Ch. 761..770
Always Been Yours Chapter 761
What’s Your Point?
After all, they were at Scott’s solo recital, and she didn’t want to cause trouble in front of her crush.While they were chatting away, Scott ambled into the box in a white suit, looking like a prince from a fairy tale.
Kathleen was the first to discover him, and she immediately went up to greet him joyously, saying, “You’re here, Scott.”
While she gawked at him with eyes filled with unconcealed adoration, Scott put a friendly distance between them the entire time.
After a quick hello, Tessa handed him a bouquet and congratulated him by saying, “Break a leg.”
Scott smiled while looking at the young woman’s rosy cheeks and said gently, ‘Thank you.”
As she stood by the side, Kathleen made a mental note in her ‘Reasons to ruin Tessa Reinhart’ list as she watched the two interact.The recital officially commenced at 8.30PM.
Tessa and Hathaway put their full attention on the stage while sitting in the VIP section.
Unsurprisingly, it was a spectacular recital, and Hathaway constantly praised Scott during the recital. “I swear Scott is catching up to me.”
“Mr. Brooks is indeed amazing.” Tessa nodded in agreement and burst into a chuckle when she suddenly recalled a scene of Scott practicing. “Remember how you said I always go all out when I practice? I think it’s nothing compared to Mr. Brooks, though.”
“Indeed, Scott does train harder than you do, and it’s not without reason that he’s able to be where he is today,” Hathaway sighed.
Kathleen, on the other hand, didn’t take note of their conversation but gawked at the dashing man on stage, deeply infatuated.
The recital ended two hours later, and just as Tessa and Hathaway were about to leave, Scott came over. “There’s an after-party. Why don’t you guys join us?”
Since Hathaway had graciously taken him up on his offer, Tessa couldn’t quite turn him down, and just like that, the group went to the party which was packed with big-shot musicians.
Tessa was initially with Hathaway, but as more and more people showed up, the two eventually got separated.
While Tessa was finding a less crowded space to sit down, someone came to give her a toast, and just as she was about to turn them down, Scott appeared while saying, “She can’t take alcohol. You don’t mind if she substitutes it with juice, do you?”
With that, he had someone bring a glass of juice over, and Tessa drank it after thanking him.
The person who came to toast Tessa swept their equivocal gaze between the two upon seeing their exchange and removed themself astutely from the scene. “I’ll leave you two to talk. I’ll check out somewhere else.”
However, Tessa and Scott didn’t notice the person had mistaken them and began chatting after they left.
“How are you doing? Are you tired? There’s a seating area over there; you can rest for a while if you’re feeling drained.” Scott was concerned about Tessa’s well-being, and the woman didn’t give too much thought to it either, only thinking he was concerned as a friend. “Thanks, I’m doing pretty good. I’ll sit down if I do get tired.”
After a nod, Scott changed the topic to music.
Meanwhile, not far away, Kathleen was frothing at the mouth as she watched the two interact happily.
“How dare this b*tch start flirting with Scott again?!” she mused through gnashed teeth, glaring daggers at Tessa.
A while later, she followed Tessa without a second thought when she saw the woman going to the washroom alone.
Kathleen found Tessa washing her hands by the sink as soon as she entered and immediately mocked enigmatically, saying, “How can you still associate yourself with men when you’re already pregnant, Tessa?”
The latter frowned in response and thought this woman really had nothing nice to say.
With that, she shook her hands to remove some of the excess water and turned to Kathleen with an icy gaze. “I only think of Scott as a friend, but you can’t seem to stop seeing me as your imaginary enemy. Are you actually thinking you’ll lose to yourself or that you’re afraid you’re no match for me? What’s your point in behaving like this all the time?”
Always Been Yours Chapter 762
Kathleen Is Being Evasive
“No match for you? Who do you think you are?” Kathleen sneered furiously with a malicious gaze.
However, Tessa wasn’t intimidated as she smirked. “If you’re not afraid that you’re no match for me, why are you coming up with so many petty tricks?”
A pang of guilt hit Kathleen upon hearing the accusation, but she still put up an innocent front and denied it. “What a joke. You think you’re worthy of my time and effort?”
“Am I not?” Tessa chewed on the words while fixing her gaze on the woman in denial and suddenly came to an idea.
Since Kathleen had decided to bring everything to light, she might as well settle their feud once and for all, saving her from having to worry about this woman framing her constantly.
“Since I’m not worth your time and effort, why did you deliberately break my violin and set me up repeatedly?”
