"Did he?". Alexander turned to look at Charles expectantly. “So?", He probed."None of your business", Charles shrugged.Alexander frowned, disappointed, "that's not fair, if I was the one you'll force me to say it, then why can't you"."It's not my fault you can't keep your mouth shut", Charles teased."You and Vincent always bully me", Alexander muttered in a low tone to Charles' hearing."Yh, Vincent said he's coming back in two weeks and you should pick him up at the airport".“Why can't you?"Charles shrugged."How can I?. You gave me a task and I have to finish it in 2 months. I can't pick up Vincent''."I'll go then ", Charles said nonchalantly."Hmm", Alexander nodded, smiling brightly.FRIDAYKate always loved Fridays cause it meant the weekend was here, a time for her to finally relax from the week's stress. She could already picture herself with a bucket of ice cream watching TV in her room.Kate smiled at the thought, pushing her cart. She decided to go to the supermarket
Kate stared at the mansion infront her"What was she doing here?”. She had given herself a thousand reasons why she shouldn't go, still she went. On one hand was meeting Katie and on the other was meeting Charles and his family, and with the scandal stuff that happened, Kate wasn't sure she could face them. She was just a few steps away from the door."Forget it", Kate signed as she turned to leave when she heard the opening of doors and a person's voice shortly after."Oh Taylor, you came". It was Claire.Kate turned to give Claire a weary smile. "Yes", she answered."Am so glad you did", Claire smiled, as she walked over to Kate."C'mon let's go in, everyone has been waiting for you", Claire said, as she entwined their arms together, leading Kate to the door."Everyone!", Kate exclaimed."Yeah", Claire nodded, "mum, dad, grandpa and Charles"."Charles is here", Kate turned to look at Claire."Yeah, he came rather early", Claire nodded. “You don't have to worry, everyone is nice,
Kate opened her mouth to speak but Claire beat her to it."What do you mean what is she doing here?" Claire demanded, her eyebrow raised. “I invited her".Charles rolled his eyes. “He was just surprised to see Taylor, especially since she had been avoiding him".Claire walked upto Charles, whispering in his ears, "don't even think I invited her because of you, she's here for Katie ''.Charles frowned at his sister, while Claire had a sweet smile on her face."Now the only one left is…", Claire said, when they heard a high pitched scream."Kate!!!".Everyone turned to the stairs to see Katie run down, her pink princess dress bouncing with her every move."Careful Katie, slow down", Claire cautioned but instead Katie quickened her pace."Kate!", Katie said again as she got down the stairs and ran towards Kate. Just in time Kate bent down and pulled Katie into a hug."It's nice to see you again Katie", Kate smiled as they pulled away from the hug."I'm very happy you came, I made the car
"So now that everyone is here let's start", Katie announced excitedly."We'll have two teams, mummy, grandma and Kate will be on the girl's team, while uncle Charles, Carl and grandpa in boy's. And me and great grandpa will be the judge", Katie added and everyone nodded in agreement."We'll play three games and whoever gets the most points wins", she shouted excitedly. “And remember no cheating", she added with a stern look."Yes Katie", Claire nodded with a chuckle."Good", Katie nodded, "now on my mark get set go"."Katie we aren't in a race", Carl corrected."I know that", Katie pouted, making everyone chuckle."Let's start", she grumbled.Meanwhile, at the Andino Mansion.The family of three sat at the dinning.“Have you figured how you'll get Miss Cosgrove to sign the contract?", Nathaniel asked, breaking the silence."Have sent an appointment letter to her secretary, hopefully on Monday I'll get a response", Rose answered."Okay", Nathaniel nodded, "are you sure she'll sign it,
What are you doing at Donovan's estate Kate? I told you to stay away from that man and his family", Andrew stated sternly, the anger in his voice evident."Relax Andrew", Kate signed. “And who told you I was here, Felix?"."Whoever told me Isn't the point here but rather why you went there", Andrew answered."So Felix didn't tell Andrew, then who", Kate wondered."That bodyguard doesn't know how to do his job, I’m going to fire him", she heard Andrew hiss at the other end."No, you're not, Felix is my bodyguard not yours", Kate said sternly. “Can you please stop having people spy on me", she barked."Am an adult and I can take care of myself"."Am just watching out for you Kate, am protecting you...", Andrew defended. "Stop it Andrew", Kate interrupted, "I really appreciate it but you don't have to, I can take care of myself. Felix here is enough for me, I don't need a thousand more eyes to spy on me because you want to protect me".Hearing how pissed Kate sounded, Andrew signed in d
