...Katherine sobbed all the way to the mansion and when her side of the door was thrown open, she refused to step out. "I would be happy to carry you again if you can't walk--"Don't you even think of touching me, you monster." Her words triggered her tears and soon they were dropping from her eyes again. Anderson shut his mind from it, refusing to console her. Seeing her miserable should make him glad but it didn't. He was angry, angry by the fact that her tears were for another man. Her lover. It angered him so badly, he wanted to dash his fist against something really hard. To feel pain and nothing else. "Step out." He said icily. Without waiting for her to act, he started for her side of the car but she was already out of the car before he got there. "Don't touch me--"Too late," he swept her off her feet the next moment, throwing her over his shoulder. "You were too slow." "I said not to touch me, you monster." She settled for her only defense, kicking and slapping him in t
...Jude ran into the hallway, crashing to a stop and staring left and right into the empty corridor. At his right, the faint image of the flowery design on her dress, disappearing towards the elevator area, caught his eyes and he dashed towards the turn. The elevator door was ajar and she was only a step towards it when he got to it."Hope?" He called with skepticism and a shred of doubt, stopping to catch his breath. She stopped, her body going rigid for a moment in awe of the unexpected recognition. Slowly, she turned and Jude clamped his jaw from falling. Hope was facing him now but her face showed that she was struggling to recognize him and it took only a few seconds for it to hit. "It's you, right?" Jude asked again, covering the space between them by a few steps. "I'm sure it's you." He said, as though assuring and reassuring himself. "Jude." He almost did a happy dance when she called his name, clearing every speck of doubt from his mind.He stood in front of her, acces
...Katherine sat on the edge of the bed, staring hopelessly around the four corners of her room. Thoughtfully, she stood and walked out of her room, descended the stairs, and started for the door when a guard accosted her. "I'm sorry ma'am but you can't leave the building.""Excuse me," her brows narrowed at him. "What do you mean I can't leave?" "Mr. Riecke gave strict orders that you should not be allowed to leave the building.""What?" Katherine's amusement gave way to a frown and she started to argue but kicked against it after a second, "where is he?" "At the pool." Katherine stormed the area, her brows deeply narrowed as she made her way to the backdoor. Throwing the door open and banging it shut; she walked into the pool room and sighted Anderson in the blue water, swimming energetically like he had no problem in the world like he hadn't hit a man to unconsciousness a few hours back. "Why am I being locked up?" She asked calmly, trying to not flare up just yet. Anderso
...Katherine hugged her knees, staring into the pool while Anderson sat up on the recliner, watching her. Her position shortened the already short pants she had on and her legs up to her thighs came into his view. Anderson picked up a towel and threw it at her, unable to bear the torture anymore. Katherine stared at it until she was conscious enough of her inability to control her state on her own. She took the towel and wrapped it around her. As though purposely telling him half of his intention had failed, the towel slid up and her fleshy thighs once more came into view. Anderson tried to turn away but he couldn't. Everything about this woman was so fuckin sexy, it ruined his rage. Just a look at her bare body zeroed the anger he felt only a while ago, to think they just had a fight and now he was lusting over her body.He stared at the knob-less door, reminding him that he couldn't escape from this amazing sight that tortured him, even if he wanted to. It was the only that mad
... Jude dart his gaze to Anderson who had a satisfied smirk on his face."What happened?" "Nothing," Anderson chuckled and turned away, walking towards the recliner. "You have that smile on your face and I know you've done something, Anderson. Did you make her cry?" "More like made her pleased. I don't make women cry, Jude. I just sometimes can be brutally honest." "So, what happened at Hawthorne's?" "I'll tell you but first, you've gotta do something for me." Anderson grabbed his shirt and met Jude at the entrance, they head out together. "Shawn?" He signaled to a guard who ran up to him, "call the repairman, the pool door needs fixing. Also, get my wife's phone from the car and take it to her in her room." "Yes sir," Shawn walked away. Anderson and Jude arrived at his study room and he locked the door. Jude crossed his arms, standing across him with an inquisitive look on his face. "What do you want?" "Are you familiar with the CEO of Empire hotel?" "The same hotel wher
....It was nighttime when Katherine agreed to eat, refusing to dine at the table with Anderson. Trina had just filled him in on that information and walked out when Tony returned from the hospital, the sonogram report and James's medical report in his hand. "Mr. Riecke," Tony walked up to him, announcing his return. "Tony, I was expecting you sooner." "I was told to stay until the operation was completed. It was successful." Tony said, walking up to the table and dropping the doctor's report on it. "The doctor's report and receipts for the hospital bills." Anderson nodded, "how about that one?" He asked, noticing another envelope in his hold that he made no move to drop. "Oh no sir, this is for your wife. I was going to take it to her. She left in the car yesterday." "You can leave it, I'll take it to her." Anderson grabbed his glass of water and took a drink. Dropping the glass, his brows narrowed when he noticed the smug smile on Tony's face. "What?"The smile disappeared,
