Two chapters tonight. Love Billie
Eric lifted a glass of orange juice and a glass of wine off the tray of a passing waiter. Handing the orange juice to her. They were at a charity event. Allison was a prominent supporter of. Tonight’s fund raiser hadn’t been arranged by her.Cat wasn’t on duty tonight; instead, she was present as a guest. Meanwhile, Allison was deep in conversation with the co-founder of Women and Children First, an organisation that provides housing and food to women and children affected by domestic abuse. They also assist in navigating the complexities of involving police and agencies, cutting through bureaucratic red tape to prevent these individuals from becoming mere statistics.Eric wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. Cat felt tense. This marked their first attendance at such an event as a married couple... She could not help but notice the curious glances directed at her, especially towards her growing belly.“Don’t let them get to you.” Eric leaned into whisper in her ear. He g
“Any leads on Claudia’s whereabouts?” Rebecca asked, observing their husbands attempting to move the man they were conversing with along so they could rejoin their wives. Soft classical music filled the ballroom, resonating with everyone present. Cat wondered if Eric ever danced at these events. She would love for him to take her into his arms.“No, I think Eric is feeling the pressure. He won’t let me go anywhere without him or heavy security,” Cat sighed, despising the situation.“Hopefully, it won’t last much longer. I mean, how long can she hide with the police actively searching for her?” Rebecca expressed her doubts.“Well, she has managed to evade capture pretty well so far. It’s driving me insane. I couldn’t even go shopping for my pregnancy clothes. Eric had someone come to the house.” Cat shared, frustrated by the restrictions.“I was just about to mention how stunning your dress is.” Rebecca exclaimed, her eyes glimmering with admiration as she looked at the elegant evening
Cat felt his hand slide down to her breast, cupping, then tug at her sensitive nipple. She had been in a drowsy state, not fully awake, but not really asleep either. She was simply enjoying the comforting feeling of being held in her husband’s embrace. Nestled against his front, she felt his teasing touch slowly bringing her into full consciousness, arousing her senses.Her mind instantly turned to unpleasant thoughts. Unable to forget so soon her unsettling encounter with Alex from the previous night. It looped on repeat in her head, etching itself deeper into her memory.She had anxiously awaited Alex’s call to Eric last night when they arrived home. Which hadn’t happened yet. The wait for the other shoe to drop caused her to have a restless sleep. She only hoped to leave the incident behind and act as if it had never occurred.Cat felt ashamed of her reaction towards Eric’s friend and the lingering doubt that he might not even be her father. She also acknowledged that Alex’s own rea
“Isn’t it nice to be finally be out of the office for lunch?” Cat exclaimed, glancing around the bustling cafe. From her vantage point, she spotted Peters and the other bodyguard stationed outside.Peters was her constant companion, accompanying her from morning to her evening return home, Monday through Friday. The other guards rotated regularly, making it challenging for Cat to recall their names. She eagerly looked forward to the day when it would all be over. The police would have Claudia in custody.The cafe had all its sliding doors and windows open, allowing fresh air to circulate throughout the room. The smell of coffee was rich in the air. She enjoyed the smell now. She was in her second trimester. It no longer made her want to throw up. She could not wait until she was allowed to drink the proper stuff again. Decaf just wasn’t the same.Cat cast a wistful gaze at the tables outside, where she and Joanne would typically sit. Oh, how she yearned to enjoy a meal at one of those
The bright light flashed in her eyes, causing her to curse. It was painful, but Cat did understand that the doctor was just doing his job. The doctor’s tiny torch only made my pounding headache worse. She wasn’t surprised that she had a headache, considering she had hit her head against the wall.From the adjacent room, Eric could be heard yelling. She knew Eric was in a rage. He had indicated to the guards to follow him out of the room. That had been a few minutes ago.After he had reassured himself that she was indeed ok. Shortly after they had left, the yelling had started. Poor Peters, it wasn’t his fault. In fact, he had saved them from being struck by a falling stone plant pot.Cat only found out about it later, after they had made it to the safety of Eric’s building. She vaguely remembered Peters pushing them out of harm’s way and the sharp pain in her head. Then she had been swiftly carried by Peters into the Logan holdings building, with someone on a walkie talkie shouting. Ca
Cat’s mobile phone rang three weeks later as she was trying to put away some files. Looking up from her task. She when back to her desk to pick up the phone. Not recognising the number, Cat almost didn’t answer. Despite her initial intention to not take the call, a sudden curiosity compelled her to answer, so she pressed the accept button on the phone instead. Then she lifted the phone to her ear. “Hello. Cat speaking.”“Cat, it’s Alex McDonnell.”Cat’s heart started pounding in her chest as she pulled the phone away from her ear. After a brief pause, she made the decision to hang up. Ever since their last encounter, she had completely lost interest in hearing anything he had to say.Almost immediately, her phone rang again, displaying the same number. Cat declined the call and switched her ringer to silent. She vividly remembered telling him that she wanted nothing to do with him that night, in no uncertain terms. The unfounded accusations he had made against her lingered in her mind.
