Page 15 of The Fashion's Mogul's Secret Wish

“If you take another step, you’ll be thrown out of this building.” She stopped, tears rolling her cheeks. “You came into my home, told lies, and took advantage of my family. This alone is enough to get you arrested. For the sake of our past relationship, I’m giving you this grace. When you get back to the house, your luggage will be waiting for you outside. Take it and leave.”

“What have I ever done to you to deserve this? I’m the mother of your child! The only woman you ever loved!”

“Lies! How dare you have the courage to tell me these lies? Here, look at the truth!” I threw the file at her feet. She looked from her feet to me and back again.

“No. I don’t believe this. Someone is lying to you. These are lies…” She was shaking like a leaf in the wind.

“Look at it!”

She fell to her knees and opened the file. She kept shaking her head as she saw the evidence against her.

“Now, stop all this and get out of my sight.”

“Karl, please. I never meant for things to come to this. I need your help. My life is in danger and only you can help me. I need money; it isn’t much to you. In fact, if you give it to me, I’ll never bother you ever again.” She rose and tried to come at me.

The look I flashed made her freeze in her steps.

“Don’t be callous! You have all this money and an easy life, yet you won’t even help me. Is this how much you hate me? Karl…”

“For Christ’s sake, shut up. I’ve heard enough of your blabbering.” I chuckled in amusement. “Laura, if you had come to me the first time and asked me to help you, truthfully, I might have considered it. However, you just came in and proved who you are. The same old greedy, lying and manipulating person you’ve always been. Enough with this drama. Get out this instant, or you are getting thrown out.”

Suddenly, her demeanor changed. She wiped the tears off her cheeks and stared at me with cold eyes. “I was a fool for thinking anything good would come of this. You’re still as selfish and problematic as always. You might think you have the last laugh now, but don’t get too comfy. You’ll regret this, I promise you,” she snarled, breathing fast in rage. She saw she was getting no reaction from me and left with what little dignity she had left. I didn’t pay her threats any mind.

I sighed, feeling mentally stressed.Good riddance,I thought. Remembering what transpired between Marie and me made me want to look into her life. I stopped myself. That was wrong, I would be unnecessarily invading her privacy, moreover, there was no need for that. If I were to have anything meaningful with her, I had to build trust. I cursed Laura for messing up my thoughts.

I brought out my phone and sent a message to Rose, instructing her to get Laura’s things out of the house. Afterward, I called Norris. He answered. “Keep an eye on Laura. Though I believe she’s not a threat, I want to be aware of any plans she makes against me or my family.”

“I’ll do that, sir.” Satisfied, I ended the call and poured whiskey into a glass. Sipping it, I felt things were finally looking up. I could start preparing for the company’s party, and, hopefully, it might lead to something special with Marie.

Chapter 13

MARIE

Iwokeupfeelinglight and happy. What happened between Karl and me gave me hope. However, I didn’t want to push things too fast. I was sure I wanted him, but I wanted more than my heart to want him, I needed my mind to agree. Getting off the bed, I went to the bathroom and freshened up. I wore my sports clothes and shoes and tied my hair into a ponytail.

Leaving my room, I jogged down the stairs and left the house. It was a cool morning, perfect for a jog. I put on my air pods and jogged slowly off the grounds onto the pavement by the roadside. I let myself enjoy the workout music I had selected as the heat built up in my body.

There were others jogging, they waved as they passed. I took familiar routes around the neighborhood, going at a relaxed pace. The area wasn’t filled with people jogging, as most were in their homes. I glanced behind me out of habit to see someone–a man jogging behind me. He was far away, so I couldn’t see his face. I shrugged it off, he could be another resident going for a run.

A while later, I glanced back to see the man had drawn closer, it was none other than Howard. I stopped in my tracks, stunned. I was sure Howard didn’t live in the neighborhood, and it would be a weird coincidence if he did. Going over my past interactions with him, I could guess his motives. In no time, he reached me.

I stopped my music to hear him. He was breathing hard, very sweaty. “Come on, let’s keep going. I’m enjoying this!” His voice cracked. He clearly was not used to such strenuous activity.

I wondered if he had been paying attention to me. It was weird for him to be jogging exactly where I was. It creeped me out. “Are you following me, Howard? I warned you to stay away from me,” I said, exasperated. He stopped, clearly relieved to stand on two feet.

“I was just taking a walk around the area and saw you, so I decided to join you. Isn’t this fate?” He flashed me a smile. I felt sick.

A walk? Who was he kidding?“You don’t even live here! Look, back off, or I’ll call the cops on you. This is getting out of hand. Stay away from me and jog somewhere else.” With that, I took off. I looked back to see him standing there, looking befuddled. I sighed, relieved he wasn’t following me.

“Wait!” he yelled, startling me. I turned around to see him running toward me. For a moment, I was scared. I knew what scorned rejected men liked to do to women. I stood my ground, kicking away my fear. I wasn’t defenseless. My brothers made it a priority for me to learn self-defense skills, and I wouldn’t hesitate to use them. I placed my legs apart in a comfortable position in case I had to attack.

He reached me and spread his arms as if to stop me from running past him. “You’re a fast one. Hey, you’ve got to give me a chance. I’m willing to bear anything you throw at me, just don’t ignore me.” He touched his chest with a proud look on his face. “I know you’ll have me in the end.”

“There’s no end to your self-delusion. I am not playing a game with you. You are not worthy of my time, love, or attention. Get out of my way.” He shook his head, acting childish.

“No, you’ll stay here and hear me out. I’m tired of all your antics. It’s enough! Your mouth says no but your body…” a disgusting leer appeared on his face, “is calling for me. It’s undeniable.”

I watched as his hand stretched to touch me. In a flash of anger, I took his wrist, twisted it, and stepping into his space I crammed my elbow into his abdomen. He groaned, staggering back.

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