All of us were so dumbfounded by what we saw that silence filled the whole apartment. Everybody had their breath held and just tried our best to take everything in.
"Seems like Nancy had attached herself to you Gavin." Officer Philips said, breaking the ice. "I don't think you should stay here."
"Yeah." He just replied and started walking to the door with all of us in tow.
"Let's go get your things." I said to him, clasping his hand on mine. He just nodded at me and we went back to his apartment with heavy steps. Andrea and Zab decided to go back while I waited for Gavin to finish packing his things.
The whole ride to the apartment was so quiet and halfway through it, I received a message from Andrea.
Zab's staying at my place for the time being. We got some of her things. Be safe, okay?
I replied a simple okay to her and just quietly sat there on the passenger seat as we drove on. I looked at the clock in hi
For the past two weeks, Zab stayed at Andrea's, and sometimes she stayed with Charlie. After that bittersweet weekend, me and Gavin went to work and went home from work together. Police officers were also patrolling our office building and the streets near my apartment and Gavin's apartment building, for some added security for us, since we still can't locate Nancy. I guess they are also thinking that Nancy might go to these places just to see Gavin again. As much as possible, we kept a low profile about our new relationship but he told me that he already filed a conflict of interest report to management and it was already approved, but that doesn't mean that we have to flaunt it all over the office. Both of us actually did a lot of overtime for the past two weeks, just to catch up with all of our work. Unfortunately, the management has yet to find replacements for Belle and Margareth so me and Andrea still have to fill in for them. "I guess we need another l
"She's awesome. You should meet her." I said to Andrea after telling her everything that happened during the dinner with Grayson and Rubylyn while we were having lunch. "I'd love to meet her. Wait, I'll be right back." She said then got up from her seat and went to the counter. "Long time no see, Cath." I heard a familiar voice say. I looked up and saw none other than Belle standing beside our table. "Hi, Belle." I said to her politely. "Looks like you're doing great." She said. She was carrying a tray with her food in it. "Look, Belle. I don't want any trouble. So if you came here looking for one, just go." I said to her as I continued eating my lunch. "I'm sorry." Surprise was an understatement for what I felt when I heard her say that. I just looked at her in shock. She let out a small giggle as she saw the look on my face. "Chill Cath. I didn't come here to start a catfight. I admit, I kinda hated you for getting me fired b
Both Kyla and Andrea were advised to stay the night at the hospital and both me and Gavin agreed that they should, for their own safety. Kyla was hesitant at first, maybe due to the doctor straight up telling her that something might be wrong in her head, but we assured her that no one would believe that she'd do that to herself, and after a phone call with her boyfriend she finally agreed.After telling her man that she was staying the night at the hospital, Marco, her boyfriend, insisted on coming to the hospital to look out for her, and just after a few minutes, Marco arrived."Ky, are you okay?" He immediately asked Kyla as soon as he saw her."I'm fine. They just wanted me to stay the night for observation." She explained, Marco nodded at her and then turned his attention to us."Thank you for taking care of Kyla." He said to us."It's no problem at all, but I do have a favor to ask. Can you look out for my best friend just until I come
I woke up to a hustling and bustling environment. I panicked and looked around and realized that we were still in the hospital. Andrea was already awake, she was sitting on the bed and was currently scrolling on her phone. I looked at the bed beside hers and Kyla was also awake she was also sitting on her bed, doing something on her phone."Finally you're awake." Andrea said to me. "Gavin and Marco are just taking care of the bills and we're free to go." "What time is it?" I asked her."Five in the morning." She replied to me."Are you two sure that you're already fine?" I asked them. Both of them gave me a laugh and just nodded at me."We're fine, Cath. Besides, it's just Friday, we still have work today." Kyla said."It's okay Kyla. You should take some rest. I don't have any important meeting anyway. I just have some work to take care of. You can take the day off." Gavin said as both he and Marco came back to where we were."Are you sure, sir?" She asked and Gavin just nodded at h
I got back to my desk as soon as I finished taking care of the meeting room. I'm starting to feel a bit scared, to be honest. I think I might have pushed Gavin to his limit. I know he's my boyfriend and all that but, he is still my boss and our relationship is still new so maybe it was a wrong move to take the elevator without him. I sat on my chair for a moment, contemplating whether I should go and apologize to Gavin then my phone started ringing, it was Gavin. I took a deep breath and then answered the call. "Hello?" I asked and immediately he answered. "Where are you, Cath?" He asked me, still in a serious tone. "I'm at my desk. Still finishing something. Will go there as soon as I'm done." I replied to him, trying to stall for time. "It's afternoon break already." He replied and I knew I had no way out. "Okay. Be right there. Just one moment. Bye." I said to him. "Make it fast." He said to me then ended the call. I think I really am in so much trouble. With lots of doub
Gavin heard my slight sobs and his face immediately showed concern and worry. He caressed my face with both his hand and started wiping the tears away. "Why are you crying, love?" He asked me and I just shook my head. "It's nothing. Just got some dust in my eyes." I said to him as I rubbed my eyes, stopping myself from crying. I looked away from him, but Gavin cupped my face in his hands, forcing me to look back at him with my tear-stained face. "You're upset about something?" He asked me, but I just forced a smile, not wanting him to dig any deeper. "I see." He said, wiping the remaining tears away. He looked at me with passion and warmth while I stare back at him with guilt and worry. "Listen, love. I know you're dealing with something right now, I understand. You don't have to tell me anything right now. Tell me everything about it when you're ready. It's okay, no need to feel worried or guilty about it." He said to me before pulling me into a hug. I felt Gavin stroking my bac
I woke up and I was sore all over. It was a crazy night and as Gavin wanted, because I'm never gonna admitted that I craved it too, we had round two just as we got home. Was it really normal to last that long in bed? Luckily, it is already Saturday and I don't have to get out of bed. So, I just stayed in bed as long as I wanted. "Good morning, love." I heard Gavin's voice say as the door of the bedroom opened. "Umm." I just mumbled at him as I cuddled more into bed with my eyes closed. I felt a sudden shift of weight in the bed and the smell of waffles and bacon zoomed in my nose waking me up in an instant. "Bacon." I exclaimed as I sat up from bed. "I figured you're too sore to get out of bed." He said to me with a proud smile on his face. "You cooked? And it's not burned?" I asked, he was about to answer when a head suddenly popped out of the door. "He wouldn't stop calling me at six in the morning. He practical beg me to come here and cook breakfast for you, now I know why.
I was a bit nervous at first, but it wasn't long before I felt a bit comfortable with them. Both his parents were attentive and very warm towards me. We were waiting in the room that they were dancing in for the dinner to be served. "So, since when have you two been together?" Aunty Margo asked that really got me worried, does she thinks that I was lying when they interviewed me about the issue before? "When the issue about the videos was released, we weren't really together." I explained to her defensively, but unlike what I imagined, Aunty Margo just let out an elegant laughter. "Relax Cath, that issue has already been cleared up, remember?"She said to me that somehow made me a bit at ease. "It's only been a bit over a month since we started dating, mom. And stop making my girlfriend so anxious, she's still not used to seeing you outside the office." Gavin said answering his mom that made her smile wider. "So, I'm guessing, you're the one whole fell head over heels for her, Gav?
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