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
"Good morning, beautiful Cat!" Melissa walked into the kitchen in her pajamas, bubbling with excitement. "And is the most beautiful baby in the world already awake?" she asked, planting a kiss on my son's forehead."I wake up early, godmother," Peter replied with his unique morning enthusiasm."Good morning, Mel. All this joy is because Fred's coming today, right?" I asked, laughing at my friend dancing around the kitchen."Oh, Cat, my sweetheart arrives today, and I'm dying to see him!" She batted her eyelashes dramatically, placing her hands over her heart."Well then, let's have breakfast, get ready, and go prepare his apartment for his arrival," I said, happy for my friend.After breakfast, we walked to the apartment Fred had bought, which was conveniently close to ours. Mel had spent the week coordinating furniture and appliance deliveries, and we'd planned to come today to put everything in place and do a thorough cleaning.Lygia stayed with Peter in our apartment - I didn't want
Samantha’s POVI saw Henry get out of bed, pick up the phone from the floor, and try to speak, but the call had already ended. He came to me and hugged me."Sam, what did you hear?" Henry asked softly."H-he, he laughed." I was trembling and crying."Who, Sam? Do you know who it was?""It was R-Romulus." I looked at him feeling panic tightening my throat."Sam, what did he say?" I noticed the concern in Henry's voice."Nothing. It was like always, the breathing, but then he laughed and I know his laugh. It's Romulus, Henry.""Calm down. I'm going to turn off your phone. Tomorrow I'll tell Flavian about this. Sam, I think we should change your number.""Yeah, you're right, that's better." I agreed, as I didn't want to hear from Romulus anymore."Good, I'll take care of it first thing tomorrow. Now, I'm going to put you to bed and make you some tea."Henry tucked me into bed, covered me, and gave me a kiss on the forehead. When he returned to the bedroom, he brought a tray with tea and b
Samantha’s POV"My goddess, I'm so glad you're here! I've been missing you like crazy," Henry said between kisses."I missed you too!" I nestled into his lap."How was your girls' night?""It was fantastic! We're planning to spend a weekend at Hebe's beach house.""We're going... just you girls or...?""All of us, handsome. I'm not spending the whole weekend away from you.""Hmm, I like that! So, are we getting married this weekend?""It's in a month, Henry.""Alright. But until then, how about we practice for the honeymoon?" Henry traced his nose along my neck. "I'm desperately missing losing myself in you.""Are you reading my mind?" He smiled."Come here, future wife. I'm taking you to bed." He helped me up and looked at Cinnamon. "Buddy, you're staying downstairs tonight." The dog looked at him as if he understood and let out a whimper. The scene made me laugh."I need to take a shower," I said when we reached the bedroom."Ah yes, a shower is an excellent idea." Henry sat me on th
Samantha’s POVThe weekend at my grandmother's house was more than perfect. I wasn't expecting Henry to propose, and he made the most beautiful proposal in the world. I confessed I was never the type of woman who dreamed about marriage, wedding dresses, and all those things, but now that I'm engaged, I was excited and eager."Oh my God, I'm engaged!" I said to myself in the closet, looking at the ring and band on my hand."Yes, Nightingale, we're engaged, and I want to set a date for our wedding." Henry hugged me from behind, making me lean back against his chest as he kissed the top of my head.I was so lost in my thoughts that I hadn't even noticed him coming in. He was ready for work, looking handsome in that charcoal suit that made his emerald green eyes stand out even more. I was so distracted that I was still in my robe."My handsome, how about a month from now?""Too far away," he complained, kissing my neck."I don't want to rush into things like what happened with Catherine. A
Hebe’s POVI would like to know what goes through my brother's mind, because sometimes Henry completely lost focus and went downhill. I gave precise instructions - one dog, just one small dog - then I came back from a wonderful trip and got my kids back with two dogs, and Clara's dog was almost as big as her. I felt like sending both the dogs and the kids back to his house.Of course, he had a ready-made speech when I called him furiously questioning the two dogs. The worst part is that he convinced me - he always did, ever since we were kids it was like that, I did everything he wanted. However, my kids were two little troublemakers and I knew it. They were two little rascals who manipulated their uncle however they wanted, and inevitably, I felt manipulated by extension, because after Henry gave in to their wishes, he made me give in to his own desire to please his niece and nephew.I had no choice but to take the little troublemakers back with two dogs. To my surprise, the small one
