Heartless love

"Over the past few years, Nico Cyryl has been flourishing immensely, being one of the most profitable luxury jewelry companies in the entire world. However..."

Katrina tried with all her might not to fall asleep. She looked around the boardroom, where everyone had gathered for a meeting. Nico Cyryl. She had inherited the multi million dollar company which was found by her great grandfather and named after him. Ever since the time she was a little girl, she had always been aware of the power that came with being who she was. The power that came with being a Cyryl.

"Mrs Cole?"

Katrina was pulled out of her reverie by her assistant. Everyone at the table looked at her expectantly.

"What do you think about the offer?"

"What was the offer again?" Katrina asked.

"What do you think about selling 2.5% of Nico Cyryl to Mr McClain?" the man rephrased.

"I think your offer is complete crap," Katrina answered honestly, confident as always. "So no thank you."

It wasn't an unusual answer coming from the CEO of Nico Cyryl. Everyone remained unfazed, as they were used to her being like that.

"Ma'am if you just–"

"I said no. I will not be swayed or forced into changing my answer. But of course, the shareholders have a say as well. All opposed?" she asked, looking at the board members.

No one said anything.

"There you have it Mr...?"

"... Hendricks..." the man replied, annoyed.

Katrina plastered a thin smile on her face.

"If no one has anything else to add, I'll just wrap this up. Have a lovely day everyone," she said getting up, knowing very well that she wouldn't give a damn if they got run over.

Katrina and her assistant left the boardroom. Everyone gave way as the CEO walked passed and greeted her. Katrina was not respected because she was the CEO. That was just a side thing. Not respecting her just seemed inappropriate. It was impossible. From the way she looked, the way she spoke, the way she walked, laughed, moved, it just all deserved respect. It also helped that she was a Cyryl and that she was the most independent, most fierce and stubborn woman they had ever known. Most importantly, she had a mind for business and was intelligent.

"Kat, I think you should take the rest of the day off," her assistant said to her.

Katrina gave Nathan a look and he chuckled. Nathan had been working for Katrina ever since she became the CEO, when she was just nineteen years old. They hadn't known each other before that, but Nate successfully became one of the very few people Katrina loved and cared for. He was also one of the only people who could get through to her.

"Why?" Katrina asked Nathan.

"Because you were falling asleep during the meeting. Please Kat. Go home. And just...relax."

Katrina sighed, "I couldn't sleep last night with all of Daniel's bitching. You know, sometimes I really wonder why I try."

"So do I," Nathan admitted.

"It's complicated. In the world of–"

"In the world of money and power. Yeah, yeah, I've heard that a thousand times."

Katrina smiled, "Right."

She took her purse from Nathan.

"I'll see you tomorrow I guess," Katrina said to him.

"That you will."

Katrina gave Nate a kiss on the cheek and took the lift to the first floor. Outside, a car was already waiting for her. Katrina got into the backseat of her favorite vintage car, which was her grandfather's and took a cigar from her purse.

Her driver, Damien, handed her a lighter and a glass ashtray that had her initials in it.

"Thanks D," she said, putting the ashtray on her lap.

Katrina lit up the cigar and opened the window.

"How come you left work early today ma'am? Are you feeling alright?" Damien asked.

"Oh don't worry about me D," Katrina said, puffing out the smoke into the cool air. "I'm alright."

"Yes ma'am."

Katrina pressed the cigar onto the ashtray as the car entered the gates of her mansion. She took her purse, thanked Daniel and went inside.

She handed her bag to the first maid she saw and plopped herself onto the leather couch. Her cat, Lolo, leaped onto her and curled up in her lap.

"My beautiful Katrina."

Katrina groaned, recognizing the raspy voice immediately. She opened her eyes and looked at her mother.

"What are you doing here?" Katrina snapped.

"I'm here to see my daughter. Is that not allowed?" Penelope asked, inviting herself to sit down.

"No. I thought I told you not to come without telling me beforehand."

"For goodness' sake Katrina, I'm your mother!"

"Thought I also told you not to call yourself my mother."

"But that's what I am. Whether you like it or not. And you are my daughter."

"Penelope. Leave."

"Jeez Katrina–"

"Now! I said go! Just...go!" Katrina screamed.

Penelope sighed, "Fine. I'll go."

"Nope. You're joining us for dinner."

Katrina turned to see her husband Daniel. In a suit as always.He walked over to Penelope, loosening his tie and draped his arm around her.

"What did I say about kicking your mother out? She lives far Kat. You can at least offer her some food."

Katrina tensed up even more.

"This has nothing to do with you Daniel," she grimaced.

