Chapter 32 - Flashback 10

Everything was back to normal, and Stella parents were very grateful to Shane. The love birds are also back in their romance. Alex is only waiting for the so called promise to be fulfilled and take her as his wife.

Shane wasn't alright when he found out about their relationship, he felt something off and begin investigating. If the two didn't meet after Alex's absence for all those years, they shouldn't be in such harmony now.

He always gets what he wants and wouldn't let Stella be an exemption, she is the reason he could still smile like a human. This craziness, this obsessed feeling, the need to get her whether she likes it or not, to him is deep love and he believes to be the right thing, not having any idea how it's complete opposite of it.

Just as he suspected, he found out about her travels, and also the fact that Stella parent has made this same findings but tells him she left to take care of her friend twins when he asked of her.

He was angry for being a fool and also wanted to deal with Mel for aiding her, but couldn't think of a proper punishment, as Tony is leading the family business now, and couldn't be toy with easily.

Stella confronted her parent about the engagement breakup, as they are back on their feet and yet she still had to endure Shane treating her like they were married or something, showing up at her outings like they both planned it beforehand. Even without saying or doing anything, people think they came together and were a couple in their eyes, some even come up to her and asked when they are going to get married.

She's losing it, but she couldn't believe her luck with Alex, as he consoles her instead of getting angry with her or hate her.

….

Inside Shane's office.

"Sir!" a man in a black suit, or should I say one of his boys, went closer and whispered something into his ear.

He smiled mischievously and dismissed his assistant who was also present in the room. Soon after, he got notified that Stella parents are here to visit him.

He already got notified from his men, and wasn't surprised. He wanted to see them make a fool out of themselves, he was still pissed over their lies anyway.

The three of them sat on the couch in his office and Stella parent states the main reason behind their visit, they didn't suspect anything with him and speak their mind freely, telling him how Stella will be pursuing her future with Alex and want the engagement broken as it's delaying the progress. They also informed him about how they planned on paying him back, they suggested giving shares to him, and can feel at ease and assume it's payment for his help and all.

Shane listen to them, looking calm and collected but full of rage inside, as their every word which leads to breaking the engagement is like a stab to his heart, 'that is if he has any'.

Since they were straight to the point, he didn't hold back as well. "I want to marry Stella." He said as a matter of fact.

"What!" Stella mother exclaimed. They knew Shane to not be the joking type, but is this some kind of a joke?.

"Not gonna happen." She said flatly.

"Calm down," her husband pat her back as she looks like she just seen a ghost, while Shane remain the same. "What is going on?" Her father asked Shane, looking calm as well. He's not completely an idiot, if Shane meant what he said, he knew they had fallen into his trap.

"I've been in love with her since we are young, she's the one who consider me her brother, we are not related and my feelings are different from hers…" before Shane could complete his sentence, Stella father broke in. "We are cancelling the engagement." He said looking at him in the eyes, but feeling like a total fool inside.

Everything clicked in his head immediately, he's also a businessman after all, unlike him, Stella mother was all tensed up. She left home with a good feeling of fulfilling her promise and be able to have her daughter back. Even though Stella talks with her, the sweet mother daughter relationship is not there anymore, it's like a line has been drawn between them.

And now she is listening to this nonsense coming out of Shane's mouth; how can she calm down.

Shane guessed Stella father has realize everything, but remain calm, "I don't plan on breaking it, i want her." He replied with confidence in his tone, as if they are of no value to him, as if their opinion does not matter.

"What nonsense is this?" Stella mother asked, feeling infuriated, "how can you say this? We treated you like a son, and Stella only considers you her brother." She added.

"She will consider me her man soon." He reply to them again.

"Calm down Anna," Stella father said, as she was about to flare up again. He look calmly into Shane's eyes and saw no emotion as always, he studied him as he replied to his wife and only see a monster, not the normal boy they considered, having a rare personality and many other nice assumptions to overlook his weirdness since young. How can he leave his precious daughter to such a person.

"We will hold a conference, if you don't plan to break it, then we will do so, even if we got labeled a bad parent who uses their child for their gain." He said.

Hearing those words from him, Shane finally show an expression, an enraged one actually. He calmly took his phone and type 'do it' and send.

"Let's go." Stella father said and helped his wife that was looking pale as time passes up and turned to leave, before looking back at Shane, "if you still consider our past relationship, take our offer and let's cancel it without a problem." He added, and saw Shane looking unmoved and left.

Stella got the news of her parent accident and felt like her soul just left her, "brake failure?" she asked, trembling as she rushed to the hospital and got the dreadful word she never wishes to hear in her entire life, she didn't even get to say goodbye. 'What brake failure? Her father taught her to drive, no way! This is a lie, this must be some kind of joke.' She thought in her head and started making a fuss at the hospital, "asking them to bring her parents back."

Alex watch the woman who was still smiling at him a few days ago, looking so pale and drained of energy, the scary part is the revelation of her being pregnant. They were supposed to learn the news and rejoice, yet they were in a hospital room, Stella looking out of shape and him, with the fear of losing his child, which he knew Stella would never forgive herself if it happens.

Shane couldn't visit her at the moment, he didn't plan for them to die, he only wanted to give them a scare, presumably, get them hospitalized. Yet they were gone just like that, he felt fear about Stella finding out he did it and stepped back a bit, at least to be able to look her in the eyes without selling himself out, he knew he had totally brought out the monstrous side he never wishes to show to her.

