Katherine POVI watched in amusement how Lucas tried to appease Erin.“It’s not like that, Erin.”Erin crossed her arms to her chest, looking like Lucas looked earlier when he tried to block Oliver from me.“No! From now on, she is my mommy only!” Erin declared, brooking no argument.Lucas looked like he was about to cry.He was flustered and red while trying to control himself. While it amused me to see him try so hard to convince his stubborn daughter that it was not the same. It looked like Erin was getting the upper hand in this case.&
Katherine POVWhen we entered Lucas’ office, we found Oliver and Vern still there talking. Vern dropped the sketch pad and pencil to a nearby table when he saw us coming in. He then unrolled his tape measure, asking his assistant to jot down the measurements. I nudged Erin, silently urging her to approach Vern. To my surprise, my little girl ignored me and walked straight to Oliver, who sat on the couch upon our arrival. “Don’t be bad next time, Uncle Olly, okay?” She sure sounded grown-up. She looked too little against Oliver's frame when she looked at him with her head tilted back. I bit my lips while Lucas grinned from ear to ear. Oliver, on the other hand, looked surprised. He grinned and gamely responded. “Yes, ma’am.” Erin nodded. She beckoned for Oliver to lean his head closer. He bent to bring his head closer, arms went around her little body. When they were close, Erin wrapped her small arms around his neck.“Thank you, Uncle Olly. You are my third favorite person
Katherine’s POVI swallowed hard after being confronted by the fury in Agatha’s gaze. The loathing in her eyes shook me to the core. Lucas told me she used to be my best friend, but her facial expression showed nothing except hatred. “You shouldn’t have come back!” She snarled, causing a shiver of fear to run through my spine, creating goosebumps. If looks could kill, I would have been dead by now from Agatha’s piercingly cold glare. I covered Erin’s ears with my hands. I don’t want her to hear anything Agatha says. “Why did you have to come back? Why did you have to mess with our lives? Lucas is mine!” Agatha spat the words out.She looked half-crazed, frothing in the mouth in anger. I was tongue-tied. Even Noreen did not look at me like this; with pure unadulterated hatred.I shook my head as fear spread through me. Not for myself but for Erin. I had been avoiding this kind of scene when Lucas suggested we work on us. Agatha was his unfinished business.Now, everything is sp
Katherine POVI nodded, and this time I allowed him to pull me to his chest. Lucas wrapped his arms around me, lightly dropping a kiss on my forehead.“I love you.” He said, but I remained silent. Right now, I can not define what I felt for Lucas. There was attraction and some feelings, but not enough to consider it love. “I don’t know what to say,” I told him honestly and shook my head. There was a subtle shift in him. I must have hurt him by being honest. I cupped his chin to force him to meet my gaze. “You know you are special, and I am attracted to you. I also like how you are good to me and a great father to Erin.” I told him sincerely while looking into his eyes. “But not enough to love me.” His reply hinted at bitterness, and I pulled him nearer for a quick kiss. He took advantage of our position. He grabbed the back of my head to deepen the kiss. Lucas began exploring my mouth. He was nibbling my lips, sending tingles all over my body, and down to my toes. I pushe
Katherine POVThe way Lucas looked at me tells me a lot about the engagement ring that had gone viral a few months ago.My chest constricted.“The ring was for you.” He said shyly when Duke left, confirming what I already knew in my heart.Then, he sat beside me on the couch. I did not know“I was buying something for Agatha, a token to show her that I was willing to see her more than a friend.” I felt a blockage in my airways when he began to tell me about the ring I saw in Agatha’s post. The one that gave me the impression that he was toying with me.“A solitaire diamond ring caught my eye. At that time, I hated you for lying and choosing Greg over me, but the ring kept tugging at me. I bypassed the ring and left, but there was this restlessness inside, a feeling of regret. I asked Dan to go back to Hugo’s Creations to buy the ring under his name,
Katherine POVIt was funny to watch him stutter as he tried explaining to our daughter what we were doing. “A kiss is an expression of love.” He told Erin. “So you love my mommy?” Erin asked. He nodded.Erin seemed satisfied by his response, and Lucas began to relax.A moment later, Erin turned her head toward him and asked. “If you love mommy, why is that girl kissing you?” Erin looked like she was about to cry,Now, that was something I did not expect to hear. My eyes turned to Lucas sharply. I heard Lucas cough out loud before glancing in my direction. My right brow arched upon hearing the information, leaving Lucas unsure of how to react. I would have remained oblivious to the whole thing if Erin did not mention it. Lucas gulped. He shook his head and began explaining with his eyes trained on me, magnifying his guilt. “You just said it. She was kissing me, not the other way around.” Lucas explained.He was watching my face for any change, but I remained impassive. It
Katherine POVI stared blankly at him while I gripped my phone in my hand. I don’t know what to say. Greg looked so much like how I looked before when I found out that he was having an affair with Noreen Jacobs. I was looking at the face of betrayal. I shook my head in an attempt to discredit the accusation. All the while, I was acutely aware of the people around us. This is a sidewalk. Passersby would notice us and couldn’t help but have an earshot. Even if they did not mean to snoop, Greg’s voice was loud enough to be carried by the wind. Everyone within earshot could not help but hear what he had to say. “I saw you.” He spits out. A frown formed on my head. “Saw me where?” I was clearly confused and wanted to be enlightened. Greg did not disappoint as he began a monologue that depicted an unsavory image of me. “You came out of his car not just once but all the time since I decided to observe.”Then, he brushed his fingers to his oily hair and gave a self-deprecat
