My heart stopped. What does Aunt Kim mean by an emergency? Another emergency like the one that freaked her out earlier, thinking mum was going to die? Or worse emergency? More Panic set in as I repeatedly dialed her number, only to be met with silence - her phone was off. Helplessness washed over me, trapped at work with no way to escape. Daniel wouldn't let me leave. Even if I could leave work, there was no way I would be able to locate the hospital. My mind raced with unanswered questions: How dire was mom's condition? When did things take a turn for the worse? Could I sneak away unnoticed? The uncertainty was suffocating. "I'm so sorry, mom," I whispered under my breath, my desperation palpable. I redialed Aunt Kim's number, my persistence finally rewarded when she answered, her voice a lifeline in my moment of despair. "Khloe baby" No one could possibly understand the relieve that washed through my body the moment I heard Aunt's voice."With the doctor's help, I was able to cove
"Good morning, Sir," I greeted, as I placed the steaming mug of coffee on Daniel's side table. I stood tall, my skirt falling just below my knees, my white blouse crisp and my blazer tailored to perfection. My name tag gleamed on my lapel. Despite how professional I looked, my eyes told a different story - heavy, swollen, and red from a sleepless night, haunted by the ominous words of Aunt Kim and the weight of my mother's illness.Daniel, lost in his own thoughts, didn't notice my distress at first, too focused on preparing for his meeting with his father. "Khloe, I have a meeting with my dad this morning. By 6:30pm, the both of us will be heading to my usual club," he said, his sleeves rolled up in preparation. But then, his gaze met mine. "What's wrong?" he asked, his concern unexpected.I hesitated, taken aback by his sudden concern, "My mom is really sick," I revealed, my voice barely above a whisper. "I need to be with her." The words felt like a dam breaking, releasing a torre
"Mr. Daniel, please could you grant this favor..I will work extra time and harder than usual." I pleaded with Daniel, the moment I saw him step out of his dad's room. He was with Carl, who casted a quick glance at my direction and walked away. Daniel had a worried and gloomy face on, and I was tempted to ask what was wrong, but obviously, none of my business. He tucked his arm on my elbow and pushed me aside. "Who is Carl's girlfriend?" He asked in a whisper, and my legs instantly became weak. Daniel couldn't find out about this. I struggled to free myself from Daniel's grasp, my heart racing with anxiety. "I...I don't who she is," I stuttered, trying to maintain a convincing tone. But Daniel's grip only tightened, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that made me squirm."I thought you and Nate are quite close. So, she hasn't mentioned anything about her boss's girlfriend?" He questioned, his voice laced with a bit of menace, while fastening his grip on me."Ye...yes sir" I re
The drive to the hospital was a grueling ordeal, a far cry from a smooth and peaceful journey. We found ourselves stuck in a seemingly endless traffic jam, with cars honking incessantly as frustrated drivers tried to navigate through the chaos. The cacophony of horns and revving engines was a stark contrast to the sense of urgency that drove us forward.As we inched along the congested road, I repeatedly tried calling Aunt Kim's number, only to be greeted by her voicemail each time. Fortunately, I had managed to get the name of the hospital during our last conversation, if not, we would have been completely stranded. The tension was obvious, the air thick with unease, as we navigated the chaotic roads. Despite the cool air blowing from the vents, I felt a trickle of sweat trace down my spine, my heart racing with every honk and swerve. Suddenly, a reckless driver veered into our lane, threatening to collide with Carl's car. My breath caught in my throat as Carl expertly swer
I felt someone's warm touch on my shoulder blade, and I turned to see Aunt Kim's radiant smile and a shopping bag clutched in her hand. The brief break from the hospital's antiseptic aura had worked wonders on her countenance, replacing her earlier tears with a vibrant glow. As she held out the bag, her eyes sparkled with kindness. "We got your favorite ice cream, sweetie!" The cold, creamy treat was a welcome balm for my frazzled nerves. I mouthed a silent "thank you" as I savored the sweet delight.My gaze wandered, searching for Carl, and Aunt Kim nodded toward the parking lot. "He is in the car, waiting for you. I think you should leave now." She planted a kiss on my forehead. As I turned back to my mother's still form, my mind snapped back to the present, and reality hit me like a ton of bricks. My eyes locked onto her motionless figure, and my heart ached with worry. A quick glance at my phone revealed the time - 6:30 pm - and a string of missed calls from Daniel, each one a rem
"Meet me at Roosevelt Club," Daniel's voice thundered through the phone, his tone devoid of warmth. The silence that followed was deafening, leaving me with a sense of agitation that made my heart race.Carl's eyes, filled with concern, locked onto mine. "What did he say?" he asked, his voice soft and gentle. I relayed Daniel's curt message, and Carl's eyebrows furrowed in inquiry. "Why do you think he wants to meet you there?" he asked with curiosity written all over his face.I shrugged, my shoulders trembling slightly. "I don't know," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. Carl's eyes seemed to bore into my soul. "I'll go with you," he offered, his voice firm and resolute. His eyes, filled with a deep empathy, seemed to say, 'I'm here for you, no matter what.' I felt a lump form in my throat, touched by his unwavering support."Thanks, Carl," I replied, my voice cracking slightly. "But I think you should head back home. I need to face Daniel alone." My words were laced with
