His Ruthless Romance

Katherine stormed down the sidewalk, her long, dark hair whipping behind her like a furious entity. The crisp afternoon air did little to calm her racing thoughts. She had been suspecting her boyfriend, James, for weeks, and she had decided to give him a surprise visit. Her heart sank with every step toward his apartment, she just hope it's not as she thought.

At 20, Katherine was a vibrant university student, balancing classes and a part-time job. Her relationship with James had seemed perfect – or so she thought. They had met in their sophomore year, bonding over late-night pizza and study sessions. But lately, James was always laughing over the phone, and if she asked he would say "it's just one of my old friends". Katherine was not ready to ignore the red flags and today seemed to be the day to find out.

She reached his apartment complex and took a deep breath before knocking on the door. The sound of muffled laughter and music drifted through the wood. Her anxiety spiked. She knocked again, harder this time.

The door swung open, revealing James disheveled appearance. He was just with a duvet and he was sweating profusely. His eyes widened as his eyes met with Katherine's. Behind him, a half-naked girl, blonde and curvy, scrambled to cover herself on the bed.

Katherine's world crumbled. Her eyes locked onto the girl, then back to her boyfriend guilty face.

"Who is she?" She asked, her voice trembling.

Katherine stuttered, "Babe, it's not –"

"Don't lie!" She interrupted, her voice rising. "I can see for myself."

The blonde girl, now wrapped in a towel, slunk away, disappearing into the bathroom. James attempted to grasp Katherine's arm, but she slapped his hand away.

"Don't touch me with those filthy hands!", She yelled. "How could you, James?" Her tears threatened to fall. "How could you do this to me, was I not enough?"

James expression suddenly turned cold. "You're overreacting, Katherine, It meant nothing."

"Really?", She muttered and began to walk away angrily. She took her steps slowly, hoping he would call out to her but he didn't. Her heart shattered into a million pieces and she ran in tears to God knows where.

***

Hours passed in a blur as Katherine wandered the streets, numb and tear-stained. Eventually, she found herself at the entrance of a local bar with the name, "drown your sorrows away".

Katherine pushed open the door and slid onto a stool.

"What can I get you?" the bartender asked, eyeing her tear-swollen face.

"Whiskey. Make it a double," she replied, her voice cracking.

As the liquor burned down her throat, she felt her emotions unravel. She ordered another, and another, losing count. The room began to spin.

A gentle voice whispered in her ear, "Hey, you okay?".

Katherine turned to face a stranger – tall, dark-haired, and with a nice polo blouse. His concern seemed genuine.

"I'm fine," she said, waving her hand.

The stranger smiled and sat beside her. "Let's get you another drink" he said and smiled.

She didn't resist. She finds him alluring but she wasn't gonna get carried away by looks anymore. Once bitten twice shy!

"So what in the hell is a damsel like you doing out here?", He started a conversation.

"Just here to drown my sorrows away", she said and he smiled .

"Well, I can help you with that. What about you follow me while I show exactly where to drown your sorrows?", He smirked. Katherine looked at him doubtfully but eventually stood up to follow him.

"This way please", he said as he led her through the passage.

They got to a VIP door and he urged her to go in. "Why should I go in?", She questioned.

"The best way to drown your sorrow is a night stand. It's just to take your mind off things". Katherine didn't think much about this. She just wanted to forget everything and so she pushed the door opened, walked in and the door was shut behind.

A hand grabbed her waist and kissed her hungrily. She didn't know who it was and she didn't care, all she wanted was a distraction and she's getting it.

Katherine woke up under the beautiful sunlight and her head hurt badly due to the large amount of alcohol she drank last night.

She held her head tightly and grunt. Memories of last night flooded her head and she felt like hitting herself for what had happened last night. Just to drown away the sorrows of her break up with James , she went to a bar and this was the outcome.

A loud growl emerged beside her! It was the man she slept with. She picked his business card which was on the table beside her and her eyes fell on the name written on the card "Nathan Alexander"

Nathan was her aunt's step son and he believed her aunt ruined his family by getting married to his father and ever since Katherine has been living with her aunt, he never cease to torment her and to think that's the same person she had a night stand with, she became terrified.

Out of fear, she stood up, left America that same night, leaving behind the memories of that fateful night.

***

Four years later...

