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
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
“What?” Steven asked in a voice so phony that everyone turned to stare at him.“Is that blood, uncle Steve? It is. There's blood on your shirt.”“Shhhhh, buddy. Don't make a big deal about it. I cut myself.”“You did? Cool! Let me see.” Rick exclaimed, as though he was being given front row tickets to a fun show.“Richard! Get back to class!”“But granny…”“Now!” Amelia boomed as a disgruntled Rick turned in his heel and headed towards the stairs, waving to Steven as he went.“You may want to get that cleaned up before leaving.” Alden said to him as he wheeled himself into his room.“Hand it to me.” Amelia said.“Oh? I didn't actually cut myself.”“I know. I’m not stupid. Alden keeps sneaking off in his wheelchair and I've seen some funny looking characters hanging around. I don't want to know what all this is about but I hope you're both not being stupid. And he's finally getting the exercise ”“Ah.” Steven replied as he took off his shirt and handed it to Amelia. He walked with Stev
Maybe it was the fact that the guy was a psychopath who had put his wife in a coma or the fact that he had such a punchable face but Steven didn't stop until Smith stopped laughing and started to cough.“Oh, I could go on for hours. I'm only just getting started.”“Kill me, please. I’d love to see how you get the answers you want.” Smith saidSteven snarled as he shook his knuckles.“Oh, make no mistake, Smith. You are going to die. You're going to pay for what you did to Cadence. I’ll make sure about that even if it's the last thing I do.”“I keep telling your stupid old man. I didn't kill Cadence Steele.”“The same way you didn't run my wife over?”“Exactly. I mean I know about it, make no mistake. But I neither authorized nor did it.”“You know what Smith, you're full of crap and I'm tired of doing this with you, so start talking. There's no use stalling too because you're not getting out of this till I'm satisfied.”“Look, I know you think I'm the one you’re looking for but I'm no
“What do you mean?”“I mean I've never seen you so affected by anything, Alden. Not even when your own son got into an accident.”Alden’s eyes hardened as he grunted.“That wasn't an accident. It was a stupid decision made by someone who should have known better.”Steven fought the urge to roll his eyes. Of course Alden would say that about his father. Alden had never cut him any slack.“Right, but you're deflecting the question. Why do you act like she means so much to you? What's this about?”“The only person that can give you the answers you want us is your wife, Steven.”What did that mean? Was there something about Alden and Marie he didn't know?“I don't understand what you mean, Alden.”“Are you ready to leave now?” Alden asked, pushing his chair backwards as he averted his eyes from Steven. Steven sighed and walked ahead of his grandfather. It was funny that Alden would rather die than let Steven touch his wheelchair while he allowed Amelia to help him all the time. He also kn
“Where are you?”“Hello to you too, Alden.” Steven said as he honked at the driver in front of him. Did people drive with their brains turned off these days?“I'm at your house and Dr. Terence tells me you’re not here.” The accusation in his tone spoke volumes but Steven chose to ignore it.“If you’d let me know you were coming over, perhaps I may have been ready to receive you.” Steven answered in a cool tone.“When you asked for this leave, you did say it was so you could remain at your wife's side, not gallivant around town.”“What do you want, Alden?”“No, listen to me young man. You're the one who’ll get down here fast if you want to hear what I have to say.” He answered before hanging up the phone. Steven exhaled as he massaged his temple. The last thing he wanted was Alden sticking his nose into how he was caring for Marie. Twenty minutes later, he pulled into the house and headed to the room where Marie was. Alden was in conversation with Dr. Terrence and didn't notice at firs
