Percival immediately placed his coat over my shoulders."Are you alright?" Percival's eyes scanned my dress. "I'm fine. The dress didn't totally get soaked."I turned to face the person who had spilled the drink on my dress. Her face was filled with surprise, but it didn't appear genuine to me. I gazed at Percival and saw him glaring at the woman. My eyebrows furrowed when I realized what he had called her."Helena?" I mumbled to Percival.My eyes scanned the woman in front of me. I finally recognized her. She was Helena Mendez, and I'm starting to dislike her."I'm so sorry," she said. "I didn't see you."Helena stood confidently in front of me. Her stare did not falter."I'm sure you didn't," I scoffed, then forced a smile.I found my brother walking toward me, so I mouthed, "I'm fine."Koen halted and watched from where he stood. "Oh, you're Percy's girlfriend!" she exclaimed. "I didn't know the two of you were already engaged. He didn't tell me when I visited his office." Her ga
I would often go to well-known restaurants with business partners, which always involved work. I only appreciated the place more because I was here with Percy. Percival helped me sit before taking the seat in front of me. We both glanced at the window pane beside us."That's a nice view," I commented."Yeah, but it's nothing compared to you."I'm used to his compliments. He had been like that since we became friends. However, something felt different about all the recent ones.Percival stared at me like his eyes were communicating. I blinked a few times before drawing my eyes away. He cleared his throat before leaning back in his chair.The waiters rescued us from the tense atmosphere that had suddenly engulfed us. They asked for our order, and Percival already knew what I wanted because he asked me before we got here, so I let him do all the talking. "Did I get it right?" Percival asked me before letting the waiter go."Yeah," I uttered.I quickly averted my gaze and bit my lower l
Percival and I fell silent while waiting for the elevator to bring us to the floor where he parked his car. It didn't take long for the doors to open again.We walked together after stepping out of the elevator. Percy did not let go of my hand until we reached the vehicle. As usual, Percival opened the door and guided me inside."If he sent you flowers, I would feed them to him," he said while holding the car's door."That's very mature, Percy."Percival smirked before closing the door beside me. He took the shopping bags to the backseat before hopping into the driver's seat."I'll let you know what it is once I find out," I told him.He only nodded in response before driving out of the parking lot."Speaking of Salazar, I didn't see his son during the wedding," Percival pointed out.After he mentioned it, I tried to recall everything during the day of Cadmus' wedding. I was so preoccupied with ensuring the plan's success that I failed to notice his son's absence."That is odd. If Cad
"Can you send the details to me?" I asked my secretary while eyeing Percival."I've sent it to your email, Ma'am. I called to inform you that they're requesting to meet you after lunch.""Alright. Thank you. I'll be a little late today. Keep me posted," I told her before ending the call.I placed my phone back on the bedside table and resumed what I was doing. Percival stared at me like he was waiting for me to say something about the call."That was my secretary." I paused and avoided his gaze to think. He's unwell, and I wasn't sure if now was the time to let him know about what Cadmus had sent.However, he looked at me like he already knew what the call was about. I also told him yesterday that I would inform him right away.I sighed, "I think Cadmus' company wants to work with the agency.""Are you going to accept it?" Percival instantly asked."I believe so." If it could bring me closer to discovering what would bring Cadmus to his knees, I'd take it. "Keeping them close would he
Minty seemed irritated, but I didn't give a single damn about what she felt. In fact, I couldn't hide my amusement as I stood before her. Why does she look so threatened? I thought they were madly in love with each other. A few moments later, she collected herself and faked a smile. "You still run to him as soon as he calls you, huh?" "I'm here for business, Minty. What did you think I was here for?" I chuckled at another one of her ridiculous statements. "And I didn't run. I have a car." "Kat-- "You don't have to explain. I'm used to you spouting nonsense." I smiled widely at her to piss her off. Then I walked past her to talk to the receptionist. "Good afternoon, Ma'am Katalina," the receptionist greeted me with a smile. "Hello, Vilma," I replied. "It's nice to see you again. Anyway, I have an appointment with your boss." "Yes, Ma'am. Sir Cadmus is expecting you. Please wait a moment. I'll notify Mr. Salazar's secretary that you've arrived." Vilma made a call before she bro
"What led you to say that, Minty?" I crossed my arms under my chest. My eyes darted toward her, waiting for a plausible answer, which I doubt I would get from the likes of her.Seeing how she was still onto me, I guess coming here was the right choice. I can use Minty's insecurity to destroy herself and her relationship with Cadmus. I could see it all in her eyes and in how she responded."I know how much you love my husband," she seriously said. "Percival had always been by your side, but you never fell for him because you only wanted Cadmus. So, I find it hard to believe that you're together now."My secretary stepped away to give us some privacy. "You show your true self when it's just us around, huh?" I remarked. "Does your husband know this side of you?""You're using Percival to save your pride after Cadmus left you. You chose him because he was Cadmus' rival. Whatever you do won't change Cadmus' mind. He's already happy with us. Cadmus won't give in to your desires because he'
I stared at him with questioning eyes. I guess my conversation with Minty was still fresh in my mind, so what Percival said felt similar to what Minty was trying to imply."Forget it. I'll come down later and eat," Percival said while avoiding eye contact.Was he under the impression that I'm unaware that Cadmus may have ulterior motives? He can't possibly think I would run back to Cadmus when I get the chance."Not you too..." I said with disappointment settling in my stomach. "Alright, you think he's trying to get back into my life? Do you really think I would take him back? Is that it?"Percival looked at me and his lips suddenly parted. He looked up in frustration and ran his palm over his face."That's not what I mean, Katalina," he groaned."He can't fool me again, Percival. I'm not being stupid." My brows met as I felt a little hurt. "I know what I'm doing."If it was someone else, I would've been angry at them for making that assumption. But it was Percival."Katalina, I know.
