Wilhelm’s POVShe had rejected my offer of the money. That was what had shocked me the most. I knew back then that by marrying me, she was going to make use of my money to revive her family’s sold hotel. But why did it feel wrong at the moment? The Kathryn Alvarez before me looked the same, and different at the same time. She wasn’t the kind to curse, let alone talk back when we had a similar argument to this. She had actually voiced her needs, and her words were unfiltered that it had surprised me completely. Pointing out her purpose didn’t make her shrink back like she usually did before. Instead, Kathryn shot back with a cold smile and told me that if she knew I was the chairman of this place, she wouldn’t have attended the interview. I gritted my teeth. I don’t know why her words irritated the fuck out of me. But something clicked into mind. I’m changing my decision. She wanted the job, alright. Then I’m giving it to her. “You really want that position?” Kathryn threw me a
Kathryn’s POVAnger flashed before Rose’s eyes, but I didn’t shrink away from it. In fact, I hadn’t expected it would feel this satisfying to witness her get worked up about this misunderstanding she created in mind. “How dare you come back?!” She forcefully shoved me away that a shadow of surprise crossed Wilhelm’s eyes. “Just to refresh your mind, you’re the one who filed for divorce back then! And now you’re getting close to Wilhelm like it’s nothing?” I kept my face neutral even as Rose’s nostrils flared with anger. Using her body, she had built a wall between Wilhelm and I. I almost scoffed. Did she feel threatened I might take back the very same man she stole from me?Pointing an accusing finger at me, a glimmering flash of light momentarily diverted my attention. I realized that a diamond ring was adorning one of Rose’s fingers. My gaze hurriedly shifted back to the ring on Wilhelm’s hand before realization hit me like a cannonball. It’s their engagement rings. I felt a sl
Kathryn’s POVMy heart thundered in my chest as I let the information sink in. Who would have thought that Wilhelm and I would cross paths again after all these years? And worse, I had to deal with him at work. “It’s my unlucky day, I know,” I told Roland as the three of us went back to the apartment building, with Charlize already sleeping in his arms. “Fate is crazy for doing this to me.” “I couldn’t agree more,” Roland replied solemnly. “You really need to consider this, Kathryn. Even though you’re still on trial, you’ll be seeing Wilhelm every day for a whole month.” He glanced into the distance. “Is that something you’re okay with?”“You know my answer to that,” I said. “Then, what’s holding you back? Why are you putting yourself in such a dire situation?” “Just because he’s there doesn’t mean I have to adjust for him. I don’t want to keep running away, Roland,” I said, my fists clenched, determination surging through me. “I want to face things head-on from now on, and that i
“Her?” Vicky echoed nervously. “Oh, my god, Kath!” My eyes widened. “Y—You mean I’m to manage this banquet?” My hands trembled as I placed them firmly on my lap. “And within a one week time frame? That’s—it’s ridiculous!” “He specifically said it was to be you who’d handle this,” Clarence said with pity. “I don’t know what’s going on, but we need to get things started.”And work we did. I had to gather myself and hold it together. Gritting my teeth, I just knew Wilhelm had done this intentionally to try to push me out of the hotel. Well, if this is his way of trying to get rid of me, he’s got it all wrong!For a full two hours, I met with the team and brainstormed various table layouts that we could present by tomorrow morning. One group focused on potential shops where we could purchase bulk flowers, while the other half discussed the budget.“This would go hand in hand,” I pointed to the flower shop and our proposed budget. “What do you think?” “You’re good at this Kath,” Vicky c
Kathryn’s POVThree grueling days passed, and my team and I never heard from Wilhelm again. He allowed us to do our jobs in peace, which made things much easier moving forward.My team and I got started right away. First, we discussed how to arrange the tables as per the client’s wishes. They had booked the venue for an Awards Night celebration for their employees. We needed to match the setup with their chosen theme. Looking around now, I felt a wave of relief seeing how well the design for the table layout had turned out.“What do you think about the flower arrangements, Vicky?” Standing in front of the conference room we had tidied and arranged brought a sense of fulfillment to mind. Vicky nodded vigorously. “They look amazing! Oh, I never expected they’d turn out this great,” she beamed at me. “I’m sure Mr. Reinhardt’s guests will love them!”I nodded my head in approval. Just this morning, the florist and her team meticulously arranged a demo minimalist flower bouquet in a vase
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I watched my manager apologize to Vicky several times for keeping that single information from us, although I understand his reason for doing so. I clenched my fist. Why would Wilhelm be willing to help me? Anyway, the priority is to fix the mess. I decided not to dig deeper, but to use whatever I could.“It’s alright,” I assured her. “He’s chairman now, and I understand why he needed to do it in such a way.” Without hesitation, I swiftly took action. I pulled out my phone and contacted the supplier immediately. I asked her if she could provide replacements for the linens that had been bleached. She sounded hesitant at first, but when I told her I would refer her to more clients, she agreed. She promised to be back three days before the event. The moment I placed my phone down, someone walked right inside the room.I looked up to find Wilhelm next to me, his face hard and passive. “Mr. Reinhardt,” I bowed my head. “There’s been a situation…”
