(Stephen's POV)"You can have your seat though," I said almost politely and rushed back to my space.Instantly, I tilted my spines backward and began to twirl the chair as I played with another bottle of alcohol I had hidden under one of my cabinets.Without saying any word, she perched on the seat and I could see her fiddling her petite fingers through the transparent table as she lowered her head. She felt uncomfortable and honestly, how she felt wasn't my concern.An awkward silent set in the room and I hated to be in a quiet place. That was the reason I created an almost invisible airpod for myself to listen to any form of music I wished. Breaking the silence, I provoked her with my deep manly voice."How great are you today, young thief! Did you dress for me today?" She raised her head, looking embarrassed and she gave a withering glare. "What are the eyes for? I'm just trying to entertain my bride-to-be. Or, don't you want to marry a man that has a great sense of humor?"Finall
(Kendall's POV)As I trudged along the path which led to our house, my head inclined under the scorching sun and I felt my skin fade into the atmosphere.Pain took all over my body, walking with the contract file clasped in between my fingers and my eyes, though swollen, were contorted with rage.My blood boiled at 100° Celsius which I knew to be the boiling point of fury, and despite the rage that heated my blood, a flood of mixed emotions gushed through me.On arriving home, I knocked on the door and without getting any response, I twisted the doorknob and let myself in."Gabriella, Laura, Gabriella!" I called out faintly due to exhaustion and a tinge of frustration.No response came and a series of worried emotions engulfed me. Where could they be on this sunny day? I thought as I called out their names and flung the contract file to God knew where.I checked our single bedroom which Gabriella designed to be differentiated from our kitchen with a removable metallic slab. They weren
(Stephen's POV)Antonio really fucked up today and it annoyed me the more I was thinking about it. Initially, I intended to break the bones of the knees and shoulders of that stupid Kendall.Throughout my life from cradle till now, no one, not even my parents or school teachers had the guts to touch my cheeks talkless of slapping me. But that witch had the effrontery to raise her striking hand to hit me on my face.After her hand landed on my right cheek, the first thing I saw was stars clouding in my eyeballs. I thought I was dead and God was already passing his judgment on me in heaven. Instantly, my brain reset to zero and it began to process new programs.Before I could realize what was going on, she landed another one on my second cheek and I collapsed to the floor which took a while for me to regain my composure.As I struggled to get back on my knees, I carried the first thing I saw and in a swift motion, I thwacked her left ribs with the rectangular hard glass that was attach
Waking up from the unconscious state, I felt dizzy and my body throbbed with pangs of heaviness and agony. I drifted my blurry sight across the familiar features of the unplastered walls.Slowly darting my gaze to the left, Gabriella was dozing off beside me as she held my hands tightly, and Laura had slept off in her arms.I wanted to get up and lay Laura on her mat but the more I tried to lift my back, the harder it was for me, and I fell back to the hard ground. I used my other hand to clutch my head which felt like someone was banging a large nail into my skull with a metallic hammer.The pain I was feeling right now made it seem as though Stephen just finished beating me. I didn't feel half of it when the medical department of the company attended to me this morning. In fact, I could still talk and interact until I exhausted my energy trekking under the blazing sun.They were about to put a bandage on my nose and other exposed bleeding parts of my body like my forehead when I re
(Stephen's POV)"He just called that he is on his way," Antonio informed me as I worked out in the gym.He walked closer, took the towel I hung on my shoulders and used it to wipe off the sweats that cascaded down my forehead. As I slowed down on the treadmill, he carried the bottle that contained water and handed it over to me."How many minutes would it take for him to get here?" I questioned as I took a gulp and breathed out, giving him back the empty bottle."Less than thirty minutes I suppose," Antonio replied as he tightened the lid of the bottle."I do not want a supposition. I need facts. You have to be precise." I snapped at him and rolled my eyes."Alright, Esteban," he said and wanted to take his leave when I called him back."Yes?" He replied to me and came back."By the way, Antonio, I am very sorry about the way I reacted to you two days ago. I still sink in rues for throwing those words at you," I pleaded without remorse showing on my face.I wasn't the type of person t
(Stephen's POV)"How do I look?" I asked Antonio as I checked myself out in front of the large mirror. Antonio gave me a lopsided grin and his lips twitched, clapping his hands together in awe."Wow! You look spectacular," he complimented and I smiled at the mirror. He leaned forward to straighten my white shirt and blue pants. "Thank you, Antonio.""You look like a groom on his wedding day," he added as three knocks landed on the metallic door."Check who is at the door." He darted to the entrance, clicked the door open as he twisted the knob, and turned his neck 180° back to me."They are your dressing maids.""Let them in," I ordered and he ushered two sexy figures cladded in bikinis and red high heels into the room.They sashayed magnificently toward me as one of them who was holding my tuxedo tilted her body closer to mine and gave me a light kiss on the lips. The second maid leaned closer to me and pecked my forehead also. I did not reciprocate much. I only cupped their small b
