CAROLINEMalcolm leaves without another word. I stand in the middle of my office even after he's shut the door and I wait for his steps to fade out. After about five minutes where I'm sure he can't barge right back in, my legs finally give out.I fall on my ass with one hand on the floor to support me up and the other on my chest as I huff and pant for air. My heart is pounding in my chest while I try my hardest to calm my nerves.The serious look in his eyes flash in my mind and I frown so heavily enough to give myself wrinkles. He had been so serious when he threw a marriage proposal in my face again. His guts and his audacity irks me enough to make me tremble.I push my hair back from my face and look around my space to the CCTV camera. I made a mental note to ask for the footage of today. I need that as my protection from him… for now. I can only hope he doesn't try anything else.But I already have a feeling that he will.What exactly does this man want with me? We ended things s
CAROLINE I step into the house mumbling my thanks to the guard who held the door open for me. The mansion is surrounded by guards at Grandmother's disposal. After what happened last night, I think I should get some for myself. It wouldn’t be so bad. I noticed most business tycoons have guards. Take Uncle Edward and Malcolm for example. Their guards never leave their side like they await an attack every minute. It'll be bothersome but I guess since it's for my safety, I should- "Grandma, you shouldn't wear black too often. It's bad omen," I snap my head to the direction of the voice and pause when I recognize it. I know we share the same Grandmother but what is she doing here? "Keep your talks of omen to yourself, Louise. I'm still wondering what you're looking for," Grandma replied with annoyance in her tone. "Last time I saw you here, you were still in your teens." "What can I say? I missed you-" "Cut the bullcrap!" Oh, that's harsh but I smirk at her attitude. She's just as
CAROLINE This space looks familiar. It's the hotel I used to work at a few years ago. The 'shabby' hotel as Malcolm's mother would always say. "You picked this one from a shabby hotel and think you can make her a wife? Over my dead body, Malcom!" I barely remember her words these days but tonight, all I can hear is Malcolm's sweet and gentle voice. The very first time we met, he didn't hesitate to throw me a smile to flatter me and catch my attention. The image lasts only for a fleeting moment before he's kissing me and picking me up in his arms. What was supposed to be a one-night stand, turned into several and I found myself drowning in his affection and looking forward to his weekly visits. The 'shabby' hotel became his home and his room, well… let's just say it was easy to get to work since I practically started living there. "Caroline," The softness of his voice next to my ears took my breath away and I sighed softly, feeling his hand caress my breasts like he did every mo
MALCOM"Fuck you, Malcom," Louise screamed in my face, hurling my laptop to the ground next to my feet. "You can't get rid of me! I know you've had your eyes on my grandmother's shares but this much to divorce me and hop to that bitch-""Keep your voice down! Marilyn can hear you!" I growled, wanting to grab her neck and squeeze the life out of her. I've put up with her bloody attitude for five years and I couldn't stand it anymore.I could only imagine Marilyn's face whenever she heard our fights. My little girl would look depressed and drained of life. I tried my best every day to avoid arguments but Louise was a psychopath who hated peace and quiet.It was even worse when I realised she enjoyed Marilyn listening to our fights. It was her way of trying to get me to 'behave'. She never passed up the opportunity to use my daughter-- no, our daughter against me!She was her daughter too and not a bloody weapon to stay in this sham of a marriage and some damn control over me."I'm done
CAROLINEI snatched my hand away the minute his cold lips touched them. Those black eyes darkened the minute he saw me and at first, I thought he would ignore and walk away.He smiled at once, ignoring my action and drew closer, invading my personal space and forgetting where we were.We already had one rumour going on around us and he wanted to feed them more?Not on my watch. I stepped away from him but Malcom held my wrist. "Where are you going? I want to dance.""Dance on your own or ask the other ladies," I replied coldly, trying to pull away from his tight grip but he didn't budge.He enjoyed me struggling like the psychopath that he was while I tried to appear like we were having a normal conversation."I see you've met Miss. Quinn," Miss. Patterson interrupted with a fond smile and I froze up having been caught."Yes, I have. Sadly, she'd rather be anywhere than with me."This sly old man! Why did I ever fall for him anyways? He made everything sound so sweet and sugary. That
CAROLINEMalcom's lips barely brushed against mine when I jolted like a spasm of current rushed through me and I threw a lunch across his jaw."Ow! What the fuck, Caroline!" he growled as he stepped away from the threat.I had frozen in shock with heated cheeks and wide eyes as I tried to process what just happened.My lips tingle from the brief touch and my knees almost went paralyzed from it. Other than the fact that my knuckles hurt like I punched a brick wall, I was pretty much brain dead at this point.Oh God! Why did I- he was coming onto me!how else was I supposed to react?"Shit!" Malcom flexed his jaw and he turned to glare at me. "Did you take karate lessons or what? Where the heck did you learn to throw a punch like that?"I shut, recovering from the shock, "Taekwondo. I-I learnt abroad.""Why? To beat the shit out of me?""What? No- I told you not to touch me!" I said in my defence as his eyes raked over me with a flirty look crossing his face for a moment.Well he was fin
