Chapter twenty three
As Catherine discreetly approached Dario's room, her footsteps quiet against the floor, she couldn't help but overhear the intriguing exchange between the three brothers. The door was left slightly ajar, allowing her to eavesdrop on their conversation."How long was I out?" Dario's voice carried a hint of confusion and concern, piquing Catherine's curiosity."Nine months, bruh, nine freaking months, like a pregnant woman," Theo responded with a mischievous chuckle, his words painting a vivid picture of the lengthy absence.Dario's response was laced with frustration, "Man, that was messed up."This scene unfolded a week after Dario's miraculous recovery, and Catherine was keenly aware of the doctor's orders to keep him under observation for five more days. The close-knit family had taken turns visiting him every day, offering support and camaraderie.Hidden behind the partly open door, Catherine continued toChapter twenty four "Who is Lucy?" Catherine's inquiry burst forth, a mix of curiosity and apprehension coloring her tone.Ronnie's smirk deepened, relishing in Catherine's sudden intrigue. She wasn't the only one capable of surprises; he had his own cards to play, with women eager for his attention.Unfazed by the brothers' scrutiny, Catherine pressed on, determined to unravel the mystery surrounding Lucy."A friend," Ronnie retorted casually, his gaze lingering on Catherine, his demeanor betraying nothing but nonchalance. Then, with an unexpected twist, he added, "I'll be staying at her place tonight, so please, Theo, don't wait up for me."Theo's confusion was palpable. Ronnie's choice of Lucy was perplexing; he had always dismissed her as too needy. And the request—or was it a warning?—regarding waiting up for him was entirely out of character. Something didn't add up, and Theo couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Ronnie's words.Catherine's heart sank, a surge of hu
Chapter twenty five"No, no, no, please, don't," Catherine pleaded, her voice a desperate whisper echoing through the confines of her nightmare. With each thrash and turn, she battled against the unseen adversary lurking within her dreams."Cait, Cait," Dario's voice broke through the darkness, his hands reaching out to steady her thrashing form. "C'mon, Cait," he urged, his tone a mixture of urgency and reassurance. "Snap out of it!"His words pierced the veil of her dreams, pulling her back to consciousness with a jolt. Gasping for air, Catherine's eyes darted around the room, searching for signs of the unseen danger that had haunted her sleep. Yet, it was Dario's presence beside her that anchored her in reality, his steady gaze a lifeline in the tumult of her subconscious.Their eyes met, a silent exchange of emotions passing between them. In Dario's gaze, Catherine found concern and relief intertwined, a reflection of his unwavering support in her darkest moments. And as the echoes
Chapter twenty sixAs the resonant knock echoed through their room, Catherine shot Dario a quizzical look, confusion etched into her features. "Expecting someone?" she inquired, her tone laced with curiosity.Dario's solemn shake of the head only deepened Catherine's perplexity as she rose to confront the mysterious visitor. With a hesitant twist of the knob, she swung the door open to reveal Mia, Rosita's personal maid."Mia?" Catherine called out, her brow furrowing with bewilderment. She couldn't recall ever exchanging more than passing pleasantries with the elusive servant, making her early appearance all the more intriguing.With a graceful bow, Mia delivered her enigmatic message, her voice soft yet laden with unspoken secrets. "Ma'am Rosita requests your presence," she intoned, her head bowed in deference."Why?" Catherine probed, her gaze searching for any hint of explanation in Mia's lowered stance."She didn't disclose her intentions, miss," Mia replied, her eyes never meeti
Chapter twenty sevenDario nudged her forward, urging her towards the couple who stood before her, Caitlin's parents. Catherine hesitated, feeling an unfamiliar shyness wash over her as she approached."Hey, Dad," Catherine greeted tentatively, her voice sounding foreign as she waved hesitantly. It felt strange to utter the word "dad," a term she hadn't used since her days in foster care."Aw, come here, sweetheart, don't be shy," her father coaxed, enveloping her in a warm embrace. "I love you, shortcake," he murmured, planting a tender kiss atop her head.Tears threatened to well up as Catherine soaked in the overwhelming flood of emotions. This was what it felt like to be truly loved and cared for—a sensation she had only dreamed of experiencing within the confines of a real family.As her father released her, Catherine turned to face his wife, Helen. Tentatively, she wrapped her arms around Helen, feeling a slight stiffness in return. But amidst the whirlwind of emotions, Catherine
Chapter twenty eight Arriving at the imposing Smoak mansion, Catherine's thoughts swirled with a potent mix of apprehension and uncertainty. Helen's unexpected invitation for her to spend the night with her and Christian only added to the whirlwind of emotions. Despite Rosita's initial reluctance, she relented after some persuasion from Jacob, leaving Catherine to grapple with her own inner turmoil.Her mind still reeling from Ronnie and Lucy's bombshell announcement, Catherine felt as though the ground had shifted beneath her feet, leaving her adrift in a sea of uncertainty. Catherine's thoughts drifted to Theo's cryptic message, his urgent plea for a conversation when she returns weighing heavily on her mind. The memory of his embrace, tinged with a sense of foreboding, lingered like an ominous shadow.Pushing aside the turmoil, Catherine resolved to lose herself in the grandeur of the Smoak mansion. The sight of the sprawling estate, adorned with a majestic fountain and meticulou
Chapter oneHe sighed and sank into his chair. He ran his hand over his face, his jaws clenched, a new headache forming. He knew this was a bad idea, he knew his father would one day decide to make his life miserable but he didn't think it would be this soon. He inhaled and allow himself enjoy five seconds of peace before he decided to call his shitty best friend for advice.Shit! Shit!! He knew this was a big mess.Dario massaged his temples and brought his cell phone to his ear with his free hand. He paused going over what he wanted to do, he was over thinking again, he had to stop. He slowly waited for his friend to pick the call, on the fifth ring just when he decided it was a bad idea Aaron picked the call."Well, well, well if it isn't Dario Simpson." He mocked as his voice came through."Aaron Wellington." Dario rolled his eyes but mimicked his tone."How are you doing and how's business?" Aaron asked.He sighed wishing he could
Chapter two"Did it work, did you find any?" She asked anxiously as Elena walked in.Elena shook her head and she sighed. She needed a job badly, she had checked for online jobs but none was available, her best friend Elena tried to get her a job in the Del monte's coffeehouse where she works but all to no avail."I'm so sorry Diane," Elena was apologetic. "I tried to talk to Fabio but he just bounced me."She flashed her a warm smile. Of cos Elena just likes to be dramatic she knew Elena had done her best even if she hadn't she would still be greatly indebted to her.Three years ago, Elena took her in when she was in her most difficult time. She was four months gone when her so called boyfriend disappeared from home one night, she was so devastated that she looked for a way to get rid of the pregnancy, to rid herself of anything that belonged to him, at that moment she didn't wan
Chapter three He walked into the house tiredly, today he tried looking for a suitable bride for the Simpsons enterprise but all to no avail. All the girls he saw at the bar he went to, no one was suitable, he was sure if he presents any of them to his dad, he would loose the company in a twinkle of an eye. After the death of his fiancee Caitlin, he moved out of the Simpsons mansion since everything there reminds him of her. He also planned to move out of the city but his mom wanted to be close to him, she still treats him like she did five years ago when he lost his fiancee. He looked around the sitting room, it was littered with toys, toy cars, action figures and other stuffs. He clenched his jaw at what he saw, how could Dennis leave all this here. "Daddy!, daddy!!"Dennis called running into the sitting room with a toy gun. He moved away from Dennis quickly, avoiding th