Kathryn’s POVThe day ended with our problems being slightly solved. Wilhelm had worked with us for half the day. He pulled some strings and had us buy a new set of linens that we could use in case the supplier bailed on us at the last minute. Even though we suspected the bleached linen might have been intentional, we all felt relieved as we prepared to head home. I had planned to speak to Wilhelm before leaving, but before I could do so, he had already left.I shrugged it off and headed straight to my car. I could always find him tomorrow to thank him. As I drove home, Wilhelm’s words lingered in my mind. “You always do this, Kathryn. You always think I’d blame you for everything horrible that has happened to us, but I don’t.”A slight ripple crossed my forehead. What did he mean by that, I wonder? Had I, at some point in our relationship, misunderstood him, just as he had misunderstood me? I parked the car in front of Charlize’s kindergarten school and sighed. Right now, there w
Kathryn’s POVI spun my head to where she was looking, and saw a blonde-haired boy sitting down on one of the staircase’s steps. “It’s Grayson, Mommy!” Charlize’s bubbly energy enveloped her. “Let’s go to him. Maybe he’s been waiting for us all this time!”I let my daughter drag me to where Grayson sat. “Oh, no,” Charlize let go of my hand and hurriedly knelt before Grayson. “What’s wrong, Grayson?” she asked, looking extremely worried. I couldn’t help but notice the tears streaming down the little boy’s face. My concern deepened when I spotted a scratch on one of his cheeks. “Did you get hurt on the way here?” With a gentle touch, I turned his face toward me, eager to examine the distinct scratch up close. “You look like you’ve been scratched by something sharp,” I commented. “Why don’t we call your Daddy so that we can get you home safely?”Upon my suggestion, Grayson’s eyes grew wide. “No! Please don’t do that!” “But you’re hurt,” Charlize remarked. “You need your Daddy when yo
Kathryn’s POVI sneezed in the waiting area at Charlize’s new school. It was beginning to get colder now that we’re getting into the middle of October. I checked my phone, wondering where Wilhelm might be since he promised he’d be picking up our daughter and his son after class ends, but he was nowhere to be found. I sighed as I remembered our encounter with the strange doctor last week. I still wonder why Dr. Parkins had looked like she had seen a ghost when she saw Wilhelm, but I figured it must’ve been because of her health issues. She did appear quite ill, so I couldn’t help but worry about her safety. Maybe she was sicker than I had imagined, or maybe it had to do something with her past experiences? I removed the thought away when I heard the school’s bell ring, indicating that it was time for them to go home. I immediately went toward the door. I kept an eye on each student that came out from the hallway, but there was still no sign of Charlize and Grayson nearby. They were
Rose’s POVI kept a watchful eye as the woman left the grocery store in a hurry. Wilhelm looked like he had seen a ghost while Kathryn shrugged her shoulders and continued walking with the children. My gaze went back to Wilhelm. He looked as if he was in deep thought. “Darling? Is something wrong?” I tried to ask. Wilhelm shook his head in slowly. “I’m...fine.” “You don’t look like it though.”He turned his head to me and sighed. “It’s nothing,” he said, taking my hand as he dragged me to the cashier. He handed me his card and I swiped it over the machine. I took one good look at the woman who nervously stood in line behind a few people, and she was still looking pale and shaken up. I hummed. Something must’ve been wrong about her. Or maybe she knew more about my fiancee than I know myself. Whatever it was, I didn’t have an inkling feeling that it was anything normal. I need to find out more. Once I was done paying for the groceries, I gave Wilhelm back his card. “You can go ahe
Kathryn’s POV“Why are you here, doctor? I thought you were still based in Paris,” I said, out of breath, finding the situation odd now that we’ve come face-to-face again after several years of not being able to see each other. Dr. Parkin stared at me for awhile. Her lower lip quivered as she went back and forth between me and Charlize. “Is—Is that your daughter now?” “Oh, yes. She’s quite big now. Already in her kindergarten,” I smiled. “How are you nowadays?” “Good, I’m good.” “Are you still based in France?” “I wouldn’t be here if I was,” she answered curtly. I awkwardly laugh. “Uhm, yes. That—That actually makes sense! I was thinking that you’re perhaps having a vacation or something.” “I could’ve picked a better place than New York, don’t you agree?” I nodded. “Greece sounds nice.” The doctor smiled. “I’d take it into consideration.” After awhile, Dr. Parkins swallowed hard as she frantically looked around, as if searching for something. “Are you…alone?” My eyebrows sc
