Chapter 1

KATE'S POV

“Emotions are valid regardless of how they come and their triggers,” a statement I say to put myself at ease.

I know I made the right decision but my conscience pricks me each time I see my sister’s call.

My phone rang repeatedly and all I could think of was ignoring but I never asked how she felt about my decision to stay with Dad after Mom's divorce…

“Freya...” I called out on the phone in a soft tone.

“Listen, you shouldn't be with Dad. Mom isn't happy about all of this. Will you just come home?” Freya's voice rallied through the speaker.

"I can't leave daddy because of his best friend. That's my dirty secret."

I didn't respond.

The call disconnected that instant. It was as though she knew I wasn't going to say anything.

A tear dropped from my eye as I laid my back on the bed, drifting to sleep.

Suddenly, a knock on my door alerted me from my sleep.

It was my Dad.

“I know this is coming all of a sudden but I need you to understand, pumpkin…..” the voice of my Dad came at me as he sat beside me in the living room.

“If I don't do this, I will regret it later,” He added.

“Dad, what's happening? You can talk to me,” I replied.

He hasn't been himself for the past few days and I have been worried sick about him.

I have never seen him like this. He seemed so unsettled.

“Could this be about the divorce?” I pondered.

“Is he scared he might not be able to provide for my needs as mother did?”

I began to think of what could possibly be troubling him.

I still weep secretly over their divorce and now this.

“Dad, can you just tell me what is going on? Is this about Mom or what?” I finally voiced out.

“No no, not at all…”

“I have to go. I need to sort out some things. Its business and it's important I do this,” He explained.

“Aren't you going to tell me what it is, Dad?” I asked.

“It's for the best, pumpkin. Before you know it, I'll be back,” He assured.

“But there is one thing you will be doing for me.”

“You have to stay with my friend,” He said, all of a sudden.

The sound of those last few sentences was like a time bomb that exploded.

Not because I had to stay with someone else but because I fear it is that one person I know.

“Your friend? “You don't mean…….”

“Yes, Jerry. Mr. Jerry Collan, the one who came here the other day and got you a premium card to shop all you like in any store,” He added.

Oh No.

My heart skipped a beat and a blush almost appeared out of nowhere on my cheeks.

I wiped it off immediately so Dad wouldn't notice.

That man….Jerry…

I was crushing on him.

I had been fantasizing a lot about it since he stepped into the house.

With the utmost wish, I was his and he was mine….

Now Dad says he would be the one to take care of me while he is gone.

Isn't this a dream come true?

“Is everything alright, Kate? You seemed a bit lost there when I mentioned my friend's name.”

“Oh, I'm okay. I just don't like the idea of you leaving like this, Dad.”

“How am I supposed to survive without you?”

Dad placed his hands on my hair, “Don't worry, pumpkin. Mr. Jerry would take better care of you.”

“Just get your things ready, alright?” He said.

I walked sluggishly to my room.

Despite hearing I was going to his friend's house, the worries of my father still overtook my sanity.

“This was unlike him,” I whispered to myself as I opened the door to my room.

“Hmm, let me get something of his, with me,” I thought as I loaded my bags with my clothes and underwear.

I snuck into his room, making sure he wasn't nearby. Funny enough, I could hear his voice aloud on the phone, speaking to someone.

The door of the wardrobe creaked open as I opened it slightly.

“There was this shirt of Dad I would like to take along with me.”

I was searching for the shirt when I stumbled upon this old brown briefcase Dad used to carry around back then before he got a brand new one.

“I wonder why it's so heavy,” I said as I tried to crack it open.

A bunch of files splashed all over the floor.

“What is this?”

I sorted it through immediately before Dad would walk in on me.

There were a lot of confidential files lying on the floor. “This has to be business stuff. I doubt if I would understand any of these,” I said out loud.

My eyes caught the sight of one yellow file. In it, I saw a photo album sealed at the bottom so it was quite difficult to check the pictures there.

I was trying to force them out when I heard footsteps from outside the room.

It was like Dad was walking up the stairs.

I hurriedly packed the files into his briefcase setting aside the yellow file.

“I am definitely taking this with me.”

I had totally forgotten I wanted to take one of his shirts. From the look of things, this file looked more important.

I went back into my room and kept the file in one of the hidden spaces in my backpack so he wouldn't notice peradventure he decides to search my bag for anything.

******

I long for it already….Being in Mr. Jerry's house.

I could still remember the very first day he came to the house.

Tall and handsome.

Charming and exquisite. The composure. His beautiful set of teeth and seductive eyes got me smacking my lips at his every word whether they made sense to me or not.

A crazy fantasy is what I would call it.

But it's no longer crazy now that I have to be with him 24/7.

I watched as he unbuttoned his shirt as he helped me with my bags into the house.

He was sweaty and he rushed to switch on the AC.

“Wow,” I marveled at the interior of the mighty house of the famous Jerry Collan.

“Feel free, Kate. This is your home now,” He smiled.

Just the exact words I wanted to hear. “This is definitely going to be home as long as it is just you and I,” I whispered to myself.

I turned around with style as the air blew my gown freely. He stood and watched me from upstairs. “You should come check your room out,” He spoke out loud.

“Is this my room?” I said as I stared in awe at the beauty in front of me.

It was as though he had prepared everything for me even before I got there.

I turned to stare at him in the eyes and once more, I felt that pull once more and I made my move.

“What are you trying to do?”

…….