As I sat on the ground, with my hand on my face, the headlights of Carl's car illuminated the dark driveway. He leapt out of the vehicle, his long strides devouring the distance between us. His face was a picture of fury, his eyes blazing like embers. "Don't tell me Daniel did this to you!!" he thundered, his voice like a crack of lightning that shook the air. "Where is Daniel?!!!!"I gestured weakly towards the club's back door, and Carl seemed to expand with rage, his chest heaving like a bellows. He looked like a knight ready to charge into battle, but I stopped him with a frail hand, my voice barely above a whisper, as I groaned in pain, "Please, Carl, just take me home."The anger in his eyes still simmered, like he was about to bring the whole world down. But as our gazes met, the anger eventually gave way to a softness I'd never seen before. He scooped me up from the ground with a tender strength, like I weighed nothing. He settled me into the back seat. Then, he rounded the ca
KHLOE'S P.O.VI knew sneaking out of the mansion without my boss's permission was a grave mistake, but my mother's dire condition had left me no choice. I had to see her, and Carl had equally given me the courage to do so. I didn't even get a chance to speak with her, since she was asleep through out my stay in the hospital. But then, Carl's unexpected kindness had been a balm to my soul. He'd not only driven me to the hospital, but also taken Aunt Kim out, giving her a little opportunity to breathe in fresh air. Her smile when they returned was so beautiful, and I felt a pang of gratitude towards Carl that sent shivers down my spine. The flutter in my chest, the longing to be near him, it all came flooding back.Yet, my thoughts soon snapped back to my boss, who I knew would obviously still be pissed at me. I needed to face him now, to apologize and beg for mercy. My heart raced at the uncertainty of meeting him this morning - would I get fired, or perhaps receive more slaps on my f
In the dimly lit garage, Carl swung open the passenger door, his eyes sparkling with excitement. I felt a rush of adrenaline as he urged me to get in, his words tumbling out in a persuasive whisper. My heart raced like a wild animal, making it hard to catch my breath. I fired questions at him, but he just smiled at me, his silence only adding to the mystery. He slid into the driver's seat, and turned the key in the ignition. The engine roared to life, and we sped off into the darkness, the tires screeching in protest. The only sound was the soft hum of the engine and the crunch of gravel beneath the wheels, leaving a trail of dust in our wake.As we drove, I glanced at the road, my mind racing with thoughts about my boss's schedule. "I have to go out with my boss by 10 PM. Are we going to be back before then?" I asked, my voice almost lost in the breeze of the night. Carl's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with mischief. "You won't be back today," he responded, his voice low and hu
CARL AND MR. WILLIAMS Carl meets with his father in his room. Mr. Williams' face was etched with a deep frown as Carl explained the situation of Khloe mum's illness. "She's too sick to meet with you, unless you're willing to visit her in the hospital," Carl said, knowing full well that his father would not agree to the suggestion. One thing, he and his dad had in common was the strong aversion to hospitals, the antiseptic smell and sterile atmosphere grating on their nerves. "What exactly is wrong with her?" Mr. Williams asked, his eyes peering out from behind his glasses, his voice laced with concern."She has a heart problem, and I think a kidney problem too." Carl responded."She is your future wife's mother, why don't you just fly her to the best surgeons." His father suggested."Yes, you are right. I would be discussing this with Khloe today." Carl responded. Mr. Williams still had no idea that his son's girlfriend actually works in his house, and under his payroll. Ca
MR. WILLIAMS P.O.VI stood before the sleek, silver vault in my suave, dimly lit bedroom. The soft, golden light of the bedside lamp cast a warm glow on the simple, yet elegant document that lay before me. It was a contract, one that had bound me to a promise I made years ago. I was dressed in a comfortable, yet stylish outfit - a crisp, white linen shirt, paired with dark pants, and a pair of my favorite slides. As I gazed at the document, my mind wandered back to the happy memories of my wife. Her bright, radiant smile and infectious laughter filled my thoughts. We were once so happy, so full of life and love. But then, something changed. A secret, one that I had kept hidden for so long, began to tear us apart.I shut the vault, and made my way to the bed, collapsing onto the soft, feathered duvet. My eyes closed, and my mind drifted back to the past, to the moments that had led me to this point. The memories came flooding back, like a bittersweet tidal wave, crashing against the s
