chapter 64

After a few minutes of silence, Flynn exhaled deeply, cleared his throat, and then began, ''I don't know if I can say something like this but... I have heard a story like this before," Flynn glanced at Tara who sat upright, wiped her tears, and gave him stares that were full of hope.

"That child... she is not our baby," Flynn pointed at Beverly who was still sleeping peacefully on Elle's thigh.

"W...what do you mean?" Tara glanced at Flynn then Melanie who sat close beside her.

This lady had always been a sort of comfort to her ever since they were in high school.

"It's a long story, but according to the person that had been her mother for the past five years admitted that she stole the child from someone who was in an accident six years ago," Flynn breathed out.

"Wait! Brother, Hazel is not Beverly's mother?" Kyle widened his eyes in surprise. Flynn threw him a deadly stare before he nodded his head then turned to look at Tara again.

"You mean... This girl is my child?" Tara muttered, her words breaking.

"She could be your child and she might not be. But your story feels like a missing puzzle to the story I heard from her assuming mother," Flynn answered.

"Wait, are you referring to that woman that came to the hotel with her?" Tara asked and Flynn nodded his head.

"Oh my God," Tara sobbed.

"No wonder she hit her at the receptionist the other day. I know that is given, but she hit her and lashed words at her," Tara clutched her hands to her chest, rested her head on Melanie's chest, staring a Beverly.

"Is there any way you can recognize her? Like, did you notice any birthmark on your baby six years ago?" Flynn clasped his hands together.

"N...no," Tara shook her head.

"Okay," Flynn nodded his head.

"Sir, please help me. I'll do anything you ask of me, I swear," Tara removed her head from Melanie's chest.

"I don't need you to do anything. In fact, I'm glad you help us catch Hazel before she flees. First, let's conduct a DNA test," Flynn suggested.

"That would be a great idea," Melanie nodded her head.

"Please, let's do that," Tara nodded her head.

"Devon, get a few strands of Beverly and Tara's hair. I don't want any foul games so you and I are going alone," Flynn stood up.

"Thank you very much! Thank you! Thank you!'' Tara fell on her knees immediately.

"I will be back," Flynn walked towards the stairs then ascended it slowly.

"Tara, I'm coming, okay?" Melanie patted Tara then hurried towards the stair.

=

"Babe, shouldn't you be resting? Can't Devon handle this?" Melanie said as she entered the room.

"He can, but I just want to be sure nothing goes wrong again. You worry too much, I'll be fine," Flynn pulled his shirt off then pulled Melanie closer.

"How much do you know her? Do you think she is being sincere?" Flynn asked after he kissed her boobs shortly.

"Tara and I attended the same high school. Trust me, she was very good to me. I was practically the only one who knew she was pregnant then. I was so young to advise her, I was two years younger than her. She suddenly stopped coming to school and there was no way I could contact her. Huh, I didn't know she went through this much. It's such a pity," Melanie inhaled solemnly.

"It is, although I couldn't stop wondering how she could be so careless to get pregnant at that age. Babe, she was way too young,'' Flynn shook his head, stylishly pressing Melanie's boobs.

"I know, but... Be serious, will you?" Melanie nudged Flynn who was about to kiss her boobs again.

''I can't help it. I've missed you greatly,'' Flynn pouted.

"I missed you more, you know that. We can do this letter. Let's help her out first. Love, if she turns out not to be Beverly's mother, would you still help her?" Melanie blinked her eyes.

"Of course, I would but I really hope she is Beverly's mother," Flynn smiled.

"Same here," Melanie smiled back then tiptoed to kiss him.

''You should get going," Melanie pulled away then remove a round neck from his closet and gave him to wear.

"Okay, sweetheart. I'll be back soon. I love you," Flynn kissed her forehead then strolled towards the door.

"I love you too," Melanie blushed.

=

Melanie walked downstairs and stood before Tara who couldn't take her eyes off Beverly.

"Tara," Melanie called out as she bent before her.

"Will she accept me as her mother if I turn out to be her mother?" Tara breathed out.

"Tara."

"I can't help but wonder. She has not seen me for six years, and she is too young to be convinced that I am her mother. Hmm," Tara inhaled then turned to look at Beverly.

"Don't worry, everything will turn out well. Beverly is a good girl and she loves to mingle. By the way, would you like to take anything?" Melanie changed the topic.

"No, watching that girl is okay for me. I will only eat when the result comes in," Tara turned to look at Beverly again.

"Tara, you can't do this to yourself. My husband has promised to help you find your child even if Beverly is not your daughter," Melanie placed her hand and Tara's shoulder.

"Melanie... I will take something when your husband comes back," Tara answered.

"You are still as stubborn as before," Melanie shook her head.

"See who is talking. Did everyone know how stubborn you are?" Tara let out a laugh then glanced at Elle who smiled softly.

