Watching her

♡•About a week later•♡

A full week had passed since I was given another chance at life. A full week of success and happiness because I was paying my enemies back little by little.

Ever since the fight I had with Andrew, he had been avoiding me and I was really happy about it. I couldn't bear to stay in the same room with an hypocrite like him.

Since the injury on his head was so obvious, dad couldn't overlook it. I was really surprised by Andrew's excuse when dad asked about the injury. He lied that a piece of wood fell on him when he was sorting out some things in his closet.

It was obviously a lame excuse but dad couldn't care less. That didn't really stop Amara from giving me death glares anytime she see me. She's starting to make her relationship with Andrew really obvious.

I didn't even have time to bother about them since I've been walking around trying to prepare for our company's upcoming annaual charity event. It's a day set aside to create awareness for donations of different things that less privileged people might need.

Since the day the company was founded by both my parents, it's always been am important event for us. My mom had always been the host till she died. Then, my father took over.

This year, I decided to step up for once and be the one to host this event. In my past life, Amara pleaded to be the host and it ended badly for me. Dad was so happy that I stepped up by myself to take on the position since he had always wanted me to do it.

It wasn't really easy for me to take over since I had just few days to go but I'm trying my best. I couldn't let dad down. I was alone in my room, busy sorting out the guest list through my laptop when I heard a small knock on the door.

"Come in." I said and the door was pushed open from the outside, revealing Amara.

"Catherine.. I can see you're busy with the upcoming charity event." She muttered as she stared at my laptop. She wasn't really doing a good job in hiding her anger and jealousy.

Like I said earlier, she was the one that was supposed to take on the job as the host but I took that position from her. She would have been recognized as dad's legal wife if he had allowed her to do it since it's mom's thing and she would have the advantage to carry out the plans she put together with Andrew but not anymore.

"Yes I am." I said gruffly. I wasn't even trying to hide how displeased I was with her presence either.

Her anger suddenly dissipated and sadness took it's spot on her face. "Catherine, did I do anything wrong to you?" I opened my mouth in surprise at her quick change in emotion. I decided to play along.

"No, why would you think that?" I asked back.

"I've noticed how you've been acting around me. You don't confide in me like you used to, you don't even treat me the way you used to. Is it because I'm not your actual mother?" She asked as drops of tears slid down her eyes.

In my last life, her crocodile tears would have moved me but not anymore. It's pretty obvious that she's playing me like always. I would be too stupid to fall for her trick over and over again.

I shut my laptop and stood in front of her.

"I'm so sorry I made you feel that way. It's just that I've been really busy, coupled with the fact that I just lost my baby." I explained as I gave her a remorseful gaze.

Her dark eyes showed an evil glint. "That's why you should be resting now. You shouldn't have taken on this big task after what had happened to you." She thinks she has successfully gotten to me.

"I needed something to clear my head. You know Andrew and I haven't really been in good terms for a while now."

"You caused it. Why did you have to join the company. Because of you, your father isn't going to approve of him anytime soon."

"You're taking his side. This is why I didn't want to talk you in the first place." I put on a sad facial expression and was about to leave when she pulled me back.

"No noo.. that isn't true. You know I'll always do everything in my power for you." Indeed!!

"Show me then. I need to see whose side you're on." I said to her, my arms wrapped underneath my breasts to show her how serious I was.

"I'll try to talk to Andrew so he'll accept your decision to rejoin the company."

My eyes brightened in happiness. "Really??"

"Yes. Anything for my favorite step daughter." She muttered as she pulled me into her embrace. I scrunched my face in disgust and waited impatiently for the hug to be over before putting a fake smile on my face.

"Thank you so much Auntie." I said.

"You're welcome. Thank God we are back on speaking terms. Don't forget I'm always here whenever you need me." She said while I replied with a small nod. She gave me one last smile before leaving.

The smile on my face varnished the moment she left. What is she planning now? A few minutes later, Andrew entered the room and engulfed me in a tight hug.

I wasn't expecting it so I just stood in shock. He pulled out of the hug and started apologizing for what he did to me that day. He sounded so sincere as he kept begging me to forgive him. I guess Amara must have convinced him to do it.

I noticed how relieved he was when I told him that I had forgiven him already. He gave me a small kiss before he left. I rushed into the bathroom and scrubbed my teeth ferociously.

After that, I picked out a sponge and washed my body thoroughly till I was almost bleeding. I can't stand this anymore. I can't wait to put an end to everything.

□■□■□■□■□■□

●A few days later●

Finally, it's the day we've all been waiting for, the annual charity event. I smiled happily as I looked around the huge hall. Everything had been put in place like I wanted. I put in all of my time and energy so I expect today to turn out well.

I was dressed in a beautiful long gown that matched perfectly with Andrew's tuxedo since we came here as a couple. As we walked in, everyone stared at us in surprise and awe.

Whispers filled the room as most of the eyes settled on me. This was the first time I was attending an event in years and I was dressed to kill so obviously, I was getting envious and lustful gazes from everyone around.

Amara wasn't left out. I noticed how angry and jealous she looked when I walked in with Andrew so I pulled him closer towards me to make her more jealous.

After all of the guest had arrived, they all settled down while I stood on the podium to commence the event. After I gave my speech, dad gave his and then we returned back to our seat.

After some time, I stood up to go greet some guests. As I was doing that, Amara came up to me saying she wanted to discuss something urgently with me. I followed her out of the hall to a place more quiet.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Hector told me that I am up next to give a speech." She said nervously.

"So??" I asked back.

"I wasn't told any of this before so I didn't have any time to prepare one. What do I do?" She asked.

"Okay, I'll help you prepare one. Don't worry."

"Thank you so much." She said happily as she pulled me in for s small hug.

"You're welcome." I said to her, giving her a faux smile.

"Here, take this." She gave me the glass of champagne she had been holding since.

"Uhm.. why?" I asked.

"To ease your stress. It's very good." She answered.

"But I'm not stressed."

"I can see it Catherine. You're definitely stressed. Just take a sip, you'll thank me later." Whe urged as she pushed the cup closer to my lips.

I stared at it skeptically and then she gave me a small nudge. I took in a deep breath and gulped everything down. She smiled when she saw the empty glass.

"Just wait here and let the champagne do it's work. I'll go and call Andrew to come get you." She said before leaving.

As soon as I was alone, I stopped smiling and took out the pill that I hid in my purse before swallowing it. After that, I tidied up myself and went back into the hall.

A little distance from where Catherine was, the tall man stood at the dark corner with his lips curved up in amusement as he watched the drama unfold. After Catherine left, he followed behind her to see what would happen next.