....Anderson tucked his hands into his pant pockets as James was wheeled into the lobby by his caregiver to see them. He had a pale look on his face and a flash of anger in his eyes, it was something Anderson and Jude saw evidently. "Wait," Jude held Anderson back when he started to walk towards him, "I'll talk to him first." James' caregiver left him to their care and walked out, leaving the three men in the hall. "Why is he here?" James asked Jude, seething just at the sight of Anderson. Anderson tried not to smirk at his question but instead kept his blank gaze plastered on James despite the glare he constantly threw at him. "Uh, to see you," Jude spoke calmly. "He wanted to see how you were doing before you get discharged." "Well, I don't want to see him. I don't ever want to see his face--"Bold of you to think seeing you is something I want to do too," Anderson scoffed and Jude threw him a warning look."See? Did you see that grouchy attitude again?" "You both need to ca
...."Anderson wait.." Anderson yanked his hand from Jude's grip, "no, Jude. Don't fucking try to convince me. This is all over! There's no way, I'm serving as a caregiver for that backstabber!" "He's a backstabber alright, but this is your only way out of a future court case." "Do you not get it, Jude--"I do! But you asked me to help you and that's exactly what I'm doing. It's just for a few days, and I know you can do it, Anderson. Isn't Horatio launching a big project soon? Do you think having a court case at a crucial and vulnerable time like project Alexander, is a good move for Alexander's success?" Anderson shut his eyes and heaved a sigh, it annoyed the fuck out of him knowing how right Jude was. He had never craved to be right so badly in his life..."The elite invested in project Alexander, Anderson. Top business people put in their resources for the success of that project, they trusted Horatio with their shares and money. Do you not think being involved in a court cas
....Katherine freed her palm from Renard's, squinting her eyes. "What deal?" She appeared invested.Renard immediately let out a smile as he adjusted his seat towards the table, "tell me when this marriage thing with Anderson will be over and I'll not say a word about your pregnancy to him or anyone else." "And what do you get out of it?" "The CEO position. You get paid for your services and I get what I want." "Well, I would have liked to help you achieve your desire but unfortunately, there is no contractual relationship between Anderson and me. And why do you even think I'd agree to a deal with you?" "Because you're desperate. And I know there's something going on with you and Anderson because why else would you want to keep your pregnancy a secret from him when you're both married, knowing he'll find out about it sooner or later? It just doesn't add up." "I don't know how else to prove anything to you if you don't believe me."Renard scoffed, "how can I? I'm no simp like An
..."Oh, here he comes," Gabriella's lips formed into a smile, as she waved at Anderson. He walked into the private lounge with a grim look on his face. "Hey man," Jude was grinning at him as he grabbed a seat and joined the duo. "How was your first day?" Anderson glared at him, "it's not funny." "First day? What's that?" Gabriella stared between the duo, passing the menu to Anderson. "We've decided, make your choice." Anderson grabbed the printed sheet with hardcovers and stared blankly into it. "Well, Anderson started a new job.." Jude started to explain when Anderson swat the paper off his face to glare at him again."What new job?" Gabriella asked when Jude stopped talking, her curiosity peaking. Jude glanced at Anderson as though seeking permission to continue but the frown on Anderson's face was enough to keep his mouth shutting. "Come on guys tell me, I don't want to be in the dark." "It's nothing much," Anderson covered up. "Well, I still want to know. Come on guys," G
....*Jude got me. I'll call you when I get home. Please, take it easy best. Xoxo!* Katherine turned off her phone, facing her side of the window as her heel constantly hit the floor of the car. She couldn't believe her countering Anderson would lead to this, that he would shut her words, cast her over his shoulder, and put her in the car with the shrewd words:"Let's talk about it at home, honey." And then he slammed the door in her face, before going to whisper some words to the driver. Her countenance remained crumpled and the fact that he got away with what he did right on that spot, angered her. He would never allow her to experience the same reaction. With her, he had the right to go all fight mode without even allowing her an explanation, but she sought an explanation first and he slammed his palm over her mouth. "Pfft," Katherine scoffed, massaging her neck with her fingers. She was so not going to let him get out of this! She wasn't even doing anything with James back the
...Katherine massaged the ring circled around her wrist from Anderson's ferocious grab. Her brows narrowed as she remembered Anderson's threat, and a scoff erupted from her mouth. He can dish it but not receive it. She picked up her phone, contemplating giving a call to Hope to find out if she was okay, but she dropped it after a moment, deciding to just follow what her text read. She was about to find some cream for the bruise from her vanity cabinet when she heard a knock on her door. "Katy, it's Trina. I brought some things for you." Katherine retreated to the door and threw it open. Trina smiled at her immediately, holding up the tray in her hand that contained a tube ointment, a plate of sugar cookies, and a cup of hot creamy coffee. "Come in, Trina." Trina walked in and settled the tray on the side stool, "I brought some ointment for your wrist." She didn't need anyone to tell her before figuring out that Anderson must have given her the order. Katherine said nothing an
...Katherine stood akimbo, staring squarely at the guard who stood before her transfixed, "what do you mean I can't leave?" "Mr. Riecke said you were taking a break from work for a while," he answered. Katherine's fist balled as she ground her teeth, "I never said that. Are you certain you heard him right? I never made a decision like that." "Yes, ma'am. He said to drive you anywhere else but to the gallery until he says otherwise." Under her breath, Katherine cussed at him. He should have at least told her first before making a change like that and why the hell was he holding back her work?"Call him. Right now." "Yes, ma'am," the guard fished out a phone and sent a call through to his boss. Anderson ran his finger through the stack of paperwork on his desk, looking for the easiest one to quickly work on before he goes to the hospital to..."Oh, fuck you, James," he mumbled under his breath, grumbling at his unwanted fate. His ringing phone grabbed his attention and as he expe
..."You're ten minutes late," James said the moment Anderson stepped into the ward. "I know." "As my carer, you should be here even before I wake up. Do you not know that?" "I simply don't care, James," Anderson shrugged, "now tell me what you want. I'll only be here for an hour." "Two hours, Anderson. And that's just for daytime. My carer stays for three." "I don't care. What do you want?" Anderson asked again. "First, my bedpan is filled. It needs to be emptied and washed." Anderson scoffed, folding his arms. "I should empty your waste receiver and wash it?" He asked with a glare. "Do you really want me to do that, James?" James gulped, seeing the deadly look on Anderson's face. "No, I-I was just messing with you. Help me with a cup of coffee, and maybe you can style my hair a little." "Good for you," Anderson walked over to the coffee machine and began fixing a cup of coffee for James. Halfway through, the door slid open and a nurse walked in. "Good morning, guys," she
"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.