"Seriously, Belle. I can't believe how powerful Catherine's manipulating ability is." I heard Margareth say as they entered the restroom of the office.
"I know right. If only Miss Gabriela knows that she's after her man, I'm sure that she'd wipe the floor with her." Belle answered with a slight giggle.
I remained quiet inside the cubicle. I don't want any more drama, especially coming from these two. I waited for them to finish and go out before I opened the cubicle door.
"Hi! Miss Gabriela. Can I help you with something?" I heard Belle ask from outside.
"It's none of your business." I heard Gabriela say before she entered the restroom.
"Finally! Found you!" She exclaimed as soon as she saw me washing my hand in the sink.
"Why were you looking for me Miss Gabriela?" I asked as we left the restroom. To my surprise, Belle and Margareth are still lingering outside the restroom.
"I told you, just call me Gabby. Let's have lunch?" S
"Let's get some beef too." Zab exclaimed as we got into the meat section of the grocery. "Hey, don't go overboard okay? We have a budget." I said to her and she just nodded at me and skipped off like a little girl through the aisles. I can't help but find her adorable. This is the first time she's doing groceries and I know how exciting it can be, I've been there. "She looks pretty happy." I heard Gavin say as we tried and follow Zab around. "My sister rarely gets out of the house so, as you can see that's what happens." I said to him as I start getting stuff from the shelves. "Looks like you came from a pampered life." He said also getting some groceries done. "You can say that." I quietly answered him, not wanting to get into the family topic. It seems that Gavin understood this, he never mentioned anything about my family after that. We finished doing our groceries in a flash, Gavin insisted that he drive us home and with Zab with u
"What do you think about this storyline for the next volume, Cath?" I was snapped out of my dazed state by Janice's sudden question. "Ah. Yes. Uhm. Sorry. I mean. I like the storyline but I would like to have a rough draft of the dialogue first, so I can iron out any inconsistencies in the flow of the story." I barely answered, trying to get my head back in the game. I looked across the table at Gavin and he immediately mouthed 'Are you okay?' as soon as our eyes met. I nodded to him and tried focusing back on the meeting. I looked at my phone as soon as the meeting finished. It has been vibrating non-stop throughout the week. They came from different numbers, but after answering a few of them, I know exactly who was calling. Our parents. I can't change my number easily because all of my accounts are connected to this number, so it has been a nuisance to block and drop their phone calls multiple times a day. "You okay?" Gavin suddenly asked, and that'
"Stop making a fuzz, honey. It's getting a bit annoying and my ears are starting to hurt." She said to me while massaging her ears. Her bodyguards also got inside the car and before I could protest, we were already speeding out of the parking lot. "Stop the car!" I demanded but they just continued driving off. "They only follow orders from me, remember honey?" My mom, Zenaida Aragon, said with amusement in her voice. "What are you even doing here, mom? What do you want?" I just asked her to get this unwanted reunion over with. "Can't I talk to my own daughter? Does a mother need to have a reason to see her child? I've been waiting for hours here in the parking lot. You know I don't really get why you're stressing and troubling yourself with working for another company that makes you work for long hours when you can be the boss in any of our businesses." She said cracking her neck. "I don't need you to judge my decisions, mom. Just tell me what
"I'm sorry that we met this way, but I've heard a lot about you, Zoe. Your sister can't stop talking about you." Charlie said, raising his head up and then looking straight at me."Yeah, I would have preferred meeting you in a different situation but, let's just make do with what we have. I'm Zoe, Zab's older sister and you are?" I asked him."It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Charlie, Zab's boyfriend." He introduced himself, confirming my hunch about him."It's nice to meet you too. By the way, have you guys had dinner yet?" I asked, trying to lift the tension from the room."Now that I think about it. I think we skipped dinner and just fell asleep through the movie." Zab admitted, all her nervousness, now disappeared."Okay, I'll get change. You order some food and let's have late dinner together." I said to Zab and she began dialing on her phone."Sit down, Charlie. Make yourself at home. Don't worry, I don't bite." I jokingly said t
We finished our lunch with Axel and decided to get back to the office. We headed to the elevators and got in immediately. The elevator doors were about to close shut when Gabby rushed inside. "Glad I caught up!" She exclaimed catching her breath. "Going to annoy your brother again?" Andrea asked. "Nope, I came here to drag you away from the office to help me with something." Gabby said before I and Andrea could even stop her. "Andrea already has plans with her family tonight, Miss Gabriela." Axel interjected in the conversation. "No, she doesn't. She just told me earlier today that she'd just be in her PJs with a tub of ice cream tonight." Gabby said making Andrea almost bite her tongue. "I was going to tell you that my parents actually canceled. I just forgot." Andrea tried explaining to Axel. Axel smiled at him with hope in his eyes. "So, you're free tonight?" Axel asked Andrea as soon as he can. The doors of the elevat
