F O U R

Nicole and Floyd finally reached home and the first thing Nicole said to Loretta when she asked about how the meeting went was, "Aspen is back."

Loretta was taken aback with what she said. Her heart beat accelerated as she looked back to see if Floyd was close to them.

"What do you mean by that?" She asked in a low voice, gobsmacked.

"I mean Aspen is Mr. Richardson's assistant." She replied and Loretta gasped.

"What are we going to do? Floyd can't find out." Loretta said in utter worry.

"We have to do some thing, mother. Who knows if she is back for the money." Nicole added deliberately, knowing fully well how Loretta could get worked up.

"Okay, we had better hurry. You know we have manage to get his support for us after these years, you will not want it to go in vain." She said and Nicole nodded her head in response. Several thoughts on how she would deal with Aspen ran though her head and they were all pointing at 'murder'. She can kill her. It was not something hard. But what is the fun in that when she could make her life a living hell?

Floyd walked down the stairs and noticed his mother was quiet. "Mother?" He called out to her. She looked up at him and beamed a soft smile.

"Nicole was just filling me up on the dinner meeting. She said she saw... Ermm, Aspen. Is it true?" She asked, feigning a smile.

Floyd flickered his gaze to Nicole who just smiled as if it was nothing. "Yes." He sighed.

"Oh, I can't believe that witch actually came back. Even after the way she cheated on you!" She said as she shook her head in pure feigned horror. Floyd bit his cheek to prevent himself from venting out on his mother. He hissed out and took a seat on the dining table. "No dinner tonight?" He asked.

"Huh? Nicole will prepare dinner tonight." Loretta said as she nudged Nicole who was shocked with her lips agape.

"I... I can't cook." she whispered to Loretta who twitched her eyes for her to agree.

"Oh, yes. I will." Nicole chirped as she giggled nervously and walked briskly to the kitchen. She glanced back to see Loretta saying some words to Floyd, Floyd stood up and left the dining table. Loretta hurried towards the kitchen and soon started helping Nicole. She knew all too well how they have been lying to Floyd that she could cook because Floyd obviously liked ladies who could cook.

**

Dinner was soon served and Nicole had her eyes on Floyd through out. Why? Because she wanted him to compliment her. Floyd never did. He just nods his head if he was satisfied with her. Either her clothing that does not make her look like a slut beside him. (She could look like one when they are not together or even be one, he does not care.)

He gulped down the cup of water and cleaned his lips. "I am going to bed, Nicole. Good night." He said, at least he still acknowledged her which was something to her. She smiled a bit and he did not return the gesture.

Slumping on the bed, the image of his ex wife blurred his vision. How could he have forgotten her? Even if he tried, she was back. Back to haunt him. Torment him for breaking her heart. And the way she looked at Richard. How she looked perfect with him. Gosh, it was so unnerving. He slowly closed his eyes to forget her. Her face. But his head had gotten so used to her that he could hardly think straight in her presence. That was why he had to put on the last resort, his cold hearted and mean façade. He knew all what ensued at the dinner all too well but he did not want to push it further with Nicole. He did want to show them that he still cared for her even after finding out how fucked up everything and everyone was. How could it even face happened? What kind of stupid love could have led to his father loving another woman? What stupid triangles was formed that it had to include him losing the love of his life in the bid to protect her? Her sanity?

He squeezed his eyes shut, warring to get her face off his head but just like a flame was rekindled after a blazing fire, memories of them has reawaken his urge. And he would do his best to subdue it. It was not for him. But for her.

••••

Aspen stood on the edge of her hotel's room window. Staring deep at the sky, her thoughts circulated how her small kids will be doing.

Her phone rang and she was quick to pick it. "Hi, miss." The nanny, Sheba, she had put them in charge greeted and she smiled out of relief.

"Hi, Sheba." She said.

"How are things? The kids kept babbling about you not being around." she complained.

Aspen almost laughed out as she imagined her three little stars going around crying for their mommy. "I know, I know. But I don't know for how long I will be gone but I will let you know soon. Also hope they are not giving you any issues?" She asked.

"No, miss."

"Okay, that's good. Call you later. And kiss them goodnight for me." She said with a proud smile.

"Good night ma."

She rubbed her arms as it was a chilly night.

Floyd.

That voice said in her head and it took every ounce of self will not to hiss out at the name. Why? He was a devil. She knew that. An hypocrite. She knew that also. But why? She wanted to protect her kids away from him. The raw memory of when he had told her to abort the kids played in her head and she could not help but feel anger towards him. But does she hate him? Yes, she does. She hates his handsome face that she was always been proud of. She hated the fact that he was still collected and stiff as he was even after meeting her after three years. That he did not even try to apologize for breaking her heart. For hurting her in the most vicious way. She hated the fact that she was still susceptible to him. But only she knew that she had to war him off and he was shockingly helping her to do it. Like he pretended that he knew her not. And she hoped he would keep on doing that and not try to compromise the situation as it is.

She was still in her train of thoughts when her phone rang. Her brother's caller ID and a grin spread across her face. She knew he would not let her rest. Duh! She rolled her eyes as she clicked on the answer button.

"Sorry the number you are trying to call is unreachable, try again next time. Thanks." She mimicked the voice and her brother chuckled.

"Maybe you should quit your job at MçS group of companies and start working at any telecommunications company. Gosh, I never knew you had it in you." He teased and she laughed out.

"Are you not supposed to be cutting out some clothes and drawing some images?" She asked in a teasing tone and he scoffed.

"And you did not even think to inform me that you already arrived at the hotel?" He asked in an accusing tone and she hit her head at her forgetfulness.

"I am so sorry. Just that I got caught up on some things that I could not think straight." She said.

"What 'things' is that? As far as I know, you are only meeting a fellow CEO and coming back." He said and she clamped her mouth shut. She could not tell him about meeting Floyd. He would go gaga about it and demand for her return back home. But she had just secured this job and she blatantly refused his help to sponsor her kids or her. She said she could do this on her own. That was how she found herself working at Richard's company.

"No, just work. The other party is so unwilling to give us the deal." She said as she feigned a yawn.

"Oh, I see. I can see you are tired already. Go have some sleep and rest. The sun will rise again tomorrow." He said, quoting her favorite part of when they were younger. She smiled.

"Okay, good night. Sleep tight." She said and disconnected the call.

She looked outside again and an exhale escaped from her nostrils. She need to leave this city as soon as possible. And that means getting to meet Floyd again. What worse could happen?

She climbed on the bed and laid down. Her phone beeped and she was suddenly tired of these people calling or texting her. She grumbled incoherent words as she picked her phone.

"You are back, Welcome!!!" The message read.

Her brows furrowed at the message.

Who sent this?