FATED🔞

Forty two...

Micheal adjusted his tie..he hated ties. So much. But his dad insisted. They were going to have dinner at a very fancy restaurant. He needed to "look presentable" ugh.

He called Alora.

"Hey pretty. You ready?"

"I hate this dress" he chuckled at her annoyed tone.

"My dad is very formal..sorry" he started for his door.

"You bought the dress.."

"Yes, because I know what my dad likes. Paparazzi's gonna be there too."

She didn't say anything again.

"I'm gonna be on my way now, okay?"

"Okay" she hung up.

...

"You're thirteen minutes late" Was what his dad said as they sat down. Micheal ignored that.

"Hello to you too. Where's your wife?"

"She's late too"

"Hm..Anyways, dad, this is Alora." He looked up at her and his eyes immediately filled with pity. 'What the hell did he tell his dad about me?!' Alora thought.

"Oh hey dear. You're really gorgeous. How you doing?"

"I'm good. Thanks for having me"

"It's fine. Glad to know that Micheal has at least one female friend." Micheal rolled his eyes...Alora smiled.

"Um, May I use the toilet sir?"

"Of course" Alora stood and walked to the toilet. She stared at the mirror. Gorgeous..that was the only compliment Don used to give her back then. He told her she was very gorgeous. It made her feel better.

Now though, as she stared at someone she didn't recognise. Dead lifeless eyes, swollen cheeks, red face...this wasn't her...

Not to keep the guys waiting, she quickly used the toilet, put on another layer of lip gloss and walked out.

Micheal was bored. His step mom kept telling he and his dad all about her new hair business. He didn't really care.

"...And so far, they've been so pleased. Praising the hair and all. It isn't as easy as I thought it'd be though. I-"

"-So sorry for wasting your ti-" Alora froze. Her eyes widening as they landed on the his stepmom. His stepmom froze too.

"A-"

"-We should order now" She signalled for the waiter and the menus were brought immediately.

She sat beside Micheal, tensed.

"What's wrong?" He whispered in her ear. She shook her head. Micheal was confused. His dad though, didn't notice a thing. They all made their orders and not long after, the food was brought.

Micheal watched Alora with shaky hands, put a spoon of her soup in her mouth. His stepmom hadn't even touched her salad.

Something was wrong. He sensed the paparazzi. Nothing must go wrong..

His dad brought up short convoy, not even caring that it was just Micheal answering him.

When they were done. Alora stood up immediately, picking up her purse. She turned to leave.

"Thank you so much for the meal sir. Micheal, I'll catch a cab. I have something to do.." Before anyone could say anything..His stepmom held her wrist. Alora felt anger pulse through her veins

She closed her eyes for a second, holding the angry tears in. She could sense the paps already..they were alert.

"I'm trying my possible best not to cause a scene, so please get your hands off me" she said through gritted teeth.

Micheal walked to her.

"What's wrong?" Her focus was just on the perfectly manicured hand on her wrist. Micheal looked at his stepmom.

"Leave her" She didn't.

"Sweetheart-"

"-Just leave me! Please! Can we just pretend like you're just his stepmom and nothing else to me!"

"I-i don't want to"

"Do I look like I care?!" She yelled and paused when Micheal placed his hands on her shoulders. She was shaking. Her mum let her go and started sobbing.

"Why treat me like this? I did everything I could-"

"-Don't even play victim here. Don't!" Her mother just walked out of the place, mortified. Alora took a deep breath for the umpteenth time.

"How dare you talk to my wife in that manner?" Alora just sighed helplessly and walked out too.

She went and waited by Micheal's car. He came out few minutes later.

"My dad is pissed" Was what he said, before entering the car. He drove out of the parking lot.

"I tried to keep it in Micheal..I'm so sorry"

"That won't fix anything..the media already has all they need..A little editing tonight, you'd be trending by tomorrow. It'll be fine"

"Doesn't sound like it"

"Just stay safe" he pulled her in and placed a kiss on her forehead.

There was silence for a while.

"Alora. I don't understand though. Do you know my stepmom from anywhere?" She sighed.

"That's my mum, Micheal"

"Shit. I'm so sorry Alora, I didn't-"

"-Do anything wrong. You did nothing wrong."

"How do you feel?"

"Horrible, Micheal. Horrible"

...

"Can you two just quit it?!"

"She started-"

"-Mum. You're not a kid. I understand that Alessia gets on your nerves-"

"-Everyone's nerves" Arabella mumbled. Caspian frowned and continued.

"As I was saying..I understand mum. But she isn't worth all these"

"How many months are you?" Jis mum asked Alessia

"Huh? Ohh..Uh. A few"

"A few?" She turned to her son. "What kind of-" she sighed, turned around and walked into her room, slamming the door behind her.

"Keep her in check Cas" Arabella walked away too.

"What is wrong with you?" He turned to Alessia.

"I'm just-I don't know.. Nobody is even considering that I'm a pregnant woman. I have mood swings. I-"

"-When will you stop all these?"

"What?"

"Stop acting Alessia. I know you're not pregnant. You aren't even showing any signs. You blast music in your room everyday. I've never seen you vomit. You haven't added any weight-"

"-I have! Can't you see my cheeks..getting so fat. You should be grateful I decided to keep the baby"

"You're financially able to take care of this 'child'..what do you want Alessia?"

"Haven't I made myself clear Cassie? You"

"If that's the case..you're wasting your time. My heart belongs to another" He walked away.