A few days later
Shonee’s POV
It was finally the day of the NYU Grand Opening Event, and I would be lying if I said Mirasol wasn’t buzzing with excitement.
This was her first time performing in something major like this and she was more than ready to give it her all. I couldn’t have been prouder of her. She has come a long way from the quiet and gloomy kid I met the first time I got here.
It was rather unfortunate that her dad didn’t see it as his mistake.
After that talk we had a few nights ago, Vincent has been ghosting us, disappearing early in the morning, and returning home late at night when everyone was fast asleep.
It wasn’t really a bother, after all, Mirasol and I had grown used to not having him around. But despite his reluctance to accept the truth, I wasn’t about to let him miss out on his daughter’s first live performance. This event really meant a lot to Mirasol, and he needed to be there. That was why I took the liberty to leave sticky note reminders on his home office door. I also stuck a few of them on his bedroom door just in case he doesn’t go to his office.
Picking up the can of hairspray, I gave it one last spritz over Mirasol’s newly styled her.
“Ok, we’re all set.” I twirled her around in her chair, bringing it to a stop in front of the mirror. “What do you think?”
Mirasol touched one of her dark curls, allowing it to bounce in her hand. “It’s so princessy, I love it!”
“Sure, you do. Now go put on your shoes. We’re leaving in the next few minutes.” I turned off the curlers and gave my high ponytail a quick brush. My make-up, jewellery and everything else were intact and I smiled, running a hand over my purple halter neck gown. It was the only evening gown I had, and though it wasn’t as fanciful as the ones Avril usually wears, I really liked the simplicity it carried.
Grabbing my clutch, I exited Mirasol’s bedroom, heading towards the living room. “Gerta?” I yelled. “Where are you? We’re ready to…oh.” My feet came to an abrupt halt.
Standing right in the living room was Vincent, smartly dressed in a tuxedo that exuded everything he was: wealth and sophistication. The sleek black fabric of his pants and jacket accentuated his tall, slender frame, while the crisp white shirt beneath added a touch of refinement. A black satin bow tie completed the ensemble, perfectly matching the polished shoes that gleamed under the living room chandelier.
“Umm…” I cleared my throat, trying to mask the sudden effect his… attractiveness was having on me. “I see you got my reminders.”
“Yeah, all six of them. They weren’t hard to miss,” he replied, eyes scanning my body as I walked closer.
His gaze put me on edge, and I almost fell when he said, “You look beautiful.”
I swear, my face was minutes away from exploding from all the rush of heat, feelings, and butterflies. It took a minute to find my voice and when it came out, it was so soft and mellow that I doubted if Vincent heard my thank you.
“I don’t usually say this but…” he paused, drawing in a breath. “I owe you an apology.”
My eyebrows flew up. Holy shit, Vincent Beckham is apologizing to me.
“Everything you said the other night was true. I was just…struggling to accept it because I had convinced myself that focusing on work was the best way to secure a better future for Mirasol, forgetting that there’s no point doing that when it means my relationship with her will fall apart.” He put his arms behind him and took in a deep breath. “Thank you for helping me realize that. Maybe Avril hiring you as a nanny wasn’t a bad idea after all.”
I stood there, stunned, absorbing his words.
Vincent's confession was unexpected, and his vulnerability caught me off guard. It was a side of him I hadn't seen before, a side that acknowledged his mistakes and was willing to make amends. “Who are you? And what have you done with the real Vincent Beckham?”
Though he tried suppressing it, a small smile tugged at his lips.
At least he has a sense of humour.
Our moment of reconciliation came to an end when Mirasol came running in. “Daddy!”
Vincent didn’t hesitate to catch her in a tight hug. “Whoa, look at you.” His little daughter twirled under his arm. “You look absolutely stunning, Mirasol.”
“Thank you!” She beamed. “You look stunning too.”
Vincent chuckled, somehow sending a ripple of warmth through me.
“Aww.” Gerta walked in through the front door, holding her hands against her chest. “You all look so wonderful tonight.”
“Thank you,” I smiled as I approached the elderly woman. “Are you sure you don’t want to come with us? I have a friend at the gallery, and he told me we could come with as many people as we’d like.”
“I appreciate the invite, but I think I’ll be heading home tonight,” she grinned. “It’s my oldest son’s birthday and he is throwing a party at his place. I told him I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Oh ok.” I gave her a pat on the back before turning to Vincent and Mirasol. “Then I guess we should be leaving now.”
“Oh, you should take a picture before you leave,” Gerta quickly recommended.
“Yay! Pictures!” Mirasol cheered.
“Fine,” Vincent heaved out and handed Gerta his phone. “Just a few and we’re on our way.”
As he and Mirasol decided to take the picture in front of the fireplace, I stood at Gerta’s side, watching as she opened the camera app.
“What are you doing over there?”
I looked up to find Vincent’s questioning gaze on me.
“Hm?”
“Get over here.”
“Wait, you want me in the picture too?”
Vincent raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a half-smile. "Of course. You're part of this family moment, aren't you?"
My heart skipped a beat at the unexpected invitation. Slowly, I joined them in front of the fireplace, feeling a blend of awkwardness and warmth.
"Okay, everyone, on three. One... two..." Gerta counted down, her finger poised over the capture button. Just as she reached three, Vincent pulled me closer to him and Mirasol and the unexpected gesture sent a shiver down my spine. I couldn't help but blush as the camera clicked.
"Perfect!" Gerta exclaimed, grinning at the photo she had just captured. "Now, off you go and make this night unforgettable!"
As we left the house, the atmosphere was charged with a newfound energy. The night held promises of not only a successful event but also the potential for healing and growth within the Beckham family.