Chapter 64

FLASHBACK
Nico arrived at school only to find people gathered in front of the big screen for announcement.
' I can't believe she's leaving."
' If she hadn't gotten involved with the crowned Prince, all this wouldn't have happened. What was she thinking?"
I heard the students murmur stuffs between each other and they stopped the moment they saw me. I looked up at the screen and it was boldly written 'GIANNA AND MASON WILL NOT BE WITH US FIR THE REST OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR."
' Happy now?" Zoe snapped at me and when I turned to her, she glared at me and walked out on me.
I quickly rushed to my car and started the engine as I drove to her house.
I slammed the car door and hurried to their front door, I knocked on it continuously and rang the doorbell but no answer. The place was quiet as if it had been abandoned for days.
' Excuse me…please have you seen Ms. Han and her…"
' Are you referring to the wild orchid and her family…well they left four days ago. Her mother even sold out the noodle shop. I don't think they'll be coming back any time soon." I asked their neighbor.
' Did they tell you about where they were going to?"
' No, they didn't, they even left with Sandra and her father. Maybe they probably won't the lottery and decided to buy a house in the city instead to enjoy luxury." She replied and I heaved a sigh.
' Thank you very much." I said with gratitude and went to my car.
Days turned into week, weeks turned into months and months turned into years, I tried my possible best to find out about their whereabouts but to no avail. It was like they just vanished from the surface of the earth.
Zoe wouldn't even talk to me and when my wedding with Aurora was announcement, she just left the country on that same day of the wedding.
FLASHBACK OVER
Since then, my life has been a mess and I can't even bring myself together. Getting married to Aurora was the worst thing that ever happened to me and I deserve it after how I treated Gianna.
' My efforts of investigating my Aunt Laura's death was to no avail, I was told it was planned but then the man who was hired to do the job had already died. There is no clue! No clue to me finding the murderer. I have no doubt that whoever was behind it has a very big secret to keep. I just want to get my hands on them and they will regret the day they were born. I'll make them pay for the pain that I went through!!"ian thought to himself as he burnt with rage and anger.
….ENGLAND The Han Mansion 11:45 am….
' When do you plan on returning to Sol kingdom?" Sandra asked Gianna who had her legs crossed and was seated behind her laptop.
' I don't plan on returning any time soon. Business is going on well here and I need to take this opportunity to hit the market with my latest designs." Gianna replied as she sipped the coffee.
' Are you just going to sit back and watch them
take away what's rightfully yours? Aurora is living the life you are supposed to be living her imposter of a mother is taking your mother's place." Zoe interjected as she walked into the living room.
' Zoe-ah, you came." Sandra said with a smile as she stood up and welcomed her with a warm hug.
' Where's your annoying boyfriend?" Gianna asked as she turned away from the laptop and stood to her feet.
' You should start respecting my boo, do you have any idea how hard to keep him by my side when every single lady is after him?" Zoe cried.
' All right all right… so where's he?"
' He went with Thaddeus for the conference meeting with the shareholders of their company." Zoe replied and Gianna nodded.
' Have you heard anything fromaxel lately?" Zoe asked turning to Sandra who smiled shyly.
' So, tell us what happened when you two met last night?" Gianna and Zoe asked with a chorus as they dragged Sandra with them and sat her down on the sofa.
' Girls!!"
' Come on…tell us already."
' Fine, well…he…he proposed to me!!" Sandra said excitedly as she flaunt the diamond ring on her finger.
'Oh my God…!!!" Zoe screamed with excitement.
' I'm so happy for you girlfriend!!" Gianna said pulling her into a hug.
' Congratulations!!" they said happily.
' This definitely calls for a par---tey!!!!!" Zoe and Gianna screamed excitedly as they just jumped from toe to toe.
' Thanks guys." Sandra said as tears of joy filled their eyes and they hugged her tightly.
' I'll have a few of our friends over and askaxel to come along so we can all celebrate!!" Zoe said loudly.
' When did he say he will be leaving for Korea?" Gianna asked Zoe who gulped.
' You are asking the wrong girl, ask his fiancé…" She said to Gianna who chuckled teasingly and turned to Sandra.
