A Heart of Steel

With how heavy her head felt, she was just going to organize her things and move out– probably get some soup along the line for her hangover. Thankfully, her mother wasn't in for another banter but then Itzel decided it was the time to display her pride.

And Paige's guts weren't going to let it slide. They bore into each other's eyes with burning hatred, even though it wasn't evident on their faces. A war has been declared and Paige was up for it with the right energy. Of course, Itzel was scowling at her, but she was not intimidated by her or anyone else.

Scrutinizing her, she scoffs, turning on her feet with bold steps as she heads to her room. Itzel's gaze remained fixed on her while she turned the hallway to her room.

In Paige's mind, she heard her mother's voice again as she walked into her room, Itzel's words didn't fail to follow– their words dropping like raining stones down as well.

It was a bad feeling, the reality of having no one at all in your corner. But she refuses to shudder. Running her eyes through the room, she realizes for the first time, that there has not for once been that cherishing moment– not that she can remember.

Pushing aside the self-pity, she heads in, reaching straight into her wardrobe. For the next twenty to thirty minutes, Paige went around packing up.

Sooner than later, she glides down, pulling her luggage behind her, along with some other bags. Itzel was sitting on the couch by then, her gaze fixed on her phone. Looked like she was up to something but Paige doesn't give a damn. Deftly, Izel turns in the direction of Paige the moment her footsteps rasp her ears.

"Are you moving out?" she asked, noticing the bag. It wasn't out of concern but intimidation. Always having her under her watch was her pacifier– knowing she had her under her control.

Paige gave her the silent treatment as she trod by. She was no longer that pushover who was treated like some garbage. Itzel scoffs at her audacity, her face hurdles up in mischief while typing something on her phone as her sister walks out of the door.

-----

Getting to the car, Paige stuffs her bags in the boot and glides in. She veered into the driveway but stopped abruptly– it jolted her forward from its impact, almost hitting her forehead against the steering wheel.

Like blazing lasers, her eyes shot to the road ahead as she swept her hair out of her face– staring at the familiar figure that had crept in front of her out of nowhere.

fuck!

She sneered, stepping down. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" she snapped, confronting him.

"What's wrong with you, Paige?" his brows creased with concern, forgoing her question. "Whatever the problem is, can't you forgive me for once?" he said and Paige scoffed, rolling her eyes.

"Are you pretending right now?" her brows furrowed, finding him unbelievable.

"Come on...Paige," he took her hand and she yanked it from him. "How can someone change so much overnight?" he queried, "You love me, you can't end everything just like that?"

Impulsively, Paige laughs at his outburst. "Tell me why you're doing this?" she pauses but then comes to a realization. "Is it for the promotion ?" she taunted.

Though Paige wasn't that prominent, she had her connections– thanks to her hard work, sense of duty, and her late father. By her interference, a promotional spot was offered to Nolan at the hospital where he works but there were strings attached to it.

He had to marry Paige for this to manifest. And seeing the opportunity slipping out of his hands hits back hard. Knowing the real reasons deep down, he still had to defer.

"No, Paige...I love you."

"Don't make me laugh," she snapped, her gaze stern and unpersuasive. "You know what? I'm done for." Just when she was about to turn on her feet, Nolan knelt before her.

Paige brows creased, taken aback but immediately masked it. "Please, Paige." he pleaded, playing the pity game but she wasn't going to buy it.

"Why don't you hit it off with Itzel? Like you've always been doing." she spat out the words and trod off. Nolan was left staring at her back as she hopped into her car, reversed, and sped off.

He shoots up from his initial position with his face contorted in rage and dashes into the house.

☆☆☆☆☆

Paige's new apartment was a few meters away from Barley Street. It was a surprise present she had prepared for Nolan and herself. They were to move in after their marriage.

Driving into the main streets, a call came in from the office.

"Kayden?" she answers through her car's audio system. "What's going on?"

"When are you coming to the office?" she asked from the other side of the phone, her voice urgent. "You have been asked to prepare the annual documents for the new CEO."

"New CEO?" That was new, she thought. If she wasn't mistaken, that never happened in her past life. But then, this was the reality– anything can happen. "How many hours do I have?" she inquired, shaking off her thoughts as she checked the time.

"About three hours?" Kayden's uncertain voice rasped her ears. And she checked the time on her car.

7:40 am, it read.

"Okay, let me know if anything comes up." She said and hung up. Soon, she pulled up in the forecourt of her apartment. It wasn't as extravagant as the one she had spent the night in but it was just right for her.

Gliding in, she left her luggage and other bags sitting in the living room while trying to get the said documents ready. Whoever this new CEO was, she had to impress. Her head was killing her but she couldn't afford to lose her job at this point.

-----

Clinton wasn't the office person but was only doing this because of his grandfather. He stepped out of his walk-in closet in a well-tailored custom and high-quality black fabric suit– coupled with a blue-black tie. Being the fashionista he was.

His Rolex watch is always the icing on the cake. Making sure he was in his best outfit, he sauntered out. A smile spreads across Kelvin's face on seeing him.

"You're going to be more popular than I thought," he teased.

Clinton laughed at his joke, tersely pointing at him as he strolled out of the door.