Cat had not accepted any calls from Alex after the initial one, nor had she attempted to reach out to him. It was likely his aim was to warn her against disclosing her suspicion of him being her father. As though she would disclose such information to anyone. That is, if he truly was her father. By choosing not to see him, she remained in the dark. Not sure if he had even run her DNA. Since their encounter at the Women and Children First benefit, she had been anticipating him to call Eric.There was another event tonight, this time for children with cancer. Cat considered not attending, thinking she could claim illness as an excuse. Ultimately, she decided against telling Eric she was unwell. What was the point? Eventually, she would encounter Alex, and she refused to hide from that.“Are you ready?” Nick’s voice came from behind her.As I’ll ever be, Cat thought. She was apprehensive about going tonight. “Yes. Let’s go.” She turned to her husband. Seeing how gorgeous he was in his bla
There was a silent auction for tonight’s event, and Eric took her around to look at what was on offer. So many people had donated for this charity it was heartwarming to see. Cat would have loved to bid on the hot-air balloon ride. But she considered it too dangerous being pregnant.Eric was standing behind her with his arms wrapped around her waist, his hands over her swollen belly. Leaning over her, seeing what she was looking at. “No, no hot-air balloon rides. It’s too dangerous.” Showing his thoughts were on the same track as hers.“It would have been lovely, but you are right. I was thinking the same thing, anyway.” Placing her hand over his laying on her stomach.“Is there anything else you would like?” Eric asked.“No, not really. I have all I need.” Cat couldn’t see anything.“What about the cruise on a yacht for a week?” Eric suggested.Cat pulled a face. “No, I’m not sure how I would go pregnant on a boat.” turning in his arms, placing her hands on his arms, she looked up at
Cat let out a soft giggle as Eric playfully pushed her down onto the bed, gently pulling off her camisole as he hovered over her. “You are so sexy. I love you more every day,” he whispered, his love for her evident in his voice.Cat groaned with desire as he slid her underwear down her legs, leaving her completely naked. They knew they only had an hour at most.With the assistance of their live-in nanny, Katie. Allison had taken their four-year-old twin boys, Jack and Michael, to the beach. Eric had insisted that Cat have a nanny to help with the boys, but only when she needed it. Katie’s room was conveniently located right next to the boys’ room. Cat adored being a mother, but twin boys could definitely be a handful.As Eric moved away from the bed to remove his shirt and pants, Cat stretched out on the bed, eagerly watching her stunning husband undress. A delicious warmth spread through her body, causing her skin to tingle with anticipation. He made it a point to tell her he loved he
They didn’t stick around for the police to arrive; it wasn’t as if they were fleeing the scene of a crime; the perpetrator was still there. Eric informed her that when the police wanted a statement, they could find them at the hospital and get statements after the babies had arrived. Claudia wasn’t going anywhere but a jail cell or another mental hospital.Getting Cat to the hospital was their top priority. She agreed with him, especially as another wave of pain hit her. Evan took the wheel so that Eric could sit in the back with Cat. She leaned into him, squeezing his hand each time the pain intensified. Cat noticed him wince a few times. It was a small comfort that he only felt a fraction of the pain she was going through.“Breathe,” Eric instructed, employing the breathing techniques they had learnt together. Cat stared at him for a moment, wondering if he was joking. How could she focus on her breathing when they were racing through traffic, desperately trying to reach the hospital
“How did you get in?” Cat asked as her mind raced. What was she going to do? Did she have time to wait for someone to save her, or did she need to save herself?“It was incredibly simple. After you left yesterday, did you even take a moment to check if anyone was trying to sneak under the garage roller door? I simply waited until you all drove away and swiftly ducked under the door.”“So you have been here since yesterday?” The sick feeling was back in her stomach, the thought of Claudia having free rein in the house last night and lying in wait for this morning. Picking the best time to come out of her hiding spot.“Yes, it was easy, like I said. I bought provisions with me, of course, and fresh water was available.” Claudia pointed to the tap on the kitchen island.Cat didn’t look towards where she was pointing, unable to take her eyes off the madwoman in front of her and the gun in her hand.“Unbelievable,” thought Cat. She couldn’t fathom how Claudia had managed to reach her so eas
After four weeks had passed, there was still no word from Eva. Everyone had collectively reached the conclusion that her sudden disappearance resulted from Eric and Alex’s conversation with Cat’s birth mother. It seemed that their discussion had the intended effect, causing Eva to flee the town.Cat was pleased because, even though she had nothing to be ashamed of, she still didn’t want to air her dirty laundry in public.It was bad enough with stories about Cat being Alex’s daughter, which she didn’t find so embarrassing, although there was a lot of speculation about how that came about. Who was Cat’s mother? It wouldn’t be long before they found out she had gone into foster care. Hopefully, the trail ended there and a new story would distract the media away from her life story.They have been coming out to the new house every weekend, since Cat had moved back in with Eric. Their purpose is to oversee the many changes being made to the place, as well as to meet with the painters and d
