"Miss Catherine, Mr. Martin wants you to come to his office immediately," my new boss said, appearing at my cubicle. "You can go up now. Have you finished that list I gave you?"I looked at that short, stocky man with his round tortoiseshell glasses and smiled. He was quite a character, but he was very kind and would hum all day long in the office.I had been assigned to the commercial department, where the entire floor was open with cubicles arranged in groups of four. The only enclosed office belonged to my boss. It was a busy and colorful environment, filled with noise - everyone was talking all the time, either on the phone or to each other. I found it so relaxed and interesting that I thought I would adapt well here. I had even made a friend already, but now with Mr. Martin calling, I worried he might have changed his mind about hiring me.I looked up and handed some folders to my boss, confirming:"Yes, Mr. Maurice, everything is organized here with reports. Would you like me to
Alexander’s POVI was completely in shock when Henry handed me a glass of cognac."Drink this, it'll calm you down. And after you're calm, tell me what happened," Henry said very seriously and picked up the phone. "Maurice, I'm giving Ms. Catherine the rest of the day off. Thank you."Henry hung up the phone, sat down across from me, and drank with me. After three shots, I finally managed to say:"I screwed everything up, Henry. I ruined my only chance at happiness. I love this woman, and I messed it all up, made her hate me."Henry took another sip of cognac and spoke softly:"Since when are you a defeatist who gives up at the first closed door?"I looked at him as if five more heads had grown on his neck - he didn't seem to understand that Catherine hated me."I'm going to call Patrick later and the three of us are going to get drunk at my place," he said, standing up. "Give me your car keys."While I was handing him my car keys, Henry called Patrick, and we left the office and went
I was exhausted. The week had been chaotic, and I wasn't sleeping well, crying myself to sleep every night. Having talked to Alexander yesterday hadn't helped either; it had left me even more devastated."Good morning, friend! How are you?" Mel walked into the kitchen and held my face between her hands, examining me."I'm a wreck, Mel. The makeup is just hiding the dark circles. I'm feeling so tired!"We heard the intercom ring, and Mel went to answer it while I finished giving Peter his breakfast. I was distracted watching my little one; he was my greatest love, and just looking at him calmed my heart. I knew I would have the strength to move forward because of him. He looked at me with a beautiful big smile and those bright violet eyes, and my heart swelled with love."You're mommy's love, young man!" I said to him, and he clapped his hands and blew me a kiss. My smile grew wider."Cat, it's for you." Mel came from the door holding an enormous arrangement of red tulips.They were bea
I looked around at everyone in that room, not understanding anything. Besides me and my boss Mr. Maurice, there were Melissa, Mr. Martin, Alexander, Patrick, Rick, Mari, and Alan.What was this about? I looked at Mel, and she shrugged, just as clueless as I was. Mr. Martin pulled out a chair, gesturing for me to sit next to Alexander. Was he kidding?I was already suspecting this was just another one of Alexander's tricks to get to talk to me. Of course, he wouldn't buy the system. But I would be professional and do my best there; at least my boss could evaluate my performance."Catherine, please, I know you're an excellent professional and can handle this," Henry spoke as if he had read my mind. "I asked for your presence because you worked at Group Miller and are familiar with the problem they're facing now.""Of course, sir. I'll help in any way I can." I sat down and acted professionally.Mr. Maurice began the software presentation, and I added insights and opinions. We made a good
When I looked around, the room was almost empty, with only Alexander still sitting in the same place. I was alone with him once again.I went to where I had been sitting to get my things, and as I approached, Alexander pulled me onto his lap, hugged me, and whispered in my ear:"You have no idea how much I miss you.""Alexander, please, don't do this to me," I begged."Please, Catherine, don't do this to us," he responded and kissed me.His tongue invaded my mouth in a sweet, slow, and torturous kiss. It felt so good to kiss him that for a moment, I forgot everything and kissed him back. He pressed me a little tighter against his chest, making me sigh. I felt desire growing inside me. My body reacted to him in a way that was impossible to control. I couldn't resist even the slightest of his touches.I shifted on his lap and felt his arousal against my bottom, and my body completely ignited, feeling my underwear getting wet. He briefly interrupted the kiss to whisper against my lips:"S
Alexander’s POVI sat stunned in that room, watching Catherine run out after kissing me as if she couldn't live without me. I stared at the door in confusion for a moment.It wasn't until Patrick and Henry walked in that I started thinking clearly again. She had kissed me, she had returned my kiss. And I knew her body - she trembled in my arms. She wanted me just as much as I wanted her. I smiled with that certainty and was even more determined not to give up on her."Catherine bolted out of here like lightning, Alexander," Henry commented."She loves me. She's angry, hurt, but she loves me," I said, smiling."Alright, Romeo, but what happened?" Patrick was always so curious."We kissed. And what a kiss it was. I'm sure she loves me. I'll never give up on her," I told my friends.For the rest of the afternoon, I tried calling Catherine. She rejected all my calls until the last time when it went straight to voicemail. But she wasn't going to get rid of me that easily.I left the office
