10 on the dot, I was seated in the conference hall, facing four people from the HR office. Two are from TopLink, while the rest are from the headquarters. Grace was also present, but she looked so smug, no one would believe she was just a special assistant and not one of the company's executives. Last night, I convinced myself that I wouldn't be scared, but seated there, facing those cold looking people, my heart couldn't help but tremble… “Having gone through your complaint letter, we have done our investigations and found most of the complaints here unfounded. There is no evidence to support your claims.” The woman from Headquarters solemnly said. “What do you mean? There are many people who witnessed these things. Did you ask them or just decide that whatever Grace says is the truth?” I couldn't help but snap at her. I turned to TopLink’s head of HR, but his eyes were glaring at me. “Sir, how come they can't find any evidence?” I continued, unfazed by his angr
“What the hell is going on?” Grace stood up, banged the table, and yelled, the moment Freddy left the room. “Yeah, what is going on?” The woman from Headquarters stood up, facing my department Head of HR. “How come the CEO’s office was able to gather evidence, but you weren't? Are you trying to humiliate me?” “It's a misunderstanding, Ma’am. I will quickly look into it.” The man stuttered and got to his feet. “This meeting will be adjourned.” Headquarters HR snorted and left the room. The silent man beside her hurriedly packed up her things and hurried out too. Suddenly, it was just the three of us from TopLink that remained in the conference room. “Catherine, don't think you have won. Hoseok can not protect you this time around.” Grace stood up and snapped. Though her words were sharp, I could see the wariness that entered her eyes the moment Freddy stepped into the room. He was gone, but he remained. She was worried. I rolled my eyes and walked a
KatalinaWhen I told Emilia how things went down at the office, she nearly blew a gasket.To avoid Hoseok, I blocked him everywhere and made sure that my schedule was filled up with field work. Three days later, I received an email from the HR office, notifying me of actions taken. Grace was fined and her salary was deducted. She was ordered to write an apology letter which I will never see, and my resignation notice was acknowledged. Earlier in the week, preparation for Master Kim-yung’s 60th birthday went into full swing. Everyone in the office was talking about the gifts to buy for him. Since I was leaving in less than two weeks, I felt no obligation to join in the discussion, and when I was told of the contribution to be made, I completely ignored them. Hoseok came to my place twice. Emilia was the one who attended to him both times. She made it clear that if he should show up ever again, she would call the cops. Then, he showed up at my son's school
Katalina “...”Batum, Batum… My heart throbbed. For a moment, all I could see was Huracio's face. The tone, the gaze, the intensity, the possessiveness… My body shivered and my brain went blank. I couldn't help it. “Hugh!” Dean straightened up and cleared his throat, bringing me back to my senses. Realizing that I just got dazed while staring into Dean's eyes, I turned red, hoping that he wouldn't misunderstand. “I…” “You sure know how to pick them, Ms Cook.” An unfamiliar voice came from my back. Turning around, I found the Asian girl from the restaurant incident walking towards me with a radiant smile on her face. “You again?” I titled my head to the side, wondering where I knew her or how. I initially thought she was acquainted with Williams’ girlfriend, but that lady was nowhere to be found even though Williams was standing a few feet away from me. “Yes, me aga…” “You are quite something, Catherine.” Bella interjected with righteo
Katalina“Katalina?” His voice trembled. “Katalina is that you?” He took a step towards us. His face turned pale, his bright eyes were blazing with shock and confusion. His chest was heaving, and I could see the sweat oozing from his skin as it soaked him up. My god, what is he doing here? Every hair on my skin stood at attention. I suddenly had the urge to break free from Hoseok's grip and run, but he wasn't letting me go. “Mr. Ignatius. Are you looking for me?” Hoseok, though holding me with an iron grip, turned to the apparition in front of me and asked. Oh, how is he real? Hoseok can see him too?“I just…” the ghost started saying, but stopped. His gaze was on me and I couldn't help but shiver. “Katalina, you, how is this possible?” He asked with eyes filled with confusion. “Who is Katalina?” Hoseok asked and to my relief, he noticed his guest's gaze on me. He instantly stepped between us. “Mr Ignatius. You are mistaken. This is Catheri
HuracioThe first time I saw her, it was at the TopLink building two days ago. Salvatore is systematically dissolving the Alkim’s estates and my job is to find the safest way to liquidate assigned assets without raising any alarm whatsoever. This was why I visited the TopLink building. Just as I entered the elevator that led to the CEO’s office and it was closing, she was coming into the corridor. When I first saw her, I thought it was an apparition. I thought I was being haunted again. I didn't mind. I have long embraced the occasional echoes of her voice that seeps into my ears randomly. Her laughter that flusters in the wind anytime I go to the beach, or her smiling face that dazzles me in my sleep. Sometimes, when I am having dinner, I would imagine her sitting across from me, eating and complimenting my food. It didn't matter that back then, she did the cooking and I did the compliments. So, when I saw her, I thought maybe I had finally somehow made her materializ