"It has everything to do with me."

Katrina carried Lolo in her arms, "Fine. Enjoy your dinner."

She walked upstairs, ignoring them as they called her. Katrina locked herself in her room and laid on the bed. She ignored her husband banging on the door, eventually falling asleep.

Penelope hated her mother not because she drove her father to killing himself, but because she never apologized for it. Katrina's father was madly in love with Penelope, after meeting her through his housekeeper. He was smitten by her beauty and witt. He went through a lot to finally make Penelope his wife, since his family was convinced she only wanted his money.

After being married for twelve years, Kai caught his wife with another man. She proclaimed her love for him, right in front of her husband. Kai was heartbroken and so he killed himself. Deep down she knew that it was not her fault, but someone had to be blamed.

Katrina hated her mother for not apologizing and for not caring that he died. In fact, she was happy. Because now, she could be with the bastard. 'In the name of love.' She hated her mother for not seeing her wrong doing.

"Katrina, please open the door."

Katrina stretched her arms out wide, realizing that it was already morning and that she had spent the entire night in the guest bedroom. She walked to the door and opened it to see the housekeeper, Daphne. Daphne had practically raised Katrina and was more of a mother than Penelope could ever be.

"Daphne. Painkillers," Katrina said walking out.

Daphne sighed, "Good morning to you too. You made me so worried."

"As you can see, I'm fine. Painkillers please Daphne. I have a splitting headache. And bring my cigar."

"Katrina, a cigar is not breakfast," Daphne complained.

"Shall I get it myself?" Katrina asked, " I'm more than capable of doing so."

Daphne rolled her eyes, "Maya, bring Mrs Cole some painkillers, bottled water and a cigar. Also ask someone to make her breakfast."

"I don't want breakfast."

"We don't always get what we want," Daphne smiled. "Be down for breakfast in ten minutes or I will get rid of all the cigars in the house. Got it?"

Katrina frowned but nodded.

After breakfast, Katrina showered and went to work. As she walked into her office, she saw a bouquet of red roses on the table. She knew immediately they were from Daniel.

"He doesn't call or text. Flowers are supposed to fix everything," Katrina scoffed. "He didn't even bother to get the ones I like."

Katrina took the flowers and chucked them in the bin.

Nathan watched her as she sat back in her chair. She sighed, massaged her forehead and ran her hand through her long brown hair. Katrina looked at Nathan with her pale green eyes. She looked tired.

"I don't feel good Nate," she moaned.

"You don't look too good either. What's wrong?" Nathan asked, taking her hands and kneeling before her.

"My head hurts and I'm so, so exhausted...and dizzy..."

Katrina felt like everything was spinning and she wanted to vomit.

"Doctor...I need...a doctor" she whimpered.

Nathan carried her somewhere, she didn't know where he was taking her. They were in the hallway, a car, white walls, she was sure it was a hospital. But she hated hospitals.

"You're going to be fine Kat!"

She was sure it was Nate. She wanted to hold his hand but her arms were too heavy to lift, her eyelids too heavy to open. Every little sound made was unbelievably loud to her and her headache only became worse. But then it just stopped, and she passed out from exhaustion.

Katrina jolted from the bed, gasping for air. She looked around, confused. Only after a few seconds did she start to recall what had happened. It was quiet, and she was all alone in the hospital room. Katrina was in a blue hospital gown and without even seeing herself in the mirror, she knew her hair looked wild.

She got up from the bed and opened the door. Katrina walked down the hallway, where everyone was looking at her. She knew there could only be two reasons; one, they knew she is the CEO of Nico Cyryl. Two, they thought she was beautiful. She decided to go with one.

Katrina pretended to be oblivious to the attention and she kept walking.

"Two more days Lennox. I can't tell you how desperately your father needs this surgery now."

"I promise I'll get the money. Just please, keep him in. Please."

It was not the conversation that took Katrina's attention. It was the man speaking to the doctor. He was not the most handsome man she had ever seen. He was the most handsome man she had ever seen.

'No, he's not,' Kate said to herself.

But that didn't matter at all. Because it didn't change the fact that he was like a magnet, pulling her towards him. She felt a rush of emotions just looking at him. Her stomach fluttered and her heart was racing. He had brown thick, messy, tousled hair that was hot as hell. His stubble beard and chiseled jawline were just perfect. Katrina bit her lip, watching him.

"Katrina!"

She snapped out of it at the sound of Nathan's voice. She turned to see him standing behind her, with her favorite flowers; gardenias. She looked back around, but the man was gone. He just disappeared without a trace. She frowned, slightly annoyed that Nathan showed up.