When I finished my glass of wine, I decided to get some rest, leaving Pierce in the living room. Percival was still sound asleep, so I was careful not to wake him up. As my eyes lingered on his facial features, I thought once more of the disagreement. Waiting and hoping things would go my way won't put me at ease. I'm tired of watching their happy ending after mine was ruined. They seemed to pay close attention to me when I saw them at their wedding. That had led me to think that the two still had ill feelings toward me—they saw me as the villain in their lives after all. Seeing me miserable must make them feel like they really had won. Minty's earlier outburst; was either a confirmation of my assumption, or she still felt threatened. Whichever it is, I don't care as long as I get to return the same pain they inflicted on me. However, if Cadmus was trying to keep me close because he suddenly realized what he had lost and decided to get it back—that would be even better. Of course
It took two days before the doctors said that my brother's condition had improved and he would wake up anytime soon. I wanted to stay by their side, but we had to head home each night for Marcus. After three days, we decided to discuss the situation with Helena. My family was my top priority, but it was time they filled me in with everything that happened while I was occupied at the hospital and at home.We were at the house, in Percival's office, along with Andrew and Rocco. They laid out pictures of where Helena was spotted after the incident.She might've gotten away, but she'd have no place to hide or people to rely on. Even her trusted assistant had agreed to help us in exchange for a clean slate. Helena might have had the upper hand when we didn't know who was pulling the strings. But even her people knew she'd lose the battle the moment she was discovered. Because in the world we live in, for most people, facing the Marquez head-on was just not possible.All of Helena's crimes
We decided to transfer Aisha here since we couldn't send her back to the hospital where she was originally admitted. She was determined to be by Koen's side, so we let her. I was sure my brother would want her to be at ease. So, we arranged her room to be next to his.While Percy was busy, I brought Aisha to Koen's room. I knew she wanted to run to his side the moment we entered, but she stood with glazed eyes by the door until I told her it was okay to come close. She greeted him with the softest voice I had ever heard and continued to be so careful as she touched him. My brother was still strapped to machines, and I hoped whatever Aisha was saying to him would be enough to bring him back.After she finished talking to him, we both sat quietly in his room. The nurses kept tending to her, asking her to return to her room, but she would beg them to let her stay by his side a little longer.I didn't say anything for the first hour that we sat there. Aisha was clearly worried, and I knew
This was a private hospital with a floor dedicated to their VIP patients. The lounge near the ICU and the corridor to my brother's room were exclusive to us. The other areas and rooms on this floor were also exclusive to the patients occupying them. It was impossible to loiter around without permission.We weren't accepting visitors. That was why this girl here was being driven away by the security and staff. But she seemed panicked, and her voice was begging."Who are you?" I asked as I walked toward them. My eyebrows were knitted as I scanned her appearance. She was wearing a jacket over her hospital gown. Her face looked pale, and she was wearing a beanie. Another patient?She looked at me in shock. I could sense the hesitation, but we both knew the only way to my brother was through me. And she seemed desperate. "I... I'm Aisha. I just want to see Koen. I want to know if he's alright.""Why? Why do you need to know? Who are you?" I asked again. Firmly this time. I had never met th
Light pierced through our curtains, indicating that I had been sitting on this bed for hours. The guards had secured the area, and Marcus had been moved back into his bedroom. My father and Koen were still in the hospital, and I felt too defeated to rush there and see them.I suppose this was the time to feel angry and start thinking of ways to punish whoever did this to my family. After all, anger was the only emotion I knew how to deal with. Because anger meant I could make people pay. I could put them in their place and make anyone regret crossing me. Either that or I shut down my emotions until there was no point in feeling them anymore.Anger. Hatred. Resentment. All of that made me believe that I could do something about the insurmountable grief from my mother's death and from losing the life I used to have. I thought, who could blame me? The grief was inescapable, and there was just no way around it.But the anger that pushed me to victory had also damaged the people and things
