Echoes Of Yesterday
1. Happy Birthday
Get ready for the captivating sequel to "Love Me At My Worst"! Story revolves around Beatrice Belrose, a spirited French-Australian girl, and Dennis Richards Hernandez, yes, the first son of Vivian Richards Hernandez. Dennis has grown up with the Richards family since he was little.
I started this story with Beatrice's teenage years, right around her 18th birthday. This was when life's challenges began to unfold for her and Dennis. Dennis discovered truths about himself that were eye-opening and transformative. Meanwhile, Beatrice experienced a profound personal realization about herself, setting the stage for their journeys of growth and self-discovery.
Unlike Timothée and Vivi's sweet love story, this narrative delves into more complex themes of family and career challenges.
It doesn't focus on their childhood, but that period holds significant importance in shaping who they are. As Beatrice and Dennis navigate adulthood, they confront personal and external obstacles that test their resilience and redefine their paths forward.
The girl sat at her desk, her long hair cascading around her face, but her green eyes were fixed unwaveringly on her book. She was completely absorbed in her reading, her focused gaze reflecting her deep concentration amidst the soft fall of her hair.
The girl's phone suddenly buzzed, pulling her attention away from her book. She reached for it and unlocked the screen to see a message that read, "Happy birthday sugar."
A wide smile lit up her face, and a gentle blush tinted her cheeks in response to the sweet greeting.
With a warm feeling in her chest, she quickly tapped out a reply, expressing her gratitude. The unexpected birthday wish brought a moment of joy to her midnight study session.
Beatrice Belrose
💬 Thank you, Mr. Hernandez.
She turned off her screen after replying, but suddenly her phone started ringing. Looking at the caller ID, she facepalmed with a playful smile, recognizing the caller. Despite the interruption, there was a hint of amusement as she answered the call.
Dennis Richards Hernandez
📱 Happy birthday, sugar.
Dennis's sleepy and rough voice carried a surprising gentleness that could make hearts flutter across the female population.
Beatrice Belrose
📱 You are tired?
As Bea was like a second mother to the three young Richards, she immediately recognized the signs of Dennis's fatigue.
Dennis Richards Hernandez
📱 Ohh God... How do you know?
Beatrice Belrose
📱 Seriously shouldn't you be sleep-
Dennis Richards Hernandez
📱 Can we ignore the fact that I am tired and focus on you... who's the birthday girl here and has turned 18.
Dennis Richards Hernandez
📱 Don't, sugar.
Dennis Richards Hernandez
📱 You don't turn 18 every day.
Beatrice Belrose
📱 It's just me getting old, Dennis.
Dennis Richards Hernandez
📱 Shut up. It's your special day.
Beatrice Belrose
*sigh*
📱 Okay, fine. Happy birthday to me, little Denny.
Dennis Richards Hernandez
📱 Good.
Beatrice Belrose
📱 Now sleep please.
Dennis Richards Hernandez
📱 Yea fine. I had to do a lot of practice today and then... Mrs. Sterling called me to bring in the new lab equipment.
Dennis Richards Hernandez
📱 I really think she is a Karen.
Beatrice Belrose
*chuckles*
📱 I don't know.
Dennis Richards Hernandez
📱 I can't even lift my hand now. Btw, tell me what gift do you want?
Beatrice Belrose
📱 Can I ask "you"?
Bea and Dennis shared a laid-back relationship filled with playful banter and flirtation, characterized by mutual understanding and devoid of any offense or tension.
Dennis Richards Hernandez
📱 I am yours already.
Beatrice Belrose
📱 Ohh, thank you... I don't want anything then.
Dennis Richards Hernandez
📱 Still ask for something. I got paid.
Beatrice Belrose
📱 Wow... Save that for your future girlfriend's pocket emptying demands.
Dennis Richards Hernandez
📱 Na, girlfriend shit isn't my thing. It's Jerry's.
Beatrice Belrose
📱Anyways go to bed right now
Dennis Richards Hernandez
📱 Aaa-
Beatrice Belrose
📱 Or birthday girl will be angry.