The ride back home was silent, the air in the car awkward. Kate stared out the window as they drove out, past the estate into the city."So where do you live?" Charles asked as took a quick glance at Kate."Pearls garden, 2nd house on the right", Kate answered, still looking out the window.Charles nodded, "he knew that estate, it wasn't very far from the office", he thought. The ride turned silent again."You've still got one more chance to ask me another question", Charles reminded."Oh that's right, she almost forgot", Kate thought as she turned to look at Charles."Why is there a red sports car in the office Gracie stays in, the out of bounds room?".Charles glanced at Kate briefly, "Gracie showed you?"."No I found out on my own, Gracie has nothing to do with me finding out ", Kate assured. She didn't want to put Gracie in trouble but she had to ask, a replica of her car was in his company."Hmmm", Charles nodded, his eyes on the road."What's hmmm?", Kate thought confused.“Ca
"Speaking of grandpa trusting people, grandpa welcomed Taylor, and even told her to call him grandpa, weird and surprising", Claire stated, sitting opposite her parents."Yes", Stephanie and Bryce both nodded in agreement."I didn't expect grandpa to accept Taylor so easily, grandpa had always been hard to please", Claire said, the surprise in her tone evident. "Well Taylor is a nice girl, I like her too", Stephanie said smiling, "Do you think she'll agree to be my daughter-in-law?” Stephanie asked with a smile."Taylor is our business partner dear", Bryce said rubbing his forehead."And so what, it's not like she won't get married someday", Stephanie countered."And who would you get her married to, if I may ask?", Bryce asked with a raised eyebrow."Charles of course, who else?", Stephanie said in a matter of fact tone.Bryce stared at his wife bewild, shaking his head, "you do know Charles is engaged and will get married in 3 months time?"."Yh I know, but.....didn't you see the w
Monday 22, August 2022.In the morning at Donovan's Car Enterprise.Kate parked her car, stepping out when her phone rang."Yes Olivia", Kate answered, locking her car, then walked towards the entrance of the company."Fast Tach Limited wants to make an appointment with you", Olivia informed. Olivia Curt is Kate's secretary."Is that so", Kate said stopping in her tracks, "she already saw it coming"."What's the purpose?", She asked."It's not stated ma", Olivia answered."Hmmm", Kate hummed contemplating."Do you want me to make the appointment or should I...."."Make the appointment", Kate interrupted, "Thursday, 12pm"."Yes ma", Olivia nodded, call ends."I wonder what trick you've got up your sleeves now Rose", Kate thought with an amused look on her face, as she walked into the company meeting Jack at the elevator, as usual."Good morning Jack", she greeted as they both stepped into the elevator."Good morning Miss Cosgrove"."Is Charles at the office?"Kate asked expectantly, "sh
“Charles was going to go against his grandpa for her”. Was he mad? Seemed like it. "And I know you like him too”, Ryn muttered, placing his hand over hers, squeezing it in a supportive manner. “I do!?” Kate uttered, her question coming out as a statement, a blush appearing on her cheek unbeknownst to her, as she stared at their hands. She could feel the fast beating of her heart. “Charles liked her. She liked Charles”. Ryn squeezed her hand one last time, before placing his hand back at his side. “Charles could act tough all he wanted, but he's hurting. He needs you dear, only you can make him feel better”, he said. “How did the Old Man know for sure she could make him feel better, all she had done to Charles was hurt him”, she thought sadly, feeling ashamed. “I'm not meant to tell you this but you aren't the first person Charles had fallen in love with, and she loved him back. We were already planning their wedding, even though they were still in highschool then”. Kate
A NEW DAY. Kate drove her car into the parking lot of Donovan Car Enterprise. Glancing at Charles' spot, no sign of his black Mercedes. Another day and Charles hadn't arrived. Checking the time on her wristwatch, 7:45. "There was still time", she sighed. “He could just be running late”, she told herself. Letting out a frustrated groan, “Why did she even care!?”. Kate walked to the entrance, about entering the building, when an old man walked up to her. “Miss Cosgrove”, the elderly man said. “Yes”, Kate nodded, raising her eyebrows in a polite manner. “How may I help you?”. “Ryn…Old Man Donovan would like to see you”. “See me”, Kate asked, an unconvinced look on her face. “Why would Charles' grandpa want to see her?”. “Where is he?”. “There”, the man pointed to a black SUV not far from them. Kate gave him a weary look. “She didn't trust him”. “He wants to speak to you, it's important”, he added, a stern expression on his face, not bothering to convince her.
