VALERIE’S POV“That’s it? If that’s the issue then you don’t have to worry at all!” His voice sounded seriously as he turned me to face him.“I got you! You and our kids! You don’t need to worry about their birthday this time, you’ve been doing it alone for 4 years. Let me handle it this time, let us handle it together this time. Me and you, us…”Us…The small smile that appeared on my lips at those words couldn’t be helped at all. It was almost on instinct, automatic even. “Now, here’s what I think about the Christmas celebration… I wrote it all down, look!”“On this part we would have the Christmas celebration and, on this part, will be the birthday itself”“Only family are invited, right?” I added, joining in on his plans as we checked out everything.“Yup! Only family is invited.” He concurred seriously, “We’ve been through a lot of surprises this year, but the kids still need to see the family all together and complete. Mine and yours, and I will handle it all, don’t worry. Now o
VAELRIE’S POV“How you doing over there, Mr. Rodriguiez?” I teased, an endearing smile on my face as I wiggled an eyebrow at him, “Loving the floor? Bet it feels even more comfortable than this soft, warm, and extremely inviting bed of mine! Ah!”He simply scowled at my remarks, begrudgingly turning himself over to another angle so I wouldn’t see his face any longer. A mocking laugh bubbled in chest at his behavior, my lips stretching to an even brighter smile as I struggled to remain silent in other not to look too mean.“Oh? Going to bed now?” I added still, smiling as a string of mumblings were all that came as a response from him. No doubt he was cursing at the extremely poor attempt of his to turn over so he wouldn’t face me anymore.I could imagine the pains already; with the way he was trying to not lean on his back. “Oh well! I guess it is way past bedtime anyways. So… goodnight!” I called out, sighing loudly so he could hear me before I relaxed back on the soft sheets underne
HEY VALERIE’S POV“Mason!”“They are still sleeping” I provided for her, helping her down the bed as I did. And the moment her feet touched the floors; she bolted off to their beds.First, to Mason of course. “Mason,”“MASON!!!” She yelled out, shaking his form a bit violently on his bed and instantly, his eyes popped open. Confusion, terror and most of all, annoyance on his features as he pushed Miley off. Good thing the bed was wide enough, so she only got pushed to a side on the bed.Her excitement unmatched as she screamed in his face, “It’s my birthday! Today is my birthday, Masse!”“It’s my birthday! It’s my birthday!!”“Hurray!!” she squealed, jumping down from his bed after successfully passing across her words to his sleepy self. He didn’t appreciate her eagerness of course, but a smile soon found its way to his lips as he watched her.It was after all his birthday as well.“Where is- Miles!” Miley shrilled, gasping with pure horror as her eyes flew to the still sleeping pers
VALERIE’S POV“Nice!”“This is nice, very good Rosey!” I praised wholeheartedly, sighing in pleasure as i doubled down on the absolutely mouth watery seasoned turkey that she prepared. You remember Rosey, right? Aby’s personal Nanny back then when they stayed at Hudson’s house.Well, when Hudson decided he was no longer going to remain there, I brought Rosey along. Because really, it wasn’t easy having a staff that genuinely display care towards you or your child. Whenever I come across such a staff, I make sure not to let them go because they are the true gems.So, that was how she ended up living with us, assisting Nanny Beth. That way, Nanny Beth wouldn’t have to do so much with the kids, like she wants. Because that old lady always keeps forgetting she was no longer young and needed rest sometimes.“I’m glad you like it, Ma’am!” Rosey beamed with happiness, “I will make more of it, and have it out even before Ma’am Miley gets downstairs!”“Miley. Miley, Rosey. Not Ma’am Miley.” I
VALERIE’S POV“Good evening, everyone! Thank you so much for coming, despite the messy weather and cold evening. Thank you so much!” I started, smiling as I scanned every single person’s face in the living room.Everyone looked actively warm and relaxed, no toxicity sensed at any point, which was good. Let’s just hope this lasts until the evening is over. My eyes met Amelia’s briefly as I continued speaking, but I moved on. Until finally, Liam- our speaker for the evening took over, and the party began. Several strings of laughter filling air in no time, Liam was good at this so it wasn’t even hard work for him.And then, finally, the main focus of our gathering was invited in. All eyes moving to the spiral stairs that ran down from the rooms upstairs, and when Aby showed up at the top of the stairs. Her white knee length pearl stoned dress shining with the lights as she slowly descended. Smiling sweetly as she did, just as I taught her so she wouldn’t get tensed and trip in front of
VALERIE’S POVMoving on! It was now time for the Hernandez’s to present their gifts, and honestly, I was surprised to see them do it.Not to be a buzz kill, but i half expected my uncle and aunties to have left the event already after staying for a couple of minutes. But they surprised me instead, staying until the very end, and even getting extreme gifts for the kids. I had to say, aunt Barbara did surprise me the most. “I don’t like you, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like them. They’re cute, unlike you!” were her words to me after presenting an entire collection of expensive brand shoes for the kids. Not one color I knew was missing!It was… a lot. A whole lot!She wasn’t all bad after all.I was still busy smiling at her retreating presence when the kids blasted with excited screams all over the place after retrieving keys from encased gift boxes.Keys.Keys! Fucking keys, I repeat!And to what? That question of mine was quickly answered as a drop down behind the supposed stage w
