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•16• Gerrard
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2024-10-29 19:42:56There's a knock on the glass door of my conference room while I'm in the middle of a meeting. I look up. Bru's standing by the door, looking at me expectantly. "Um, Gerrard?"
I raise a brow in question.
"Can I talk to you after this meeting?" she asks.
I frown, wondering what's up, but nod anyway. If she didn't wait for the meeting to end, it's got to be something important.
She passes me a smile and leaves.
"When do you want to meet up with the Turkish investors, Gerrard?" one of my financial advisors asks me then.
I scan the agreement in front of me, thinking. If I sign another contract so soon, going through with it is going to be harder than pulling teeth. As much as I want to clinch this deal, it's going to have to wait at least another six months before I can allocate such a huge sum abroad again.
No matter how lucrative this deal might be, I'm going to have to let it go-- for the time bein
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When Love Strikes Hard •17• Priscilla
I will admit— Idon’t know how to pack.At all.I’m standing by my tiny closet, hand on my forehead, eyes unfocused on the clothes hanging in my wardrobe. There’s notonedecent outfit I can wear to a dinner. And that,too, with Gerrard.The fuck am I going to do?I'm biting my lip furiously, chewing on it, but I still can't think of a good outfit. My gaze is fixated on this dark purple dress with lace sleeves, but the problem is I don't have matching footwear with it.I heave a sigh.I should've listened to Mom and not packed light.I'm in the middle of blowing out a loud breath when my phone starts ringing. I walk over to the side table on the other side of my bedroom, on which my phone is charging, andcheck the caller ID: unknown.My brow sags a bit.Who might this be?Nevertheless, I answer the call. "Hello?"
Last Updated : 2024-10-29When Love Strikes Hard •18• Gerrard
"Gard?" I call down the little hallway that leads to her kitchen.She pokes her head out the door, her bun bobbing to and fro atop her head. I swear I have to bite back a smile at the sight before I tell her, "I'm going to go park my car in the basement's parking, yeah? I kind of just parked outside when I came, but I better park it somewhere safe now that I'm staying the night.""Okay," she quips, before disappearing into the kitchen again.I don't think I need to describe just how much her bun bobs again-- at every movement she makes.I finally let slip a laugh, making my way out of her apartment and to the parking lot. The complex where Gard lives is, to be honest, pretty basic. I know the rent parameter might be why she chooses to live her, but then this place is pretty much like a five minute drive from my office, so that might also be a reason why she lives in such a cramped place. I'm pretty sure there's just one bedroom in her apartmen
Last Updated : 2024-10-29When Love Strikes Hard •19• Priscilla
My heart is still pounding in my chest. Almost as fast as a damned jackhammer.I blow a long breath out of my mouth, depositing my platein the sink and hunching over to lean on the counter. I can't believe those scenes started playing in the movies when Gerrard Southerford was sitting right next to me. All those hot and heavy moans, all those erotic whispers, those sounds... I swear my vagina is still singing a heartbeat to me, even now after I fled the living room.The night from Gerrard's house flashes in my mind for a quick second, when I'd walked in on him without his towel. My pulse beats wildly at the recollection.God, this man might just be the death of me...I pour myself a glass of water quickly, and gulp it down like I just ran a marathon. But how is it my fault that my throat feels parched all of a sudden?Tucking a loose strand of my hair behind an ear, I make my way out of th
Last Updated : 2024-10-29When Love Strikes Hard •20• Gerrard
Gard had a boyfriend.Three years ago… but still,could he be the one who sent me that text?’Stay away from Priscilla’…Thisa shot in the dark, if I’m being honest, but it’s something. Because if someone got the impression that Gard and I are together, and sent me such a text, then it’s got to be somebody who’d rather be in my place.And only someone who likes her or wants to be with her would do something like this.For example— an ex-boyfriend.I rub my beard slowly, thinking.If it was only about the first message Ireceived, the ex-boyfriend explanation would make sense. But the second text message... it was a clear, obvious threat. Point blank. And unless her ex is a sociopath...It can't be him...I bunch my lips together, thinking harder. Because if it isn't some past lover of hers, then who
Last Updated : 2024-10-29When Love Strikes Hard •21• Priscilla
Gerrard Southerford is the most confusing man I've ever met. Ever. Like, even the guys at school weren't so hot and cold.This man, though,surpasses all of those idiots.As I make my way out of his room with absolutely no idea where to go, because I don't have a room of my own and he just kicked me out of his, his words play in my mind like a loop on repeat. 'Do you have a boyfriend, Gard?'The fuck?I swear this man has been trespassing the invisible boundary of our employer-employee relationship since day one, and then when just a bit of hope blossoms in my chest because of the shit he pulls on me, he goes ahead and douses even the last flame of that flimsy hope that I dare to feel. Like, why did he have to ask me why I laughed when I asked him about Bru and Keith in his car?Because if he hadn't, I never would have had to answer and tell him that I didn't like seeing him with his PA
