Don slammed the trunk of his car shut, his gruff tone coming out with disdain as he asked, "What's the story with that woman?"
Tyson's expression remained neutral as he delivered his report, his voice clipped and concise.
"I staked out her place and saw Brock Rico enter. Her mother referred to him as son-in-law as she saw him alighted from the car," he added, a slight frown creasing his brow.
Don's eyes narrowed, worry etched on his face as he processed the information. "Is she marrying again? Already?" His voice trembled with a hint of panic, his mind traveling miles while his body stood stagnant.
He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Katrina, marrying someone else?
It seemed unthinkable.
__________
.........
Katrina's eyes widened in outrage as she spat out Brock's name.
"Brock?! You can't be serious, Mum!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with anger and incredulity.
Brock stepped in, a sly smile spreading across his face. "I know things have been tough for your business, Katrina," he said, his tone belittling her.
"But I'm willing to help...if you're willing to marry me." His smile grew wider, clearly expecting her to be grateful for his offer.
His smile was a masterclass in an superiority, a gentle curve of the lips that implied he was doing her a great favor, and that she'd be wise to accept his offer with gratitude.
Well, that's his nature.
Too straightforward, he's always proud of himself and trying to show how rich, famous, and powerful he was.
He's always trying to be right.
Her eyes flashed with anger as she glared at Brock, her jaw set in a tight, stubborn line.
She was repulsed by his audacity.
"I don't need your help," she spat, each word crisp and commanding. "I'm more than capable of managing my own business, thank you very much."
With a swift, dismissive glance, she turned to her mother. "Mum, may I have a word?" Her gaze flicked back to Brock, the warning clear: don't even think about interrupting.
Her mother trailed behind her, concern etched on her face.
She knew well whenever her daughter was getting hlangry, but Katrina's polite nature would prevent her from erupting in Brock's presence.
"How could you bring him here without even asking me?" Katrina's voice quivered with rage, her words laced with hurt and betrayal.
Her mother's eyes met hers, filled with a deep sadness and regret. Even though, she felt it was her duty to do it as a mother whether she's okay with it or not.
Her mother's words sliced through her, sharp as a blade.
"When do you plan on giving me grandchildren?" she asked, her tone tinged with a subtle guilt-tripping.
"Do you want me to go to my grave without ever holding my grandchild in my arms?" Katrina felt a stinging sensation in her eyes as tears began to well up.
Her mother's voice took on a gentle, persuasive quality. "Think of this as a chance to finally be free of Don. You could use this situation to your advantage, to ensure he never troubles you again."
But before she could finish, Katrina's face crumpled, and she turned on her heel, fleeing the room without any intention of waiting even if her mother demanded it with authority.
Brock was one of the powerful men that came to ask for her hand in marriage three years ago, of course, he almost succeeded but his mistake led her to falling in love with Don.
On meeting in a restaurant, he mistakenly spilled milk on Katrina's body which she later found out he planned it. He suggested they booked a room there and clean up which she accepted innocently.
Brock changed when he got there, and tried to rape her, she was powerless and couldn't do anything. Till date, she's still wondering how Don knew they were there or that she needed help.
He knocked Brock out and took her away. That was the first page of their love story.
She didn't tell her mother any of this. Maybe she wouldn't have suggested Brock as a decent husband.
She sank into a chair in the sitting room, thinking both Don and Brock were zero to her.
Brock sauntered into the sitting room from the dining, a sly smile spreading across his face. "Am I interrupting a private rant?" he asked, his tone coming with amusement.
"I'm fascinated you can feel this sad." He said, his voice inviting sarcasm.
But beneath his mocking tone, Brock was acutely aware of the difficult situation around her.
"How on earth did you uncover the financial struggles my company is facing?" Katrina asked, her arms crossing defensively as a shield against the intrusion.
She felt exposed, her private affairs laid bare on Brock's table.
Brock's knowing smile only added to her irritation. "As the owner of a broadcasting company, I have my finger on the pulse of current events," he replied, his tone smooth as silk.
"And, I must admit, I've taken a genuine interest in you, Katrina. I've gathered quite a bit of information about you over time even before this little misfortune came in."
His words sent a flutter of discomfort through her, but she steeled herself, reminding herself that tolerating Brock's annoying attitude might be the key to escaping Don's clutches.
But was it really an escape, or just a leap from one precarious situation to another?
All this seemed like a plan to her. A playful maze.
Her voice was laced with a deliberate nonchalance as she asked, "What brought your interest in me? Is it a personal fascination or a business opportunity?"
She was probing for answers, seeking to uncover the motivations behind his actions.
But beneath her calm expression, she was wary, unsure of his true intentions.
Brock's response was unexpectedly sincere. She thought.
"To be honest, I haven't been able to shake you from my mind since we met last," he admitted. "My business is thriving, but I'm more invested in helping yours succeed. I'd like to offer my support, if you're willing to consider my proposal."
For a fleeting moment, Katrina's defenses wavered, and she felt a pang of sympathy for herself.
Despite her reservations, she sensed that Brock was being genuine, but she still doubted him.
Her voice was a masterclass in detachment, controlled. "I'm curious, what makes you think I'd be a suitable partner?" she asked.
"Is it because you genuinely believe I share your interest in my business, or is this just a calculated move to further your own agenda to get something from me?" Her directness was a deliberate test, designed to gauge his reaction.
Despite her skepticism, she couldn't help but be drawn to his audacity, her curiosity piqued by the influential man before her.
Brock's voice dropped to a low tone, his words coming with honey. "I believe you're aware of the mutual benefits we could reap from each other, not just about business." he replied, gazing around the room.
"Can't you feel it?" His words were persuasive, weaving a spell that threatened to pass through her defenses.
Yet, Katrina's instincts cautioned her to remain wary, to keep her guard firmly in place. Not to assume anything yet.
"I think you're grossly mistaken if you believe there's any that could be between us except from business," she said, her tone icy and unforgiving.
"Your silver-tongued flattery won't work on me. I'm not some naive fool who'll fall for your empty charms. I have better things to do than indulge in your shallow games." With that, she turned on her heel, dismissing him outright, and strode away, leaving no room for pleading kneels or his usual threatening options.
"As I stand before you, Kat, I'm left with no choice," her mother declared out of nowhere, her voice trembling.
"You must choose between Brock and Don... or bear witness to my downfall. The clock is ticking, and the consequences of indecision will be catastrophic." Her mother's eyes locked onto hers, she was still trying to decipher what her mum was talking about.
With that, her mother's gaze dropped, and she whispered, "I hope you'll make the right choice."
Shadows of doubt crept in, Katrina's mind shaked with the weight of the decision before her.
Her teeth gritted, she repeated a haunting message to herself, "Once I choose my spouse, my destiny will be forever altered, whether forward or backward. Will I choose the devil I know who claims to have repent, or the one who hides behind a mask of charm which I'm yet to see his venom?"
She closed her ear from the world and focused on thinking. Her ragged breath was the only sound she could identify.