Cat couldn’t deal with the bus. She wasn’t sure about the timetable at this time of the day, so she flagged down a passing taxi and jumped in. It only took 20 minutes to get to her townhouse outside of peak hour traffic.Walking fast up the short drive, she turned the corner into her covered entryway and stopped dead. Eric was leaning against her door, arms folded against his chest, glaring at her.How did he manage to get here so quickly? Cat moved in front of him, lifting her head defiantly, sighing Cat said, “Look Eric, everything that needed saying was said in the letter I left you.”Eric straightened away from the door, looking grim. He grabbed the keys she was holding and opened her door. He then turned, hooking his hand on her elbow, and dragged her into the townhouse. Cat spun away from him, rubbing her elbow.“Was that really necessary?” she snipped angrily.Eric pocketed her keys and slammed the front door closed, making Cat jump.“You said all you wanted to say! What about w
Two months later, Cat hurried across the foyer at Logan holdings inc. Sydney office. Cat was running late for work.It was days like this that she missed having her own car. Public transport sucked. The buses always got stuck in traffic and the trains were often full.Stepping into a lift just before the doors closed. She let out a sigh of relief, only to then silently groan upon realising the identity of the person she was sharing the elevator with. She was sure everyone has a work nemesis, and Claudia was hers.Now Cat wished she had missed this lift because she could guarantee Claudia couldn’t help herself and would say something to put her in a bad mood for the rest of the day.Cat had first thought the other woman hadn’t known about Eric and Cat’s affair. During the last two months Claudia’s snide remarks, also comments had indicated that she had known. She had also implied that it hadn’t been a secret to everyone.Whether she had figured it out on her own or Eric had told her, C
By noon, Cat’s lack of appetite during lunch wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. She had lost weight over the last two months. Being slim anyway, she could ill afford the five kilos and it wasn’t a good look on her. The weight loss had come off everywhere but her bust, being a D cup that was one place, she would have been happy to lose some weight.Even when she ate, she still lost weight. Her eyes were hollow, and her hair was limp. She was keeping it pulled away from her face in a knot for work. That way, it wasn’t so obvious.Cat was currently using more makeup than she had ever used, and she couldn’t seem to shake this damn flu. It had lingered for three weeks. This was part of the reason she didn’t eat. It was also helping with making her look like shit. She had never known a flu to last so long. It was unfair because she had had her flu shot this year.Everything tasted and smelled horrible. Alongside the flu, headaches were another side effect. Cat had one now. It seemed worse
Sometime later, Cat opened her eyes to a splitting headache. To see Eric lifting her out of his car, Cat was a little disorientated and confused.“Eric? What?”“Shhh, Cat, it’s alright. Just relax.” His tone was reassuring.She did just that. Her head hurt too much to fight him. She couldn’t remember why him being here was a bad idea. The headache fried her brain, making it difficult for her to think clearly. She needed to get her thoughts together first.Sighing, Cat melted into Eric’s muscular arms, letting his intoxicating scent wash over her. God, he smelled good.She loved his smell so much; she had hidden a shirt of his in her bedroom. When she had returned all his other things, she hadn’t included the shirt. She hadn’t washed it, for the times she really needed him, and he wasn’t there. The closest thing she had was his unwashed shirt.Cat heard Eric open her front door. He must have taken the key from her handbag. He headed straight for the bedroom with Cat still in his arms. S
Cat strolled into the house's front door, reminiscing about the best years of her life. Which was her foster home, belonging to Jack and Dawn Nelson’s.She felt like she had come home. Cat had been lucky finding a home with the Nelson’s. Most kids got turned out at eighteen from foster care. At that time, the government covered expenses until the child reached eighteen. Leaving many kids without somewhere to live.Cat had got a job after school and paid her way to help the Nelsons. She had to study at night. They had told her didn’t need to work. They saw her as their own, having never been lucky enough to have children of their own. She was their girl.Leaving her handbag and keys near the front door. The first thing that hit Cat was the smell of bread baking, smiling to herself. No one made bread like Dawn. Her foster mother had never bought bread from a shop, always making it from scratch.Before walking into the kitchen, Cat paused to get her feelings under control. She still hadn’
In front of her mirror, Cat turned this way and that. Making sure before she left for work that she didn’t look pregnant.She had been back at work for just over four weeks, making her three and a half months pregnant. She had gained weight, but luckily her stomach had shown no sign as yet, but she knew it was just a matter of time.Because this was her first pregnancy and at first, she had lost weight; it was taking longer to show. It was inevitable for her to start showing, given that she was pregnant with twins.This week she was going to have to hand in her notice. During the time in Cowra with Jack and Dawn, Cat had talked, planned, and marvelled in their love. Dawn had fed her up, worried about the weight loss.Shaking her head now, Cat ran her hands over her figure. Well, in six weeks total, she had definitely put on weight. Touching her sensitive breasts. Cat had already gone up a cup size. Luckily, Cat had clothes that didn’t show her breasts off and helped hide the increase i
Allison really hadn’t asked too many questions, only the basics. It was Jo who was full of questions when they met for lunch the following Monday, and Cat had let her friend know she was leaving in four weeks.Jo had been asking a lot of questions since she disappeared from the office that day. She had fallen sick and Eric had taken her home. Then Cat had taken two weeks of unplanned leave off. Jo was her friend, but she just couldn’t share anything about the pregnancy with her or the real reason she was leaving. It wasn’t fair to burden Jo with the knowledge.She knew about Eric and her and it being over. That was enough. Feeling drained, Cat returned to her office and worked for a few hours before she started going through the CVs of possible replacements for her.Allison and Cat hadn’t broadcasted yet the fact she was leaving. Yes, Jo knew and HR but that was it. It wasn’t a secret, just not widely known. Everyone would find out soon enough when they found the right person to replac
Cat looked straight into Eric’s eyes. He was furious. How had she let her temper get the better of her? Claudia had goaded her before, and she had controlled herself.“Claudia, leave now.” Eric growled, not taking his eyes off Cat. For once Claudia said nothing, just left the room silently. Eric moved out of her way before stepping forward and slamming the office door closed, making Cat jump.Rising panic invaded Cat’s mind. She looked wildly around her, looking for an escape route? Maybe there was no escaping this confrontation now. If they didn’t have it out now, then it would only be later. She would only stress more the longer they left it.Eric now knew she was pregnant. The panic didn’t dissipate. Cat felt sick and dizzy. After weeks of being over the sickness, it now hit her head on. Cat blindly reached for the filing cabinet to hold herself up, but missed. Her legs went out from under her. Cat fell to the ground as blackness overtook her mind. She had a fleeting image of Eric l
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