...Anderson grabbed the spare laptop in his office lobby, connected the USB, and scrolled through with the cursor for the footage. Being the only file on the USB, he clicked it open and played the video. It started from the moment Katherine walked into the room, being closely followed by James.It went on for a few seconds and Anderson tapped the volume key continuously, glancing at Jude with a grimace, "Why is there no sound?" "There was a problem with the footage. The hotel wasn't interested in the sound anyway, but you can fix it if you want?" Anderson nodded and his eyes went back to the screen. Watching. Waiting. Hoping. With the postures and gestures, Anderson could tell Katherine was truly trying to convince him. It was something he was familiar with.On two occasions, he saw her express shock and he figured it might be from James's revelation to her concerning Renard's suspicions. But Anderson wasn't bothered about any of that at that moment, so he kept watching and not tr
...Katherine sat in the car, waving back at Adam who stood at the entrance. She settled into the cushion seat of the car as the ride started off to a destination she still had no idea about. "Where are we going?" She asked, even though she already knew Tony wouldn't tell her if Anderson didn't permit him to. "Mr. Riecke doesn't want me to reveal." Katherine nodded, sighed, and relaxed back into the seat, staring out of the window. The journey went on for thirty minutes and ended at a beach, an empty beach and Tony alighted to open the car door for her. Katherine climbed out of the car and stared at the area. The air was nice and the sound of the waves, drizzled into her ears, giving her a happy overwhelming feeling, but Katherine didn't see Anderson anywhere. "Where is he?" She turned to Tony, but his gaze was behind her. She trailed it, turning again, and found Anderson behind her. He was dressed in his work outfit, but without the Armani suit. "Come here," he said and she gri
"When did you arrive?" Jude asked after handing her a cup of coffee. "Two hours ago. Would have arrived earlier but there was a little trouble with the flight." "I hope it was nothing serious. You're okay, right?" "Oh, not at all. And I'm fine," Hope smiled. Jude lowered his gaze to the ground like there was something interesting there and an awkward silence fell between them. "How have you been?" Hope broke the silence. He started with a slow repetitive nod, "Good. Really good. You?" "Same," Hope nodded. "I was driving to Dad Xavier's to pick up Katy's kids, so I thought I'd stop by and say hi since I was close. You'll be at the party, right?" "Yeah, I'm all dressed up for it." "Oh good," Hope breathed out, wrapping her palms around the mug. As much as she didn't like how silent they were, she expected it. It's been seven years and she suddenly appears in front of him without a word. She had hoped to ask him to accompany her to Xavier's or probably expected him to su
*** _*Six_Years Later*_ *** Renard's fingers caressed the package as he spoke on the phone to his mother. "Ugh, Mom! I told you I'm not going." "Just this once, Renard. It's not like you attended the previous ones. How long do you plan to distance yourself? They're your niece and nephew!" "Do you have to keep calling me every year for the same thing? I have work to do, if I slack Anderson wouldn't take it lightly. You know how he is. I can't stand him," Renard fused. "Even Marcus will be there, you think you're the only one who has work to do? Besides we both know Anderson wouldn't trouble for missing one day." Renard grumbled, taking the gift off his thigh. "If I go this once, will you stop calling me concerning it?" "I'll give you a break for the next two years." "Four," he bargained. "Three years. I can't believe we're bargaining this! It's not even supposed to be this serious." "You're making it serious, Mom. Like I don't care about my brother, I mean I send gif
***"Careful," Anderson cautioned, his palms resting on her bare baby bump. They both giggled as she successfully sat on him, her weight falling on him. She touched his chest to support her balance, and Anderson quickly adjusted to the weight. Katherine began moving her waist in circular motion and riding him slowly. Amidst the waves of pleasure, Anderson's eyes remained plastered on her, fearing that she might fall and ready to grasp her if she did. "Do you really have to do this?" He asked, guiding his hands to her waist. "Yes," she answered. "Relax and enjoy. I'm fine," she said, leaning slowly to kiss his chest. Anderson threw his head back, the pleasure slowly grasping him more than he could control. "About Marcus-Anderson sighed, "is that what this is about?" "No," Katherine denied, moving her hands to his chest and teasing his nipples with her fingers. "Fuck Katy, this is so goddamn good," he groaned and she smiled, loving how she gained control of him in a short space
***"200 meters is just perfect, if there are any changes I'll let you know beforehand," the client stood up."Please do, sir," Leila stood up with him. "Until then, we'll have the garden ready for you and yours " He smiled, "Perfect. If you're available, please attend." With that, he slipped an invitation card into her hand. "Oh," Leila