A shiver ran down my spine all the way to the back of my neck, when the private jet landed at the private airport in New York, my stomach churned and I had to drink a whole bottle of water to avoid throwing up right there.
Back in New York.
"Are you okay?" Vincent asked by my side, he had been by my side throughout the entire trip with Tristan playing on his lap and now my little baby was sound asleep in my cousin's comfortable arms.
"Yes, of course I'm fine." I blatantly lied, smiling.
I didn't feel completely well, it was inevitable to remember part of my life as Mrs. Lancaster, especially remembering as if it had been yesterday, the day I returned from my little vacation in Orlando with the pregnancy test in my hand and nervous to tell Alexander the news that he would be a father. Now I was landing in this place again, but with my son in my arms.
It was alright, no one would know about Tristan's existence.
"Your pale face says otherwise." Vincent caught me lying and I chuckled as I got up from my seat after Vincent did.
"Don't worry, princess, nothing will happen to you as long as I'm by your side, you can use me publicly as you please, as your best friend, the father of your child, your new husband, or as your bodyguard, don't forget that."
I laughed again at his remarks, and we exited the jet where the others were waiting for us, we were the only ones left to exit due to my sudden discomfort.
"Vin, there's no need for me to pretend that you're my husband or the father of my child, it would lead to news about us and I don't want to harm your image, all your fans will be disappointed and hate me." I said. Vin laughed without humor and adjusted Tristan, resting his little dark-haired head on his shoulder.
"Besides, nobody needs to know about my private life, I won't show Tristan publicly."
"Fans? What's that? I've been alone for years and you know that very well, nobody will hate you. I leave the offer open for you, the last time the one who shall not be named saw us, he left thinking that you and I had something, so we can keep making him believe that there's something between us. Oh, look, the fruit of our love is waking up."
I laughed when my cousin spoke playfully upon seeing Tristan shift uncomfortably on his shoulder and then go back to sleep as if there was no tomorrow.
"False alarm."
"The fruit of our love? The trip affected you, didn't it? What will the media say when everyone finds out that I'm Leonardo's daughter? Everyone will know that I'm your cousin, and that will be frowned upon."
We walked slowly towards where my father was with the others, giving each one instructions on what to do and which car to take. Abby could barely stand, as she had attended a party last night and ended up very drunk.
Jack left with Ms. Boyer and Vincent's assistant in one of the three parked cars.
"Nonsense, your father and my mother are only siblings by name, everyone knows that, so..."
"Vincent, you're coming with us, Abby, Sarah, Tristan, and Maga, you'll go in the other car." My father interrupted Vincent, which I appreciated. I didn't know where he was going with this conversation, but I already had an answer, and it was a resounding no. I wasn't going to involve anyone in future destructive gossip.
No one would know about my private life, the only thing they would know was that I was a divorced woman, and that was it.
"I'll go with Sarah, uncle, Tristan is asleep. Let Abby go with you." Vincent said, pointing to my son who was still peacefully sleeping. I looked at my father and subtly signaled him with my eyes, which he immediately understood.
"I need to talk about a few things with you, let's go, Vincent." My father insisted, and Vincent had no choice but to obey.
My cousin looked at me disappointed and skillfully left Tristan in the car seat, my son barely moved.
"Just keep it in mind, princess, I say this because I don't want you to get hurt again, you can always count on me." He said with a slight half-smile, and I nodded, not very sure, before he left with my parents.I let out a tired sigh and got into the car where Abby was waiting with her eyes closed and Maga in the passenger seat.
"I hate hangovers. I won't have a single drop of alcohol ever again in my life." Abby said with her eyes still shut as the car started moving.
Alcohol.
That was what I needed to alleviate my discomfort from returning to this place where I experienced the best and worst days of my life, but I wouldn't do it even if I needed to. I was a responsible mother now.
"Only you would get drunk the day before traveling, you're crazy." I told her as I made sure Tristan was securely in his seat, pulled out my phone, and glanced at my packed schedule for the week. I would barely have time to breathe.
"Tell me something I don't know." She said, settling into her seat with the intention of sleeping. I chuckled, at least she's aware of her craziness.
"Speaking of crazy..." I exclaimed when she raised her head as if she remembered something and took off her sunglasses, revealing her tired eyes.
"My brother is arriving tonight and we're all going out to have fun before starting the busiest week of our lives."
I turned my gaze away from my phone screen and looked at her with narrowed eyes. Another one affected by the trip.
"Abby, you just said you won't have a drop of alcohol ever again in your life and now you're planning to get drunk again, we haven't even finished arriving." I said in a low voice so as not to wake up Tristan as I frowned at her.
"Besides, I can't leave my son alone so soon, I don't know how long I'll be without him all week."
"Miss Sarah, don't worry about Tristan, I'll take care of him, go have fun, it's been a while since you did, take advantage of this trip to relax." Maga said, surprising me as she joined the conversation from the front seat.
"See! Maga, you're an angel fallen from heaven, you've become my heroine." Abby spoke excitedly, unable to contain her joy at Nana's offer, causing Tristan to stir as if he wanted to wake up, earning a stern look from me.
"Oh, sorry."