I sat on my bed, exhausted, fumbling with my phone. What am I going to do now to get to Kariuos? Should I visit them at their home? But I’ve just returned!
But this is important! Karious needs to know about his ex-wife. Now I’m certain Karious and Veronica are truly divorced since he won’t propose to me if they’re still married, and Veronica won’t marry dad's business partner if she’s still married.“I can’t leave the company because Veronica is there. If I took a leave, I doubt if I will still have a job when I come back. And hell! Her status is even higher than mine!” I tweak my hair because of frustration.When I returned, I assumed that everything would be back to normal. I had no idea I’d be dealing with an even bigger issue! And the source of the problem was none other than Veronica, who was also Karious’ biggest issue.For hours, I just stared at the ceiling of my room. When the doorbell of my condo rang, I was brought back to reality.I get out of bed. “Who the hell was that? Veronica?” I wondered as I walked out of the room to see who was outside.I opened the door and was ready to start a fight when I recognized who was behind the door. “Karious!” I exclaimed in shock.Of course, he looks the same! His coat was on his arm and he was dressed in a white long sleeve polo shirt. He had one hand in his pocket. I kept a close eye on him. He appears to be a model, very attractive and stylish, but his gloomy aura, grim line of his lips, steadfast sharpness of his nose, deep-set of eyes that seem insulting, and many more ‘and’! I feel like this man wasn’t enough to become a model. He should be sitting on his throne, surrounded by women.I grinned as I shook my head at the concept. “Karious! You arrived just in time! I need to speak with you about something,” I stated earnestly before opening the door wide.“I saw Veronica downstairs; care to explain?” he inquired seriously, not moving from his position.“I’ll explain inside,” I said, despite the fact that he appeared to be about to set me on fire. Oh, that sounds strange. But nevermind! He looks angry.I forced him to sit on the couch, then went straight to the kitchen to fetch something to drink for us. It’s obviously coffee.I sat down next to him after making the coffee and addressed him.“Your ex-wife was bugging my father’s company, claiming to be my twin and that she had already taken a DNA test with Dad and the result was positive, which I doubt. Aren’t you searching for her? Arrest her and send her to jail.”“That’s probably why I can’t take her. She has some powerful backup, one of which is your father.”“Dad and I don’t get along! She informed me earlier that he was going to take everything from me!” I worriedly asked. If that is the case, she is quite dangerous! What can a person do to acquire wealth? It’s unimaginable.“Don’t worry about Veronica. I can’t put her in jail yet because her boy toy owns up their case. I only put her partner in jail because, according to Veronica’s lawyer, she just became a hostage so that her man could commit the theft. Of course, I don’t believe that, so I’m gathering more evidence about them,” he said seriously, looking at me.“She hurts your son. Isn’t medical documents enough for her to be in jail?” I furiously asked.“I do not file for that one yet as I was gathering more information. There’s something wrong about Veronica that I need to find out.”“What are we going to do now? What if I tell dad about it?”“Don’t do it. As I said, we’ll acquire more evidence If we tell him everything right now, we won’t be able to do so.” That was clear.“Is that why you come back here? Because you already know where Veronica is?” I grumbled. Maybe he hasn’t fully moved on yet so he came back. And he might think that the woman was just a captive. Because he married her and they had a child, it’s unthinkable that he didn’t like her.“Of course not,” he replied, “I came back because I can’t leave you alone when I know that Veronica is still around you.”“Don’t worry, I can handle myself,” I answered, hiding a smile.“I offer you to become my wife or just pretend to be my wife, but you decline.” I sipped on the coffee because of what he stated.“Because we shouldn’t have to be like that.”He smiled as he glanced at me. “Don’t tell me you are scared?”My eyebrows rose. “Scared of you? Never!”He approached me carefully enough that I was taken aback, and my heart began to race. What the hell is the matter with it?!I averted my gaze since he was so near to my face that I could practically lean against the sofa. I can still see him on my side, though.He cocked his head to gaze at me, huskily whispering, “Scared of falling in love with me,” which made my heart skip a beat and my subconscious rejoices with joy.“LET’S JUST CALL each other, bye!” I said as I shoved him out of my apartment.My chest throbbed quickly as I rested against the back of the door. We were on the verge of kissing each other once more. I got away from him immediately because I was fast.As I move away from him, he appears to be at ease. While glancing up at me, he remained sitting. My chest was pounding so loudly that it was difficult to breathe.Karious leaned on the sofa, his finger resting on his lower lip. I’m not sure if I was hallucinating, but I thought I saw him smile, which then vanished.I pretended to cough before stuttering, “D-don’t you have anything else to say? If you don’t, you can go home. I need to get up early tomorrow,” I reasoned as I walked to the condo door first.He got up slowly and followed me. He stopped me from opening the door by pressing on the height of the door.