Seeing that Kathleen’s face turned grim upon the confrontation, Tessa continued, “If not for Miss Hathaway, do you think I would’ve turned a blind eye to everything you’ve done? You should be thankful that you have a good mother!”
Kathleen flew into a rage out of humiliation as soon as she was exposed, glaring daggers at Tessa with her gaze ablaze. “You call that a good mother?! If she really has my best interests at heart, she should kick you out of the orchestra! I’m her daughter, me! However, she keeps defending a b*tch like you!”
“You think Miss Hathaway is defending me?” Tessa was rendered dumbstruck by Kathleen’s words.
“Who else if not you? Me?” Kathleen taunted maliciously. “Sometimes, I really wish you’d never existed!”
Tessa covertly stood on guard when she sensed Kathleen’s hostility, and at the same time, she thought she should just make some things clear with Kathleen when the woman had put it like that.
“First, Miss Hathaway might be defending me, but she’s also protecting you. I can press charges against you for any sole incident you’ve caused me, leaving you with a criminal record. Do you think you’d still have a future if you’re charged with framing a fellow musician?”
Tessa bore into Kathleen, hoping the woman would finally come to her senses and stop targeting her when she had already broken it down for her like this. “Second, does it not exhaust you to live like this? What’s the point of rivaling other people all the time? Is it not good enough for you to just be yourself?”
She had just wanted to talk some sense into Kathleen, hoping she would stop heading further down into the blind alley, but Kathleen assumed Tessa was lecturing her and subsequently hit the roof. “Who do you think you are to lecture me?! You are in no position to tell me what to do!”
With that, she raised her arm, wanting to slap Tessa.
Alarmed, Tessa reflexively evaded but slipped and fell backward because the floor was slippery, causing her to panic.
She reached her arms out hoping to grab onto something, but it was too late as she fell.
As soon as she felt a twinge, she instinctively protected her belly and used her elbow to cushion the impact. Because of that, she was in excruciating pain as soon as she dropped to the floor, looking ghastly.
“Ouch…” The pain was so excruciating that she kept gasping for cold air on the floor, unable to get up.
On the other hand, Kathleen was petrified, for she never imagined something like this would happen.
After finally coming back to her senses, she felt inexplicably conscious-stricken and fled the scene when she saw Tessa groaning on the floor.
Lo and behold, she bumped into Scott and Hathaway as soon as she ran out, leaving Hathaway to reprimand her with a frown. “What are you doing, running around like that?” she asked.
Perhaps because of guilt or that Scott was next to her, Kathleen didn’t defend herself and simply said bashfully, “Nothing.”
Seeing so, Hathaway couldn’t help thinking her daughter was behaving evasively.
Always Been Yours Chapter 763
I Have a Problem With Her
However, before Hathaway could say anything, Scott spoke up. “Did you come across Tessa by any chance?”
Kathleen panicked, and her heart skipped a beat upon hearing his words.
Just then, Nicholas approached the group. He had come to pick Tessa up, but she was nowhere to be found.
“Miss Hathaway, did you manage to find my wife?”
“A moment, please, Mr. Sawyer. Let me ask my daughter.” While speaking, Hathaway shifted her gaze back onto Kathleen, asking, “Did you see Tessa?”
“I didn’t,” lied Kathleen with an evasive gaze, beyond panicked deep down.
Though she concealed it well, Nicholas still noticed her abnormality, and he narrowed his eyes at the woman, his gaze enigmatic.
At that, he pulled his phone out and called Tessa, giving up on searching.
“Nicholas…” Tessa’s groan came from the other end of the line, causing Nicholas to panic. “What’s wrong?”
Tessa didn’t hide the fact that she had slipped and fallen in the washroom. “I can’t come out at the moment. Can you ask Miss Hathaway to come and help me out?”
“Got it. I’ll be right over.” Nicholas ended the call at that, looking beyond grim.
Sensing something was amiss, Hathaway immediately went up to Nicholas and asked, “Is Tessa alright?”
“She fell in the washroom.” After saying so, Nicholas strode to the washroom.
Horrified by the news, Hathaway and Scott hurriedly followed after Nicholas.
Once they arrived, Hathaway hurriedly went in and came out with Tessa leaning against her for support in no time.
“How did this happen?” Nicholas hurriedly went up to his beloved as soon as he saw her ghastly countenance.
“I accidentally slipped and fell, and my elbow hurts a little,” Tessa answered briefly, striking fear in Nicholas. “I’ll take you to the hospital now.”
While speaking, he picked her up and strode away.
Meanwhile, Hathaway locked her brows into a deep furrow as she watched the couple leave.