' You did that on purpose didn't you!" Zoe cried and they burst out laughing.
' Well he'll be leaving this weekend. He also said(turns to Gianna) you should make up your mind fast and return back to Sol kingdom to take back what belongs to you before you lose it forever."
' Why did he say that?" Gianna asked with a puzzled facial expression.
' He saidian will soon be crowned King because the King wants to retire. Ifian becomes King…then Aurora will the Queen which is so not what we want right now because then she'll have all the power and can destroy our plan of dethroning her mother." Sandra explained but then Gianna pulled back.
' What's wrong?" Zoe asked her.
' Even if the truth is revealed it won't change things betweenian and I, he was the one who toyed with me and ended things between us. I don't want to ever come across him ever again." Gianna replied, trying all her possible best to hold back her tears.
' What if he didn't do it on purpose, what if he was forced to say those things. Wasn't It a month later after you and Zoe got kidnapped? What if your life was in danger at that moment and all that he could do to save you as to push you away?" Sandra suggested.
' Then why didn't he come and look for me. He doesn't care about me or anything that happened to me. All he cared about was himself, he is a selfish, arrogant jerk who always puts himself first and he doesn't even deserve my tears." Gianna spoke out, her voice much sterner and straighter.
' What about the kids. Are you going to keep them away from their father forever? I heard Ji na ask you about her father recently. What are you going to tell them when they begin to ask you much more questions about their father?" Sandra asked and Gianna heaved a sigh before turning to her to reply.
'ian was dead to me the very day he called me and told me those words, their father whom I gave my body and heart and soul to died five years ago, he is dead to me." Gianna answered with clenched teeth.
' You can't keep them away from their father Gianna. It's best to tell them the truth when they ask you of it." Zoe added.
' So, should I tell them about how their father abandoned them when they weren't even born? How their father used me for his own entertainment? Is that what you want me to do?"
' Calm down Gianna."
' They are my children, both Ji na and Ji Tae belongs to me. They are my children. End of discussion." Gianna made is clear.
Gianna's mother walked into the living room and came to them.
' It's time to take back what belongs to us Gianna, we've made them enjoy for far too long. I'm with
Zoe and Sandra. We aren't going there to reunite you withian, we can't just sit here and keep our arms folded as we watch them take over the throne. It's time to make them ascend the throne. We will be returning back to sol kingdom in a two days' time so get ready."
'Mom…"
' You heard me Gianna, we will be returning and on that same day…I will make sure that the news hits the internet. They are eager to meet the biggest shareholder of the Sol Empire's oil company, aren't they? So, we will let them know who it is. Dr. Park called me and informed me about the progress of our plan. So, go get parking after the party because we are leaving for Sol kingdom . I'll call Dr. Park and ask him to share the news with the public on the very day we arrive so we can get them unaware." Her mother explained and they all agreed that it was a perfect time.
That night, they partied throughout the night none stop till day break because they were assured that victory was theirs.
….THREE DAYS LATER…
Nico and Aurora got all dolled up for the annual welcoming of the Sol Empire Oil Company's biggest shareholder.
No one knew who was behind it and try wondered who she could be.
' I can't believe mom made me attend this welcoming thing. But no matter how bored I am I have a feeling that something really interesting is going to take place. ' Waylon whispered to Dr. Park.
' I heard your instincts are always right and I think maybe you might be right as well. I wanted to go home this weekend but decided to stay for their annual welcoming event. I have a very good feeling about this too." Dr. Park whispered back and they clanked their glasses and sipped their wine.
Aurora was dressed in her most elegant dress fit for a Princess and she had her arm aroundian's as they welcomed and greeted the dignitaries.
' I heard the biggest shareholder is a woman." One of the dignitaries said to Aurora.
' That's what I heard too but we have never met her one on one. We received a call about her arrival and I think I she will be arriving soon…" Aurora couldn't finish her statement when an elegant red colored limousine pulled over right in front of the red carpet catching everyone's attention.
The chauffeur walked out and opened the door as a lady's leg appeared to step on the red carpet, she was in red heels and as she brought out her head everyone gasped.
' Who is she?" A guest said as her jaw dropped.