It felt so awkward sitting on the passenger seat of Gavin's car again. The rain was still picking up and I don't think it would be stopping any time soon. "Gav, can you drop Zab to her house after dropping me off? It's raining cats and dogs. I don't think she'd be able to get a cab in this weather." she said, making me glare at her. I looked at Gavin and he was just smiling as he was driving. "No problem about that." He replied. "It's okay! You can just drop me off in the office. My car is still in the parking lot." I said to him, not wanting to be a nuisance. "Are you sure?" Gavin asked with his focus still on the road. "Yeah. I'll be fine." I said to him and he just nodded, while Gabby hunched back to her seat in disappointment. "Just drop me off here." Gabby said as soon as we reached her apartment building. "See you, Gab. Night." Gavin said. "Yeah. Good night Gabby." I said to her as she opened the door and go
I could feel his warm breath on my face, and waited but his lips never reached mine. I could then feel his absence, so I opened my eyes and I was right. He was gone. Moments after, he came out of his room, this time fully clothed. You can't blame me for being a bit disappointed with that. "I'll just get the food from the lobby." he said to me before heading out the door. As soon as he left, my knees buckled from under me and I collapsed on the floor. Gosh, does he even know how much effect he has on me? I can't believe I'm really falling for him. I went and waited for him on the couch as my heart started beating at a normal pace. I grabbed my phone from my bag to send a message to Zab. Got caught in the storm. I'll be home late. Just order some food. Let Charlie stay the night if you want. I'll see you when I get home. I stood up, looking around, trying to search for the air conditioner because I feel a lot colder than usual and
"Are you sure you're okay now?" Gavin asked me as soon as I got out of his bathroom with my already dried clothes from yesterday on me. "Yeah. I think I'm good Gavin. I think it's better for me to rest at home. Also, my sister would be waiting for me, she's alone at home." I said to him and he just nodded. "Okay, let's go?" He asked and I nodded at him. The two of us went out of his apartment, we walked through the hallway and I have a nagging feeling that we were being watched. I turned around looking for anyone around, but I saw no one, so I started walking again. I then felt a swoosh of air from behind me and then heard the sound of a door closing. I turned but I didn't catch a glimpse of where it came from. "What is it Cath?" Gavin asked. "It's nothing. I just think I heard something." I answered him and started walking again, towards the elevators. We went down to the basement parking and approached an unfamiliar sports car. I guess
Soon the party settled down and a two-tier birthday cake was pushed into the center of the garden. The people in attendance were just my family, friends, and co-workers, so I looked at my husband and he immediately understood what I was thinking. My kids led the crowd in singing Happy Birthday. Both of them were jumping up and down, clapping their tiny hands. I gestured for them to come over as the song came to an end and they joined me in blowing out my candles as everyone cheered. "Let's hear from the birthday girl!" Cam suddenly said, handing me the microphone. Gavin picked up Zia as I held ZG's hand while I addressed the rest of the crowd. "First and foremost, thanks to all of you for spending your time to celebrate my birthday with me. It has been a rough couple of weeks for me and my family, but standing here in front of you makes me realize just how much love we receive from lots of people around us, and for that, I want to show my gratitude to everyone who gave us strengt
The days in the hospital were still so agonizing. I could still feel the pain in my abdomen, just where the bullet hit me. The doctor told me that I might be experiencing the "phantom effect", you know? The feeling you get when you remove something but it still feels like it's there. They kept reassuring me that everything was fine, but I had my doubts that's why we decided to take a few more tests just to be sure. And just like any other day, Zia and ZG visited me right after school. They would always tell me everything about their day and these past few weeks, their stories have been the highlight of my days inside my dull hospital room. "When are you going home, mommy?" ZG asked as he got ready to go home for the night. "We're still not sure, baby. But I'm fine. The doctors just want to do some more tests to be sure." I answered him, patting his head before giving it a light kiss. "Don't worry, bud. Mommy will be home in no time." Gavin said as he lifted our youngest from t
His lips on mine were pure ecstasy. Honestly, I was left hanging and unsatisfied with his kiss earlier but this erases those longing feelings that were lingering in my chest as my doctor was checking on me earlier. His hand made its way to the back of my neck, pulling me closer and deepening the kiss. We were kissing each other as if our lives depended on it, and frankly, I think it does. It felt like an eternity since our lips met, but when we pulled away, out of breath it still didn't feel enough. Our eyes met and a smile was lingering on his lips. "Welcome back, love. I missed you." He whispered to me before planting a kiss on my forehead. "I missed you too, love." I whispered back, returning his smile before he pulled away and sat on the side of my bed. He started fidgeting with his phone which made my eyebrows furrowed. I just woke up from a two-week-long coma, as per what the doctor said to me, and here is my husband sitting beside me but is preoccupied with whatever inter
