“How can you not know?” Marie said, her voice rising several decibels higher.Was he really serious about not knowing what he had done to get her angry? Were men so clueless?“I don't. Was it something I did today? Marie, I’m struggling here. Help me. I hadn't even seen you before I went out today.” He said in a sincere tone.Maybe she was being irrational. It wasn't like they were actually married. Sometimes, she got carried away and let herself have expectations of him that weren't practical.Steven stood and came towards her.“Marie, don't spiral. Talk to me.” He said.“Nevermind, I’m fine. Sorry I bothered you. I’m not mad anymore.” She said and made to turn to the door when Steven pulled her back and plastered his head on each side of her head.“Let me go.”“Come on, Marie. Please.” He said, pleading with his hands and eyes.“I mean it, Steven. You didn't do anything wrong, I overreacted like I always do and I'd like to just forget that happened.”“Marie, please.” He said, cuppin
“Oooh, Rick look, we’re having Lobster Ravioli tonight. Chef king is in his element.” Marie said, rubbing her hands together with flourish.“And we’re also having a special guest tonight. So be in your best behavior, Rick. No interviews.”“Who's the special guest? Is it James or Joanna?” Marie asked, her eyes widening at the thought.“No. Like James is a special guest. He practically lets himself in every other day.”“Only because your bromance is so strong you gave him a key. You won't fool me with this grumpy nonsense anymore.” She retorted, smiling as Steven rolled his eyes at her.“Rick, can you be a doll and set the table for four please?” Steven asked“Kay.” Rick said, jumping into action as Marie walked up to Steven and leaned against the counter.“Who's coming to dinner?”“A special guest.”“A celebrity?’ Marie squealed, her green eyes shining with hope“Even better,” He said“Can't you just give me a name?” She asked“I'm not. Now go do whatever it is that you do and stop bot
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Steven.” Marie said, turning her face away from him as she crossed her arms on her chest.“Are you sure about that, babe?” He asked, swinging her around to face him.“Whoever told you anything was lying. I’m not hiding anything.”“If anything important ever depends on your ability to lie, don’t do it.” He mumbled against her hair before pulling back to hold her face in his hand. Still, she refused to meet his gaze. He decided to put her out of her misery.“No one’s ever tried to take care of me the way you do, Marie. I Can’t think of anyone who’d care about making me happy as you do.”“Steven…”“Shhhhh…I’m talking about my wife.” He said, stroking her hair as she exhaled and melted into his arms.“I mean it, Marie. The only people who’ve done as much as you have for me are people I paid to do so.” He tilted her chin softly until she was forced to raise her shimmering emerald eyes to meet his.“My contact at the awarding body told me someone h
“So, he’s been placed on administrative leave until the investigation is concluded?”“Yup.”“How did he take it?” Marie asked, as she shook out a gray halter neck top from her duffel bag and hung it in the wardrobe. Steven was sprawled on the bed across from her as he watched her unpack.“Not very well. He kept saying I was making a mistake and that his reasons for looking for another job had nothing to do with the leaks.”“The sooner Cadence uncovers the truth, the better so we can put this whole nightmarish episode behind us because I’m so sure…”“Babe, we’re supposed to be getting away from work and every other stressful thing in our lives. We’re supposed to be focusing on how much we love each other.” He said, tugging on her arm as he pulled her to the bed.“How’s therapy been?” He murmured as she leaned against him“Are you asking for genuine reasons?” She teased.“Yes.” He said, trailing her neck with kisses before whispering,“And no. Or maybe both?” She laughed as his lips ti
Stunned, Marie looked across the room and stared at Steven whose eyes were glued to the woman. Perhaps, sending that she wasn't alone, the woman yanked the towel off her head and let out a heart-stopping scream. Startled, Marie screamed as well and held onto Steven.She grabbed the bathroom on the bed beside her and threw it on. Marie yanked her hand away from Steven and glared at him.Could he be more obvious? How could he even be hawking at someone else while she was standing beside him.“Who are you?” The woman asked once all of them had calmed down.“Who are you and what are you doing in our room?” Marie asked in a much harsher tone than she intended. She threw a scalding look at Steven. This was all his fault. The animosity she felt towards this strange woman had everything to do with how her husband had been unable to take his eyes off her perfect body. While Marie packed more cellulite than she was happy about, this woman was all gorgeous skin and curves in the right places.“T
“There's no way I'm getting on that. You're out of your mind.” Marie said, shaking her head as he beckoned onto her.“You owe, Marie. Come on.” Steven tainted, flashing a daring smile at her.“You want me to get on a canopy walk with you? I have a fear of heights, Steven. Did you forget?”“No, I'm very aware. But you've been going to therapy. I think it's high time you started confronting your fears.”“I’ll decide what to do with my fears. Thank you very much.” She said, backing further away from him and crossing her arms over her chest.“Marie, come on. I’ll be right here with you.”“I don't care. That thing wings wildly. I'm not about to fall off into the swamp, Steven.”“Come on, Marie.” He said as more people got in line to explore the canopy walk.He wasn't doing this to goad her, he felt positive that she was ready for this and would crush it if she gave it a try.“I'm not doing it.” She said, shaking her head sideways. She turned to leave when Emma, all carefree and confident,
