Again I  felt my heart breaking physically, how can he do this to me after all those lies he told me, He will love me forever? Liar, He is such a liar, those were all empty lies, Why did he do this to me?

Eric walked towards me, towering over my frame, I tried my best to smile at him, he softly took my hand and kissed my knuckles gently, the feeling of his lips sending shivers down my spine,  No, I can't be weak now, not now, not ever, because I can't fall because of him again.

''You look gorgeous Kathrine, I am impressed'' he smiled flirtatiously, was he flirting with me in front of his so-called wife? Such a cheater he was, just like he did with me, How can he stoop so low?

''Care for a dance?'' he asked as the music suddenly wafted into the air, seriously? Has he gone nuts? 

He placed his hand on my waist and pulled me onto the dance floor, He linked our fingers and forcefully made me sway with him, he twirled me continuously as our eyes locked together for a long minute. My eyes looked deeply into his beautiful blues.

''Eric are you going to make everyone think that you are cheating with your wife?'' I whispered through my gritted teeth as my back was pasted against his front, his sinful lips near my neck, breathing those hot breaths onto my skin, giving me a sensual feeling.

''I don't even have a wife so why should I care? The world doesn't know that I am married Kathrine, only you do'' he whispered as if it was an achievement, the world doesn't know? I was confused at his words as I could feel his smirk on my skin.

How can he? If I was in Sofia's place I would have crumbled when I see him flirting with someone else, Now I feel bad for Sofia.

I turned my head harshly, making my silver hair fall on my face, I glared at him ''This is the wrong carter!'' I seethed in rage, my fists clenching.

He smirked and suddenly dipped me, knocking the air out of my lungs, an erratic breath leaving my lips, he pulled me back, our faces nearly touching, he looked at me so intensely that I was on heat, he still managed to turn my body on fire.

I quickly let go of his grip and walked away, the feeling of his fingers slowly leaving mine, when I noticed that I was away from the crowd, the ball which was swarming with people who came for the famous Ruben Carter's birthday, I started running, my heels making it difficult for me, reaching the balcony, I gripped the rails, my fingers curling around the cool metal, tears streaming down my eyes, why was I crying suddenly? there was this pain that was unexplainable.

I cursed myself repeatedly for not coming back to him, but how can he forget me so quickly? How did he move on so fast?

''Child..'' I heard a strong voice, I turned my head and saw Ruben Carter standing there with his hands deep inside his pockets ''Odette?''

I froze, did he identify me? I ran my fingers through my silver hair with fear.

''S-Sorry?'' I stuttered, giving him a quizzical expression, Ruben shook his head and smiled sadly at me, as if something was hurting him so badly, I saw the person who really was my father figure, someone who really thought that I was his second child.

''Sorry Ms Forbes, I just mistook you for my daughter .'' he chuckled making me gasp, daughter? As far as I knew, he only had a son.

''May I ask who, Mr Carter?'' I asked as he sat on the couch, I sat opposite to him quietly, wanting to know what and how.

''She was my son's wife, she had auburn hair and beautiful brown eyes full of life, she loved everyone around her, I was cold towards her at first and so was Eric, but she made a place in our hearts again, Eric loved her more than anything in this world , he could give his life for her, he signed his whole hardwork for her, they were even going to have a daughter together, she was five months when she '' Ruben paused his eyes glistening with tears, he was crying for me? His ancient face was twisted with agony.

I turned my head away and closed my eyes tightly, tears streaming down my eyes again, he loved me so much? And what did I do? Does Eric still love me?

''Then?'' I rasped wiping my eyes again, letting out a shaky breath ''He has a wife now?''

'' She is-'' he started but he stopped when he saw Eric enter, Ruben's eyes flashed with fury for his son, which made me frown.

''Dad'' Eric smiled, flashing his smirk at me, followed by a wink, making me scoff , he never changes his playboy ways.

Ruben scoffed and stood up, walking away slowly, his hands tied to his back, what happened between them now? I looked at Eric as he sat beside me softly, his eyes focused on his fingers, I guess he was nervous.

''He was talking about her wasn't he?'' he asked, his voice cracking slightly, a painful smile lining his lips, I stared at him intensely, ''What did he tell you about her?'' he asked locking his eyes with mine, staring at me intensely.