“Hmm,” he teased, “you’re avoiding me.”I shifted my gaze to his. “And why would I do that? It’s not like I’m s-scared.” Sh*t! Why am I stuttering?“Give me your number before I leave,” he said, changing the subject and handing me his cellphone.I hesitantly took out the phone and dialed my number. His wallpaper was black.“It’s done.”“If something happens, don’t hesitate to call me.” I nodded.“If you wanted to know the details of my investigation, call me and I will tell you.” I nodded again and frowned. Why does he seem to be taking so long to leave?“Just call me if you have any questions.”“If I know you’re busy, I won’t call,” I explained.He added in a baritone, “You can call me at night.”“Haha, that was so funny. All right, go home,” I sarcastically replied as I turned the door lock.“You can also call me if you want one of my kisses,” he said, making my cheeks flush and my pulse racing.“Please don’t flirt with me!”The following day was simply like any other.I was on my way to the parking lot and I was about to open my car when someone came out of the next car. I wouldn’t have noticed if the familiar smell hadn’t just sunk in on me.I instantly turned around and was astonished to see Karious approaching me. That lovely was his! I didn’t notice it because he bring a different car the last time.“Good morning,” he whispered softly before grabbing my hips and bending down to kiss my cheek.I couldn’t keep up with what happened. Before I even beat him, he was far away.My heart is racing as if I were jogging a kilometer! I’m just standing in front of my car! What is he doing to me, anyway?He tilted his head and smiled. “What happened to my good morning?”“You didn’t say you were coming, so what are you doing here?” He didn't text me.He simply replied, "I wanted to drive you to work," and before I could answer, he seized my car key and dragged me to his expensive car."Wait! You don't have to do this. I have my own car!" I said as I came to a halt. He pushed me up into the passenger seat.He also buckled up my seatbelt. When he approached, I was startled. My eyes widened even more, and my face practically pressed into his side. I can also smell his perfume, which is not at all unpleasant to the nose. He smelled like a bottle of perfume.He turned around and sat in the driver’s seat, saying, “I also have my car so that I can drive you.”I had no choice but to sit till the car moved.“By the way, how’s Rious?” I suddenly remembered. Perhaps he didn’t cry when I left?“He’s fine. He said he missed you,” he continued, looking at me to gauge my reaction.“Do you mind if I pay him a visit this weekend?”I stared at his suggestion. “It’s better if you just stay with us.”“No thanks. One and a half-hour drive away from work every day? I’ll just visit him.”“I can drive you to work every day. We can go together and go home together,” he said. I couldn’t react. But why would he suggest that? We are not together, and staying in their home is inappropriate.“Did Rious realize I wasn’t his mother? Did I shatter his heart?” I worriedly wondered. If I break his heart, I should apologize profusely.“Yes, he cried every day and was always looking for you. I promise you two will meet again,” I said, feeling bad about what I had heard.I vowed, “I’ll see him soon.”We also arrived at the firm right away.I unbuckled my seatbelt and turned to face him. “Thank you for the ride, Karious. You didn’t have to do it, but I appreciate it,” I added with a smile.“I’ll wait for you inside later, or if you’re going home, just text me.”I tripped. “Why else?”My heart flutters as he smirks and pinches my nose. Again. “Let’s go out to dinner, and I’ll drive you home as well.”“Don’t I bother? I know you’re busy. You’re running an empire, right?”“An empire without a queen. I’m into pursuing it right now. Anyway, I’ll take you to your floor.” He was about to remove his seat belt so I stopped him.“No need to get off Karious. Veronica might see you. You don’t want me to get jea—” I was stunned. Sh*t, almost! “I mean, don’t wait for me. Just text me the restaurant’s address and we’ll meet there. Bye!”I got out of the car and waved at him right away. I couldn’t see his expression because the car was tinted. It’s a relief because it’s useful for preventing us to be seen. We are still in front of the corporation, which has a large number of people.I took a big breath and went straight inside, greeting everyone who had welcomed me.“Ma’sister, good morning!”I silently rolled my eyes when I entered my workplace, and that’s what welcomed me.I gave her a fake smile. It’s morning and it’s her face I will see this early. She just ruined my day.My office was glass, and the blinds were opened to make us visible from the outside. Because I like to observe my employees, I don’t lower the blinds whenever I’m alone. When I don’t see anyone else, I feel as If I’m suffocated.