Leap OF Fate novel Chapter 76

It’s the weekend, and she made sure she spent it with her children. Serene had some business to do in Hyacinth Bay for Ellis Inc. for the coming week so she and the children stayed in her Hyacinth Bay villa.

She brought the property a couple of months before her return. Initially, she wanted it to be a halfway home for Conrad when he traveled to Hyacinth Bay for business. However, since his stroke, she had assumed his responsibilities from their business.

In the past year, their business began exploring opportunities outside of Coast City. Thus, she and her children had been living in the villa for the past year.

Like Magnolia Crescent, her villa is on the outskirts of the city, away from all the noise and pollution. The property had two villas. She used one as her studio while the other was where she and the children lived. The two buildings shared a garden and a pool area.

Serene stirred in her sleep and felt her cellphone on the bedside table. The display showed it’s 10 in the morning. Of late, sleeping in had become a luxury for her. She tried to move but felt constrained. Pax’s foot rested on her stomach while Felicity’s arm flayed across her chest. She smiled and continued to lie still, not wanting to wake up her children.

She had just closed her eyes for a couple of minutes when her phone vibrated. Picking it up, she saw Mary’s name on the display calling her.

“Morning,” she greeted in a hushed voice.

“Hi! They’re still asleep?” Mary asked after noticing Serene speaking at a low volume.

“Uh-hum. Why did you call?”

“Well, I told you about my big client who wanted to wear a gown you hand-painted, right?” she asked, then continued without waiting for Serene’s response, “I’ve finished the gown and we’re bringing it to your studio.”

“We?”

“Yeah,” Mary’s voice sounded bashful. “She’s a loyal client and is also your admirer. So, I thought of bringing her with me so she could discuss with you how she’d like the gown to be painted.”

“I see. What time are you coming?”

“Um, we’re actually on our way now. We’ll be there in 15 minutes but don’t hurry to get up if the twins are still asleep. We’ll wait.”

Although Mary said they’re willing to wait, her professionalism got the better of her. She eased Felicity’s arm from her chest and Pax’s foot from her stomach. Then she gently got up from the bed. Since the twins co-sleep with her, she ditched the bed frame and just had the mattress on the floor.

After taking a shower and changing into a clean set of clothes, she had a quick breakfast. Before going to her studio, she left instructions to her helper.

Meanwhile, Mary had already arrived in the studio. She had a spare key, so she’s able to enter the area freely. Unlike her gallery, her studio exuded a warm, homey aura. It’s also littered with hers and the twins’ pictures and portraits.

“Felicity Pax and I were childhood friends. This is her studio as you can see it’s less formal than the gallery. Please feel at home. I’ll just ready the gown,” Mary happily said while she gestured to the soft couch on the side.

“Thank you,” Crystal and Elaina said in unison. However, instead of sitting, the two looked around the studio.

Crystal checked the framed paintings on the walls while the shelf with framed photos caught Elaina’s attention.

Elaina felt like a bucket of ice-cold water poured down her spine. Her eyes widened as she scanned all the photos frame by frame.

Some photos showed Serene, while others showed her with two children in various stages of development. Some were baby photos, others grown.

With shaking hands, she picked up a frame where the three smiled happily. The more she looked at the twins, the more she saw Justin in them, especially the boy. He’s a replica of Justin when he was a child.

She swallowed hard and tried to contain the tears in her eyes from falling. She excused herself from Crystal and said she just needed to call somebody.

Serene entered the studio from the connecting garden. She immediately saw the body form decked in a silk ball gown.

“I’m sorry for making you wait,” she greeted, which called the attention of her guests.

Crystal looked surprised. She expected to see the tall and slender woman with slick blonde hair she saw from the exhibit. But before her was a voluptuous woman with unblemished skin.

“This is Felicity Pax. The woman in the exhibit is her secretary. She did not want to appear in public, so her secretary always takes her place,” Mary explained.