Katherine boarded a plane back home. After what happened four years ago, she emigrated to New York and there she discovered she was pregnant and bore triplets, two boys and a girl.

She became a mother at age twenty and now she is quite excited she did not abort the pregnancy, she was glad she kept them.

She felt anxious about her return to her country. She already made plans not to come back ever again but her Aunt's anniversary was something she knew she should not miss. And anyways, she plan on returning as soon as the party ends.

Time flew by and finally they arrived to America and a car was sent by her aunt to pick her up.

The couples were already waiting anxiously outside for Katherine return, the black car parked at the car parking lot and Katherine emerged from the car, she sniffed in the air and smiled.

"Katherine", her aunt screamed, Katherine walked briskly to her and gave her a big hug. They remained in that position until a slight cough interrupted them!

"I guess I suddenly became invisible", Mr Derrick said as a joke. She gave him a tight hug too while he patted her back.

She became an orphan at age ten and it was her aunt and husband that took her in and raised her as part of the Derrick's family and she's forever grateful till the rest of her life...

"Welcome back, Katherine. It's been so many years", Mr Derrick said as they all went inside. "I missed you guys", Katherine said and aunt Sara pinched her cheek.

"I doubt that. If I had not insisted you come back then you wouldn't have come"

"I'm sorry", she made a puppy eye and the duo laughed happily.

"Stop that, Katherine. It makes you look ugly", Mr Derrick said.

"Come on, Katherine. I made your favorite, I can't wait for you to have a taste", aunt Sara ranted as she went to set the table.

Night came and Katherine felt overwhelmed! Having her family around gave her so much joy and peace and she was glad she made it here. She closed her eyes and drifted to sleep. Tomorrow is going to be hectic, it's her aunt wedding anniversary and so she needs a good rest.

(The wedding anniversary)

Katherine stepped into the anniversary hall, wearing a shiny stylish gown with her high silver heels that showed off her delicate ankles.

The hall was filled with unfamiliar and sounds of mingling guests. She sighted her aunt and her husband having some words with their invited guest.

"Happy anniversary", Katherine said as she approached them. She gave them a hug and pecked their cheeks.

"Wow! Katherine, you look so beautiful and elegant", aunt Sara commented while checking her out. "No man can ever resist your beauty, you know what? Stay here for few months and aunt will surely find you a husband"

"What?".

Her mind went to her cute little children.

"I am just twenty four years, there's no cause for alarm...", She shrugged.

Aunt Sara was about to say more but the commotion outside made her pause. If Katherine could count well, the number of trained men in black suits that came in should be fifteen. The hall became tense and dead silent.

Echoing footsteps of creaking shoes reverberates through the silence. A tall man appeared before her, he wore a deep black suits, his demeanor was imposing and he radiated an air of authority, making everyone to hold his or her breath.

Katherine gawked at him and his Azure eyes stared mercilessly at her.

"Nathan??", Mr Derrick called in surprise.

Katherine became still and she became motionless, the time seemed to stop, enveloping her in an eerie silence. Suspended in a world where she felt she was the only one, the only person in existence, in that fleeting, eternal moment.

How could it be possible, how could he be the man from that night?

How?

Why him?

He loped towards them, his powerful aura making them feel uneasy as he stood before them.

"Nathan, you are back. You never said you were coming", he said with a fake smile.

Sara on the other hand felt uncomfortable. She had always been afraid of him even though he is her step son, he was full of hostility.

"What? Am I not welcome??", His deep, baritone sneered, gazing at Katherine whose head was down.

"Of course not! No one said that, it's just that we were quite surprised to see you and come to think of it, Katherine is back too!"

"Do you still remember her? She use to live with us before", Mr Derrick muttered and Nathan's gaze shifted to meet Katherine and she quickly averted her face.

"The memories are still clear and vivid", he muttered without looking away from her.

Katherine trembled and panicked and her heart beat increased. "Uhm... excuse me, I need to use the restroom", she stuttered.

Without wasting much time, she walked briskly to the restroom and locked the door.

Many thoughts ran through her mind.

Is he aware the girl from four years ago was her? No, he is definitely clueless.

"But still I can't stay here for long. I can't let him find out about my children especially with many photos of them on my phone"

She came out of the restroom and took the back route. She has not taken up to two steps when two men crossed her. She was sure they were Nathan's men but luck shone on her side when a waitress carrying drinks passed by.