(Kendall's POV)I was applying a lotion on Laura's body when a message from an unknown number popped up in my phone's notification bar. 'That could be from that woman beater.' I thought as I opened the message.My heart almost skipped a bit when I found out that the sender - who I had thought would be - did not send his address but was requesting my address instead. As I read further, my body became calm when I saw "From Antonio, The Personal Assistant of Stephen DeLaCruz".I turned to Gabriella who was preparing tea for us in the demarcated kitchen. "Mum, I just received a message from his P. A and he is requesting our address. Do you advise that I forward it to him?""Who is that mummy?" Laura asked as she put on her panties herself."Why do you sound like you are shy and afraid, Ken?""No, it's just that-" I stammered.She stopped stirring the tea and fixed her eyes on me. "You are being scared, daughter. No tengas miedo. No one would cause you any harm as long as I am here and I
(Stephen's POV)Staying in prison for more than two days was not what I had expected. I was so furious when the Mexican Policeman said the reason for my arrest was connected to me beating Kendall.They claimed they'd sentence me to court the following day and the government would take over everything I inherited from my dad.Two days ago, when the policemen placed the handcuffs on my wrists and pushed me into their vehicles, I thought Antonio would do something to bail me out instantly. However, I was shocked when the clock hanging above the celda gate read fifty hours. What was taking Antonio too long to bail me out or bribe the policemen?The fury overwhelmed me and I vowed to deal with him whenever I was out. Taking a bitter nap on the bug-infested bed that was in the cell, I was awoken by the clanging sound of metals. I stretched myself cladded in the baggy orange trouser and t-shirt that the Mexican government bestowed on me.The middle-aged prison officer who looked as though h
(Stephen's POV) - A YEAR AFTERMy wife and I stood side by side in front of the full-length mirror, a flurry of excitement in the air. Tonight was a momentous occasion; the event we had been planning and looking forward to for weeks. The merging of our companies was a significant step forward, and this party was our chance to celebrate with colleagues, friends, and loved ones. I adjusted my tie, glancing at my reflection, my heart racing with anticipation and nerves. "How do I look?" I asked, half-jokingly.Kendall turned to me, a playful smile on her lips. "You clean up pretty well, I must admit."Chuckling, I gave her a mock bow. "And you, my dear, look stunning." And she did — her red silk gown cascading elegantly to the floor, a perfect match for the occasion.She blushed and turned back to the mirror, fussing with her hair. "I hope I'm not overdressed. Isn't this jewelry a little too much?"I stepped closer and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder and a soft kiss on her neck
(Stephen's POV)A few months after our wedding took place, my wife rested her head on my thighs as I caressed her protruded belly while watching our favorite family show.The doctor said her due date was just two days from now according to the gynecologist, and I was doing my best to ensure she witnessed no pain.The show's opening scenes played out, and the triplets wriggled and giggled between us, seemingly just as eager to enjoy the film.Suddenly, a hushed gasp escaped Kendall's lips, her hand instinctively reaching for her belly. I felt her tense against me, and then it happened, a rush of warm liquid and soft pop. Panic surged through me as her water broke right there on the couch."Ken, are you okay?" I asked, trying to hide my alarm.She managed a weak smile, her breathing becoming uneven as her contractions started. "I think... think it's time."My heart raced as I scrambled to my feet. Gab sprang up immediately too.My eyes darted between my wife and the kids, who were now
(Kendall's POV)My eyes sprung open, welcomed by the warm greetings of my little darlings as I exited the dreamland.Each of them held a unique bouquet and my all-time favorite chocolate bars, their faces beaming with smiles, reflecting the love and excitement that filled the air.I rubbed off my eyes and sat upright. "Good morning, my babies. How was your night's rest?""It was nice," they chorused.What's the occasion, little angels?" I asked after seeing the boxes of pizzas and strawberries beside me too. "Are these all for mummy?""Yes, mummy, look! I picked these sunflowers for you because they're as bright and beautiful as you!" Laura replied, her voice clear and smart as always."And I brought these roses for you too, Mummy. I want you to always be happy." Claura gently added."And what do we have here?" I asked, my gaze turned to Flora."Wildflowers, Mom," she responded, smiling as she stretched it towards me. "We picked them from the garden."Taking the flowers from each of t
