Wilhelm’s POVThroughout the day, I was in an absolutely foul mood. My secretary even suggested that I stop being so cold to the employees, especially during the board meeting, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t up for anything. All I wanted was for the rumors to die down and for everyone to leave me the hell alone. “Do you understand every word I’ve said?” I asked in an icy tone, making everyone around the table tense. “We’re on it, sir.” “We’ll work on extinguishing the rumors as soon as we can.” I slammed the papers on the table. “What do you mean, ‘as soon as you can’? Do it. Now.” The man flinched, and I saw the others swallow nervously. I knew I was being too harsh, but they had no choice but to deal with it, knowing the consequences if they didn’t. They were probably thinking that I had deep feelings for Rose and didn’t want to be hurt by the rumors, but it was the exact opposite. Rose pretended to wipe away tears as if she were too emotional to speak. It disgusted me. I
Kathryn’s POV The inevitable had come. I walked away from that parking lot with a heavy feeling in my heart. I couldn’t stop it from beating the same way it did the first time I saw him. I really thought I was well past the butterflies I felt for Wilhelm ever since our divorce happened a few years ago. But time and time again, I seemed to be proven wrong everytime. He was a curse, but for some reason, he also felt like a blessing I never prayed for. Dismissing the thoughts out about Wilhelm and what had transpired in the parking lot out of my mind, I opened the door of my car as I waited for Charlize outside her school. While I remained idle near the school gate, I couldn’t help but worry about what would happen to my daughter after Wilhelm shipped me off to China. Would my little girl be alright? As I continued to dwell on my thoughts, my phone rang loudly inside the car. I frowned. Oh, shoot me. Things had been taking things off of my mind lately that I even forgot to take
Kathryn’s POVEverything had been in the past, but for some reason, I was still hesitant to tell Roland every last detail, just in case it did more harm than good. Well, initially, it had already scarred a bad reputation in my life.I sighed. What was the point of keeping it in when I could have someone listen to the problems I can’t just say to anyone? “Well?” Roland tilted his head to the side as he pressed gently about the hesitation in my mind, waiting for me to continue. I gulped and opened my mouth, searching for the right words that could begin this conversation. “It’s about Rose,” I finally began. “Rose?” “Wilhelm’s fiancé,” I frowned. “That Rose.” Roland made an “O” with his mouth and signaled me to continue. “We come a long way, you know?” His broad shoulders shrugged. “She’s a thorn. Kind of like a coarse grass that can never die.” I laughed. “Hey! That’s rude.” “She’s not here, and she won’t know either way. Unless you tell me.” I shook my head in disbelief at
Kathryn’s POVI raised my eyebrows. “Sir, it’s nighttime already.”“I didn’t mean for you to come here...right now.”“Right now? Oh,” I felt my cheeks grow hot. “Yes, I guess that’s what you meant,” I cleared my throat. “Sorry, I misunderstood. When would you like me to work, then?”Wilhelm was silent for a while. “Tomorrow. Come meet me at the office.”My eyebrows knitted in disbelief. Tomorrow? After all the trouble the rumors had caused, he wanted me to see him at the office tomorrow?No matter how much I tried to convince myself this was all professional, I had a bad feeling about it. Or maybe not?I slouched, opening my mouth to speak. “Mr. Reinhardt, I’m sure you’re aware of the rumors going around about us, right?”He didn’t respond.“Right. I just needed to mention it in case you think it won’t affect either of our reputations. I can’t go to your office. I won’t risk it,” I quickly added, my heart racing at the thought of the rumors causing trouble. Even though none of them we
Kathryn’s POV Mrs. Brown left the door, her eyes flashing before me as I put a smile on my face. “I guess I’ll see you around then?” “Oh, dear! You’ll see me much more than you expect. Please take care on your way home.” Wilhelm cleared his throat. “I believe she won’t be heading home yet.” Mrs. Brown scrunched her nose and let out a stifled huff. “Let the woman rest! This is exactly why your hotels aren’t doing as well in sales as they used to,” she narrowed her eyes at him, and in return, Wilhelm scowled. He looked like a child being scolded by his mother—only this time, he was being scolded for overworking his employee. I couldn’t help but laugh internally. It served him right. The words that came out of Mrs. Brown’s mouth were exactly what he’d been doing to us—to all of his employees. I was glad he was being spoon-fed a taste of his own medicine. “Well, I have to get going now.” She glared at Wilhelm as she held the door open. “Take care, Mr. Reinhardt, Ms. Alvarez.”
Kathryn’s POV I arrived at the company earlier than planned. My heart feels lighter after thinking things through regarding the offer I received from Mrs. Brown, and Wilhelm unexpectedly taking me back to the company after almost firing me and having me transferred to the hotel’s sister chain in China. I can’t say that the issue of me being labeled as a mistress and Wilhelm dismissing me so easily didn’t make me hesitate. But the truth is, the company has been part of my life ever since they accepted me despite my history with Wilhelm—and I don’t want to lose that connection just yet, despite the fact that my boss, a.k.a. ex-husband, hurt me so deeply. Straightening my back, I ignore the whispers that follow me as I walk down the hallway toward Wilhelm’s office. I decided to knock once. Come to think of it, it’s only seven in the morning. Does he come to work this early? I shrug internally and wait for him to open the door. “Kathryn,” he greets me. His brows furrow as our eyes
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
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