Kathleen seemed to have come out from the washroom earlier, and she didn’t look right when we asked her Tessa’s whereabouts.
Instantly, an unpleasant assumption came to her.
Does Tessa’s accident have something to do with Kathleen?
Hathaway thought it was very likely the more she thought about it. After all, her daughter had a history.
At that, her countenance turned beyond awful.
Likewise, Scott was super apprehensive about Tessa’s condition, but he couldn’t leave the party now. Just like that, the two returned to the banquet hall preoccupied.
Hathaway went straight to Kathleen and questioned her after taking her to a secluded corner. “Is Tessa’s accident your doing?”
Kathleen instantly turned forbidding when she realized her mother had brought her here because of the b*tch. “So what if I did?” Kathleen snapped in spite.
Lo and behold, she got a slap from Hathaway as soon as she finished her words.
“Why do I have a wicked daughter like you?! Don’t you know that Tessa’s pregnant?!” Hathaway berated Kathleen. “You best pray that Tessa and the child in her belly are fine, or I won’t harbor you this time no matter what!”
Kathleen was so stupefied by her mother’s slap that she didn’t even hear a word Hathaway said, only having the slap on loop in her mind.
She looked at her mother with incredulity as she held her swollen cheek, raging, “I can’t believe you slapped me again because of that b*tch! Am I your daughter, or is she?!”
“It’s exactly because you’re my daughter that I slapped you!” Hathaway looked disappointedly at her daughter. “I don’t understand what I have done wrong for you to become like this. Tessa’s already married and is even expecting. Why do you still want to give her a hard time?”
“It’s because I have a problem with her, that’s why!” Kathleen wasn’t holding back anymore when things had already come to this, blowing off steam however it pleased her. “I’ve said it before—I won’t leave her alone as long as she remains in the orchestra!”
Always Been Yours Chapter 764
Seeing Tessa
Hathaway was so exasperated with Kathleen’s answer that she thought she would have a heart attack. She even believed that her daughter’s behavior was becoming increasingly unconscionable.
Meanwhile, on the road to the hospital, Nicholas held Tessa in his arms while asking repeatedly, “Did you really slip by yourself?”
Tessa reiterated as she looked at the doubtful man, “I did slip by myself, but it was because of Kathleen.”
With that, she recounted the incident briefly, causing Nicholas to turn grimmer by the second. “Thank goodness you’re okay, or I won’t spare that woman if something really happens to you.”
Nicholas was frothing at the mouth, especially when he remembered that Kathleen had repeatedly bullied Tessa. “Does Kathleen think I can’t do anything about her because she has her mother shielding her? Well, I won’t be merciful anymore if she dares lay a finger on you again!”
The man’s rage touched Tessa.
“Kathleen has indeed gone too far.” She nodded in agreement, then comforted his raging mind by saying, “We won’t forgive her anymore if she dares to make another move, and you shouldn’t get angry either. It’s not worth getting all upset over people like her.”
Nicholas looked down at the young woman in his arms and thought she was right.
He shouldn’t be mad over people like Kathleen. However, if that woman still dared to mess with Tessa, he would not let her get away with it again.
As he thought about it, he tucked away his hostility and asked worriedly, “Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere else?”
“No, not at the moment. Just my elbow.” While speaking, Tessa raised her arm, but the pain got her grimacing.
Nicholas urged Edward to drive faster upon seeing this, to which the latter obliged with a nod.
They soon arrived at the hospital, and Nicholas carried Tessa out of the car.
If anything, Tessa wanted to walk on her own, but Nicholas objected to it no matter what.
In the end, she could only yield and let him carry her everywhere.
After a series of checkups, the doctor concluded that she was fine and the baby wasn’t affected. “She just got bruised on the elbow, and it’ll be gone after a couple of days. She’s all good. You can relax.”
After getting the good news, Nicholas took Tessa home.
Meanwhile, Gregory had learned of Tessa’s injury, and his heart ached for her.
“Mommy, does your arm still hurt?” he asked with concern by her bedside.
“It doesn’t hurt anymore. Don’t worry, sweetheart.” Tessa ruffled the little guy’s head with her good hand, touched that she had such a sweet little boy caring for her. “Go on, go to bed. It’s getting late.”
Gregory nodded and said, “You should rest early too, Mommy.”
Tessa nodded in reply.
…
The following morning, Nicholas personally sent Tessa to the orchestra after their homely breakfast.
Nicholas wanted Tessa to take sick leave and rest at home, but she gave up on the thought since the concert was just around the corner.