DANIEL'S P.O.V I realized that caution was crucial in my quest to outdo my brother, as Carl seemed to be gaining the upper hand. I needed to tread carefully to avoid raising suspicions and refrain from confrontations with my brother, opting instead for a more subtle approach. I reached for my phone and sent a discreet message to Nate, requesting a meeting outside the house at 12 P.M. She vehemently agreed to the meeting without telling me how her boss might need her to be around. Nate's sudden cooperation with me was equally unsettling but then, I wasn't going to win this fight without her. As I sat at RESTON Restaurant, my eyes fixed on my watch, mesmerized by the ticking seconds and minutes creeping towards our appointed hour. Time seemed to slow, and I felt like a predator waiting for the perfect moment to strike. And then, without warning, Nate appeared before me, her presence announced only by the soft creak of the chair as she sat down. Her sudden arrival caught me off guard,
KHLOE'S P.O.VI knew sneaking out of the mansion without my boss's permission was a grave mistake, but my mother's dire condition had left me no choice. I had to see her, and Carl had equally given me the courage to do so. I didn't even get a chance to speak with her, since she was asleep through out my stay in the hospital. But then, Carl's unexpected kindness had been a balm to my soul. He'd not only driven me to the hospital, but also taken Aunt Kim out, giving her a little opportunity to breathe in fresh air. Her smile when they returned was so beautiful, and I felt a pang of gratitude towards Carl that sent shivers down my spine. The flutter in my chest, the longing to be near him, it all came flooding back.Yet, my thoughts soon snapped back to my boss, who I knew would obviously still be pissed at me. I needed to face him now, to apologize and beg for mercy. My heart raced at the uncertainty of meeting him this morning - would I get fired, or perhaps receive more slaps on my f
As I sat on the ground, with my hand on my face, the headlights of Carl's car illuminated the dark driveway. He leapt out of the vehicle, his long strides devouring the distance between us. His face was a picture of fury, his eyes blazing like embers. "Don't tell me Daniel did this to you!!" he thundered, his voice like a crack of lightning that shook the air. "Where is Daniel?!!!!"I gestured weakly towards the club's back door, and Carl seemed to expand with rage, his chest heaving like a bellows. He looked like a knight ready to charge into battle, but I stopped him with a frail hand, my voice barely above a whisper, as I groaned in pain, "Please, Carl, just take me home."The anger in his eyes still simmered, like he was about to bring the whole world down. But as our gazes met, the anger eventually gave way to a softness I'd never seen before. He scooped me up from the ground with a tender strength, like I weighed nothing. He settled me into the back seat. Then, he rounded the ca
"Meet me at Roosevelt Club," Daniel's voice thundered through the phone, his tone devoid of warmth. The silence that followed was deafening, leaving me with a sense of agitation that made my heart race.Carl's eyes, filled with concern, locked onto mine. "What did he say?" he asked, his voice soft and gentle. I relayed Daniel's curt message, and Carl's eyebrows furrowed in inquiry. "Why do you think he wants to meet you there?" he asked with curiosity written all over his face.I shrugged, my shoulders trembling slightly. "I don't know," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. Carl's eyes seemed to bore into my soul. "I'll go with you," he offered, his voice firm and resolute. His eyes, filled with a deep empathy, seemed to say, 'I'm here for you, no matter what.' I felt a lump form in my throat, touched by his unwavering support."Thanks, Carl," I replied, my voice cracking slightly. "But I think you should head back home. I need to face Daniel alone." My words were laced with
I felt someone's warm touch on my shoulder blade, and I turned to see Aunt Kim's radiant smile and a shopping bag clutched in her hand. The brief break from the hospital's antiseptic aura had worked wonders on her countenance, replacing her earlier tears with a vibrant glow. As she held out the bag, her eyes sparkled with kindness. "We got your favorite ice cream, sweetie!" The cold, creamy treat was a welcome balm for my frazzled nerves. I mouthed a silent "thank you" as I savored the sweet delight.My gaze wandered, searching for Carl, and Aunt Kim nodded toward the parking lot. "He is in the car, waiting for you. I think you should leave now." She planted a kiss on my forehead. As I turned back to my mother's still form, my mind snapped back to the present, and reality hit me like a ton of bricks. My eyes locked onto her motionless figure, and my heart ached with worry. A quick glance at my phone revealed the time - 6:30 pm - and a string of missed calls from Daniel, each one a rem
The drive to the hospital was a grueling ordeal, a far cry from a smooth and peaceful journey. We found ourselves stuck in a seemingly endless traffic jam, with cars honking incessantly as frustrated drivers tried to navigate through the chaos. The cacophony of horns and revving engines was a stark contrast to the sense of urgency that drove us forward.As we inched along the congested road, I repeatedly tried calling Aunt Kim's number, only to be greeted by her voicemail each time. Fortunately, I had managed to get the name of the hospital during our last conversation, if not, we would have been completely stranded. The tension was obvious, the air thick with unease, as we navigated the chaotic roads. Despite the cool air blowing from the vents, I felt a trickle of sweat trace down my spine, my heart racing with every honk and swerve. Suddenly, a reckless driver veered into our lane, threatening to collide with Carl's car. My breath caught in my throat as Carl expertly swer