VALERIE'S POV "How are you enjoying your roses pretty lady? They are beautiful, right?""I noticed you didn't trash them like the others. It seems you really like this one, maybe I should send some more everyday"Everyday?! My eyes bugged as that message popped up like the others."Everyday?! You ignorant big headed..." I cussed under my breath as I grabbed my phone to reply to that particular text.But then again I stopped at the last minute, remembering my initial resolve to not acknowledge him. "Let it be Valerie, he's just trying to get a rise out of you." I reminded myself as I set the phone down, preparing to focus back on the documents on my desk.But then another text came in and this time I could literally hear his cocky voice in my head as I read the message; "I know you're reading my texts Val. You're seeing them and intentionally ignoring me, I think it's high time we talk. Don't you agree?"I bit the inside of my cheek as the memory from earlier today flashed before my e
VALERIE'S POV "So what are you going to do about him?" Papa finally asked, staring at me intensely. I let out a deep sigh at how fast his jovial expression changed, "Pa..." We were just having a relaxed conversation about his new hobbies and plans for tomorrow, why did he have to ruin it?My nonchalance to avoid the topic in general was not missed by his piercing eyes, as he turned fully on his seat to face me. There was no escaping the interrogations now...I could tell this very question had been itching to come out of his lips ever since we left the project site for Sky Walls. He really was standing on his words from earlier, that Hudson was in love with me.Isn't that just ridiculous?I admit, the man had been acting strange for the past few months but acting strange doesn't equate to... to... been in love, and with me of all people!Where is the logic in that?What about Charlotte? I mean HIS Charlotte, What about his kid?! Their kid Valerie, their kid! They had a kid together,
HUDSON'S POV *Knock on the door* "Boss?"My eyes whipped to the door instantly as his head popped in, "James," I said breathlessly, sitting up on my leather seat. Understanding the situation, James walked right in, shutting the door of my office quietly.We were currently home after a long day of preparation to get Val to see me. She no longer visited the Red Bites Restaurant, at least she hadn't gone there for a week now. I had planned to ask her about that, the day we met to go over some final touches for the project but I totally forgot about it in the spur of the moment. Mind you it wasn't my fault at all, she just looked so good that day. So good, that I could hardly focus on the words that left her lips. All I could think about was having her sit on my lap, pressing those soft round molds that was protruding behind her black body con skirt on my thighs. I wanted to sneak my fingers through the slit in front of that damned tight skirt of hers, to feel the smoothness of her thig
HUDSON'S POV I was literally bubbling with excitement at the prospect that she would be doing the calling, unlike how i had been calling her all these while. But at the same time, I couldn't help but be filled with dread at what she had to say to me. Such an exciting moment was ruined by just one text.I wished I hadn't seen that text. "I think it's about time she called, it's 11:31 PM." James mumbled, but even his voice sounded faint, all my attention was fixed on the shiny object that could transmit a call.I had gotten a new phone, a separate phone, just for her. I had been dropping texts and calls repeatedly to her, I couldn't risk Charlotte seeing those texts. I know it sounds bad, I know it's wrong. It was almost like I was cheating on Charlotte but I wasn't entirely doing anything wrong. I just wanted to talk to Val, it was not like I was acting on any of the thoughts that were regularly clouding my senses concerning her.I still had control over the situation, I could pull ou
Charlotte's POV "Madame, the-the line is still faint..." Kate stuttered with my test strips in hand while she held my gaze through the mirror."What did you say?" I asked sharply, slamming my hair brush on the dressing table. I was so prepared to pounce on her at those but as I turned from the mirror, a sharp pain shot through my abdomen instantly. Turning me into a moaning mess in seconds and I struggled to catch my breath while clenching my white flare dress in pain."M-ma-madame!" Kate cried out, and rushed to help me but I quickly pushed her away, managing to glare at her through the wave of pain that was going through my system. Trembling, she fell to her knees, letting out silent cries as she held the test strips. How dare she cry when I hadn't even cried! She was the reason this pain started anyway!Her earlier shrill must have resounded outside the room cause in no time Maria came bursting in through the door, her small eyes shining eagerly to understand the situation. Once s
Charlotte's POV I rubbed his back softly to help relieve him as the cough seemed so strong, offering him water in between. By the time he took a few sips of the water he laid back down on the bed, groaning in pain. "Do you have ache in your head, huddie?" I asked softly, which he nodded slowly as a reply.He looked so weak, so tired ... and fragile!All I could think of was helping him but how? He had always been the one taking care of me whenever I was sick, it was never the other way round. Even the few times he fell sick, he would always have James take care of his pills. I just used always cuddle him till he felt better.I never administered drugs.I was almost lost at what to do next when Maria suddenly showed up beside me again holding several drugs, "Here Madame, these are what he normally takes whenever his fever rises like this." She said and handed me a few tablets with a glass of water.Without wasting time I forced Hudson to take them, watching him slowly relax back to s
VALERIE'S POV "Grocery shopping, check! "Winter coats, check! "Knee high boots, check!" Hmm, what else... What else... Oh! "Special gigantic Santa soaks!- "Check!" "Drugs against Christmas fever, double check!" "Check! Check!" A voice whispered in my ear, making me jump in fright. "Nanny!" I cried out, while putting my hands on my chest to calm my pounding heartbeat. But she just kept laughing "Oh my, haha! You're so athletic! You at you jump!" A frown formed on my face as I watched her continue to tease me amidst her chuckles. "Very funny, Nanny" I scowled, "very funny" "Oh c'mon, I didn't mean to scare you!" She said, hitting my shoulder playfully. "You just looked so serious and busy... and... concentrated on what you were doing. What are you doing anyway?" I heaved a breath and dropped the check pad in my hands on the kitchen island while relaxing on it as well. "Well, I was just... Arranging stuff... Christmas stuff." I replied, hoping she would get
VALERIE'S POV I wanted to say something, to react ... But I couldn't.Everything kept replaying in my head, the pieces coming together all at once as her beady eyes scanned my appearance repeatedly, her expression filled with malice.She was here in my home. Charlotte was right here in my home! Standing at my doorstep while her kid was inside? So she was Aby's mother? first of all that meant they lived around the area. Hell, that they lived at house we had dropped Aby before! The house that was just a few blocks away from us!That means...Hudson was living in that same house, in the same estate as me.His entire family, was living on the same street as me and my kids! His daughter... Oh my God, his daughter... Aby was the daughter he talked about?She was the one he wanted me to meet?And I had refused, not knowing... not knowing she was my kids classmates.They even attended the same school! Oh my God, they had even become friends! My kids and ...his daughter... they had become frie
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