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 was relaxing to hear and I hoped he stayed true to his words until the end. In no time, he disconnected from the call, leaving Rob and I. And looking at his relaxed form, all cladded in casuals as it way past work hours. I couldn’t help but remember how he comforted me that night at his place. How he refused to let me know about it the next morning, probably because he didn’t want me to worry over it.He was so good to me… so good that I wished I had more of him in my family than those ruthless people I called family members. How good that would have been… “How are you? Have you had dinner?” he asked, staring at me like he didn’t deliver me a truck load of food earlier today when I didn’t even ask for it.I was about to give him a sassy comment, when I noticed something on one of the screens and almost immediately, my phone vibrated with a call I couldn’t take. “Everything okay?” Rob asked, reminding me we were still on call. But I just waved him off and ended the cal
VALERIE’S POV“Please…”“I’m begging you, don’t push me down again. I will leave! I won’t come back here again,”“I promise you; I won’t come back here…just don’t hurt me anymore, please”“No,” “No! Don’t push me down again,” “Please don’t!”“Don’t!!”“Val! Calm down,” “It’s me. It’s Rob… you’re okay now”“Val?”“Valerie!!”And just like that, my eyes snapped open. A loud gasp emitting from my lips as I roughly hit down a glass of water from the table, I had apparently fell asleep on. Frantic, I looked around the environment and sure enough everything pointed to one thing; that I was currently in the underground in the house outside the city and breath of relief left my nostrils.Although, my heart was still pounding loudly in my chest, my forehead wet from sleep sweat. Other than that, everything was the same.“Ugh, goodness me…” I grumbled as everything came flooding back in my mind.I had apparently taken a time off from the world to meditate here in my game room. it was a ploy
HUDSON’S POV“What? The cops are here? What for?!”“Sir, they found Madame’s car at a hit and run scene last night” Paul explained, his words confusing me further. “What the hell are you talking about? How can Charlotte be involved in a hit and run incident?!” I asked, with furrowed eyebrows as the words refused to settle in my brain.What the hell was this new problem now?! I already had too much to worry about, I don’t need her adding to it. I haven’t even been able to come to a conclusion on how to handle her recent behaviors and now she went right ahead to get involved in a hit and run?! Just what is going on with that woman?!“The issue is all over the news, Sir” Paul added, turning on the TV and there it was on the screen with the craziest headline. ‘Popular Real Estate guru Hudson Rodriguiez’s supposed wife was rumored to have been involved in a hit and run scene that looked like it came straight out of a movie!’“What th-“It’s not looking good Sir, but our team are on it to b
CHARLOTTE'S POVEven Raymond had been unable to give me any information, saying he was still working on it! “So much for trusting him to help me out” I grumbled darkly as I rigorously washed my hands in the bathroom sink. I have actually been here for quite some time. It was high time I go back into the bedroom. Maybe even have a third round with Ethan so I could kill this anxiety brewing inside of me.We had met up earlier today as I needed a real good fuck to clear my head. Otherwise, I might just end up going crazy inside that mansion! Hudson didn’t even take his mom’s calls so I had no way of pacifying my annoyance. My only option being Ethan’s dick.Of course, I would love for him to be Hudson right now but I had to make do with what I had presently. The next time I would meet Hudson, heaven knows I will have him tied up so I can have my way with him!“Let’s see how he would avoid me then!” I said out loud and finally turned off the sink so I could dry my hands. I was just about
