~Rosemary~“Doctor, is he going to be okay?” I asked, more than two hours later. I had driven Max to the hospital and waited while the medical team attended to him. Now, he was sound asleep, but his face was quite pale.“He’s going to be fine. But I advise that you take his phone from him to avoid a recurrence.”I glanced at him. “Oh…I see.”“Not many people would have been able to drive a cardiac arrest patient without freaking out. You did good, Mrs. Smith.”“Uhm! I am sorry,” I laughed awkwardly. “I’m not his wife.”“Oh, my bad. I thought—”“Rosemary…”Hearing my name, I turned my head and saw Max awake. His eyes were squinted as if he couldn't see properly.“Sir, you need to stay in bed. Get some rest.”After saying that, the doctor turned to me. “Apologies once again, ma’am. I’ll leave you to it.”“What happened to me?” Max asked as soon as the doctor left.“You had a heart attack.”Max paused. Soon, his eyebrows raised with realization. “Please, don't get yourself worked up ov
~Gerald~“Is now a good time?” When I heard that question, I snapped out of the deep reflection I was in. “What’s the matter?”Elvis walked into the study and shut the door. “The third letter just came in.”My heart ached slightly as I looked at the unopened envelope in his hand. “She returned it unopened again?”Elvis nodded.Ever since that day I met Rosemary at the hospital and she mentioned sending me divorce papers, I had sent her three letters. I revealed the rest of my secrets in those letters, hoping that she would read them and finally come around.But each one was sent back unopened.I didn't know what to do anymore.“By the way, Max was discharged early this morning. One of the directors has proposed the notion for his immediate removal as CEO.”I leaned back in my chair. “And when is this meeting going to be?”“Tomorrow?”Hearing the questioning undertone in his voice, I looked up at him. “It isn't certain yet?”“Oh, it is. The meeting is going to be held by 10 tomorrow m
~Gerald~No one said a word. Even the loud-mouthed Max stared at me with eyes bulging. And Rosemary, she looked sad like she didn't even hear what I said.“Are you lost or something?” Finally, Susan spoke.I looked away from Rosemary, fixing my gaze on the woman beside her. “Now, Susan. Is that how to say hi to your little brother?”“What!” Her face instantly turned white.I smiled.Max leaped to his feet. “What did you just say?”“You heard me right, Max. My real name is Gerald Smith, and I am your uncle!”“Impossible!” Max roared. “You must be out of your mind to think that you can come in here and claim to be a Smith. You are not a Smith, and you will never be!”“Really?” I scoffed, turning to Susan. By now, all the color had drained from her face.“Do you recognize me now, sis?”She shook her head. “No, no! This can't be! You’re supposed to be dead!”“But I am not!”“They said you were dead!”“But I am not!”I clenched my fists, my blood surging through my veins. “You know, for th
~Rosemary~I felt Gerald melt in my arms. His body was a lot bigger than mine, but I tried my best to hold on, rubbing his back while at it.“I thought you were mad at me,” he said, burying his face against my neck.I sighed. “Of course, I am mad at you. But that's not important right now.”I pulled away and looked at his face. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea that Susan caused you so much pain. If I knew I wouldn't have given you hell for always avoiding her.”Gerald reached out his hand to my face, but then, withdrew it. “Don’t be. I didn't tell you, so how could you have known?”“You are so strong. Honestly, I am shocked that Susan would do such a thing.”“Looks can be deceiving, Rose. Although I don't have concrete proof that she ordered my mother’s murder, many clues point to her and Max’s father.”“Well, in that case… I had better force the authorities to grant me custody of Henny. I can't have my child being near that woman anymore!”Gerald came closer, taking my hand. “Please, all
~Rosemary~“How did you get here?” I said, walking over.He turned around and smiled. “I have my ways, princess. Sure your security tried to keep me out, but I am Angel Roman. No one can stop me.”“I see…” I rolled my eyes at him as a cleaning lady walked down the hallway.As soon as she disappeared into the elevator, I pointed at Angel. “I don't have the time or energy for your nonsense today. Please leave!”“Have you seen this?” he asked, showing me his phone screen.I paused and watched the video playing. It was a video of Gerald speaking with tons of microphones before him.“Mr. Gerald, why did you decide to reveal your face after so many years of being anonymous?”Gerald sighed before saying, “While being anonymous was the best choice when I just started out, it soon became a burden for me. I decided to show my face because it was high time I became honest about who I really was. I not only do this for myself, but for the woman I love.”“So you are not single?” a reporter asked.