Dennis Richards Hernandez
📱 Ohh. Shoot. Your wish is my command, my lady.
Beatrice Belrose
📱 Good. 😌
Dennis Richards Hernandez
📱 By th-
Before Dennis could say anything, Bea swiftly ended the call and returned to her study session.
At the chapter's close, Bea resumed her studies, dismissing whatever Dennis had been about to say during their call.
2. Friends
The following morning, Bea rose early and dressed in a stunning blue dress adorned with white lace around the hem and sleeves. She then gathered her brunette locks into a carefree, messy bun, adding a touch of effortless charm to her look.
Bea smiled at her reflection in the mirror, pleased with her look in the blue dress and messy bun.
Beatrice Belrose
(Jo messaged me at night to get ready early in the morning and come to her home.)
After getting ready, Bea descended the stairs, her heart filled with excitement for the day ahead.
In the living room, Bea's mother was skillfully braiding her sister's hair in a traditional French style.
Bea, not understanding the hairstyle, didn't pay them much attention as she headed toward the door. However, her stepfather William stopped her before she could leave.
William Harrison
Where are you going, Bea?
Beatrice Belrose
*turns to him*
Bea felt immediately uncomfortable when she noticed William's lascivious gaze fixated on her.
Beatrice Belrose
Going out.
Beatrice Belrose
Apparently, I have turned 18 today, so I'm going to celebrate it.
As she spoke, her eyes instinctively drifted towards her mother, who was in the midst of braiding her sister's hair.
The movement of her mother's hands paused momentarily, the fingers gently holding a strand of hair frozen in midair.
Eleanor Moreau
Ohh, happy birthday, Bea. ☺️
Arielle Moreau
What's so special about turning 18?
Bea rolled her eyes at Arielle and chose not to reply. As she turned to open the door, William interrupted her once more by holding the door knob and pushing it closed again, preventing her from leaving.
She clenched her jaw in irritation but dared not look up, unwilling to meet his lecherous gaze.
William Harrison
Celebrate your birthday with your family, Bea.
Beatrice Belrose
I am afraid I can't and I don't want to.
Beatrice Belrose
And please don't block the door. It's very irritating.
*glares at him*
William Harrison
............
Eleanor Moreau
Bea, what's with your tone-
Bea angrily barged open the door and left immediately.
After leaving her house, Bea closed the door firmly behind her and leaned against it, feeling a mix of hurt over her forgotten birthday and anger towards William's audacity earlier.
Memories of William's smug demeanor made her jaw clench with frustration as she fought back tears, her fists tightening at her sides.
Beatrice Belrose
(I hate that bastard... He is not my dad. Who does he think he is? What makes him think that he will take over the decisions of my life?)
But when Bea looked up ahead, she saw the three young Richards standing on the side lane in front of their home, each wearing birthday hats. Jeremy held a party bomb, and Dennis seemed excited to sing an embarrassingly loud rendition of "Happy Birthday."
Journey extended her arms in a gesture of a hug, and Bea eagerly ran towards them, embracing Journey with joy.
Jeremy playfully popped the party bomb over Bea's head, showering her with confetti. Some of them got on her hair and shoulder. Dennis quickly patted her hair to help clear away the confetti that landed on her.
Dennis Richards Hernandez
Don't ruin her hair, dumbass.
Jerome Richards
I am not ruining her hair
Bea broke the hug and looked at the three Richards standing before her wearing a weird and embarrassing birthday hat.
Bea realized she did not need to hide her tears in front of these three.
She smiled through her tears grateful for the simple kindness and reminder that she was surrounded by friends who cared.
As the chapter drew to a close, the Richards began their rendition of a personalized, slightly embarrassing version of "Happy Birthday."
3. Megatron
Bea, still recovering from her crying session, stands on the sidewalk as three enthusiastic Richards, in the middle of the road, start belting out a spirited but slightly off-key rendition of "Happy Birthday."
Passersby glanced over, some smiling at the unexpected spectacle. Bea's cheeks flush with a mix of amusement and mild embarrassment, but she can't help but laugh along with them.