''He, He told me how much she meant to you'' I whispered, tears refilling my eyes again, I could see the love he held for me in those blue eyes, he still loves me?

''You have lost your husband like that? Right?'' he asked, it felt like a spear pierced my heart ''Your daughter, she deserves so much, she reminds me so much of my unborn daughter''

''I know'' I smiled slightly, he sighed and looked at the starry sky, Rubbing his palms together for warmth, I gazed at his side profile in awe, the stubble suits him very well, it made him look more mature unlike his old playboy self , he has grown muscular and also more powerful, his hair is messier and a bit longer than usual, his perfect jawline made my wanna cut my finger on them. Why is he so perfect?

''Have you ever been so bent on someone, just to have your heart ripped out by them?'' he asked suddenly not looking at me.

''Sorry?'' I excused, not getting what he just said, he looked at me and nodded, I guess I understood what he meant.

''I guess you know who Odette is from the media, but why haven't you told me about your husband? That coward?'' he asked raising his eyebrow.

Why should I be so emotional? Stop you fucking tears, those salty drops dripped down my eyes again, and this time it was stronger, the feeling more powerful.

''Kathrine!'' he exclaimed suddenly hugging me tightly, I buried my head in his chest and cried, after years , crying with him made me peaceful, that's when I felt tears dripping on my head, was he crying too?

''Sorry Kat , you remind me so much of her , I know we are just business partners , but have we met before?'' he asked wiping my tears slowly.

''No'' I lie shamelessly.

♡ ♡ ♡

''Cheers!'' all exclaim followed by the clank of glasses , Mr. Ruben had cut the cake and the party was on , Many men drank from their glasses along with their partners , and I am born to drink and get drunk.

After a lot of drinking, a lot of burning shots went down my throat, I felt my head swirl , there were only men around and strangely it did not feel uncomfortable, many were swaying already , I knew these men , they were Eric's men and I know these boys for like forever.

''Let's play truth or dare!'' Alexandro quipped suddenly , holding an empty alcohol bottle , Eric laughed and nodded, jeez! Even he was drunk , his quirky smirk and his dark eyes say it all.

He turned the bottle and it faced Jaxon and Donald , an employee of Eric , he must ask Jax the question, I was excited about this.

Jaxon opted for truth and he was asked about how he lost his virginity , it was good that no one will remember this the next day , otherwise, it will be such a shame.

''I lost it to my umm, cousin sister..'' he slurred making everyone gasp, I heard Eric mouth ''Man-Whore'' as if he wasn't, he used to fuck random girls around all day, I internally rolled my eyes.

Then it was my turn to be questioned , I don't want any truths out so I chose dare , because I never want my truth exposed in any way, even if I was drunk, I would never choose truth.

''Kiss the boss!'' Alex slurred patting a drunk Eric's back, I gasped, have they lost their mind? They are asking me to kiss Eric? That was the greatest fear of my life.

''What? No way!'' I seethed, the alcohol making me a bit more courageous, Kiss him? Why is it making my heart race , Calm down?

''Don't worry Alex! She isn't even married and guess what? She didn't even marry her baby daddy, maybe she fucked him for fun and got pregnant, a whore, Look at her..'' I heard these heart-shattering words from Eric, how can he say this? I know he is drunk but Kathrine never accepts such words, those words were like shards of broken glass piercing my heart.

All the men burst into laughter, anger flurried through me as I grab the bottle of alcohol, which was half-filled, my fingers tightening around the glass, I stand up and stand on the table earning gasp from everyone except Eric , he just smirked , tears filled my eyes in anger as I threw the whole bottle onto Eric's face, He was now drenched in alcohol , the liquid cascading through his perfect face , dripping from his nose, he looked furious, the edge of his lashes held droplets of the spirit.

I did not stop there and grabbed a small glass from the side and smashed it onto his head, making him gasp out loud, hope it does not bleed, I was embarrassing him infront of everyone and he deserved that.

I jumped on the floor beside him and gave him a burning slap right across his face, we looked at each other with unfathomable fury.

