• So I just got a new one and was going to check it out.
• “You both be good boys and good girls. Aunt Stacy would be home any minute. Don't open the door for anyone unless it's your aunt!” I wanted them sternly.
• The kids chirped in unison, "We'll be good!"
• They promised, but their promise couldn't shake the unease that had crept into my mind, the thought of leaving them alone at home still niggling at me, even with Stacy on her way.
• The construction company had given me a generous compensation, but it had still been a shock. Losing my old shop was like losing a limb, but I had to move forward. This new shop was a fresh start.
• My focus shifted back to my children.
• “Alright, I'll run along now..” I planted kisses on their forehead, before leaving the house.
• …..
• “Stacy, I thought you would be on your way home already” I said in surprise the moment I got down from my car.
• Stacy was standing in front of my supposed new shop, where I would he selling coffees and espresso.
• “I'm so sorry, Kie..” she apologized.
• “Yeah, you have to get going now. I'll take things from here. Annie and Alex are all alone at home..” I said to her. I really hated leaving my kids all alone.
• “About that, I was about to leave when I got this letter..” she informed handing over a letter to me.
• “What's this?” I muttered taking the letter from her as I read the contents.
• “A quick notice!!” I squealed in surprise as I looked at Stacy.
• It was a quick notice from a company whatsoever.
• “Yeah. I was setting up some things when it arrived..” she explained.
• “This is bullshit!” I cursed tearing the letter inti bits.
• “I purchased this store with my money and there's no way I'm going to move. It was so hard getting this store. And you know I have to start sales immediately. Annie and Alex resumption is in two weeks and I'm literally going broke. I haven't settled their bills yet and I have to get them books and some new stuff. Why now?” I lamented as Stacy looked at me in pity.
• “Who sent this?” I demanded in anger. It was clearly Injustice.
• “Ashford technologies..” Stacy replied as my shoulders fell instantly.
• That was it!
• Ashford was like the biggest company in the pack. Rumors had it that it belonged to the Alpha himself.
• It was just a stone throw away from my shop and I only bought a shop near such a big company because I wanted lots of sakes, now things were backfiring on me.
• I wasn't going to give up just yet!
• “You know what Stacy, go home. I'll take care of this..” I said to Stacy.
• “What do you intend on doing?” She asked curiously.
• “The right thing. I'm going to visit Ashford and fight for my rights. I acquired this place with my money. So they have to right to tell me to move. I'll go to Ashford..”
• I said confidently though I knew that was a very stupid idea. How was I going to gain access there???