Chapter 114: Chapter 114

KRISTEN

Every day after the proposal was like a dream.

I'd wake up with a feeling of ecstasy swarming every fibre of my being and an undeniable happiness that made me restless throughout the day.

It was an acceptable kind of restlessness. One that made me itch to rush back home from work and cuddle with June. Just the thought of her made me eager, hard and fucking excited.

For once in my life, I felt... complete. Henry and I were steadily warming to each other—Rephrase that: I was steadily embracing him and his love and acceptance of me and June.

It felt like I was surrounded by immense love. Well, wasn't I?

The issue of the settling scandal taught me a lot:

One, you can only know your true friends and supporters when you have problems that need attention. Two, no matter the good you do, a little mistake could turn you into a monster before those who claim they love you. And lastly, loyalty should never be bought with kindness, it should grow naturally.

Seeing June jovial and actually going back to her happy self was everything and more I could have imagined or wished for.

For the first time in forever, my heart was at peace. I used to always seek refuge in sex and alcohol, but now, even without those things, I was actually thriving!

And it would be in place to say that I was happy and contented.

And even a week after the proposal and acceptance by June, that happiness and contentment were still there...

One day at a time... That's the way I've decided to live.

Forget the past and everything in it and put all my efforts into shaping the present—and future—to deliver me and June the happiness we deserve...

I smiled to myself in my office. Things were finally returning to normal.

Edith knocked. I knew it was Edith because she always hit the door like it was an egg. If you're not attentive, you'd hardly hear it.

"Come in, Edith," I murmured. It's a wonder she heard me.

Just like I thought, she walked in, her eyes taking in the office like she was seeing it for the first time.

"Hey, Kristen." I could almost hear the frost in her voice. She seemed lost; She sounded distant.

Maybe it was because I had also been distant.

Though I knew it would be impossible to completely avoid her, I'd beaten down on the frequency of her visits to my office, always generating one excuse or the other to keep her at bay.

"Hey, Kristen," she said again, softly, almost matching my murmur. "How are you?"

"I'm doing great." It was difficult for her to look into my eyes. She was in a red flare gown that covered everything—except her hands, feet and face, of course.

"Are you okay?"

I raised my brows. "Of course, I'm fine. What's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing. I asked because I haven't seen you come out of your office since morning."

For a moment, I contemplated lying that I was ill so she could leave me alone, but after a second thought, I realized that the lie could give her an excuse to come by in the evening, flashing her nudity like a flag and working June's nerves up.

"Nah, I'm fine," I said, settling for the truth. "I've just been busy with some paperwork."

She nodded, still trying to avoid my eyes. "Okay. Just thought to check on you."

"Oh, thanks." And just to make sure she understood that she wasn't supposed to come by in the evening, I added, "Don't worry about me at all. I'm fine."

"Oh okay..." When I saw her lingering around my table, I knew the conversation wasn't over. "About the proposal, I also wanted to offer my congratulations." Well, that was unexpected. "Have you guys agreed on a date for the wedding yet?"

"Don't you think that would be too sudden?" I asked, biting back a grin. June would officially be mine! And what's better, we are not related, so nobody would say shit!

"It's okay. You guys should take your time." She fell into silence for some seconds. "Errm, so, how are you?"

"Edith, I'm fine." She had asked that before. Now, I understand that she just wants to keep talking and can't seem to find a topic. I can't blame her though. If I were in her shoes, I'd do the same. We had been... something, and now, I was going to get married to someone she had never dreamed of as a rival.

Edith's craving for me was almost disturbing. By now, I expected her to have gotten over me and invested her energy in finding someone else.

"Edith, do we have anybody applying for the vacated positions?" I asked, trying to turn the conversation to matters concerning the office.

"Yes, a lot. I've not opened any of the applications. Though, the former employees are begging to come back."

"They should look for a position elsewhere. I can't have people professing fake love and loyalty to me and the company. I'm better without them." The topic made my blood boil. Like, why the fuck would you suddenly jump out of a job because of a scandal that slightly affected the company's finance but didn't disturb the payment of your salary? I mean, I always paid them on time. I never gave the finance issue as an excuse... "I don't want them. And that's final. I have something to do now, please excuse me."

"...Okay. Well, I came over to ask if you need anything for lunch. I'm going over —"

"No, I don't. Thanks a lot though."

"Okay. See you when I return."

I knitted my brows as she quietly walked out. I didn't want anything to rile me up, so I took deep breaths to calm myself down.

It's heartbreaking to think that most of the love I received from people before the scandal was just pretences aimed at aiding them to continue getting what they were getting from me.

I spent most of the afternoon going through the emails I got until a noise disturbed the silence I was relishing.

It was a yell and seemed to be coming from the waiting room.

Voices soon accompanied the yell until the building became chaotic.

I dashed out of my seat and ran for the door, when it was suddenly pushed in, four figures running in at the same time.

"I told him he couldn't come in like that!" My new secretary and the receptionist cried out at the same time. The others were slowly advancing to my office to probably yank the intruder out.

"Kristen!" Mark, who appeared to be the intruder, lamented and grabbed my right hand.

Confusion set in.

"I was coming to tell you that he came here unannounced and was clamouring to see you," my secretary said.

"Please give us some space," I said to everyone, now realizing that everyone had pooled around the doorway. They all left us, and Mark didn't let go of my hand. There was evident fear in his eyes with unshed tears threatening to create a river in my office."What's going on?" I asked, scared and concerned at the same time.

Before he opened his mouth to speak, my hunch told me it was concerning June, but I pushed away the thought. Everything was now in place, she wouldn't be attacked anymore. She's safe at home. I don't —

"Kristen... June has been kidnapped."