PERCIVALI was livid. So much so that my fingers finally curled into a fist. Veins popped out on my arms and neck. But Helena was too busy unbuttoning my shirt to notice all that. Her lips touched my collarbone, and her hands crawled on my chest. It was a challenge to keep my breathing steady when every part of me was aching to know that my wife and children were safe--to hold them close and feel them breathe. But I took on that challenge for them. To save them, I must first save myself. Helena was nothing but a big distraction that I plan to properly get rid of later. I ignored her and kept my eyes fixated on the fingers I could finally move."You know, I have a better idea," she whispered into my ear. "I think you'd start listening to me when I give you a son that's yours. You might even find it easier to forgive me if I carry your child."My gaze shot back at her. Despicable. I would've given her a scoff if I wasn't planning to trick her into thinking that the drug was still in fu
My eyes scanned the place to spot anything unordinary. Then I looked at my son and checked his clothes. Since Natalie had been here, I had to move Marcus to a safer place. So, I had to make sure nothing would track him. I gazed at Grace and Marcus' nurse and pressed a finger against my lips.There wasn't time for my questions to be asked or for the betrayal to be felt. But something told me that my relatives worked with Helena because of my uncle's greed. He had always wanted my father and brother's company for himself. How could they do this to us? Their family?"Natalie. She's been here," I said quietly. Grace began digging through her clothes, and the nurse followed her lead. They both knew the protocols, and we couldn't be too careful. Rocco gestured for us to follow him, and everyone did. We hurried to the back, with my son still in my arms. The next thing we knew, we were running toward the woods and into a shed. Thoughts were racing in my mind, but I stayed calm and focused o
"Natalie? What are you doing here?" I asked when I opened the door to see my cousin instead of Raya. Despite being my relative, she doesn't know about Marcus, and this house is far smaller than the penthouse. So, we were careful with who we invited over.I told the guards that someone from my agency was coming over. They knew Grace, but anyone else was asked to identify themselves. Since Natalie was a relative and a person from my agency, they probably let her in without too many questions. "Raya and some of the other staff had food poisoning earlier. So, I came to bring you these instead," she said, handing me the magazine and portfolio I asked Raya to bring. "I also got you these. Saw them while I was on my way."Natalie handed me a box of what seemed like pastries. I smiled and thanked her as I took the box and everything else."Food poisoning? How are they?" I asked. "Was it from the cafeteria?""Oh, no! It was food from outside that they shared. But they all seem fine, just a bi
PERCIVALThere was no fighting whatever they put in my food. So, I stopped struggling to save my energy. Alarms were blaring, that much I could register in my mind. They were having a hard time getting me out of the building. The voices and shouting indicated that my security had been alarmed. But I was already held hostage. They wouldn't be able to do much now. What I was counting on was for Andrew to fix this mess. If our trained men weren't spread too thin, they would've been here by now. Perhaps Katalina was right. I was being too stubborn. I should've brought more of our guards on my side--no, I should've been more cautious even around our relatives.The rest of it was a blur. I lost consciousness along the way. I opened my eyes to an unfamiliar room. I still didn't have control over my body, but I wasn't as bad as before. I tried to lift my arm, but it was too heavy and numb. Dammit."How long have you been awake?" A voice came from the corner of the room. I couldn't figure out
PERCIVALTali was still asleep when I opened my eyes. In college, I'd often hear people say that she probably slept with her arms crossed over her chest. . . like a vampire. Would they believe me if I told them Tali slept with her arms wrapped around my waist? That she would snuggle closer to my chest when I touched her hair? I wouldn't believe it either.The hardest part of the day was to get out of bed. I wake up a little earlier than my alarm every morning for this little time with her. When she was sound asleep and unaware of how glad I was to wake up next to her every morning. I sighed and kissed her forehead. Despite my desire to stay next to her the whole day, I slowly untangled her arms from my body. Careful so I wouldn't wake her up. I wanted to slow down mornings to have more time with her, where I could lay in bed for a while before heading to my son's room to see if he was also still asleep. I want all that at the beginning of each day. Leaving the house where my son and