..."Katy, are you there?" Xavier checked the phone, "Katy? Hello?" *Click* the call got disconnected and his face contorted in a frown. He contemplated dialing her line again when Maggie walked in. "What happened?" "Anderson was involved in a car accident, Katy just called to tell me." "What?" Maggie grimaced, "goodness! He just rounded up a business meeting in Spain, it was aired on TV. The casualty must have happened on his way back. This is horrible news." "I know," he sighed, nodding. "I'm trying to reach Katy again." Xavier placed the phone on his ear when he felt it vibrate, but it wouldn't connect anymore. He tried two more times before pulling the phone from his ear, his mind was disturbed. He only just spoke to her, why couldn't he reach her anymore? "I'll find Madeline's number and give her a call, I doubt Katherine did," Xavier said as he hurried away to his room."Aw! She'll be so shocked. I feel so sorry for her already," Maggie sighed, "I'll try to reach Katy."
Anderson's heart crushed into a million pieces when he caught a glimpse of Katherine's body on the hospital bed, words failed him as his eyes stayed glued on her, his knees weakening at the horrible sight. "Please step out for a while, mister," a nurse walked up to him, shutting the door as he dragged his feet out. Anderson buried his face in his palm, trying to steady his breathing with the remaining sanity left in him. The sight was gory, something he wished to never encounter again. Staring at her, the amount of pain she must have passed through, was a mere imagination for him. He could only imagine the amount of pain she must have passed through before she eventually passed out. In his mind were millions of questions. In his heart, pieces that he wasn't willing to mend together just yet. Only his vocals were gradually recovering from the shock and it confirmed to him that he wasn't in a nightmare. "Mr. Riecke," Anderson raised his head to see Peter being wheeled on a stretcher
***"Katy, I'm home!" Hope announced, kicking her shoes off as she walked into the living room. She noticed the laptop still open but the screen was blank and it made her wonder if Katherine had operated it all night.With a shrug, she shut the laptop before sauntering to the kitchen for a glass of water. She checked for a new sticky note on the refrigerator, finding none, she concluded that Katherine was home. She was probably asleep in her room or just strolling about the house. Hope stretched before heading to the room, she tried to be quiet so she doesn't wake up a possibly sleeping Katherine. She arrived at the room and peeked through the curtain and a grimace met her face. Katherine wasn't there either. Her bed was still finely made like she hadn't made use of it in a while. Again, she checked around for a note but saw none. She concluded that Katherine probably stepped out for a bit, and since it was close by she didn't bother dropping her a note. It also explained why she d
***Renard grumbled under his breath before burying his face into his pillow, grudgingly bearing the pain from the subtle contact on his aching legs. He mumbled, shutting his eyes as the agonizing memory revisited his head, and it was even more painful because he knew who Anderson was talking about, the reason why he hit him multiple times to unconsciousness and just knowing he was suffering this much because of her annoyed him. "It's done, Mr. Renard, should I get your shots ready?" The nurse asked. He had only spent a day in the hospital and the moment he regained consciousness, he asked to be discharged. The thought of being confined to a hospital bed was unpleasant and Renard never imagined himself being in a position like that. Due to his unshaken resistance, he had to be discharged early from the hospital and a nurse was assigned to take care of him.He would rather be bedridden and suffering in his own space, than in the presence of many unknown people in a place he didn't f
***# 2_Months later...Anderson glanced at the time, his level of patience searing as he brought his gaze to his phone which had just beeped silently again. "Are you okay, Mr. Riecke?" "What?" He jolted, staring up at the projector. "You looked lost for a moment," Liliya, a representative from a business organization in Ukraine, revealed."Oh, I-I'm fine," Anderson pulled on a slight smile, adjusting in his seat. For a moment, he had forgotten he was in a web conference. He exchanged glances with his father and got a blank stare in return. Anderson thought of mumbling an apology but he pushed it aside and faced the projector again. His phone beeped, a text from Horatio.*You told me you could do it*Anderson wet his lips before texting a reply, *I lied. I'm sorry* "You can go on now, Mr. Riecke," his assistant diverted his attention. "Right," Anderson cleared his throat, reaching for his file. "I'll take it from here. Anderson has somewhere urgent to be, I hope you all don't
***"Localized dissociative amnesia?" Anderson repeated. "Yes, something like that. From the CT scan and the few examinations we did on her, we discovered that she never suffered anything like it in the past, but she had some emotional traumas that possibly triggered the condition, coupled with the accident. Currently, she cannot remember the event around these traumas and will act as though they never happened. Like she did before these activities took place." "A memory loss?" Xavier asked."Exactly. It might take a while for her to regain these memories, days, months or even years, it depends on the amount of treatment she gets and how serious her condition is." Anderson nodded, now realizing why she addressed him in that manner. She forgot they were divorced. "What about the baby? Will she not remember it too?""Yes, possibly. She will once she starts to get her memory back. For now, you all shouldn't make her feel weird or act like she's passing through a memory loss. Whatever
Anderson felt beside him with his hand but touched the silky sheets instead. His eyes went open and he realized Katherine wasn't beside him anymore. After taking her meds, she had insisted they slept together and he had no idea how she slipped off without him being triggered to wake up. He sat up and saw her standing in front of the dressing table, staring at her reflection in the mirror. He climbed off the bed and walked to meet her, she didn't notice him until he got to her and he discovered she was staring at her stomach. Her hands were running around it and he noticed an emotion resting in her eyes even though he couldn't tell exactly what it was."Hey," he whispered, hugging her from behind. She giggled, the look in her eyes disappearing. "You're awake." "How long have you been up?" "Just now," she smiled. "What are you doing?" "I'm not sure, just.. just looking at myself. I see changes, and it feels like a part of me disappeared," she rubbed her stomach again and giggled,
***Katherine walked out of the bathroom to find Anderson almost dressed up for work and knotting his tie in front of the dressing mirror. "Ready to go?" She asked, taking the towel off her hair and swaying it. "Almost. I was hoping you'd leave before I do." "I was busy in the bathroom," she reached for a kiss and he planted a peck on her lips, pulling away before he got overwhelmed. "Should I pick you up at your parents'? I don't plan on staying long at work." "I don't think so, I'll be meeting Hope later on," Katherine revealed. "You remember Hope, right? We were high school and college buddies." "I do, I met her already. When we first met, at that bar, she was with you. I recall meeting her there first before we even started dating." "You remember!" Katherine appeared amused. "That's so sweet. I love you.""I love you too," he snuck his arms around her waist and pulled her close as he kissed her. Katherine pushed her fingers into his styled hair, going to deepen the kiss whe
"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.