HuracioIt felt strange. Having Katalina standing against me. Her blazing eyes filled with fear, yet courageous. I would have applauded it, but at that moment, we were not on the same side. “Am I?” I chuckled. Before arriving at this place, I had a sense of urgency, but the moment I saw her, my tumultuous heart calmed like a still lake. Just looking at her made me feel at peace. The kind of peace I haven't felt in a long time. “We are divorced, Huracio. I am in a new relationship and you are also engaged to be married. What do you want from me?” She continued. “What do I want from you? Kitty, you are mine, you will always be mine. Have you forgotten that?” “Mr Ignatius. Catherine is my girlfriend and I do not appreciate the tone you are taking with her. Like she said, you guys are divorced. So, she is not yours.” Kim Hoseok growled. I almost laughed at his words. “Divorced? When? Where? Kitty, I will never let you go. Even your corpse will
Katalina“You have to help me!” I grabbed Hoseok's hand once Huracio got into his car. To my exasperation, Hoseok just shrugged casually. “He can't do anything to you as long as I am here.” This over pampered man had no idea what he was messing with, but he was all I had. I must somehow make him getting moving.“No, Hoseok. You don't understand. Huracio can do and undo. He will find a way. Please, help me.” “Let's go back and talk about this. But first, are you Catherine, or Katalina?” He sneered, his gaze filled with suspicion. Knowing I had no choice but to come clean, I ran my hands through my hair in despair. “It's a long story.” “Kata, what will happen now?” Emilia stepped forward. She was pale and scared. “I don't know. I honestly don't know.” Back in the apartment, I told Hoseok a watered down version of what really happened, and lied about why I needed to escape. “He is that kind of man?” He gasped when I told him that Hur
Huracio It's midnight, but Houston never sleeps. The night is cold and the breeze is biting as autumn is just around the corner. Standing in front of the hotel’s balcony, gazing at the city lights. The sounds of cars consistently breaking into my thoughts, — I closed my eyes and let my spirit fly. In five years, this is the first time I am in tune with everything around me. I can feel the ambiance and see the details. I feel alive. A few hours ago, Stone returned with a report. Katalina is staying offshore on a relatively safe island, and Emilia is preparing to move to Poland. “We can't let her leave. As long as she is here, Katalina will not be too stubborn.” I told him. “Boss, do we really have to go this far?” Stone finally asked the question I knew was eating him up since I activated RedNote. “What do you think I should do, Stone?” I gave him an enquiring look. “...” Not knowing what to say, he brought out another file and h
Katalina“You have to help me!” I grabbed Hoseok's hand once Huracio got into his car. To my exasperation, Hoseok just shrugged casually. “He can't do anything to you as long as I am here.” This over pampered man had no idea what he was messing with, but he was all I had. I must somehow make him getting moving.“No, Hoseok. You don't understand. Huracio can do and undo. He will find a way. Please, help me.” “Let's go back and talk about this. But first, are you Catherine, or Katalina?” He sneered, his gaze filled with suspicion. Knowing I had no choice but to come clean, I ran my hands through my hair in despair. “It's a long story.” “Kata, what will happen now?” Emilia stepped forward. She was pale and scared. “I don't know. I honestly don't know.” Back in the apartment, I told Hoseok a watered down version of what really happened, and lied about why I needed to escape. “He is that kind of man?” He gasped when I told him that Hur
HuracioIt felt strange. Having Katalina standing against me. Her blazing eyes filled with fear, yet courageous. I would have applauded it, but at that moment, we were not on the same side. “Am I?” I chuckled. Before arriving at this place, I had a sense of urgency, but the moment I saw her, my tumultuous heart calmed like a still lake. Just looking at her made me feel at peace. The kind of peace I haven't felt in a long time. “We are divorced, Huracio. I am in a new relationship and you are also engaged to be married. What do you want from me?” She continued. “What do I want from you? Kitty, you are mine, you will always be mine. Have you forgotten that?” “Mr Ignatius. Catherine is my girlfriend and I do not appreciate the tone you are taking with her. Like she said, you guys are divorced. So, she is not yours.” Kim Hoseok growled. I almost laughed at his words. “Divorced? When? Where? Kitty, I will never let you go. Even your corpse will
