Why Don't You STAY

RECONNECTION'S & REVELATION'S

At that precise moment, keys jangled, and Victoria swiftly withdrew her hand, stepping back as the door creaked open. The cleaning lady entered, breaking the awkward silence. "Sorry, ma'am," she apologized, her eyes darting between us.

Victoria's expression softened, and she offered a gentle smile. "No worries, thank you. Let's go," she said, offering her hand. I felt a surge of comfort as our palms intertwined, a rare moment of safety with her. Her touch sent shivers down my spine, and I couldn't help but wonder why I felt this way.

As we exited, I spotted Mr. Laurier, Victoria's husband, standing in the hallway. My heart skipped a beat as I hastily released her hand, attempting to distance myself. Victoria's gaze flicked between me and her husband before she followed him.

"Hey, babe, I'm here," Mr. Laurier called out, his voice warm and familiar. Victoria's expression changed, and she walked toward him, a hint of a smile on her face.

A pang of disappointment struck me, hoping she'd choose me. Why was I thinking this way? I was trying to escape her questions, not invite more complications. I reassured myself, "It's for the best. She'll always choose him." But the thought didn't bring me the comfort I expected.

I watched as Victoria exchanged a tender kiss with her husband, feeling a pang of jealousy. What was wrong with me? I had no right to feel this way. I turned to leave, but not before catching Victoria's gaze. For a fleeting moment, our eyes locked, and I sensed a spark of understanding.

As the reality of potentially being apart from Victoria for two weeks sunk in, I hastily headed home, desperate to escape the emotional turmoil. However, fate had other plans.

Upon exiting the car, I spotted her vehicle parked nearby. My heart sank when I saw Victoria and Mr. Laurier embracing, their lips locked in a passionate kiss. A surge of jealousy overwhelmed me, but I knew I had no right to intervene. It was her husband, after all.

The monotonous drive home dragged on, my mind reeling with unsettling thoughts. Upon arrival, Robert had a warm lunch waiting – mac and cheese, accompanied by other delicious dishes. After lunch, I trudged upstairs, my mind preoccupied with the unsettling encounter.

Packing my bags, I felt a mix of anxiety and uncertainty. Robert's cryptic instructions only added to the mystery: "Pack your bags, and you're embarking on a journey with Dad and Ace to Singapore." The destination was finally revealed, All I knew was that  one thing was clear – I was escaping Victoria's questions and the emotional entanglement that came with them.

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As we touched down in Singapore, the humid air enveloped us, a stark contrast to the chilly breeze we'd left behind. My father, ever the businessman, was already on his phone, scheduling meetings and responding to emails. Ace, my trusted bodyguard and friend, stood watchfully by my side.

"Dad, can we explore the city today?" I asked.

"Later, Catherine," my father replied, distracted. "I have a meeting with a potential investor. But don't worry, we'll make time for sightseeing soon."

Ace discreetly stepped forward, his eyes scanning our surroundings. "Shall I escort you to your room, Catherine?"

I nodded, grateful for his presence. As we walked, Ace briefed me on the day's schedule. "Your father's meeting is at 2 PM. We'll attend as your escort."

The next few days were a whirlwind of activity. My father attended his meetings, while Ace and I explored the city, trying new foods and visiting iconic landmarks like the Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands.

One afternoon, as we strolled along the Singapore River, Ace turned to me and asked, "Catherine, do you feel secure with your father's security arrangements?"

I nodded, reassured. "Yes, Ace. You've been invaluable."

As we continued our journey, I received messages from my friends back home, including Olivia. "Hey, where are you?" she asked.

"I'm on a business trip with my father and Ace," I replied, deliberately vague.

Olivia responded with a string of curious emojis, but I didn't elaborate. I wasn't ready to share my complicated feelings about my father, or my unresolved emotions about Victoria.

As the days passed, my father made a conscious effort to spend quality time with me. Ace, ever vigilant, accompanied us on our adventures. Together, the three of us explored the vibrant streets of Singapore, immersing ourselves in the local culture.

One morning, my father suggested we visit the famous Haw Par Villa, a theme park featuring larger-than-life depictions of Chinese mythology. Ace drove us to the park, his eyes scanning the surroundings as we walked through the entrance.

As we wandered through the park, my father regaled me with stories of his own childhood, of the myths and legends his grandmother used to tell him. I listened, entranced, feeling a deep connection to my heritage.

Ace, ever the protector, kept a discreet distance, his eyes watchful as we explored the park. At one point, he intervened, subtly steering us away from a group of overly enthusiastic tourists.

As the sun began to set, my father suggested we cap off the day with a traditional Singaporean dinner. Ace recommended a small, family-owned restaurant in the heart of Chinatown.

Over a sumptuous feast of Hainanese chicken rice, chili crab, and char kway teow, my father and I shared stories, laughed, and bonded. Ace, seated discreetly at a nearby table, kept a watchful eye on us, ever ready to intervene if necessary.

As the evening drew to a close, my father reached across the table, his eyes warm with affection. "Catherine, I'm glad we're doing this. I feel like I'm getting to know you again."

I smiled, feeling a sense of connection with my father that I hadn't felt in years. "I'm glad too, Dad."

Ace, sensing the emotional moment, discreetly excused himself, giving us a moment of privacy.

As we finished our meal and prepared to leave, I realized that this trip was not just about exploring a new city, but about reconnecting with my father, and maybe, just maybe, finding a sense of forgiveness and understanding.

A/N:

Hello everyone 💜

I hope this message finds you all well. I wanted to take a moment to apologize for missing my scheduled post on Sunday. I know my chapters have been shorter than usual, and I appreciate your patience and understanding.

Life has been a bit challenging lately, but I'm committed to getting back on track. I'm excited to announce that I'm back and ready to write, with a promise of longer chapters moving forward.

This Sunday, you can expect a longer chapter, and I'm looking forward to sharing it with you. And, of course, who can forget that Christmas is just around the corner? Only 7 more days to go!

Thank you again for your understanding, and I look forward to catching up with you all soon.

Love Satss ♡

🎅🍾🎄❄☃️