92

After a while in her mother's house, Catherine called Ace to come and pick her up but I told her that his driver will come and pick her up because he would be going somewhere with his mother.

After a while Mike arrived to pick her up and she ordered him to take her to Talia's place so that she can go and show Mr Scott gratitude for what he did for her at her wedding.

"I wasn't able to congratulate you for your marriage yesterday because there were lots of people." Mike said and glanced at Catherine through the mirror. "Congratulations on your wedding..... Mrs Catherine. Sorry, I don't know if I can use 'Mrs Hampton' for you."

Catherine laughed softly, her hand covering her mouth. "It's okay, Mike. Thank you for your kind words and you can call me, Catherine. I don't mind."

Mike nodded his head and the journey continued silently.

When they got to Talia's house the gate was pulled open and Mike drove in. Mike came down and opened the car door for Catherine. When she stepped down from the car her eyes widened when she saw the Range Rover SUV before her and six corporate bodyguards came out of the car and stood in front of her.

"Why are there bodyguards? I don't remember coming with one." Catherine uttered, her eyes widening as she speaks.

"We got a direct order from Mrs Veronica Hampton and Mr Hampton to protect you and always be by your side. We're simply obeying the order." One of the bodyguards explained.

Talia walked out of the house when she heard commotion outside and was surprised when she saw Catherine and bodyguards.

"Catherine, I didn't know you were here." She said and slowly approached her, her eyes jumping from one bodyguard to the other and one of her eyebrows slowly pulled up. "Why do you have so many bodyguards around you? Is everything okay?"

"That is exactly what I'm trying to understand here." Catherine mumbled, she unzipped her purse and brought out her phone then quickly speed dialed Ace's number.

At the first ring Ace picked up his phone.

"Hey Butterfly, is everything okay?" He questioned softly.

"Yes," She responded and sighed. "Why do you have bodyguards following me without telling me about it? Did something happen?"

She could hear Ace take a deep breath and after a moment he answered.

"We will talk about it when we get back home." He retorted. Catherine's heart skipped. He was trying to hide it but she could detect from his voice that something was wrong, that something wasn't right.

"Baby, what's going on?" She asked frantically, her eyes shifting from Talia to the bodyguards. "I am scared."

"Don't be scared, Butterfly. Nothing will happen to you. I'm here. Just have fun and make sure the bodyguards that I personally assigned to you are there always. We'll talk more at home." He told her softly, but even his soft and calm voice couldn't sooth her ongoing breakdown but she had to believe him and so exactly as he said.

"Okay, see you." She whispered.

"I love you," He told her.

"I love you too." She replied.

After ending the call Catherine turned to the bodyguards and sighed.

"Thank you for being here, I hope we can get along well." She uttered confidently.

"You too, Mrs Hampton."

****

Catherine and Talia walked inside the house and as they say down on the couch Holly, Talia's younger sister walked in.

"Hi, Catherine." She greeted her excitedly.

Catherine smiled and pulled Holly to herself. "Hey Holly, how did you grow so big from the last time I saw you? " She queried with a smile on her face.

Holly giggled cutely "I am a big girl now, Catherine. I'm not a small girl."

"So you're a big girl huh? That's great" Catherine said with a smile.

"Can you go to your room, Holly. Catherine and I need to talk about something." Talia said and Holly rolled her eyes.

"Okay, whatever." She mumbled.

When Holly left, Talia sat down opposite Catherine and crossed her legs.

"What was that out here?" She inquired.

" Apparently there is something going on and I have no idea what it is but I'm sure he will tell me when I get back home. " Catherine replied and sighed. " By the way, where is your Dad? I came here because of him. "

" Dad left the state this morning and he will be back in the next few days so he's not around. " Talia replied casually and got up from the couch. "I can't believe that you're not going on your honeymoon. That's so bad."

"I really don't care, we'll go back to school in the next few days. We'll have our mini honeymoon there." Cather stated, she followed Talia inside the kitchen and sat down on the kitchen table. "How is it going between you and Liam? Is everything going well?"

Talia opened the fridge and brought out a can of condensed milk and two glass cups then placed them on the kitchen counter, she also brought out a pizza box from the fridge and placed it beside the milk.

"I seriously don't know, Catherine. Liam confuses me. I love him, you know that I love him but sometimes I just don't understand how he feels or thinks. I really want to understand him, Cath but it's getting exhausting."

Catherine was speechless when she heard Talia's outburst. She never thought that her friend's relationship might be getting tough.

"Did he cheat on you?" Catherine asked and Talia shook her head. "Did he verbally abuse you?"

"He treats me right, Cath. But sometimes I feel like I don't have his full attention. Something is missing." Talia moaned out painfully and closed her eyes. "I wish I knew how to solve this. I sound pathetic, I know."

"No, you don't sound like a pathetic girlfriend, you're just looking out for yourself and your relationship. I'm sure that things will work out. Just be prayerful and attentive." Catherine advised and took Talia's hand in hers then caressed the back of her palm. "Things will work out."

°°°°°°°°°°°°

When Catherine got back to the Hamptons mansion Ace was yet to get back.

She took her bath and stayed back in their room. She was sitting down on a couch with a glass of lemonade in her hand, her phone on the other.

The door knob was turned and Catherine's eyes turned towards the door. Ace walked inside the room and when he saw her, he smiled. He walked towards her and kissed her lips softly then walked towards the bed and dropped his car keys on the nightstand drawer.

"You're Back." She whispered.

"Yes, I am."

He pulled his shirt over his head and twisted his head and shoulder.

"What happened today? Why the bodyguards?" She asked gently, slowly walking towards him.

Ace sighed and turned to face her.

"Did your mother tell you anything?" He asked her and she slowly shook her head. "Well, I found out that your mother fúcking sued your uncle without even telling you. What if you get hurt? What if he comes after you? What if mother didn't fúcking know about it!"

Catherine shook her head and let out a fake laugh.

"Mom sued him? Oh my God. What if... What if something bad happens, Baby?" She questioned, her eyes deflecting to her phone every second.

Ace stepped closer to her and placed both of his hands on her cheek.

"I am here. Your uncle hurt not only your family but my family too. He was the mastermind of everything that went down. He should be in jail and live there, I'll make sure of that. As for your safety, I have bodyguards placed everywhere in the house and there are trusted bodyguards that will be going out with you. Of course I'm here for you too." He explained.

"And what about when we go back to school? Will I have bodyguards following me around too?" She inquired helplessly.

"We have no other choice."