When Stella learnt that she's pregnant, she started pulling herself together, getting strong for her child and started responding to treatment. She learnt to accept it's how her life was planned, she wants to be there for her child, she sees the existence as a reason to live.

Alex finally relax after she seems to be getting better, he had someone investigate the accident, and couldn't find any useful information except that they were returning home from visiting Shane, which isn't an evidence to point a murderous finger at someone.

After a few weeks, Stella tried as hard as she can to get back on her feet, her baby needs her to be strong. She took over the mall and just like her mom, she lurks around the wears section, and imagined the moments shared with her mom, smiling to herself, which worries the staff.

Alex was worried as well, but Stella assured him she's fine. She's not crazy, she's only doing things that can keep her strong for her baby.

Shane felt guilty and couldn't approach her directly, but still need to keep tabs on her, he has gotten to the point of no return. His bad deed didn't waver his obsession, instead it strengthened it. He's more willing to do anything now, what could be more dreadful than what he did, the last humanity in him left after the accident.

He got an assistant for her, which Stella didn't mind, it's a recommendation and Stella sees the lady as a nice person, also she learnt she's an orphan who needs to make ends meet. Even if she didn't want to have anything to do with Shane, she wouldn't turned her back on someone who really needs the help because of it; since she will be needing an assistant anyway.

Maris was told to report all of Stella activities to Shane, but after feeling the kindness of Stella, she couldn't bring herself to do it, she's worried about her leaking information that might hurt Stella. She wanted to quit and run away, but knew Shane will only get her another person; who might not be as considerate as she is.

Stella who had no idea what was going on, like the kind of person Maris is and treat her as a friend. It only took a few weeks of working with her, before Maris discovered she's with a child.

She was happy for her and asked if it's Shane's. Stella was taken aback by her assumption but after recalling her crazy engagement event, she deducted it as the reason behind it and brief Maris about her situation and all, and also introduced her to Alex.

Maris was touched by the treatment and began to panic. She kept giving Shane false info for an entire month and tried to cover for Stella.

It shocked her when Shane called her and asked if it's true that Stella was pregnant. She denied flatly and got told to investigate, as someone teased him about his fiance always caressing her stomach and asked if they are expecting a child. The person only said that to gain his favour but leave him in shock.

Maris was able to discover Stella being pregnant through that as well, as her hands barely part from her still flat tummy.

Stella noticed Maris absent mindness after returning from wherever she went to, which she knew nothing of, and asked if she's okay. "Can I talk to you and Mr Alex?" Maris asked.

Stella looked worried and again held her tummy to calm her nerves, it's how she managed to survive the past 6 weeks without breaking down, coupled with Maris friendliness after Mel left; as she didn't want to affect her life with her problems and take her attention away from her children and household.

Stella called Alex immediately and informed him they will be at his office in a while. Maris recalled Shane's last words. He told her to get rid of the baby, if it's true that she's pregnant without making Stella lose her life. She's skilled and can easily achieve such a feat, which is why Shane said it casually, but she wouldn't. Shane also mentioned about finding out from the hospital that she got admitted in after she broke down over her parents death.

So it's a matter of who finds out first, which scares her, she noticed Shane was being calm about it because he still doubted it completely and believe things might get out of hand if he learns it to be true.

Stella face lost its colour as Maris confesses everything she knew and was asked to do. Alex look calm and listen attentively as he held Stella close.

"Thank you." Alex said to Maris.

Maris was stunned, she was expecting Alex to do something to her with his position but couldn't believe she's getting an appreciation.

"Hey!" Alex shook Stella who stared into space, her hands pressed to her tummy.

"What did he wants from me? I loved him like a sister should love a brother, I always  plead with people not to hate him for his personality. Even when he overstepped his boundaries with me, I forgave him, I care about him and he wants my baby gone? Why? I just can't understand." Stella rants.

"There are people who will do anything to get their hands on what they want, I think he believes he loves you." Maris said.

"Calm down." Alex said.

He felt useless, he has never felt this powerless before, he blamed himself and imagined if things wouldn't be like this if he has a reliable father, who trusted him. He couldn't even act with confidence like he used to.

"Love?" Stella scoffed, "this is not love." she said.

"We will be leaving tomorrow, are you willing to come with?" Alex asked Maris.

"Alex?" Stella called, looking at his calm expression which she understand quite well, that's how he look when he's not ok.

"I promised to take you away remember? let's leave here, I don't want to fight a war I'm sure I will lose, I won't risk your life and my child's life because I don't want to be seen as a coward." He said and look at Maris, "please, she will need someone like you around, I will give whatever you want." He said.

"What about your company?" Stella asked, she could really do with the break, she didn't want to leave her days from now with the fear of someone wanting her child hurt and she's close by to the person as well.

"There is no company, it's not mine, it's my father's." Alex replied.

"I'm willing to, and thank you for thinking so highly of me." Maris replied.

"Thank you so much." Stella said to her.

"What about your mall?" Maris asked.

"There are people who will manage it even if I decide to leave for ten years." Stella replied, and turn to Alex who remain expressionless. She knew Alex has never been the same confident man she met on their first encounter, ever since he returned from New York, but he never talk to her about it.