Marie jumped as his father's tall frame came through the hallway to where they sat in front of the TV. William King was holding a carryall in his left hand. She winced as she noticed that muddy imprints had trailed his steps from the door. She hazarded a glance to Steven who didn't look exactly excited or embarrassed, he looked a little closer to being upset instead.Pulling her back to the chair, he kissed the side of her head and then rose with her to meet his father's gaze.“Dad, it's a surprise to see you. I thought you were offshore?”“Wow, Son. If I didn't know better, I'd think you’re not happy to see your old man. Come and give me a hug, my boy.”Marie bit back a smile as the boy in question trudged to where his father stood and gave him a hug. William King made a good show of clasping Steven and thumping him on the back several times before releasing him. William all but ignored Marie until Steven pulled her forward.“You’ve met my wife,” He said, gripping her firmly against
“Done? What's done?” William King asked, fixing Steven with a hard glare.Oh for the love of God. Could the man get over himself? Why was he here requesting information from Steven like some present father? However she hoped Steven would give an answer because she was curious as well.“Nothing. Just some personal business, Dad.”“What personal business do you have with Alden?” William asked, his brows drawing together as frown lines deepened on his forehead.“Dad, it's between Alden and I. I'm not exactly at liberty to share right now.” Steven said, avoiding both hers and his father's gaze.“Fine.” William said, but by the look on Steven's face, Marie saw that he knew everything William had packed into that one word.They spent the rest of the day in tense silence with Steven and William exchanging glances that made Marie's tummy squirm. Once the clock hit 8PM, she made an excuse to get ready for bed and hightailed it out of their presence. At least which was safe from the iciness and
Without saying a word to him, Marie ran into the bathroom and slammed the door. Kissing and flirting with Steven King these past two months had been heavenly, but beginning an actual relationship was new territory for her and it was freaking her out. Even though this was the very thing she had been waiting for, now that it has finally occurred, she found that she was struggling to come to terms with it.“Hey, Love,” The man in question said from the other side of the door.“Hi.” She responded, her lips trembling as tears threatened to spill from her eyes. She ran her hand over her hair and tried to take a deep breath.“I'm sorry it took me so long to see it. I'm sorry for all the waiting you did these past few years. But I'm here now, Love.”“Steven, you’re asking me out for real? No take backs?”“No, Love. I'm dead serious about this.”“I don't know what to say. I’ve wanted this for so long but now I'm scared. What if we end up hating each other? What if you can't stand the way I sme
“You know you promised, Marie. And so you can't argue with me.” Steven said, smiling as though he was a custodian to a mighty secret no one else knew about.“Gosh, what have I gone and done now? Steven King, you know what I meant when I said I would make it up to you!” She said, planting her hand on her hips and frowning. Her actions only seemed to ignite whatever fire was burning in him because he immediately smiled and said,“Angry Marie is sooo hot.”“Steven.”“Marie. Don't argue with me. You promised and I kept my end of the deal. I don't even want a hard thing. I just want you to work from here today.”Marie's mouth fell open at his request. Was it time to start wishing for her Godzilla boss who would have fired her if she had dared encroach his personal space without cause?“Steven King, you want me to work from the same space as you?”“Yes Ma’am. I’d rather not have to walk all the way whenever I want to kiss my wife, or hug her from behind or…”“Steven, this is a work environm
Steven spared a glance at Marie who seemed to be in a fierce battle with her keyboard. He couldn't for the life of him figure out what was wrong with her. She had been perfectly fine till he addressed the team, then she had just gotten up, walked to the bathroom and came out upset. Marie had always been a sensitive woman, one he had always had to be softer with even when their relationship had been purely professional.He fought back a smile as he recalled the early days and how she would sulk or sometimes cry when he gave her feedback. But she had picked up far better than most assistants he had worked with and that's why he had kept her for these ten years. She had such a quick brain that seemed to remember everything and everyone and preempt the things he needed fixed before he even had to brief her. She had saved him so much time and money that he wasn't sure if he would be half as effective at his job if she wasn't so good at hers. She looked up at him briefly before dropping her
Arghh. That woman was here. Again. Why she grated on his nerves so much, he had no idea. The fact was that the front gate had texted him about an hour, thirty minutes ago asking if he was expecting her and he had not responded. Although the issue with Marie had been bugging him, he also had been reluctant to let the woman in when he and Marie were not around. Marie looked from her friend’s face to his and immediately knew.Bugger. He had never been good enough at hiding things from her. She narrowed her eyes as she looked at him, a lips forming into a tight line. He ordered the driver to wind down the windows so they could talk with Sandra.“Hi Babes. I'm so sorry, I had no idea you were waiting out for me.” Marie said in a placating tone.“Babes. I get it, you're the wife of a billionaire now. But this is a bit much. I have been standing here for almost two hours. I have called you several times. I even called him!” Sandra said, pointing an accusing finger at Steven.Steven, who wasn
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
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