Lucas POV“What are you doing here?” I asked, awkwardly stroking her glossy black hair.Not only was I worried about her safety, but I was also concerned about her medical condition.She wrapped her little arms around my neck.“I missed you.” She uttered, and I felt like someone punched me hard on the chest.I could not breathe.“I missed you, too,” I told her before pivoting on my heels, with her still in my arms, and going back to the elevator, ignoring the open-mouthed stare of my employees.
Katherine POV“Why do you let Noreen walk all over you? She betrayed you, snatched your man, and now, she is bullying you. Why don’t you fight back and put her in her palace?” Veronica demanded after Noreen left in a huff.There was a hint of frustration in her voice while she issued the reprimand.I winced at the pain that shot from my eyes to my temples.“What good will it do? Catfights were never my thing, Veronica. You, of all people, should know that. So long as she is not doing anything to damage my reputation in the company, it is fine. Let her swim in her own scandals without dragging me along. Besides, she genuinely loves my Erin and anyone w
Katherine POVWithout waiting for Dan to announce my arrival, I barged in to Lucas Sanders' office to find a very cozy scene.Luke Sanders held my daughter in his arms and had this happy look on his face.It was like, how do I explain this? They both fit together.An ache filled me at the sight of them together, and while I yearned to watch them longer and soothe this ache in my heart, I couldn’t.The need to hug my daughter is imperative.I grabbed Erin in my arms, relief coursing through every part of my body when my arms surrounded her, and I was assured of her safe
Lucas POVThey're gone.I sighed when the elevator door closed on them.Why do I feel like a part of me has left, too?I stood from my haunches and slowly walked back to my office, passing the glass walls of department offices on my floor.I could feel the weight of their stares, and it made me realize I had been too hasty and careless.I made Katherine an easy target for gossip.Now, how do I counteract that one?I remembered the me
Lucas POVAfter Greg Combs dropped the bomb that Katherine is my mistress within earshot of my employees, I knew I needed to do something. I did not know what came over Combs to rush out here and demand to see Katherine. The only consolation in this unfortunate situation was that Katherine and Combs did not meet outside the office.If that happens, I don’t know what other lies the latter would spout to make it look like Katherine was the problem in their relationship and not the other way around. Now, I need to apply remedial steps to save Katherine's face at least. I called Oliver, and thankfully, he came right up immediately. “I heard what happened with Combs outside the building.” He said stiffly after Dan ushered him in.I sighed when I saw him. I noticed he was still mad at me, but that is unimportant right now. Helping Katherine maintain her reputation is. “I need you to do something for me.”“What?” He asked, looking disinterested. “Can you do a press release about Erin
Katherine POV"I knew it. Your daughter is just part of Mr. Sanders’ PR campaign - a tool to make his company more trustworthy in the public eye."I clenched my fists as Noreen tried to disparage my daughter. It would have been okay if it was just me. But Erin is here, hearing everything. I don't want her to think Lucas sees her as just part of the business. "Will you quit it, Noreen? You keep harping about things that do not concern you." I hissed in a rare display of standing my ground. Noreen scoffed.“Why? Does it hurt your pride to know that you and your daughter are just part of our boss’ grand scheme to make him look good in the public eye?” Noreen shot back, looking quite smug. “Tsk! Tsk! Poor Katherine.” She said, making me clench my hand into fists.To my horror, I heard Erin’s voice interrupting us. "Are you fighting?" Erin asked when she pulled her headset away from her face. She had this frightened look on her face that alarmed me. That has been the last straw. I