The lady swayed her hair elegantly as she smiled, her red lipstick drawing the shape of her lips with her smile. She smiled at the camera, even the camera men and the press couldn't get their eyes off of her.
' Who is that woman?" Aurora's words were filled with envy and anger. Before she could utter another word, she was blown very hard as looked as if she had seen a ghost.
Gianna stepped out of the Limousine after her mother followed by her Ji Tae and Ji na(her twins).
Aurora immediately held ontoian's arm when Gianna's name escaped his lips and tried to move.
' Not Nowian, we have people around. Besides if she's really the one, do you think she will come running to you just because she saw you?
Just take a look at the lady right there, she's no way near the naïve Gianna." She said with
clenched teeth as she held on to him tightly.
' She….she….she...it can't be her right?" Aurora whispered to her mother stammering.
' How can she look just like the Queen of Sol Empire?"
' Could she be her twin?"
' Maybe they were separated during birth."
' Oh my God this is…" The guests and everyone around began to murmur among themselves.
The whole crowd turned to Gianna and her mother and the Queen of Sol Empire immediately approached them.
' And who are you if I may ask?" Aurora's mother asked Ember.
' Is that how you welcome Sol Empire Oil Company's biggest shareholder…Na…Ri?" The Queen's eyes grew wider the moment Ember mentioned Arya.
' You look so much like me that I can barely recognize myself in front of you Arya."
' What are you talking about…Who is Arya?"
' Still playing innocent…you never changed. You thought you got rid of me didn't you. You're trembling too hard, aren't you scared that people might notice."
' How dare you speak to me in that manner! I am the Queen of Sol Empire!!! Guards seize this woman!!" The Queen yelled and the guards rushed to her side but then they halted as Ember held up her hand and everyone turned to the giant screen and their phone began to buzz.
' THE CURRENT QUEEN OF Sol empire IS NOTHING BUT AN IMPOSTER WHO TRIED TO KILL HER SISTER IN ORDER TO ASCEND THE THRONE. HER REAL NAME IS ARYA!" it was boldly written on the giant screen and on everyone's phones. The Queen stared at the screen with terror and turned to Ember.
' Gotcha!"
…
….Ember….
Everyone immediately turned to the big screen as the news was written boldly, I watched as the imposter of a Queen stared at the screen with terror filling her eyes and her gaze moved back to me.
' Who do you think you are to just come here and post such rubbish saying I am an imposter.
Everyone here knows I am the Queen and then a totally nobody walks in here with my face and claims am an imposter. How dare you act rudely to me!" Aurora's mother yelled at my mom.
' Is that how you speak you your biggest shareholder?"
' WHAT!"
' Yeah, you heard me right Arya. Why don't you just admit to you been an imposter before I out your dirty secret on the net and on that(points at the bug screen) for everyone to know your true colors."
' Guards!!"
' Don't even try calling the Guards because they don't even know who you are anymore."
Arya lifted up her hand to land a slap on my face but then I held her hand in midair.
' How dare you! Do you think you were going to go free after all the hideous acts of yours. The murders and everything that you did. Put it up on the Screen!!" I yelled and at the sound of my order everything was displayed on the screen. The video from my black box twenty-three years ago was been played.
' What is going on…." Someone asked and when I turned it was my mother. She didn't change a little bit, she still looks the same but a little older. She gasped the moment she saw both Arya and I standing next to each other.
' Who are you?" she asked with tears flowing down her cheeks as she turned to the big screen.
' It's me mom. It's your daughter Ember." I replied and asked her to take a look at the screen, there the video of Arya plotting Laura's accident with Kylie.
I turned to Arya and she moved back as I walked towards her, all the people present couldn't believe their eyes.
' You thought you got rid of me, didn't you? Just for my throne you ended up taking innocent lives. Did you think no one would think of backstabbing you? You even went ahead to kill your only friend Kylie just because she wanted to make things right. How could you be such a heartless human being!" I yelled at her as she looked around. All eyes were on us and they murmured things to each other.
' Yes! I did all that. What did you expect of me when you received all the praise and gifts. You even stole the man I loved away from me and you thought I was just going to sit back and watch you and your parents treat me like a nobody because my mother was a maid? What are you going to do? Do you think I will easily give it all up for you…NEVER!!" She said angrily at me and mother landed a slap on her face.