After learning that Tessa had arrived at the orchestra, Hathaway rushed over from her office to check up on her. “What are you doing here? You should be resting at home when you’re injured. You must take good care of your hands; you need them to play the violin.”
“Don’t worry, Miss Hathaway. I know what I’m doing.” Tessa smiled at Hathaway. “Besides, the concert is just around the corner. As the principal violinist, I shouldn’t delay the rehearsal.”
Hathaway couldn’t say anything else when Tessa put it like that, so she only exhorted, “In that case, please pay more attention to your hand. If it gets too much for you, go home and rest.”
With that, Tessa nodded and entered the practice room.
“What did Miss Hathaway want to see you about?” Mona asked when she saw Tessa coming in, curious.
“Nothing much. Let’s get rehearsing.” Tessa decided not to talk about it and took her violin out to practice.
Scott had come later in the day to see how Tessa was doing, for he thought he held responsibility for letting her get injured during his after-party.
“How’s your hand?” He looked concerningly at Tessa, who shook her head with a smile. “It’s all good.”
Always Been Yours Chapter 765
Learned It From His Father
“That’s good to hear, but you still have to take proper care of your hands on a daily basis,” said Scott, and Tessa listened patiently. Following that, the two started talking about music again.
Every question Tessa asked, Scott would explain them all and would even demonstrate it, leading the other members of the orchestra to be envious of her, for they wanted Mr. Brooks’ guidance too.
“Mr. Brooks is so nice to you, Tessa! I wish he could give me a pointer or two as well.” Mona skipped to Tessa after Scott left and spoke with envy.
Tessa smiled in response. “Mr. Brooks is really nice. You can also ask him any questions you have the next time he comes over.”
“Really? He won’t ignore me, right?” Mona was surprised yet slightly worried.
“Relax, Mr. Brooks isn’t that kind of guy. He’ll teach you as long as you guys ask.” Tessa put in a good word for Scott, who had no clue about this.
He had intended to leave after visiting Tessa, but at the thought that Kathleen had something to do with Tessa’s injury, he decided to have a talk with the woman.
Of course, the woman was in seventh heaven when she learned that Scott was looking for her.
“Scott.” She jogged to him with a bright smile and a gaze with unconcealed love.
However, Scott was impassive to it. “I heard you had something to do with Tessa’s injury from last night. I hope you won’t do something like this again. You’ll gain nothing from harming others,” he advised gravely.
At that, Kathleen instantly tucked away her smile.
“Is this why you wanted to see me?” She looked angrily at Scott, her voice laced with indescribable bitterness. “You’ve come to stand up for Tessa too, eh?”
“I’m not here for that. I just want to advise you,” Scott explained plainly.
However, Kathleen wouldn’t listen anymore and was even getting hysterical. “All of you and your pieces of advice! What have I done wrong? I only have a crush on you…”
Kathleen’s words stumped Scott and also made him a little uncomfortable, for he thought her feelings would gradually fade away if he didn’t reciprocate her love. However, who’d have thought Kathleen still couldn’t get over it?
On the other hand, the woman got a little anxious when she saw him staying silent. “Is there nothing you want to say to me?”
“I’ve already said everything I want to say, and I already made it clear to you the last time. You’re the one still clinging to it.” Scott looked at Kathleen with an aloof gaze. “Also, this is also not an excuse for you to hurt Tessa.”
“If it weren’t for her, would you not have liked me? It’s all because of her! She showed up and stole you away!”
Scott frowned with disapproval and persuaded, “I’ve said that you can’t force love. This is between you and me, and it has nothing to do with anyone else. Even if Tessa isn’t in the picture, I still have no feelings for you.”
Tears pooled in Kathleen’s eyes upon hearing his words, crushed.
Even so, Scott was still impassive. “I hope this is the last time, or we can’t even be friends,” he said gravely before walking away.
Kathleen’s hatred for Tessa intensified as she watched Scott’s retreating figure with gritted teeth.
Why?! What’s so good about that woman?! Why does everyone desperately seek justice for that b*tch?!
However, the person in question knew nothing about this.
She had already gone home after rehearsal was done.
Though her arm was okay, she still didn’t want to overuse it.
After returning home, the family of three shared a pleasant dinner.
“Mommy, you should eat more.” Gregory sensibly scooped some food into Tessa’s plate, and she thanked him with a smile.
Meanwhile, Nicholas deshelled some prawns for Tessa.
After dinner, the family spent some time in the living room, and this was Gregory’s favorite time since he could interact with the baby and tell him stories, or as he liked to call it—prenatal education.
Of course, he had learned this from his father.