CAROLINE "There you are," Susan rushed towards me with a worried look on her face as she searched my eyes. "Are you alright? Did you get lost?" "No," I got carried away and when I came to, I had to look in the mirror and make sure there was no shaken resolve showing on my face. I grabbed a drink from a waiter as soon as I stepped out of the guestroom. He was heading in Malcolm's direction. It seemed his drinking habits hadn't changed. That man could drink a whole bar down and still ask for more. It was an irritating behaviour that I tried my best to curb but it seems he snapped right back into it when I was gone. "Miss Patterson has been laughing and jollying all night," Susan said and stood by my side as I looked around for the woman. "She's going about giving everyone hope with that smile. Ha! She says "may the best man win." "It's fair game, Susan. We just need to do our best." my best wasn't going to be enough here. I'd need to do everything I can. Grandma had her eyes on tha
CAROLINE What followed next was a series of head banging on the wall, punches, teeth falling off and screams that made me second-guess their gender. Their ear-piercing scream almost deafened my ears. I had sagged to the floor when he grabbed the one kissing me and slammed him hard against the nearest wall and he had been going on for close to ten minutes now. His rage was unstoppable but concerning for me. I couldn't have a scandal to my name. Grandmother would never let me off easy. Where the heck was Susan? How long did it take to bring the car around? I tried to push myself up and with my hand on the wall I started to stagger out of there, not sparing a glance behind. Malcom's grunts and groans as he punched them over and over again filled me with fear but I didn't turn around. Before anyone would walk in and try to make a scene out of this, I'd be long gone and out of the picture. "Don't you ever put your hands on her again!" His voice vibrated through the halls. The door
CAROLINE I thought my confession was shocking until Malcolm blurted his after he finally learned to speak again. My hand was over my mouth with tears threatening to leak from my eyes. The annoyance swirling inside me moved like lava, burning my heart and heating up places I didn't even know could be angry. "Everything is in this flash," he handed it to me, trusting it in my hands. "I have friends that can take it up and with solid evidence, it'll all come crashing down--" "No, there's someone I trust to handle it. You should go be with Marylin, she needs you now more than ever," I forced a smile at him. "Where are you going?" Even I didn't know the answer to that question, I left quietly, getting in my car and driving far away. Every time I ended up at Susan's house, but I didn't go in. She texted me earlier that Alvin was with her at Tony's place so what was I doing here? The two were pretty close, it seemed. I stared at the drive in my hands, too afraid to play it, too afraid
CAROLINE Malcolm stepped aside with Tony, leaving me to my thoughts. I still couldn't believe Kris was associated with the organization. But how? He was so innocent with a good heart. It was hard to believe but Malcolm had been so sure when he screamed in his face to shut it down. I wiped my lips one more time, disgust rolling through me. This wasn't the first time Kris was being a bit pushy with his feelings, but it was never more than a kiss. The only reason I got with Kris was because he came on to me as a friend first, before Grandma got scheming and wanted him as a son-in-law. It hurt me that he saw no problem with her plans and jumped right into it, trying to force me to go along with it. God! I was surrounded by selfish people. "Susan, I want you to take Alvin to your place for the night and do it before Kris gets home, now." "Okay, how's the young miss?" She asked, concerned. "They took Malcolm's blood for testing so we're waiting for the results," a doctor stepped out
Trigger warning!MALCOLM"Dad, please help me, I'm scared! Dad, help!" Marylin screamed through the phone, my heart bursting with fear."You hear that, Malcolm!" Louise's venomous voice followed. "If you wanna tear this family apart, then fine! I'll do it for you! I'll kill her and then kill myself!""Stop this madness, Louise! She's your daughter too!" I screamed into the phone, racing down the road at full speed. My heart pounded like an Earthquake, and rain poured from the sky."I know that and that's why I have the fucking right to end her life too! I can do whatever the fuck I want with her. She's my daughter, Malcolm. My child!""Louise, you sound crazy. Turn the car around and bring her back. We can talk about this."She scoffed bitterly, "Oh now you want to talk? Don't you wanna stick it in Caroline's pants? What's so great about her fucking pussy anyway? You're just a fucking man-whore, Malcolm! That's what you are. If you think you can humiliate me in front of my whole famil
