“Hullo, Babes. You're the last person I expected to see!” Sandra exclaimed in a loud voice as she pecked both of Marie's cheeks. Steven watched as Marie hugged her friend begrudgingly. Was she still upset over the segment of her memory that she recovered?“Why? I work here.” Marie answered, as Sandra glanced at Steven. Since when did Sandra feel like she could drop into the office to see him? He wasn't sure he wanted to encourage such behavior but knew that her reaction if he refused to see her would be unpredictable.“I presume you want to see me?” He asked“Yes.” Sandra said as Marie looked from her friend to her husband.“Why though? Is everything okay?” Marie asked“Sure. I have some unfinished business with Mr. Billionaire over here. And this is the only time and place he might have the time.”“I see.” Marie said, not sounding as if she had seen anything at all.“I promise to return him to you soon. I know you probably have closed door meetings to attend to.” Sandra said with a m
“Aren't you going to say anything?” Marie asked, as Steven cradled her palm. The way he ran his fingers through his hair was making her nervous and in the years she had known him, she had never seen him nervous. This was the same man that stared down intimidating clients for Pete's sake.“I will. I'm thinking of how to.” He answered as he released a deep sigh and leaned back in the seat.“Well, haven't you heard? Just do it.” She mumbled, smiling at him. When he didn't smile back at her lame joking, hers started to falter.What did he have to say that was so scary? Was something permanently wrong with her? Even if she decidedGazing into her eyes, he slid into the booth beside her before cradling her thigh. Something about the way he was holding her thigh felt vaguely familiar. She placed her hand over his and was immediately besieged by a deluge of memories of herself sitting in Steven’s lap with his hand on her thigh.“So I…” He started“Steven! I just had a flash of memory of me! I
Steven smiled as he looked at Marie's beautiful face. She was perfect in so many ways he couldn't start to describe and yet she loved him. Even after she has suffered an injury, lost her memory, she still somehow found a way to trust him.She stirred in her sleep and he found himself stroking hair away from her face. He would go through the stress he had gone through with acquiring Kazuko Inc. a thousand times if it meant winding up next to her in bed, watching her beautiful shoulders rise and fall as she slept.It was morning, yet he didn't feel like moving a muscle. He wanted to be here and only here.Ten minutes later, she stirred and opened eyes which were still groggy with sleep.“Good morning, beautiful. How was your night?” He asked“Really? You just wake up and break into song?” She asked as she kicked the covers off and sat up.“And what's wrong with that? You bring out the poet in me.” He said as he rolled out of bed and handed her cane over to her.“Sometimes I’m so angry b
“Shot? What do you mean she’s been shot?” Steven asked in a daze.“I have no idea. She called me crying hysterically that she’d been shot. She was barely audible.” Marie responded as she hurriedly dressed.“Alright. I’ll take you to the hospital.”“No! Sorry, I mean there's no need. The driver can take me, you have to work.”“What? Marie.”“I insist.” Marie said“I’m not letting you go see someone who's been shot without going with you, Marie. It's not safe.”“I'm not sure I want to discuss this, Steven. Sandra didn't want you there.” Marie explai
Despite the shafts of pain that had torn through Marie's chest after Sandra's announcement, she had been unable to leave her friend's side until she fell asleep. When she arrived at the parking lot, Steven King got out of the car looking like someone who had thrown up all morning. Well, that was good riddance because she didn’t care. She wasn’t going to help him assuage his guilt for getting her best friend pregnant. Had he planned to tell her at any point?She shrugged off his hand as he tried to help her get into the car. The earlier she started weaning herself off his assistance, the easier moving out would be.Beside her, Steven was clutching the wheel tightly but hadn’t said a word yet. Not that she was remotely interested in anything he had to say.“Marie, I understand you’re upset. But please…”“Were you ever planning to tell me?”“Yes! I took you to Ziggler’s yesterday, but you got your memories back and I didn’t think I could ruin the mood and do that to you.”“But you alread
Steven jerked awake as the sound of his ringing cell phone startled him. He glanced at the caller ID hopefully but frowned when he found out who was calling. Why was she calling him in the middle of the night?He tossed the phone on the bed and pressed his pillow over his head. Marie had moved out two weeks ago and so far, it was the most excruciating period in his life. While she was still civil to him, it gutted him to realize that her trust and warmth were gone. Every time she looked at him now, it was with a guarded expression.But could he blame her? She had suffered betrayal from the hands of the two people she loved the most. He had no intention of giving up on her, but Sarah advised him not to rush things.His cell phone rang again and Steven let out a string of curses.“What do you want?” He asked in a gruff tone.“I need to get to the hospital… my baby…”. Her teary voice caused all iota of sleep to vanish from Steven's eyes. Was something wrong with Sandra and his child? Aft
Steven groaned as his cell phone rang for the second time that morning. Was it so impossible for him to get some sleep before his breakfast date with Marie. He was looking forward to hanging out with his wife, and was determined to make her come back home. He glanced at the caller ID. It was Alden. Ugh. What did his grandfather want now? This was probably about how he had let Smith get away. He had no idea where the criminal was hiding, and to be honest, he had stopped searching actively. The call rang out and he was about to go back to bed when Alden called again. There was no avoiding this. The earlier he answered, the sooner he could concentrate on catching some sleep.“Hello, Alden.”“ Of course you'd be asleep by 7AM. On a day like this, when you should have been on top of the situation.”Steven rolled his eyes. There was no need to let Alden know that he wasn't going in today. Better to let him think he was only late.“What situation?” He asked*Have you checked the papers today
“Hello, Alden.” Marie said as she looked around to make sure no one could see them.“Can I come in?” Alden asked“I'm not so sure that's a good idea, Alden. Someone could see you.”“Marie.” The old man said and she stepped aside for him to wheel himself in.“I know why you're here, Alden. You're here to tell me what to do, aren't you? What I have to do to protect your precious grandson. Haven't I done enough for both of you? When does it end?”She asked as she slammed the door. Alden's eyes at that moment zeroed on Jemimah's face and he smiled.“Alden? Now’s not really a good time.” She said, as she folded her hand over her chest.*Sit down, Marie. We are going to have a talk.*“Oh no. I am not in the middle of one of your talks. Every time we talk, I end up having to do one crazy thing or the other.”“You know, Marie. Sometimes I look at you and I see Jemimah. Other times, it's like looking at the face of an unbelievably spoiled child.”Marie let out a sardonic laughter that had Alde
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