Last Updated : 2024-10-29When Love Strikes Hard •22• Gerrard
The party is in full swing.We're on the rooftop-- the deck, to be exact, where the lighting's dim and flashy. It's blaring pink on one face then shifts to green on some other face, shining yellow on the mob of dancing bodies somewhere in the center of the makeshift dancefloor, but I? I'm just standing off to the side with my brother, a red solo cup of tea in my hands.Keith, on the other hand, sips on his red solo cup of coffee.What can we say?We learned from our father the hard way that alcohol never does anybody any good.A few people have asked me to join in on the fun-- dance with them, play pong with them, drink and go bottoms up with them, but I find I can’t be swayed from my spot in this random corner of the deck. And that’s because mentally, I’m not even here.I’m back in my office, sitting in my chair in shock as Gard tells me she’s Ruben’s date to his family dinner. The si
Last Updated : 2024-10-29When Love Strikes Hard •23• Priscilla
I’ve only been dancing with Ruben for like five minutes-- but when I look ahead, over his shoulder, I see none other than Gerrard Southerford dancing with a woman in a tight as fuck red latex dress, his hands trailing so low on her waist that they’re pretty much grazing her ass. Shock grips me, to the point where I almost stop dancing. She has her arms around Gerrard's neck, her body pressed flushed against his, grinding her pelvis on his thigh as they sway raunchily. I watch them, transfixed, unable to get my eyes off of Gerrard's when he leans in, close to the slut's ear and whispers something. I swear my heart feels like someone's broken past my ribs to squeeze the shit out of it at this point, because that's how much it hurts to watch him with some other woman like this. I don't realise when it is exactly that I stop dancing-- all I know is that I break Gerrard's cruel gaze to stare at my feet instead, only
Last Updated : 2024-10-29When Love Strikes Hard •24• Gerrard
I think I’ve taken it too far. We’re driving down the Six, on our way to my Ma's house, the drive kind of long from the office. But it didn’t turn out like Ithought it would, or rather, hoped it would, because Gard’s sitting in the frickingbackseat,for fuck's sake. I sigh quietly, glancing at her through the rear view mirror once. But just like last time, she’s staring out the window. My grip tightens on the steering wheel, because this is really not how I’d imagined the car ride to go. I’d thought Gard will ride with me, in the front. But when this other girl, Hannah, slid into the passenger seat instead, Gard didn’t do a thing. A thing. Just stared at me like I was responsible for this. Like, the fuck? It’s so frustrating to see that after that moment we had in the lift, after everythingthat's happened between us, she's never tried to... stand u
Last Updated : 2024-10-29
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When Love Strikes Hard •Epilogue•
Keith and Bru chose a barn marriage, far from the cold of their home country.Priscilla and Gerrard helped prepare most of everything, and were currently receiving guests at the entrance. Gerrardand Keith's mother didn't show up, not even after being informed of the life-changing decision her eldest son had made.The sons had been expecting this, but Bru and Priscilla hadn't.They still felt let down by Ms. Southerford.Bru's parents, on the other hand, were all about the place, her father taking care that all guests hada drink in their hands, while her mother wasprobably helping her deal with wedding day jitters. What could be said? The girl had already ordered two boxes of pizza in the last two hours alone."I'm worried about Keith," Gerrard muttered from beside Priscilla, shaking an old man's hand before gesturing towards the other guests.Priscilla gave him a look, observing him growing more fidgety
When Love Strikes Hard •42• Priscilla
I'm listening to Bru speak on the phone, but it's hard to actually believe what's coming out of her mouth. Gerrard? In my apartment?Why?...How?"...come as soon as you can, Priscilla," she sighs at the end. "We miss you."My heart melts. "I miss you, too... I'll try and come as soon as possible, Bru. I'll call you when I get there."She pretty much squeals on the other end."You have no idea how eagerly we're waiting to see you again! See you soon!"It's hard not to hear the smile in her voice."See you soon, Bru," I grin, before hanging up.So Gerrard's been-"-Your boyfriend's been camping at your house?"The sudden voice by the door to my room startles me, to the point where I almost fall from the edge of the bed where I'm sitting. Whipping towards the source of the sound, I see Victoria looking at me all innocently from the little gap between the door and the wall."The fuck, Vira?" I scowl, pl
When Love Strikes Hard •41• Gerrard
It's been one week since I packed up all my stuff and shifted base closer to the office.Since I shifted to Priscilla's apartment.It's not what I'm used to, but at the same time, it is.It's what I'm craving.The apartment barely fits me. And living here is probably the only time I've found myself wishing that I wasn't so huge. The washroom is so tiny that I can't move my arms much when I'm taking a dunk without knocking some random shampoo bottle off a shelf, or without hitting my elbow in that way that makes my entire nervous system freeze for a second.But this apartment is also the only thing close to making me feel nearer to Priscilla. Although she isn't here anymore, her memory is. I have her memorized in every part of the house from those few days we spent together here, and it's all I have left of her living, physical memory.Every time I enterher room, the bed shows us cuddling under the covers, wat