CAROLINEI knocked on her bedroom door, heart racing anxiously. I didn't know what I was going to say, but I hoped she'd at least give me the chance to speak."Can I come in?" I asked softly, pressing my ears against the door to hear--"Go away!"Right, of course. What was I expecting, a yes? Yeah, right. Taking a deep breath, I opened the door, surprised it wasn't unlocked, and I walked into her beautiful bedroom with lavender air freshener in the air.She jerked up on her bed, her mascara dropping down her eyes as she glared at me."Oh dear!" I gasped, but swallowed my words. "Can we talk?""We have nothing to talk about. Leave my room. I don't want dad scolding me. It's his house anyways and just because he let you in, doesn't mean you can come here-""Marylin, oh God. What's all this about? You know your father wouldn't say that. He respects and loves you," I tried to come closer but one stare from her and I froze."You got what you wanted, Caroline. You ripped my family apart. Yo
CAROLINE I snuck out of the hotel before Malcolm woke up. It was the best feeling waking up in his arms again. His steady breathing and gentle loving, the highlight of my night but I knew that wasn't my place just yet. I wasn't sure if it was ever going to be mine again. It took a lot to tear away from his side, but when I finally did I went straight to Kris's place. We were supposed to find a house together once he arrived. I snuck into the house, the calmness of the place causing my heart to pound. If I was lucky, Kris would still be in bed right now- "Where are you coming from?" “Jesus!” I yelped, heart pounding at being caught. I found him at the top of the stairs. His baby blue bathrobe hanging loose around his frame and a full glass of champagne in his hand. "It's too early for that--" I muttered, gesturing to the drink. "Dammit, Caroline! Don't try to change the topic. It's too early for this. This attitude-- where are you coming from and don't lie to me." He stormed dow
MALCOLMI barely focused on the moving picture on the big screen. The place was quiet, calm as I liked it, but there was nothing settling inside me.I had booked the whole room for myself, in hopes I'd enjoy the serenity of the place. Sitting alone in the far end of the room,. watching the big screen with a bored look on my face, I realized nothing could pull me from the depth of sadness.I barely paid attention to what was going on. Heck, I didn't even pick the movie, I just paid for whatever was on. The need to get away-- run away from the broken pieces of my life was overwhelming.A family.My phone vibrated for the umpteenth time and I glanced at it.Louise.She hadn't stopped calling since I walked out of dinner.What more did she want to hear or maybe she'd like to pull the victim card with Marylin?Sighing, my shoulders slumped with a weight. For once in my life, I wanted to make a decision while looking out for myself and not worrying about my daughter.If that made me a bad f
CAROLINE"Everyone, I want you to meet my son, Alvin and my... My fiancé, Christopher Lennox."After that introduction, dinner passed by quietly.It was like I dropped a bomb on the table. Once in a while I felt their stares but I couldn't lift my head up. Didn't want to.Not when I knew I had just broken him. The last I looked at Malcolm was when I took my seat again and the shock -- Fuck. I couldn't handle it.The disappointment in his eyes, the look on his face, I saw he shattered to pieces and now my heart was shattering, beating in sync to every rhythm of heartbreak."Chew carefully, sweetheart," I took his glass of water and brought it to his lips. "Don't rush it--""So Christopher, can I call you that or do you prefer Kris?" Louise seized her opportunity."Since it's a family gathering, I think Christopher is alright.""Great. When are you and Caroline planning your wedding? I mean there's already a child in the picture, you wouldn't want to waste any time sealing the deal. And
MALCOLMWe pulled over at the restaurant and Louise kicked the door open, jumping out of the car as soon as it came to a stop. Marilyn had been quiet all through the ride. She was by my side and now she waited her turn to get down and once her mother was out of the way, she turned to me."A divorce, dad?" she said with strong eyes, folding her arms. "You'll end this all for a stupid--""Mind your language, Marilyn," I snapped at once, startling her. "I won't take that attitude."Her eyes burned with tears."Marilyn!" Louise barked outside and she quickly stepped out, using the same foul attitude her mother did."God! What is this?" I pinched my nose, shutting my eyes with a deep sigh. Now I knew I had to fix things and my daughter was one of them. I loved her too much to watch her slowly turn into her mother."Tony, what time did Caroline say she'll be here?"He turned to me from the front seat, "Five forty, sir. It's exactly five thirty, sir.I presumed she needed the extra ten minu
Caroline“When I said yes to this, I wasn't expecting a public place, Mal. What is this?” I looked around the bar, luckily there weren't too many people. It was a high end bar and we took the stairs, heading to the private room.What if anyone recognized me-- us, together? I looked at our joint hands, feeling uneasy all of a sudden. I tried to slowly pull my hand but he clutched it tighter, paused and snapped his head at me.“Don't even think about it.”My reflection in his orbs pulled a mushy feeling in my chest and I turned red as a tomato. “What are we doing here?” I whispered quietly.“I'm taking you to a private room.”“I'm not having sex with you,” I frowned.What if anyone recognized me… us, together? I looked at our joint hands, feeling uneasy all of a sudden. I tried to slowly pull my hand but he clutched it tighter, paused and snapped his head at me.“Don't even think about it.”My reflection in his orbs pulled a mushy feeling in my chest and I turned red as a tomato. “What