The next morning Marie awakened to the sound of someone’s raspy breathing. Her eyes flew open and found Steven’s on the floor as he bared his teeth at her.“What? Why are you glaring at me?”“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He grunted in a brusque tone that set her on edge.“Steven? What’s wrong? Did I say something in my sleep?”“No. You’ve been surprisingly quiet, haven’t you?” Steven replied, pushing himself off the floor and snatching his t-shirt from the bed before heading to the bathroom.Marie massaged her temple as she tried to recount whatever offense she had committed this time to land in his bad books.“Steven?” She called out as she kicked off the covers to follow him.The only reply he gave was the aggressive blast of the shower being turned on. She headed to the sofa and sank into it. If they both took turns in getting upset with each other, what time would be left to enjoy their romantic weekend?Ten minutes later, he emerged from the bathroom with a stern look
Rick sat quietly as Amelia wrapped her arms around him and covered his face with kisses. Steven chuckled as Rick made a face and attempted to wipe off her kisses.“My sweet sweet boy. I missed you.” Amelia cooed, smiling at an unimpressed Rick who looked smothered with her affection.“It's only been three weeks, Granny.”“That’s more than enough time away from my sweet angel, don't you think?” She asked, planting another kiss on his cheek.“Granny!” Rick exclaimed, swerving out of her reach and coming to stand beside him.“Hey honey, why don't you follow Sarah upstairs and pack the rest of your things while I thank Steven and Marie for taking such wonderful care of you.”“How do you know they took wonderful care of me?” Rick challenged.“Well, didn't they?” Amelia countered, arms akimbo.“They did. But you've always told me assumption is the lowest form of knowledge and now you're doing the same thing.”“Richard! Go up there and pack your things and stop bothering me.”Steven smiled a
Eight months later Marie smiled as she felt Steven’s warm breath dance on her face. Moments later, her eyes flickered open and locked with her husband's handsome eyes.“What's this?” She asked, as she sat up and made space for the tray he was holding.“A celebratory breakfast.” He said as Marie answered with a short laugh.“We can't keep celebrating a sentencing that happened four months ago, Steven.” She said as he ignored her and filled her glass with orange juice.“Who says?” Steven asked, as he planted a kiss on her forehead.“Me. I’m saying.”“Noted. Now eat.” He responded as he plunked on the bed beside her and watched her.“What?” She asked as his eyes roved over her.“I can't believe I almost lost you, Marie.”“You mean the way you were going on and refusing to listen to me?” She teased as she tossed a pillow at his head.“I told you I didn't like that woman.”“I know you told me. You’ve told me so almost a thousand times, Steven. But it was Zed that was the real shock to you
Steven’s mind whirled with thoughts as they headed to the hotel where he was staying. The silence in the air was rife with the weight of unspoken words. He glanced at her again and she looked so ashen. Was she okay? Why had she felt the need to come to Japan? How had she survived the flight? Was that why she looked so white? And why was she trembling so badly?He placed his hands upon hers and it was so sweaty.“Stop trembling. You're making me nervous.” He said in a more gruffer tone than he had planned.Her eyes widened for a second before she mouthed a solemn“Sorry.”She retracted her hand from under his and stuffed it in her laps.Huh. So much for wanting to comfort her. They said nothing to each other after that until the car stopped in front of the hotel.Steven rolled his eyes as Marie argued with the front desk attendant who had patiently explained that the hotel was fully booked and there was nothing she could do about it. To listen to Marie, it was like he was going to har
Steven frowned at the clock ticked noon. All his life, he had never had to wait to see anyone, but here he was, waiting on Mr. Kaito, whom he has been unable to see in the last two days.“Mr. King?” A feminine voice called out.“That's me.” He said in a chirpy voice, smiling even though his insides felt queasy. He knew convincing Mr. Kaito of the fact that Alden King Inc. still deserved his business was going to be tough and he wasn't so sure he was prepared for it. Although, in a way, he felt relieved the truth was out. The pretty brunette led him through a series of doors before stopping before a plush office. She tossed him a tight smile then knocked before leaving Steven on his own.Mr. Kaito took his sweet time before answering the door.“Mr. King, what a pleasant surprise.” Mr. Kaito said as he ushered him to a seat. While his face was smiling, Steven could sense the displeasure in his tone.“Thank you for seeing me.”Mr. Kaito took a long look at him, and Steven could feel the