Lucas POV“She had an accident five years ago,” Kurt reported.In my hands, I was looking at hospital reports and winced.“She stayed two months in comatose,” I said dully, unable to perceive Katherine in such a state.Just thinking about it leaves a constriction in my chest. I could not breathe when I thought about what she had gone through.“Now, that explains why she did not know us. She was not faking it.” Oliver pointed out.His comment made me feel worse.And to think that I branded Katherine as a great actress for keeping up the pretense of cluelessness when she, in fact, did not know us.I shook my head. I feel like a j*rk for thinking so poorly of her.Maybe she just did love Combs so much that she chose him over me. It was just unfortunate that she had an accident right after she ran away with him.“The hospit
Katherine POV“Katherine." My body froze when I heard him call out my name. I just got out of the cab with a sleeping Erin in my arms. I pulled Erin close and kissed her head, ignoring the call. "Here, let me." He offered to take Erin from me, but I refused. I avoided him when he made a move."It's not necessary. I can take care of my daughter alone." My voice sounded clipped, too cold even to my ears."I want to talk to you." He told me. I ignored his presence and pretended that I heard nothing. I walked faster, though it was a struggle because of my little girl. Then, I reached our apartment building and had to pause to ring the bell. The building administrator greeted me and opened the door wider to let me pass. "Ms. Fielding, is he your companion?" The administrator stopped me in my tracks. "I am her husband." Greg volunteered before I could respond.I sighed, hating for an argument to ensue and disrupt Erin's rest. “How is she?” He asked.I didn’t bother to reply. He
Veronica POVBefore I put the paper I got from John, I tucked it in my memory, safe and secure. “Nanny Miller,” I said her name in my head countless times. I walked from the coffee shop to a nearby cab terminal when I heard a honk behind me. I sidestepped closer to the curb to resume walking when the car honked again. This time, I made sure to stop and let the car drive past me when I noticed that it was the same car Oliver used. The window opened, and Oliver’s face appeared. “Where are you going? Let me take you there.” He offered.I was surprised. I thought he had already left after dropping me off. Did he wait for me to conclude my meeting?I shook my head to thank him for the offer. I would rather go alone. This is a personal business and has nothing to do with our friends. “Thanks, but no,” I replied and resumed walking.I was already a few feet away from the terminal when I noticed the absence of cabs waiting for passengers. Oliver persisted. And the next thing I knew,
Veronica POV“I am okay here. Leave.” I told Oliver Manns after he parked his car outside a popular coffee shop in Berkeley.My eyes became alert as I surveyed the shop from our distance.“Stop being rude. I am not your driver, miss.” His tone brimmed with sarcasm.I decided to disregard it while I got busy unclasping my seatbelt.Despite getting into a frenzy, I hadn’t forgotten my manners. “Thank you,” I said, opening the door to my side to get out.Unfortunately, Oliver Manns opened his side of the door and was about to get out, too.&nb
Oliver POVI followed Veronica toward the makeshift altar. We did not talk, and it worked just fine for me. Pachelbel’s Canon in D wafted in the air, and the processional began. After Lucas walked the beige-colored carpet, the coordinator nodded in my direction to indicate my turn. I squared my shoulders and began walking until I reached Lucas, and I stood beside him. We both face the end of the aisle to watch the rest of the entourage walk toward their seats. Then, it was Erin’s turn. Lucas smiled, watching Erin walk the aisle holding a cute flower basket made from dried rattan. From time to time, she stops to toss flower petals in the air before resuming her walk. When she reached Lucas, she smiled and made an okay sign. Lucas responded by giving her two thumbs up. Then, she lifted her arms to Lucas, wanting to be carried. Lucas indulged her. He grunted when he bent to pick her up, amusing the guests. Erin's arms surrounded Lucas's neck. Now, it was Veronica’s turn.