Alexander’s POVWhat a fucking hangover! I hated being hungover, which is why I rarely drank, and certainly not as much as I did last night with the guys. Shit! My head's about to explode.Last night, each of us had our reasons to drink ourselves stupid. So we got together and got wasted like college kids in a frat house. But now I wanted to die just to escape this headache.Patrick stumbled into my office supported by Mari. She helped him sit down next to me on the couch, and the office maid, Mrs. Margaret, came in behind them with a tray. She smiled at us and couldn't help herself:"Some hangover you've got there, bosses! You're not eighteen anymore." She started laughing at our misery. "Miss Mari, I'll go get them some trash cans in case they need to throw up."Mari burst out laughing. Patrick and I looked at each other, acknowledging our defeat."The only reason I'm not firing you, Mrs. Margaret, is because you take care of us and Mari's already leaving." I said, watching Mrs. Marg
Alexander’s POVI entered the ballroom looking for Patrick, but couldn't find him or Rick anywhere. Damn! Everything was spinning! I needed to get out of there. I decided to go to my office and lie down for a while.I started making my way across the ballroom, greeting some people with a nod. Then I felt arms around my waist and a sickeningly sweet perfume. Before I knew it, Anna was dragging me through the ballroom, chatting with people. But I was so dizzy, so drunk again, that I couldn't even break free from her.She pulled me out of the ballroom and started kissing me. I tried to stop her, but she wouldn't let go, and I didn't have enough strength to push her away. She called the elevator and pushed me inside."Alex, I can see you're drunk. Let's go to your office, you can rest a bit, have some water, and then we'll go back," she said in that awful screeching voice of hers."Anna, let go of me, I need to find Patrick," I slurred."How about this - you go to your office, and I'll loo
I woke up alone and heard noise coming from the kitchen. I got up and found my two men having an animated conversation about the "new house." Alexander and Peter were sitting having breakfast. Alexander had prepared hot chocolate and a grilled cheese sandwich for Peter, who was smiling and chewing while listening to his dad talk. The table was beautifully set with fruits, juice, yogurt, bread, cold cuts, eggs, and cookies. I leaned against the doorframe and watched them - they were already dressed and showered. Had I slept that long? I didn't even know what time it was."Mommy!" Peter was the first to spot me and sound the alarm."Good morning, sweetie!" I walked towards my little boy and gave him a kiss on the forehead. "Good morning to you too." I turned and gave Alexander a quick kiss."Good morning, angel! Come, we made breakfast, right Peter?""Yes, daddy!" Peter was in his morning happiness mode that I never understood where it came from."I didn't want to wake you, you were tire
When we got home, Peter took a box of building blocks from his room and spread them on the living room carpet. Alexander sat down with him, and they spent the afternoon playing and watching cartoons.After dinner, Peter was exhausted. He fell asleep in his father's arms, who insisted on putting him to bed. Coming back to the living room, Alexander hugged me on the couch."Angel, we need to talk." Alexander sighed. "There's so much I want to know. But I also have some things to tell you. I don't know where to start.""Start by telling me about New York," I asked, sitting facing him."It was Friday, the day we arrived there. We went to a bar at night, and Liz showed up. I was upset and losing hope that you'd come back to me. You were dating Levy. So I went to Liz's apartment. It was stupid, but it was just that one time." Alexander closed his eyes. "And like you said, I was with her, but I could only think of you.""I won't say I didn't care, because I cared a lot. But I won't fight with
It didn't take long for Lygia to enter, pulling Peter by his little hand. When he saw Alexander, he let go and ran towards him."Alexandaaa!" Peter stretched out his little arms, and Alexander crouched down, picking him up."Peter. My boy." Alexander was crying, overwhelmed with emotion from having his son in his arms. I looked around, and everyone was crying, including me."Alexanda, I missed you. You didn't come to play with me anymore," Peter complained."Oh, my boy, I'm dying of missing you too." Alexander spoke as they hugged each other tightly."Hi, Mommy." Peter turned to me. "Uncle Patrick sent for us.""That's right. And aren't you going to say hi to everyone?" I asked him."Ah, Mommy, I missed Alexanda so much!" He said, resting his little head on Alexander's shoulder, who couldn't stop crying. "Hi, everyone!" Peter waved and looked around, greeting everyone at once. "Why are you crying, Alexanda?""Because I'm so happy to see you," Alexander could barely speak. "Sorry, every
