VALERIE'S POV "Err, good evening Ma'am""Good evening," I responded with a smile, hoping to calm her uneasiness at seeing a strange face at the door. "I came to drop off Aby, it's getting late and I thought I brought her home to avoid her mom, Charlotte, from getting worried." I started, still smiling and hoping I didn't sound too strange.I used Charlotte's name so she would at least know I wasn't just talking. "Oh, you're a friend of Madame's?" The maid asked curiously."Well, err...sort of. Our kids attend the same school and are in the same class, I live a few blocks down the street, Plus, Aby here, visits often. So yea, I guess we are friends" I explained, letting out breathy smile at the end.That seemed to do the trick because she smiled warmly immediately. "Please come in Madame, and thank you for bringing ma'am Aby home.""Would you like to see my room, auntie?" Aby asked with wide pleading eyes. Such a darling, just making my visit a whole lot more easier!I admit, I hadn't
VALERIE’S POV“Daddy, I’m sorry!” Aby sobbed, her tears falling almost immediately as the urine running down her legs. “Oh my,” I whispered softly and rushed to cover her up or at least clean her from the mess. Even though I was still in panic stage, my heart reached out to her. I wanted her to be okay and not feel guilty about anything because truthfully, I only used her feelings to get in here in the first place.“Its not her fault,” I started as Hudson rushed to her without a word, “Its mine. Sh- she wanted to show me where she hid her toys, and I-“Stop saying it” he cut me off, his expression stoic but quickly switching as his eyes turned to face Aby. “Are you okay, baby? Did I scare you?” he asked softly, wiping her eyes and hugging her tight when she did nothing but cry.“I’m so sorry, Aby. I really am” he turned to face me again after those words left my lips, his eyes accusing. “I just wanted to drop her home and-“I don’t want to hear anything more, just leave” he said curtl
HUDSON’S POVIt’s a wonder how fast the day ends. How fast the weekend seemed to come. It’s like one minute you wake up on a Monday morning, all ready to go to work and then the next thing you know, it’s a Friday already. Marking end of the week, at least for 9 to 5 like myself, even though I was the CEO.And you know the most dreadful thing about this weekend? It means it’s a Saturday tomorrow, and the very weekend Val had invited me to a tango performance. In as much as I didn’t want to and would have actually preferred to tell myself I had forgotten about it, I still very much remembered her bold, daring, reckless and yet! exciting invite right in front of my company building that evening.I couldn’t stop thinking about, and the address I received as a text from her only fueled my thoughts about it all. But while I was at it, I couldn’t help but wonder what exactly she was doing at the house that day. My house, Valerie was at my house for the very first time ever since she divorced
VALEIE’S POV"EUI, Emotional Urinary Incontinence. Abrille Rodriguiez, a five year old patient suffers from involuntary urination caused by emotional stress, anxiety and psychological distress. Shows signs of long term personality changes if improvement doesn't show up in three months";Those were the words that kept replaying in my head over and over again. I couldn’t get them out and I couldn’t shake off the dreading feeling that Abrille might actually have a mental disorder…like me. But she’s so small, her parents are okay and treats her well. What could have happened?Now the entire display that happened at the school previously, made sense. Everything made sense now, and I didn’t know how to deal with the guilt I was feeling. Unintentionally, I had put the child in harm’s way and for that, I was sorry about it.I guess I just had to make it up to her next time she visits and when Hudson gets to know about our kids. But as for now, I had a guest to entertain. Only through him will
VALERIE’S POVI missed feeling someone’s skin so close to mine, pressed up to my body and just giving me pleasure. I missed it, and having the same man that first made love to me, kiss me now, all over again… it brought memories. Memories of those nights we spent in endless passions when he would come to my room. Those nights I would spend crying out his name at how good he made me feel. I was pretty sure it was one of those nights that birthed our babies that he currently knew nothing about.And just as quickly as it started, it ended. Hudson pulled away from me, his eyes wide as he realized the position we were currently in. And in a flash, he sent me landing on the floor in an unceremonious manner.Shock, dishevelment and anger were what I felt as the next words left his lips. “You! - How dare you cross the line? What makes you think you have the right to test me?!” He bellowed, his words coming out in ragged breaths as he stared wide eyed at me like he didn’t just kiss me.“You’r
CHARLOTTE’S POV“Is it really that bad?” Lucia asked, “It can’t be that bad, maybe you’re reading too much into everything here.” I adjusted on the couch I was currently seated on so I could face her directly as she fetched freshly made juice for the both of us.“Really? Reading in too much? That’s not it at all! I’m sure of it!” I retorted, sighing deeply at the memory of how Hudson dismissed me without a fight last time. “I know so much has been going on recently between us, lots of arguments and all…but now, it’s different.“How different?” Lucia probed as she settled down on the couch after handing me my drink. “Normally, he would scold, ignore and pick a fight with me whenever there’s an issue with Abrille or I stayed out late or attended a party…but now, he doesn’t even bother to do any of that. Like… it doesn’t affect him anymore, as if he doesn’t find it worthy enough of his time. He doesn’t find me worthy enough… you understand?” I said, looking to Lucia with hopeful eyes.B
