Charlotte's POV "Hey! What's nonsense are you on about?" Maria snapped at Kate before I could even fully process anything. "How can another kid look like Madame's husband? What are you insinuating?!" She demanded, her voice rising."Bu-but it's true!" Kate stuttered, her eyes darting to mine in panic. "Please believe me Madame, I saw him with my own eyes!"Maria scoffed loudly, her eyes blazing with malice as she glared down at Kate from the stairs."I knew you were trouble, but I didn't realize how dumb you are! Do you even understand the implications of your words? You're accusing Sir Hudson, the very man that pays your bills and our Madame's husband of cheating on his wife!" She bellowed, hoping the words registered on a panic strikened Kate.What? Cheating?That... is that... he was cheating?That's impossible!Kate's face paled instantly, her skin loosing its usual redness as she dropped to her knees, shaking and begging, "I-I... Madame! P-please believe me, I won't lie to you, e
VALERIE'S POV "So we've decided to use this shade for the bedrooms with the slightly wider structural pattern. The lightnings will all have this DH mark attached to them," I paused, tapping on my touch screen laptop to zoom the image i was referring to. Once it got to the size I wanted, a smile graced my lips and I continued, sparing him a glance every few seconds to be sure he was following. "Right, so this is our logo and it has been imbedded into every furniture that we will use here. So just in case you notice them, you don't need to raise an alarm or anything of that sort, because I just explained it to you. And also, we will need you to appro- "Are you even listening to me?" I asked with a frown, snapping my fingers in his face. He had been quiet all these while, at first I thought he was paying rapt attention but I just noticed that instead of staring at the laptop screen on top of our table, to see what i was explaining, his eyes were rather fixed on me. It was like
VALERIE'S POV "I am so late! Argh!" I grumbled as I quickly drove into the huge school yard. "I can't even believe they would allow those people host such a party right in the middle of the streets! On a busy afternoon at that!"I mean, people had places to be, how could they block the roads simply because of a live band. It was because of them I was arriving so late, it was 4 PM!And I honestly thought I would be here on time today, because the restaurant was a 20 minutes drive closer to the school than from my office. But instead I came almost 2 hours late!You can imagine the difference. The kids were probably dismissed for the day by now, I hope they haven't gone home with their driver though. I was already here, if I didn't get to join the parent-teacher function, I should at least get to take my kids home. They would love that. Maybe we could finally go for that shopping today, we have been prosponing since forever.I quickly parked in an allotted park lot and took my handbag
Charlotte's POV "This development is sure to encourage our children to find topics relating to their growth interesting, which will in turn bring out those in-built abilities they have in a more relaxed setting despite their young age. It will -"$50 billion!" My voice rang out, saturating the room and pressing the necks of those pompous women i met earlier. "Erm, ma'am." The teacher that was just talking called out to me, her tone skeptical.But it was to be expected, she was addressing everyone, explaining what development our children will enjoy as a result of the new music and arts building that will be set up.This function was obviously headed for fund raising but they are trying to sugarcoat the parents into believing it was for the children. Children that were barely 6 to 7 year old, what do they know about music, dancing or arts?!Fucking hypocrites!"Ma'am I haven't finished explaining... Yet..." The teacher said, sharing the similar surprise look that I knew for sure was o
Charlotte's POV "Well, well, well, if it isn't the heirloom snatcher!" I sneered loudly, causing her to pause in her tracks. She recognized my voice then, good!I thought I already had enough reason to celebrate today, unknown to me the heavens were hell bent on showering me so much love today. Meeting a defeated enemy was just the right amount of good news to add to my day. The perfect icing on the cake!'oh, Valerie, I haven't forgotten the stunt you pulled at that event. Not one bit of it!' I sang to myself, while scanning around for any department store with drinks. Maybe I would get my revenge today too.Disappointed I didn't see any, I turned my neck back in her direction, smirking as i saw her still rooted to the spot I left her in, less than 5 steps away from me. I waited for her to turn back seeing as she clearly heard me but then the opposite happened. Without so much as a glance at me, she started walking away!Totally ignoring me!"The nerves of this bitch!" I fumed and