Lucas POVI watched the shock registering on Greg Combs and Katherine’s faces when I issued the declaration. It gave me immense pleasure letting this b*stard know that he made a mistake.I don’t intend to give Katherine up. Not for anything, now or ever. I took advantage of their surprise to slowly walk toward them.When I reached them, I snaked an arm around Katherine’s waist to show Greg that Katherine belonged to me and me alone. I watched in satisfaction when my action elicited a wince from Greg Combs. I wanted him to know that no amount of regret can change the past. It already happened. All we have to do is accept things as they are. If he had changed his mind and regretted the decision to divorce Katherine, then he could live in misery because I was never going to give her up for anything.“Katherine is mine,” I told the shocked Greg Combs.“She has always been mine to begin with.” I reiterated when he recovered from the initial shock. When he did, I saw a trace of regre
Katherine POVLorrie looked stunned. Disbelief was written on her face as her eyes kept going back and forth between Lucas and me. The discovery must have been a shock to her, especially when she knew how much I devoted my life to my ex, Greg Combs. Maybe she did not think I would replace Greg this early. It was just a few months since our divorce, and now she is learning that I married our boss. “I am her daughter’s biological father. Katherine and I had a falling out five years ago, and she married Greg. But that was all in the past.” Lucas butted in. He came to my rescue and explained for my benefit. At least, it was better than being branded a mistress to the boss.“Don’t worry. Everyone will know by Saturday about us.” He added while Lorrie nodded absent-mindedly. She was still probably shocked about what she found out. At least, I can trust Lorrie. She wouldn’t snitch on me. When Lorrie left, I swatted Lucas’s arm in reproach. “You shocked her,” I complained. “I had
Katherine POV“Where have you been?” I was surprised to find Lucas in my office.“What are you doing here?” I countered, walking to my desk. He grabbed me by the waist when I passed by him on the couch and pulled me to his lap. “Lucas!” I cried in reprimand. “Last night was perfect.” He told me, nuzzling my neck, sending tingles all over my body.He wanted us to stay at the beach for two more days, but I refused since I have a stacked workload for today. Besides, I can’t just come and go as I please. I don’t have executive status like him. Lucas’s hands began wandering while he kissed the back of my neck and ear. ‘Stop. Lorrie might see us.” The warning did not seem to faze him because his exploring hand went under my blouse, creating havoc in my system. “Lucas…” I moaned when the tip of his finger touched the underwire of my brassiere, but no further. He kept gliding his hands to my ribcage and stomach, making it taut in anticipation of his next move. “Lucas..” I panted his
Veronica POVIt was some minutes later before I decided to move, horrified to the realization that I stink. I pulled on the neckline of my dress and grimaced, smelling the stench of stale alcohol. I almost puked. I wondered what Oliver might have thought earlier. “I was such a turn-off,” I mumbled while tracing my way to the bathroom to shower. Then, I got ready for work. Before leaving, I went to the kitchen for a much-needed coffee intake. I sat down on the kitchen chair, trying to play in my head what happened last night before I passed out due to drunkenness. At about the same time, I remembered Nanny Miller's notebook and ran to the living room in search of it. In a flurry of emotions yesterday, I had forgotten all about it. It took a full minute before I found it wedged between the armchair and the side table. I wondered what secrets it held. After putting the notebook in a safe place, I came out of the room just as the tea kettle whistled, indicating the water had rea
Veronica POV"Just kidding, I already signed everything to John so I am back to my old poor self," I told him before letting go of my glass. It rolled on the table and was about to fall off the floor when Oliver caught it in time. “That’s a neat trick!” I slurred because his eyes never left mine. Oliver looked like he was between believing and dismissing my claim.Who cares what he thinks? Certainly not me. I patted the smooth wooden finish of the kitchen table before placing my crossed arms atop it for my pillow. I felt sleepy all of a sudden. I kicked my shoes off to get more comfortable and rested my face on my arms with my eyes closed. Then, I remembered to leave instructions to Oliver Manns. "Don't forget to lock my door when you leave." I reminded Oliver, angling my head slightly to focus one glassy eye on him while the other was shut. It was a quick look because I could not stand the overhead light. I closed my eyes once more. I did not know anything after that.So
Veronica POVI went inside my unit morosely, thinking about what happened at the monastery today.Without bothering to turn on the light, I slumped on my sofa, feeling drained. The events of the day washed down on me. Never in my wildest dreams did I realize that this reunion would turn out to be a permanent goodbye? I remembered what Nanny Miller told me earlier. “Forgive, and let go.” Who should I forgive? My father? His wife? And their son who did not consider me family and instead treated me like a servant in their house?If I did not learn how to hustle, I wouldn’t be able to finish high school because his wife did not want me to learn. They said that servitude is my calling and that nothing good will ever come out of me. That’s why I strove to be better and live well. I learned how to fight to live because who else would do it for me?The only consolation I had was Nanny Miller. She was the only reason I lasted eighteen years in that house. I shook my head and sighed
Oliver POVI was leaning on a wall, a few feet away from Veronica and the woman she called Nanny Miller. She was crying, and her tears inexplicably tugged at my heartstrings. But every time I thought about seeing her meeting secretly with John Quinn, I could not help suspicion gnaw at me. I can’t figure her out, and it’s making me crazy. Is she a friend or a foe?Nanny Miller gently wiped Veronica’s tears away before loving tucking the loose strands that escaped her ponytail to the back of her ear. It was a gentle gesture borne out of love. “How have you been? I returned to that house, but they told me you were gone.” Veronica sniffed and wiped her face with the palm of her hand. Nanny Miller had this gentle look while she stared at Veronica’s face.“There was no point in staying when you left.” Nanny Miller said, smiling. She was a beautiful woman. Her eyes were wise and warm. She looked like she weathered a few storms in her life and came out stronger. Veronica held Nanny M
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.