~ Andrea ~ “You are what?!” She screamed, banging her fist on the table, her face all red. I was shocked at the intensity of her fist coming in contact with the table. “Calm down Vale.” “Calm down? Really Andrea? So it was really true. You got married without telling me anything. It was all over the news and I needed to confirm everything from you. You didn't think of inviting me, your best friend.” She really was annoyed. “I am sorry. It was so sudden.” “Aah! I am happy for you!” She changed almost immediately. Now you understand why I said she knew how to play with emotions. She scared me with that act from earlier. I thought she was going to strangle me. “But tell me, how come you got married to your boss?” She raised her brow in curiosity. “It's a long story Vale but I will definitely fill you in some other day.” “I have to meet uo with my brother-in-law soon and warn him not to hurt you or even think abiut hurting you else, he is so dead!” I watched h
~ Andrea ~“I was following your lead Mr. King.” I replied, ignoring his attitude. “You don't have to be so formal, yuuno.” He had locked me in between a thin space and I had no way of escape. “We are at the office Sir.” “I know that but you are an exception.” He leaned in slowly and I closed my eyes anticipating a kiss. “Let's get going Miss Andrea.” I opened my eyes only to find him ahead of me, heading to the room. He is such a tease. “A**hole.” I mumbled. “I heard that.” Like I care duhh! ******As expected, everybody was around. I looked around taking everybody into detail. There were so many people here that I got nervous looking at all of them. Derrik took a seat while I stood forgetting I was no longer the Personal Assistant in front of the board. It was until Derrik lightly tapped my hand that I was reminded of the situation at hand. Everybody was busy staring at me at this rate. Probably with lots of questions unanswered. “Good day everyone. I hope you all receive
~ Andrea ~I felt something was wrong. I was sure I had everything in place. What if someone did this? I was back to my office now. Derrik was giving me a cold shoulder because of the mistake I made. I decided to call Valentine. At least, she will cheer me up. “Andrea!!” Valentine screamed excitedly. “Vale,” My voice cracked with emotions as I called her name. “Baby, are you okay?” Vale asked, noticing my tone. “I am not Vale. I really need someone to talk to. Can I come over to the hotel?” I whispered. “Yes baby. I will be waiting for you.” Her voice is like a soothing balm, easing my worries. I strode out of my office, my heels clicking the pavement. I had to ask Derrik for permission even though he was angry. I was almost in front of Derrik's office when I saw Isabella. It's been a while since I saw her. She gazed at me with a sly mischievous smile walking up to me. “See who we have here. Our very own personal assistant who seduced her boss.” This lady has been gone for th
~ Andrea ~“You misunderstood the situation Andrea.” Derrik stated, running his hand through his hair. “What happened then? You called her over didn't you?” I had my hands on my hips as I asked the question. “Why will I call her over?” “That is for you to answer that.”“You of all people should know how much I hate being around Isabella.”“I don't know how much you hate her Derrik. Look, I am so tired and need to rest. For your issue with Isabella, I don't care what you do.”I hurried up the stairs to the room. “Andrea, Andrea,” Derrik kept calling but I had no intention of stopping to hear the lies he had to say. “Please listen to me Andrea.” He held my arm and drew me closer to him. “I am sorry for scolding you in front of everyone. I didn't invite Isabella over.”“So how did she know I got scolded? Why did you return her kiss?”“Because I was lost in thought and I was thinking it was you Gosh!” His jaw clenched tightly at the statement. Why was he angry? He is wrong here and
~ Andrea ~That was great Andrea.” Carl who was doubting was the first to talk. “The only thing we can do now is to wait for the launch and how well it does.” Derrik added. We took a short break afterwards. I decided to use this opportunity to get something to eat. “Should we get something to eat Andrea?” Derrik asked, dragging me into his office. He had me caged, his hand blocking my only way of escape. “I was thinking the same. I will get food from a restaurant nearby.” I had planned to escape at this moment but he had other plans. “Not too fast. I had someone bring food and should be on the way already. Before then, how about something else?” This guy was becoming too much. His attitude sometimes shocks me. He was worried before and now he is all over me. He leaned forward and kissed my lips lightly. We were both lost in the moment and didn't hear anybody knocking. It was only until the person had come inside that we came into our senses. “I am so sorry.” Carl apologized imm
~ Andrea ~I stepped out of the car and was welcomed by the cold breeze. “Can't believe we are finally home! I am so tired.” I exclaimed and rushed into the room. I settled on the couch almost immediately. “You need to get off that dress Andrea.” “Oh please don't go there Derrik. I am tired and don't even think I will be able to climb up the stairs to the room.”“How about I help you do that little missy?” He came forward and lifted me from the couch. “Argh! Let me down! Let me down, Derrik!” I kept screaming until he got to the room and placed me on the bed gently. “Are you going to change or should I help you do that?”“You are not serious are you?” I raised my brow and tilted my head as I asked the question. “You want to watch me try?” He moved forward and took hold of my clothes. “Stop it! Stop!” I screamed again. I will lose my voice at this rate. I was breathing heavily by the time he let go of my dress. “I will change.” I said taking deep breaths in between every word.