(Kendall's POV)I returned to our master bedroom after checking up on the girls, my body heavy with the weight of the pregnancy and I felt relieved that Gab was already taking care of their baths.Since we came back to Mexico, putting things in order has been my hobby and a way of releasing the stress that comes with additional lives in the belly. Moreover, this was like an exercise.After the room felt just right, I decided it was time for a bit of relaxation and the idea of a warm bath was too tempting to resist, given the ache in my back and the swelling of my feet.Slowly, I undressed and stepped into the soothing embrace of the bathwater. The gentle lap of water against the sides of the tub created a calming rhythm, and soon I stepped out of the bathtub, feeling rejuvenated.Wrapping myself in a soft towel, I moved back to the room and began applying fragrant body cream to my skin. Just as I was lost in the soothing sensation, the door creaked open. I turned, surprised to see St
(Stephen's POV)After Kendall finished hurling the words she couldn't say when she caught them together, we left and prepared ourselves back to Mexico.A few weeks after we flew back to Mexico, I stepped into the gym, and the soft glow of the overhead lights illuminated the sleek exercise equipment that lined the room. The rubber mat beneath my feet was cool to the touch as I climbed the treadmill. With a flick of a switch, the machine hummed to life and I adjusted the settings.As I started jogging, the steady rhythm of my footsteps matched the beat of my heart. The view outside the floor-to-ceiling windows revealed my tranquil garden, still shrouded in the morning mist.The gentle whirring of the elliptical machine in the corner called out to me. Transitioning smoothly, I moved to the machine, gripping the handles as I began to pedal. The low hum of the machine and the focused burn in my muscles created a serene sense of accomplishment.Sweat began to form on my brow as the minute
Kendall's POVI woke up to the sound of a familiar voice, a voice that had become a comforting presence in my life."Arise and shine, Mrs. De La Cruz."As I blinked my eyes open, I saw Stephen humming one of my favorite songs delightfully, a song he knew I loved as he placed a tray of food on the stool close to the bed. Awwwn!."Behold the queen of the empire. Mrs. De La Cruz is awake," he uttered dramatically.I watched as he approached, his eyes never leaving mine, his love and care palpable in every step he took.The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on his tousled hair and the gentle smile on his lips. The aroma of freshly cooked breakfast wafted through the air, making my stomach growl in anticipation.With a gentle chuckle, he leaned over me, planting kisses all over my face as his fingers brushed against mine in a tender caress."What do we have here? You cooked?" I asked, surprised, butterflies dancing in my heart as I chuckled shyly."Just for t
(Kendall's POV)It's been over two weeks since I had been in the hospital and we're ready to leave as Gab folded my things into a packing bag. Staring out of the glass window, my heart leaped with joy that the gloomy days were over. The thought that I had forgotten who my triplets, Gab and even Stephen were caused a crack in my happy heart.I wondered why I'd be waking up uttering Fred's name. I hoped Stephen wasn't sad about it at present because I'd have flared up if he had to be in my shoes and he began to clamor Jessica's name.Also hearing the information about Antonio, I was devastated. Stephen held him in high esteem and I felt very annoyed knowing that he had ulterior motives for all he did. Very sad."Forget the past, Kendall, it's a new start now. Life has given you another chance. Don't contaminate it with the past." I cautioned myself as I rubbed my baby bump that was beginning to shoot out."Oh! You're set," the doctor voiced immediately as she entered the room, almost s
(Stephen's POV)What! I glared intensely with my mouth slightly opened as the prosecutor revealed that Antonio was in communication with Frederick and Antonio.Why didn't Jeff mention when he called me about the kids earlier?As I sat down, I wanted to yell out to the world, my heart sinking in betrayal. I suspired and managed to comport myself so as not to disturb the stillness of the courtroom."Why did you not tell me about the third party?" I growled at the prosecutor's attorney, who was smiling in victory at the way he handled the case immediately after the court session was over."I am sorry, Mr. De La Cruz. I found out, just a few minutes into the court session.""You still should have…"Just then, I was interrupted by the dinging notifications of my phone buzzing and it was from Jeff.My heart skipped a beat as I read the message. "Found him. Arrested. At the NYPD's 23rd Precinct. I will give you details when I see you."Adrenaline surged through my veins as I walked hurriedly
(Frederick's POV)I sat behind the well of the courtroom, hovering my eyes around as I floated in the turmoil of sad emotions with the depths of guilt and regret pressed down on me.All evidence was clearly against me, although there were no witnesses in the murder case. My notebook, the fingerprints, everything pointed to me.While I sank in my misery with sadness written all over my face, a few inches beside me, Anna also sat in the dock, her face void of any remorse. She looked ready for anything that came up as her arms crossed against each other.On the other end of the docks was a lady named Jessica and two young ladies I leaned were her spies both at Stephen's workplace and home. They had been orchestrating some evil plans toward Stephen and Kendall.I switched my eyes back to the jury. Their eyes bore into me, a mix of curiosity, judgment, and perhaps even a hint of pity. The courtroom felt suffocating as if the air itself was tainted by the terrible deeds I had committed."OR