It should have been like this episode 9

❤️ Love before reading ❤️

❌ Do not copy this work, I repeat, please do not copy. Not that I can stop you but please, gain some conscience. ❌

🤩 Kemmy B. Gabriel Present Another rom-nce Novel: 🤩

💔 It Should Have Been Like This 💔

👩‍💻 Book Nine: unknown 👩‍💻

💜 Lavender’s viewpoint 💜

You wanna know what I hate most in my entire life? My kindness. The next day, I didn’t say a word, not even to my children. I wasn’t in the mood so I could vent my anger on them. When we got to work, I found out my new office was in his so I’d have to see his face everyday. Now, back to the kindness part.

Remember when he slipped in his office bathroom? I tried to ignore the fact that he was in severe pain since he woke up, but the more I tried, the more tears threatened to spill. I knew it was my fault he fell like that. What if he dies? How would my kids live with it? That’s it again, worrying for my children’s heart. He was currently trying to stand but his body wasn’t responding. I knew he was trying to play it cool so I won’t know, but he didn’t think I was that dumb, did he? I kept glancing at him, even though I was working.

I jerked to my feet with shock when he collapsed on the ground, dragging his computer along with him. I ran over to him in panic. Luckily, the computer missed his head. “Oh my goodness, are you ok… Forget that question, you are not. Come on,” I grabbed his hand and made to yank him up but the scre-m he let out made me pause. I took in a deep breath, knelt down and placed my hand under his body. I carefully lifted him up to his feet and let him lean all his weight on me.

I helped him walk over to the sofa. I dropped him on it and helped him lay down. “You know, I hate my kindness more than I hate you. Just sit here and don’t move… Not that you can but you know what I mean. I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll be…”

“Shut up.” I deadpanned. I ran to his table first, took his car key and then went to mine, grabbed my wallet and rushed out. There was a pharmacy not too far from the company. I drove there, bought what I needed and returned. I ignored the people looking at me when I stepped out of the car with the polythene bag. Sure, why would I be driving my boss’s car?

“Lavender?” I heard my name as I was running. I stopped and turned around. It was my new office friend, Giovanna. Micah was with her. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah, boss sent me on an errand,” I said, lifting the bag so she would see, “gotta go, won’t be down for lunch,” I continued running. “Say hi to August for me!” I shouted. I ran into Paxton. He caught me in time by holding my shoulders.

“Whoa, Cheetah, halt for a second…”

“Can’t, emergency,” I rushed to the worker’s elevator. “Hey, can you bring a block of ice to the office like right now?!” I shouted.

“Block of ices?”

“Yes, honey, now!” I shouted before the doors closed. When I got back to the office, he was back at his table with someone who was checking his computer. I placed my hands at the back of my wa-ist with the bag still in my hand. “Mr Verlice, I can swear I told you to sit down and rest?” He raised his head, along with the guy. He smiled innocently. “Don’t smile.”

“I called the technician to see if the computer is broken, is it?” He looked back at the guy and frowned. I looked at the guy too to see why Nic was frowning. The guy’s mouth was open as he stared at me. I snapped my fingers.

“I am not a computer, mind your work.” His cheeks tinted pink before he glanced at his boss and looked back at the computer sheepishly.

“So far, nothing is off, the computer is fine.”

“Okay, you can leave.” He nodded. I ignored the guy and walked over to the water dispenser to get him warm water to drink. I used the glass cup to get the water and went to him. I dropped the cup and the bag on the table before removing the ointment for m-ssaging and the drugs.

“You bought me drugs?”

“Uhm,” I answered, bringing the drugs out of their sealed packets. I gathered them in my palm and stretched it to him. He inhaled. “Don’t ask me if you must, you need it because if you die, I’ll be jobless and then face your family asking why I let you die.” I glanced at the guy looking at me with shock because I spoke to his boss with such casual tone.

I smirked but Rominic wasn’t seeing it as he was grudgingly taking the drugs. He looked at me pleadingly and pouted. “This is not your final revenge, right?”

“We’ll see.” I smirked further. He rolled his eyes and completely took the drugs. I watched him in silence while impatiently waiting for the guy to leave so I can smack Nic. He would never take the drugs until he’s smacked. He would usually spend three hours before he take just one.