As the Richards continued their off-key birthday serenade in the middle of the road, Bea, feeling increasingly embarrassed, had to intervene. She quickly ushered them inside their home.
Beatrice Belrose
Goood... Why are you three so aggressive?
Journey Richards
We have Richards blood in our veins.
Jerome Richards
Yesssss... Aunt Vivi was even crazier than us in her teenage years.
Beatrice Belrose
*facepalms*
What could be worse than world war?
Beatrice Belrose
The three Richards together.
All three of them burst into laughter, finding the humor in the situation. Meanwhile, Bea couldn't help but roll her eyes playfully, perhaps used to their antics but still amused by their infectious laughter.
Hillary Richards
Bea, I will tell you truthfully. they are not my children.
Beatrice Belrose
Haha... See, aunt Hil was embarrassed too.
Hillary Richards
I was not embarrassed because they were singing this song aloud in the middle of the road but because they have ugly voices.
Beatrice Belrose
Ohh damn. 🤦🏻♀️
Jerome Richards
Our mom is crazy like us, Bea. 😌
Beatrice Belrose
🤦🏻♀️ Yea, yea.
Dennis Richards Hernandez
By the way, I brought you a gift.
Bea tilted her head in warm surprise but also frowned as she had told him firmly not to bring her any gift
Ignoring Bea's reaction, Dennis disappeared into the kitchen briefly before emerging with a mysterious box. The sudden appearance of the box piqued everyone's curiosity and confusion. They all exchanged glances, wondering what Dennis could possibly be up to.
Beatrice Belrose
Dennnnnisss... what's inside... This must be costly.
Beatrice Belrose
I told you I don't need anything.
Dennis Richards Hernandez
*grins*
Open it.
Journey Richards
Yea open it fast... I have a gift for you too.
Jerome Richards
Yea... This man has kept this box in his room for 7 days.
Beatrice Belrose
*surprised*
You bought my gift 7 days ago...
Dennis Richards Hernandez
Aaa yea... Open it please. believe me, it's the best thing and you can't refuse it.
Beatrice Belrose
*sighs in defeat*
Fine.
Bea's expression shifted from surprise to delight as she opened the box and discovered the unexpected gift inside. Her eyes widened, and she smiled widely as she carefully retrieved the gift.
To everyone's shock, Bea revealed a hamster nestled in her hands.
Jerome Richards
A hamster....
*frowns*
Journey Richards
OMG... It's so adorable. How do you know she liked hamsters a lot.
Dennis Richards Hernandez
Well that's obvious... We talk a lot at night. So she mentioned it to me.
Beatrice Belrose
*looks at the hamster and kisses it*
I love you already.
Beatrice Belrose
what it is name?
Dennis Richards Hernandez
Huh?
Beatrice Belrose
It's name?
*looks up at him*
Dennis Richards Hernandez
Aaa... Yea... He was staying at my home for 7 days, so I gave him a name...
Dennis Richards Hernandez
it's Megatron.
*looks away*
Journey Richards
*jaw drops dramatically*
Wot?
Jerome Richards
*pats his shoulder*
We are men.
Beatrice Belrose
Uhh... Yea... Hi, Megatron.
Journey approached Dennis with narrowed eyes, glaring at him, and pointed her index finger directly at him, indicating her disapproval or demand for an explanation.
Journey Richards
That's my best friend, not yours.
Dennis Richards Hernandez
Ohh really?
To tease Journey, Dennis playfully wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer to him. Bea was taken aback by this sudden action and looked at Dennis with surprise or confusion.
Dennis Richards Hernandez
Now she is mine.
Beatrice Belrose
*looks down*
*blushing*
Jerome Richards
*sigh*
These kids.
As the chapter concluded, Journey and Dennis found themselves engaged in a heated bickering match, leaving Bea standing beside them, her cheeks flushed pink. She awkwardly attempted to shift her focus to Megatron, subtly maneuvering away from Dennis's firm grip on her shoulder.
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