Always Been Yours Chapter 766
A Boy and a Girl
“I’m your big brother, little baby. We won’t be listening to stories today. I’ll play some music for you, okay?” While speaking, Gregory already had his violin at the ready, and melodious music flowed out of the instrument in no time.
Meanwhile, Tessa and Nicholas snuggled up on the couch, gazing affectionately at their boy.
Sebastian, who stood aside in waiting, was delighted for his master as he looked at the lovely, beautiful scene.
Sometime later, when Gregory was pooped, Tessa had a servant take the child to his room for a quick shower before bed. Meanwhile, she retired to the bedroom with Nicholas.
After a quick shower, the couple snuggled up in bed, and it was then that a thought came to Nicholas. “Your condition’s been looking up lately, so I thought we should get you registered at the hospital tomorrow and go for regular checkups after that,” he said softly.
Naturally, Tessa didn’t oppose the idea, and the couple talked a little bit more before cuddling to sleep.
…
When morning came, Tessa asked Hathaway for a day off after having breakfast.
“Mommy, are you sick?” Gregory was distressed when he learned that they were going to the hospital.
“I’m doing just fine,” Tessa reassured him with a smile while holding his hands. “We’re just going for a checkup, and we’re going to see how the baby is doing in my belly.”
It was only then that Gregory relaxed.
With that, the family of three headed to the hospital.
Nicholas had already made an appointment, so Tessa went straight to her checkup after arriving at the hospital.
They first took a blood test before going down the list of checkups, which all came out positive, and her BMI came out good as well.
Finally, it was the ultrasound, and the doctor asked the loving couple with a smile if they wanted to hear the baby’s heartbeat.
“Can we do that?” Tessa was a little surprised.
“Of course.” While speaking, the doctor amplified the sound, and the rhythmic heartbeat left Tessa in awe.
Nicholas was dumbfounded as well. He goggled at Tessa’s belly, thinking it was miraculous for her tiny belly to be nurturing a new life.
“Is that my sister’s heartbeat?” Gregory looked at the doctor with incredulity, amazed as well.
“It is,” the doctor answered Gregory with a smile before turning to Tessa. “Everything’s looking good with the baby. You just have to come back regularly for checkups.”
Tessa nodded in acknowledgment and left after taking her medical report.
On their journey home, she noticed Nicholas was still reading the ultrasound report, and she couldn’t help giggling. “You’ve been looking at it for so long. Are you not done with it?” she asked.
“Never.” While speaking, he gingerly placed one hand on her belly. “This feels surreal.”
Though he was already a father of one, he was never there when Gregory was conceived, and he thought he seemed to have missed out on a lot of things.
Tessa couldn’t help chuckling to herself, for she had never seen Nicholas behave this way. “This is nothing. Give it a few more months, and there’ll be fetal activity.”
“Mommy, what’s a fetal activity?” asked Gregory, curious.
“It’s when the baby moves inside my belly whenever we talk to him,” Tessa explained, leading Gregory to look at her with amazement. “Really?”
Even Nicholas looked toward Tessa with bafflement.
“Really,” She nodded with a giggle. “You guys will be able to interact with him when the time comes.”
At that, the man and the child began looking forward to the baby’s growth.
A while later, a thought hit Nicholas, and he directed his gaze back to the ultrasound report. “I should take a picture of this. I’m sure they’ll be happy to see it,” he said with a smile.
While speaking, he had already taken the picture and even sent it to his parents.
Meanwhile, back at the Sawyer Residence, Tobias and Stefania had seen the picture Nicholas sent and found it rather miraculous.
“Just imagine how great it would be if it’s a girl. We’ll have a granddaughter then.”
“Yeah, a boy and a girl. It is indeed great.”
Always Been Yours Chapter 767
Not Pleased With Her
Stefania nodded in agreement, and Tobias smiled lovingly upon hearing so.
They might not like Tessa, but they could still bring themselves to like their granddaughter.
While the couple was chatting away, Andrew came over. “Mr. Sawyer, Mrs. Sawyer, Miss Muller has come to visit.”
“Mr. Sawyer, Mrs. Sawyer,” Wanda greeted sweetly by the side.
Seeing so, the couple hurriedly invited Wanda to sit down.
In no time, a servant brought some refreshments over.
PlayvolumeAd“What brings you here today?” Stefania asked.
“Well, I haven’t visited you guys in a while, so I thought I should come by and see how you’re doing.” While speaking, Wanda presented the couple with a gift.
“It’s really sweet of you, dear,” Tobias and Stefania accepted her gift with a smile. “However, there’s no need to get us anything again, okay?”
