Before he could say a word, she started clearing the dishes.“Leave it. Come with me.”“No, Steven. You cooked, I want to clean.”“Marie, please. Don't fight me about everything. Just come with me.”“Okay.” She said, rinsing her hands, and following him.The elevator ride to Steven’s floor was silent. Steven looked angry but Marie wasn't sure why. Was it because Sandra had visited her here? She couldn't stop her best friend from visiting her and it wasn't fair that Steven wasn't even making an effort to be friends with her. It's not like their marriage had ended on hostile terms. The elevator opened and Steven stepped out of it, holding his hand open for her.“Thank you.” She said, taking his outstretched hand.He fetched a blanket from his room, and sat down on the floor before motioning for her to join him. Marie ran a hand over her belly, casting furtive glances at the TV and then him. She saw his jaw harden and then relax before he turned to the TV and turned on MasterChef Austral
“Steven, wake up.” Marie said, shaking him awake.“ Steven! Wake up!” Steven’s eyelids fluttered as she struggled to pull himself off. He had just begun to hit that spot where the sleep was the sweetest, not to mention he has been dreaming about doing things with Marie that he couldn't wait to do.“Steven!” She screamed and all thoughts of pleasure vanished from his mind.“What?” He asked, wondering why there was such a ruckus.“There are policemen at the front door.”“Why?”“I don't know. We have to go and find out.”“Right.” He said, as the last vestiges of sleep cleared from his eyes. He kicked off the covers and climbed down from the bed.She followed him as he walked briskly to the door before he turned back.“Where are you going?” He asked, staring pointedly at her chest.“I'm following you out there.”“You are absolutely not doing that. Until I know what they want.”“But…”“Marie, stay back here and don't come out till I get back.”He said, walking out and heading to the fro
Marie smiled down at the red dress she wore to work today. She did feel quite beautiful in it and she had liked the way Steven King had looked at her when she came out. Like she was the best thing after sliced bread. Even now that they were in the office, he found reasons to step out and plant kisses all over her face and neck. Even though she put up mock protests everytime he tried to, she really liked that he paid no mind to her. She had been worried about Cadence Steele sitting in his office when they arrived but after his meeting with her, he had come out all smiles and so she tried to put the worries out of her mind.Her mind flashed back to the earlier occurrence in the morning. It felt so weird that Antonio, a man whom she had been considering a relationship with and had gotten assaulted by, was now dead. At a deeper level, she knew Steven had nothing to do with his death directly, but had he somehow done anything that inadvertently led to his death? Her phone beeped, reminding
“Steven, don't open it. Do not open it.”“Marie, calm down. It's not what you think it is.”It's not?”“No. Before I would do what you're thinking, we would have had a rather serious and long conversation. This is something else.”She sighed, relieved that he wasn't about to repropose, if there was any word like that.“Okay, in that case. I’m ready.” She said, grinning.He opened the box to reveal an exquisite set of silver earrings, chain and a bracelet that shimmered so wonderfully. The chain had a pendant engraved with her name on it.“You know I thought about engraving my name on it, but I didn't want you to think I'm vain.”“This is so beautiful, Steven. I don't know what to say.”“Say you like and you’ll wear it and one of my shirts tonight.”“Steven King!” She half-yelled.“You did say, you didn't know what to say. I was just helping out.”“This is so beautiful,Steven. Thank you.” She said, moving her hair away from her neck so he could put the necklace on her. Then the earrin
“It’s courtesy. Calling, texting, updating. That sort of thing.” Steven said, shaking his head as an unremorseful James stuck his head in the refrigerator and pulled out a beer. Marie snorted and then averted her gaze when Steven scowled at her.“Hey Sunshine, you are a sight for sore eyes. Come here and give me a hug.” James said, ignoring Steven.She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him in a bear hug.“Why is he so grumpy?” James asked, his voice lowered in a conspiratorial tone.“I think he misses you. A hug and a sloppy wet kiss should do the trick.” She whispered, glancing at Steven who was frowning at them.“It seems it may take more than that.” James replied as Marie bursted out laughing before wrapping her arms around James.“Forget him. I missed you.” She said, as James hugged her back.“Marie, need I remind you that you're married? To me?” He asked in a tone that made Marie bite back a smile. Jealous Steven was so cute and silly because this was James, his best
“I’ve watched you in these last few months Marie, and I believe you are good for him. Are you?” James asked, a stern expression on his face.“I… I mean… Yes, I think.” Marie said, uncomfortable with the look in James’s eyes. Where had the chill dude who made her laugh gone?“I think so too. He loves you, I hope you know that. Whether or not he has admitted it to himself or you. You need to know that if you hurt him or betray the trust he has in you, it will be terrible.”What was with the veiled threats? Did James somewhat know something about her secret with Alden?“I don't intend to hurt him.” Marie said, averting her gaze from James's face.“Great. That makes me happy because I won't let you. Yolanda hurt him very deeply. Steven goes around with a gruff voice and a scowl but he's probably the world’s biggest softie. If you hurt him, Marie, you’re most definitely going to answer to me.”“I don't want to hurt him. I’d never hurt him.” Marie said quickly, hoping the conversation would
Steven felt Marie stiffen in his arms. Even in the dark, he could see her lips and chin quivering.“You don't have to tell me yet, Marie. But I do hope it's something you can talk about someday.”“I can't talk about it now. But I will… someday. Please?” She asked in a pleading tone.The truth was that he was a little disappointed and frustrated. A part of him felt that Jeff was the reason some parts of Marie were still locked to him. He felt it in the way she withdrew sometimes when he touched her. It was like she was constantly trying to let herself loose and then reel herself in when she was losing control.“Why do you want to know about Jeff?” She asked, her expression questioning as she raised her head to look at him.“I…I… I don't like the way you clam up when you think of him. But I’m ready to wait.”“Okay, can we go back to the house now?” She askedThere were a lot of reasons he wanted to know about Jeff, chief of which was that he wanted Marie to trust him with all her secret
“That's impossible.” Steven said as Marie noticed Amelia flinching by Alden's side. She probably wanted nothing to do with this arrangement but Alden had imposed it on her. She didn't think the child needed to be privy to whatever argument was about to go down.“Hey Rick, Do you like comic books?” She asked, smiling at the boy. Steven looked as though he was ready to club her but she didn't care right now.“Sure, and classics too. I do prefer classics if you have those?”“Ah, a young reader. You're in the right place. You have to see our library!” She said, injecting cheer into her voice. With that, she shot Steven a behave-yourself look and went with Rick to Steven’s library. Once she unlocked the door, Rick made a bee-line for the classics. He hadn't been kidding. She closed the door and headed to the living room where Alden was saying,“Look, it's just a few weeks, Steven.”“Absolutely not. No offense, Amelia but Marie and I work.”“So, your staff can look after him during the day
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