"Why are you out of bed?" Nathan asked her.

"No one was in the room when I woke up."

That was enough of an answer. Nathan knew that Katrina hated being alone. And for that reason, he got her Lolo.

"Where's Lolo?" Katrina asked, looking around.

"She's with Daphne, in your room."

Katrina cursed, "Is Daphne upset?"

"She didn't sleep last night."

"Wait, didn't I– wasn't I taken in this morning?"

"No. It was yesterday morning."

Katrina's eyes widened in shock, "I was here since yesterday morning? I swear it feels like this morning when I passed out."

"Come on. Daphne and Lolo are waiting."

As Katrina entered the room, Daphne got up and rushed up to her.

"Oh, thank heavens you're okay!" she cried. "You stupid girl! This is why I tell you to eat more and stop smoking that much!"

Katrina pouted, picking up Lolo, "I'm sorry Daphne. I'll eat more."

"And you will quit those damn cigars!"

It wasn't the first time Katrina had passed out from exhaustion. The girl overworked herself and didn't eat much.

"I've been nice for far too long. No more cigars for breakfast. You will have breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday, you'll be home by eight PM, and you'll be in bed by ten. Do I make myself clear?" Daphne said curtly.

"For God's sake Daphne, I'm an adult–"

"Katrina," Daphne warned.

"Aghh, fine," Katrina groaned.

Nathan was just amused by the whole thing. Sure Katrina listened to him but if Katrina said no, it goes for everyone. Aside from Daphne, NO ONE could make Katrina do anything she didn't want to.

"Now sit down so I can do your braid," Daphne said.

Katrina smiled. Daphne was more concerned about her than she was. But she really appreciated it. Katrina sat down as Daphne asked. Daphne plaited Katrina's hair into a french braid while Daniel settled the bill for Katrina's treatment.

Katrina changed into the sweat shirt and jeans Daphne had brought her, something she wouldn't usually wear. Katrina was also known for her classy, elegant and fashionable choices when it came to clothes.

As Katrina was walking out of the hospital, she saw the man. THAT man. He was with another girl. Katrina watched them with a frown as he helped the girl onto his motorcycle. She held onto him and they drove off.

Katrina smirked, promising herself that it was definitely not the last time she would see him.

Lennox stared at his opponent in the eye. The man was big, but it could have been an advantage for Lennox, if...

'If I move quick enough...'

But Lennox's head was not in the game. Suddenly, Lennox stumbled back as his opponent punched him. He shook it off and tried to focus.

"Get your head in the fucking game Houston!" his coach shouted at him.

To his coach's dismay, Lennox lost all twelve rounds of the match. As he got out of the ring, his coach shook his head, disappointed.

"What's the problem Lex?"

"I told you before CJ," Lennox said wiping his busted lip, "I told you that I wasn't in the right state of mind to do this."

"Don't give me that crap. Is this about your father?" Coach Johansson, preferably CJ, asked, handing Lex a bottle of water.

"Man, she needs that surgery now. And I just...I don't know what to do."

"I know. All we can do now is pray."

"And if that doesn't work?"

"Do you have any other options?"

Lennox sighed heavily sitting down.

"You know I would give you every single penny I own if I could. If I had it."

His sister, Linette, joined them.

"Are you okay?" she asked him.

"I'm okay kiddo," he answered, forcing a smile.

Linette smiled sadly, "Liar."

Lennox just kept his smile.

"Get my bag kiddo," Lex said to her.

Linette grabbed Lex's bag and helped him up. Lex winced a little from the pain right below his ribcage.

"I'll get you an ice pack as soon as we get home. Let's go."

This time, Lennox sat behind while Linette rode the motorcycle home. When they got to their small apartment, their mother was in the kitchen, waiting for them. Her heart broke as she took in the sight of her son, but she didn't say anything. She knew better than anyone else that he hated people fussing over him.

"How was your father?" Samantha asked her son.

"I would love to tell you that he's getting better, but he's... he's slipping away mom."

Neither of them responded or reacted to the statement. They all knew it was happening and they couldn't stop it.

"I made your favorite, spaghetti and meatballs," Samantha said to Kai, applying ointment to the cuts on his face.

"Thanks mom," Lex smiled.

Samantha had been trying everything to make her son happy. He was already sad about his father's condition but when his girlfriend left him, it broke him. She was his pillar and she just left. For no reason.

"It's not you. It's me," she had said to him.

After they had dinner, Lex went to his room and laid on the bed. Pictures of Michelle were still on his desk and walls. He sighed heavily, staring at one particular picture they had taken together when they visited London.