Kathryn’s POVWhy was Roland acting this way? He’s usually patient, and he listens very carefully to what I have to say. Now, it felt like he was about to dismiss everything that I needed to say. “That’s not it, Roland! Mrs. Brown believed in my ability, and I just wanted to not disappoint her! I also love my job more than you think,” I frowned. “Not everything is about Wilhelm. I dislike the fact that you, of all people, are associating every decision I make to him.” Roland opened and closed his mouth. He doesn’t look convinced with what I was trying to explain to him. “I’m not too sure about that…” “Not too sure—? Roland, do you even hear yourself?” I moved toward him. “Are we really going to argue over my decision? There are still plenty of capable people that could take on the job that you’re offering to me.” “You don’t understand, Kath,” he sighed. “You’re one in a million. There’s not a single woman in this world that could copy or replace you for that matter.” My eyebrows
Rose’s POVI stared at the door in front of me. “That—That bitch!” I screamed, my nails hurting the skin on my palm as I clenched my fist so hard. “She’s purposefully doing this! She’s trying to steal Wilhelm from me!” Anger rose in my chest as I ran back to the parking lot, nagging at the driver to take me home. While on the road, my phone rang. Annoyed, I still picked it up and placed it over on my ear. “What do you want?” “Hi! I’m the investigator you’ve hired.” I narrowed my eyes. “I paid you like half a million already. You better bring me some good news!” I barked. “Wait for me at my office. I’ll be home in five minutes.” The investigator sighed. “I’ll wait in the villa.” After less than three minutes, my driver was already parking in front of the villa. I practically threw my bag to that scumbag maid named Annie. “Wipe that frown on your ugly face,” I told her. She surprisingly ignored me and walked away with my branded bag that’s worth ten times her salary! Arrogant
Kathryn’s POVThe drive home felt shorter than I had anticipated it to be. We arrived at my place and Wilhelm parked his car right outside our building. I stood up, and was about to open the door, but Wilhelm beat me to it. He stood next to the door, opening it slowly while he took Charlize from me. “Oh, uhm, you didn’t need to do that,” I smiled. “Thank you, Mr. Reinhardt.” I must admit, it was weird calling him with the last name I once possessed when we were still married. Wilhelm remained silent as he softly closed the door behind me. Charlize, on the other hand, was incessant with bringing Grayson over. I was amazed how my daughter managed to speak continuously to Wilhelm until we reached the door to our apartment. It looked as if she wasn’t bored speaking to him at all!“Oh, no! We’re here already,” Charlize pouted. “I still haven’t heard you guys agree to transferring schools and playing with Grayson.” Wilhelm raised an eyebrow as he handed Charlize over. “Kathryn?” Two p
Kathryn’s POVWilhelm’s suggestion left me speechless for several reasons. Why was he doing this? “Mr. Reinhardt, I don’t think this is the place and time to talk about Charlize’s—” “REALLY?” Charlize grinned at him with renewed enthusiasm. “Do you really mean what you said, Mr. Iceberg?!”I gasped. “Charlize!” “Oh, I mean, Mr. Reinhardt! Are you enrolling me in the same school as Grayson?” My daughter giggled. “Sorry about calling you your nickname,” she covered her mouth. “I’m not supposed to say it out loud because it’s my and Grayson’s secret, so please don’t tell him!” Wilhelm, looking taken aback by Charlize’s reaction, scooped her in his arms. “Mr. Iceberg, huh?” My heart stopped beating as I gaped the scene before me. The image of them together had blown me away; it was only now that I have realized that they had a lot of similar features I can no longer deny. They shared the same nose and eye shape, and their smile resembled too much you’d mistake them for twins.I can’
Wilhelm’s POVA few nights ago... “Close the door, James.” “Wil! What are you doing?” Rose called as she hurried to the door, panic stuck in her eyes “Can’t I come in, too? I’m your fiancé, after all.” I clenched my jaw and turned away from her pleading eyes. “Please wait outside, Rose.” She was about to protest when James gently closed the door behind us, giving her no choice.“Tell me all about it,” I said, my voice firm and cold, as I walked to stand in front of him.James took a deep breath before speaking, his gaze shifting to the floor. “I’ve dug enough about the girl.” My heart skipped a beat at the mention of Kathryn’s daughter, Charlize, but I quickly composed. “Go ahead,” I encouraged him to continue, despite having a hint of what he was about to say. “I’m all ears.” James settled in the seat in front of my desk as I poured myself another glass of whiskey and drank it whole in one gulp. I sat behind my desk and waited patiently for him to speak, knowing that whatever it
Kathryn’s POV Vicky’s eyes went wide as I told her everything that happened over the weekend. “You mean to say that you were almost sent away?!”“Not so loud,” I whispered, glancing at Clarence, who was typing on his computer across from us. “Yes, I was.”“How come I never heard of it?” she whispered, her eyes going round. Clarence paused what he was doing and grinned from behind his monitor.“If this is some juicy gossip, you two better share it with me.” He wiggled his eyebrows.I sighed. “This isn’t something to talk about at work.”He chuckled. “Come on, Katy! In just a few days, you’ve managed to catch everyone’s attention.”“That doesn’t seem like a good thing.” Vicky frowned and shook her head disapprovingly. “It’s not like we’re going to make money by gossiping.”Clarence shrugged. “I guess you’re right. I mean, there are more important things to worry about than your love life, right, Katy girl?”Vicky’s cheeks turned pink as she tried to hide her smile from Clarence by let