~Rosemary~I don't know why, but I kissed him back. When he pulled me closer, my legs became weaker and weaker. An electrifying sensation filled my entire body.What’s happening to me? Why am I—Oh, I have missed this. I have missed him.“Get a fucking room, you two!” Angel shouted all of a sudden.Gerald tilted his head a few more times before he stopped kissing me. When he pulled back, he stared into my eyes.I melted even more when I saw how badly he wanted me. I knew for certain that my eyes said the same.I wanted him. I wanted him so bad that if we weren't standing here with an audience, I would have torn off his clothes and begged him to fuck me.Oh, God! Could my body stop betraying me?Gerald smiled as if he could hear my lewd thoughts. I looked away, swallowing hard and begging my legs to go back to normal.“We would get a room if only you two would just disappear!”“You met us here. You should be the one to disappear,” Max said, standing akimbo. “Right, bruh?”Angel glares
~Gerald~“Boss, this came in for you in the mail,” Elvis said, walking into my study with a brown envelope.With my phone pressed to my ear, I waved my free hand. “Just open it and get whatever it is sorted out.”He shook his head. “I’m afraid I can’t. It’s from your wife.”I snatched the envelope from him. I had been trying to reach Rosemary for two days now. But she wasn't answering my calls. Since she said she needed some space to think, I didn't think it would be a good idea to show up at her doorstep.“What!” I exclaimed as soon as I saw the document that was inside the envelope.Rosemary had mentioned that her lawyer would send me the divorce papers, but I thought after what happened two days ago, she would put a pause on the whole thing and we could talk things out.“Maybe it’s time you went to see her,” Elvis said, still standing before the desk.I nodded and grabbed my coat. “Thanks, man. Please contact my lawyer. Ask him for how long I can stall signing. I really don't want
~Gerald~“Rose, it’s me, Gerald. Can you see me now?” I uttered, pulling back so she could see my face.But Rosemary squinted even more. “Why are you in my ward? I don't know who you are, sir.”What! Did I hear wrong?I blinked, then shook my head. “Rose, you are joking right?”“I came as soon as I found out you were here. Why didn't you call me?” I added, sitting on the edge of the bed.Rosemary slowly turned her neck to look at me. “Why would I call you? I don't know you!”“Why do you keep saying that? It’s me, Gerald. Can't you see me?”She frowned. “Look, mister. As you can see, I am not in the right state to be arguing. I need to rest. Leave now before my husband comes and sees you here.”“What!” I sprang to my feet. “Rosemary, please you are taking this joke too far. I am your husband!”“No, you are not!”The second Rosemary raised her voice, I heard the door open behind me.I turned to see who it was.“Max? What the fuck are you doing here?”Max stood frozen at the door with a
~Rosemary~A year later.“Are you nervous? Getting cold feet?”I blinked when I heard that voice. Sitting in front of the mirror, I looked at Sabrina who was styling my hair. “No, I am not nervous.”She sighed and stared straight at me. “So why have you zoned out more than three times since I started doing your hair? Something else bothering you?”I shook my head slightly. “I was just...just thinking about how different today would have been if my mom, dad, and Amani were here.”“Ugh!” Sabrina gagged. “How can you think of those fools on such a beautiful day?”My head lowered and I inhaled deeply.“Come on, girl. Forget about those folks. It’s not your fault that they were jerks. You have kept your mom out of your life for a year. Don't allow her into your heart again.”I raised my head. Then nodded. “Okay. I won't.”It had been more than a year since Amani committed suicide with the large dose of fentanyl she had on herself when she was arrested. And it had been seven months since my
~Rosemary~I pricked up my ear after Gerald removed the call from speakerphone and then said a few words. Although I didn't hear anything more, I was fairly certain it had to do with me.“I am coming with you,” I said as soon as he ended the call.Gerald shook his head. “No, you can't. Let me handle this.”“You are not the boss of me.”I took a deep breath, realizing that I was getting worked up. “I’m sorry. I—”“It’s fine. I can only imagine how you must be feeling now. But you don't have to follow me to the station.”“I do. And I want to. I want to look her in the eye and ask her why she did that to me. I also want to see Max and Amani. I want all of them to know that despite everything they did to me, they cannot break me.”Gerald stared at me, and I saw more reluctance in his eyes.“She deserves that much, Gerald,” Elvis chipped in. “After all she has been through recently, she deserves to look at her enemies in the eye.”Gerald said to him, “Stay out of this. Please.”“I know you
~Rosemary~Gerald’s head shot up as soon as I spoke. His eyes lit up and then, I felt his body crushing mine.“You are back!” he said, kissing my face. “What took you so long?”He pulled back and held my face. “Oh, my God! You scared the shit out of me. Don't do that again, okay?”I chuckled. “Okay, Mr. Beckett.”“I was so worried about…” His words trailed off. “Wait, what did you just call me?”I shrugged, “Mr. Beckett?”“You…you remember me?”I nodded. “I remember everything, Gerald. I am sorry that—”Before I could finish speaking, he knocked the breath out of me with a hard kiss. I smiled against his lips and then parted mine.Until now, I didn't know how much I had missed his lips on mine. As always, it felt like heaven. I held his strong arm despite the pain in the back of my hand due to the IV needle.“Catch your breath,” Gerald said, pulling back after like a minute.“What?” I chuckled again.“I’m not done yet. Just breathe.”I did as he said. And the second I was no longer g