~ Andrea ~ Thursday “Lisa, why would you call early this morning?” I asked the moment I answered the call. It was six in the morning. A new day for greatness. “I just wanted to congratulate you and my brother in law for your success.” Oh shoot! “Really? And you couldn't call any other time except now?” This girl ruined my sleep. Now I have to get to work. Derrik was still asleep but woke up when I shouted. “Yes, this is the only time I can call you, duhh. Wake up and get to work lazy bones!” “You–” Beep, beep. She ended the call before I could say anything else. If I get to Lisa, she wouldn't like what I will do to her. “Who was that?” Derrik stifled a yawn as he asked. “Lisa. She chose this time to call out of all the other times she could have called and now I can't sleep.” “Let's take a shower together.” He suggested getting out of bed. “Okay.” He lifted me from the bed again. “What are you doing?!” I whispered. “Taking you there myself.” I wa
~ Derrik ~These past few days have been awesome with Andrea by my side. I could tell I was slowly falling for her but the problem was how to tell her. We made love a couple of times and that brought us even closer. I just felt it wise to have a team dinner making that a first. Every single person on the table was excited. I had the whole place booked for that. I didn't feel like eating anything in here so I continued to stare at them until Rosie asked if I wasn't going to eat. She was acting weird, maybe trying to be a seductress but it just grossed me out. Andrea excused herself and I saw her talking to a waitress before heading to a direction, the restroom specifically. I knew every corner in this restaurant although I hardly ever come here. I saw Rosie go in the same direction afterwards and needed no soothsayer to tell me she was going to look for trouble. She came back after a while all smiley. I looked behind her to see if Andrea was coming but she wasn't. Rosie settled in t
~ Andrea ~“Uncle Max is the best!” Lina shouted. “Now everybody knows I have a very handsome daddy.” She added, finding it a little too difficult to pronounce handsome. Liam was quiet all through the ride and it bothered me. We finally got home and Lina was the first to run out of the car. “Lina Price, stop running around!” These kids. Lina dropped her bag on the couch and started playing with Max while Liam sat quietly, his eyes fixed in a particular direction but fixed on nothing. I decided to use this opportunity to cook something for them. I hurriedly changed and went to the kitchen to get things set. After about forty to sixty minutes, I was done with everything. I took the food from the kitchen to the table and set it up. Thankfully, Max had help with changing their clothes and getting their homeworks done. That was a great help to me. These two would have made my life hell by just changing their clothes. I went over to them and sat beside Max, watching Lina make a displ
~ Andrea ~Three years later“Liam! You better stop hitting your sister.” I shouted for the upteenth time today, making my way to the kitchen to get their breakfast ready. “But mom, she started it!” He retorted. “I don't care who started it. Just stop hitting her!” I responded. Three years ago, when we left Brooklyn, we relocated to Sicily, Italy. Before then, we stayed for some time at our Aunt's place until we were able to get little money to relocate to Sicily. For the past few years, I have known this city to be very dangerous with different gangs. Liam and Lina were a result of my contract with Derrik. They are everything I have ever wanted. Even though I wasn't ready to have them, I am still happy they came. I was preparing breakfast to take them to school. I got a job as a personal assistant again months after I gave birth to the twins. My boss is nicer to me and sometimes I feel weird but I am glad I didn't meet another Derrik. Speaking of Derrik, I'd be lying if I say I
~ Derrik ~ I paced around in my office waiting for Carl to relay any information to me. “They are all set to hear you Sir.” I followed Carl's lead till we got to the conference room where I was going to give the release. Cameras were clicking everywhere. “Hello everybody. Thank you for honoring today's call.” I bowed before down. “I know the rumors about the contract agreement with Miss Andrea have been circulating the internet for a while now.” I started. “How it came to the general public we know nothing about but the truth is–” I sighed and looked at everybody present. “We were indeed in a contract marriage.” “Contract marriage?” “It was all fake from the onset?” “This is surprising.” They kept whispering. “Circumstances push us to make some situations and it did the same to Andrea and I but I do not regret my actions in any way.” “He is so arrogant.” “He deceived people and now he is saying he is not sorry.” I smiled at the new set of whispers. “My action
~ Derrik ~ I came down the stairs to look for Andrea but she was nowhere to be found. Where could she have gone? I was still looking around when a hand tapped me. “Are you looking for Andrea?” Miss Karen asked when I turned. “Yes, where is she?” She sighed at my question. “Her mother came for her.” “What?! Her mother?” I asked“Yes, she was really angry that she left without telling anybody except that I witnessed the whole scene.” “Damn!” I walked past her into my room. When Andrea had said her mother will be coming for her, I thought we could settle this when she comes but turns out I was wrong.“Dad! Dad!” I walked to my fathers room shouting his name. “Where are you manners young man?” He asked but this is not the time for that. “Dad, Andrea left.” He stopped what he was doing to look at me. “Left? To where?” “Her mom came for her dad. She could have allowed us to sit down and talk about it.” I told him. “She is right. Whatever action she takes is for the best.” He return