Charlotte's POV She was clearly insulting me. She just indirectly told me to leave heels to people like her! People like that actually wore it everyday to do something useful!She worked at a huge furnishings and decorating firm, so her choice of dressing always comprised of heels. Expensive looking heels at that!Wait, What am I even saying?She was the CEO of that firm! A fucking CEO!I already checked her out on the Internet after that night at the event. After the stunt she pulled that day, drowning me in wine and embarrassing me, the parking lot drama and above all, taking the heirloom that rightfully belonged to me! Not to mention all the other stuff she nodded higher than me just to embarrass me. I would be a fool not to try and find out stuffs about her.She really was born into money. This little bitch that literally crawled on the floors of the Rodriguez mansion, begging to be part of the family, begging for my Hudson to be with her and throw me out, was actually from one o
VALERIE'S POV You know how people say their day just went from 100 to 0 in a minute? After encountering a particular situation? That was exactly how I felt right now, staring at the evil glint swimming in the eyes of this vile creature called Charlotte. A blonde deceiving fake ass! A snake, and two faced witch that paraded herself as a saint in front of the Rodriguez family. Specifically in front of Hudson, and his immediate family members (mom,dad, junior sister), oh & let's not forget, Aunt Claire too. She truly was something else, and honestly, I've always known. I've always known! That's why I was unable to get along with her back then, not even for a day. I mean, aside from the fact she regularly overturned even the most unlikely situations to be in her favor, what woman for heavens sake would want to befriends their husband's mistress! Right in her own house! Friendship with Charlotte was simply absurd and I could never reduce myself to that. But I was patient r
VALERIE'S POV "Miles, stop running your toy car on the stairs railings!" Nanny Beth called out for at least the third time just this evening. A chuckle left my lips at the distress in her voice, I could hear her footsteps pounding on the stairs as she hurried up seemingly at a giggling Miles who ran off, his light footsteps filling the air as he dashed past my room door for safety.My door stood ajar so I could see everything from the spot where I was relaxing on my bed. "Where is he? That little...tiny... tsk, I knew those toys were trouble the minute I saw them!" Nanny Beth grumbled under her breath as she walked past my door as well, directly headed for the double door of the kids a few steps away.I made sure to keep quiet while she passed otherwise her fury would be turned in my direction. I was the one that approved and paid for those toys after all. And I'm telling you now, they were a lot. Like, a LOT.After the... Well you know,... 'My dramatic display' at the mall in front
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
CHAPTER 266VALERIE’S POVLeaving Papa’s house didn’t exactly feel like all the usual times. All the usual times where I had come to just talk with him, or go strolling or even delivered good news! Or even dropping off the kids with him. All of that ended on good notes, happy notes… except today.The moment I left, sitting at the backseat as the driver drove out of the yard and back to the familiar estate that housed my place, I finally felt what was like to leave home. To leave that bubble created by a parent or guardian. Which was funny cause this was not the first time I left him.I had long been leaving home, especially that year when I married Hudson. So just imagine how long that is, plus all the time I had spent out of the country with three kids! for five years of my life.So you see, having this sudden feeling that I had finally moved out felt be confused. But at the same time tensed. Especially anytime my words to papa concerning my situation with Hudson replayed in my head.
VALERIE'S POV“You really have not thought of ending things, have you?” Papa’s voice filtered into my ears; his concern crystal clear. Even before I looked up to his face, his worried eyes earnestly hoping I wouldn’t utter the wrong words. The words even I, myself couldn’t believe I was about saying. But still, “I want to stay with him” I said finally, my voice soft as I took in Papa’s downcast look.“Pumpkin, no. No!” He disagreed weakly, his shoulders sagging as he retreated in his seat. His worried reaction broke my heart, I could tell just how concerned he was for me. “Papa,”“No. Don’t do it,” he insisted softly, blinking back a bit of tears that now swarm in his eyes. Breaking my heart further as I watched him. “You’re going to get hurt. You’re going to get hurt, Valerie. He is going to leave you again; he won’t take it from you. He won’t!”“Papa… I know, I know I sound crazy right now but… I still want to try.” I pleaded softly, “I-I don’t to end things. I don’t want to.” His ey
VALERIE’S POV“Hmm, so that’s what happened!”“Things really got out of hand like that and yet, you didn’t mention a thing to me!” He scolded, frowning as he faced me. “I didn’t even know anything and I just let you be. What if something had gone wrong? Or that wicked woman had gotten something on you and turned the tables even before you realized?”A deep sigh left my lips at his words, my shoulders sagging. “What if she had managed to turn everything on you and that man of yours believes her again like before?! You were too reckless, Pumpkin! Too reckless!”“That wouldn’t have happened, Papa! C’mon, I’m not that stupid!” I complained, sighing as i tried to remain calm as possible rather than get flustered by all his accusatory questions. But the truth was that, the disapproving look painted on his features right now was not helping. “Pa, I had everything under control and-“It was all part of your plan?” He offered, his tone mocking as he cut me off. “It was all part of the plan an