My eyes followed the guy as he slowly walked to the door. While I was watching him, I remembered how stubborn Rominic is. I snapped my neck back to him and gasped. “You threw two away!”

“Me? No, I took it.”

“When?”

“Just now.” I gro-ned.

“Good thing I came prepared,” I said, picking up the packets again. He gro-ned. I gave him the drugs and tapped my foot angrily. One look at my angry face and he quickly took the drugs. I found his briefcase of sweets and biscuits while he was gagging after taking it. I brought out a lollipop and returned to him.

“Here, for being a good boy,” I smiled, giving it to him. He snatched it immediately and shoved the sweet into his mouth. By habit, I brought my hand to his head and stroke it to comfort him. I didn’t know what I was doing until he reached up and smack my hand off like he would always do.

“I am not a kid, stop stroking me.” We both said simultaneously, him from habit and me from knowing what he was going to say. The awkward silence followed. I blinked my tears away, grabbed the ointment and scurried to the sofa.

“You walked there, you’ll walk back here.” He tilt his head in confusion. I gesture for him to come with my finger. The poor thing. When he tried to stand, he gro-ned, when he stood, he still gro-ned. When he took a step, he cried. The torture was too much for my conscience.

“I really hate you, heart.” I stood up and went to help him. I roughly pulled him to the sofa, even though his yelp was like a stab to my heart. I pushed him on the sofa and placed my hand on my forehead to calm the headache down.

“What are you planning to do?”

“Rape you,” I said sarcastically. The arrogant prince smirked and wiggled his brows at me. I smacked his head and smiled with satisfaction when he whimpered. “Take off your jacket, I’m going to m-ssage you.” The fool didn’t even resist, he started taking off his clothes. I wanted to change my mind, but watching his suffering was a comfort. When he was done suffering, he suffered another agony in his attempt to lay on the couch. Again, I helped him. I rolled my eyes. This would hurt my ego. Nevertheless, I straddled his legs and got to work. I knew how to m-ssage, I learnt it for one of my old friend. The stupid thing always hurt himself so I learnt how to m-ssage for his sake.

I shook my head to delete the memory that would make me more sadder than I already was. I focused on m-ssaging his back, shoulders, wa-ist and arms. While I was working, the bell chimed. I knew it was Paxton so I told him to come in. When he walked in, he almost fell flat on his face.

“Before your mind go somewhere else, he slipped in his bathroom and broke his spine…”

“I did not…” I jabbed his shoulder. He gro-ned. “Damn, woman!” I smirked and turned back to Pax who was blushing seriously. I rolled my eyes.

“The ice?”

“Oh, yes, I’ve got it,” he hurried over to me. “I didn’t get a wh0le block, but I gathered cubes, that okay?”

“Yeah, just do me a favor and go to his bathroom. Get me two towels.” He nodded. The plan was to spread the towel on his back then spread the ice cubes. I would do the same for his head but by tying the towel to his head.

After Paxton left, I commanded him to sleep and went to his table to continue his work for him. I literally stressed myself by going to and fro from both desks so I could handle the works while he slept peacefully like a baby. At one time, I stopped working and stared at him. His beauty still left me breathless like I would always say. His long lashes–still envious of them–rested on his baby cheeks; cheeks that were slightly flushed pink. His small l-ips made him look like he was pouting, even if he wasn’t. He really looked adorable. I was seeing my children in him and memories I should not remember.

I mentally slapped myself out of it when my heart began to respond to the affectionate memories. I shook my head, flexed my shoulders and exhaled. “I hate you, Rominic Verlice, nothing else.”

Yeah, I hate him.

I went down to get him food since he would soon wake up. I met August on my way back. Remember the really handsome colleague I met the previous day? That’s the one. “Hey, where have you been all day?”

“Working,” I said jadedly, “today was hectic. Seen the others?”

“Uhm,” I walked with him. “So, rumor have it that you drove our boss’s boss’s boss car, is it true?”

“Rumor has it that those who listen to gossip are liable to die young,” he looked at me for a second before laughing.

