Chapter 7

I sat on my bed, exhausted, fumbling with my phone. What am I going to do now to get to Kariuos? Should I visit them at their home? But I’ve just returned!

But this is important! Karious needs to know about his ex-wife. Now I’m certain Karious and Veronica are truly divorced since he won’t propose to me if they’re still married, and Veronica won’t marry dad's business partner if she’s still married.

“I can’t leave the company because Veronica is there. If I took a leave, I doubt if I will still have a job when I come back. And hell! Her status is even higher than mine!” I tweak my hair because of frustration.

When I returned, I assumed that everything would be back to normal. I had no idea I’d be dealing with an even bigger issue! And the source of the problem was none other than Veronica, who was also Karious’ biggest issue.

For hours, I just stared at the ceiling of my room. When the doorbell of my condo rang, I was brought back to reality.

I get out of bed. “Who the hell was that? Veronica?” I wondered as I walked out of the room to see who was outside.

I opened the door and was ready to start a fight when I recognized who was behind the door. “Karious!” I exclaimed in shock.

Of course, he looks the same! His coat was on his arm and he was dressed in a white long sleeve polo shirt. He had one hand in his pocket. I kept a close eye on him. He appears to be a model, very attractive and stylish, but his gloomy aura, grim line of his lips, steadfast sharpness of his nose, deep-set of eyes that seem insulting, and many more ‘and’! I feel like this man wasn’t enough to become a model. He should be sitting on his throne, surrounded by women.

I grinned as I shook my head at the concept. “Karious! You arrived just in time! I need to speak with you about something,” I stated earnestly before opening the door wide.

“I saw Veronica downstairs; care to explain?” he inquired seriously, not moving from his position.

“I’ll explain inside,” I said, despite the fact that he appeared to be about to set me on fire. Oh, that sounds strange. But nevermind! He looks angry.

I forced him to sit on the couch, then went straight to the kitchen to fetch something to drink for us. It’s obviously coffee.

I sat down next to him after making the coffee and addressed him.

“Your ex-wife was bugging my father’s company, claiming to be my twin and that she had already taken a DNA test with Dad and the result was positive, which I doubt. Aren’t you searching for her? Arrest her and send her to jail.”

“That’s probably why I can’t take her. She has some powerful backup, one of which is your father.”

“Dad and I don’t get along! She informed me earlier that he was going to take everything from me!” I worriedly asked. If that is the case, she is quite dangerous! What can a person do to acquire wealth? It’s unimaginable.

“Don’t worry about Veronica. I can’t put her in jail yet because her boy toy owns up their case. I only put her partner in jail because, according to Veronica’s lawyer, she just became a hostage so that her man could commit the theft. Of course, I don’t believe that, so I’m gathering more evidence about them,” he said seriously, looking at me.

“She hurts your son. Isn’t medical documents enough for her to be in jail?” I furiously asked.

“I do not file for that one yet as I was gathering more information. There’s something wrong about Veronica that I need to find out.”

“What are we going to do now? What if I tell dad about it?”

“Don’t do it. As I said, we’ll acquire more evidence If we tell him everything right now, we won’t be able to do so.” That was clear.

“Is that why you come back here? Because you already know where Veronica is?” I grumbled. Maybe he hasn’t fully moved on yet so he came back. And he might think that the woman was just a captive. Because he married her and they had a child, it’s unthinkable that he didn’t like her.

“Of course not,” he replied, “I came back because I can’t leave you alone when I know that Veronica is still around you.”

“Don’t worry, I can handle myself,” I answered, hiding a smile.

“I offer you to become my wife or just pretend to be my wife, but you decline.” I sipped on the coffee because of what he stated.

“Because we shouldn’t have to be like that.”

He smiled as he glanced at me. “Don’t tell me you are scared?”

My eyebrows rose. “Scared of you? Never!”

He approached me carefully enough that I was taken aback, and my heart began to race. What the hell is the matter with it?!

I averted my gaze since he was so near to my face that I could practically lean against the sofa. I can still see him on my side, though.

He cocked his head to gaze at me, huskily whispering, “Scared of falling in love with me,” which made my heart skip a beat and my subconscious rejoices with joy.

“LET’S JUST CALL each other, bye!” I said as I shoved him out of my apartment.

My chest throbbed quickly as I rested against the back of the door. We were on the verge of kissing each other once more. I got away from him immediately because I was fast.

As I move away from him, he appears to be at ease. While glancing up at me, he remained sitting. My chest was pounding so loudly that it was difficult to breathe.

Karious leaned on the sofa, his finger resting on his lower lip. I’m not sure if I was hallucinating, but I thought I saw him smile, which then vanished.

I pretended to cough before stuttering, “D-don’t you have anything else to say? If you don’t, you can go home. I need to get up early tomorrow,” I reasoned as I walked to the condo door first.

He got up slowly and followed me. He stopped me from opening the door by pressing on the height of the door.

“Hmm,” he teased, “you’re avoiding me.”

I shifted my gaze to his. “And why would I do that? It’s not like I’m s-scared.” Sh*t! Why am I stuttering?

“Give me your number before I leave,” he said, changing the subject and handing me his cellphone.

I hesitantly took out the phone and dialed my number. His wallpaper was black.

“It’s done.”

“If something happens, don’t hesitate to call me.” I nodded.

“If you wanted to know the details of my investigation, call me and I will tell you.” I nodded again and frowned. Why does he seem to be taking so long to leave?

“Just call me if you have any questions.”

“If I know you’re busy, I won’t call,” I explained.

He added in a baritone, “You can call me at night.”

“Haha, that was so funny. All right, go home,” I sarcastically replied as I turned the door lock.

“You can also call me if you want one of my kisses,” he said, making my cheeks flush and my pulse racing.

