IMPULSIVE PROCLAMATION

TWO DAYS LATER.

Jessica looked for her seat number on the ticket she was holding just like every other person in the queue. Soon, a tiny smile touched her lips the moment she found it and saw that it was the window seat.

She advanced toward her seat and settled down and then dropped her handbag on her thighs. Smiling, she watched the people around her with sheer happiness.

She had decided to board an economic flight instead of her regular first class. She just wanted to be among the crowd; perhaps it would help draw away her persistent thinking.  

Her smile widened when she saw two kids—a boy and a girl fighting over the window seat in the second roll.

Their mother came forward and put an end to their fight by occupying the seat and the two kids both stuck out their tongues at each other simultaneously.

Jessica chuckled and was about to tilt her head to look out of the window when a tall figure suddenly enveloped her.

She looked up at the figure looming in front of her and a flicker of confusion crossed her features before realization dawned, “Are you stalking me now?”

“Not at all, Jessica. It just happened that my seat number is right next to yours,” Antonio pronounced softly, his lips curling up into a half smile.

He looked tall and distinguished, displaying the aura of a successful man.

Jessica directed a piercing gaze at him, embracing the anger that rose within her.

Who was he kidding? After their last meeting, Jessica had dug through his history and she’d found out about how well his career had flourished.

His group had become the largest conglomerate in their state and he had also set up branch companies overseas.

To cut the long story short, Antonio Flores is now very much capable of owning a private jet.

Gradually, Antonio adjusted his suit and sat down on the empty seat beside Jessica.

Anger rushed up in Jessica’s heart and she sprang to her feet immediately and wanted to walk out of the space when Antonio suddenly grabbed her wrist.

Jessica gave an expression of pure disgust, “What are you doing?” her whole body vibrated with so much wrath.

“I promise not to say a word to you, Jessica, please don't leave your seat,” Antonio pleaded with her, his eyes holding hers earnestly.

Jessica made a turn to look at his face properly, “I don't want to be suffocated to death by your presence. Now let me go before I create a scene here,” she said with her jaw clenched and her eyes blazing with hostility.

Some seconds flew by but Antonio was still not letting go of her hand and asked at last, “Do you have my child?”

Jessica’s body swayed and she might as well have lost her footing if Antonio wasn't holding her wrist firmly.

For a long moment that felt like centuries or seconds, they were only staring right into each other’s eyes wordlessly.

Soon, Jessica returned to her senses and stared coldly at him, putting on a brave face, “Let me go now, you retarded fool,”

She forcefully pulled out her hand away from his grasp and quickly found her way to the extreme last seat of the roll, releasing a deep sigh of relief.

******

Daniella sat on a stool in front of the dressing mirror in her bedroom. She was brushing through her black hair with a hairbrush bit by bit.

She was in a daze, so lost in thoughts that she wasn't aware of having company in the bedroom until the person came to stand behind her, her face reflecting in the mirror.

“Mom?” She was stunned and she quickly got on her feet and swiveled around to face Jessica.

“Yes, baby. It’s me. I missed you so much,” emotion warbled through Jessica’s words as she snuggled her daughter into her embrace.

Even at Daniella’s surprise state, she welcomed the feel of her mother’s arms as she wrapped them around her— tight ripe with affection.

She missed this. She really missed being in her mother’s arms.

They stayed like that for a long time and when Jessica attempted to pull away first, Daniella didn't allow her. She wrapped her hands around Jessica tightly as though she didn't want her to ever leave her again.

Jessica got the message. She pressed a long kiss to Daniella’s side-face, stroking her back affectionately.

Soon, they both disengaged from the long hug and Jessica felt an overwhelming love squeezing every cell in her body after seeing the large tears rolling down her daughter’s face.

It is true that the hearts grow fond of each other when being apart.

“What a surprise, mom. You didn't tell me you were coming back today,” Daniella uttered softly, wiping off the tears on her face.

Jessica smiled and helped her clean her face, “I informed your Dad about it. I guess he probably forgot. I was suppose to give you a call myself but your line wasn't connecting,”

“Also, your Dad told me you had a test when I called two days ago. How was it?”

“Test?” Daniella stood properly, her brows crumpled in confusion.  

“Yes, test,” Jessica replied, her head nodding.

Daniella then thought about it. Her mother must have called two days ago while she was in the hospital and since her father has been busy taking care of her for the last two days, he might have completely forgotten to tell her about Jessica's homecoming.

So she quickly thought fast how to answer that question without giving herself away.

“Oh, yeah,” she chuckled, “It was not that much of a test, mom. So how was your long trip?”

“Well,” Jessica smiled and took Daniella’s hand, “It was good,”

Nodding, “Alright, mom. Actually, I was preparing to go out when you came in,” Daniella announced with a smile playing around her lips.

“To see Matthew, I guess,” Jessica teased, a mischievous smirk tugging on her lips.

Daniella scoffed and turned away from her mother, “I’m only going to see Mandy, Mom,” she asserted while sliding her feet into her shoes hurriedly and then grabbed her bag from the bed.

“Uhmm… I hope Matthew is good though?” Jessica asked with concern.

Daniella’s lips twitched. She couldn't even remember the last time she set her eyes on Matthew.

“He should be fine, mom,” she answered with a shrug and went over to kiss Jessica quickly before she could think of her next words.

“See you later, mama,” Daniella waved her mother goodbye and dashed to the door.

“Say my regards to Mandy!” Jessica turned and shouted behind the closed doors.

“Sure, mom!” Daniella shouted back.

Later in the day…

 Jessica was typing away on her laptop in the sturdy, trying to get herself engaged in some work so as not to think about her encounter with Antonio earlier in the plane.

After typing for a long while, her eyes suddenly went wide when she saw the rubbish she had written on the monitor.

Just then, the sound of the door opening snatched her attention and she swiftly looked over at the entrance to see Liam walking in with a slight smile on his breathtaking face.

“I reckoned you'd be here since I couldn't find you in our room nor in the kitchen,” he spoke softly as he walked over to where Jessica sat behind the desk.

“Ah. Yeah,” Jessica audibly sighed, “I just wanna wrap things up quickly before sending the subject  to Theresa,”

“How are you? Why are you back from work so early?” asked Jessica, carrying a glass of water on the table and drinking from it.

Liam drew in a short breath before dropping an opened small velvet box on the table, pushing it toward Jessica.

Seeing the shimmering silver ring in the box, Jessica nearly spat the water in her mouth but she tried to compose herself.

She swallowed the water, wiped her lips with the back of her hand and asked in a low voice, “You are not trying to propose to me, are you?”

Her features wore a mixture of amusement and irritation while she regarded Liam carefully.

“No, Jessica. This isn't for you but your daughter—Daniella. I love her so much and I want to get married to her,” Liam stated baldly, his features firm and cold; emanating a domineering aura.

Jessica became shocked, so shocked was she that her eyes opened wide in disbelief.

She stood up in a fret and barked, “Are you out of your mind, Liam? Did you by chance take some wrong pills which resulted in the nonsense you just spewed?”

“I’ve never been in my right senses more than this moment, Jessica,” Liam made the sound from deep in his chest, dull but extraordinarily firm.

“I’m madly in love with Daniella. I want her and I want to have her for myself and that’s why I'm seeking your permission first,”

The words didn't make it fully out of his mouth before Jessica pushed her seat out of the way and stomped toward Liam and then gave him a hard slap across his face.

“I don't know what has gotten into you, Liam, but that should serve as a reminder that Daniella is YOUR DAUGHTER!” she roared hysterically, her eyes bulging outwards.

“DANIELLA IS NOT MY DAUGHTER!”