' HOW DARE YOU DECEIVE ALL OF US! HOW DARE…!" Mom yelled at her giving her another
slap.
' How dare me? This was all your fault, you made me this way…you barely loved me as your daughter because I was born out of wedlock! Just because my mother was a maid you made me seem like the second child while you know very well that I was the first child and I deserve everything that I have now!! This all belongs to me, King Gu and everything! The kingdom belongs to me!" Arya yelled at my mom.
' Yes, it's all my fault! If I hadn't made my husband lay down with my maid, you wouldn't have been born and this all those lives which were lost wouldn't be lost! Go ahead and blame me!" Mom yelled at her I tried to hold mom but then she wiggled her hand away from mine.
I looked through the crowd and found Andres staring at me with tears flowing down his eyes.
' After she executed her plan of getting rid of me…she had no idea that I was pregnant with Andres's child and when she found out, she faked a pregnancy and bought her(pointing to Aurora) from the hospital claiming she gave birth to her!" I said out loud and the news did break Aurora as she gasped and turned to Arya.
' Mom….mom is that true?" She asked Arya who frowned and glared at her.
' Yes, it's true! You're a bastard who I brought up as my daughter and made you who you are!" She yelled at Aurora who was breathing heavily as she trembled and nearly fell but Mason held her up.
' Ember…" I heard Andres call my name as he walked towards me.
' Is it really you?" He asked me with tears in his eyes and I nodded.
' It's me honey, it's really me." I said as I gently held up my hair and showed him the mark at the back
of my neck.
' It's really me, remember when you accidentally bruised the back of my neck with the hot ladle when you tried help me prepare dinner?" I said to him and he nodded.
' I remember it clearly…I can't believe I was blindly deceived and lived all these years with an imposter as my wife." He cried.
' GUARDS! GET HER!!" Andres ordered and the guards immediately got hold of Arya.
' Let go of me you filthy piece of rags!! Let go of me!!" She yelled at the guards who got hold of both her arms and handcuffed her.
'The police are on their way, we will make sure that she pays for all her sins!" Mom said out loud.
' You think locking need up will keep me away! Then you're lying to yourselves! I will be back to destroy you all and I'll make you all pay!!" She yelled when the police arrived.
' You are under arrest Lady Arya, you are to stay silent or anything you say here will be used against you in the court of law. You have the right to a lawyer." The officer said as they took her to the car.
She glared at me and spat at Andres. Her bitterness has engulfed her whole being, I know this might seem weird but watching them drag her away made my heart ache, I felt sorry for her and wished she could just say she is sorry and apologize.
King Andres apologizing for the inconveniences and politely asked them to stay for the occasion has been changed to 'welcome our Queen". They all applauded as he welcomed me on the stage. I smiled and waved at them but the guards made sure the press doesn't get any closer to me. I looked around to find Aurora but there was no sign of her, the news really hit her hard and I hope she's alright as well.
' What's the matter?" Mom asked me and I shook my head.
' Are you feeling sorry for her? You have tears in your eyes." She said to me and I just let it all out and went as she hugged me.
' So where are my grandkids?" Mom asked me and I smiled and searched through the crowd but I only found Mason who was busy having a conversation with Thaddeus.
' Where's Gianna?" I asked him.
' She was right here some while ago." He replied and I checked around but no sign of her.
' Mom, this is Mason, my son…he's the eldest among the twin even though he behaves like the youngest and Thaddeus a very good friend of ours." I introduced mom to Mason who bowed with respect.
' Good evening Queen mother." Thaddeus said and bowed with courtesy.
' Hello Queen mother. It's an honor to finally meet you." He said to mom.
' Come on, call me granny." She said and pulled him into a hug.
' I had no idea my grandson was the famous model Mason, I am a very big fan of yours." Mom said and my jaw dropped.
' Huh?"
' What…do you think I'm getting old so I don't have eyes for good things. After your father passed away, it's been hard you know." Mom said to me and I giggled.
' I'm going to look through the crowd if I'll find Gianna, make sure to introduce your granny to your niece and nephew." I said to Mason.