VALERIE'S POV“Did you put this here, daddy?” Aby voiced the question in my mind. Her eyes filled with amazement as she joined the kids in yet another run towards a Santa Claus structure that was made of literally glass! Just like all the others we’ve seen so far.“THERE’S A HUGE CANDY CANE OVER HERE!!” I heard Miley’s voice yell out with enthusiasm; her joy clear as day. Causing Hudson to chuckle loudly as he stood watching as they moved to the remaining structure which was a Christmas tree that had extra gift packages underneath it.“The packages have names written on them!” A maid announced as they circled the tree. And gradually, squeals of happiness filled the air. Each person obviously happy with what they got.“I got a puppy!!” Miley shrilled loudly, her voice echoing everywhere and twice as loud as every other person present that had screamed. “A puppy! A really furry puppy, mommy!!”I simply chuckled at her reaction, my eyes soaking a bit with joyful tears as I watched her ra
CHARLOTTE’S POV“Fucking bitch! Hit her!”“Arghh” I groaned weakly, squeezing my eyes shut as yet another round of pain radiated throughout my back.“I said hit her, asswipe! Hit the damned blonde bitch!” the stupidly thick voice that I knew belonged to Beatrice continued to yell in the air. Cussing out and increasing the fervor of the very women whose boots repeated assaulted me. Smashing my face, my hips, my sides… even my back as I remained curled on the floor in my very poor attempt at protecting myself. “Please… Please stop!” I pleaded, begging now that I’ve realized that I stood no chance against their force.I mean, it wasn’t even possible to begin with! How many were they again? 5? 6? Against one of me?! Fighting back was impossible!“Yes, that’s it! Curve her ugly face out!” Beatrice yelled some more, her voice ecstatic as I groaned in pains. Hoping for some relief that I knew won’t be coming. At least not anytime soon.You see, around here… no one really does anything. No on
HUDSON’S POV“Do you understand now?”“First, the man you wanted left you, Amelia left you, Ethan also did, and now… your own father has abandoned you.” her voice sounded softly, almost considerate but the underlying cruelty was hard to miss. A total contrast to the nonchalant expression on her face, like even speaking to the woman on phone was not worth wasting her energy.It was enchanting, to say the very least.“No one wants you; no one wants to be with you.” She whispered slowly, “You will die alone, Charlotte. A long, lonely death. Remember that,”And just like that, the call ended. The phone sliding from her ears, every movement smooth like she had finished the deal right then and there, which she had though. The bait had been set.The bait we both agreed upon after Ethan showed up at our doorstep, with information about Charlotte. A very daring attitude from a person with his record of betrayal. Ever since he attempted to kidnap Valerie back then, he had gone off record. Which
CHARLOTTE'S POV“Oh yeah?” she sneered, sounding totally unbothered as I continued to brew with anger. “What will you do to Drake then? You see he made a deal with me; to hand over all his dealings with my family, testify against you in court, revealing all the many corpses that was buried underneath the garden in his house for you.”What?“What are you talking about you bitch, I killed no one!” I responded, my breathing shaky as memories of how so many dead bodies were used as fertilizer for the rose garden back home. Dead bodies that were as a result of several tortures and beatings given to men doing business with the heartless man that was my father!It was all him!How come this bitch was saying something else here? How did she even know about the bodies?!“Those corpses are as a result of the many murders that you have done over the years, Charlotte!”“That’s not true!” I argued angrily, losing my cool.“But Drake said it is, and he is testifying against you in court!” she insis
CHARLOTTE’S POV“What the hell are they doing?”“Why are they even together at the hospital? Just what the fuck is this?!” my voice resounded everywhere, bouncing off the walls in the apartment I currently occupied with Raymond.But could you blame me? I was pissed off!Pissed off by the stupid ass video that was been displayed on the tv screen! A video of what supposedly had happened between my man and that bitch Valerie today! Or was this some sort of trick? That bitch Valerie was pulling a stunt again?But even if she did, how did Hudson come onboard with this?! To do this with her! Act like they were all perfect and okay, when I knew they were not! They most definitely were not! They shouldn’t even be!Valerie’s schemes have been exposed! Hudson knows all about this now, I was sure of it! I watched him drive off angrily that night, away from their new place. He didn’t go home that day I sent those cameras, they had a fight. I was sure of it!So why instead of packing his things an