HuracioThe first time I saw her, it was at the TopLink building two days ago. Salvatore is systematically dissolving the Alkim’s estates and my job is to find the safest way to liquidate assigned assets without raising any alarm whatsoever. This was why I visited the TopLink building. Just as I entered the elevator that led to the CEO’s office and it was closing, she was coming into the corridor. When I first saw her, I thought it was an apparition. I thought I was being haunted again. I didn't mind. I have long embraced the occasional echoes of her voice that seeps into my ears randomly. Her laughter that flusters in the wind anytime I go to the beach, or her smiling face that dazzles me in my sleep. Sometimes, when I am having dinner, I would imagine her sitting across from me, eating and complimenting my food. It didn't matter that back then, she did the cooking and I did the compliments. So, when I saw her, I thought maybe I had finally somehow made her materializ
Katalina“Katalina?” His voice trembled. “Katalina is that you?” He took a step towards us. His face turned pale, his bright eyes were blazing with shock and confusion. His chest was heaving, and I could see the sweat oozing from his skin as it soaked him up. My god, what is he doing here? Every hair on my skin stood at attention. I suddenly had the urge to break free from Hoseok's grip and run, but he wasn't letting me go. “Mr. Ignatius. Are you looking for me?” Hoseok, though holding me with an iron grip, turned to the apparition in front of me and asked. Oh, how is he real? Hoseok can see him too?“I just…” the ghost started saying, but stopped. His gaze was on me and I couldn't help but shiver. “Katalina, you, how is this possible?” He asked with eyes filled with confusion. “Who is Katalina?” Hoseok asked and to my relief, he noticed his guest's gaze on me. He instantly stepped between us. “Mr Ignatius. You are mistaken. This is Catheri
Katalina “...”Batum, Batum… My heart throbbed. For a moment, all I could see was Huracio's face. The tone, the gaze, the intensity, the possessiveness… My body shivered and my brain went blank. I couldn't help it. “Hugh!” Dean straightened up and cleared his throat, bringing me back to my senses. Realizing that I just got dazed while staring into Dean's eyes, I turned red, hoping that he wouldn't misunderstand. “I…” “You sure know how to pick them, Ms Cook.” An unfamiliar voice came from my back. Turning around, I found the Asian girl from the restaurant incident walking towards me with a radiant smile on her face. “You again?” I titled my head to the side, wondering where I knew her or how. I initially thought she was acquainted with Williams’ girlfriend, but that lady was nowhere to be found even though Williams was standing a few feet away from me. “Yes, me aga…” “You are quite something, Catherine.” Bella interjected with righteo
KatalinaWhen I told Emilia how things went down at the office, she nearly blew a gasket.To avoid Hoseok, I blocked him everywhere and made sure that my schedule was filled up with field work. Three days later, I received an email from the HR office, notifying me of actions taken. Grace was fined and her salary was deducted. She was ordered to write an apology letter which I will never see, and my resignation notice was acknowledged. Earlier in the week, preparation for Master Kim-yung’s 60th birthday went into full swing. Everyone in the office was talking about the gifts to buy for him. Since I was leaving in less than two weeks, I felt no obligation to join in the discussion, and when I was told of the contribution to be made, I completely ignored them. Hoseok came to my place twice. Emilia was the one who attended to him both times. She made it clear that if he should show up ever again, she would call the cops. Then, he showed up at my son's school
“What the hell is going on?” Grace stood up, banged the table, and yelled, the moment Freddy left the room. “Yeah, what is going on?” The woman from Headquarters stood up, facing my department Head of HR. “How come the CEO’s office was able to gather evidence, but you weren't? Are you trying to humiliate me?” “It's a misunderstanding, Ma’am. I will quickly look into it.” The man stuttered and got to his feet. “This meeting will be adjourned.” Headquarters HR snorted and left the room. The silent man beside her hurriedly packed up her things and hurried out too. Suddenly, it was just the three of us from TopLink that remained in the conference room. “Catherine, don't think you have won. Hoseok can not protect you this time around.” Grace stood up and snapped. Though her words were sharp, I could see the wariness that entered her eyes the moment Freddy stepped into the room. He was gone, but he remained. She was worried. I rolled my eyes and walked a
10 on the dot, I was seated in the conference hall, facing four people from the HR office. Two are from TopLink, while the rest are from the headquarters. Grace was also present, but she looked so smug, no one would believe she was just a special assistant and not one of the company's executives. Last night, I convinced myself that I wouldn't be scared, but seated there, facing those cold looking people, my heart couldn't help but tremble… “Having gone through your complaint letter, we have done our investigations and found most of the complaints here unfounded. There is no evidence to support your claims.” The woman from Headquarters solemnly said. “What do you mean? There are many people who witnessed these things. Did you ask them or just decide that whatever Grace says is the truth?” I couldn't help but snap at her. I turned to TopLink’s head of HR, but his eyes were glaring at me. “Sir, how come they can't find any evidence?” I continued, unfazed by his angr