CALEB I saw a smirk sneak into Katherine’s face when my father said that. My brows furrowed in anger as I glared at him as well as every other person in the waiting room. “I won’t marry her,” I replied, and Father’s face hardened as he slowly tore me into shreds with his blazing eyes. “Then count yourself off from my family, return my company as well,” he rebuffed and Grandma gripped his hand, shaking her head in disagreement. “No, no, James it hasn’t gotten to that. You don’t have to worry yourself; Caleb will marry the girl,” Grandma pacified, and I parted my lips to disagree, but the look I got from Grandma shut me up. I sighed loudly, threw a murderous glare at Katherine, and walked away. I left the building in a daze and slumped into my car, drumming the wheel as my head dropped lazily. My phone rang and I glanced at the caller’s ID. I picked up my phone and accepted the call, placing the phone on my ear. “What do you want, Mario?” I asked. “Congra
ROSY Caleb was taken aback when his eyes met mine. The question I threw at him put him in a greater shock. He cranked his head backward, glancing at Madam Helen before snapping his hostile eyes on me. “It is nothing,” he said in a brusque tone, then quickly slid away without sparing me a glance. I glared at Madam Helen, pursing my lips out indignantly. I was disappointed with her actions. After finding out about Caleb’s betrayal, she still considers him a friend. “What business does he have with you again?” I snapped. She raised her brows, shifting her eyes away from the glass of lemonade twirling in her hand. “It's none of your business,” she said without a care in the world. I scoffed loudly, wondering what had gotten into Madam Helen to make her act this way. “You have changed. A lot,” I muttered and she narrowed her eyes, unbothered about my observation. “What brought you here?” she asked, and my throat tightened as I searched for ways to turn Madam Helen’s he
CALEB Staring at my reflection in the mirror reminded me of my previous wedding years ago. The expression on my face was the same as the one I had when I was getting married to Rosy. I was forced into marrying her just like I’m being forced into marrying this little witch. I swallowed hard and huffed out in anger, straightening a cuff that didn’t need the effort. “Whoa! Whoa! Look at that soon-to-be-married man,” Julius laughed, walking into my room. Casper and Kim trailed after him, grinning from ear to ear. I knew that the grin on their faces wasn’t that of happiness for me but mockery. They were all in dark tuxedos, which was the usual attire for the best men at a wedding. Casper’s raven hair was brushed back with some of the hair in the middle sticking out. I do wonder if he looked at the hair in the mirror before stepping out. Kim’s dark hair was gelled into a style as always, and Julius’s curly bangs, which swept across his shoulder, glimmered lustrou
CALEB Katherine gasped in horror, and her wobbly feet lost their support on her body, sending her down to the ground. Casper was fast enough to catch her before she reached the floor. Mom sprang up from her seat and marched towards me in fury, throwing a slap across my face. I swallowed hard and clenched my fist as I tasted blood in my mouth. “You useless boy, what exactly do you think you are doing?” She snapped, waving her fingers at me. “Stop shouting, Mom, you just got discharged from the hospital,” I said in a calm voice. “Like you cared!” she raved. “Why will I care about a woman who faked a suicidal attempt? I knew you were faking it, Mom; I knew you were wide awake!” I snapped back at her and her eyes widened in shock. She was taken aback by my unexpected accusation. “What… what… what are you saying?” she stuttered, glancing over at my dad who sat down quietly, watching the drama going on before him. “I am telling the truth,” I retorted. “That isn’t enou
CALEB The room was as silent as a graveyard as we sat around the large oval dining table, none of us uttering a word. I could tell how hard my mom was trying to sink into the drama that was playing out in the church. It was harder for her with the number of eyes glaring at her. Grandma was the first to make a sound by clearing her throat, her large accusing eyes fixed on my mother who kept fidgeting in her seat. “I respected the girl because you were the one who chose her for Caleb,” Grandma began, referring to my mother. My mom’s lips parted and slammed together in guilt. “Look at the disgrace that wretched girl has caused our family, she ruined our reputation!” Grandma spat, and Mom shuddered slightly, picking on her manicured nails. “No, no, grandma. You are getting everything wrong. Katherine’s family is the one getting the embarrassment,” Mom tried to defend herself, and Grandma scowled at her. “You think so? What are people going to think about the futu
MADAM HELEN “Get the work done by tomorrow if you’re not ready to fit into the list of unemployed people,” I snapped and slammed down the receiver, sighing loudly as I rubbed my forehead. I glanced down at the birthmark again and my lips twitched as I tried to remember where I had seen the mark before. I am certain that I have seen this mark somewhere before, but I can’t seem to discern the exact place and body. But one thing was sure, the mark was found on the body of a little boy. The problem I have now is remembering the boy’s name or his parents. “Miss Rosy is here, Madam Helen,” the intrusive voice of the chief maid seeped into my thoughts. I groaned out and nodded my head in approval as I pulled the paper into the drawer. The door opened and Rosy sauntered in as sassy as always. It always makes me happy to see one of my grandchildren taking after me, I won’t have to worry about the fortunes of the Connor family when I’m gone because I’m sure they’ll be in safe han
ROSY I frowned upon seeing Caleb still in the garage, pacing restlessly around his car. I narrowed my eyes and began to walk towards my car, ignoring his presence. “Don’t try to act like you didn’t see me,” his hard voice made my heart skip a beat. I swallowed hard and continued walking briskly towards my car. I still wonder why I gave my chauffeur a leave. Now I’m alone with this madman in the garage. “We need to talk, Rosy,” he shouted when I got to my car. I spun around and glared at him. “There’s nothing to talk about. Let’s end the deal and stop seeing each other. The sex never happened, okay?” I snapped out without thinking twice. I realized the mistake I had made when I saw his lips twitch into a sardonic smile. “Didn’t you say we should keep that secret behind the doors of my room but here you are blurting it out,” he mumbled. The serious and angry look on his face was gone; it was replaced by that mocking smirk that caused a stir of irritati
MADAM HELEN I shifted my attention away from the flower and glanced at my phone which had been ringing for some minutes. “I hope it’s not one of those useless employees,” I muttered as I wiped my hands on a rag and picked up the phone. “Yes?” I groused, staring at the blooming buds of the hibiscus flower. “Okay, send it to me.” I dropped the phone and sighed before going back to inspect my plants. The glass doors of my private plant house opened and a maid stepped in. “Miss Rosy is here to see you, ma’am,” she announced with her head bowed low. My brows snapped up in surprise as I stared at the maid in disbelief. “Rosy is here?” “Yes, madam,” she replied. “Let her in.” She left the house, and soon the door opened, and Rosy ran in, breathing heavily. I pushed out the smile that tried to break out on my face as I glared pretentiously at her. “It seems like you missed your way. This is the house of Caleb’s puppet, have you forgotten?” I said. From the corner