Steven let out a sigh as he ran a hand over his face. What he had thought would be a fairly straight forward process had turned out to be a lengthy one fraught with complications. Creatives had certain mannerisms and most of the people who had come highly recommended weren't fitting into the mold. He had been looking for someone who would blend in as a creative person even though they were a mole. He had been about to give up when Marie sent in a lady called Cadence Steele. After some background checks and thorough interviewing, he had found out that she was the one for the job. Now, he sat at his desk, hungry and exhausted, and at the risk of running late for his special surprise for Marie. He wanted to make tonight so special that all the resistance she had built up in the past weeks ebbed away. He texted Sarah to ensure that all the fresh ingredients he had requested for dinner had been delivered. Marie had already left for her house an hour ago to meet up with Antonio. Steven ho
“So why do you keep trying?”“This may be hard for you to believe Steven, but not everyone wants to end up old and alone. I know I don't.”That's what she thought? That he wanted to be old and alone? “ I want love. I want someone to choose me. I want to have a family of my own.” Marie said in a wistful tone under her breath. Steven wondered if she knew that she had said the words aloud when her head whipped up in shock.“Did I just admit that out loud? Oh my God, I am such a dolt!”“No, Marie. You're not.”“I wish I could love Antonio. I really do because I've spent so much time loving a man who may or may not love me and I'm tired of waiting.”Steven said nothing because he wasn't quite sure where and how to cut in. He had hoped that after they ate and kissed, everything would be crystal clear to her.“Sorry, oh my God, you should see your face, Steven. Thank you for everything you did. You are a nice guy, and such a great friend.”Friend? He didn't want to be her friend. Did frie
“Steven, stop. Oh my God. Someone will see us. Steven, stop!”Marie said, laughing as she tried to push a mischievous-looking Steven away from her. They were in the parking lot, waiting for the elevator, when Steven suddenly got very handsy.“Steven, people are coming. They will see us.”“So, let them. We’re married, Baby.”“Steven! If you keep this up, you’re going to lose your Godzilla status. No one will fear you anymore.”“Mhmmm… A small price to pay if I get to do this…” He said, grabbing her waist and kissing her neck. The elevator opened and they came face to face with a group of staff. After shooting him a look that warned him to behave, Marie stepped into the elevator. Steven, who had been holding both her purse and her briefcase, placed them down. Cracking his knuckles and neck, he came closer to a giggling Marie and said,“Now, where were we?” He grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips, and then pulled her tighter to himself.“Steven, people are watching us!” She said
Save me! Ellen is making a fuss about decor and seat placements and bla bla bla…Laughing while shaking her head, Marie focused on the work in front of her. No one had told her that being in a relationship was so distracting. The most she had done all day was type a memo. Her mind was jumbled up with thoughts of kissing Steven King and being in his arms. It was like her brain had decided to stop functioning and her insides were turning to jelly. So maybe he hadn't exactly popped the question yet but he had let his guard down so much.“I bet you're thinking about me.” The man in question teased, his eyes crinkling with mirth “What? No. I just got a text from Antonio.”“Liar.” He said, walking to her desk to plant a kiss on her cheek.Marie groaned inwardly at the thought of Antonio. She had to end things with him tonight. Even if Steven refused to place a label on whatever it was they were doing, she couldn't keep stringing him along. For some reason, she felt unsettled about going t
“Care to explain this?” Antonio barked, his phone still in his hand.“Can we discuss this inside, please?” Marie said, lowering her voice in a bid to get him to lower his.He glowered at her for some seconds before turning on his heels and going into the house. Marie followed at a safe distance, wondering how on earth she had gotten into this situation?How had the Paparazzi been so fast? It was barely two hours and an article brandishing her face and Steven King’s was headlining a gossip blog. Antonio balanced his hip on the curve of his kitchen counter and folded his arms as he waited for her to speak.Marie was terrified at the look in his eye. She had never seen someone so upset before. Especially not with her.“I’ve been such a fool. An idiot. A donkey!”Donkey? She fought back the urge to laugh.“Antonio, I'm so sorry. I was going to tell you about him.”“You were going to tell me? What exactly were you going to tell me, Marie? That you were married to a billionaire, or that
“Marie, you have to come into the house, please.”She shook her head sideways and averted her gaze. They had done this five times now and she showed no sign of relenting.“Marie…” He said, reaching out to touch her and flinching when she scooted backwards. It annoyed him that the bastard had laid his hands on her. One look at the jerk’s face and he had known that if he didn't step away, he would have spent the rest of his life in a slammer, serving a life sentence for murder. There were a lot of things he could have done better tonight. He could have insisted she texted him. Asked her out properly. Seized her phone. “I can't go in with you because you're mad at me, Steven.” Marie said, her voice shaking with the weight of unshed tears.Angry at her?“Marie, Baby. Why would I be mad at you?”“Because…” She said, shrugging her shoulders and looking away as fresh tears spilled from her eyes.What had the bastard said to her to make her this ashamed?“Baby… I'm not mad at you. I'm furiou
“So who's Jeff? Someone from her past?” James asked after Steven had narrated the events of the previous day to him.“I wish I knew, James. I wish I knew. It was so heartbreaking to watch. You needed to have been there, James. When she woke up in the morning and I asked her who Jeff was, she practically froze before telling me she didn't know who he was.”“Hmm,well, maybe it's too painful for her to think about yet. Made your move yet?”“No. And that's what upsets me about this so much. Because on top of what the stupid jerk has done to her, she has to deal with feeling like I'm not serious about us.”“What are you waiting for, City Boy?”“I just want it to be perfect, you know.”“Perfect, or you’re stalling?” “I am not. Really, that's not it. I just…” Steven massaged his temple and let out a huge sigh.“So do it…”“I will. I think I know just what to do.”“I can't believe you lied about Antonio having straight hair.” Steven said, as he saw the Alden Kings Inc. building come into foc
Marie ran her hands over the seams of her new cardigans, letting her fingers enjoy its rich texture.She couldn't keep it though. Nevermind that it was an Alexander McQueen design. 2,800 dollars for one cardigan was absurd, even for a billionaire. She smiled as she heard Steven's car pull into the driveway. She was wearing a red silk dress that fit snugly, and framed her back quite well. She had also curled her hair and deeply moisturized her skin. The only way she was getting Steven to return the cardigans was to distract him senseless. But even with that, she could only hope.She could hear him coming into the house. Throwing on a big robe, she got under the covers and waited for him in bed. As if on cue, Steven knocked on her door. “I'm not decent, Steven. Can you give me some minutes?” “You don't need to be, Love.” He said in a ridiculous baritone that had her chuckling.“Steven!”“Alright, alright. I’ll come back. Let me get out of these work clothes.”Marie smiled as she heard
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