Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
“Bella, if there’s anything we’re not doing right, you must tell us,” Kenneth said, looking at his daughter with hope. “We want to improve and make you feel the warmth of this home.”
“You’re already doing so much,” Mirabella reassured them. “I should have some time in about ten days to go out with you. As for Serena, you make the call. I’ve got some work to finish up, so I’ll head upstairs.”
Mirabella patted Louisa’s back and released the hug, “You guys should get some sleep.”
She needed to finish up the paperwork tonight so she could make it to David’s concert tomorrow.
“Bella, can you handle all that work alone? What kind of documents are they? I can help you out. I’ve been running the company for years and have some experience.” Kenneth offered, raising his voice as he watched his daughter ascend the stairs, “I can handle reports, no problem.”
“I can help too. What work haven’t you finished? Let me help you.”
“No need, you two should rest.” Mirabella went upstairs, turned on the desk lamp, and her phone suddenly buzzed.
[Headed to bed?]
It was Romeo.
[Almost,] Mirabella replied and then added, [Mom and Dad moved Serena to the condo next door.]
[Did they finally catch on to her little schemes? Congratulations, you’ll finally be free of her drama.][Do I detect a hint of pleasure in your text?] Mirabella noticed he seemed a bit too happy about it.
[If she were to be kicked out entirely, I’d be even happier. I’d have to buy a bunch of firecrackers and set them off at your doorstep to celebrate.]
Mirabella couldn’t help but laugh, [Just don’t blow up my house.]
[As if I could! If anything, I’d only want to blow her away.]
[The concert is at seven tomorrow night, can you pick me up at six-thirty?]
[Alright,] Romeo queried, [you hitting the sack yet?]
[Just wrapping up some stuff.]
Without missing a beat, Romeo shot her a video call. Mirabella was taken aback but tapped ‘Accept’.
“I’ll keep you company.” He kept the video running, watching her work in silence, not wanting to break her concentration.
Mirabella propped her phone against a tissue box, flipping through her files, scanning each page meticulously.
Romeo admired her from the other side of the screen, her eyelashes fluttering lightly with focus, her well-defined nose, clear eyes, and striking features. She was breathtaking, to say the least.
“Livestreaming’s all the rage lately. My crew’s thinking of getting some big-name streamers to help push this season’s line, says it’ll move faster than the usual.”
No sooner had Mirabella finished speaking than Romeo chimed in, “True that. Last time McMllian Corporation had a bunch of overstocked watches—pricey and outdated. Couldn’t move ’em in stores, but the streamers sold them out.”
“Are they asking for a salary of a hundred grand per hour plus a 10% commission?”
“Depends on the streamer. Duration, product type, even the size of the partnering firm—all factor into their rates. I’ll have Carl shoot their rate card over to you, so you’ve got a ballpark for your first hire.”
“Is it alright for me to see your internal stuff?”
“Of course.” Romeo quickly pinged Carl.In no time, Carl emailed Mirabella the streamers’ rate card and even shared some haggling tips.
A little while later, Louisa knocked on the door, “Bella, you asleep? Mom sent over some snacks.”
“Just come in.” Mirabella’s gaze didn’t stray from her documents for even a second.
“I made you some soup. Romeo?” Louisa’s eyes widened at the sight of the handsome face on her daughter’s phone. Were they video chatting? Had she interrupted something?
“Mrs. Collins, still up this late?” Romeo’s voice was warm and polite. “And you brought Bella some food. That’s really kind of you.”
Louisa was momentarily flustered, “Ah, yes, I thought Bella might need a break from work. Are you keeping her company remotely?”
“That’s right.”
“Sweet boy, I appreciate that. Well, you two carry on. I’ll leave you to it.” Heartened to see her daughter wasn’t alone, even in work, Louisa quickly exited.
“Eat it while it’s hot, don’t let it get cold,” Romeo urged.
“Let it sit for a bit.” Mirabella reviewed the financial report one more time, spotting a decimal error made by her team—a close call but caught just in time.