Veronica POVI watched my friend meet our boss on her bridal walk at that spectacular spread by the beach. The white decorations embellished generously with varied shades of lavender were most appealing to the eyes.With the backdrop of seawater, the color seemed to translate into tranquility - a soothing balm for my soul.“You look maudlin. Aren’t you happy for your friend? Or maybe you are expecting her to suffer until now.” A man asked from the side.The accusation stung.The mocking tone in his voice left a bad taste in my mouth.Why was it
Katherine POVFor a moment, I thought he changed his mind, allowing doubt to creep in. But living in fear for too long makes one realize that there was a moment when she had to seize the moment and take a risk. Right now, I took a risk when I affirmed his question because he had become hesitant after asking the question. The glassy look on his face made me doubt if he was indeed serious with the proposal. But of course, raising your guard for a long time comes with a price -vulnerability. I tried to mask that weakness by pretending to be impatient, but inside, I was freaking out. What if he recalls the proposal?I grabbed his hand - the one with the engagement ring - to prove that the whole thing was not just a figment of my imagination. It was real. Lucas Sanders proposed to me. He had mentioned it previously but always tailed it with words that he would wait for my readiness. I realized no one was ready for anything. You take and accept things because they feel right. When L
Lucas POVMy chest pounded as I waited for Katherine’s reply to my proposal. Still, as the seconds stretched into a minute, I felt a wave of desolation washed over me. Disappointment was all over her features. My fingers closed on the diamond ring I bought with her in mind. "I know I did not prepare a grand proposal. I didn't even think of a good speech. I am also sorry for rushing you." I began to explain. It was different from pitching project proposals for my business because this would change my whole life. It sounded like I was babbling. The truth is, this is my first marriage proposal. I never proposed to anyone because no one came to measure up to this gorgeous woman in front of me. No one came close to how she has affected me that even after five years, she was still the only one I wanted. As I waited for Katherine’s reply, I remembered what Duke told me. “We can’t touch Agatha because JQ Entertainment is protecting her.”Now, the faceless man who dared to antagonize
Katherine POVI woke up alone in bed and felt slightly disappointed when I realized Lucas was gone. I turned to the side to hug the pillow he used on my chest, wishing it was him. It would have been nice to wake up and see him first thing in the morning. I was jolted from my daydreaming when the door to my room opened. Lucas entered the room with Erin in his arms. “Mommy!” Erin called out in a singsong voice. I watched her wiggle from Lucas’s arms. When her feet reached the floor, she began to run toward me. She climbed the bed and sat next to me. “You and Daddy sleep without me.” She complained.My eyes met Lucas above Erin’s head. Then, I turned to my daughter to mumble an apology. Erin shrugged. “It’s okay. Daddy promised we would sleep together tonight. You, me and Daddy.” Erin reported.The idea excited me. I began to caress Erin’s head to hide the pleasure the news brought. “Have you eaten?” I asked She bobbed her head. “Me and Daddy.” Then, she stood on the bed to tu
Katherine POV“I am sorry. I shouldn’t have stooped down to her level,” I told Lucas stiffly as we walked back to the bus.Until now, I could still hear Agatha’s rants and the expected whispers from our onlookers.If truth be known, hitting her and putting her in her place gave me immense satisfaction. Agatha shouldn't have insulted my daughter because that is where I draw the line.I felt a tug on my hand, prompting me to stop.“Agatha had it coming. You shouldn’t feel any regret.” Lucas told me.He held my chin and stared deep into
Katherine POV“Well. Well. Well. The sarcasm in Agatha Richards' tone was keenly comprehensible, especially if one cared enough to listen. Agatha was walking out of the function room at the same time we did. And because all doors lead to the lobby, we sort of ended up meeting in the middle. There is no way I could have avoided her, even if I wanted to. Then, she dropped the bomb that put me in the spotlight. “If it isn’t the fiance stealer.” She looked at me up and down, and her nose wrinkled in distaste as if she did not like what she saw. I know I am not as sophisticated or glamorous as her. I looked down the denim overalls I wore at the tree planting project and knew that compared to Agatha, I looked very ordinary. But Lucas’s hand, when it searched for mine, felt very comforting. I knew Agathaa saw how he held my hand and squeezed it. The action sent a signal that he was trying to silently assure me. This seemed to ignite Agatha’s anger. “How does it feel to be taking my