HUDSON'S POV“I can’t believe this!” Aby praised, smiling brightly too.“Better start to! Cause it’s all ours now! It’s our new home!” Mason squealed, jumping around with Miley as they screamed in delight.Wow, Mason was squealing with Miley! Now, that was new.Hahaha! He always complains of how noisy Miley was and yet today, here he was doing the exact same thing he normally complains about! And with her of all people! Hahaha!“You like it?” I called out, smiling and they eagerly nodded.“Yes! I can’t wait to tell Papa all about this!” Mason responded eagerly, mirroring his sibling’s reaction.“Really?! Then I can’t wait until you see your rooms!” I said, and immediately dramatic gasps filled the air. Excited squeals following after as I chuckled before leading the way. Taking the elevator instead of the stairs.“The 3rd floor?” Miles asked, watching as I pulled back from the button.“Yes my boy! Your rooms are on the third floor, Nanny Beth and the maids are on the second, while mom
HUDSON’S POV“Woah”“Look at all these buildings…” Miles mumbled softly; his green eyes wide with wonder as he stretched to look around despite been locked in place by the seatbelt in the backseat. “They are so tall! So tall… are they connected to the sky?”At his words, the others joined in stretching just a bit. Shuffling in their positions as they looked around, “Daddy, look! That one looks like a star!”A chuckle left my lips at the comment, a proud unwavering smile lingering on my features as I took in the sheer serenity and excellence of the environment, while my gaze flickered ever so often to the rear-view mirror so I could get a clear picture of the wonder in their eyes. Every one of them had their eyes wide as they stared out the car windows, curiosity swimming in their depths.Now I know how big of a mistake I have been making all this time that I haven’t taken them to my office or even to any one of our sites. I should’ve done so at least once! That way I would have seen j
HUDSON’S POV“Wow!”“Wowww!“WOWWWWW!” the kids gushed dramatically, their voices echoing all over the place as big smiles graced their faces. Causing everyone present to chuckle in delight and Aby to smile shyly as she concluded her final walk therapy for the day. Her every step slower than her usual steps but it was still a progress compared to not moving at all!And the kids were most supportive, simply ecstatic just watching her!“Amazing! You can walk now, Aby! You can walk now!” Miley gushed cheerfully, her happiness clear and very much contagious. Just as she had been ever since hearing Aby speak last night. A very eventul night might I add, we barely had any sleep at all! As the kids wouldn’t stop asking series of questions over and over and over again.They were surprised, that much was obvious. But above all, it was the sheer happiness they displayed that really got me. Their innocence and just pureness of heart… it was truly amazing. Just as I had thought, and even better!
HUDSON’S POV “I will- I will take care of you. I will take care of you Aby, you can stay with me! You can live with me, even if your mommy doesn’t want you!” her voice sounded softly. But yet, with just the right amount of sincerity, that had my head swiping up at her with wide eyes. Because I knew. I knew the very implications of her words.I understood them all!Even she did, but yet… here she was. Her eyes teary as she knelt to Abrille’s height, a child that wasn’t even hers or had anything to do with her in any way! She was here, holding her hands, holding the world for her as she uttered words that no woman I knew would ever say.Not after understanding everything that she had experienced ever since our paths crossed.“I want you, okay? I want you, Abrille Rodriguiez.” She continued softly, “Even your daddy wants you too! Miley wants you, so do Miles and Mason! And grandpa! We all want you, Aby. We love you, and we want you. We are right here and you can also come to my room too
HUDSON’S POV“Val? “Valerie!” I called out, my heart throbbing in my chest as my mind went on an overdrive. It was the same thing. The exact same thing that happened that day! That day when the accident occurred and I was too late to stop it!It was happening again; Val’s call, talked about Aby and then-“Oh God!” I breathed, my legs moving on their own accord and before I knew it, I was storming out of my office and down the hallway! Heading for the elevator!If only this thing could move faster!“Argh! Move dammit!” I cussed harshly, pressing on the down button more than necessary. Just so I could get down faster. To which I eventually did, just after wasting nearly 2 minutes of precious time!The drive, like that day was swift. Like really swift and probably dangerous as well for anyone that was on the road but, I had to do it. It was the only way to get home faster and I so wanted to do just that. I didn’t want a repeat of the last incident when I was several hour