“It’s too early for you to become a pest. Don’t you have a job?” I asked, smiling. “Of course, I remember, unless you marry my father’s business partner, you’ll have then a job in the company, so now you’re unemployed,” I said with a smile as I approached my table.I locked my gaze on her because she appeared to be still teasing. “Please get out of my seat,” I commanded her.“What if I don’t want to? What if I tell Daddy that I’m going to replace someone better in your position? Looks like you need some demotion.”I dropped the bag on the table as my eyes widened. “You’re not allowed to do that.”She stood up after saying, “Sure, I can’t, but I will.” “So watch out. One wrong move and you’re out. Anyway, goodbye my sista’! I still need to talk to the wedding coordinator. You know, good girls thing?” she said, irritating me. She believed I was envious of her engagement to that elderly man? Dream on!She came up behind me and whispered. People outside will think that she just kissed me where in fact she said, “Learn how to be a good girl.” She also tapped me on the shoulder.There was nothing I could do but follow her with a frown. If I’m not professional, I would have loved to bang her face on my desk, and hell if my officemate saw it.‘Patience. I need a lot of patience. I should not beat non-breeding females. No need to stoop down at their level.’I spray everywhere she goes and touches. For safety purposes. I’m afraid I might catch that woman’s rabies!My blood boils for that woman. It’s not just because she was Karious’ ex-wife. I had a bad feeling when I first saw her in Dad’s office. I feel like she doesn’t really belong here and she has bad intentions. Even if I say she’s my sister or twin, why don’t I feel any connection?I’m not a very vile person. I am quickly enraged, yet I do not hold grudges. It was easy for me to forgive and forget. I’m not the type of girl that makes a huge deal out of everything.But with that woman, I had a different impression. She was like a ticking time bomb. It has already been decided when she will detonate, and I am certain that I am one of the individuals she intends to destroy.After that morning’s scene, my day did not go well. I’m not sure what Veronica’s purpose is or why she constantly puts my patience to the test, but I’m not pleased with what she’s doing.I really hope that we can put Veronica’s craziness to an end.When Veronica returned from her rendezvous, it was almost lunchtime. She arrived carrying a pizza box. I wasn’t in the office because I’m having a conversation with my office employees.“Sister, I’ve received your lunch. Pizza, really? This isn’t healthy, and it’ll harm your body. I suggest you change your habits.”I was initially perplexed by what she was saying. I felt like pinching her like a lice when I comprehended what she meant.I responded flatly, “I didn’t order pizza.”She pretended to be surprised. “Is it true? It’s in your name, and I paid for it so the delivery man wouldn’t have to wait downstairs any longer,” she added. “But if you don’t want to because you’re afraid your coworkers will find out about your unhealthy habit, I guess I’ll simply give this to someone who needs it,” she shrugged and walked away cheerfully.As I stare at her, my brow furrows. Attention seeker! As if she was noticeable. Eww!I let out a sigh of irritation as she walked away. I bet she actually
I’m upset, and it’s a good thing Veronica didn’t irritate me, or I could lose control and pull her hair out. Karious didn’t call either, but he messages me that he was busy and that we’d see each other again on the weekend. We’re going to visit Rious, so he’ll pick me up. I didn’t immediately return to the unit after work. I asked my coworkers to dinner and then to the bar afterward. They agreed right away. We formed a convoy and drove to a hotel. There is a restaurant there, as well as a pub where we frequently gather. There are six of us, the majority of whom are female. We were accompanied by only two men.“Thank you, ma’am,” Bella replied shyly, “for the treat! It’s embarrassing that you have to pay for everything we ate.” “It’s fine. This is my way of saying thank you,” I said, smiling. “And just call me Kassandra. we’re not in the office.” “Thank you so much; we’ll respond to your drinks later to make amends.” They weren’t required to do so any longer, but I agreed becaus
I step out of my car and my face lights up as I spot him waiting by his car, arms crossed and leaning against it. The sight of him instantly fills me with joy. His attire exudes sophistication, with black pants and a sleek black dress shirt, its elbow sleeves rolled up effortlessly. He looks impeccably groomed and undeniably attractive. In contrast, I'm sporting a body-con dress, accentuated by a stylish blazer. It's a bold and slightly sexy choice, but I feel confident wearing it. Fortunately, there's no strict dress code at work, allowing everyone to express their personal style, except, of course, for swimwear. As I approach him, he envelops his hand around my waist, a gesture that always makes me feel secure and protected. "How about we catch a movie before dinner?" I suggest, as he guides me into the mall. "Are you no longer interested in going shopping?" he asks curiously. Initially, our plan was to go shopping, as I wanted to find a present for Rious. However, I've decided
