....Jude sat up in the swivel chair, gazing at Anderson who was fixing his tie in front of the mirror. Jude ran his gaze up and down his body, the recent changes hitting him back. It has only been three days since the whole Nadia incident and Anderson was already looking pale and seemed to have shed some pounds. "I can feel your eyes eating up my soul," Anderson's uttered his observance, making Jude jerk slightly. "I see you everyday but looking at you right now makes me feel like we haven't seen for days." Anderson turned from the mirror, going behind Jude to grab his jacket. "You're going to mention my weight loss too?" He asked nonchalantly. His mother and Marcus wouldn't stop telling him how much he lost weight in such a short time and now Jude? To him, they were being delusional. Just because the past few days had been kind of tough for him, didn't mean he was losing weight due to Nadia's revelation. He had just been really busy working hard!"How many times did you skip
...."Gabriella was arrested?" Katherine squinted. "Yes. I found out from Jude. She was found guilty of abduction, abuse, and attempted murder. Nadia also confessed that she was an accomplice in framing you and James up and she initiated the process." "And Nadia?" "She also got arrested. They might be granted bail, Gabriella especially, courtesy of her rich daddy," Hope shrugged. Katherine breathed out. It was finally over, and she has looked forward to this day for the past two years, but why does she still feel an emptiness within her? She looked around the living room and decided that it was the reason for her mood. She was still in the same environment that carried all the bittersweet memories, that was why she felt empty.Once she leaves tomorrow for an entirely different city, it would be gone. She thought. "Katy, are you okay?" Hope asked. "Yeah," Katherine said. Realizing a smile wouldn't come naturally, she faked it. "This is what I wanted, of course, I'm okay." She t
....//I'm sorry Katy, he will be here. I told him he'll meet you when he arrives. He looked like he wouldn't stop bothering you if I don't give him some information. You should leave immediately if you really don't want to meet him.//It's been three hours already since her father revealed to her what he had done. She wasn't sure why she didn't leave immediately since she strongly believed she didn't want to see Anderson ever again but for some unknown reason, she stalled up till this time. It was past two pm, her departure time, and as the time grew closer, Katherine couldn't stop herself from constantly looking out of her window and then dashing out of her room to surreptitious look out for his ride from the keyhole. She knew she was waiting for Anderson, that she purposely stalled after her father's words to meet him but Katherine wasn't ready to admit it to herself. Hearing the faint sound of a car honking, Katherine sprang up and looked out of her window, and for the umpteenth
...."Katy, he's here!" Katherine ran down the stairs and towards the exit. It wasn't until she reached the door that she realized herself. She paused, exhaled, and fixed her composure before stepping back. Why was she hurrying to him?Sighing, Katherine held the strap of her handbag and walked out of the house in her usual composed steps. When she reached the driveway and looked up, her body slumped in disappointment. "Jude?" She grimaced, "what are you doing here?" Jude looked around, an expression that depicted cluelessness was fixed on his face. "Where is Anderson?" "Why are you looking for him here?" Katherine walked past him to the van, she threw open the door and dumped her bag in it. "He-he was supposed to be here." "I don't understand," she turned to find Jude behind her. "He was coming here. I was supposed to meet him and.." Jude trailed the rest of his words, itching his head in confusion. Andrew was not here. Katherine's brows lowered, "you think he got hurt or
...."Katy, sugar cookies!" Yvonne called and Katherine dashed off from the plants she was watering to join James and her little sister in the living room. She gasped, seeing the cookies lined neatly in the self-made Tupperware with colorful designs. "Trina brought some for me!" Katherine's eyes glistened, "I missed this so much." "Actually.." James hesitated, "I don't think you should eat that." "Why?" She pouted at him."Because.." James wasn't sure how to tell her Anderson made the cookies and it tasted horrible. He promised Anderson not to sell him out, "it just tastes too sugary." "Of course, they're sugar cookies. I used to eat them a lot, and I thought I'd never get to taste them again. Trina is the best," Katherine looked exceptionally gleeful."Alright then," James shrugged, giving up.Katherine tore out the tiny letter beside the Tupperware, seated in the box. She opened it and tittered, after perusing through the content, before packing it up and placing it on the bouq
...Anderson's face grew hard the moment he stepped into the private lounge and sighted her. Without a word, he occupied the seat opposite her, ignoring her when she stood up and hi'd him. Snapping her lips shut, Gabriella lowered herself to the seat. "What about Renard?" Anderson inquired bristly. With a hand signal, she sent back the waitress that was walking towards their table; realizing Anderson wasn't going to stay as long as she thought. Not only did she take hours to convince him to meet her, but she also booked a private lounge last minute as that was the only place he accepted to talk to her at. Gabby didn't want all that effort to go to waste. With the look on Anderson's face, she knew he would rather be anywhere but there with her. "Uh, well... Renard is.." Anderson arched a brow, crossing his arms, "Did you lie to get me to come here?" "It's not a lie, but I was hoping I could tell you something first." "Spill." Gabriella gulped, adjusting the hoodie cap to hide
...."Am I seeing things, or is that Anderson's car in the yard?" Katherine sat up at once and looked out, sighing loudly when she realized Hope wasn't bluffing. Or seeing things. "Talk about impatience," she shook her head, clicking her teeth. Hope parked the car and they alighted. Anderson approached them even before they arrived at the porch.It wasn't until she left the apartment parking lot that she noticed James was with him, she instantly figured he was the brain behind Anderson's presence. She flashed him a look and he shrugged, "he would have gotten it anyways, but I'm still sorry," James apologized. "It's okay," Katherine sighed, turning to Anderson. "Hi," Hope waved slightly at Anderson before turning to Katherine, "I'll be inside." "Me too," James followed. "Are you guys not coming in?" "We'll talk on the porch," Katherine said. "You both go ahead." After they left, she turned to Anderson and walked to have a seat on the front porch of her apartment. "Is two week
***With her eyes on her laptop, Katherine picked up her coffee cup to have a sip but realized ruefully that it was empty. She threw her head back and took off the neck massage, the headphones came next before she lightly massaged the area with her fingertips. She glanced at the time and realized she had been seated in front of her device for almost an hour. She sighed, switched off her laptop, and swiveled the chair around to get to her feet. She picked up the coffee cup and walked to the maker to refill her cup. She was halfway through when Hope dashed in, she head straight to the study desk and fished a file from it. "I forgot this," she told Katherine, before sitting to take off her shoes. "I told you wearing heels was a bad idea," Katherine reminded her.She nodded, "had a second thought in the car." Briskly, Hope replaced the heels with a pair of sneakers and turned to Katherine to show herself, she replied her gesture with a thumb up. "I'll see you when I return. Don't m
"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.