"Right. You know how stubborn she is, right?" Tara asked Elle.

"Well, she could win a medal," Elle chuckled.

"Oh, whatever," Melanie frowned.

"Sister-in-law," Kyle called out.

"Huh?"

"Did you also know about this? You didn't look surprised when brother was talking."

"He briefed me on it when he arrived at the hospital the day he went for Hazel. Trust me, I wanted to tell you guys, but we've been at the hospital for the past few days," Melanie shrugged her shoulder.

"This is very crazy," Kyle stood from the couch and strolled to the kitchen.

"Absolutely crazy," Melanie nodded her head.

"Melanie, is this the Harlan mansion?" Tara asked as her eyes caught the word 'HARLAN' carved boldly up on the wall.

"Yes, what is wrong?"

"Your husband is the famous business tycoon, Flynn Harlan?!" Tara half-screamed in surprise.

"Yes, is anything the problem?" Melanie creased her brow.

"I never expected him to be like this? The media gave him all sorts of names which made me hate him, I mean, most people hate him," Tara shook her head.

"And you can't deny the fact that almost every lady in Los Angeles has a crush on the arrogant Tycoon," Kyle walked in with a glass of milk.

"You didn't make milk for me," Elle frowned her face.

"You didn't ask me to," Kyle said then sipped it slowly.

''Did I know you were going to the kitchen for that?"

"Okay, you don't need to cry over that. I'll have the maids prepare it for you," Kyle turned to walk away.

"No, you know I like the milk you prepare," Elle pouted.

"Ah... Just take mine. I can't go back there,'' Kyle furrowed his brow as he gave Elle his glass of milk.

"My cute brother-in-law," Melanie smiled.

"What?" Kyle eyed her.

"I want milk also," Melanie grinned and Kyle laughed.

"Flynn will be back soon, he will make it for you," Kyle rolled his eyes.

"No, I want the milk you make," Melanie laughed.

"You guys want the milk I made now, very soon y'all will be treating me as an outcast," Kyle stood up grudgingly.

"Do you also care for a glass of milk?" Kyle faced Tara.

"No, I'm fine. Thank you," Tara smiled.

"Don't mind her. Make for her too," Melanie said.

''What is your own? She said she does not want," Kyle groaned as he began to walk away.

**Five hours later...

It has been five hours since Devon and Flynn left the house. When Melanie had called him, he said he was going to wait for the result and would be home soon.

Beverly had woken up, and Tara was more than excited when she pulled Beverly closer to her and the little girl didn't attempt to move away from her.

"Aunt," Beverly called out then freed herself from Tara.

"Yes, baby?" Melanie answered.

"She is not going to come back again, right?" Beverly asked, her voice breaking.

"Don't worry. She will never come to disturb you again," Melanie smiled at her.

"You don't want her to come for you again?'' Elle asked and Beverly nodded her head in affirmation.

"Is she my new mummy?" Beverly pointed at Tara.

''Ehn?'' Melanie breathed out.

What is this child saying?

"Do you want a new mummy?" Elle asked.

"Yes. My mummy before used to hit me," Beverly said, ever childishly.

"She used to hit you?" Melanie asked.

"Yes. A lot,'' Beverly answered.

"I think they are back," Kyle stood from the couch and walked towards the door while Tara stood up and bit her nails nervously.

The door opened and Flynn entered first, ''do you miss me that much?" he hissed at Kyle who stood by the door.

"Miss you? Oh, please," Kyle snorted and Flynn laughed.

"I'm home!'' Flynn entered fully.

"Babe," Melanie walked towards him and they hugged each other.

"How was it?" Melanie asked after they broke the hug.

''It was interesting," Flynn smiled as he settled on the couch beside Melanie.

He stretched his hand forward and Devon handed over the result to him which he gave to Tara.

"I missed you," Flynn kissed Melanie's cheek while Tara opened the paper.

"How was it?" Melanie asked him.

"Don't be too curious. I said I missed you," Flynn smiled then kissed her lips again.

"Come on..." Melanie pulled away.

"This is un..." Flynn was interrupted by the scream from Tara.

"What is wrong?" Melanie creased her brow as she watched Tara who fell to the ground, crying as she clutched the result to her chest.

"She is her mother,'' Flynn smiled at Melanie then glanced at Beverly who couldn't take her eyes off Tara.

''Aunt, why are you crying?" Beverly walked slowly towards Tara and knelt beside her.

''My child..." Tara whispered as she broke into great tears.

"Did anywhere hurt, aunty?" Beverly patted her shoulder.

"C...can you call me mummy? Just once. Please, I want to hear you call me that," Tara cried.

"If I call you mummy, will you stop crying?" Beverly asked and Tara nodded her head.

"Mummy..."

"Arggh!" Tara cried out as she pulled Beverly into a tight hug.