"Officer, can you watch over my kids for me? I just need to know what's happening to Cathy." I asked Officer Philipps and he nodded. "ZG, Zia, Officer Philipps will stay with you for a while, okay? He we keep you safe. Daddy is just going to see Mommy." I said to them, and they both nodded at me. "Come back soon, Daddy." ZG said and I nodded at him, giving them each a kiss on the forehead before heading out of their hospital room and making my way to the Emergency Room. "I'm looking for Catherine Mitchel, she got shot." I said as calmly as I could to the person at the desk. She nodded and started tapping on her computer. "The patient has been transferred to the operating room." She said and I dashed off before she could finish talking. The lights in the operating room were already on when I got there, so there was only one thing to do, wait. Minutes passed, then hours, and a couple of minutes after the three-hour mark, the doors opened. "How is she?" I immediately asked the
I got out of the house, I need fresh air. I had to clear my mind or our conversation would not get anywhere. I was in the middle of the park when I decided to call someone I really trusted. "Good afternoon, sir. Can I speak with Officer Philipps?" I asked the person in the other line. "May I ask who this is?" He asked. "This is Gavin Mitchel." I answered shortly. "Okay, sir. I'll patch you in." He replied and a lively tune started playing before I was greeted by a familiar voice. "It's been a long time. How are you, Gavin?" Asked Officer Philipps through the phone. "Not so good, sir. I need your help." I then gave him a quick rundown of everything that went down. After I finished I heard him sigh. "Why do both of you attract these types of people?" He asked curiously, but even I couldn't give him an answer. "For now, be with Cath. I'll look into it and call you as soon as I get something." "Okay, Officer. Thanks... for everything." "Now, go home. And make sure Cath doesn't d
This is probably the longest ten-minute shower I ever had. I'm still waiting for Nathan's instructions and I got into a huge fight with Gavin because of it. “You want me to be okay with him taking my wife in exchange for my kids?” He asked. “No way I’m letting him take any of you.” “Love, we can guarantee that he wouldn’t hurt me but we can’t say that it's the same for our kids. We don’t know what’s going inside his head.” I said, trying to reason with him. “No. No. Sorry, love. That is not an option.” He said walking out of our bedroom. It was a hard decision for me too, but I can't let my kids get hurt. I can't let any of them get hurt because of me again. This time, it's my turn to save them. I got out of the shower and Gavin was still not back in our room. I grabbed my phone and there it was. A message from Nathan. It didn't have any time or date, just the address, making me think that he probably wanted me there as soon as possible. That works for me because I want to see my k
"Where are my kids, Nathan?" I began, trying my best to remain calm in the situation. Gavin tried to snatch my phone from me but I avoided it. I don't think it's a good idea to let the two of them talk. they both might explode. "They're safe. I have them with me. We had a little bonding session today. I was hoping you could join us?" He asked trying to sound sweet, but I couldn't help but feel a shiver down my spine as listened to him talk. "I'm still at work, Nate. Maybe another day? Do you mind dropping them off at the office?" I asked, acting oblivious to his motives. "Oh come on Cath. It's already seven in the evening, you should be home by now, right? Both you and your husband?" He asked and Gavin quickly took the phone from me. "Where are our kids, Nathan? I'm not playing with you!" Gavin angrily said through the phone. "You are going to talk to me! Just what do you want from us!" Then Gavin went silent. He looked at me, his eyes trembling. I could see fear in them. "Fine!
Being with Gavin again made me realize that I have never stopped loving him. No matter how much I wanted to forget about him, my heart remained with him throughout the years. I guess it is true, that no matter how far you walk away from each other, people who are meant to be together will always gravitate back to each other. "Mommy?" I heard Zia's voice as she was tugging on my dress. "Are you okay?" She asked me. "Why? What happened?" Gavin suddenly asked as he and ZG walked towards us. "Mommy was staring at you with a silly smile." Zia said that made my eyes bulge out of their sockets. "No, I wasn't." I said to her, looking right at her. Asking her to shut up with my eyes but it looks like I need to work on my silent communication with my daughter. "Yes. You were." She said before hopping away from us. "Just hold it in, love. Our kids are still awake." Gavin whispered to me, taking the picnic basket from my hand before following our daughter, leaving me dumbfounded. "I wasn't
The weeks went by in such a bliss and now, we’re moving back in with their dad in our old apartment. It took a lot of convincing on my side but eventually, Gavin was able to make me agree with him. “Are we there yet?” Zia asked for the nth time as we were driving to the apartment. She has been very excited since we told them about the move, and couldn’t wait to see the room her big brother was talking about. “No yet baby. We’ll have to stop to get some groceries, remember?” Gavin answered her sweetly. “Aww. Are we going to stay there long?” She asked again with a pout on her face. “Come on, Zia. It’s going to be fun. And you can pick out some decorations for our room.” ZG said, calming her sister in the back seat. “Yey!” Zia screamed as she started humming the theme song of her favorite show. Thank goodness, ZG knows precisely what to say to his sister in every situation. When we got to the groceries, the two of them walked in front of me and Gavin and started getting things that