“Alright.” Wanda nodded, smiling like an innocent, well-behaved school girl.
Following that, the three chatted away.
“How’s your company coming along?” Tobias asked. “Don’t hesitate to ask Kieran for help if you need any.”
“It’s still under renovation, and I believe it’ll be done in about two weeks or so.”
Stefania couldn’t help complimenting her upon hearing so. “You sure are amazing,” she said.
“Actually, I didn’t do much, and my ability is nothing compared to Nicholas and Kieran.” Wanda was a smooth talker, speaking highly of the two.
After all, no mother wouldn’t like to hear other people complimenting their children, and it indeed hit the right note with Stefania—she was most proud of her two outstanding sons.
“Indeed, Nicholas and Kieran rarely make me worry.”
Wanda used the chance to talk about Nicholas upon seeing this, to which Stefania revealed a considerable amount of benign information.
Even so, Wanda thought she had hit the jackpot.
Seeing it was about time, she asked, “Mrs. Sawyer, I heard Nicholas is staying abroad these days. Do you know when he’ll be back?”
It was then Stefania realized Wanda’s true purpose for visiting.
However, before she could say anything, Wanda continued worriedly, “From what I’ve heard, Nicholas went abroad because he fought with Old Master Sawyer. Who knows if it is even true? What’s more, I can’t get hold of Nicholas lately.”
Wanda wasn’t lying about the latter part.
Ever since knowing that Nicholas had gone abroad, she would find time to call him. She never managed to contact him, but little did she know Nicholas deliberately avoided her calls.
Stefania had no clue about that, but she knew what Wanda was trying to tell her. However, she had no plans of telling her what was up with Nicholas lately. “He has something to take care of abroad, and he’ll be stuck there for some time.”
Stefania’s equivocal answer disappointed Wanda, and she had a feeling that Stefania was hiding something from her.
At that, a glimmer flashed across her eyes as she continued to probe while asking, “Is that so? I wonder what it could be. Please let me know if there’s anything I can help with. I should repay the help Nicholas has given me, after all.”
“I’ll let him know of it.” Stefania left the conversation at that and changed the subject. “How are you coping with living in Brentwood?”
The change of subject was so abrupt that it stumped Wanda for a split second, and she nodded. “Yeah, I’m doing just fine. I’ll be more than happy if you can visit me and take a look at my new place.”
She knew Stefania was hinting at her not to talk about Nicholas anymore, and so she cooperatively followed along lest she wanted to give Stefania a bad impression.
After chatting for a while longer, she bid the couple goodbye and left Sawyer Residence.
Right after entering the car, she instantly dropped her smile.
Though the couple welcomed her, they had distanced themselves a little.
Why was that so?
Have I done something lately to displease them? That can’t be the case, for they wouldn’t allow me to approach Nicholas if they’re displeased.
Always Been Yours Chapter 768
How Can Her Life Be Better Than Her’s?
Something must’ve happened to Nicholas abroad. With that in mind, Wanda spoke to her assistant who was driving. “Find out what Nicholas is doing abroad and what is keeping him there for so long.”
After instructing her assistant to make it quick, she remembered that the Sawyers even made a big fuss and headed to where Nicholas was.
She was desperate to know what in the world had happened to Nicholas abroad, and she didn’t like being excluded either.
Hearing so, her assistant nodded in acknowledgment.
Meanwhile, it was time for Timothy to fly home. Tessa, Nicholas, and even Gregory saw him off at their airport.
Before parting, Timothy held his dear sister’s hand had exhorted worriedly, “Take good care of yourself. I’ll come and visit you as soon as I’m free.”
Tessa nodded in response and reminded him not to overwork himself.
After seeing Timothy off, Tessa returned to her usual practice days.
At this point, the orchestra was pretty much at the ready, and they began making arrangements for the concert at Yvetlava.
That night, Tessa brought the matter up after returning home. “The orchestra’s heading to Yvetlava in two days. Are you guys heading back or…”
“I’m going with you,” said Nicholas without a second thought.
As happy as Tessa was to hear him say so, she was still somewhat uncomfortable about it. “Is it really a good idea? What about the company?”
“Kieran’s overseeing it, so it’ll be fine. What’s more, I can only leave with an eased mind after you’re done with your concert.” Nicholas looked tenderly at his beloved.
“I want to see the concert too,” said Gregory.
Tessa said nothing more when her boys wished to follow.
After all, she hoped that Nicholas would go to Yvetlava with her too, for he had missed her first public performance. This time, she wished he would be there.
In fact, she wished Nicholas would be there to witness her every shining moment.
