..."Katherine and I are getting a divorce," Anderson uttered stoically. Katherine had her hand clasped in-between her thigh the entire time, the nervousness from being around the Horatios since the cheating scandal returned with full force. She gulped heavily on the bile that clung to her throat but she was nowhere close to getting it off. Katherine breathed out and raised her head to access everyone's expression at the table. Madeline, just as her husband appeared shocked and skeptical, Renard was indifferent and neutral and Marcus looked confused. When Madeline diverted her gaze to her, Katherine found herself gulping again and avoiding it. "Wait, is this some joke or what?" The skepticism from Madeline's face wavered, as she glanced between the two. Horatio was still quiet. "It's not a joke. We are getting a divorce," Anderson signaled and a guard brought the folder to him, he dropped it on the table, "we already signed the papers." Marcus picked up the folder and went th
...Katherine reached outside the building to find Hope staring at the SUV that had just taken off, she was breathing heavily and had her palm on her knees. A cloud of foggy dust had taken over after the car zoomed off and Hope looked both angry and tired. Katherine had seen Nadia run down the stairs so she could imagine how much stress it was climbing all the way from the ninth floor to the ground one. "She got into that car before I could reach her. I was so close," Hope breathed out in regret. "You shouldn't have gone after her. Are you okay?" Katherine asked, helping her stand upright. "Yeah, I'm good," Hope assured her with a smile. "Is something wrong?" The manager walked out of the hotel, his brows creased with a frown.Hope immediately rushed to him, "do you know who she is? That lady we met at the hall? Does she live here?.." "Her name is Nadia," Katherine chipped in. "Nadia McGrath? Yes, she is one of our newest tenants. Why?" He asked with a scrunched-up suspicious n
..."No response?" Katherine asked the moment Hope pulled the phone from her ear. "Her line is unreachable. I think her phone is off," Hope replied. Katherine sighed, "I just want to go home." "Hold on, I'll save her number so you can give her a call later. I'll try to reach her again too." "What's the point? Talking to her or meeting her isn't going to change a thing. It won't make my marriage work again and it's definitely not going to change how I see Anderson now. There's no point, Hope." "True, It might not change any of what you mentioned but she still owes you some explanation. And the public? Your name needs to be cleared and she's the only one that can do it! Come on Katy," Hope cajoled, "everyone out there looks at you like an infidel, do you want to carry that title for life? If not anything, that bitch needs to face the repercussion for her actions." "I just want to live a low profile and not be constantly reminded of my mess. I don't want to drag the issue, for my s
...Jude watched his cellphone screen as it returned to the dialer and a slight frown creased his brows. After canceling on their date without a reason, she was now ignoring his calls. His attention was pushed off the phone when Anderson walked into the living room, his expression cold. "Mr. Riecke-"Not now, Trina," Anderson stopped her with a restraining hand. "Hey man?" Jude waved. Anderson spared him a glance, walked over to the bar, and filled a glass with wine for himself. "How did the meeting go?" "Thought you were coming." "Me too, I tried. My father suddenly called to see me, I had to go see him first and ended up staying longer than I wanted." "Is he okay?" "Yeah, he was just feeling bored," Jude waved it off, "so, how did it go?" Anderson downed the drink until the wineglass was half empty, "Not as I had thought. My father refused the papers but agreed that Katherine and I go our separate ways for now." "Yeah I know, she already picked up her things and left, but
....The teacups came crashing to the floor but the pang of anger gripping her chest was yet to break off. Annoyed, she began throwing her fists at the wall until she could no longer feel her palms and her knuckles developed blisters. Looking back, she caught a reflection of herself, and her rage returned. She looked like a fuckin bitch! A whore! She looked like the devil! She grumbled under her breath, crashing to the floor and dragging her hair. When she took her hand off, she noticed the many hair strands that followed and she yelled in anger, throwing the pieces off. "Oh fuck you, Gabriella. Fuck you to hell!" She cussed violently, tears strolling down her eyes. From the corner of her eyes, she saw her kids' bulgy innocent eyes on her both in fear and skepticism. "What the hell are you staring at, nitwits! Can't you mind your fucking business?!" She seethes at them. "Give me that look one more time and I'll pluck out your fucking eyes you dumb shits." They quickly averted
...Katherine walked out of her room, feeling super comfy in the pair of baggy sweats she had on. She took the outfit from her father when he stopped finding it comfortable and it made her happy to be back in it. Her new obsession with loosed outfits amazed her. She wasn't naturally a fan of these kinds of wears, neither did she hate the idea completely, but now she was obsessed with it. She walked to the kitchen and caught a whiff of the lunch Maggie was preparing. "Hi Katy," Maggie beamed at her, "lunch will be ready soon." "What are you making?" "Mac and cheese for Yvonne, homemade lasagna for everyone else." "Two separate lunches?" Katherine furrowed her brows. "Yvonne doesn't want lasagna, so she begged me to make Mac and cheese for her instead, she's been eating it a lot lately." "Typical Yvonne. Once she likes something it automatically becomes an obsession until she's had enough." "Tell me about it," Maggie shook her head. "Where's Hope by the way?" "She left about a
..."You guys got a divorce already?!" Gabriella exclaimed. Anderson threw her a questioning look, "I mean you both only just got married." "Now we're divorced," Anderson stoically replied, going back to the soup. "And Katherine--"Geez! Can I not stay for a day without hearing that name? Why are you still here anyways, I already told you where to find her," Anderson rasped, irritated."Whoa, I didn't know you both ended things on bad terms, my bad," she subtly apologized, caressing his shoulder. "Anyways, I'm always here and available for you. Do you want to hang out later?" "No, I have work, and I want some privacy.""Of course, I'll be in the--" A few knocks on the door disrupted her words and it went open to reveal Jude who held out two bottles of vodka. "Anyone down for some daylight alcohol?" He asked drowsily, swooping in. "What's wrong with you?" Gabriella frowned at him. "Oh hey Gabriella, what are you doing here?" "What are you doing here?" She threw back at him."T
...Gabriella stared at her two wasted friends with a grimace. She was the only sober one while they were drunk and wouldn't stop blabbering. "I need to go to work.." Anderson slurred."You're drunk, stupid. How can you go to work in this state?" "He loves work. He cannot miss work, he might get a heart attack if he doesn't work," James further mumbled."He should have thought of that before consuming a whole bottle of vodka when he knows how righteous his body is," Gabriella grimaced, "what am I going to do with you both now?" Anderson's head was on the table but he wasn't asleep and Gabriella ran a finger down his sideline. "You're so handsome, Anderson. I can't wait to have you," she mumbled, carried away. "What's that? Do you have a crush on him again?" Jude, who was more sober between the two guys chuckled. "The question should be, did I stop having a crush on him?" She said under her breath. Brushing her finger against Anderson's lips, smacking hers in raw anticipation. "
"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.