When Love Strikes Hard •40• Priscilla
Victoria--is obsessed with Gerrard?My boyfriend?... Ex-boyfriend?I don't even know at this point."So?" Vira grins, spinning a slowly circle about herself as she gestures to the posters all over the walls. "What do you think?"I don't have the heart (or guts) to tell her thetruth. What's worse, just the sight of her... attraction(?) towards him has me feeling nauseous all of a sudden, but let me make it very clear--that it has absolutely nothing to do with the raucous amount of food I almost chugged down my throat not even half an hour ago.Naturally, the smile that I give her in response looks more like a constipated grimace. "It's... something else," I laugh nervously as I back out of the room. She turns to look at me in concern, but before any of the questions hit me, I wave my hand vaguely. "I'll just... I'm really tired, Victoria. I should go sleep now."That's all I leave it at.* ^ * ^ *
When Love Strikes Hard •39• Gerrard
To say that I feel absolutely hollow inside would be a serious, serious understatement.I feel as if the world's closing in on me, and the corridor on Cilla's floor seems like it's choking me for coming here, punishing me for intruding on her space.She left.She left me.It doesn't take long for the hollowness in my chest to source itself to anger. Burning, vengeful, disastrous anger.Bounding over tothe elevator, I waste no time to dial Keith. When the lift dings open on the ground floor, he picks up. "Hey, Ger-""-I'll be at the office in 5, Keith. Is the meeting ready?""Yeah, b-"I don't wait to hear the rest, going straight for my car in the open parking.*****"Gentlemen, I've called for this extraordinary meeting today," I say to the meeting room at large, my file of evidences at the ready,"for an extremely pressing issue that I feel needs immediate attention. I deem
When Love Strikes Hard •38• Priscilla
When the plane lands, I switch my phone off of airplane mode.Like I'd thought, I have a lot of texts from my Mom, asking me how the flight was and if it's landed, and telling me that the driver's waiting outside the airport with my car, ready to take me home.But as I get off the aircraft and make my way into the airport, I notice I have a lot of missed calls from... Bru.My heart skips for no reason.She must've gone to my apartment. Must've seen I'm not there.But then my heart skips again.Did she tell Gerrard I'm not there? ...Or maybe:Did Gerrard ask her to go and check my apartment? To call me?But as I head to baggage claim, I dismiss the thought from my mind, because there really is no use building up hope. Again. And that, too, for a man like him.I've learnedmy lesson now.My suitcases are thankfully some of the first to arrive on the belt, and I swiftly pull them off
When Love Strikes Hard •37• Gerrard
I can't reach Priscilla.Call after call gets cancelled, text after text undelivered... I'm panicking.As I rush out of the conference room, Bru bumps into me. But one look at my face, and she holds me by the shoulders. "Woah, G. What happened?"I can hardly breathe as one more call to Cilla gets cancelled. I swallow hard. "It's Cilla…Bru, the- the termination letter. Smith, Bru. Smith- I need to go see her. I- I need to go."That's all I can manage to get out of my system before I pull away from her, running for the lift. But it couldn't have gone down slower than it did. I'm sweating by the time I clamber out of it, making a dash for my car whenthe valet brings it out, but I doubt my sweating more than normal in an air conditioned office has anything to do with heat.Priscilla... baby, don't do anything stupid... just wait for me. Please.It's all I can think of as I speed away for her apartment.* ^ * ^
When Love Strikes Hard •36• Priscilla
I feel lost.Abandoned.Betrayed.The whole way to my apartment feels like a blur. I just can't believe it. I can't believe it that just to get me out of his company, Gerrard would play me like this. Use me like this. It doesn't take long for my numbness to go away, because soon, I'm breaking down into sobs.I knew it was too good to be true.I knew it.But I still allowed myself to believe.To hope.And look where that got me.Not only did I lose a job I'd already been thinking of resigning from, but also got my heart broken.Throwing myself onto my bed, I bury my face into my pillow as I finally let the tears flow freely.All that man had to do to get me out of his company was simply say it. Say it. And that would've been the last he would've seen of me. Then why in the name of god did he have to play me like this? Why? But no matt
When Love Strikes Hard •35• Gerrard
Priscilla's not picking up the phone.I've been ringing her up ever since I left the dealer store an hour ago, but instead of picking up, she just cancelled my latest call.Is she mad at me, still?Or is she sleeping and I'm just disturbing her?I sigh, attempting one more call, but like all the previous calls, this one goes unanswered, too.Gripping the steering wheel hard, I determinedly go on for my house. I'd been calling Priscilla to tell her who the stalker is. I wanted to tell her to come to the office. But I don't have enough time or patience to go to her house and shit.I need to go home and make a few calls for a board meeting, gather my documents and evidence, too.Guess I'll just tell Priscilla when this is all over and well behind us.* ^ * ^ * ^ *I've only just gotten out of the shower when I get a call from Bru. Wiping my long mane with a towel, I pick up. "Hello?""Hey, Gerr. Keith told me. Ab