Alexander’s POV"What's going on?" I heard Catherine's voice and went to her. She had woken up because of all the commotion."My angel, I'll tell you later. Fred, please take Cat to the library," I asked Fred, knowing he would protect her."No, I want to know what's happening," Catherine insisted."Oh, so this is the beggar you fell in love with?" Liz started saying. "I heard you got involved with some nobody. But honey, don't fool yourself, because he loves me!""Are you crazy, Liz? Whatever we had ended a long time ago.""I don't think so, Alex. You had me every way possible in New York last week!" Liz taunted."You street trash, I'm going to mess up that cynical face of yours so bad that no surgeon will be able to fix it this time." Melissa went crazy, grabbing Liz by the hair again. The chaos was set."ENOUGH!" We heard Catherine's shout. "Mel, let go of that bitch."Melissa released her and looked at her friend. Catherine stood up, adjusted her dress and hair, and walked toward Li
Alexander’s POVAfter everything that happened today, all I wanted is to go home and see my son. “My son! Peter is my son!” But because of the medication, Catherine passed out on Patrick's couch. She didn't want to go to one of the bedrooms, said she wanted to stay close to everyone, so I sat down and put her head in my lap. She fell asleep with my fingers in her hair.Dr. Molina told us to wait until she wakes up before leaving, gave me lots of information about her pregnancy and many details about Peter's pregnancy, which he also monitored. After talking for a long time, he said goodbye and left. Alan took the cue and left too, and Mari ended the video call."So, father of the year, how are you feeling?" Patrick asked excitedly. "Because I'm going to end Melissa and Fred's reign and become the most doting uncle in the world.""Keep dreaming, Patrick! You might outdo Fred, but me, darling? Impossible!" Melissa said, making everyone laugh."Patrick, I don't even have the right words to
Sam rushed into my office and said:"Cat, we need to go. Patrick called and told us to hurry to his house. Something's going on, everyone's there.""This is all so strange! I thought Patrick and Alan were acting weird," I commented."I noticed that too. But let's go, he said it's urgent and the driver is waiting for us in the garage."I grabbed my purse and left with Sam. Dennis was behind us and seemed even tenser than usual. He put us in the car and got in the front seat, which was unusual.When we left the building's parking lot, I looked out the window and saw that woman, Liz, at the building entrance. A chill ran through my entire body. What was happening?When we arrived at Patrick's house, I was shocked. Even the girls were there. Even Mari via video conference. And it seemed like everyone was crying. My head was spinning; in just a few seconds, I thought of the most terrible things, felt my knees weaken, and passed out.When I came to, I was lying on the couch, and Alexander wa
Alexander’s POVPatrick was acting very strange. He seemed distressed. When we arrived at his house, besides us and Alan, Henry and Fred were also there. How weird."What's going on?" I said, starting to get nervous."Sit down," Patrick said, and I sat. "Remember when we fired Cat, I asked my friend from the police department to investigate her?""Yes. But that doesn't matter anymore," I said, shrugging."No, it wouldn't," Patrick was very nervous. "She really is an incredible person, very correct and honest. But he discovered something." He looked at Fred. "He found out who Peter's father is.""No way? Seriously?" Fred was surprised. "Man, I never spoke to Cat or Mel, but I tried to find this guy when Cat got pregnant and couldn't. Who is it?""Hold on," Patrick said. "Almost at the same time, Alan came to my office with the report about the investigation of the woman you've been looking for all this time, Alexander. He found her."I looked at Patrick, unable to decide if I was happy
Patrick’s POVAlexander was euphoric. Yesterday at the end of the day, Rick and I convinced him to get rid of Liz before talking to Cat. Liz had been calling him persistently, and we thought it would be a problem. Rick told him to resolve it before causing Catherine any more suffering. In the end, he agreed.Rick's sisters said they would have the answer he wanted by the end of today, as it was the day Liz's mother would be at the salon. So we had to wait. Today I had a lot of work piled up, so the day would pass quickly.When I saw Cat sitting at her desk, I was very happy; she seemed much better. I exchanged a few quick words with her and went to my office. Soon the phone rang. Samantha told me it was Dr. Flavian Moreno, and asked to put the call through."Flavian, my friend, how are you?""Hi, Patrick. I'm a bit embarrassed, man, the job you asked for took longer than I expected. The lady is very discreet.""Man, I had completely forgotten about that. In the end, we discovered she w
I took yesterday off, and today I was ready for battle. I had rested, thought a lot, and put my head in order. I would go to work and talk to Alexander. I found it strange that he hadn't reached out to me yet.I felt somewhat insecure, wondering if he had forgotten about me. That woman who kissed him in the reception area, could she be the woman he was looking for? If so, Virginia and Patrick were wrong, and Alexander had already forgotten me. Thinking about this made me sad. I needed to know.When Rick arrived, I called him for coffee in the break room. He would know the answers."Pretty woman, how are you?" Rick asked, examining my face."I'm fine, Rick, thanks for taking me home. I passed out before getting there, sorry.""Don't mention it, Cat. That's what friends are for. It was my pleasure to put you to bed." He said, making me laugh at his double entendre."Thank you anyway. But there's something I want you to answer.""Sure, what do you want to know?""Who's that woman?" Rick s