Ten- A birthmark

10

Days passed and Kate company are busy preparing towards the best designer award coming in two months. Kate’s eyes never left the laptop, she has pulled all nighter to make sure she get an approval from the shareholder.

“Ma’am, I think you need to see this,” Claudia said coming into the office.

Kate lifted her head and took the iPad from Claudia, she raised her eyebrows, “Did they give a concrete reason as to why they are dismissing our Loan?” She asked and Claudia pressed her lips together.

“No.” She replied.

Kate rested her back on the chair, “What the hell…!”

“What about the organizers? Have you been able to prove to them that we deserve this award?” Claudia chipped in but she know the answer was a no since Kate’s face dropped.

“I think it’s because we aren’t partnering with a solid artistry company. Our company just developed in the city and it will take a while for them to put trust in us,” Claudia said while Kate rolled her eyes.

“What are you suggesting?” Kate asked.

“The Rhodes Artistry. They are the best,” Claudia guessed without thinking twice

Kate threw her hands in the air, “Fine. I will think about it and see if I’d give their company a chance,” She responded and Claudia left with a smile.

‘Not him again, why does he keep appearing in my daily conversations!’ Kate thought to herself.

She was about to keep working when a knock came on her door, Claudia walked in, “Ma’am..”

Kate let out a weary sigh, “What is it this time, Claudia? I said I will think about—”

Claudia gulped, “I don’t think that’s a thing to think about anymore…He’s here.” Claudia stated.

Kate forehead creased, “What do you mean—” She hasn’t ended her words when Lucas appeared behind Claudia.

“Oh, speak of the devil. He’s bound to be everywhere I am.’

Kate furrowed her eyebrows, “Mr Rhodes? Why are you here?”

“Since you’ve decided not to give me a chance…I have decided to give you a chance you can never turn away,” Lucas answered, his lips danced in a smirk.

- -The Rhodes House- -

“How about we go with a different design that doesn’t look almost similar to brides now?” Tara suggested scrolling through her iPad for a wedding dress.

“I think I have an idea! Let’s contact designers to help us sketch your desired wedding dress,” Susan, Lucas sister added, clapping her hand together after announcing such a wonderful idea.

Tara nod in agreement but suddenly her face dropped, “All designers are occupied by the upcoming award…no one is willing to sketch my wedding dress for me.” Tara declared, her lips going into a pout.

Then Susan snapped her fingers like she remembered something, “What about Kate White? I heard she’s in town now. Did you contact her company?” She asked.

Tara felt irritated by that name, ‘Why is she including Kate in their conversations?’

“Ugh…She’s also busy with the award as well, I’m sure she won’t have the time to sketch the dress for me,” Tara simply dismissed the topic.

“Aunty Susan, where did you keep my iPads,” Thomas came in, he’s now grown and will be 10 years in three days time.

Tara had been trying to get on his good side since he was the house’s favorite youngest cousin but Thomas cared less about her. “Look what I bring you, Thomas. A new iPad gadget…it’s the latest,” Tara chipped in tossing a new iPad to him.

Thomas ignored, “I already got them last weekend,” He answered batting no eyelashes.

Tara felt down, no matter how she tried to make him like her, it keeps failing…he’s a hard nut to crack. Everyone in the family has fallen for her charm except him.

“Check the study room,” Susan told him and he went away.

“Thomas doesn’t like me.”

Susan held her hand, “I’m pretty sure he would come around,,,he’s just being childish and misses Elena,” Susan said.

Tara clenched on her teeth, each time Elena’s name is mentioned, she feel like exploding.

‘Thomas dotted Elena. He cried for months when he heard about her plane crash. Stupid boy.’ Tara thought in her head.

Then her phone beeped, it was a reminder that she has a date with Lucas today. She smiled, “I still have better things planned today,” She smiled and took her bag.

“Leaving? Aren’t you going to wait until mother comes back?” Susan asked and Tara shook her head, already heading to the door.

“I have a date with Lucas. Bye!” She walked out.

She pulled out her phone and called Lucas but his assistant picked instead, “Where is Lucas? Why are you the one picking?” She fired at him.

“He’s in a meeting with Kate White, he said no one should disturb him.”

If only anger could be expressed over the phone, Tara would have love to slap Lucas’s assistant face over the phone

- Kate White’s Building- -

“I guess we have a partnership, Mrs Kate White. It’s so nice finally partnering with you,” Lucas stretched his hands forward for an handshake.

Even though Kate would do anything not to get involved with him but her company reputation is at stake for now, she’s left with no choice.

She took the handshake, “I guess so, Mr Rhodes.” She stiffened a smile.

Then the door opened, Claudia walked in with cups of coffee. Just as she was about to drop the cup, her hand slipped and it slippped straight into Kate’s sleeeve, burning her wrist.

“Fuvk!” She yelled out.

“I’m so sorry ma’am, my hand slipped..” Claudia apologized.

Lucas eyes popped and he pulled out his tie without much effort in putting his thoughts together, that he was blind to see tissues on the desk, he started cleaning the coffee off her sleeve. “Do you have a first aid box in here?” He asked.

Claudia ran out, going to get the first aid.

“Roll up your sleeves,”He instructed, ready to nurse the bruised area.

Kate blinked her eyes, “It’s no big deal..I can help myself…” She wanted to push his hands away but Lucas insisted.

Kate, for the first time, studied his face. It was laced with pure worry and genuine care. She badly wants to shook her mind off it but her heart chose that time to beat faster than ever before.

She watch him as he slowly roll up her sleeve, a birthmark is on her wrist. Lucas froze for a minute..Elena had same birthmark.

Kate noticed and immediately she got back into her senses and flung his hand away, pulling down her sleeves. “Don’t worry about my bruise, Mr Rhodes.”

Lucas wasn’t sure of what he saw but he remembered Elena having a similar birthmark there too.

“Why do you have that in your wrist…?”

That question hung in the air as the door opened and Tara marched in.