Marie's hand clenched the steering wheel till her knuckles turned white. Sandra had a lot of nerve, seducing Steven and then trying to pin someone else's pregnancy on him. She jumped out of the car, and headed to the front door. She was about to knock when she noticed the door was open. Zed's loud voice filtered to where she stood.“You had just one job, Sandra! Seduce him! Get him to marry you! Don't think I care about that scum in your belly!”“I tried okay! He loves her! And I’m tired of being your little pawn! You always said you could have taken down Steven King without me so why haven't you?”“I've done everything on my part! You haven't done crap except complicate things for me. You couldn't even convince him to have sex with you. And he was drunk!”“And the only thing you’ve succeeded in doing is killing an innocent woman!” Sandra flung back.“Oh? Breathe a word of that to anyone and see what happens!”“Oh, please. What are you gonna do? Kill me too?” Sandra screamed.Marie to
Marie shoved the rest of her mementos and snapped her box shut. If she wanted to get to Lake George by nightfall, she had to hurry.She chuckled ruefully under her breath as she wondered about the rush. It's not like she had a job anymore or anything she needed to get to. Ten years with Steven, ten years of bending backwards, and all it took was one misunderstanding for him to fire her. She had even gone back and tried to explain but his granite heart hadn't moved. This from the man who though married to her, had decided to knock up her best friend.She frowned as her cell phone rang. She fished it out of her pocket, and held it to her ear with her shoulder as she rolled her luggage out.“James, there's nothing more we can do. I tried, James,”She waited as James tried to convince her not to leave town until he had spoken with Steven but to be honest, she was done begging him. For the most part of her adult life, she had fixated her emotions on him. Letting him treat her like his feel
Steven was slightly out of breath when he arrived at the orchard and ran into Rick.“Uncle Stevie! Wow. Aunty Marie was super fast. I only just spoke to her. Are you here to take me to the Planetarium? You’ve promised many times.” He asked expectantly.“You’re right, buddy. I do owe you a trip to the Planetarium. But that's not going to happen today, buddy. I've been…”“Busy. I know. You’ve had important things to do.” Rick said as a forlorn expression rested on his face. Steven sighed as he lowered himself to the boy’s gaze.“Now, Rick. You know how important you are to me, don't you?” Steven asked.Rick shrugged but Steven refused to let him out of his grasp till Rick said“Yeah.”“Well, Uncle Stevie has just had a lot of things happening to him at the same time. I'm almost done wrapping those things up and then we can go to the Planetarium as many times as you want, okay?”“Really truly?” Rick asked, a huge smile forming on his face.“Really, truly.” He confirmed.“Okay.”“That's m
“So you're headed to the house at Lake George?” Alden asked as Marie watched him peel an orange and toss a piece into his mouth. Ahead of them, Rick was glad that he had a no-school day and was allowed to run amok.“Quite a sugar rush, he’s got.” She remarked as Alden sighed.“Tell me about it. Amelia's going to have my head when she returns. One minute I look away and he downs all that stuff.”“So, what did Steven say when you told him the truth?”She sighed and tossed a piece of the tangerine she had just peeled into her mouth.“What I expected. That it didn't change anything. And that he wished me the best in life.”“He’s so obstinate sometimes.”“I told you to trust him more, Alden. If it were me, I would have been upset too. I know you love him, but you’ve got to stop coddling him!”“You don't understand, Marie. The boy is the light of my whole life. He’s everything William is not. And he was so young when he took over. And it infuriated many people.”“But that was over ten years
“Nice of you to stop for a chat and all but I'm very busy.” Steven said as Marie took her seat and folded her legs. It was like seeing a woman he hadn't met before.“I told him this was a waste of time. You don't work for someone for ten years without knowing how conceited and set in their ways they are.” Marie begun“Look, Marie. I don't know why Alden keeps trying. Isn't the work you've done for him in the past ten years impressive enough?” Steven asked.“Sneer at me, all you want. I'm not here because of Alden, I'm here because James asked me to come to talk to you.” She retorted, leaning forward to place her hand on his desk.While he didn't care about what she had to say, he figured the faster he allowed her to talk, the quicker she’d be out of his hair.“I'm listening.” He said, as leaned back in his seat.“First. I'm sorry I didn't disclose that Alden and I have a relationship.”“He was your boss, and…”“He was my guardian.” Marie cut in.Steven let out a sardonic laughter.“Gu
“What do you mean they're citing reputation issues as their reason for pulling out? We've committed to vendors, paid for the spaces for this exhibition and they're just canceling it?”Zed shrugged as Steven paced furiously. He sighed and leaned over his desk as Zed replied.“They also cited budget constraints and explained that it wasn't top priority for the foreseeable future.”“That's a load of bollocks and we both know it, Zed. Find out the real reason they're pulling the plug.”“I thought so too as well and tried to do some findings. My source alleged that top stakeholders were having cold feet due to our recent…err…”“Recent what?” Steven half yelled as he glared at Zed.“Due to your recent PR fiasco.”“What? They're canceling their activation because some reporter did a story on me?”“Well, Sir. You have to respond. You haven't addressed the rumors yet.”Steven thought about his phone call with Smith three days ago. He vehemently refused to believe what Smith was alleging until