“Please don’t flirt with me!”

The following day was simply like any other.

I was on my way to the parking lot and I was about to open my car when someone came out of the next car. I wouldn’t have noticed if the familiar smell hadn’t just sunk in on me.

I instantly turned around and was astonished to see Karious approaching me. That lovely was his! I didn’t notice it because he bring a different car the last time.

“Good morning,” he whispered softly before grabbing my hips and bending down to kiss my cheek.

I couldn’t keep up with what happened. Before I even beat him, he was far away.

My heart is racing as if I were jogging a kilometer! I’m just standing in front of my car! What is he doing to me, anyway?

He tilted his head and smiled. “What happened to my good morning?”

“You didn’t say you were coming, so what are you doing here?” He didn't text me.

He simply replied, "I wanted to drive you to work," and before I could answer, he seized my car key and dragged me to his expensive car.

"Wait! You don't have to do this. I have my own car!" I said as I came to a halt. He pushed me up into the passenger seat.

He also buckled up my seatbelt. When he approached, I was startled. My eyes widened even more, and my face practically pressed into his side. I can also smell his perfume, which is not at all unpleasant to the nose. He smelled like a bottle of perfume.

He turned around and sat in the driver’s seat, saying, “I also have my car so that I can drive you.”

I had no choice but to sit till the car moved.

“By the way, how’s Rious?” I suddenly remembered. Perhaps he didn’t cry when I left?

“He’s fine. He said he missed you,” he continued, looking at me to gauge my reaction.

“Do you mind if I pay him a visit this weekend?”

I stared at his suggestion. “It’s better if you just stay with us.”

“No thanks. One and a half-hour drive away from work every day? I’ll just visit him.”

“I can drive you to work every day. We can go together and go home together,” he said. I couldn’t react. But why would he suggest that? We are not together, and staying in their home is inappropriate.

“Did Rious realize I wasn’t his mother? Did I shatter his heart?” I worriedly wondered. If I break his heart, I should apologize profusely.

“Yes, he cried every day and was always looking for you. I promise you two will meet again,” I said, feeling bad about what I had heard.

I vowed, “I’ll see him soon.”

We also arrived at the firm right away.

I unbuckled my seatbelt and turned to face him. “Thank you for the ride, Karious. You didn’t have to do it, but I appreciate it,” I added with a smile.

“I’ll wait for you inside later, or if you’re going home, just text me.”

I tripped. “Why else?”

My heart flutters as he smirks and pinches my nose. Again. “Let’s go out to dinner, and I’ll drive you home as well.”

“Don’t I bother? I know you’re busy. You’re running an empire, right?”

“An empire without a queen. I’m into pursuing it right now. Anyway, I’ll take you to your floor.” He was about to remove his seat belt so I stopped him.

“No need to get off Karious. Veronica might see you. You don’t want me to get jea—” I was stunned. Sh*t, almost! “I mean, don’t wait for me. Just text me the restaurant’s address and we’ll meet there. Bye!”

I got out of the car and waved at him right away. I couldn’t see his expression because the car was tinted. It’s a relief because it’s useful for preventing us to be seen. We are still in front of the corporation, which has a large number of people.

I took a big breath and went straight inside, greeting everyone who had welcomed me.

“Ma’sister, good morning!”

I silently rolled my eyes when I entered my workplace, and that’s what welcomed me.

I gave her a fake smile. It’s morning and it’s her face I will see this early. She just ruined my day.

My office was glass, and the blinds were opened to make us visible from the outside. Because I like to observe my employees, I don’t lower the blinds whenever I’m alone. When I don’t see anyone else, I feel as If I’m suffocated.

“It’s too early for you to become a pest. Don’t you have a job?” I asked, smiling. “Of course, I remember, unless you marry my father’s business partner, you’ll have then a job in the company, so now you’re unemployed,” I said with a smile as I approached my table.

I locked my gaze on her because she appeared to be still teasing. “Please get out of my seat,” I commanded her.

“What if I don’t want to? What if I tell Daddy that I’m going to replace someone better in your position? Looks like you need some demotion.”

I dropped the bag on the table as my eyes widened. “You’re not allowed to do that.”

She stood up after saying, “Sure, I can’t, but I will.” “So watch out. One wrong move and you’re out. Anyway, goodbye my sista’! I still need to talk to the wedding coordinator. You know, good girls thing?” she said, irritating me. She believed I was envious of her engagement to that elderly man? Dream on!

She came up behind me and whispered. People outside will think that she just kissed me where in fact she said, “Learn how to be a good girl.” She also tapped me on the shoulder.

There was nothing I could do but follow her with a frown. If I’m not professional, I would have loved to bang her face on my desk, and hell if my officemate saw it.

‘Patience. I need a lot of patience. I should not beat non-breeding females. No need to stoop down at their level.’

I spray everywhere she goes and touches. For safety purposes. I’m afraid I might catch that woman’s rabies!

My blood boils for that woman. It’s not just because she was Karious’ ex-wife. I had a bad feeling when I first saw her in Dad’s office. I feel like she doesn’t really belong here and she has bad intentions. Even if I say she’s my sister or twin, why don’t I feel any connection?

I’m not a very vile person. I am quickly enraged, yet I do not hold grudges. It was easy for me to forgive and forget. I’m not the type of girl that makes a huge deal out of everything.

But with that woman, I had a different impression. She was like a ticking time bomb. It has already been decided when she will detonate, and I am certain that I am one of the individuals she intends to destroy.

After that morning’s scene, my day did not go well. I’m not sure what Veronica’s purpose is or why she constantly puts my patience to the test, but I’m not pleased with what she’s doing.

I really hope that we can put Veronica’s craziness to an end.