CHAPTER 7
"W-what?"
It was the only word that came out of my mouth when I heard what he said. My mind was still thinking if I heard him right or my ear was just playing with me, but when he smiled and said it again, air left my lungs.
"I said I like you."
And it was enough to make my brain malfunction. His words played in my head as if an old scratched tape. He likes me. A multi-billionaire CEO likes me. Was this a joke? Because if it was, then he'd better stop it now.
"How?" I asked when I recovered from the shock. "How did you like me?"
I gave him a challenging look. Now that I recovered and my brain is functioning well as it should, he wouldn't be able to trick me. Was this his hidden agenda for being too kind to women? He would befriend them, and when he think that they trusted him enough, he would make them fall with his flowery words and leave them in the end?
Oh, boy. If this was
My gentle smile and nod was the only thing he needed. Happiness was written on his face when our eyes met. He then shouted a 'yes' before he gleefully leaned in and I felt his soft lips to mine. It was as if there were fireworks inside my stomach as our lips touched. His arm circled on my waist as he pulled me closer, and it was my cue to snake my arms on his neck and place my hand on his hair as I pulled him closer to me. "Hazel," he mumbled as he pulled away from the kiss, but only a half-inch away, "You don't know how much happy I am that you gave me a chance." Genuine happiness was all I can see in his black orbs, and there was a slight pang of guilt in me for I knew my intentions weren't clear. I have my hidden agenda for this one, I was taking advantage of his feelings for my own benefit. Mentally, I shook my head to push that thought away and focused on the man whose happiness couldn't be explained by simple words
A soft yet wet thing on my neck woke me up. I purred and moved my head to see what it was— who it was, and it was no other than the man who completed my womanhood. Caleb. "Hey, good morning, baby." his voice was low and sexy, awakening my senses. I smiled, "Good morning," He pushed himself up and supported his weight through his elbows. He planted a soft kiss on my forehead and whispered to me what time is it. My eyes widen when I realized we were two hours late from work. I instantly moved to get ready but he gently pushed me on the bed, making me lie again. "But hey we're—" "Sshh, baby, relax. I've already informed them," he said. My brows furrowed, "What? You informed them? Who?" He shrugged. "The VIPs I was supposed to have a breakfast meeting with. I emailed them and informed them that our meeting will be canceled due to some important reason."
I was silent on the passenger seat as Caleb drove through the highway at a speed that was enough for me to remember each landmark and enjoy the scenery as the car goes by. We were on our way to the therapy center he was talking about, the one where his mother was currently in. He hasn't told me yet where exactly it was and I also couldn't figure out where. The song Passenger Seat was playing on the radio in enough volume which sounded as if a background music of a romance movie. It was a perfect song for the mood that we have right now and I knew he felt it too because he was smiling as he sang with the band. A smile made its way on my lips when I heard him singing along, it wasn't loud enough for me to hear but I liked it. He looked relaxed and at ease as he drove and sang, he wasn't even aware that I was staring at him. When the song stopped, that was when he looked at me and a blush crept on his face as he realized that I was stari
I was silent as we headed home. The car's aircon was on its limits though I didn't feel cold. My mind was still on the therapy center, to the scene I witnessed before we decided to go. When Caleb and Calista went to talk privately, I immediately did my research about them by asking the center's staff about Calista. Of course, I was careful so that they won't know that I was just prying for informations. Thankfully, I was able to get some, enough to confirm my assumption that they went on a dark past. Given that Calista was in a therapy center and that Caleb was kind and helpful to women, I knew their past has something to do with abuse. Abuse not just to women but also to children, it could be that Caleb was also abused when he was a child. But what kind of abuse? Abuse comes from different kinds and aspects, and that's what I needed to find out next. I was thinking of coming back to the center alone, but that woul
My eyes slowly popped open and I realized that I was already in bed— in Caleb's bed. He wasn't here, though his scent still filled my nostrils, perhaps because this was his room, of course, his scent would stay here. I pushed myself up, my clothes were changed. I was wearing a ruffles skirt earlier, paired with a white off-shoulder blouse, the one with sleeves down to my elbow, and an ankle strap shoes. Now, I was only wearing a white t-shirt— without a bra and I realized that aside from this was his room, his scent probably came from his t-shirt that I was wearing. And where could he be? To answer my query, I stood up and went out of his room, barefooted. The cold tile was making me shiver, plus the aircon which was always on its maximum adjustment. I knew he would probably be in his office right now so I headed there. I knocked twice and turned pushed the door open. He was busy in front of his laptop when I