“You are amusing. So, how come you know Phineas Hathaway?” I shrugged. “Oh, come on, you can’t really not tell me,” he whined. “You know Phineas, like do you know who that is? Super cool billionaire supermodel? The one whose father runs the biggest media company in Chicago and voted fourth in New York and second in Los Angeles?”

“And third in Las Vegas, I know. So what?”

“So what?” He gasped with wide eyes. “Did you just say so what?” He whispered. The elevator doors open. I slipped in and pressed the button for the top like while he was still opening and closing his mouth in shock. I’d ask what it is all about later.

“Bye, August, k-sses.” I blew him a k-ss before the doors shut. I hummed as I bounced back into his office. As predicted, he was awake now and wearing new clothes. He was actually fixing his cufflinks.

“I thought you left.”

“I went to get you food,” I dropped the food on the table, “how do you feel?”

“Much better, thanks to you.”

I nodded. “I’ll have to repeat this for the next four days, but at night… Don’t take it personal.” He nodded but I could see him fighting a smile.

“You shouldn’t have bothered with the food though,”

“Why?”

“Have you forgotten the dinner with the associates today?” I blinked dumbly. He sighed. “I’m having dinner to talk some things out with the co-owners of Dell & Bell?”

“I’m suppose to go with you?”

“Yes, PA, remember?” I pressed my l-ips together and nodded. “You might want to change your clothes, you look like crap.”

“Thanks, I didn’t look at myself in the mirror or anything,” I said sarcastically, “and I don’t have any clothes here.”

“It’s okay, I’ll stop by our house,” he said as he wore his jacket. He said our. As much as I hated it, I liked it.

🧡 Rominic’s viewpoint 🧡

I flexed my throbbing shoulders to wear off the ache. It didn’t hurt as much as it did before, but it still did. After her outburst the other night, I thought she would never speak to me again, especially after she snubbed everyone. But she helped me, she didn’t leave me. I was going to get a checkup the next day, but she didn’t need to know that. Why would I tell her when she already offered to help me?

“Okay, dad, spell bourguignon,” Serenity said, chewing the back of her pen. She had been asking me to spell for the past twenty minutes. I had no idea what she was writing but all I knew was that we were running late for the dinner. “Dad, I said you should spell bourguignon for me.”

“Don’t chew your pen,” Sera scolded, wagging her finger. Serene smiled shyly and dropped it.

“Daddy, spell…”

“B-O-U-R-G-U-I-G-N-O-N,” Zachary spelt, his eyes on his own book.

“B what again?” Serene asked, itching her head. Zach sighed. He dropped his book and knelt up. They were laying on the ground. He crawled closer to her, took her pen and wrote the word on her th-gh. “Hey! Zachary signed his signature too! Daddy, look what he did!”

“To my biggest fan,” Zach said with a sly smirk. I chuckled. I watched Serafina wrote something on some kind of paper, stood up and walked over to Zachary innocently. Before Zachary notice her, she stamped the paper to his forehead.

“Hey!”

“To my most loyal servant.” She mocked. Zachary removed the paper and glared at her. I chuckled when I saw that what she wrote transferred to his head.

Sera’s puppet.

Serafina smiled coyly and went back to her seat. Naughty girl. “I’m ready!” I turned my head to look at Lavender. I exhaled. She was wearing a baby pink cowl wa-ist dress that stopped mid-thighs. The neckline was cowl as well. I knew that because I bought a similar dress for Peyton once. Her shoes were clear block heels, that’s all I can remember. She looked beautiful but we were going on a date with three men; one unmarried, one divorce and one who cheats on his wife like there is no tomorrow. In conclusion, they were manwh-res. The dress was bound to drag a lot of attention. Even if it didn’t hug her body, it showed too much th-gh flesh.

“Mommy, you look hella hot!” Zyaire shouted. Lavender chuckled.

“And where did you learn that mature word from?”

“Grandpa taught me,” he replied smugly. Should have known. “He said when a woman is beautiful like grandma, she’s hella hot.”

“Hmm, did he tell you what happens to little children who says mature words?” Sera asked with a frightened face. “They are visited by the Don’t Angel and punished.”