HUDSON’S POV“Huddie? Your phone…” I blinked as I noticed her pointing beside me, “Your phone has been vibrating,” she explained and I quickly got my shit together and took hold of the object from the glass frame housing my watch collection.Swiping the screen open I saw that I have had multiple calls and texts from one person-Grandpa. The last one read; “When are you free, young man?! You either come to me or I come to you!”Ugh, what was the need for such threats? It wasn’t like I had been free all these while and refused to go see him. I had been very busy lately… busy drowning myself in more workload than I could possibly take just to erase that memory. The memory of what I did that evening.I should have just waited in the audience like everyone else did. What was the need to ask around for her and ended up in that private backstage that then led to the temptation of kissing her?!Jesus! That was uncalled for! And most definitely not the plan I had in mind when I decided to go th
HUDSON’S POV“I love the spirit! You must feel confident in her services, don’t you Rodriguez?” I took a deep breath, nodding as I opened my mouth to speak for the first time since Val came to the table. "Yes, I feel very confident. She has been doing excellently so far and I have no doubt she would exceed my expectations by the time everything is finalized.” I said, my tone formal, not betraying the agitation i felt on the inside.My words earned corresponding grunts of praise from the men and that was when I noticed it. She finally looked at me. She finally saw me for the first time since spending almost 20 minutes at the drink stand and the thought alone had my heart racing all over again.And just like that, she looked away. "It was nice meeting you, gentlemen but you will have to excuse me" she said, smiling warmly at the table before leaving.I literally let out a breath of relief after she left, my heart rate slowly reducing to the normal as I took a glass to help calm my nerv
VALERIE'S POVIt’s been days.Daysss, since Rob died. I didn’t’ even know what day it was or what said the time. All I knew was hurt. Hurt and guilt, that seemed to have remained permanently in my heart. Never leaving, and never letting me forget.I couldn’t forget, no matter how much I wanted to. No matter how much I needed to! Nanny Beth said I should fight it, that I was getting depressed… Rob wouldn’t want that. But then, how could I even bear to imagine what he wanted and didn’t want when I was the one that caused him to die? I didn’t have that right, and I didn’t want it.Life was already difficult enough, everyday was a drag, everything was a struggle. Getting out of bed, eating, drinking even water… taking a shower seemed pointless these days. Everything felt pointless.I mean, what was the need anyways? Why did I need to? What was the point in having people around you? What was the point of caring and loving someone, when they could so easily be taken away all in a matter of
VALERIE’S POVIt’s been days.Daysss, since Rob died. I didn’t’ even know what day it was or what said the time. All I knew was hurt. Hurt and guilt, that seemed to have remained permanently in my heart. Never leaving, and never letting me forget.I couldn’t forget, no matter how much I wanted to. No matter how much I needed to! Nanny Beth said I should fight it, that I was getting depressed… Rob wouldn’t want that. But then, how could I even bear to imagine what he wanted and didn’t want when I was the one that caused him to die? I didn’t have that right, and I didn’t want it.Life was already difficult enough, everyday was a drag, everything was a struggle. Getting out of bed, eating, drinking even water… taking a shower seemed pointless these days. Everything felt pointless.I mean, what was the need anyways? Why did I need to? What was the point in having people around you? What was the point of caring and loving someone, when they could so easily be taken away all in a matter of s
VALERIE’S POV“Day 500, Valerie just got her very first partnership deal!”“Isn’t that great? And she was so nervous about it, not knowing she would do so amazingly well.” his words read, echoing in my ears like he was right beside me. “You need to believe in yourself more often, Val.”“Day 730, we celebrated the kids one year birthday today! Can you believe those cubby cute balls are already a year old? It’s so fast! Time really runs fast, wow” “Day 952,” I turned yet another page, my teary eyes capturing the words that were carefully written in his neat hand writing. “Valerie looked so beautiful today. So lovely, and warm. Like a ball of light that you just can’t help but stare at since she’s so shiny… You are shiny to me, Valerie.”I blinked at those words, a tear rolling down as I flipped yet to another page of this blue journal. His journal… a close personal belonging of his that I was sure only he knew about. Only he used.This was where he shared all his thoughts, those time
HUDSON’S POV“Boss,” the men around greeted as soon as they saw me, pushing open the thick barrel door for me to walk through as I managed a nod their way. The scent of fresh water hitting my nostrils the moment I stepped into the partially lit room, my heavy steps echoing in the space as slowly movements filled the air. Movements similar to the sound of my boots, combining with the loud trail of a chair been dragged on the cold floor. “Boss,” the hoarse voices of the men around greeted harmoniously, their tone rough and monotone, exactly how I have felt these past few days. Most especially after I started driving down here this evening.I could feel my anger curling around in my stomach as I stared right ahead in the mini darkness. My eyes gradually adjusting, in other to make out the form of the very person I wanted to see.“Wake her up!” I ordered darkly, taking my seat in the dead silence that was soon interrupted by the sound of a bucket of water splashing. A frightened gasp fo
HUDSON’S POV“I think you should return back home for now, Hudson”Huh?“Why?” I found myself asking, rising from my seat as the very form of Henry Hernandez slowly approached me in the living room of his mansion.“We just got here, it hasn’t been too long” He just sighed at my words, waving me to take a seat as he did as well.“It’s past 4pm already, you’ve been here for a while. And Valerie, she…ugh…” he sighed again, this time even deeply than before. “She looks terrible!” I could see he was worried as well, just as we all were for her. “She’s just sad,” I voiced calmly, sighing quietly as well. “Anyone in her situation would be too,”“Yeah, you’re right. Rob was… they were always together, much like Toberto is always around me too.” Henry said slowly, his tone soft as his deep meaning of his words settled between us. “ I couldn’t imagine Toberto dying on me to be honest. He is my longest staff, and does…everything! Much like how Rob was to my pumpkin, he was strong and resilient.
