“Alden and Amelia?” Marie exclaimed, her eyes expanded like saucers.“I knew there was a reason the old man’s not dead. He’s been quite busy.”“Steven!” Marie said, a laugh escaping her throat as Steven led her out of the kitchen by the waist.“It's a lazy Saturday, Ma’am. Got any plans for us?”“Well, whatever plans we settle on have to include Rick. But Alden and Amelia!”“Why? Why does it need to?” Steven asked, his narrowed eyes peering at her.“I know it's funny but it's not the most surprising thing in the world. Alden and Amelia, I mean. They are close, you know.”“I know but still I can't believe Amelia didn't tell me.” Maria mused out loud, walking out of the kitchen beside Steven.“Why would she tell you?” Steven paused, tilting his neck backwards to look at her.“Errm… I just mean she never mentioned it,you know. All those times she called to err … book a visit with you or something and she never mentioned…” She sputtered, walking ahead of him to the elevator before she sai
Steven tried not to laugh as he watched Marie trying to hide her surprise. After their last fight about Sandra, Steven was determined to build bridges, even if that meant pretending to be friendly with someone who he didn't like or trust. He had asked for her help to pick out a collection of shoes he wanted to give Marie by the next week. He had also sworn her to secrecy so she didn't go tattling off to Marie.“ Can I have some orange juice too?” Rick butted in, his signature frown on his face as both women turned to look at him.“Of course, Rick. Babe, can you pour him some?” Marie asked.He overheard snippets of their conversation as he poured some juice for Rick. Sandra was saying something about him reaching out to her, while Marie tried to find out what her brilliant idea had been. He wasn't too worried, he knew Sandra could hold her own where Marie was concerned.“Can you take me to the museum?” Rick asked as soon as he had downed the contents of his glass down this throat.“I d
Amelia was likely going to kill him. Assuming Marie didn't kill him first with the looks she was giving him. Thankfully she hadn't said anything. Why had the blasted kid not told him about his allergy? Steven didn't know the blasted ingredient that had hurt him.Marie was already pacing, dialing 911 while he helped to massage Rick’s forehead when he noticed Rick smiling.“Rick!”Rick tried to cover up the smile with a look of pain, but Steven knew what he had seen. The boy was faking.“Rick! Will you stop faking this instant?” Steven asked.“Steven! Are you for real? It's bad enough that we let him eat something he wasn't supposed to, now you're accusing him of faking it? He fell over for Pete's sake.”Steven continued to grill Rick with a glare until the boy broke into laughter and sat up, grinning.“I faked it, Uncle Steve. You should have seen your face!” Rick said.Marie's shoulders relaxed as relief flooded her features.“Rick, that wasn't very nice. You scared me to death.” Mari
“Will you?” He mumbled, resting his forehead on hers as he swayed her from side to side.“Well, are you asking me now?” She asked, keeping her tone level so as not to give anything away. Even if her insides were screaming and dying with excitement.“Well, not exactly right now. But I'm just saying, is it something you think you’d ever want to do?”“I guess you’d just have to wait to know until you ask me for real.” She said, before raising her head and giving him a passionate kiss that sent all anxious thoughts racing from her mind. This was her Steven King and he loved her and was thinking of marrying her. When she broke off the kiss, she looked into his eyes and said,“I know it's crazy but I think we should date for a little while. I already know what I want though so it's not to convince myself. I just want to be your girlfriend a little bit more. But you'll know my answer for sure when you really ask me.” She said, before pressing her lips to his cheek.“Alright.” Steven said, an
“Rick, honey. What’s the matter?” Marie asked, as a solemn Rick sat on her bed and rocked himself back and forth.“I’m scared, Marie. I can hear eerie sounds in my room.”Marie listened for a beat and didn't hear any sounds but didn't want Rick feeling like she wasn't taking his fears seriously.“Okay, Honey. Do you want to sleep in here?” She asked“Can I?” He asked in a shy voice, and for a few seconds Marie saw the frightened boy he tried so hard to hide.“Ofcourse, climb in.” She said, scooting to make space for him.Rick climbed in by her right and let Marie wrap the covers around him. All was quiet for a few minutes before Rick said,“I'm sorry, Mrs.King.”“I thought we agreed you'll call me Marie?” She asked.“I’m sorry, Marie.”“Why?”“For coming here. But the sounds are scary. I know nothing is out there but I'm still scared.” He said“I know what you mean.” She whispered.“Fear isn't logical. That's what Granny says.” Rick said“She's right. But that doesn't make it less rea
“Babe, I want to sell my old car. Do you think you could help me get a good deal for it?” Marie asked Steven, while they rode the elevator that led to their office floor.“Yes, I can. But why do you want to sell it?”“Err… you got me the new BMW, the other one sits in the garage all day. And I need the cash.”“Babe, if you're having problems…” Steven started to say but Marie held up her hand.“Nothing serious. I need to get someone a gift.”“Who?”“Ugh. Can you sell the car or not? Your questions are aging me, Steven.”“I’ll fix it and sell it. But you know I can give you whatever money you…”“Steven!”“Okay. Fine.” Steven said, stepping out of the elevator and holding his hand out for her.“Will you work from my office today?”“Nope. Absolutely not.” She replied. It was going to be tough enough plotting his surprise birthday from her seat in her own office. She checked her emails, set up Steven’s meetings for the day and went to his office to brief him on his next meeting.“You have
Steven smiled down at his cell as he read the text from James.Hey Delicious-looking shoulders, how's life?James hadn't been in the meeting which could only mean one thing. Marie had told him.Argh. Did she need to text James everything? Smiling, he typed backIs this how it is now? You and my wife talk behind my back? About me?James replied immediately,Only when you're letting scantily clad women with talons, call your hair gorgeous and bat their eyelashes at you.Steven chuckled, rolling his eyes, and then typed backShe did NOT bat her eyelashes at me.JamesI see how you avoided the subject of her being scantily dressed.StevenIt's her body, man. What do you want me to do? Tell a grown woman not to dress the way she wants?James…StevenBut you know Clara. You dated the chic, too.JamesClara? It was Clara Marie spoke about?Steven laughed so hard that he caught Marie’s disapproving glare from her desk.StevenThe one and only.JamesWell, still… Go find your wife and make he
“Hey, hotstuff. Ready to go?” Marie asked as she strolled into Steven's office at 5:00 PM.“Oh shoot. I’ll have the driver drop you off, and I'll take some other car. I have this thing I have to attend.”“What thing? I didn't see anything on your calendar.” She quizzed, her brow shooting up.“Err, it's not official. I'm meeting with a friend.” He said“Were you planning on telling me at some point?” She asked, arms akimbo.“Sorry, Love. It kind of sprung up on me. In fact, I have to go now if I want to catch up.”“But? Who's this friend?”“You don't know her, Love. See ya at home.” He said, placing a kiss on her cheek and then dashing out the door.“But who's she?” Marie's voice trailed after him.Sandra had better have a good reason for all the calls and secrecy. A very good one. He arrived at the restaurant ten minutes early and had to wait for thirty whole minutes after their agreed time before she showed up. He stood up to give her a handshake but she pulled him into a tight hug
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