Published: Sept. 13, 2019----Sept. 30, 2020

Katelyn wakes up as if tons of weight had crushed her body on the bed, leaving her unable to breathe and move freely.

It was then she realized that something hairy and heavy lies on her chest. Reality set in as she opened her eyes and saw Jared's light brown hair. But the feeling of remorse and shame was not there, only contentment.

The fear of being used never crossed her head as she felt only totally loved by him last night.

Her hand was already in the position to comb his hair with her fingertips, but then she stopped in midair. She has no strength for another round of their activities if she wakes him.

Last night he was insatiable, leaving her drained of energy.

"Is he also likes that with..." she immediately shakes her head to get rid of dark thought that lurks on her mind.

All she hopes for today is that no one will disturb the euphoria that envelopes her as she wants to savor each second that they are this close, without interruption or negative thoughts.

"Hmm, good morning," she heard Jared greeted her.

She almost groaned in protest as her movements indeed awaken him. She smiled at him, only to see him not looking at her but with her two mounds. She hurriedly reached down to cover it with her hands.

Her action evoked a chuckle from him, and immediately she pushed him away from her, but this time as her strength is not that strong, he didn't budge an inch.

Still laughing, he got up from the bed, scooped her on his arms, and ran with her to their bathroom. All the while, she was protesting, "return me to bed!"

But he only stopped to tell her," I always wanted to make love with you under the shower," then he smiled in a silly way, leaving her this time dumbfounded as he walked to their bathing area.

"A pity for her, surely she will be crawling after this," her last thought before they were under the shower, and again she succumbed to her urges.

In the end, they were late in going to work. Tired but still able to run out of the car once it's stopped in the parking space allotted for his used, she directly goes to the standard elevator.

Once inside their office, she sees Michelle being busy already with her computer while Mark with his paper works or so it seems.

She greeted Michelle, who only spares her a glance. The guilty her, of course, got a bit worried about what her colleague will think of her being late, but it seems like Michelle doesn't care or she has no time to remark on it.

Katelyn then walked to her table, turned on her computer, and then put her things on her drawer.

Once seated on her chair, she started to check on the emails forwarded by Mark and then started dealing with it.

After attending the mails, she then opens the spreadsheets to retrieve some information about the newly merged companies in the quarterly board meeting. This time her problem started as she kept on yawning, disturbing her rapid progress.

"Why did she insist on working today when Jared already told her to take a day off? If only she did not let her stubbornness control her decision, she is now sleeping peacefully in bed, unlike now being tired and bothered by her constant yawning."

She could only blame it on her overindulgence and Jared's ravening desire.

"Hey, Katelyn, you looked as if you had partied hard last time or an exhausting time with your lover."

Michelle remarks made her closed her mouth with her hand before a yawn can come out of it.

"See, you cannot deny it. Common tell this lonely woman about it."

"Oh no, I have no lover, and I was not even at a party. I couldn't sleep well last night as my friend from England visited me. We were so engrossed with our reminiscing that we forgot the time," she lied.

"How she wished her lying days will stop, but so far, even after what had happened, Jared's never said anything about their relationship status. On the other hand, she also never clarifies but allows herself to go with the flow.

"A boring life; I thought that you are friends with Nicole, so you must have many dates."

Michelle's comments made her laugh. "Truly, her friend is known in the entire company for her dating escapade."

"Oh no, everyone just misunderstood Nicole, so do not believe in the gossip. Besides, she has a boyfriend now, and she always spent her time with him."

"Well, that is good to hear." Michelle told her while turning her head to where Mark is and then added, "By the way, before Mr. Miller will notice us, did you already finished the papers that I asked you to retype, those for the board meeting?"

"Yes, I did," she then took the folder on her table and handed it to Michelle. "I had finished it since yesterday, just checked it out."

Michelle scans it first before closing the folder and then walked towards Mark's office.

Katelyn then is left to continue working, but the persistent vibration of her cellphone distracted her. She decided to check it out and see a new number that left her puzzled, "Who will it be?"

She groaned as soon as Lizzy's face came into mind. She debated whether to answer or ignore it, but then she thought it would be rude to do the latter. So she picks up the call.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, Kate. I called to ask you which company are you connected with?"

"I am working at the Steele Group of Companies."

"So, you work at the company owns by Aunt Melanie's nephew. Which department are you in there?"