CHARLOTTE’S POV“Kiddo, hold on!”“I will look into it okay? No need to disturb the boss”“But I saw it with my own eyes, Raymond! There was eyeshadow stain on his suit!” I insisted, my voice rising from both anger and frustration as I tried to move past him so I could go into the living room. “That eyeshadow didn’t get there on its own, some woman was busy rubbing herself on him! He is seeing another woman under my nose! We need to find her!”“Kiddo! Wait!” he yelled, hurriedly running after me after I had pushed my way through. “Yes, we need to find her and we will! But the boss is meeting with an important guest right now, you can’t go there”“What? Even you too?!” I shot at him, my fury rising at his words as I paused to glare at his aged face. “My father is meeting with important guest, and so what?! Am I not important? Is my matter not more important?! His soon to be son- in law is now seeing another woman, shouldn’t that be a problem for him?!” I yelled, my voice rising and ech
VALERIE’S POV“G-get lost?”“H-how can you be so mean to me?!” she shrilled; her brown eyes red rimmed from shedding so much tears and more still continued to drip. Her mascara was far gone as it had already formed a long streak down her both cheeks since I stepped into the office. I already knew she was crying.She had most definitely seen the makeup stain on his suit, just like I had planned and now nothing will hold back her doubts and fears. I knew she wouldn’t accept that Hudson was cheating on her so easily if she hadn’t seen it with her two eyes. He was after all loyal to her all these years, not once having a scandal or looking at other women. A man with such devotion, what woman would believe he was cheating without concrete proof? No one!And as such, I had to create one for her.I couldn’t show myself just yet so telling her about it was out of the question. Hence, my reason for intentionally applying a bit of my makeup on his suit earlier this morning before we came to his
CHARLOTTE'S POVAs if my day couldn’t get any worse, she just had to show up! To pop up out of nowhere just when I was losing my shit over finding out that Hudson cheated on me. “You’re here to mock me, aren’t you? To gloat in my face just like all those other bitches, aren’t you?! Beat the dog while its down, eh?” I sneered, my eyes glaring daggers as I equally approached her incoming form.“Charlotte, are you well?” she asked instead, her overall expression nonchalant like she couldn’t be bothered by my approaching form. “What are you talking about?”“Admit it!” I spat angrily, my temper rolling as I moved even closer to her. “You’re here to laugh at me. You think I’m pathetic? You think I’m stupid, right?! So stupid that I couldn’t see Hudson was cheating me!” I sneered in her face, each word leaving a bitter taste in my mouth as it further confirmed that this was truly happening and to me, of all people!But sadly, my inner turmoil only brought joy to the face to the brown-haired
CHARLOTTE’S POVLucia was right. Hudson could decide not to come home but that doesn’t mean I can’t go to him here at the company. He may ignore me but he would most definitely not cause a scene at the office where public eyes could see. Hence, making Lucia’s plan to go to his office very efficient.How didn’t I think of this before?“Excuse me Ma’am, but who are you?” the security just outside the elevator on Hudson’s office floor asked, blocking my path. “What?”“Without a pass you can’t get through Ma’am” he said, looking unapologetic as he literally stopped me in front of the few staffs present. What sort of embarrassment is this?! “What the hell are you doing?” I spat in disgust as my eyes ran down his form, “Don’t you know who I am? What kind of sick joke is this?!”“No offense Ma’am but noise is restricted on this floor” he retorted, sparking my irritation as he communicated to God knows who on that communicating device seated on his waist. Soon after more security came rushing
VALERIE’S POV“I’m so sorry… I’m so sorry!’ he cried out, his blue eyes glistening as tears rolled down each of them. “I didn’t know… I did not realize how bad my actions affected you. It was all my fault! I was stupid, young and very foolish, Valerie!”“I didn’t wan to lose to Grandpa because he had said I would end up loving you, so I was mean to you. I was cold and rude! I had thought that, if I was like that it would’ve made you give up and backed out of you and Grandpa’s deal! It was foolish! I am so ashamed of myself, Valerie. I am so ashamed” he explained, tears rolling down his cheeks as he held my hands, desperately trying to explain himself.And I didn’t know how to feel about that.When I started talking, I had no intention of evoking this reaction from him. I never even imagined he would behave like this! Crying, apologizing and begging for me not to leave him. They were all I ever wanted from him back then. Every day, I would stay up in my room and wished for him to do th