Chapter 140 Back To Sternpoint

Chapter 140 Back To Sternpoint
Maddie's POV

After that moment in the parking lot, things were a bit better with Mariko. When we reached Lana's office, she and Arden were there. They were so happy to see us. It was so good to be back here. It felt much better compared to London. Mariko and I sat on the sofa while Arden and Lana sat on the two recliners in the far corner of her office.

"I can't even imagine what you both must've been through." Arden said, "Lana and I had our fair share of drama, but its important to be there for each other. That's all that matters."

"I'm just glad that those men are behind bars, it's tough on Mariko too, because that was traumatic." I said as I looked at Mariko, he seemed uncomfortable about the topic, so I changed it, "The twins are growing and they are really sweet. Bella loves them, she actually wanted to name them Cloudy and Sparkles." I smiled.

"She hates their names," Mariko chimed in.

"I would like to meet them," Lana said.

"You are both welcome to visit us in our new place," Mariko said.

"We would love to."

"Anything to drink?" Arden asked.

"Scotch for me, please." Mariko said.

"Nothing for me. Is Miranda around?" I asked.

"Yeah, she is in her office. She is still the same person that she always is." Lana said as Arden handed the glass of Scotch to Mariko.

"I will pop in by her. Have you seen Dad lately?" I asked Arden as he sat down.

"No, I don't think I want to see him again after everything that's happened and what he did. I can forgive him, but I don't want him anywhere near Lana. Things that will be said won't be good. I don't want Lana to live in constant fear when he is around," he replied. Lana seemed uncomfortable, but I was willing to help make things right.

"Everyone deserves a second chance in life. I know what he did is unforgivable, but he is changing, he is becoming a better man, and he has helped us with our situation. He is trying, and he wants to be part of his kids' lives, to make things better. I don't want to force you both to have a relationship with him, but just think about it." I said as I stood up.

They were sitting in thought, yet their body language gave uncomfortable vibes which I don't blame them for. "Just take your time, there is no forcing, especially with trauma," Mariko said.

"I will see where Miranda is." I said, eager to get to her.

"I need to see Reggie," Mariko stood up, placing the empty glass on the little coffee table.

"It was great seeing you both again." Arden said as he stood up, but then I walked out of the door, leaving Mariko still with them as I went to look for Miranda.

As I walked down the hallway, it was partially empty as the day came to an end. I received greetings from familiar faces walking past me, nods of greeting and smiles.

When I got to Miranda's office, she was measuring a dress on a mannequin. I knocked on the office glass door, and she turned around, her eyes huge, "Maddie, is that really you?" she beamed with excitement as she came my way and I entered the office.

"Yes," I returned the excitement.

She took me into her embrace, "It's so good to have you back," she said, and then she pulled away, studying my whole body and making sure that I was real. She cupped the sides of my face before pulling away completely. "You're really here. I missed you so much, especially with the designs. Please, have a seat." she walked around her desk and took a seat. I sat across from her.

"I have plans for new designs. Part of that is what Bella sketched, so I was wondering if having our own clothing line for kids would be a great idea for Sternpoint. She is excited about it," I said.

"We can do that. Anything will work for me." she smiled. "So, how was London?"

"It was...it's a part of my life that I wish not to go back to anytime soon. Mariko and I are still dealing with the trauma that we have been faced with and I we are overcoming it. Being back home is what keeps us sane. Although the first attack happened in the parking lot, I do believe that Mariko will get through it. We also adopted a young girl. She came with us. She was in an abusive home, and she is happy to be here with us. I only want the best for her. Oh, and you will love the twins."

"Oh gosh, I cannot wait to see them and to meet the girl that you adopted." she smiled.

"I hope I can start with work tomorrow?'

"You can start whenever you want to," she smiled. "Oh, you need a housewarming party. This weekend, I will arrange it."

All I could do was smile. She knows how to throw a party when she can. This is what I missed about being here, the people I love more than anything.



Mariko's POV

I walked down the hallway all the way to Reggie's office. When I went past Miranda's office, she and Maddie were having such a great time laughing and being carefree, I left them to it. When I reached Reggie's office, he was sitting behind his desk, buried in tons of paperwork on his desk.

"Hey," I smiled as he looked up from those documents.

"You're back already." he leaned back in his chair with a little smile on his face as I walked closer to him.

"Yeah, we had to settle in our new home first before we made our appearance here. It is good to be back, although I still have those flashbacks from the attack because it happened close to my parking space." I said as I shoved my hands into my pants pockets as I stood in front of his desk.

"I'm sorry that you're still experiencing that trauma but as you work through it, you will overcome it. Perhaps we can look into having you get another parking space. Maybe that will help you," he suggested.

"No, I think I need to face it head on, because how else am I supposed to move on when I can't even face that one part? I have to do it for myself and no one else. It's my trauma that I brought on myself. Only I can overcome it." I said.

He nodded, "That's true. So, how's the new place?" he asked.

"Its huge and the kids love it. Since we have adopted Angelique, the house seems to be fuller with more happiness and laughter. Bella is so happy, and she loves her siblings." I smiled.

"That's great to know. Well, Jamie and I aren't really on good terms right now. As you know, her job abroad has been hectic, but it has created more distance between us."

"'So, are you both able to work through it?" I asked.

"I don't know, Mariko. It seems as if we can't do that. She won't even come back, there are always excuses. I can't help but feel that she might have someone else, but I don't want to think that way either. Our love is fading away, and I don't think that it can be fixed. I don't think that she wants to fix it. I'm dreading the process of divorcing her. I never thought that this would be us. Part of me isn't surprised about it though, because she always wanted Mark back then, even if it was these subtle accidents to get his attention, such as her hand that burnt on the stove. I wish I had seen all this from the beginning, but I continued to be with her." he shook his head in disappointment. It tugged at my heart because he is a good man.

"I didn't see this coming either. But you know what you have to do. If divorcing is what will make you happier, then you know what to do. I was in the same place with Amber. Setting her free made me happier because then I got to be with Maddie and Amber got to live the life that she always wanted. Although now she is back to being a problem with alcoholism and I need to talk some sense into her." I sighed.

"Good luck on that," he said.

It was great to have this conversation with him because I could also be here for him as a friend as he was always there for me. I never really trusted Jamie, but she was his wife and this could be for the best. Reggie deserves better. Now that I'm back, I have to deal with Amber too and hope that she listens to me for the sake of Bella.