"Lizzy, can we talk on my lunch break?" She asked without answering her friend's question after seeing Michelle going out of Mark's office.

"Well, okay, but I will expect your call. I am bored here in the office of Aunt Melanie. I want to explore the city with you when you have time. So, I will be here waiting. Bye."

Ever since she stepped foot on this city, the places she had been are only that of the Steele's properties, the mansion, the hotels, and the company. She had not seen anything more than the tall buildings that she passed going to those properties. So how can she be her tour guide?

She shakes her head for the absurdity of it while returning her phone to the drawer, but before she can put it down, it started vibrating again. She looks at it and saw Nicole's name.

"Yes, Nicole, how come you called at this time?"

"I can't hear your voice. Is Michelle around?"

"Yes, she is in her table."

Nicole didn't know the different Michelle yet because she forgot to update them on her colleague's behavior change.

"Okay, I understand now. I call to remind you about the concert of The Legion," Katelyn's eyes bulge with Nicole's mentioning of the concert because until now, she didn't mention it yet to Jared. The reason is, as usual, it is their time together and before they don't even talk.

"Hey, why is there no answer from you?"

"I'm sorry, but can you please tell me what did you asked?"

"I didn't ask anything. I told you that Tess asked me to remind you that our ticket to the concert has a meet and greet access, so it's time for another shopping spree tonight. So make no excuses, as this is a must. See you tonight at our usual meeting place."

"Ah..." was all she can utter as the line turned off.

"They know her well," she murmured while returning her phone inside the drawer.

Now she cannot wait for their lunchtime and mention it to Jared.

To her dismay, twenty minutes before their lunchtime, Jared called that he would be out. He didn't mention the reason but just told her to eat inside first.

After eating her lunch in solitary, she walked to the door to go out. To her surprise, Charlize came inside the office. With nowhere to hide, she was left stuck on where she stands.

"You, what are you doing here on your lunch break?"Charlize asked, looking at her with dreadful eyes while pointing a finger.

"What will she say now? Where are now those ideas that came rushing to her head? It seems like it abandoned her on the most crucial time."

"I...was...arranging the conference room," she finally said while pointing her hand in the direction of the room where she left.

"Surely, it's the housekeeping duty to do that, not yours," Charlize told her while walking towards her and, once near, bend her head, so their eyes meet.

In a slow but with weight on her voice, she said, "Are you trying to fool me in believing that you are just doing your job? I know what the assistant's duties, and being here during their lunch break is not one of them."

"Ah..." She was going to answer that it was different before, but now it is her job, but she was cut short by the hand that pushed her aside.

Charlize then passed her while walking towards the room, leaving her massaging the shoulder that received the latter's hand's brunt.

She immediately went out of the office before Charlize can go back and say anything to her and then walked directly to the washroom.

Once inside, she took a deep breath while her back leans on the door. It was a close call, but what made her wonder is Charlize's untimely arrival. In the weeks that she had worked in Jared's office, the latter had never visited during their lunch break. It was always before, especially if she has the plan to eat with Jared.

"Is she trying to catch something?" a gasp came out from her as the thought of Charlize suspecting her being with Jared.

She immediately walked to the washbasin and then remembered that she forgot her toiletries in her drawer.

Jared was smiling at the surprised that he had prepared for his wife. He went out to personally pick up a bunch of red and white roses from the flower shop.

Once he holds the flowers, he can't stop his excitement on seeing his wife's expression. He had never been this romantic to any woman.

He gave gifts and flowers, though Mark ordered it and delivered by the shops to his past girlfriends, even Charlize.

He went out of his elevator while still looking at the bouquet in his hands. Surprised was what he felt as soon as he saw who was sitting on his couch.

Charlize's beautiful face lit up as she saw him and her eyes widen at the flowers in his hands.

"Oh darling, what a beautiful bouquet of roses is that for your grandmother?"

He ignored her question but immediately walked to his table and lay the flowers gently and then turned to face the now walking towards him Charlize.

She was going to kiss him, but he evades it. He then crossed his arms on his chest, looked at her, and said, "I told you before not to come here unexpectedly."

He knew that his words seemed rash, but it is the only way to deal with her. He knows that if he doesn't tell her that way, she will take every warning he had said for granted.

But most of all, he knows what her reaction will be. Tears will fall on her face, and she will look so pitiful that in the end, he will also give in, but this time it will be different.