"Did I not call it well? Mummy, mummy, will you stop crying, please?" Beverly whined.

"My daughter. Beverly," Tara cried.

"Mummy?" Beverly pulled away.

"Beverly..." Tara cried as Beverly's palm touched her cheek.

"Stop crying," Beverly said as she wiped Tara's tears.

"I can't help me," Tara shook her head.

"Why did you take after your daddy so much? W...why? His eyes, his lips, his nose," Tara cried.

"Aunty?" Beverly creased her brow.

''Call me mummy, please," Tara took her hand in hers.

"Do you want to be my mummy?" Beverly asked.

''Yes. Let me be," Tara cried.

"Will you buy ice cream and chocolate for me every day? My mummy before doesn't buy me things " Beverly asked.

"I will buy you everything you want," Tara shook her head.

"Can you cook my favorite? My mummy before can't cook."

"I will cook you everything you want. I am a very good cook," Tara smiled at her.

"Will you sleep by my side every night? My mummy before doesn't let me sleep beside her on the bed. I sleep on the couch," Beverly pouted.

"I will cuddle and put you to sleep every day," Tara cried.

"You will watch movies with me, eat with me, and won't hit me, right?"

"I will never hit you, I promise," Tara places her hand on her chest.

"My friend in Italy said her mum does everything to her but my mummy before does not," Beverly pouted and Tara chuckled.

"I will do everything for you. I promise," Tara said and pulled her into a hug.

"Promises are meant to be kept, you know?" Beverly muttered.

"Yes, I know. I will never hurt you, I promise," Tara stroked her hair.

"Then you will be my mummy," Beverly hugged Tara back.

"This girl acts more than her age," Flynn shook his head as he watched the scene between Beverly and Tara.

"That is the power of love between mother and child. Blood is thicker than water and wine, indeed," Melanie wiped her tears.

"You cried?" Flynn cupped her cheek in his palm.

''You can't blame me. It is too emotional," Melanie answered.

"Is this emotional too?" Flynn asked then licked her ear.

"Stop it, pervert!" Melanie pushed him away slightly.

"How am I a pervert? I've missed you so much that I want to savor every bit of you," Flynn drawled in an accent as he kissed her lips.

"Babe, you are just getting better," Melanie protested.

"It's not like I had the surgery on uncle tom. Wait, how about woman on top?" Flynn smiled mischievously.

"What is that?" Melanie furrowed her brow.

"You see, you're naive. I have many things to teach you," Flynn winked at her then kissed her lips again.

"Come on, everyone is watching,'' Melanie pulled away.

"I don't care," Flynn smiled then kissed her lips.

"Oh-oh! This world is full of misery, some people can't wait to get a room, some are crying for lovers!" Kyle said as he walked in front of them.

"This dude," Melanie laughed.

"He is a total asshøle," Flynn shook his head and Melanie laughed loudly which made everyone look in her direction.

~

"You can stay here with us, that is if you do not mind," Flynn turned to look at Tara after he had ordered the maids to prepare dinner.

"S...sir?" Tara widened her eyes in surprise.

Maybe she heard it wrong.

There was no way this tycoon would allow just anyone in his house.

"Do you have a comfortable place you stay?" Flynn asked.

"My friend let me stay at her place," Tara nodded her head, her arms wrapped around Beverly.

"So, you will take her there and inconvenient your friend?" Flynn creased his brow.

"S...she will understand. She is very..."

"Stay here at the mansion. There are over twenty vacant rooms," Flynn said casually.

"You mean... I can live here?" Tara looked around.

"Yes. Devon, get her account detail and send her the money we owe her," Flynn ordered and stood up slowly, then pulled Melanie with him.

"Sir..." Tara whimpered, tears escaping her eyes.

"It's okay. Elle, show her the rooms. Kyle, call me when the food is ready, okay?"

"Why? Where are you going?" Kyle smirked knowingly at his brother.

"Must you always be a dîck? Ugh!" Flynn shook his head then headed to the stairs, holding Melanie by her waist.

"What is wrong? Are you tired?" Flynn looked at her as they ascended the stairs.

"You've softened so much and it amazes me, honestly," Melanie smiled.

"It's all thanks to you. Even I can't believe I am doing this," Flynn chuckled.

"I didn't ask for your permission before I said she could stay here, I am sorry," Flynn stopped walking and looked at her.

"No, no, it is totally fine by me. Trust me," Melanie smiled and Flynn looked at her.

"Babe."

"I swear, it is fine by me. Come on," Melanie nudged him slightly and they continue to ascend the stairs.

~At the dining table.

Everyone was present in the dining room, Tara and Beverly except for Tyler and Melinda. Flynn made sure he invited his man, Devon even though the young man had refused adamantly.

As usual, Kyle and Elle wouldn't stop getting at each other's throats.

"You guys fight so much, yet you sit side by side every time," Flynn after he had drunk water from the glads cup.

