Chapter 199: Moments And Memories

I studied my reflection in the mirror, my eyes trailing the length of the burgundy fabric that clung to my skin, showing every curves I possessed.

My face was back to its pretty state, though there were still tiny lines of scars that were fading gradually but thank God for the invention of cosmetics and beauty products, they were concealed beneath tubs and lotions of beauty products.

Dr. Dylan deserved more than my thanks for the huge help he'd been. He was also surprised as how fast I was recuperating. His time frame of six months to a year of total healing had been reduced to three weeks to almost a month.

I was grateful yet vengeful. And this step I was about to take would help me exert revenge on each and everyone of them. Kazim's number was no longer going through which was both surprising and disappointing.

So I had to use other means to get what I wanted and Jared was a huge part in making it work.

"Are you ready?" Uncle Pete was standing at the entrance.

I met his gaze through the mirror and smiled. "How do I look?"

"As you've always looked." He proceeded towards me with an affectionate smile. "Beautiful, stunning and in every way the CEO of Astra-Z Corporation." He took my hands and squeezed tight. "I'm glad you're so strong and determined. Back in Paris, you..."

"I am what I am in Paris because of you, uncle Pete. You stood by me, loved me as a father would. You took every title and wore it with pride and performed excellently. Father, friend, partner... everything you were saved me, shaped me into this woman I am today. I don't say this enough but I love you. So much."

He shook his head, his expression betraying his own emotions, a teary smile spread my lips as I blinked back tears. "I was just there. You did the whole work."

"Your being there was all I needed to survive. It was what saved me. I never thought I'd find a man who could love me as much as my late father did but you proved me wrong, with you beside me, it's as though he never left."

"I'm here because of him and I don't regret any second of it. I'm glad I could keep a promise and enjoy myself while I did." He was struggling back tears as well.

My brows furrowed. "What...what do you mean?"

Another affectionate squeeze. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you this sooner but I made a promise to your father just before he died to take care of his little princess."

I did a double take, he held me tighter to keep me from falling on my knees. "I-I don't understand...what..."

"He was my friend. A very good one and I guessed he realized who Christian was from the very moment he set his eyes on the guy but he told me you were so happy and didn't want to break your heart by telling you to stay away from him."

Guilt, shame and shock all swaddled me like a newborn baby. "But...he warned me, I won't lie. I just thought he was being a protective father. I had no idea there was more to it. He should have told me."

"He didn't want to hurt you and so asked me to keep an eye on you in case anything happened to him."

To know that uncle Pete was my father's friend and I wasn't aware until now. That dad had known, specifically, who Christian was but hadn't forced me to stay away just because he wanted my happiness. Only to realize it wasn't worth it.

I had lost my father because I fell in love with the wrong guy. It made me all the more determined to get my revenge. Christian was going to be here, at this party.

It was hard tracking him down but Jared had managed to get a hold of him and had him agree to come. It was all going to end here. Today.

However, I couldn't stop the tears. The tears of guilt that was somehow tearing up my insides, I was partially responsible for my dad's untimely demise.

Uncle Pete shook his head and drew me towards his towering frame and firm build, wrapping his hands around the back of my back in a heartwarming and comforting hug. "Don't be too hard on yourself. It's not your fault."

"I feel like it is, uncle Pete. I brought a scheming, manipulative murderer into our home, handed my father's legacy to him. God! How stupid could I have been?!"

"You were young and in love."

"And now my father's dead because of it." I sobbed hard, wholly accepting his hug and relishing in the comfort it brought me.

"I'm sure he's proud of how you've handled yourself over the years. Look at you, Hailey. In just six years, you became a mother and the CEO of the most influential company in the country and beyond." He pulled back a little from the hug and cupped my face, fatherly affection and love shone through his eyes.

I sniffled, gulping back tears. "Not to mention I lost my father's legacy and a child." I bit my lower quivering lip so hard I almost felt the metallic taste of blood.

He effused a sigh. "There's no victory without travails, Hailey. You have Zion to be thankful for. Moreover, if all goes well today, the rest of your enemies will be in prison and you'll finally have your revenge."

"All except Mia." My blood boiled some. "She'll end up in prison but she'll not go in the same way as others will."

Mia was in my custody, though Jared had refused to tell me how he'd gotten a hold of her. I didn't care how he got her, I'd make sure she regrets sending those guys after me.

He nodded his understanding. "Do as your heart wills. I just want you to be happy. And I'm finally glad you're taking over. Being CEO is not my thing." That last statement was an attempt at a joke.

To humor him, I smiled. "But you did excellently well."

He groaned. "Just take over." He pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and gently dabbed at my tears. "Still look very beautiful."

My smile grew, quite genuine this time around. "You're obligated to say that."

"Doesn't mean it's not true." The way he smiled show how strong the Johnson genes were.

He looked so handsome and well put for his age. I knew then that I was looking at Jared's future self. Same face with such handsomeness that would shame age, the happy eyes that lit up when someone they genuinely cared for was with them. The towering height and strong build.

"Uncle." Jared stepped into the room, looking so dashing in his suit. His eyes lit up, just like his uncle's when they settled on me. "You're beautiful."

My heart did a double take and confirmed what I already knew — I was so in love with him. "Thank you."

He moved closer to give me a brief yet passionate kiss before turning to his uncle. "They're waiting for the CEO so the event can begin."

"Is that so?" Uncle Pete's smiling eyes met mine. "Then I think we better get started." He stretched out his arm. "Shall we?"

"Uncle, that's my woman. I should be offering her my arm." It was cute the way he whined, I couldn't help the giggle.

"Eh, you'll be fine." Uncle Pete playfully nudged him out of the way so we could pass.

I quickly dropped a kiss on his cheek. "I'm yours for the night."

There was a wicked gleam that immediately made an entrance into his eyes as his dimples became visible, he couldn't keep the smile off his face. "I'll be waiting."

"Kids of these days." Uncle Pete shook his head as though he was disgusted, but I could tell from his expression he was more than pleased to see Jared and me loving each other.

The nephew he adored and his late friend's daughter. It was, in fact, a corny love story.