Later that night, Eric left the apartment to meet with Alex so both of them could deal with Eva. She didn’t ask to come and honestly didn’t want to.Eric said in parting. “Might be an idea to call Mum and Jo while I’m gone, so they don’t hate me so much.” Before kissing her on the mouth hungrily. Then he was gone. Cat thought about what he had said and realised maybe he was right and it would help her take her mind off her birth mother.Cat still hurt from the fact Eva wanted to make money off her in this disgraceful manner. But like the old saying went, you could pick your friends, but you can’t choose your family.For Cat, it just reinforced why she didn’t have Eva in her life to start with.Cat picked up the phone and called Dawn first. The first thing they talked about was the fact that Eric and she had sorted out their differences.Dawn was over the moon. Reminding Cat that marriage was about working on the relationship that just didn’t stop because you had a piece of paper. Cat f
When they pulled into the driveway of their new home. Cat saw that Alex’s car was already in the driveway. When they got out, Cat walked over to the car, seeing it was empty.Looking around, she couldn’t spot them. They might have headed around the house towards the beach. Eric took her hand in his as the guards fanned out. Evan walking closest to them. As they neared the house, Alex and Rebecca rounded the side of the house, heading back their way. When Rebecca and Cat saw each other, Cat let go of Eric's hand and Rebecca did the same with Alex. They walked faster to meet each other halfway. The women embraced as if they hadn’t seen each other in months.“I’m so happy for you.” Rebecca whispered in her ear. Just before the men reached them.Alex leaned in to kiss Cat on the cheek. They had found it harder to have a normal father daughter closeness. Cat knew it was new for them both and she would be uncomfortable if he swept her into his arms to hug and kiss her like Rebecca had done.
It was lunchtime before they left the bedroom. Her only motivation to get up had been the promise of seeing the progress on the house.Cat fixed them some sandwiches while Eric called the security team to let them know. They would leave in 30 minutes and to have the cars ready to go.Then he sat down beside her to enjoy the food she had prepared. Which wasn’t much. Just chicken and salad on rye. Cat got up to get the mayo out of the fridge, handing it to Eric. Before sitting down to her own sandwich.Eric offered the mayo to her. Cat shook her head, taking a bite. Thinking for a moment. “I want to invite Alex and Rebecca to the house if they are free.”Eric frowned at her. “Cat…”“Eric, before you say anything, remember, he is my father. If you have a problem with him, you need to sort it out. I want him and Rebecca in my life and the lives of our children. I think after I just came home with you last night, it would be good to clear the air and let them know I’m ok… we are ok.”Eric e
Eric’s hands moved up and down her back, causing warmth to spread through her body. She had missed this and him while she had been gone. Their quick coupling at the charity event hadn’t satiated her. it had been fun and exciting. Cat had never had sex like that before with so many people in the next room. She should be embarrassed that Evan had heard it all. But somehow she wasn’t. Did that make her an exhibitionist, or was she so comfortable with Evan she had thought so little about it after she had walked out and found him waiting?Pulling back so she could see Eric’s face. “You know Evan stood guard outside the Cleaner’s closet last night, don’t you? He heard everything.”Eric smirked. He didn’t seem to care about this bit of information. “So?”“It might not be a big deal to you, but I’m not used to having sex like that.”Eric shook his head. “Making love Cat. Having sex is not what we are about. Having sex is so casual. Almost meaningless.”Cat’s heart swelled at his words. She kne
Cat fixed her eyes on him, wondering what he had to tell her. But she knew he needed to hear her side of the tale first. “When Eva came to the office, she tried to blackmail me for money. She claimed that if I paid her, she would reveal my father’s name to me.” Cat couldn’t hide from the truth as she kept her gaze on his face.Eric frowned, expressing his disbelief. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me,” he said.Cat chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. “Honestly, my childhood was far from pleasant. I wanted to shield you from as much of it as possible. It’s a dark part of my past. You saw Eva, Eric. She looks like someone you’d find on a street corner. It’s embarrassing to have any connection with her. The day they removed me from her care, I was terrified, but the day they took me away from her was the best day of my life.”Cat’s confession hung heavy in the air as Eric processed her words. He had always known that Cat had a difficult past. He reached out and took her hand, offering