HUDSON’S POVSilence settled between Val and I as we walked all the way to the ward. Our fingers still interlocked, until finally we reached the very door that held Miley’s excited laughs behind it. And then I stopped, facing Valerie right then.“What money?” I asked, but she simply blinked. Probably not expecting my question, but I heard the conversations between her and her aunties anyways. Or at least part of it, since they were already speaking before I arrived there. So…“The money your aunt was referring to” I explained, my voice calm as I waited. “She said something about a stolen money that was in Mason’s name, and you were going to be arrested for it if they called the cops. What was that all about?”“Oh,” was all she said, a deep sigh following right after. “It’s… it’s a bit personal,”Huh?“Personal?” I repeated, not believing she was about to do what I thought she would do. “How personal is this that I can’t even know about it? Mason is involved here, that’s my son, Valeri
HUDSON’S POVComing back home was nothing short of what I had expected. My kids gathered were together, happily playing games, absolutely oblivious of the current happenings surrounding me and their mom. As far as they were concerned; daddy had to take a little trip to check out a building site.A strategy Nanny Beth took to save them from the hassle of wondering why I wasn’t home for 2 days. But aside my kids, everything else seemed fine. The maids, Nanny (Whether or not she knew, she didn’t behave like it at all. But assuming she didn’t know anything will be highly stupid on my part cause Valerie tells her almost everything despite their huge age difference!) but above all, there was no Valerie.I wouldn’t lie to you, a part of me immediately thought of going back to the house outside the city, to check if she had still gone back there. But I just held back. Forcing myself to focus on taking a nice shower, eat a really satisfying meal and then catch up with my kids.The last time I
VALERIE’S POV“I-I’m truly sorry,”“I am- am so sorry for lying about that day,” I apologized, my voice breaking as I tried to keep my tears at bay. “I shouldn’t have lied! I should’ve… I didn’t know you and the kids were at the office, I didn’t know you guys wanted to surprise me so we could have lunch together. It’s all my fault! I’m sorry…”“Of course you are. You are sorry now, Valerie.” His voice sounded in the air, bitter but yet so calm. Unlike his explosive self that I had seen that day in the secret room. “But you weren’t sorry when you just lied to both me and the kids that day, running off to go clear evidences of your actions for fear that someone would get to it first before you do. Maybe someone already got to them-Charlotte had! She did send a few cameras after all; I’m guessing that is what got you agitated and also what had been bothering you days before the kids and I even went to your office!”“No! That’s not it at all,” I rushed to explain, “I wasn’t bothered about
CHARLOTTE’S POV“What? What did you say?”“They are still under the same roof? My Huddie is still living in that house? With her? with bitch Valerie?!"He simply nodded in confirmation, amplifying the horror I just heard. “How?!” I blasted, loosing my shit right then and there. “How is any of that even possible?! He should’ve left her by now! They should be fighting and him not forgiving what she has done! How can they still be together? That’s impossible!”“It is possible!” Raymond insisted, his tone similar to mine. “I saw him myself! I saw Hudson drive into that mini city of his- the Sky Walls! I saw him, and even waited for over an hour to see if he would come back out, but he didn’t! The man simply went home to his woman and kids, get over him kiddo. We need to leave the country before things get out of hand!”“No,” I responded, not wanting to believe a word he said.“Kiddo, You-“No! I said no!” I boomed, smashing the glass of water I was supposed to take my meds with. “I’m not
VALERIE’S POV“He just suffered from a mini panic attack, ma’am”“Given his age, attacks like this could often lead to stroke, full blown heart attacks, or even death on the spot!” The doctors voice resounded in my ears, sending yet another terrible ache throughout my temples. It has been this way since we took Papa to the hospital. And by we, I meant myself and Babara.Patricia came along too but quickly left after hearing he was still breathing and alive. Davis didn’t even come at all. Displaying their exact feelings towards their own father. Making me wonder even more that; what would have happened if I had already driven out of the estate before he collapsed today? What would have become of my Papa? Would he have- would he have really died? Just like that? Because his own children were too busy fussing over him instead of hurrying to get him to the hospital immediately?!“We have managed to stabilize his blood pressure for a bit, but I would advise no more shocking news to be brou
HUDSON’S POV“Daddy is making dinner, yay!” Miley's excited voice filled the air.“Yup!” I concurred, enthusiastic as I turned around to face the kids- my guests. “Good evening, pretty princesses and handsome princes! You can call me chef of sweet meals, and I will be preparing dinner!”“Yay!” Aby clapped happily as I introduced myself, smiling as she looked into the camera.“Since when did daddy become a chef? Do they learn that in business school too?” Mason asked curiously, looking around for answers. So typical of Mason, linking stuff around and asking questions as soon as they popped in his head.“No sweetie, no one learns cooking at business school.” Her sweet voice sounded in the air, answering Mason’s question. And in no time her face came into view, her smile flawless as she angled the camera to capture herself as well. “Daddy knows nothing about cooking, which is why I am here recording this moment! First time ever for the popular Hudson Rodriguiez to be in the kitchen! We ha