12
Derek was pissed, he was pissed with himself and also his wife, she had tried to talk to him and like a bull, he had gone charging out of the house, he was pissed at her for making him feel something for her, she had made him feel what he thought was dead to him, in just a matter of days, she was trying to resurrect it, he was damn attracted to her and he needed to stay away from her, he hadn't slept at home again that night, after his meeting yesterday, he had gone straight to his favorite club and had drunk a lot, he had managed to go to one of their family's house extension and had crashed there, he woke up this morning with a pounding headache and was preparing coffee when his phone rang, it was Jake, he picked up at the second ring.
"Yes, Jake, what is it?"
"Er....em...Sir, I...." He frowned into the receiver, what was he stammering about?
"Speak up Jake, what is it?"
"Sir, er...have you seen the morning papers?"
He frowned, he hadn't gone out that morning and he wasn't at home to get the paper from their page boy.
"No Jake, what happened?"
"Sir, I think you need to see it, I think it might affect your appointment" with that he hung up and Derek grimaced, what could be so important that could affect his appointment? He had to see it, he quickly gulps down the coffee before going out to get the paper, his eyes narrowed when he saw the headline, "old flame ignited" he snarled, on the front page was a picture of him and Christine hugging, kissing and looking very much like lovers, he threw the paper away angrily and called Jake, "I just saw the papers, that shouldn't affect my appointment in any way, what is written there are all lies"
"But sir, they are requesting you postpone the meeting".
Derek took a deep calming breath, "I am not canceling, if you want to keep your job, make it work" he hung up, his meeting would not be canceled for any reason, much less for a lie that was written, he quickly took a shower and got dressed, heading for his first meeting of the day.
Kathleen paced the room, it was yet another night and Derek still wasn't back, she had tried calling him but he wasn't picking his calls either, maybe this was her fate, she was destined to always have a loveless relationship, she sat down and hugged herself, feeling so alone, she thought of her only friend Tasha and how she was betrayed by her, tears welled in her eyes and she cried herself to sleep.
Kathleen woke up the next day, feeling drained, she rubbed her eyes, she was tired of being indoors always, she needed to do something, Mary knocked and entered and she was glad to see someone she now considers a friend, "tell me, Mary, is there something I can do around here?"
Mary's eyes widened, "you're the boss wife, you shouldn't do anything, what is it you want to do, I'll do it for you".
Kathleen shook her head, "no Mary, I feel very bored, I just want to be busy, to keep my mind away from some events"
Mary looked at her, her gaze sympathetic, "I know about what you read in the papers but I don't believe it's true"
Kathleen looked at her, "what do you mean?"
"I mean, that lady hurt our young master so badly, I know the mere sight of her disgust him, why would he then kiss her, besides he has a beautiful wife at home"
Kathleen smiled faintly, "I know you're trying to defend your boss but pictures do not lie, do they".
Mary shook her head, "there must be some misunderstanding"
Kathleen waved her off, "your master is free to do as he wishes, he owes me no explanation" Kathleen tried to convince herself with those words, she said nothing more as Mary arranged the room and went out, she would take a tour of the house, she hadn't even had the time to walk around the house, she quickly got dressed and went out.
She was walking along the corridor when he heard a groaning sound coming from a room, she followed the sound and entered a room, a man was lying on the bed and a nurse was trying to feed him, this must be Derek's father, she went farther into the room
"How's he? She asked and the nurse almost dropped her plate of food, shocked to see Kathleen in the room but before she could answer, Marcella Deloux, Derek's stepmom walked in, "what the hell are you doing here" she asked sounding pissed, Kathleen turned at the sound of her b
Voice, "I..... was...just" she was cut off by her before she could finish her statement, "save your explanation for another day, please leave".
"But....I....." Kathleen Interjected and Marcella all but screamed, "I said leave".
Kathleen simply turned on her heels, "do not forget to shut the door firmly behind you and know your boundaries".
Kath ran out of the house, why was Marcella so angry, she just wanted to see how Sir Deloux was doing.
Kathleen came back to the house about half an hour later, she was calmer now, it was funny how her life had taken a drastic turn, from Dave and her family to Derek and his family but she knew she has to be strong, she won't allow herself get sunk in, she was about to enter the house when she saw a very pretty lady coming out of the house, her expression smug and she wondered at her identity, she suddenly has the urge that it has something to do with Derek and instinctively, she decided to follow the lady, she ran out to flag down a taxi and asked the taxi to follow the car.
*
*
It's been days since Derek went to Deloux mansion, he had been staying in the Deloux extension and didn't plan on leaving anytime soon, he had attended meetings upon meetings, some yielded fruit and some are still skeptical of him, his recent scandal wasn't helping matters and some of the business partners see it as his been irresponsible while others although not too pleased with his lifestyle, had given him an audience. Derek entered the house tired from attending different meetings and decided to spend the rest of the day resting, he was almost drifting to sleep when he heard a knock on the door, he wondered who that could be as he opened the door to see a very pretty lady standing there, she looked vaguely familiar and he frowned, trying to place her.
She smiled brightly at him, one finger trailing his chest "hello Derek"
"Do I know you?" he asked skeptically, staring at her and she smiled seductively, "you could say that....or not, I am Nicole, your supposed bride".