''That is for you for calling me a whore'' I seethed, all the men beside me froze, Eric stood up , towering over me he gritted his teeth, gladly I did not make him bleed , his blue eyes dark with the effect of alcohol, he was clearly out of his senses to say those heart-bleeding words for me!

He wiped the vodka from his face with his hand and grabbed my face roughly, there was just silence as the men watched us with horror, ''You bitch'' he seethed as his lips came crashing onto mine, I froze with horror.

Four years later I felt his lips on mine, but there was no love, desire or passion , just hate and anger flurrying through it m His hand gripped my hair and kissed me deeper, I writhed in pleasure and pain , If I want to I can just kick him away but I want to kiss him and this was strange. He was my first and last love and I can't push him away, I remembered the first time he kissed me like this, the day I first met him.

''I hate you, Kathrine Forbes, if you weren't my business partner , I would have fucked that ego out of your brain.'' he roared and I just smirked mockingly.

'' I hate you more Eric Carter, and are you threatening me? Pfft! Do you I look as if I care? No! I shared my tears with you and you called me a whore? Shame on you'' I cursed tightening my fists. ''You will forget all of this tomorrow Carter''

''Maybe I will, so why don't have a competition hmm? Let's see who has the potential to drink the most.'' he asked tilting his head with a devilish smirk.

I nodded my head and sat on the barstool , Jaxon clapped his hands and we started drinking, Eric finished the first bottle and seconds later I finished too, the burning sensation getting hazier.

After each sip, I felt myself getting dizzy , and in the end, it was a fucking tie, At this rate, I don't remember a shit tomorrow, I can't even walk,  Shit, Eric cursed and threw the glass onto the floor, making it shatter into a thousand shards, The burning liquid made my throat clench.

''Give me a room,'' I ask as my head swirled, Eric got up all sweaty, his hair messy and no coat, three buttons of his white shirt open, he looked ravishing as he raked his fingers through his black hair, the movement of the ring between his locks making me go blur.

''John, take her to the guest room, despite her disrespect she is still our guest.'' Eric seethed, his eyes boring into my face, I waved my hand nonchalantly, I know this house too well to know which is the guest room.

''I will find it myself arrogant Carter'' I scoffed, I could feel the anger bubbling within him as I walked away, his eyes on my ass.

Everything was so blurry as I walked, I found the doorknob to what I thought was the guest room, I opened to the luxurious bedroom and tottered in.

I fell face-first on the king-sized bed which smelled strange, I sniffed again and it smelled of expensive perfume, the smell wafted through the air.

I rolled my eyes and removed my heels and threw them somewhere across the room, But this smell triggered, it felt so familiar, I sniffed the bed again and that's when I identified the scent.

I froze when I noticed that this was Eric's perfume, I can identify this anywhere in this world, I got up to walk away when I heard the door creak open and then close, I looked back at those piercing blue eyes, I felt the blood drain out of my body.

''Eric'' I whispered as he had a stone expression on his face, He slowly walked towards me, painfully slow, his steps faltered under the effect of alcohol.

''Well well well, look whose here, Kathrine,'' he smirked tilting his head, alcohol and power radiated from him as he came too near.

''I am so sorry for coming here, it was a mistake Ric'' I whispered as I slowly swayed, He placed his hand on my waist and pulled me closer.

''Rose'' he whispered making me freeze, what? Does he recognize me? I gulped the lump in my throat.

''S-Sorry?'' I stutter

''You smell like Rose, I guess you are obsessed with that flower? Is your perfume rose-scented?'' he asked and I nodded clutching his shirt.

''Hmm'' he hummed as he continued to study my face intensely ''Good'' 

I raised my eyebrows but before I could think anything, his lips crashed onto mine again, he pushed me onto the bed with him towering over, the weight of his body crushing me.

''This is going to be a fun night,  Kathrine'' he whispered and I gulped nervously, Oh it's gonna be a hell of a night.

♡ ♡ 

I ship Kat and Ric now!

𝚆𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚗 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 ,

𝙳𝚒𝚊𝚗𝚊 𝙿𝚊𝚐𝚎 𝚂𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐

https://youtu.be/rgXRgbACAxw

XOXO