He wants a wife? I'll give him a wife!

...

"Mr Anderson?"

Anderson shifted his gaze from the white van that had just zoomed past, leaving a dusty trail, to his Secretary who was still holding the car door open for him. He turned back again, to look at the direction the vehicle had passed before hopping into the car.

When the car began moving, Anderson's thoughts trailed to her. Had she been in town all along? 

If she is still together with James, then she must be living a good life. Their schemes are alike, and just like him, James is quite rich.

Betrayers and cheats should only be with themselves. 

 He huffed, why is he even thinking about her?

Even after four months, she still wore her shame with pride. 

Just how shameless can she be?

"Where is the destination, Mr Anderson?" 

"The headquarter," Anderson replied.

"Are you alright, sir?" Shania asked, having noticed his sour mood, "you look a bit tight, do you want something to drink?" 

"No," his response was cold.

"I don't mean to pry, sir but that lady back there kind of.. well she seem a little bit like--

"She's her," Anderson cut her off, staring out of the window, "that lady is Katherine." 

Shania was caught off guard by his sudden response and she became lost for words, she had expected a different reaction from him. She let out an apology and diverted her gaze from him. 

..

"Oh, it's Katherine," Yvonne giggled, abandoning the sweater she was weaving and turning towards the open door.

"Hey," Katherine breathed out, taking the jacket off her body while scanning the sitting room, "Where's dad?"

"Napping in his room," she stood up, "so how did the interview go?" 

"I didn't get the job," Katherine simply answered, skipping out the details. She didn't think Yvonne was old enough for it. 

"Are you okay, Katy?" She asked.

"O-of course," she let out an insincere smile. Was the effect of meeting her ex-husband already showing up in her expression? "I'm just a little tired, that's all." 

"Don't worry, sis. I'll check up more job offers, all will be fine." 

Katherine smile stretched for a mile, this time it was sincere. She couldn't help but look at Yvonne in admiration, how could she have thought she wasn't old enough? She had looked after their sick father in her absence and assisted her in her job hunt. Her age might not be it but mentally and emotionally; Yvonne was more than just a child. 

"I'll go up to my room now" 

"Do you want me to get you anything?" 

"No, I'm fine. I just need a nap myself" 

Katherine slapped the door shut and rested her back on it, exhaling deeply; she slid down until her butt contacted the carpeted floor.

Why did she have to meet Anderson in such a disorienting situation? 

Her gaze dart to the folder on the floor and she bit her lower lip in regret, the lie about her job hunting came out unscrupulously. Why did she even lie about it? It's not like it would change anything or his thoughts of her. 

No matter how affluent she potrays herself, Anderson will always see her as an infidel and seeing him again after all those time, she still noticed the sparkles of burning hatred towards her, from him, unquenched. 

Nothing changed. 

Katherine lifted herself up, kicking her shoes off and walking to her bed.

She couldn't believe she was going back on her words. She vowed to not let his presence or thoughts about her trouble her anymore, she vowed to push the thoughts of them ever coming together again; to the back of her mind. 

But she wasn't doing any of that. Coming across him again was something she had considered a possibility the moment she took the decision to leave California for her father's house, she shouldn't be getting so worked up about meeting him again, and definitely not with all the extra worries she has to bear; all the responsibilities with and ahead of her.

 He should be the last thing to bother her. Her palm scrupulously moved to her stomach and she nodded, a brief rush of hope and faith resting upon her chest. It was as if the bulge in her stomach released some sort of strength to her being. 

She has so much going on already and a lot of people she needed to be strong for and her baby was one of those people.

With a long satisfying sigh, Katherine decided to take a nap. She needed to clear her head and resume her online job hunt afterwards. Yvonne's words rung into her head as she settled her body on the bed, *..all will be fine*

It just has to be. 

..

A loud alarming scream jolted Katherine from the thirty minutes nap she was on, she sat up swiftly when the noise reached her ears again. Before she could get on her feet, her door was thrown open and a disorganized Yvonne dashed in, screaming words that were unclear. Katherine, still in her drowsy state managed to calm her.

"What are you saying?" She asked.

"D-d-dad.." Yvonne stuttered, unable to properly speak in clear words. Katherine noted she was pointing towards the door and without finding out more from her, she dashed out of her room. Her steps instantly faltered when she reached the end of the staircase and found her father sprawled on the floor in a state of unconsciousness and Margie trying fruitlessly to revive him. 

..

..

Anderson's finger drummed on the telephone lying dutifully in its cradle, his face was organized in a hard structure as he grinded his teeth.

He let out a huge scoff, his brows furrowing in anger.

She didn't even deny being with James. He couldn't help the fact that he was disappointed, but his anger was greater. 

She was living fine while his mind is still a mess, his thoughts and emotions; scattered. She had ruined a perfectly fine feeling for him, she's the reason why he can't even move on. 

How can he move on when the one he had devoted so much to; betrayed him in such a demeaning way. He had thought he was more than enough for her; the heck, she told him he was. 

She seemed so satisfied with him, he was assured he was doing just enough for her; giving her more than enough of his being just to see her fulfilled.

He was angry that she was living so well. Angry that she wasn't getting what she should be for ruining him. Deep down, only Anderson knew how much broken pieces Katherine left in him; unrepaired. He wasn't sure it could be fixed, the pieces were so disorganized; he doubts they could ever be matched into perfection again. 

People only saw the pain he showed them, not the one he locked up and would secretly dwell in its wallows behind closed doors. 

She had used him, toyed with his feelings in the cruelest way; to get together with the one she was truly satisfied with. 

James.

While he bears everyday; the brunt of her unfaithfulness, she was still fulfilled. 

Anderson sharply took his hand off the telephone when he felt a vibration from it. He picked it up and answered. 

"Madeline Riecke. Put me on to my son," his mother's voice filled his ear.

"It's me, mother," he said, running a hand down his face. He felt the ache from all that gritting.

"Why weren't answering your phone, I called five times!" he noted the exasperation in her voice.

"Oh, I'm sorry," he apologized, his gaze running around his office table for his cellphone.

"Why so many calls though?" 

"I think Reynard is already engaged to someone," 

"What," Anderson sat up instantly, his face a crumpled mess. 

"Are you sure about this, mother?"

"Quite. He called to have dinner with us and he said he would bring along a guest. I just know he's up to something, Anderson. He sounded cheeky and excited and you know how Reynard is" 

"But how.." Anderson mumbled to himself. "There's no way Reynard is getting the conglomerate!"

"That's exactly why I'm calling you. You're not settling down anytime soon. Are you, son?" 

"I once did and you know where it got me. It's still so crazy that you and Dad would do this to me."

"Son--

"Tell Dad I called first," Anderson cut her off, grabbing his cellphone and jacket.

"I'm bringing her over for lunch" 

"Wait what? But I thought you didn't.." Madeline's words trailed off.

"He wants a wife, right? I'll give him a wife." 

Anderson returned the phone, exiting the office while tapping hastily on his cellphone screen to reach Jude. 

...