Katherine placed her clutch beside the steaming latte on her side of the table and turned her head to give Gabby a look. They were seated in the cafe opposite the apartment building, it was only a stone throw from where the parking lot was. Katherine could see James's car and Hope's slight figure leaning on the boot, watching them. "So, why do you want to see me?" She inquired, breaking the silence. "Before that, I'm curious about something, how long have you known Nadia was here." "A while." "I see," she nodded, thoughtfully. "I'm just asking because I come around here a lot and I've never once seen her around. Maybe you might have mistaken her residence, or who you saw." "Or maybe not." "How so?" "Because I confirmed it, she has two kids now and last I saw her, before she took off, she instantly recognized me." Gabriella's gripped the table, quickly taking a sip from her coffee to level the heat in her stomach."Well, I'll look around for you and alert you if I come across
....Katherine pressed her finger over her bandaged finger tip, doctor Ralph had pricked the spot with an automatic lancet and withdrew her blood from the area to carry out the test. She walked out of the lab, pushing her clutch under her arm. James had called her an hour ago, telling her to wait for him while he quickly leaves to attend to an important matter. Despite her refusal, he insisted on picking her up. She checked her phone to see that he dropped a text, telling her he was already close. She shoved the phone in her clutch and walked out of the hospital and the first thing her sight caught was Anderson's car and him leaning at the front. It was his favorite ride so it was easy for her to identify it. She hadn't seen him since the moment she arrived at the hospital, until now she didn't think he was at the same place as she was.She tore her gaze off, when she saw him unrest from the car, and took a step away from it; pushing her gaze into the road to check for James's car
...."Oh I forgot to mention, for the sweetener I'd like-"Splenda. I already told her that," James interrupted. "Oh thank you. Please go ahead," she said to the waitress who resumed unpacking their order from the food trolley to their table. Katherine turned back to James, "How do you know I take Splenda now?" "I heard you mention it once at Becky's Cafe, to a waiter so I figured it was something you prefer now. Also, you're pregnant, it's kind of a healthy sweetener choice. At least it's better than sugar." Katherine chuckled, "You know too much." "Enjoy your meal," the waitress wished."Thank you senorita," James winked at her, a flirtatious smile on his lips. Katherine giggled, as the waitress blushed at James's advances before wheeling the trolley from their table. "Old habits sure never die." "What are you talking about?" Jude pushed a stare at her. "Nevermind," Katherine shook her head, pulling her plate closer. "What's the progress with Nadia?" "Still no sign of her,
...."Renard Horatio.." "Renard, it's me. Gabriella." "Whoa, you're the last person I expected to call me at this moment. A surprise call is it-"Nadia is missing. She was not in the truck with the others.""What? You told me it was confirmed." "That was what I thought too. I got that same assurance but it turns out it was someone else, a man. Nadia is not here, Renard!" Gabby clicked her teeth in annoyance, increasing the speed of her car. "What are you going to do, it's been three whole days and you're just finding out she's missing. That's more than enough time to flee the country and start a whole new life, or get a face surgery and be someone else entirely." "I don't think she went that far. She's flat-out broke, that damn bitch escaped with my money!" "Well, I wish you good luck in whatever move you take from here--"Wait, what do you mean you wish me GoodLuck? You need to help me! We have to find Nadia!" "We?" Renard scoffed, "I told you already, Gabriella. I'm not invol
...Hope held the door wide open for Katherine and she sauntered in, her jaw dropped at the spacious size of the living room which was the first room she came across. "This is huge," she turned to Hope with amusement. "I know right," Hope giggled, before leading her to the other rooms. "Unfortunately there's just a room so we'll either have to share or--"We'll share. If not, we can demarcate it with a drapery, and boom, we have a room each, at least it's enough to grant each other privacy.""I was just going to suggest that," James chipped in, checking the corners of the room. "This is a nice house." "I agree. Now, it's all left to Katy to decide. You refused two houses already so I don't want to hastily fall in love with this place because you might not like it." James nodded in agreement. "I'm not that selective, you guys," Katherine frowned playfully. "You rejected two houses already, and the other one James offered." Katherine shrugged, "They just.. they had issues." "Ye
...."Anderson!" Gabriella tore herself from the cop and dashed to Anderson."I-I don't know what's happening--Anderson stepped away, gritting his teeth hard."It's over. I know all about your games now so don't bother denying it or trying to convince me." Gabriella's jaw dropped, "it's not what you think- "I can't believe you'd do this to me, Gabriella. I thought I knew you." "You do. I'm sorry, I swear I don't know what came over me. I just... I just got stupid and acted thoughtlessly." "Thoughtlessly? I fuckin lost my marriage! You ruined my life, my home! And you stand here and tell me you got stupid?""Anderson please, I promise you I'm not this kind of person--"You have to come with us now, miss Hawthorne," a policeman interrupted, his feature was like that of a biker. The dark blue cap carried a star in its center that easily gave his rank away and a pistol stayed tucked in the pocket of his blue pants. "Don't fuckin touch me," she yanked away from his grip, turning back
....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
"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.