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
Seven months later. I swore to protect Katalina and Marcus from any harm. It was a promise I'd honor until my last breath, so I kept everyone who tried under tight surveillance. Helena was still rotting in jail. I didn't need to keep an eye on Cadmus because the media had it covered for me. His divorce from Minty completely diverted the public's eyes away from Marcus. Everyone was in check. Except I didn't feel completely at ease yet. Helena's insistence that someone else wanted my wife dead, that whoever it was hated Tali more than she did, stayed in my mind for months. But I didn't want to let it linger, so I had Andrew look into it.It could've been empty threats, but I knew how Helena worked. She kept pawns. She'd poison people's minds and use them against her enemies. Everyone told me that Helena probably meant Natalie and that the last stunt Natalie pulled was the end of it. But it wouldn't hurt to be safe, especially when I think I knew who Helena meant. "I can see the gears
Percival held my hand, his stance protective and impatient to get us out. If the bodyguards wouldn't scare Natalie away, Percival's hardened expression would. The way the veins popped out told me he was frustrated he couldn't deal with Natalie himself."Don't let her get away," Percival said. A few guards left to help search for Natalie, while enough stayed to keep us surrounded. "We'll catch her this time," I said, hoping to ease some of the tension radiating from him. But even as he nodded, I knew it didn't help much. "Of course, we will. Your cousin isn't very bright," he said, his jaw clenching. The crowd was contained at some part of the venue, so the hallways weren't littered with the media. We reached the parking lot. They checked the car before Percival opened the backseat for me. "Get in," he said, his voice authoritative. I quickly hopped in, scooting over to give space for him. Our actions were fast and efficient, and we were on the road in a heartbeat. Percival didn'
Percival's hand pressed against the small of my back, his head tilted towards me, studying me as I read the article."It's from an anonymous account. Chester is working on taking it down," he said. "What do you want to do? Aside from destroying whoever posted this because I'm already on it.""It's time," I said, giving his phone back to him. "There's no need to fuss. I'll schedule an interview tomorrow."Percival pocketed the phone. He turned me towards him, thumbs caressing my forearms."So soon?" he asked, voice laced with concern. He craned his neck, discerning my expression."I've been doing this my whole life, Percy," I said, giving him a reassuring smile. "I just... there were just things in my life that I didn't want people to touch. But I kept the most human parts of me hidden, and I shouldn't have to. I'm no longer afraid of how they'll perceive me after. This has to end now."****Percival and I made arrangements for tomorrow when we returned to our hotel room. I read the ar
Dad almost died. He was in a cardiac arrest while we were away. The doctors said he was stable for now, but they didn't know how long. I stood motionless in Percival's arm, his hand stroking my back, the other cradling my head. We had done everything, and I was running out of ideas. Maybe the only option left was to grieve, even if it didn't sit right with me. Percival offered his quiet support, knowing nothing could be said to make this better, but allowing me to know he was there for me. But our little bubble of silence broke when Andrew appeared with a look of urgency."Your brother's awake."My lips parted, and Percival's grip around me loosened. Without wasting any more time, we strode to my brother's room. I held my breath until I finally saw Koen. . . awake and smiling at me.There he was. The only person who would carry this grief with me. I gave him a faint smile as I walked to his bed, settling on the seat beside it."How are you?" I asked gently."Alive," he huffed out. "
"Is that so?" I asked. "You have no idea how deep you are in the mud right now, do you? Your parents begged us to spare your company--not you, just your company. Your people were so easily bought because their loyalty came with a price."I wasn't sure if she was bluffing or trying to salvage what little pride she had left. But anything she says wouldn't change her fate. There was no life for her outside the bars anymore--not that I'd ever let her out. The amusement on Helena's face slowly died. Her lips formed a thin line as she glared at me. I raised my eyebrows at the change in her demeanor. I guess what I said was new information to her."I never needed them anyway," she mumbled. I didn't think she intended for me to hear that. "But you... how will you survive now that your parents are gone?""My parents are always with me, even when I lose my way or when we're apart. They actually raised me with love and warmth, and I'd say it's a pity you don't have those. But you had plenty of
The officer sat uncomfortably behind his desk, seeming uneasy and intimidated. It was probably due to the office being quite small for five people. There were only two available seats in the room, and my husband and I occupied them. Our lawyer and Andrew were standing behind Percy. They told us that they found Helena while she was trying to board a ship bound for an island far from the capital. Natalie wasn't with her. But we already had a list of places where she could be hiding. Someone knocked on the door, and the officer immediately got up. I smiled as a familiar face came into the room. It was my father's friend and the chief."Katalina, it's nice to see you again. Although, I much prefer to meet you for a different reason," he said with a look of pity. It had been a while since I last saw him, but he had been my father's friend even before my brother and I were born. He and his wife didn't have children, so they often visited us when we were younger. "Vincent, thank you for yo
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