Everyone looks up to the kind-hearted Chief Executive Officer of Craige Inc, Mr. Caleb Craige for his kindness, humbleness, and charity works despite his social status. Throughout the years, he was able to have numerous records of good deeds not just locally but around the globe and even got the title 'The Humble CEO of Sydney'. Though despite these godly accomplishments of his, people's curiosity for his reason for doing these things was never pacified. Everyone is still dying to know his reason; why would someone like him waste a time and his precious money genuinely helping out to children and women in need but seems to be holding a grudge for men especially middle-aged ones. On one charity event he attended together with the other men in his league, he was caught in an uncomfortable situation in the middle of a conversation with Mr. Savas, Mr. Perez, Mr. Yeman, and Mr. Heldon, who were all in their fifties.[PHOTO ATTACHED]Position
Days passed by and everything went smoothly between me and Caleb. Slowly, he was starting to open up his personal life with me, we were talking about it mostly after a mind-blowing sex. I guess sex helped me a lot to execute my plan, hence I started watching porn and tutorials on how to give pleasure to your partner. Each lesson I learned, I do it to him, and he liked— no, he loved every bit of it. His moans, groans, and pleads for me to pleasure him more were boosting my confidence every time. My Aphrodite side was boosted with overflowing self-confidence when it comes to beauty and sex department. We've also tried several tricks and different foreplays and we enjoyed every bit of it. And after we reached heaven numerous times in one night, he would scoop me in his arms and start his bedtime story— his story. For the three months that I've been with him, my life became lighter than it was before. I was still busy with my job, yes. Sort
When I woke up again, Caleb was nowhere to be found but he left a note saying he will attend the rest of his schedules for today and then we will go home. I smiled when I read the word 'home', he's now treating me as if I was his wife. Truth to be told, I was starting to enjoy everything that I have right now, I was starting to get used to his embrace and company, everything that he introduced me to was starting to be a part of my life. I was thinking of just forgetting about my plan and live with this, I wouldn't deny that I was falling for him, each day that we spend together was enough to make me fall for him, he wasn't hard to love. But my thirst to make a name in the journaling industry was still strong and it was starting to make a conflict with my mind. I knew I could just forget about it, only if it was just about career we were talking about, but my thirst to prove something in the industry I chose to was deeper than a career purpose. "That
Growing up, I always dreamed of having my own family and making sure that it would be a happy one, unlike what I had when I was a kid when my mother always spit hurtful words toward me as if I was the worst person she'd ever met and the worst person who came in her life. I was blamed for a sin I didn't commit, I was blamed for a mistake I didn't do. I always wish on the stars before that if I could only bring back time, I would reverse what happened. I wouldn't let my rapist father rape my mom so that both of us wouldn't be hurt like this. She wouldn't suffer and the same goes for me. But I was thankful that the start didn't grant my wish because if they didn't, I wouldn't happily watch my family having the time of their lives. "Mom, hurry! Daddy misses you again! And my tummy is grumbling, I want sandwicheeesss!" I couldn't help but to chuckle upon hearing that. When I reached the carpet where they were, I pinched his chubby cheeks, earning a giggle from him. "Here you go, my
Hazel Quin's "I now pronounce you, husband and wife." The venue was filled with applause as soon as the priest announced that Caleb and I were now married. I didn't know that getting married would be this overwhelming. The support from the people around was adding to the happiness I was feeling and I knew Caleb felt the same, especially now that the first important woman in her life attended the ceremony. Yes, Callista was here. A month before the wedding date, I visited Callista without telling Caleb. Of course, I was with Len and Athena on that day just in case something unexpected would happen. She wasn't expecting for my visit, she was shocked to see me unexpectedly. "What are you doing here?" It was her greeting when she finally recovered from her shock. And not wasting any time, I told her about my intent. She wasn't expecting it when I gave her the wedding invitation for priority guests. That day, I also tried my best to convince her to discuss about our setup o
Caleb Craige's "Is everything ready?" The staff is in charge of the dinner date I set up nodded with a smile. "Yes, sir. The dinner table, the lights, and the song that will play later." I nodded, "Okay. That's good." I handed him a generous tip which made him glad and I knew it made him more determined to do his work efficiently. After all, people just wanted their work and efforts to be paid fairly and appreciated, then they will do more. Fishing my phone out from the breast pocket of my suit, I dialed Athena's number to inform her that she could go and ask Hazel for a dinner now. I was glad when she told me she was already in my penthouse and convincing Hazel to go with her and the latter told her he'll ask first if I would let her. The thought of Hazel considering my decision first before deciding was boosting my pride and the chances of success for what I was planning to do tonight. It didn't take long before my phone vibrated and a text from Hazel came. Of course,