I was left utterly astonished when my car suddenly came to a halt while I was in route to the restaurant. Despite my best efforts to get it moving again, it barely budged. Stepping out of the vehicle to investigate the cause of this unfortunate incident, I was met with an alarming sight. Every single tire had been punctured! I couldn't believe my eyes, wondering what on earth could have caused such extensive damage. Fortunately, I had parked on the side of the road, ensuring that I didn't obstruct traffic flow in the middle of the street. I was determined not to inconvenience others with my predicament. As a car honked behind me, I swiftly signaled for them to switch lanes, offering an apologetic gesture to express my apologies. Glancing at my wristwatch, I was taken aback to realize that I was already 10 minutes late. I had hurriedly left early to avoid any delay, and yet, fate had dealt me this blow. Stranded in the middle of the road with only one spare tire, which wasn't nearl
"Look into the camera, boys, and give us your best smile!" With a swift click of the shutter button, I captured the moment twice over. Later on, I decided to join in and become part of the picture too. As we entered the amusement park, a world of excitement awaited us. We eagerly hopped on every thrilling ride, from the exhilarating Anchor's Away to the wild Jungle Log Jam and the adventurous Rio Grande. Laughter filled the air as we braved the water rides, ending up thoroughly soaked. To commemorate the occasion, we purchased matching family t-shirts and shoes. Previously, I had been dressed in jeans and a blouse, but now we all proudly sported identical blue t-shirts adorned with the words 'mommy,' 'daddy,' and 'baby' on the back. Having enjoyed a delightful lunch earlier, our amusement park experience only got better. In addition to the rides, we tried our hand at various skill games, and I found myself particularly enthralled by the dart game, with its tempting prizes of fluffy
"Mrs. Flor, has someone broken into my room? The heirloom ring and necklace that Grandma gave me have gone missing!" I exclaimed, my worry evident in my voice. "What? Nobody is allowed to enter your room, hija. It's off-limits to everyone," Mrs. Flor replied firmly. I let out a frustrated sigh and paced anxiously around the kitchen. "But the heirlooms are missing! They're not just any ordinary necklace and ring. They hold immense sentimental value and have a significant monetary worth. I can't bear the thought of losing them." What am I supposed to do now? They are valuable family treasures that mustn't be lost or misplaced. Should I contact the authorities? Is it possible that someone stole them? But that seems impossible! They were secured in a vault with a password that only I know. Moreover, the vault is fingerprint protected, making it difficult to open. Restless and unsure of what steps to take, I slumped down on the sofa in the living room, feeling utterly defeated. Mrs.
"Excuse me, ma'am, but the president requests your presence in his office." I hadn't even stepped foot into my office yet, and that was the first thing to greet me. I let out a weary sigh. I had been looking forward to this day, especially since I missed my date on Friday. I also deliberately ignored my father's calls, knowing that he would scold me for what happened. I left the house last night, fully aware that he would show up. I dropped my bag and made my way to the president's floor. My father's secretary stood up immediately upon seeing me. "Who's inside?" I asked before she could say anything. "Your father and sister. They've been waiting for you for a while," she replied. I greeted her with a smile as I entered the office. It felt like seeing Veronica for the first time all over again. This time, I knew her, and I wouldn't be caught off guard. Veronica was sitting on the sofa, engrossed in a magazine. She dropped it when she noticed me. My father glanced up from the pape
"I can't believe what I'm hearing," I exclaimed, my disbelief evident in my voice. "I assure you, I'm not joking," he replied calmly. "Your father genuinely stated that I must earn your affection before I can ask for your hand in marriage. So, Bella, do you have feelings for me?" Before I could respond, the waiter arrived with our food. I remained silent as the waiter placed the dishes on the table. "Enjoy your dinner date, ma'am, sir," the waiter said with a bow before leaving us. "Did my dad really say that? It seems odd. I expected him to pressure me into liking you, rather than waiting for it to happen naturally." "I believe your father was deeply concerned about you, Bella. Otherwise, why would he reject my marriage proposal?" he explained. "He might be using reverse psychology to hide his true feelings for you. Even if he genuinely likes you for who you are, he might refuse to acknowledge it because he doesn't want to appear vulnerable," I pondered. Despite knowing my dad w