"I missed you so much, mom," Maggie sobbed in her mother's embrace. She was finally here, in Chicago.
"I missed you too. You have no idea," Rebecca whispered, tears were streaming down her face.
Maggie moved back a bit, scanning Rebecca up and down. She was sitting on the hospital bed, looking better than she did in so long. Her skin was not as ashy as Maggie remembered it to be, at least she thought so. And her eyes shone brightly.
"You look good, mom, really good." Maggie's voice was beaming with happiness.
"I feel good, better than I have in a long time. Especially now, when I have you near." Rebecca sniffled. "Let me look at you!" and after she took a good look at Maggie, she added: "You look rested, and you are shining! Oh, I was so worried for you…" she sniffled again.
"I told you, mom, there was no need to worry," she said, and before she could say anything else, a discreet cough stopped her. She turned around and saw Jack standing in the corner
Maggie was wearing her most elegant dress, a deep blue one, with sleeves that reached her elbows and a skirt that came to just below her knees. The neckline was also decently placed, it showed nothing more than her collar bone. She pulled her hair into a low bun, not too constricting, but enough to look more put together.Jack was in one of his expensive suits, and they were on their way to his parents' house. He was tense and gripping the steering wheel with excessive force. He had a feeling that this won't end well. Maggie noticed his knuckles white from squeezing the wheel, and she put her hand on his forearm, rubbing it soothingly."Hey, you don't have to worry. Everything will be fine." She tried to calm him a bit, but he only huffed in response.Soon they arrived in front of the beautiful mansion Maggie has ever seen. It was a three-story building with a fountain in front of the stairs that led to the entrance. The house itself was surr
For the next few days, Maggie gave her best to avoid Jack. She left her room only when she was sure that he was out and that a chance for them to meet was nonexistent. Every morning, she would wait to hear him leave before she would go down to have breakfast, and she would be back in her room as soon as she heard his car coming through the gates. Maggie was aware that she was acting childishly, hiding from him like this, but she couldn't face him. She didn't want to face him. After he kissed her that day when they returned from the disaster of lunch at his parents'… Her heart was beating wildly, and her thoughts were a total mess. Why did he have to kiss her? Why did he have to make this even harder for her? Why did he have to complicate things between them?Again, he gave her no choice; he forced himself into her heart just as he forced himself into her life. It was always him, always his choice. She had no say in the matter.And the worst thing was, she like
She was avoiding him again. This time it was his fault. That night, four days ago, after they came back from his parents', Jack couldn't hold himself any longer. He kissed her, and it was just as satisfying as he thought it would be. It was everything he never thought it was possible to feel. It was what he was searching for. It felt right!And then she hid from him again.Was it a wrong move? Was it too early for a kiss? Maybe. But that didn't change the fact that it was the best damn kiss he ever had.Jack wanted to give her time, he honestly planned to, but when he hadn't seen her or talked to her in four days, he couldn't wait any longer. He craved her presence; he yearned for her sweet voice.It was Thursday and just got out of the meeting with the marketing company that was supposed to make an advertisement for his company products. Back in his office, he had a hard time concentrating on the paperwork in front of him, because his mind
"You and Jack seem different," Emma said meaningfully to Maggie while they were standing in the kitchen. A few seconds earlier Maggie came in to get some water, but Emma stormed in after her, curious to find out if her instinct was right.From the moment Jack and Maggie arrived, Emma noticed there was something different about them, but she couldn't pinpoint what exactly it was. She waited impatiently for a convenient moment to ambush Maggie and dig out the truth."I don't know what you're talking about," Maggie brushed her off. Of course, she knew what Emma had in mind."Don't lie to me, missy. I know something is going on between you two. Spill it out! Now! You wouldn't deny a request from a pregnant woman, would you?" she added, faking shyness, and caused Maggie to laugh."You are unbelievable, you know that?!""I've been told… come on, come on! I'm dying to know! Jack has been my best friend ever since I met him and I
A week ago, Hiram was in Jack's office. He took Maggie's phone and promised to get back to him as soon as he finds something. He agreed with Jack and Robert that this could not be a mistake. To this day, Jack hasn't heard a word from Hiram, and that started to worry him. But since he got a new phone and number for Maggie, she hasn't received any new messages.Jack was enjoying every single second he has spent with Maggie in the past week. Every morning, he would come to his office, deal with the most pressing questions, hold a couple of meetings, and then, as soon as he could, he would go home.He would often find Maggie in one of the spare rooms on the first floor that she turned into a tailor parlor. She was knees deep into making a dress for the Business Gala. If she wasn't working on her dress, she was in the nursery, spending time with Eric. One day, when he couldn't find either of them in the house, he started to panic for a second, but one glance through the window
"Ma'am, do you have any idea who might be behind this?" the police officer asked Maggie."I already told you, I don't know. I've been living here in Chicago for a short period, and I know a handful of people. I never did anything wrong in my life, never stole anything, or hurt anyone. I never even got a parking ticket!" Maggie started to lose her patience. The police officer she was speaking with for the last half an hour kept asking idiotic questions that, not that discreetly, indicated he suspected Maggie knew more than she was telling.Finally, the police officer gave up his pointless questioning and excused himself. She was still holding Eric in her protective embrace, and after a lot of rocking, he finally calmed down for Maggie to sit on the sofa with him in her arms.Jack was on his phone, organizing a security detail to watch over the villa from that night nonstop. He called a private security company that was enlisted in his comp
After two new security guards arrived and set their base, Robert and Emma decided it was time for them to leave. There was nothing they could do for their friends tonight."Thank you for being here tonight. It means a lot knowing we're not alone in this." Maggie said while she hugged Emma."Don't mention it, dear. That's what friends are for," Emma smirked and got in the car."Yeah, Maggie, don't worry. We'll figure this out." Robert offered his words of support, and Maggie knew he meant it.They bid their goodbyes, and Jack and Maggie returned inside."Thank God it was Edit's day off," Jack commented."Yes. The poor woman would probably have a heart attack." Maggie agreed. She turned around to face him: "Jack, he was in my room. He could've touched my things and the bed I sleep in. He was right in front of me, a few feet away, only a piece of wood separated us. I feel violated." Her voice trembled, her eyes glistened with tears.Jack's embr
The Annual Business Gala was organized in one of the most luxurious and expensive hotels in Chicago. Jack stopped the car in front of the entrance and gave the keys to a young valet before he went around the car, and opened the door for Maggie.She accepted the hand he offered and got out only to face the excessive flashing lights from the cameras of many reporters that came to document the event. "Don't worry, most of them can't get in," Jack leaned in and whispered into her ear. They did, however, pose for a few pictures. It was everything Jack was willing to give them, no matter how many times they called his name and how persistently they repeated questions. This time, Maggie was prepared for the luxury and glamour that welcomed them the moment they stepped inside the great hall where the reception was being held in.Everything was so perfect at the first glance, men wearing their tuxedos, women dressed in beautiful gowns