…
Time flew, and it came the day to head to Yvetlava.
As there were many of them, the orchestra flew in groups.
However, Tessa flew with Nicholas and Gregory. Nicholas even made quite a few arrangements beforehand, such as having a chef dedicated to taking care of Tessa’s meals in his mansion in Yvetlava, for he was worried that his woman couldn’t get used to the food there.
However, Mona knew nothing about it.
As Tessa’s friend, Mona knew about her pregnancy and would check in with her every now and then to see how she was doing. Now that they were in a different country, she was quite worried Tessa couldn’t get used to the food here.
“Tessa, how are you doing? Do you feel any discomfort?”
Tessa smiled affectionately at Mona’s genuine concern and reassured her, saying, “Thank you for looking out for me. I’m doing pretty okay, and the mister has even gone as far as bringing our chef over to take care of my diet.”
Mona swore she was turning into the green-eyed monster. “Jesus, Tessa. President Sawyer sure babies you.”
“He’s really sweet.” Tessa beamed with affection at the thought of Nicholas’ love and care for her, making Mona sigh irresistibly. “Seeing how in love you are is making me want to get myself a boyfriend.”
“Well, go on. By then, you’ll have someone who babies you too.” Although she knew that Mona was only joking, it still didn’t stop Tessa from teasing her.
Kathleen happened to be passing by while the two were engaged in their harmless banter, and she thought Tessa’s smile looked exceptionally jarring.
On what grounds was Tessa deserving of a better life than her? How was she any lesser than that b*tch?!
Kathleen grew angrier the more she thought about it, and in the end, she couldn’t stop herself from going to them. She scoffed and said, “I heard your laughs from miles away. Where do you think you guys are at? A playground? Those who don’t know might think you’re here for a vacation.”
On the other hand, Mona and Tessa dropped their smiles upon seeing Kathleen.
Always Been Yours Chapter 769
Strange Noise Above Their Heads
“Let’s go.” Tessa took Mona away, not wanting to be bothered by Kathleen, for it was impossible for her to talk to that woman now.
Likewise, Mona thought that Kathleen was baffling, and she couldn’t understand why the woman kept targeting Tessa.
However, as much as she felt indignant for Tessa, she dared not brazenly go against Kathleen either.
As such, she left quietly with Tessa, and the two very quickly returned to Group Two’s hectic rehearsals.
On the other hand, Kathleen grew even more livid as she looked in the direction the besties left.
What’s the meaning of this? Does she think she’s too good to speak to me now?!
“D*mn you, Tessa!” she cursed through gnashed teeth, unable to let it go.
How dare that b*tch despise her!
Suddenly, an idea hit her. How great it’d be if Tessa couldn’t show up for the concert.
Though inchoate, Kathleen was already hooked on the idea.
If that b*tch ruined the concert for Group Two, they would definitely loathe her when they had spent so much time and effort on it. Most importantly, Tessa would have to bear a massive responsibility by then, and if it got serious, she’d get kicked out of the orchestra!
Kathleen loved the idea the more she thought about it.
“Let’s see how you can still be cocky by then!” Kathleen smirked triumphantly, elated as she envisioned how the others would spurn Tessa very soon.
…
The following day, the orchestra followed Hathaway to the concert hall, for they would have to familiarize themselves with the venue beforehand.
As the hall was still being set up, they could find stagehands working away everywhere.
Since this was a grand concert, they had to redecorate most of the space. There were many changes to the setup on stage as well as the lighting, all of which looked super heavy. Most of the equipment were still on the stage, waiting to be fixed.
The crew chief caught sight of Hathaway and the others just then and approached them with a smile. “Miss Hathaway.”
Hathaway nodded in turn and asked, “How long more until the stage is ready?”
“It’ll be ready after we fix all the spotlights tomorrow,” answered the crew chief.
Pleased, Hathaway nodded and exhorted, “Tell them to be careful when they fix the lights and also have them double check after fixing them. Something like this cannot go wrong, or someone could get hurt. Forget about delaying the show—it’ll be terrible if something bad happens to anyone.”
“I know, so don’t worry,” promised the crew chief with a smile.
Kathleen happened to overhear their conversation, and she took a second glance at the yet-to-be-fixed spotlights, making a mental note of it as her gaze darkened.
Sometime later, Hathaway led the others around the venue so they could familiarize themselves with the space. Following that, she made a round of inspection. Seeing that everything was okay, she prepared to leave.
However, Kathleen suddenly spoke up. “Mom, I just remembered that I’ve left something on the stage. I want to go and get it.”
Hathaway didn’t give too much thought to it and let her retrieve what she left behind.
