VALERIE POV "C’mon guys, chop chop, let's go!" I called out for the third time since I came downstairs. These kids… I’m the lady in the house, with all the makeup and normal womanly delays I somehow still end up ready before those 3. “You guys! I’m going to be late for work, come downstairs, will you?” I said, flinging my arms up in disbelief. After few moments of no reply, I decided to take more action than just standing and yelling to myself, because it seems that was exactly what I was doing, talking to myself. I moved to the kitchen island and grabbed my keys, making sure to jingle the bunch in the process, “I am leaving your asses behind,” my voice rang out, higher than before now, using the keys to make a whole lot of noise like I was opening the front door. It seemed to work too because in seconds a pair of dirty blonde hair and green eyes showed up at the top of the stairs, Miles. His green orbs searched the living room frantically and when they finally met mine in the li
VALERIE'S POV“Why will he be present? It’s our inspection, what would he do there?” I bombarded Rob with questions. Just when I thought I wouldn’t have to see that dick head Hudson at least till another meeting or something.“Erm, its his building ma’am.” Rob reminded, “And so what?”“So… he could… possibly… want to show us around,” he said slowly, picking his words as he noticed me narrowing my eyes at him. “I mean, what’s the harm in that?” he said innocently.I scowled at him; my lips pressed in a tight line. “You’re really asking me that? Really?” But he just stared blankly at me and adjusted his glasses a bit. A habit he always did whenever he got uncomfortable. I sat upright on the couch and let my eyes bore into his for few minutes until he squirmed awkwardly, and started repeatedly clearing his throat, all to avoid my gaze. “Wah? what is that? What’s wrong with your throat?” I sneered. He blinked, “Ma’am? My throat? nothing at all ma’am!” And he went ahead to cough a bit “N
Valerie's POV The air seemed to shift as the door to the posh Bentley swung open. First, his squeaky-clean black dress shoe hit the ground with a thud, and all the workers stood still, every one of them pausing in their tracks as their eyes fixed on the luxurious car with a mixture of awe and reverence. I glanced around a bit and sure enough, even Rob had paused in his tracks, his usual composure momentarily replaced by a look of wonder. Heck, even the temperature felt different. There was this commanding chill in the air, one that seemed to make the temperature to rise in anticipation, and he hadn’t even stepped out yet! Then his imposing figure stepped out, clad in a perfectly tailored gray suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and chiseled features. I found myself unconsciously suck in a breath as my eyes ran through those sinful muscles that budged as he shut the door of the car. Then our eyes met, and without warning, a shiver ran down my spine from the sheer inte
Hudson's POV"Where is she?""Where is she?!" I thundered, my voice echoing through the white-painted halls of Jubilee high schools. I shouldn't be doing this, but I can barely think straight right now. "How can a 5-year-old little girl disappear under your watch?! Just how foolish are you?"I spat angrily at the class teacher, who was cowered in a corner, eyes wide, shaking with fear like a leaf. "I-I don't know, Mr. Rodriguez," she stammered.She looked just about ready to pass out. I can't believe this spineless thing was allowed to be the teacher in my daughter's class. "Mr. Rodriguez..."The proprietress of the school called out breathlessly as she literally ran towards me from the end of the hall. "Mr. Rodri—Sir--…". A bunch of other teachers were behind, all of whom looked equally panicked.They better be, because my child is missing! As soon as she came within range, she slowed down and tried to compose herself while still breathing heavily. "We're so sorry for...I cut her off
Hudson's POV The next few days were a blur of Charlotte trying to coax me into talking things through, but I remained resolute, spending more and more time at the office.To the outside I was mad at Charlotte but deep inside of me I knew what I was truly avoiding- that persistent thought that kept resurfacing again and again in my mind despite the workload. Who the hell would Valerie bring as a date? Some wealthy, older man, no doubt, who she could easily manipulate. Not my concern anyway, yet the thought lingered. There was still the issue with Charlotte that I had to deal with, and occasionally, I'd feel a glimmer of willingness to smoothen things over, but then the memory of Abrielle alone in the empty school yard would surface on my mind and reignite my anger all over again. Charlotte even went ahead to enlist my Mom's help, which is why I found myself standing in front of the house, taking a lecture on 'peaceful living' instead of actually getting into the car. I was already
Hudson's POVCan't they keep their eyes to themselves?! And why in heaven's sake was she dressed like that?! I was seething with frustration, could barely stay calm on my feet whereas, she was busy moving about without a care in the world. My mind raced with disbelief as she approached a small group of expensive dressed elderly women, the Capitalists! It was rumored that those women secretly ran the governments and she … she knew them? Her smile was radiant, sparkling with excitement as she hugged them affectionately. This was unbelievable. She moved on greeting more people, her every stride filled with grace and confidence, intensified by the mesmerizing glow that shun on her face from the lights hitting her jewelry. She was effortlessly commanding attention, and I couldn't help but follow her every move. Realizing I was staring, I quickly cleared my throat a bit and took a drink from a server passing by. Before I could take a sip, my eyes acted on its own and found her again, fo
Valerie's pov It took about an hour of convincing to stop my trio from coming with me to the event and an extra 30 to 40 minutes of assuring Miley I wasn't going to meet her daddy. The girl was a tough one, I wonder who she gets it from. But, I love her regardless. I of all people should know exactly how it feels to not have a father or someone to call that either, haven lost both parents to an accident all in one day at the tender age of 5. It opened me to harsh realities that I never even imagined possible. Growing up was almost traumatizing, painful even especially in a family like mine where no one gave a shit about you if they weren't gaining anything from you. But at least I had Nanny Beth, Liam and Grandpa. They were more than enough, something I should have realized earlier before stepping my foot in Hudson's family mansion. But my babies won't live like I did, they will have the love of both mom and dad, Nanny Beth and Grandpa of course. I won't deprive them of that b
Hudson's POVI turned around with furrowed eyebrows, and almost immediately my lips parted in absolute surprise, my eyes widening as my brain processed what was happening before my eyes.Charlotte, who I last saw shining and delicate looking in her fancy sky blue dress, was now bawling her eyes while half running towards our designated seat. Her sky-blue dress was now a dark shade of burgundy, purple and… cream? I couldn't even tell anymore, the colors were all mixed up in different shades all over her dress, even her hair!From the top of her head to her toes was dozed up with an unhealthy amount of wine.Even her makeup was running, mascara making long lines down her chin mixing with her tears as she increased her pace towards me. It was the spitting image of a crying child, only that Charlotte was not a damned child! My surprised expression slowly contorted to a deep frown and irritation as the people around burst out in a fit of giggles and outrage.By the time she got close to ou
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