She grabbed the tray and threw it at them before taking to her heels.

"Chase her!", The head of the bodyguards shouted but Katherine was already meters ahead.

Katherine continue running down the main road, hoping to flag down a car to the airport but she wasn't lucky to see one.

Out of desperation to hide from her pursuers, she hid behind a black SUV parked on the other side of the road. Leaning against the car, she panted heavily.

The car window was tilted and she couldn't see anything inside except her messy figure. Her phone rang and she carefully peeked across the road before answering.

"Katherine, where are you??", Aunt Sara asked in concern.

"Aunt, I'm sorry but I'm leaving the country right now, I can't stay here any longer"

"What? But you arrived just yesterday, what's going on?"

"I will tell you everything later but for now, I need to go", she said and hung up. Pressing the phone softly on her chest, she took a deep breath.

She heard a sound, the sound of a car window rolling down. She turned and saw the window slowly wind down, revealing a man no other than her children father.

Her eyes collided with his ocean blue eyes and she moved back in fright. Before she could think of running, she was blocked by her pursuers, there was no where else to run to.

The car door opened and Nathan slowly came out, his long legs strode towards her.

"Trying to run away from me? That's stupid", his voice was low and cold.

"What do you want from me?", She stuttered fearfully but before she could grasp the situation, he clamped his hands on her neck and tightened it, almost choking life out of her.

"You are hurting me", she whispered as she tried to remove his powerful hands.

"I thought you will never come back again", he whispered, his lips brushed her ears, sending shivers down her spine and her face turned pale. She gasped for air but he was not ready to let her go!

"Please", she begged and he finally let go

"Get into the damn car", he shouted.

She struggled to get in, he pushed her roughly into the car and a soft cry escaped her lips. He got in and slammed the door shut and the car sped off into the thick darkness.

Katherine looked out of the window and panicked. She wondered where he is taking her to in this late hour.

"Where are you taking me to? Let me out!", Her tiny voice begged desperately and he leaned towards her.

"Are you giving me orders??"

"No, I dare not. Please let me out", she cried as she played with the hem of her clothe.

"I promise never to come back here again, I swear on my life, please just let me go", her lips trembled despite how hard she tried to control it.

He stared intensely at her, burning holes in her skin before he finally cleared his throat.

"I need a perfect silence and it won't be nice if I shut you up myself"

Katherine stared at his cold eyes and she knew he meant it. She didn't dare say a word, he had an air of quiet confidence and now he exude an oppressive aura even stronger than before. She sniffed and tears blurred her vision.

"Since you are back, there is no way out. You can't leave", he whispered.

Katherine thought about her children and an unknown fear overwhelmed her body and mind. How would she return back to her children??

What crime had she commited to be treated this way??

Suddenly, she burst into tears and covered her mouth with the back of her hand.

"Don't be afraid. I have not even started and you are already crying? Save your tears, there is more to come", he smirked and leaned against the back seat with his eyes closed.

Katherine looked at him and hiccup, there was nothing she could do or say that would make him let her go. Back then, when she was in the Derrick's family, he always torment and bully her but those torment were nothing compare to what she is about to face.

The black SUV tore through the night like a black panther, arriving at the private mansion in the heart of the city in just thirty minutes.

By now, Nathan was already awoke. He stepped out of the car but Katherine remained seated, she didn't make any plan to move.

"You need me to help you out of the car?", He frowned in anger. Katherine stared at the car knob before gently unlocking the door and stepped out. She quickly shut her phone down, afraid that the nanny taking care of her triplets in New York might call. She was scared Nathan would find out!

"What are you still waiting for? Follow me", he beckoned but she shook her head vehemently.

"I'm not coming in with you", she blunt out before she knew it.

"What?", His eyes darkened. He made eye contact with his guards and they bowed, they bundled Dionne up and she kicked her leg in the air.

"Let me down!", She continue screaming until she was dropped on the floor, in the sitting room. She stared round the luxurious mansion, it was splendid!

Nathan bent to her level and lifted her chin up. "I own you Katherine, every part of you belongs to me. You can't run away from me Katherine, why?, I will find you and not only that, I will kill you with my bare hands", he gritted his teeth.