He took a tissue and then gave it to her. She did not accept it but instead raised her face for him to wipe, but he adamantly put it on her hand and then walked to his table, all the while he can hear her sniffing.

"Jared, why are you doing this to me?"

"I am just reminding you that we are over, so don't cross the line of what is appropriate or not." He finally said while sitting down on his chair.

"That was because, at that time, I was angry with you for not telling me that you left your apartment and the location of the new one."

"You know what we are, Charlize, sooner than later it will happen."

"I know that, but why can't I share a lifetime with you as your wife?" Finally, he heard her asked after a few minutes of silence.

"Why are you asking this question? You know it from the start my marriage will be arranged, and you told me that you don't mind because you are not the marrying kind."

"Because I wanted to be with you, and that was the only way I can be. But after all these years not seeing you in a serious relationship or arranged to marry someone else, give me hope. I thought my devotion would touch you and let you fall in love with me."

The first time he heard her say those words and to listen to it made him regret that he ever entangled himself with her. She had deceived him, so she had planned it all along, and thanks to her, he will hurt a woman.

He is just ruthless in the business world but not to women. He might act or look like a cold-blooded person, but he never leaves behind strings of broken-hearted ones. If a woman hangs around him, she knows not to expect more than he can give and accept it along with the compensation.

He thought Charlize is also like that as she let him believe it.

"Jared, I'm sorry I shouldn't have said that. It was wrong for me ever to mention love. But was it wrong for me to expect something from you?"

"You know, all along that you should not." He pointed out at her.

"In these days and age, will you still accept an arranged marriage? You are a powerful man, and your grandmother cannot force you in anything that you don't want."

"If I accept it or not, it is none of your concern," he stated.

Charlize then sit down on the chair in front of him, restless,

Before she can say anything, he continued. "You're barging in here acting like my wife was not what I expect you to do. You told me after we broke up that as long as I give you time to break it in public as you are still starting on your acting career, you will not complain. I did it, but what is this you are doing?"

"It is because of what I found out. You bring a woman to the hotel. It hurt me to know that you are already seeing someone new, and if I didn't do this, I would never know what that temporary secretary of yours was doing here."

"Whoever I will be with is not of your concern."

"Are you indirectly telling me that something is going on? Are you attracted to her?"

"Charlize, if you don't do what you had said, I will not be lenient with you anymore. I will ask the securities not to let you enter the company." He told her in his most authoritative voice, but all he can hear is the once in a while sound of sniffing.

It was only after a few minutes when she had finished retouching her make-up and looked as if nothing had happened, she stared at him and then said, "I will respect your private life, but don't expect me to do it abruptly."

"You know that ever since your father approached me, I was always there for you, but all I ask is to know your place."

Charlize then went out of his office; he then looks at the flowers and then punched the numbers.

Katelyn sits down on her table after leaving the washroom when Charlize comes in front of her.

She thought that the latter was long gone as Jared was not inside.

"Do you think because you left immediately, I already forget what had happened earlier? Know these eyes will be watching you from now on." Katelyn knows for a fact that Charlize threat was real as fierce eyes look at her as if imparting a message that she can do worst, especially when she said the last words, "I will not share my man to anyone, especially to a lowlife like you so don't be too ambitious."

Charlize then left her stunned, and once she regained her senses, she thinks of what had happened that the latter had said those words.

The ringing of her phone distracted her from delving on the answer. Upon seeing Jared's name on the phone, she answered it. He told her to go inside, and so she did.

Jared was not in his table when she entered, so she directly goes to the conference room as she remembered that he had not eaten yet.

She was surprised upon entering the door as Jared is in front of her holding this bunch of roses, smiling.

"Blimey! Is that for me?"

Jared then handed her the flowers, and like a gallant lover, he ushered her and let her sit down on the chair.

She sniffs into the flowers, and all the while cannot believe that Jared will do this to her. They had been married for months already, but he never even given her a single rose. She doesn't want to assume something and be dismayed, but she is exuberantly happy.

"Tori, can I court you?"

Surprised at his question, it made her looked at him and asked," Isn't it too late to do that?"

He smiled at what she meant and then answered, "It is not too late to start if we both wanted it. So will you let me?"

To refuse is the last thing on her mind, though still confused about what is going on to Jared's mind; still she nods for an answer.

END OF PART 23

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