' Niece and Nephew?" Mom asked and I nodded.
' Could this young man be their father?" Mom asked turning to Thaddeus who smiled.
'No please, I am not their father even though I would love to be the one." Thaddeus replied and mom quirked an eyebrow.
' Really…then who's their father then?"
' It's a long story mom. I promise I will explain everything to you later. Let me go and get Gianna." I said and excused myself as I searched through the crowd but no sign of Gianna. I asked Zoe and Sandra but they seemed to not know where she was.
Where could she have possibly gone to?
….Gianna…
I felt someone pull me from the crowd out of the blues. It was a man wearing a mask for masquerade balls.
' Let go of me!!' I yelled at me but he wouldn't listen and dragged me into a dark room. I tried to scream but then he clasped my mouth with his hand and I bit him.
' Hey!" He yelled as he let go of me and turned on the light. I stepped back when I saw him it wasian.
' Speaking of the devil!" I said between my teeth and he sighed as his gaze went from my head to my toe then back again as if he was swallowing me up. His gaze was more like burning me up and I felt my belly tingle. I can't believe this.
' How dare you drag me out from the crowd and bring me here! Do you have any idea who I am!" I yelled at him.
' Of course, I know who you are now. The real Princess of Sol Empire, Lady Gianna." He said with a slight bow, I was stunned but then I straightened up.
' It's good that you know. Now can you let me out of here because you are in my kingdom." I said to him and he nodded his head and pursed his lip.
' Sure." He said and headed for the door as I followed, he held the door knob and was about to turn it open but then he turned and grabbed me by the waist and pulled me closer to him, I could feel his breath on my neck as he hugged me tightly.
' I miss you Gianna." He whispered and the chills went down my spine. I can't believe he still has an effect on me this much. Pull yourself together Gianna, he was the one who used you and toyed with your emotions!
' Excuse you?" I said pushing him away.
' Gianna, I know you probably hate me right now."
It's good you know
' But please let me explain myself."
' Explain yourself? I'm sorry but I think you got the wrong person." I said and tried to grab the door knob when he used his hand to block me.
' Please allow me to explain myself. What happened five years ago was not what…"
' Was not what I thought it was? You were the one who toyed with me and you side it yourself! Do you think I am that naïve little innocent Gianna whom you deceived back then just to go to bed with her? I'm sorry that Gianna is long gone and dead!"
' Gianna…"
' The next time you call my name, make sure to address me well Princeian. I am Princess Gianna and not Gianna and…we aren't friends to be talking informally with each other. Please know your place and address me formally. Besides I don't want a married man around me before rumors go out there saying I am your mistress because I don't want anything to do with you. As we both know, rumors do spread faster than lightening." I snapped at me and pushed him away from the door and turned the door knob causing it to open but when I tried to walk out he held my arm and pulled me to himself.
Before I knew it, he had his lips on mine with his arm behind my waist pulling me in closer, deepening the kiss. My eyes grew wider as at how he kissed me, I nearly gave in but then I pulled myself together and pushed him away landing a very hot slap on his left cheek. Yeah, am left handed.
' How dare you!" I yelled at him but then he pulled me in again for another kiss and let go for air and I slapped him again and he repeated it again and kissed me much deeper as he sent his hands down my back and grabbed my waist and held on to me so tight.
' Hey!!' I yelled at him with tears falling down my eyes as I breathed heavily.
' Go ahead and slap me a thousand times Gianna…I deserve it…I just want you to know that I never stopped loving you, not even a second, go ahead and hate me all you like if that's what will get your heart at peace, go ahead and hate me but that wouldn't change what I feel for you!!" He said out loud and I walked out on him.
Wiping my tears with the back of my palm, I caught my breathe and pulled myself to get. I won't allow myself to be fooled by him again, never!!
I saw my mom from the distance and walked to meet her.
' Where have you been? I've been looking all over the place for you."
' I went away from the crowd to get some air." I lied and she nodded.
' Okay, come on, your Grandma wants to meet you." She said to me and I smiled.
' Okay sure, let's go." I said as we walked back towards the crowd, I turned to look back and saw him standing in front of the door staring right at me.
…
…