~ Andrea ~I was in the parlor all by myself when I saw mom storming inside. She moved to me at a speed and slapped me across the face. “Mom!” I screamed holding my cheek. Miss Karen rushed out of the kitchen to the parlor. “You took a serious decision like this without informing anybody and now you are stuck in a contract marriage. Were you really going to waste your life for a little amount of money?! Huh!” Mom shouted. I watched her and could only cry. “We are leaving here at this instant. The contract has to be terminated whether both parties agree or not.” Mom grabbed hold of my hand and started dragging me. Miss Karen tried to interrupt but was cut short. “Stay away from this please.” Mom told her as she dragged me outside. “Mom, this is not right. Please let me go back inside.” We were now looking for a cab to take us home. “So you can continue making stupid decisions? You are never going back there Andrea and for your work, you quit from today.” “Mom!” I exclaimed. A ca
~ Andrea ~The first thing I heard when I woke up was Derrik's screams. He sounded angry but I don't know why. I stood from the bed and walked to Derrik. “What is the problem? Why are you passing back and forth?”“You wouldn't believe the news just like this.” He showed me the screen of my phone.“Our contract? How did this happen? How did this get into the hands of the media?”“This is surprising to me as well.” Derrik replied. I was still in thought when I something clicked I had told Valentine Day and I believe she wouldn't go against me should I just call and ask everything “What do you suggest we do about this now, Derrik?”“I am not too sure what you should do now.”We were still facing each other when the door burst open, revealing Mr Johan. “What is the meaning of this?” He questions. “Derrik, tell me this is not true. How can you two get into a contract married? You deceived me and the general public now this action of yours will put us into serious problems.” He was rea
~ Andrea ~“Don't think about it too much Andrea Just wait right here I'll get you something to eat and then you can take a nap afterwards.” She left out for the food like she said. I just couldn't stop thinking about it. Pregnant in a situation like this. In the middle of a contract marriage which is ending in 4 months, how could you speak like Andrea? What if this thing ends and then you have to take responsibility for the child? How do I even know Derrik wants a child? What do I do now? I can't just stop thinking about it. I have to find a solution. Should I tell him about this just like the doctor and valentine suggested or should I keep it to myself and then think about the solution I was still in thoughts when I heard Valentine talk. “I thought I told you not to think too much Andrea. remember you have a baby inside of you and wouldn't like to have it hurt will you?” I shock my head disagreeing about the fact that I won't want to hurt the little being inside of me. I took t
~ Andrea ~I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing. I had missed five calls from my family. What could be the problem? I called the number which was my mother's number in haste. “Mom, what is the problem? Why did you call me this early?”“Andrea, you might have forgotten something today is Lisa and Laurel's birthday. How could you forget such an important day?”Oh shoot! I forgot their birthday. “But mom, you should have told Derrik and I when we came over for dinner. Why didn't you?”“Because I wanted you to remember your siblings' birthday. They are so mad at you right now. You better come home.”“I will be there soon. Please tell them I am sorry.”“You have to come and do that yourself and yeah, I don't have the strength for that.”“Okay mommy. I'll be there soon.” I rushed into the washroom, took my bath and then dressed up. I didn't want to disturb Derrick so I dashed down, even missed breakfast and then called the driver to drive me to my mother's place. Few moments late
~ Andrea ~I was talking about how much I miss my family all through the ride. Derrik was quiet and I assumed he was listening to me. We finally got there and I saw mom Lisa and Laurel waiting by the door. They might have thought we were not coming. "My baby is here!” Mom exclaimed the moment we got out of the car hugging me. "Good evening Ma'am." Derrik greeted politely. "Oh come here Derrik. you are like a son to me." Mom hugged him and ignored me. Really? Mom was treating him like the son she never had, serving him more meat on the table and ensuring that he was satisfied. I was happy Derrik was having someone fill the void of a mother in his life.All through the night, he was taken care of by mom, Lisa and Laurel. When it was finally time for us to go, mom wouldn't let us, not because she was going to miss me but because she was going to miss having Derrik around. "Really Mom you're not going to miss me but Derrik?" Lisa and Laurel laughed at my question. I glare at them,