hesitated, "I'll see what I can do." After a handshake, Leila picked up her stuff and walked out. In her car, which she managed to get back with her earning, Leila made a happy dance. She was elated and above all, she was glad she was finally doing something that would make her boss pleased with her again. After losing a rental deal a week back, Leila had tried to make up for it. She noticed Jude's unwillingness when she asked to be in charge of this project, but he eventually handed it to her. Amongst the twelve clients, ten were willing to patronize them, one was going to think about it and the last person already booked elsewhere. Leila coul
***Jude didn't miss the discontented look on Bianca's face when he walked in with Leila. "Hey," she forced a smile, "I didn't know you were bringing someone with you. We didn't discuss that." "She's my secretary and will be in charge of the meeting. She'll answer all of your questions and explain to you what to expect if your father's corporation partners with us." "Oh secretary," Bianca emphasized, relaxing. "I don't mind." "Where's your father, I expected to see him here with you." "Oh he's not coming," she winked. "He wants me to talk to you first and if I like what you're proposing, we automatically have a deal. So it's all in my hands now." "Okay," Jude shrugged, "so let me start with-"Hold on," Bianca's leaned over the table to touch him. Jude jerked away from her hold, glaring at her, "Why don't we eat first? It's a dinner date remember." "Not a date," he reminded. "Right," she chuckled softly. "Over here, waiter." A waiter approached their table at once, "What are y
***"Leila-" The door went open and she quickly turned away, wiping the tears from her eyes while trying to gain composure of herself. Jude's brow narrowed as he opened the door wider and walked in, his gaze first landed on the skinny tall man in his secretary's office and then on Leila whose back was at him. "I need you to make me some coffee," he said. "I'll be there, sir. Please give me a second," she answered, trying her best to give a straight response despite the sound of her voice. "Who is he?" Jude asked, staring at the unknown man that wore a frown. He didn't plan on interfering but the atmosphere in the room was something he didn't want any of his guests to meet. "H-he-" Leila stuttered. "I'm her husband," the skinny man replied, darting a cold stare at Jude, "you must be the boss." "Alex, please leave.." Leila tried to interfere. "What? I can't meet your boss? You said you were scared, should I tell him on your behalf then?" "No, get out!" Leila snapped, her voice
***Jude walked into his office, he turned around only to find Leila stirring his coffee as she spoke on the phone. Her body was in a different direction but her hand didn't stop moving the spoon in a circular motion. She was carried away and seemed to be pissed with whoever she was talking to on the phone. Jude noticed this and paused, watching her multitask. It was her first day without Ria's assistance and she was already giving him an idea of how berserking she could be. "I told you I'm fine, I don't need your money. Please stop calling me, you could get in trouble," She hassled. "Stop talking to me, I don't want any more problems between you guys." "Please don't say another word to me, Mom. You know I'll never agree to it. I can't move back in, don't you understand?...The other words strolled off his hearing. Mom? She was arguing with her mother? Jude squinted his brows. "I'm hanging up, please don't call me again. I'm fine and I don't need your help. I'm not worth losing yo
***"Sir?" Jude looked up from his computer to find Ria, his secretary walking in. "I brought the monthly accounts for the three hotels in Northridge. I already reworked them and piled in the conclusion. Please check and tell me if there's a problem." Jude took the papers from her and went through each page briefly. Knowing her capabilities, it didn't take him a lot of time before he started nodding in satisfaction. She had worked for him for four years and had proven countless times to be competent. Left to him, he wished he could make her stay. "What do you think? Is it good, sir?" She asked when he dropped the file. "Yeah. All good." "Really?" He shot her a stare, "is there a problem?" "Not really but the intern actually worked that out. It wasn't my doing." "Intern?" He looked lost for a minute before it hit him, "Leila?" "Yes sir. I gave them to her two days ago and made my workings too just in case, but checking them I realized she did quite a good job with the balanc
***"Oh hey, there Rey-" he grabbed her wrist before she could finish talking and led her out of the hall, scowling. His grip was too strong for her resistance and soon she relaxed and focused on catching up with his long step in her six inches heels. "What the hell," she breathed out when he finally stopped and released her, pushing her ahead of him roughly. "What the hell is right. Now, what the hell are you doing here?" He growled at her. She huffed, crossing her arms. "To see you obviously, who else do I know in this stinking rich organization." Renard grimaced, "I don't recall inviting you, and I cut all ties with Suzy and everything that has to do with her so why the hell are you here?" "Jeez chill, I didn't come to bother you," Anna assured, tucking her hair behind her ear, "You're the only one I could come to because you're the only one I know that knows Suzy." "So?" "I came to drop off her stuff. I'm leaving the country first thing tomorrow and her stuff are in my way.