Meanwhile, Mona couldn’t help muttering while looking in the direction Kathleen went. “And she says we’re meddlesome. She had all the time to retrieve it earlier, but she had to wait until we’re about to leave to get it and make all of us wait for her.”
Tessa burst out a chuckle.
“Come on, just think of it as a break,” she said to Mona comfortingly while they looked for somewhere to sit, knowing her friend resented Kathleen because of her.
A few minutes later, Kathleen returned, and she was indeed holding something in her hand. “I’ve found it, Mom. Let’s go.”
Hathaway nodded, then told the others they could now leave.
The following day, Tessa and the other Group Two members went to the concert hall for rehearsal as planned.
At this point, Group Two was like a well-oiled machine, and they barely made any mistakes now.
Thus, their rehearsal went on pretty smoothly for the day.
However, just as everyone was packing up to leave, a strange noise came from above their heads.
Always Been Yours Chapter 770
Nicholas’ Injury
Everyone reflexively looked up, and lo and behold, a spotlight that was initially fixed onto the ceiling suddenly loosened and dropped.
Worst of all, Tessa happened to be standing right below it.
Everyone instantly turned apprehensive, for the injury would be life-threatening if the spotlight landed on them.
At that, everyone screamed.
“Oh God, everyone move!”
“Anyone who gets hit will be dead meat.”
“Tessa, get away!”
The faint-hearted ones dared not even look, covering their eyes with their hands.
Meanwhile, Mona was beside herself with fear when she saw that Tessa was still standing right below the falling spotlight. “Tessa, get away from there!” she screamed.
Tessa heard her, but her mind had gone blank then. She was petrified, only watching the spotlight fall toward her.
It happened all too fast.
Just when the spotlight was only inches away from Tessa, Nicholas showed up.
“Tessa!” His eyes widened in fear as he dashed toward Tessa, running the fastest he had ever run, and he pulled the petrified young woman into his arms to shield her from harm’s way.
Even so, he still didn’t manage to evade it entirely, for the falling spotlight landed on his shoulder.
Nicholas’ muffled groan and glass breaking traveled to Tessa’s ears. However, her brain was still lagging as it took some time to process what was happening. Once she came to herself, she turned around only to find her beloved pale-faced and bleeding on the shoulder. It was a gruesome sight. “Nicholas…”
“Thank goodness you’re okay.” He looked feebly at Tessa and relieved she was okay.
However, dizziness hit him just as he was about to comfort her, and he blacked out.
Tessa freaked out when Nicholas suddenly passed out and leaned toward her. “Nicholas, open your eyes, Nicholas!” she screamed in horror while her tears blurred her vision, but no matter how she shouted, the man in her arms gave no response.
Everyone came to themselves at this point, and someone called the ambulance while another called Hathaway.
All in all, it was chaos.
Mona, on the other hand, kept Tessa company and comforted her, saying, “Don’t panic, Tessa. President Sawyer will surely be okay.”
The rest echoed her sentiment.
“Mona’s right. President Sawyer will definitely be fine.”
“The ambulance is already on its way. Hang in there, Tessa.”
“Don’t you think it’s strange that the light would suddenly fall when it’s fixed properly onto the ceiling?”
“The stagehands must’ve slacked when they were cross-checking. We have to tell Miss Hathaway when she comes.”
“Of course. If it weren’t for President Sawyer, the one lying here would be Tessa!”
Likewise, Tessa thought it was weird that the spotlight would fall, but right now, she couldn’t think about anything else other than Nicholas. She held her beloved close as her tears fell like a never-ending waterfall.
Meanwhile, Hathaway and the stagehands had rushed over. Her face paled upon seeing the passed-out Nicholas and the damaged spotlight.
“How did this happen? Where’s the ambulance? Has anyone called for the ambulance?” she asked the group at once, and they all gave their answers at the same time.
“The ambulance is on its way.”
Sure enough, it came in no time and took Nicholas and Tessa to the nearest hospital.
“The patient has a hairline fracture on his shoulder, and his back also received quite a few flesh wounds. He would have to properly rest and recuperate for a while. In the meantime, don’t let him lift heavy objects or make any major movements.”
Tessa nodded in reply, worried as she reprimanded herself.
He had only just recovered from a shoulder injury, and now it was hurt again.
The doctor reflexively comforted her, seeing that she looked glum. “Though your husband will have to be hospitalized for a few days, his injury is already considered minor.”
The doctor wasn’t sugarcoating it, for if Nicholas had been a split second slower, the spotlight might have landed on his head, resulting in his death.