LOGINVictor POVPepper fell silent.I was waiting for her to say something. It looks to me as if she was in deep thought, mulling over my words.I know how important Samuel and Shan were to him, and I don’t want her to break their friendship because of work.Surely, there is always a way. So long as people keep meeting each other halfway.In every relationship, compromise is the key.I recount in my head the many instances where Pepper and I accommodate each other’s opinions, biases, and prejudices.It was not always easy to agree with each other, but there had to be a meeting point somewhere as long as the people involved were willing.Nothing in life is impossible. Only difficult.Even the toughest rock can crack when exposed to water. It will take time, but it will happen.I smiled when I saw her capitulating.I saw the facial expressions that flitted on her face. She was debating inwardly.“You know that it was not easy. I fired Samuel, but I never told him to leave New York.”“And wha
Pepper POVMy brows furrowed in confusion after hearing Victor's barrage of information.Frankly, I have not thought of the ramifications of my decision yesterday. When I fired Samuel, I was not thinking straight. I only thought that I wanted to relieve him from becoming a ping-pong ball.He can’t go back and forth between my parents and me. I can’t compromise his profession like that.Shan’s case also slipped my mind.Since I arrived this morning, I have been so busy that I haven't had time to chat with Shan. Come to think of it, I haven’t checked on her since we parted yesterday.Some friend I was.I wanted to berate myself, but what good would it do? The deed had been done.I made a mental note to check on her later, after I reviewed the dossier Samuel sent me for his possible replacement.There were four candidates, and I was thoroughly combing through each one’s information.Samuel’s a tough act to follow.It would be hard to replace him, but what can I do? At some point, I know
Victor POVDonny Ferguson looked stunned.It gave me immense pleasure to see the reaction on his face. The knowledge that I was able to surprise him brought me satisfaction.He seemed so confident that I would refuse to accept his challenge, but now that I did, he sure did not know how to deal with it.I shook his hand and nodded at his wife.“When am I going to start?”Donny looked flustered at my question.Maybe he had not thought that far. He looked around us. It was as if he were seeking answers on the four walls of the VIP room where we were.Once we had settled the details of my comeback, we parted ways.Pepper was still awake when I got home. She was reading a book, which she put down when she saw me coming into our room.“How was your meeting?”She got up from the bed to greet me with a small peck on the lips. I responded with more enthusiasm. I pulled her body toward me to inhale her natural scent.I could not help thinking that this woman is my home.“Why the long sigh?”I
Victor POVI parked my car in the paid parking lot outside the hotel where Pepper's parents are staying, but I did not go out immediately.Instead, I let out a deep exhale while throwing the back of my head on the headrest of the driver's seat of my car.Anticipation of our looming showdown was foremost in my head.My hands felt clammy while I gripped the steering wheel, and I hastily rubbed my sweaty palms on the front of my pants.I looked out the window at the facade of the building and felt a looming sense of foreboding that this would not turn out as I expected.I have half a mind to turn around and leave, but what the h*ck!I was already here.I asked for this meeting, not them.The elder Fergusons, from what I heard from Matthew, are only staying in the country for a week.Assuming the next few days will be busy for them, considering the takeover, I asked Samuel to arrange a meeting for us, which they accepted immediately.I don't have high hopes about the meeting. I was not ex
Victor POVI can’t help giving in to amusement when I saw Pepper’s reaction after I reminded her about our past.I do not have any intention of mentioning it early on, but she was giving our children a hard time.Besides, she looked cute when her eyes narrowed into slits to glare at me.“Cat got your tongue?” I could not resist teasing her, and she fell right into my trap.She leaned close to pinch my arm, but I was ready.I grabbed her hands and trapped them in mine. Then, I leaned close to peck her on the lips.As if on cue, the triplets started complaining.“Here we go again.” They grumbled.They sounded so disgusted, but the smile on their faces won’t belie the fact that seeing their mom and me acting sweet toward each other makes them happy.I wanted my children to know at an early age that women should be treated with adoration and love, so when the time comes, the boys will treat their women the same, and Althea will expect no less from her future partner.I released Pepper and
Pepper POVI cupped a hand to cover my mouth in surprise while Victor threw his head back and roared in laughter.It was a good thing we stopped at a red light.I elbowed him.“This is not funny.”At my hiss, he sobered up immediately and composed himself.I really did not see it coming. “You are Shelly’s boyfriend?” I pinned Asher with my gaze.He looked like he was about to cry, and I tempered my voice and my expression a little so as not to frighten my son.Althea nudged him. “Come on. Don’t lie to Mommy. Tell her that you are Shelly’s boyfriend. She wouldn’t be angry. Right, Mommy?”The assurance was unexpected, but she was right. I can’t be angry at my son for telling the truth. But having a girlfriend at five years old?I wanted to throw my hands in the air in surrender. This was one for the books. I never expected it to come.Still, Asher is waiting for my assurance, so I nodded my concurrence to Althea's pronouncements. “I am not angry, Asher,” I assured our son, who by now