~Gerald~“Seize them!” I roared the second I kicked the door open.All six of my men matched in and surrounded Max and Amani. They struggled but were pinned down within seconds.I squatted by the door, seeing Rosemary lying down.“Baby!” I scooped her up.She smiled at me. “You are here.”When she coughed out blood, I held her face. “Shh! Don't say anything. Let’s get you to the hospital.”“Wait!” Rosemary reached out and held my face. “I’m sorry for not believing you. Sorry, I realized too late.”“No! It’s not too late.”“I’m afraid it is.” She smiled again. “If I were to come back to this world again, I’d love to be your woman again. I would love to know love like you love me. To love you and be loved by you, Gerald. Just by reading your words, I realized that you are the man I always dreamed of having as a child.”She rubbed my face. “Promise me that we will meet in another life? Promise me that you will look at me the way you are looking at me right now.”“No! I can't promise you
~Rosemary~It was already past closing hour for most jobs, but my lawyer agreed that I come in to start the process. On the way, my phone dinged.A notification from the doorbell camera had just come in. I opened it and saw the live footage of Amani’s car pulling up in the driveway of Max's house.What’s she doing there? And immediately I just left too.I watched as Amani got out of her car. Max showed up from the inside. They spoke for a while. I thought they were arguing again. But then…“Oh, my God!” I screamed the second Max kissed Amani.“Ma’am,” said the taxi driver. “Are you okay?”I covered my mouth, shaking as Amani and Max made out on the porch. They looked like they wanted to gobble each other up. Max even grabbed her ass and squeezed it. Then they staggered into the house, still not letting each other go.“Ma’am, is anything the matter?”Hearing the taxi driver’s voice again, I raised my head. “Please, can you take my back? I will pay double.”He looked at me through the r
~Rosemary~I couldn't stop thinking of what Gerald said to me about proposing a prenuptial agreement. He sounded so sure that Max wanted me for my money. But Max was a billionaire, right?Right?I took out my phone and searched for the name of Max’s company. A few headlines came up.The first one: Brix Cars to get new CEOThe second: Max Smith resigns from the CEO position. Would this mark the end of the family’s hold on the company?The third: Brix Cars reportedly plunges into 30 billion-dollar debt.My jaw dropped lower with each headline I read. I had no idea that Max’s business was suffering this much, let alone the fact that he was no longer the CEO.Why didn't he tell me? Did this mean Gerald was right?Well… there's only one way to find out.I pulled out my phone and called the number saved under legal. “Erm… I’d like to draft a prenuptial agreement.”*****“What’s this?” Max frowned the second I handed the document to him.I kept my distance, a little scared. “Since we are goi
~Gerald~I slammed the door in his face. Before turning away, I listened as he stormed off, huffing and puffing about how I was making a huge mistake.“Before you say anything…” I began, looking at Elvis. “Get on the phone with the Russian mafia. I’m sure they would be pleased to know that Angel showed up here.”“No!”“What?” I exclaimed on the way to grab a glass of water.Elvis shook his head. “I don't think it’s a good idea to get involved in the battle between Angel and them. Time and time again, this has always ended with a bloodbath. It was hard enough for you to stay alive all these years despite having many enemies. I can't watch you get involved in a mafia war just because you want to take Angel down.”I sighed. “What do you suggest I do then?”“I suggest we wait. We wait for them to locate Angel and take him out. Since he's roaming without a care in the world, that should be pretty easy.”I shook my head with uncertainty. As far as I knew, Angel was much more powerful than m
~Rosemary~“Boss, are you okay? Boss!” Elvis ran to me as soon as the phone dropped from my hand. He made me sit on the sofa and peered down at my face.His tone changed. “Gerald, are you okay? Should I call the doctor?”I shook my head, clutching my chest. It was as if I was going to have a heart attack. But I knew going to the hospital won't help me.“Was that Rosemary on the phone? What did she say? Why are you like this?”I looked at him. “I don't know what to do, man. She’s getting married to Max again.”“What! How…but your divorce hasn't being finalized. You didn't sign the divorce papers, did you?”“I didn't. But now that she doesn't remember me or the love we shared, I’m afraid Max would make her drag me to court for the divorce. He's manipulating her big time.”I went on to tell him about the wedding photo Rosemary found and how she accused me of faking it and planting it in Max’s house.“This is getting out of hand. Should I tell the boys to take him out?”I groaned. “No. T
~Rosemary~“H-how is this… how did this…”I couldn't believe my eyes at all. I stared at the woman standing beside Max. She was wearing a very beautiful wedding dress. Most importantly, she wasn't me!She looked like me, but she wasn't me. She was Amani. I was sure of it!“So it’s true? What that man said is true! Max divorced me so he could be with Amani?”The photo slipped off my hands. Taking a step back, I stared down at it. “They even had a wedding. But why did Max propose to me two days ago? And Amani was so happy for me!”What the fuck is going on? Who's playing me for a freaking fool!All of a sudden, the door opened. I turned and saw Max. His eyes widened at the sight of me. He looked at my feet, and his eyes widened even more.“Care to explain?” I asked, folding my arms.I was trying so hard to keep it together. Heaven knows I wanted to jump at him and scratch his face. Another part of me also wanted to just break down crying. This moment reminded me of the heartbreak I su