Kate stared at Charles, lying weakly on his bed, looking pale. They were at Jade's resort at Charles' penthouse, as the latter had refused vehemently to go to the hospital, no matter how hard she tried to persuade him. Kate shook her head, “for someone ill, he knew how to put up a fight”. With Jack's help, they brought him to the penthouse, while the latter had left to get Charles' doctor. Kate walked over to sit by his side, taking his hand in hers. It was the first time she saw Charles weak and vulnerable. It made her scared. “Was he gonna be alright?” She thought, forcing back tears. The thought of Charles' condition getting worse made her sick to her stomach. “It was her fault”, Kate muttered, her head hung low, staring at their hands. “Don't be silly. I'm human, and I get sick too”. Kate raised her head to see Charles wide-eyed, “You're awake”. “I had to, cause it seemed someone thought I was dead already”, he groaned. Kate helped him sit up, she chuckled, sniffli
At the Andino’s Mansion.Tiffany was walking down the hallway, stopping at a familiar red door. It had been two weeks since Rose left - time really does go by quickly - and she wasn't back yet.She walked away from the door, wiping a tear off her cheek, she hadn't noticed fall off her eyes, taking the stairs she went to the living room.The quiet house greeted her, it was always like that during the day. Rose at work while her husband locked himself in his study, doing whatever to "give them a comfortable life", he says.But now the house had gotten more quiet, dull, less vibrant - lonely, just like her over the years.Nowhere to go, Nothing to do. Only the ticking of the grandfather clock accompanied her in the quiet house. Tiffany had decided to quit her job as the finance director, after giving birth to Kate. Being the first child and daughter it was only normal for her to work at FastTech Limited after college. Her decision had come as a surprise to everyone, especially Old Man
It was Sunday already, the last day of the week. Kate fluttered her eyes open, a smile forming on her face at the view that greeted her when she woke up. “It wasn't fair how he could still look handsome without even trying”. Charles was in a sitting position, his back against the headboard, wearing his reading glasses, in his hand was a document, and he was shirtless as usual. “Show off”, she thought, but that didn't stop her from shamelessly gawking at his naked torso. Kate couldn't count how many times Charles had caught her drooling over his chiseled chest and abs. She was starting to think he was intentionally going around shirtless, so he could tease her anytime he caught her gawking. “Pervert”, a voice echoed in her head. “It wasn't her fault she was attracted to good-looking men”, she defended. “Shameless…really shameless girl”. Kate had slept at his penthouse on Friday, as Charles had managed to convince her to stay for the weekend, to look after him, and the crazies
“What was that girl upto now?” She thought worriedly.“Everything alright?” Charles asked, seeing she was done over the phone.“Yh”, she nodded, turning to face him.“Who was it?” the question already leaving his mouth before he realized. “You don't have to….”.“It was Catherine”.“Oh”, he nodded, getting out of bed, walking towards her. “You don't seem alright”, he added, noticing her furrowed brows.“Nah I'm just worried about Catherine”, Kate answered honestly. “There has got to be a reason Cat asked and whatever it was, Rose was involved”.“She'll be alright” he said assuringly.“I hope so”, Kate sighed.“You seem to really care about her?”.“She works for me, so she's under my care…”, she answered with a pause. “And she's the closest thing I've got to a family….after Andrew of course”. She didn't say the last part out loud, he didn't need to know that, and she was thankful he didn't ask any further questions.Charles nodded, not wanting to ask anymore questions, afraid she would
It was the busiest day of the week, Monday. The day that began a new week. It was lunchtime, and Catherine was having lunch with Kate at a cafe few blocks away from Donovan Car Enterprise. “I don't get it. If she's still living with your parents, why did she go to an apartment building with takeouts?” Catherine said, showing Kate the picture she took of Rose outside the building. “Trying to disguise herself”, she added. Kate stared at the picture. If Rose thought wearing a long black coat and dark shades were perfect disguises then she was wrong. She didn't need to see the face or side profile to know it was Rose. “An apartment building?” Kate asked, a contemplating look on her face. Catherine nodded, swiping at her phone screen, the picture of the name of the building popped up. “Deluxe Home”, Kate read the name. It wasn't just any apartment building, it was her family’s apartment building. “Had Rose decided to leave the mansion and was now staying at the penthouse instead”,