VALERIE’S POV“May he be welcomed into your arms oh lord,”“May he find peace,”“And love, that we send him off with,”“Robinson Clark, may you rest in peace! Amen.”And just like that, he was gone.Right before my eyes. Right before my very eyes he was lowered into the ground, his casket numbing my soul as I watched more and more soil get thrown on him. Continuously, unrelenting… as though to prove to me that this was all real. It was all real and true, that I wasn’t just having any terrible nightmare.But still, no matter how much I stared at the fully covered soil, the freshly dug grave… I just couldn’t. I couldn’t believe it.No matter how much the incidents from the nights before replayed in my head, the gunshots, my cries and screaming, Rob’s bloody body been wrapped up… no matter how vivid the memories… I still couldn’t believe it. Not a single thing!I mean, how could i? This was Rob we were talking about! How could he be… be… dead. How could he be dead?! Just like that! How?!
VALERIE'S POVMy voice sounded all over the place, the man I was referring to getting into action at once. “We already called for one, they are yet to get here”“Call for another one, call another one! Call every damn hospital, I don’t care! I WANT THEM HERE NOW! RIGHT NOW!” I yelled at him for that response, my eyes going crazy as I applied more pressure on the open wounds. My every move desperate, “Val…” he groaned out, wanting to talk to me but I didn’t stop.“We have to get him to the hospital,” I said instead, my voice messed up from my choked sobs. “We have to-“We can’t do that! He is losing too much blood and we won’t be able to contain it before getting to the hospital. He can’t be moved right now!” One of the men protested heavily, he was the one with the most blood on him. Meaning he had been helping out a lot, but still that wasn’t enough for me. it wasn’t even close to been enough!“Do you want him to bleed out here?” I asked darkly, “Is that what you want? For him to ble
VALERIE’S POV“VALERIE!”The screams filled the air, my mind going numb as sharp ringing resounded my ears. Ringing so loud that it sent multiple harsh waves of pains and anguish to my brain, tormenting my entire being as I held onto my baby for dear life. My Miley…The breath refused to come out, just staying there stuck in my lungs, as though punishing me. Wanting to squeeze the life out of me as my eyes slowly assessed myself. My baby.Her eyes were sealed shut, her small fingers tightly clutching to my shirt as I held her. My silent tears rolling down my cheeks uncontrollably, dropping on her as the most prominent thought came to me.The very thought I was trying not to think, but woefully failing to do so. I did hear those shots, and currently I felt no pain whatsoever. Meaning… meaning… my baby…The more I struggled not to think anything, the more the thought bombarded my mind. Striking me at my very core, as I felt myself slowly slip away. Drowning even as more tears rolled dow
VALERIE’S POV“You,”“What the hell are you doing here?!” Hudson snarled hatefully, abandoning the plates at the table immediately. In no time he had walked over to me, pulling me protectively towards the table, with the kids behind us. “How did you get in here? James!”“Yes me, it’s me Huddie. What, happy to see me?” she probed, giving off an eerie vibe as she smiled crazily at him. Moving to me as well, but I couldn’t even believe my eyes right now. This was a person that was should’ve been arrested when they caught Drake! What was she doing here? How did she even get into our estate?!My mind buzzed with several questions at once, and Hudson probably sensed it. His hands giving mine a gentle squeeze as he remained calm, glaring daggers at the woman in front of us.“I’m going to say this once; Leave.”“Oh? Leave, why?” Charlotte questioned, frowning now as she looked between the two of us. “Because of her? Because of this bitch, you’re asking me to leave?!”“Leave my yard, using the