Dr. Terrence met him outside Marie's room and was about to say something but Steven held up his hand to forestall any comment.“I need everyone to leave for a few moments.”“Okay, Mr.King but if I may…”“Now, please.” Steven repeated as frazzled nurses began filing out of the room. He wasn't sure if he could stomach any more bad news so whatever Dr. Terrence had to say would have to wait.Dr. Terrence nodded and exited the room. Steven looked down at Marie and smiled at her. Even in a coma, her beauty took his breath away.He let out a long sigh and sat beside her bed before taking her hand in his.“You know, for the past few weeks, Marie. I’ve been mad at myself. Thinking about where I went wrong and how I could have failed you so much.”He squeezed her hand and checked to see if there was any reaction on her face. Her eyes remained blank and unfocused as they had been.“I’ve been mad at myself for letting you go through so much pain. For the fact that you're stuck somewhere between
Steven's mind whirled with thoughts as he heard the sound of Zed Norton's car backing out of his driveway.He ran a hand through his hair as he thought about what had transpired between Sandra and him. How on earth was he going to explain this to Marie when she came out of the coma? He could just imagine the look on his face.“You know when you were stuck in a coma fighting for your life? Yeah well, I slept with your best friend. And I don't even remember doing it.”He let out another curse and Sarah tossed him a concerned glance. He let out a sigh and plunked into the chair.“Any special orders for lunch, Sir? The chef wants to know…” She askedThe thought of having any food right now made him want to puke. Whenever he closed his eyes, all he could see was Cadence lying in a pool of her own blood.“I'm not hungry, Sarah. I’ll head out and probably eat something.”“Okay, Sir. Do I make any provisions for Ms.Rakes?”“No, Ms. Rakes wouldn't be returning anymore.” Steven replied as she
“What are you doing?” Steven whispered as he jerked away from Sandra. His head was reeling from pain. Had she really kissed him?“Sorry. I don't know what happened…You looked so sad and I wasn't thinking.” She said as she abruptly got on her feet and cleared her plate. She grabbed the glass and was about to take the bottle of wine with her when Steven dragged it from her.“You can't drink the whole bottle, Steven.” She said in a quiet voice.“Get out.” He said, in a voice harsher than he intended. She glared at him for some seconds before wilting and walking out of the room.He took a swig of the bottle and sighed. Did she deserve such hostility from him for a mistake? She had only been trying to help him after all. It seemed all he was capable of these days was messing up on a grand scale. His actions kept hurting the people he called friends and family even when he didn't intend for them too. Tomorrow, he'd apologize for being bitchy to her. For now, he had only one thing on his min
“Thank you for calling me. I’ll drive him home. The last couple of weeks have been very hard with his wife being in a coma, you know.”Steven could hear Sandra talking to someone. He tried to remember calling her. Had he done that himself or had Tony called her? What time was it? She was looking at him now with something akin to disappointment on her face. Well, he didn't bloody care.“Come on, let's get you home.” She said, as she tried to help him to his feet. Steven chuckled as the both fell back on the leather seat. What was she thinking? That her tiny body could support his weight?“Is something funny, Steven King? You should be ashamed of yourself. You’re drunk. No one's been able to reach you all afternoon. James and Joanna left after breakfast and have been trying to get across to you. Your cell was switched off. And then I get a call that you're wasted in a bar!”“Arghhh. Stop talking in my face.” He mumbled. Her voice was beginning to give him a headache. He wasn't that drun
After Steven got off the call with the 911 operator, he thought about what to do next. He couldn't go home to Marie in this state, knowing that her suffering was caused by him. Nor was he in the mood to face either James or Joanna. He couldn't go to Alden's as that meant endless lectures he wasn't ready for. He knew the only thing likely to get him through the next couple of hours. He turned off his cell phone and drove off. Thirty minutes later, he parked outside Ziggler’s. The tiny, nondescript bar was exactly as he remembered it. He hesitated for a minute before heading in. He had promised James that he wasn't ever coming back here and for over ten years he had kept that promise. But there was no turning back now. A woman was dead because of him, another was in a coma fighting for her life. He needed this, if only for a few minutes. He opened the door, alighted and walked in before he could lose courage. Inside the tiny bar was exactly as he remembered it. How long since he had sat