"She gets on my throat so much, but she is still my baby sister," Kyle said as he worked on the steak in front of him.

"Fowl!" Elle hit the back of his head.

"I am your twin sister, not baby sis," Elle frowned her face.

"But you can't deny the fact that I came to this world before you," Kyle screamed as he dropped the cutlery.

"And it can't be denied that I have more sense than you do," Elle snorted.

"Ah-ha, don't be too happy. You should worship me, if I didn't want you to come into this world, I would have stayed in our mother's womb," Kyle said and Elle laughed sarcastically.

"You can't change the fact that you were bored in the womb and requested me to join you," Elle said and Melanie laughed.

"What are they saying?" Melanie laughed.

"Who knows?" Flynn shrugged his shoulder off as he stabbed a piece of beef with his fork and gestured for Melanie to take it from him.

At the other side of the long table, Devon watched Tara who fed Beverly her food. While she feeds Beverly twice, she eats once. She wiped her mouth and caress her hair every time and watched her chew her food.

"Hold on, let me get you water," Tara smiled at Beverly as she grabbed the glass of water in front of her and made Beverly drink it.

"You should drink water too, mummy," Beverly said.

"Okay baby," Tara smiled and drank water from the glass cup.

"I am full, mummy" Beverly said.

"Are you sure? You should eat more," Tara said as she cut a piece of steak and fed her.

"I'm okay. You should eat also, I will watch you eat," Beverly smiled and Tara smiled back.

Devon who wasn't eating, smiled unconsciously as he watched the mother and daughter.

"I don't know why, but I can smell another love in the air," Kyle cleared his throat as he carried the glass of water in front of Elle and drank it.

"Who?" Elle looked at him.

"I don't know why, but I am damn too observant," Kyle said and adjusted his hair.

"You are so good at that, brother-in-law," Melanie smiled.

"Thank God you know. Devooooon..." Kyle glanced at Devon then winked at him.

"Huh?" Devon widened his eyes.

"What is wrong? You are not eating your food. I guess you are full just watching her," Kyle smiled and Devon choked on nothing.

"Must you say everything you see?" Flynn shook his head.

"As a single person, it is good to be very observant. You can't relate," Kyle nodded his head.

"I don't even want to relate," Flynn creased his brow.

"Kyle, how about the girl you wanted me to help you woo? Did you talk to her already?" Elle said, trying to control her laughter.

"That girl? Please, I found out she's into women. I mean, a handsome guy like me. Who the hell doesn't like me?" Kyle dropped the fork he was holding and touched his face seductively.

"Well, there is another girl I will be pursuing soon anyways," Kyle said and Elle laughed loudly.

"I pray you find a lover before I give birth,'' Elle laughed.

"Oh, lest I forget, Kyle, you are to report as the new CEO of the Harlan's on Monday," Flynn said as he drank from the glass cup.

"What do you mean? Which of the Harlan's?'' Kyle creased his brow.

"Harlan cosmetics," Flynn answered.

"Really!" Kyle stood from the table.

"Mm," Flynn nodded his head.

"Brother! I love you!" Kyle screamed and hurried towards Flynn then hugged him from behind.

"Get off me," Flynn groaned.

"Brother! I love you so much, sweetheart!" Kyle refused to release his grip from Flynn and kissed his neck.

''Asshøle! You are too creepy! Get off me or I take back my words!" Flynn screamed, everyone, laughing.

"I love you, brother!" Kyle kissed his neck again and hurriedly pull away before his brother's elbow hit him.

"Gosh!" Flynn frowned.

"Wait, brother, are there beautiful ladies? We can't deny the fact that I need a woman also," Kyle said and Flynn burst into laughter.

"You need a woman? Wow, the bitter man finally admits to it," Flynn laughed and carried the glass of water and prepare to drink from it.

"By the way, brother, Tyler and I think of getting married," Elle announced and Flynn choked on the water he was drinking.

"Is it that surprising?" Melanie laughed as she rubbed her palm against his back.

"Married as how? Wait, you guys are not dating for fun?" Flynn widened his eyes.

Elle looked around nervously then dipped her hand in her pocket then removed a diamond ring.

"He proposed?!'' Melanie screamed.

"Yes. Things weren't going right. I saw the ring at his house that day and he said he was planning on proposing when everything is over. I was very happy, I told him to propose and I said yes. I wanted to tell you guys, but it was that day Melanie got kidnapped," Elle grinned as she wear the ring on her finger.

"This is crazy!" Flynn shook his head, still surprised.

"Babe, this is absolutely crazy!" Melanie shook her head.

"I am sorry. He was ashamed to tell you guys. You know, having to think of getting married to me when our family was going through a tough time," Elle sighed.

"Call him over tomorrow. I'll kïll that dude with my two hands," Flynn groaned and Melanie l