.....Katherine could feel Anderson's stare burrowing into her as she scrawled her signature on the paper. She sat up, held her head high and pushed the file away from her. All through the process, Katherine struggled to swipe her face off of any expression and hold her mind from thinking. Anthony-- Anderson's lawyer, withdrew the file to himself and stepped away. Soon, they stood side by side, facing the priest and exchanging their marriage vows all over. Two days back, if anyone had told Katherine she would be getting married today, especially to her ex-husband; she would have doubted heavily. Even though their words screamed dishonesty, both Katherine and Anderson worked to make it look believable. The wedding bands were brought on a platter, fine stones adorning the silver bands. It was as though Anderson already prepared for their wedding even before she accepted. When Anderson picked her finger to slip the ring in, Katherine felt a light tingle in her stomach, for a mome
...Two days later, the first thing Katherine noticed as she stared out of her window that morning was Anderson's car and Gerald waiting to pick her up.An hour was used in packing and exchanging farewells. "I promise you, when I come visit; I'll bring Dad home as well," Katherine cheered Yvonne up, seeing the sadness in her eyes. "Can I come visit you sometimes, too?" "Of course, just call me whenever and I'll come get you," Katherine assured, though unsure if Anderson would permit it. Katherine hopped into the car and relaxed into the seat, shutting her eyes as the ride enhanced. "Miss, we're here."Katherine's eyes peeled open and she first tilt her head sideways to view Anderson's villa. It was almost ten feet away from the heart of the spacious compound where the car was stopped. The fountain, Katherine remembered, still looked as clean and fresh as ever, the pool, inviting and cleanly blue. When she stepped out of the car; the all-white exterior painting almost blinded her.
.....Five days later and Katherine still wasn't eating, she remained in her room and last Anderson saw her was when they had dinner at his parents'. He couldn't deny that he was now worried, at this point he couldn't conclude if she was just messing with him or there was something wrong with her. Madam Trina updated him daily of her activities in the room, she would only ask for lemonade and if she wasn't sleeping or on the phone, she was mostly on her laptop. It was through her, he knew she wasn't sick and that brought down his worries a little. As much as he tried to detach his mind from her, he couldn't help his thoughts. Somehow Madam Trina's words no longer sounded objective to him, not that she had any reason to lie or keep an issue away from him but Anderson wanted a self-confirmation. He wanted to see her for himself. She wasn't about to die in his house, he was just going to confirm she was okay and that's it. Whatever she does after that wouldn't be his concern. And
... .. "What is this?" Renard fumed at Taylor, "I asked for an accurate list. What is this, Taylor?" "Sir, I-I worked on it all night-- "This is not good enough," he grabbed both end of the spreadsheet and symmetrically tore it before disposing it into the shredder. "Make a fresh one, and do it right this time," He grumbled apathetically. "Yes sir," she grabbed the rest of the file and started for the door but stopped halfway, "um Mr Renard, there was a report from the headquarter, I forwarded it to your mail. Did you get it?" "What is it about?" Renard questioned with disinterest, his gaze fixated on the active monitor seated on his desk. "A complaint about missing funds, incomplete accounts and-- "Enough," he stopped her with a sharp look, "I'll check it out when I'm done." "Yes sir." Renard waited until he heard the door shut before tearing his gaze off the monitor and sitting up, he grabbed a bottle of water and chugged down the liquid until it was half empty. In a
...Renard started to climb out of the car when he noticed Anderson walking out of the gallery, Katherine in his arms, unconscious. He relaxed back into the seat and watched as they got into the car and it drove off. Without a word, he hopped down the car and head into the gallery. Getting to the entrance of her office, he noticed the broken door and Quinn seated in her office looking discombobulated. "Hello, Quinn?" Renard walked in uninvited and she gave him an unwelcomed look. "Excuse me, who let you in?" Renard took a seat opposite her, "who let me into an art gallery?" He arched a brow at her. "Who let you in my office?" "Oh that," Renard sat up, "I bet you don't know me, but I do know you--Quinn started to grab her telephone but Renard beat her to it, taking it away from her reach. "Don't bother calling security, I'm just here to ask a few questions and possibly strike a deal with your gallery. How would you like to be a shareholder in Horatio's--"Who are you?" "I'm Re
The next morning, Anderson woke up in his study room with a stiff neck. A cracked groan poured out of his mouth as he sat up. Holding both side of his head he snapped it and paused for a sense of relief to wash over him. Much better, he stared at the paperwork on his desk, fixed them up and glanced at the alarm clock. He stood up and got ready for work, knotting his tie in front of the squared mirror, he picked up the important documents on the desk and walked out. Stirring the cup of coffee he grabbed from the dinning, he took a long sip from it and inhaled in sudden excitement. His inner senses fully awakening. "Breakfast is ready, sir." "Is my mother up?" He asked, sparing her only a glance. "Yes sir, she was down a while ago." "Good morning sir," Madam Trina walked up to him, saying, "um your tie," she stepped closer to him and began fixing his tie, "Did you spend the night in your study room again, sir? You don't look too bright," she noted. "Yeah, unknowingly," he
....."Over here!!," Jude waved and Anderson easily spotted him in the private lounge, despite the crowd ahead of him. Sucking his lungs in, he trotted through the sweaty crowds, bumping continuously into clubbers shamelessly making out in totally uncomfortable positions. A frown scrunched his face as the strong stench of gin, weed and sex hit his nostrils, no single area was sane enough for a man like him. Why would Jude bring him to a place like this? The music was loud, too loud and raggae-ish for his liking, he wasn't used to this kind of noise and definitely not this kind of environment. Every female he mistakenly clashes his gaze with, all kept seductive looks at him while taking off pieces of their clothes flirtatiously. He sought for the tingle, the exact tingle he felt when he saw Katherine's bareness but it wasn't there, just a strong feeling of disgust. Aggressively, Anderson pushed through the crowd and continued the motion until he eventually reached the lounge wher
.....Anderson's hands grabbed his head as a sharp pain stung it, his face scrunched into a frown as he woke up from sleep. He moved his body upward and relaxed the back of his head further into the pillow, a drawled groan pouring out from his throat. His head hurt and his mouth felt dry.Lazily, he recalled his encounter in the club and his eyes went open, his gaze temporarily glued on the ceiling board. He could tell he was in his room but he couldn't recollect how he got there, his recollection from last night ceased the moment he got drunk. Since he was with Jude, he concluded it must have been him who brought him home.He doesn't even remember if he got what he sought at the club or not. Maybe he did. He was too drunk and amid two unclad women, of course, he did something!With a sigh, he reached with his arm to the nightstand and strolled it further when he didn't feel any plastic bottle.He tilted his head and searched with his eyes but there was no bottled water on it. G
"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.