Kate gave Catherine a disbelieving look. “Fun!? They almost got caught and now Rose had proof that she had sneaked into the company. Not her exactly - yes her - but as Kate not Taylor, Rose wouldn't be able to trace it to her but still she wasn't willing to take that chance”.Catherine stopped ranting, replaced with a confused expression on her face. “Why did you sneak into Rose's company__I mean your family's company anyway?”.Kate rolled her eyes, deciding to tell Catherine how she had found a replica of her car, and what Alexander and Gracie had found out about her accident. And now she was working with them – Charles, Gracie and Alexander – to find out who was the culprit behind her accident - of course she knew already, Rose.“A virus!” Catherine exclaimed loudly.“Catherine!” Kate gave her a pointed glare, making a sign for her to shush.“And the virus used is rare and expensive but Rose is poor, she can't afford it”, she added in a hushed tone, so others won't hear.“What Alex
“You know how he is, busy with investments and his dad's other businesses, as you know Charles can't handle it all on his own even though he acts like he can”.Stephanie snorted at the thought of her son. He had been avoiding her and all attempts to make him come home went down the drain.“And you know it's almost fall, a lot of festivals and parties to plan, so I've been busy myself too”. Stephanie was an event planner. She planned the biggest and most luxurious events in the city.“Still we try to make time for each other out of our busy schedule, to keep the love alive”, she added, a wistful smile on her face.“Oh that's nice”.Stephanie didn't miss the dejected look on her friend's face, as she signaled to the workers to leave them alone.“What's wrong? Did you and Nath have a fight?” she asked, concerned.Tiffany shook her head, burying her face in her palm. Letting out a shaky breath.“No, me and Nath didn't have a fight. I've been feeling lonely lately, lost”, she confessed, a
At FastTech Limited.Catherine knocked on Rose's office door, not waiting for a response before walking into the empty office, a file in her hand.Rose's secretary, Stacy, had already told her beforehand Rose wasn't in her office. "Perfect!”.She glanced at the CCTV camera with the corner of her eye. She just had to find a way to switch the earrings without making it look suspicious.Kate's words replayed in her head. “There are CCTV cameras in Rose's office, switching the earring will be difficult but possible you just have to make it look like an accident”.“She just had to find where Rose kept the earring”, she said to herself. “She had a strong feeling it was in one of her drawers”.Catherine walked to the side of Rose's desk, placing the file on it, knocking over a stapler with her elbow in the process, causing it to fall.“Shit!” She exclaimed, squatting to pick it, hiding her grin. She quickly opened the drawers, trying not to make a sound.“Found you”, taking out the jewelry
“What about carrots?”. “Hurgh?” Kate stared at her confused. “The cake “, Tiffany answered, pointing to the carrot cake in front of them. “Nah I don't like carrot cake”, she answered, shaking her head, a disgusted look on her face. “Isn't the cake for someone else?” Tiffany asked, an amused look on her face. “Yes it is, but I'm the one paying for it”, Kate shrugged in response. “Oh I see, why not pick your favourite then, since you're the one paying for it”, Tiffany suggested. Kate creased her forehead in thought. “It had crossed her mind but what if Charles didn't like her choice? Well it was better than buying a random cake. If Charles won't eat, she will”. “One velvet cake please”, she said to the bakery clerk's. The Bakery clerk's nodded, taking out the cake. “Would you like to write anything on it?” She asked. Kate speculated for a while before answering, “I’m sorry ice king”. "Ice King!", The Bakery clerk's mouth hung open, stunned, before snapping shut a
“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. “