“How did he become friends with these two idiots?” Charles wondered, as he watched his two best friends talk about the recent happenings in his life, in his presence!. Alexander did the talking while Vincent listened with rapt attention. “Are you guys done?” Charles asked, his forehead creased in annoyance. They both turned to stare at him, a teasing grin forming on their faces. “I always knew we were going to end up becoming family, but I didn't think you'd have to marry Rose”, Vincent said, displeasure laced in his tone. “Katie’s best friend... It was meant to be her”, he murmured, not saying the last part out loud. “But you love Taylor don't you, why not marry her instead”, he said. “I know we won't be family anymore but I'll always support your choice”, he added, giving Charles a supportive nod. Charles shook his head at Vincy's words. “Too bad he won't be able to do that anymore”, Alexander spoke with a sigh. “Why not?” Vincent asked, confused. “Charles is
Charles glanced at his wristwatch, his back to his car, tapping his foot impatiently on the concrete ground, with his arms crossed. “His flight had landed 15 mins ago, why wasn't he here yet”, he grumbled, staring at the exit door. Glancing at his watch again, it was 1:00 pm now. He had thought about going to the office today but it seemed like he wouldn't make it again. “Sigh!”. He hadn't been able to go to the office because he was preparing for the task his grandfather had given him – he needed to be ready to face them. Replaying his conversation with his grandpa. “You can stop pursuing Miss Cosgrove. I hear she's dating someone now”. And that was how his grandpa decided to start their conversation. “Son of the Bruce family, Kyle. I think he's a nice guy”, he added. Charles worked his jaw, just when he had forgotten about it – not like he did – his grandpa just had to remind him. “Grandpa, you didn't call me here to tell me this, did you?” He asked, an annoy
“Was there a reason why you jumped on me when you walked in, Miss Cosgrove?” Charles asked, trying to sound indifferent. Kate was focused on her entwined fingers; she didn't notice the hopeful look in his eyes. “It's nothing I was just glad you were__ I meant your hand was alright”, Kate stammered, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Oh I see”, Charles frowned disappointedly, quickly replacing it with a stoic expression. “I'll be on my way then Miss Cosgrove”, he added, walking past her to the door. “Wait!” Kate exclaimed, stopping him in his tracks. “Where are you going, you just got here?” she asked, surprised. “He was leaving already or was he just ignoring her”. She frowned at the thought. “I have a multimillionaire business to take care of. I can't sit in my office all the time”, Charles answered with a cocky grin. “Is there a reason you don't want me to go?”. “No, it's just__”, Kate shuttered, suddenly feeling nervous. “What did Gracie say, sort out your feelings,
THE NEXT DAY. Kate rolled her eyes at the person on the other end of the phone. Just when she thought yesterday's gossip had ended. Andrew just had to call her to talk about it, on her way to work!. “What are you up to now Kate?” Andrew groaned, questioning, clearly displeased about the post. “Getting back with your ex, really!?”. “Technically Taylor is the one dating Kyle not Kate”, Kate corrected, stopping her car at a red light. She had connected her earbuds to her phone. After her accident she was weary of connecting her phone to her car, and was cautious of the information she stored too, to prevent a virus getting into it. Prevention was better than cure afterall. “I know Kate, still!” Andrew argued. Kate tapped her finger on the steering wheel, waiting for the light to turn green. “I'm just getting my revenge on Kyle, Andrew, nothing to worry about”. The light turned green, she continued driving. “By dating him Kate, is that really necessary”, he tsked. “If
At Charles penthouse Charles stared at his injured palm now wrapped in a bandage. Fred had come over to help clean it up. Running his hand through his hair. Had he read the signs wrongly? Taylor didn't love him like he thought . “He would have accepted it, if it was any other guy but it had to be Kyle”. The world had to be playing some cruel game with him. First Kate and now Taylor. His phone rang, disrupting his thoughts. He eagerly took his phone, a frown appearing on his face seeing it wasn't her – Taylor – placing his phone at his ear. “What now?” He hissed. “Woah dude! Woke up on the wrong side of the bed I see” the other person chuckled. “I don't have all day Vincy”, he hissed again. He knew he was behaving like an ass, a big jerk, but that's what happens when Taylor makes him mad. “Just wanted to remind you, I'm coming home next week, permanently “, Vincent said, ignoring his friend's cocky attitude. “And!?”. “You're picking me up from the airport. Damn! du
Rose eyed Catherine, sitting across from her, making the other weary. “Is there a problem ma?” Catherine asked, seeing as Rose hadn't said a word since she called for her. Rose kept staring at her, her gaze particularly on the two diamond cluster earrings which hung on Catherine's ear. “Why did she lie?” Was the thought on Rose's mind. “Or was she telling the truth?”. “After going through the CCTV footage for the past 2 hours - majorly skipping some parts - she found something interesting”. “Catherine had been to her office last week, when she went out, it was the day Kyle had walked in on her”. She had watched Catherine drop the file, accidentally knocking the stapler over, then bending down to pick it, nothing strange there, except it took her 5 minutes to pick up a stapler - a whole 5 minutes. She didn't miss the way Catherine stood rigid after she stood up, with the stapler in her hand, like someone caught doing something wrong, when Kyle had entered her office. “
At FastTech Limited, Everyone was seated around a conference table. Old Man Andino sat at the head chair, on his left was his secretary when he was the CEO and beside the man was Nathaniel, while on his right was an empty seat, and beside the seat was Rose, as the shareholders and the heads of departments filled the rest of the seats. It was the seasonal meeting held mid month of the start of a new season between the shareholders, and heads of department. Everyone was present, except one person, the seat beside Rose, at Old Man Andino right was empty. Rose wondered who the person was for the Old Man to wait patiently and make every other person wait as well. She had heard the person was going to be the new CFO, and was once an employer, and someone close to the Old Man – courtesy of her gossiping workers. 30 mins later and still no sign of their newcomer. Rose glanced at the wall clock, an annoyed expression on her face. It was time for the meeting to start but the Old Man wasn't