It didn't take a week before I was discharged from the hospital. But prior to that, I was advised to take a bed rest because of my delicate pregnancy. Due to the stress I've experienced during the trials, there could be a possibility that the next time I bleed, we would lose the baby. Of course, none of us wanted that to happen so we followed the doctor's advice. Caleb became more caring than before and took an out-of-office work. Instead of going to the office every day, he did all his work at home, either in our room or in his library. His meetings as well were held virtually unless his presence was mandatorily needed. He never let me get out of his sight, he was eager to take care of me. Even the foods I was eating and my bath, he took care of them all. And who am I to complain if that was the case? My heart was overflowing with joy and I felt the love I never felt before. He was too caring and too good to be true. Now, I realized Athena's words before; Caleb would do anythin
Caleb Craige's I didn't care anymore if my action of pushing Stephanie too much would backfire on me. The only thing on my mind then was to protect Hazel. "How dare you touch her!" I glowered. She shuddered upon seeing my angry state. My face was red in anger and it was no doubt that I could attack her anytime as if she was a little prey and I was the predator, but the guards held me. I was trying to control myself but couldn't, her image pulling Hazel's hair was still playing on my mind. The guards were having a hard time suppressing my moves to pounce on her when I heard Hazel's cry. "Ah!" All the blood drained on my face upon seeing blood dripping down her thighs when I turned to look at her. She was wearing a dress and with its light color, it wasn't hard to see the crimson color of the blood as she put her hands on her stomach. I was frozen on my spot and was unable to move for a while, until Athena, who came with us, shook me back to reality. "Come on, Hazel is ble
And the busy days making everything better started. The first, second, and third court trials for the cases filed against Stephanie have been done and everyone could now see what would be the outcome of the trials. We have the upper hand. Stephanie was infuriated upon seeing me again with Caleb. Her fury that her plans failed was evident, it helped the court consider the decision earlier than thought. Her temper was a disadvantage for them, she was caught one time when she tried to hurt me. Good thing the guards and Caleb were fast enough to handle her. "You bitch! Do you think I would let you go just like that?" "You took everything away from me. You don't deserve to be happy, you are a dream wrecker!" During our second trial, Stephanie's lawyer used the mentally-ill card to defend her. It showed that Stephanie might be experiencing mental illnesses, she was thinking that the world was against her and it was because of me. She was obsessed with the thought that everything tha
Attorney Lopez was in his mid-fifties but still looked young and masculine. It was no doubt that he had made several women cry in his youth. Len and I invited him into the living room after introducing myself to him. He already knew me because according to him, Caleb always mentioned my name whenever they were talking regarding the cases filed against Stephanie. "He was always saying that we have to win this so that everything would be fine again and he could focus on working on your relationship." A small smile made its way to my lips upon hearing that. He may look mad at me before but he was still thinking of fixing our relationship despite breaking his heart and his trust. Indeed, he was a good man. It was something I failed to realize before. Caleb wouldn't let me down. Instead, he would lift me up but not to the point that I would depend on him. That's just how he was, he was caring and loving in his own way. "Well, I actually don't know what to say about that. I didn't
Hazel Quin's Caleb's tired body collapsed on the bed the moment we came home. It didn't take him long to fall asleep, he didn't even bother to change. Sighing, I moved and started undressing him and changing his clothes with a pair of sweatpants and a white t-shirt so that he would be comfortable as he sleep. He was slightly moaning as I changed his clothes but was unconsciously moving along with my commands, making my task easier. It wasn't surprising that he would be this tired. I knew what he has been doing since he arrived in New York. He was working almost all of the time while taking care of me and slowly putting everything back in to place. It may not look like I knew it because I was always asleep due to pregnancy hormones, but whenever I was awake, I could see the dark circles and his eyes. And whenever I would wake up suddenly in the middle of the night, I would see him working and focused on his laptop. His workload was too much now that Mirna wasn't helping him any
Caleb Craige's "Just take these vitamins that I prescribed, avoid stress, staying up late, and don't tire yourself. Okay?" Hazel nodded as the ob gyne put her hands on the pocket of her gown after reminding us what we should do. This was Hazel's last day in the hospital and tomorrow, we'll be back in New York after she takes enough rest back in the hotel. Athena won't be coming back with us, she was now with her lover who just came here this morning to fetch her. Looks like they would spend some more time here before coming back to reality. I looked at Hazel who was still talking and asking Dra. Wrington, who until now still thought that Hazel and I were already married. None of us corrected her, I like how she addressed Hazel as Mrs. Craige. "If everything is okay now, I'll take my leave. Have a safe trip back to Australia." I nodded and thanked the ob before sitting beside my woman who was now getting ready to be discharged. The bills have been settled, we could go out any