The reason Lex believed it wasn't over between her and Michelle was because they had dated for five years and she just broke up with him, with no valid reason, over text.

He couldn't move on. He loved her too much to just move on. But the problem was, she wasn't coming back. It had been two years since they broke up.

The next morning, Lennox went alone to the hospital to see his father. As he was about to go into his father's hospital room, the doctor stopped him.

"Lennox. I'm very happy you pulled through," the doctor said shaking his hand, "Your father's surgery will be tonight and as you requested, he will be taken to a VIP room for his recovery–"

"What the fu–" Lennox stopped himself, "What are you talking about?"

"Your girlfriend came by and took care of the payments. I must say Lennox, I'm impressed. She's lovely."

Lennox didn't know how to feel. Michelle was back.

"Um...wow," he finally managed to say ,"I don't know what to say."

"Well, when you think of what to say, call that lovely lady and thank her."

Lennox thanked the doctor and went to see his father. When he was done, he went outside and dialed Michelle's number.

"Hello?" Michelle answered.

"Shelly. It's me."

She sighed, "Lex.. it's been two years... Please stop with this now."

"But you paid for my dad's surgery. Did that not mean anything?" Lennox asked.

"Lex, I could pay for your parents' health care and it would have nothing to do with us. I love your parents. They are like my own. And for the record, no. I did not pay for your father's surgery."

"You didn't?" Lennox said, beyond confused.

Michelle sighed, "No Lennox. Listen, it's been two years. Get over me. Get over us. I'm married now and I have a daughter."

Lennox had heard about that but hoped that it was a lie. But here she was, confirming it herself.

Lex hung up. There was nothing left to say to her. She was married and well, she had moved on and he should have too.

"Lex!"

Lennox looked back to see a nurse calling him. He ran to her, thinking something bad had happened.

"What is it?" Lennox asked.

"Doctor Fitzpatrick is calling you. He says your girlfriend is here to see you. The woman who paid for your father's treatment."

Lennox immediately followed the nurse inside. In the hallway, standing with Doctor Fitzpatrick, was a tall woman, wearing black heels, a black beret and a short tight black dress, with thin straps. He couldn't see her face since she was facing the other way but by just looking at her clothes, Lex could swear he had never met her in his entire life.

It hadn't taken Katrina very long to find Lennox. Of course that wasn't the plan. The plan was to let fate bring them together, for a more romantic story to tell. But Katrina was impatient, so impatient that she got someone to find him. WHen she did, she called the hospital and took care of his father's treatment costs immediately.

'A good icebreaker if you ask me.'

Katrina turned around to see the man who had captivated her. The doctor and nurse left them to talk alone. Kat took off her glasses and flicked her hair.

"Katrina Cole," she said, holding out her hand.

"Lennox Houston," he replied, shaking her hand, "Do I know you?"

The tall woman smiled at him, revealing even white teeth. Her dress hugged her in all the right places and her waist length hair was perfectly straight. She had beautiful big green eyes and plump pink lips.

"Maybe. I'm the CEO of Nico Cyryl."

"Never heard of it."

"I figured. Anyways ,a couple of weeks ago you had a fight with a man by the name of Gregory for a cash prize. Am I right?"

"Yes..." Lennox said, still confused.

"I was there. You lost that match but I was impressed with your skill. I felt as if the cash prize rightfully belonged to you. So that explains why I decided to pay for your father's medical bills. That's what you wanted to use it for right?"

"Yes. And thank you Mrs Cole. I really appreciate it."

"If you really appreciate it, you'll take me out for lunch," Katrina suggested, getting straight to the point.

"Lunch? Sure," Lennox agreed. Not thinking too much of it. "If that's what you want. "

"That's exactly what I want," Katrina purred, "What would you like to eat? Italian? Chinese? Indian? Mexican?"

Lennox shrugged, "Whatever you want really."

"Okay. In that case, I know a really good place in town. Let's go."

They walked outside and stopped in front of Lex's bike.

"Guess we'll meet there?" Lex asked.

He looked down at her with his gorgeous eyes. Damn, the man was ridiculously hot.

"No. We'll ride together. On your bike," Katrina said with a smile.

"Your outfit is not exactly... biking style..." he said examining her dress and heels. The beret, the gloves, the glasses, it was just not fit for his old bike.

"Oh no, it's all right," Katrina said, getting on the motorcycle. Lennox shrugged and hopped on too.

Without him even asking, Katrina wrapped her arms tightly around his waist. She could feel his hard abs under his t-shirt.