I'm hoping to load two more chapters tonight. But only if I'm happy with them first.
Cat gave Allison a smile before putting her hand back in the crook of Evan’s arm as they made their way into the ballroom, following Alex and Rebecca.Tonight’s event wasn’t a sit down meal because Allison found them to…stuffy. It was hard if you were sitting with someone you didn’t like to get away from them, Allison had told her once. At least in an informal setting it was easier for people to move around, mingle and have fun and you couldn’t do that while having a formal sit down meal.There were tables and chairs placed around the sides of the room. On each table sat a beautiful flower arrangement. The chairs draped in white fabric matching the white tablecloths.The left side of the ballroom held two sets of french doors opening onto a wide veranda. Giving people a place they could go outside if they needed fresh air and just around the corner was a smoker’s area.In the middle of the ballroom, there was a circular dais where Allison had a band setup. Currently, they were playing
“I heard from Jo you are working for Alex now. Are you enjoying it?” Allison asked, changing the subject.“It’s completely different from what I was doing while working with you. I’m loving it though, learning new things. I feel a little guilty that I’ll only be there a few months before I go on maternity leave.” She was working as a junior executive in Alex’s company. No one there knew she was his daughter. Yet.“I’m sure when everything comes out, people will understand. Are you going back to work after the babies are born?”“I’m not sure. I want to be at home for my children, but it’s also nice connecting with people outside the home.”Alex added. “She can figure it out later. The decision is hers.”Allison nodded, then said dramatically, for effect. “Now, I really must go and mingle with the other guests” She was really in her element. “I’ll be around later on tonight.” Allison gave Cat another hug and kiss on the cheek before moving off to do her hostess duties.A waiter came roun
After a few moments of tense silence, Eric placed a hand on the wall by her head. “What the hell is going on, Cat? Are you with Alex or this new guy you arrived with?”Cat didn’t want to make Eric jealous, but his accusation angered her, nonetheless. After all, he had been her first lover. What did he expect? That now she had experienced it, she couldn’t live without sex? The truth was, the only person she was struggling to be without was him. Being in such close proximity to him, with his scent enveloping her, was beginning to wear on her nerves.“What’s it to you? You walked away from me, remember?” Cat said, incensed by his dog in the manor attitude. How dare he question her?Eric wasn’t happy with her not answering his question. His face darkened. “Don’t push me Cat.” Putting his other hand flat on the wall on the other side of her head. Caging her in.She wasn’t scared of him. Eric would never hurt her physically. “You want a divorce, remember? What I do with my life is my own bus
As Cat came barreling out of the cleaners closet shocked at her own behaviour, she ran into a hard chest. She looked up into Evan’s intense eyes. He had grabbed her arms to steady her and looking over her shoulder to the open door behind her.Cat could only guess that he was witnessing Eric in the same state of dishevelment as her, because she didn’t turn around to check. It made her flash red, growing hot all over.She reached back behind her. She kept her eyes fixed on Evan’s face. Her hand fumbled a few times before finally finding the handle of the door, and she pulled it closed. The fact that Evan was witnessing this was bad enough, and she didn’t want anyone else to see. With a smirk on his face, he asked, “Checking out operations, Cat?”She hit him on the arm. “This isn’t funny. How long have you been here?”“What? Waiting outside the door while you do the nasty with a room full of people just down there.” Evan pointed to the open hallway leading to the ballroom. He looked like
The auctioneer went slowly through each item. People were very generous in their donations, going well above what the items were truly worth.When it came to the Pauline painting, the bids were fast, so Cat knew it wasn’t just her that had fallen in love with it. When it reached $200,000, Cat saw Eric raise his hand, bidding for $250,000.Alex beside her then lifted his to bid $300,000. It wasn’t long before there was only Alex and Eric bidding against each other, taking the total higher and higher.Cat leaned in to whisper softly to Rebbeca so no one else could hear. “What the hell is Alex doing? Does he really want the painting that much?”Rebecca grinned at her. “No, it’s for you. We noticed how much you like the painting and Alex was determined to get it for you. But it looks like someone else saw your interest as well.” Cat’s eyes widened at this information. She wanted to tell Alex to stop. It was so much money for one painting.Although Cat was aware that paintings could sell fo
Cat walked over to the edge of the veranda, laying her hands on the wall, looking out into the night.“Cat, I don’t think being out here is probably a safe option. Let’s go back inside.” Evan tried to reason with her.Cat sighed. “I understand. Can I just have a minute or two? I just need some fresh air.” Cat could hear the voices and music drift out from the french doors. Thankfully, she was alone… well, almost.She felt incredibly tired. The events of tonight had taken her on an emotional rollercoaster. Ever since Eric had disappeared, she had no desire to linger around and listen to people trying to impress Alex and Rebecca. It infuriated her that now she had become more interesting to them, simply because of her father’s status.She desperately hoped that Eric would understand, with the announcement, that she had not cheated on him. Evan had already informed Eric that he was her bodyguard, but he hadn’t attempted to speak to her privately. Instead, he had walked away.Cat couldn’t
Cat stared at him, not realising that in some ways he was right. But no one in their right mind would ever consider Eric a gold digger. “I don’t think that will be anything you need to worry about.”Eric shrugged, unconcerned by the turn of events. Nothing was said between them for a few moments. As if they didn’t know what to say and how to move on from here.Cat repeated her last question. “So what now?”Eric didn’t say anything straight away. “How do I express to you how sorry I am? I shouldn’t have…”They both saw Evan move further away as Eric started to open up.“.. Jump to conclusions. You hadn’t been acting yourself.” Eric held up his hand when she was about to speak up. “I’m not blaming you. I should have known better. I should have realised that a woman that doesn’t have sex until she is twenty-two isn’t going to start sleeping around with other men.” Taking a deep breath, he went on. “Yes, I allowed my past with Rachel to cloud my judgement. I can’t apologise enough for that
Eric let them into the apartment. He bid goodnight to the security team. Evan and Peters had followed them home.“Sir, we think it’s better to check out the apartment first. No one has been here all evening.” Peters said, not removing himself from the apartment.Eric nodded. What could he say? He had hired these men to do a job. If he didn’t allow them to do it, there was no point having them around? They were the experts, after all.Eric put his hand on Cat’s waist and led her into the kitchen, which was visible from where they were standing. Room by room, Peter thoroughly searched the apartment. Evan stood at an angle to watch them.Eric leaned down and kissed her temple. She had been watching the bodyguards. When was this going to end? Claudia still hasn’t been caught. She couldn’t help but admire Claudia’s resourcefulness, even if it was on the wrong side of the law. It baffled her how someone so seemingly ordinary could evade both the police and Eric’s team, leaving behind a trail
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