After she worked for a while longer and downed the soup in one go, Romeo watched as her focus returned to her tasks.
“Ever been told you’re a workaholic?”
“Isn’t ‘workaholic’ your exclusive title, Mr. Romeo?” Mirabella jotted down notes with her pen, her tone playful.”Guess we’re the workaholic couple then. Our poor employees.”
Mirabella couldn’t help but laugh, “Get outta here.”
“Yes, my dear wife.” Romeo quieted down again.
It wasn’t until the clock hit 2:50 AM that Mirabella finished up her work, took a shower, and finally crawled into bed for some well-deserved rest.
The next morning, David bombarded his sister with messages.
[Hey Bella, you’re coming to my concert tonight, right? Whether Romeo can make it or not doesn’t matter, but I need you there!]
[It’s your first time at one of my gigs! No need to queue, I’ll have my assistant add you on WhatsApp and she’ll sneak you in through the side door.]
[Any songs you’re dying to hear tonight? I’ll belt out any tune for you. Plus, we’ve got some special guests joining me on stage – I bet some of them are your idols! Want their autographs? I’ll make sure they sign everything for you in person.]
[Seven o’clock sharp, you’ll be there, won’t you?]
At the end of his messages, David included a puppy-eyed emoji full of anticipation.
Mirabella didn’t finish work until after two and didn’t hit the sack until after three, only to be woken up by David’s texts just after six.
[David, you’re up early?] she typed back groggily.
[What choice do I have, you workaholic! Hans said you’d rather slave away at the office than come to my show. I’ve been worried sick all night, and only dared to message you once the sun was up. Why are you up so early, too? I hope I didn’t wake you.]
Mirabella could only reply, [Romeo and I will come tonight.]
[For real?] David was over the moon, immediately sending a screenshot to Hans before telling Mirabella, [Then how about dinner backstage with me? What’s your craving? I’ll have it delivered right to us!]He couldn’t risk going out to eat before the show – fans would swarm him in seconds.
[We’ll eat with Romeo.]
David was hit hard by the rejection, but still replied, [Alright, see you tonight then. Don’t forget, it starts at seven.]
[Got it.]
After she finished texting, Mirabella was wide awake. She handled some work on her phone, took some files to the office, and started a meeting. But before it was over, she noticed several young department heads constantly glancing at their watches.
“What’s up?” Mirabella’s gaze settled on them, their minds clearly elsewhere as they kept checking the time.
“Ms. Bennett.” the Deputy Finance Director gave a sheepish smile, “David’s got a concert in Summerfield tonight. I managed to score tickets after a fierce battle, can I duck out early this afternoon?”
The other department heads looked on with hopeful eyes, clearly already at the concert in their minds.
It was Mirabella’s first realization of David’s allure. She asked evenly, “Isn’t the concert at seven this evening?”
It was only ten in the morning and they were already distracted?
“Ms. Bennett, I didn’t know you kept tabs on this stuff. Are you a fan too?”
“Fan?”
“Yeah, fan.”Mirabella was speechless.
“I’m a fan too, but I only managed to get lawn tickets,” another female employee lamented.
“Be glad you got a ticket at all. I had to buy mine from a scalper – eighteen hundred a pop.”
Mirabella was amazed.
“So, are we meeting at four at the supermarket across from the stadium?”
“Yeah, yeah, I’ve even brought my suitcase with banners, glow sticks, and all. We’ll put up the banners together and chant in unison.”
Mirabella had no idea there was so much involved in attending a concert.
“Ms. Bennett, please let us go early this afternoon. It’s a once in a lifetime event!” They all pleaded with Mirabella.
Some of the seasoned board members just couldn’t stand it anymore.
“My daughter is head over heels for that David. She ditched her piano lesson this afternoon just to fangirl over him!”
“My son adores him too, says he’s cool and responsible, wants to shine bright like him when he grows up.”
“My mom’s in her seventies, and she had me scrambling for concert tickets, saying that David is such a sweet-looking boy, and calls herself a ‘granny fan’.”
Mirabella hadn’t realized David’s fan base was so wide-ranging.