Marie's eyes fastened on Steven King as she held on his hand. Why did she feel so dizzy? Was she recovering from a hangover? Why did her head hurt so much?Steven King was looking at her with more warmth than he ever had. He came closer to her and held her hands. He was saying something but Marie couldn't pick out what he was saying. She hoped he wasn't about to ask her for anything relating to work. Where was her cell phone? Where was Sandra? Where was she? She willed herself to get up but it seemed her body had a mind of its own.A man in a doctor's uniform rushed into the room with two nurses. Was she in a hospital?Why couldn't she say anything? She wanted to speak but suddenly felt very drowsy. Maybe she would get the chance to ask her questions later, for now, she felt very very sleepy.She woke up to someone holding her hand. It was her boss, Steven King. Why was he so suddenly warm towards her ? The king of coldness and dismissiveness was clasping her hand as though she was h
Steven’s eyes crinkled with mirth as he looked down at Marie. Her beautiful face was locked in a serene gaze as she slept. Even though Dr. Terence had made it clear to him that she was only minimally conscious, Steven felt his insides screaming with elation. His wife was waking up! And she had gripped his fingers so tightly too.“Mr.King. A word?” Dr. Terrence asked as Steven sighed and walked towards the door. He knew where this conversation would go.Dr. Terrence, ever the realist, started to go on and on about his need to prepare for confusion, after she became verbal. He knew the man was doing his job but he was simply tired of his skepticism. Why was he devoting so much time and effort if he didn't believe in his efforts?“Mr. King? Are you listening to me?”“Oh, yes. I surely am. You were saying?”“Patience, Mr. King. You still have to be very patient through her recovery phase. I understand that the last couple of weeks have been hellish for you, but the weeks ahead may also be
Steven picked up the cell phone and held it against his ear.“I'm sorry to bother you, Mr. King. Cadence's funeral is next week Thursday. I thought you'd want to attend?”Did he have the right to attend Cadence's funeral? Wasn't she dead because of him?“Hello Mrs. Steele. I'm incredibly honored that you thought to invite me. Of course I'll be there.”“Great. I’ll text you the details once finalized.” She said“Alright.”“And Mr. King?”“Yes, Ma’am?”“I knew what my daughter did for a living, Mr. King. Don't be hard on yourself.”Steven couldn't speak past the lump in his throat till Mrs Steele hung up. He hadn't been friends with Cadence but had actually liked her. It hurt him that he hadn't gotten the opportunity to know her better before she died. He was determined to make sure Mrs. Steele was comfortable for the rest of her life, he only hoped she was willing to take his help. He laid back down and covered the pillow over his head.The next morning, Steven had a cup of coffee and
Steven’s eyes were glued to Marie's face as Dr. Terrence and the nurses poked and prodded her. His Marie has actually talked! Although she had been confused about being his wife, she had woken up enough to talk. He smiled as Dr. Terrence tried to discourage her from sitting up.“Can I have some water?” She asked in a faint voice.“Thirsty?” Dr. Terrence asked, smiling at Marie. Steven fought the urge to roll his eyes. Of course she was thirsty, that's why she had asked for the water.“Okay, Mrs. King. I know you're probably very thirsty now but I need to know you can swallow right now. You haven't done so in a couple of weeks so we need to ease you into it. I’ll get you some ice chips to suck on first. Is that okay?”Marie grunted her approval before reclining on the bed. Steven went forward and held her hand, smiling at her.“Hey,” He said as he took his seat at her bedside.“You scared me, you know.”“I’m sorry.” She wheezed as Steven covered her hand with his other hand.“It's alri
Light’s infiltration into the room forced Marie's eyelids open as she saw Steven King sitting across from her working on his laptop. The man was literally always working, and many times that meant she had to work as well. He winked at her and Marie felt her heart skip a bit. Since when did the dashing Steven King pay her more than a passing glance. Marie suddenly wished she had a brush to make herself look more presentable. He grinned, revealing a perfect set of pearly white teeth.“You're awake. Did you get enough rest?” He askedShe tried to speak but found herself nodding instead. How could she be flustered by his nearness even in this state?He leaned forward and placed his hand on her forehead. What was he doing? She obviously didn't have a temperature.“Steven?” She asked“Yes, Marie.”“What happened to me? Why am I in a hospital bed?”“I don't know if you're ready for the full story, Marie but what I can tell you is that you were involved in a ghastly accident.”“What do you me
“You're squeezing me too tight, Steven.” Marie whispered, her eyes still closed as Steven sighed against her skin.So this was what being kissed by Steven King felt like. It felt like every nerve ending on her body had been set on fire.“I’m sorry, Marie. Am I hurting you?” He asked, moving back before Marie had the time to respond.“No. Yes. I mean, you were but not anymore.” The concern in his eyes tugged on her heart. When had this change happened between them and why couldn't she remember it? Kissing him had felt magical, but it had also felt like the first time. If Steven was right and she had lost her memory for the last three years, Marie wasn't sure where she'd begin from. Where would she begin unraveling pieces of her life from?“Hey. What are you thinking about?” Steven asked, taking her hand in his as he looked into her eyes. Marie fought the urge to remove her hand. But she needed time to think. Where could she go from here?“I still can't remember anything.” She said in a
“Sandra!” Marie squealed as her best friend wrapped her hands around her. Three years or not, her best friend was still one of the best-looking women she had ever seen in her life.“Look at you. Fresh out of a coma and still stunning.”“Please, tell me you brought a brush and a mirror. I can't imagine how I look.”“You know I've always got you, babe.” Sandra said as she rummaged through her purse and fetched a small mirror and a brush.Marie gasped as she looked at herself. Sunken eyes rested on white cheeks that looked like their color had been sucked out through a straw.“Come on, babe. It's not so bad.”“Not so bad? I look like a mummy!” Marie exclaimed. She grabbed the bed frame and tried to stand up and fell back on the bed.“Babes. What are you doing? Are you trying to have a relapse?”“I’m trying to stand, Sandra. Why can't I get up?” Marie exclaimed, exhaling.“Marie. Please, stop it. If you keep doing that, I'm going to call Steven into the room.” Sandra said, waving a perfec
Marie’s hands trembled under the sheet as she walked Alden into the room with a woman and a young boy. Had Alden remarried? Was she looking at his wife? She glanced at Steven wondering if he knew about her relationship with Alden.“Hey, you. You gave us all quite a scare.” Alden said, as he wheeled himself forward to give her a hug. Steven stood back watching both of them with interest.“ Hello, My dear.” The woman said as she held her hand. Why did the woman feel familiar?She smiled at the woman and nodded before looking back at Alden.“Why are you in a wheelchair?” Marie asked.“Do you remember him?” Steven asked.“Of course, I do.” Marie said before she thought better of it. Of course she wasn't supposed to remember Alden if she didn't remember the last three years of her life. But how could she pretend not to remember the man whom she had known since she was about fourteen. A man whom she had shared grief with?“I remember he owns the company. And he didn't use a wheelchair then.
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