Henry’s POVI coordinated with Clara to keep Sam away from the backyard, keeping her busy with knitting alongside her and her grandmother. I asked Enzo to help with the plans I'd made with Pearl and Joaquin for Samantha's surprise. We would set up the dinner table in the backyard, which was full of flowers and beautifully maintained.The hours flew by, and we managed to get everything ready. Pearl told me that when Sam was a child, she used to play a lot in this backyard and always loved it here, so it was perfect for what I wanted to do.I talked with Elenice, since I was in her house, and she became emotional about what I wanted to do. She secretly called me to her room and gave me something very special to add to my surprise. Her gesture touched me deeply.That evening, dinner was served in the backyard. Elenice had two housekeepers who had put great effort into everything, and they were excellent cooks. We had dinner amid lively conversation and laughter. Then, before dessert, I pr
Henry’s POVAfter what happened at the mall with Enzo, I scheduled a meeting with my mother and Hebe. I needed to let them both know about the situation before traveling. Of course, Hebe was furious - she's a lioness mother, and after discovering Reynold's true colors, she didn't want him anywhere near the children.I took the opportunity to tell them about the surprise I was preparing for Samantha. I was anxious and worried. My mother and Hebe tried to calm me down, saying that Sam would love it.The rest of the week flew by, and early Saturday morning, we traveled to Sam's grandmother's house in the countryside, a bit far from our city. Samantha was excited and very animated. We arrived at her grandmother's house at lunchtime. Sam went in like a child, running through the house until she found her grandmother in the kitchen and wrapped her in a long hug."Grandmaaa!" Samantha was overjoyed."Sassy, my dear, I've missed you so much!" The petite lady with gentle eyes hugged Samantha."
Enzo’s POV"Sweetie, are you really going to spend the weekend away from me?" Luna was hugging my waist with a sad face."Baby doll, it's just one weekend. Besides, your parents are taking you to the farm. I'm just going to meet aunt Sam's grandmother and I'll be back quickly," I explained to Luna once again."Oh my god, you two are so mushy!" Ivy made a face at us."That's because we're in love, sis," Luna told her sister."Oh, sure!" Ivy smiled.We were at the mall waiting for aunt Sam and uncle Henry. I invited Luna to come with me since we wouldn't see each other over the weekend, and Ivy tagged along because she wanted to talk to aunt Sam."Ivy, what do you want to talk to aunt Sam about?" I was curious about that."I'm not telling you. I know your big mouth, Enzo!" As if I needed this - my Clara also pointing out my little flaws. "I haven't forgotten that you told my mom about Vincent.""In my defense, I didn't know it was a secret. Besides, your mom just asked if you had met any
Henry’s POVI was extremely stressed out. Samantha had gone through a horrible situation yesterday just because she left the security guard outside the store. Reynold had crossed the line, and I wasn't going to let that slide.I called Flavian, who suggested that Sam should file a complaint, but she was very shaken up, barely slept, and insisted on going to work, making me even more worried.I arrived at the office in a terrible mood. I needed to deal with this thorn in my side that was Reynold. Once again, he dared to lay hands on Samantha, but this wouldn't go unpunished.My thoughts were completely focused on Samantha, and I was already too stressed and worried. I grabbed my jacket and left the office.I reached the garage, and as I approached my car, I couldn't believe the nerve of the person waiting for me. She was wearing an extremely short and vulgar dress."Nicole, get off my car. I'm in a hurry," I said immediately, as I wasn't in the mood to hear anything from this wretched w
Samantha’s POVFor the past week, I was woken up every night in the middle of the night by my phone ringing, and when I answered, no one would say anything on the other end. The only thing I could hear was heavy breathing, as if the person on the other end was panting, and it left me distressed.This was getting on my nerves. I was anxious, nervous, and wasn't sleeping well. I already had horrible dark circles under my eyes and was exhausted."Sam... Sam!" Henry's voice snapped me out of my thoughts."Huh?! What is it, honey?" I sighed."Sam, you need to sleep." Henry was visibly upset. "We should change your phone number.""That's not necessary. This will stop." I didn't want to change the number I'd had for so long."Then start turning off your phone at night. If anyone needs to reach you, they can call me.""That's a good idea. I'll do that. But now, I need to get to work." I stood up as I spoke."Stay home today and rest. I'm sure Alexander won't mind.""Henry, I want to go to work