“Sera, stop making things up,” he scoffed.

“But it’s true,” Zachary said with wide eyes, “the Don’t Angel is a spirit that wh¡p the buttocks of children who says bad words. Not all children but children who used to be simple mindless and innocent sweethearts. I thought you watched the news with us?” They were injecting fear into him and it was working.

“Remember Nicky? Do you know why he didn’t go to school for a week?”

“His mother said he had a rash on his…” Zyaire gasped and cupped his mouth. Serafina nodded.

“That’s it, he was wh¡pped. I heard it later when his mother was telling the other neighbor, that her son was wh¡pped by the angel because he said f-cking ass biscuits. He couldn’t sit for a wh0le week!”

“That’s… it’s…lie…”

“Will I ever lie to you, little brother?” She asked with an innocent twinkle of her eyes.

“Yes.”

“Okay, will Zachary ever lie to you?” That definitely made him believe.

“I promise not to say adult words again.” Serafina winked at Lavender who laughed.

“That’s my little mini me,” Lavender turned to me and grinned widely, “didn’t I raise them well?”

“Yes, yes, you did.”

~~~

I nervously glance at my side. Lavender wasn’t even a bit nervous like she usually would. Anytime we were going to meet someone together, she would get really nervous and hold my hand, making sure to press her b-obs to my arm. Now, she was talking to the hostess with intimidating confidence and nonchalant. The hostess was shaking with fear as she looked at her feet, responding to Laverne lowly. Lavender never had the power to make anyone this nervous.

Baby, what hell did life throw at you?

“Don’t do that,” Lavender said with a lenient harshness. Was I bothered that she was causing a scene at the entrance of the restaurant, no? I was just amuse and nervous because of her new boldness. She was scolding the hostess about her lack of confidence. “Shoulders up,” she pushed the hostess to stand up straight by holding her shoulders firmly and helping her to straighten up. She tilt her chin up then used her fingers to spread her l-ips into a perfect polite smile. She helped the hostess position her hands and c*ck her h¡ps, then draw her uniform down.

“There, now you look like a drop-dead gorgeous hostess pulling in customers. You have to remember that you are the first person the customers see when they walk in, so you need to leave a good impression and atmosphere. When I walked in here, you were shaking as if someone would kill you and you couldn’t even speak a word. Try to be confident, always smile, always be happy and polite no matter what. If you don’t improve, you’ll get fired.”

“Y…y…y…”

“Don’t stammer,” she warned, waving her index finger scoldingly, “try again, with confidence.”

“Ahem,” the hostess cleared her throat and put on a bold face, “yes, ma’am. Welcome to Ellie Classic, would you like a table or do you already have a reservation?”

“Attagirl! That’s what I’m talking about!” Laverne cheered with a clap. “And yes, we have a reservation with…with… what’s that their name again?” She asked herself, rotating her index finger in the air close to her earring. “Dell and Bell?”

I chuckled. “Mr. Parker Dell,”

“Oh, hold on.”

“Don’t worry, I have great navigation skills, I’ll find them myself. I just need to find someone with a very shiny head and another wearing a wig,” she said, making a funny dismissive gesture. Before I can object, she walked in, walking with a speed I didn’t know could still be graceful.

“I’ll take the table number either way.”

“Third floor, table 28.” The hostess smiled. I nodded and hurried in,side after her. Never trust her navigation skills, it ended us lost in the middle of nowhere one time. I followed her into the restaurant. She paused, placed her hands on her h¡ps and tilt her head. She was summoning her mighty spirit of navigation. I rolled my eyes, walked over to her and grabbed her by the wa-ist.

“Angel of direction, is that you?” She whispered. I answered by pulling her to the elevator. She was giggling very seriously. I tried to understand what was going on with her, then it made sense. She learnt how to overcome her nervousness by being a little bit extra. I could tell she has gotten use to giving herself pep talks; her own motivational speaker.

The elevator doors ding open and I pulled her out. I led her to the table. I could already see the brothers and another head. Immediately the person gave her irritating laugh, I gro-ned in advance of the trouble I would face. “God, not her.” I cried lowly.

“Who’s her?”

“Caroline Bell, co-owner of Dell & Bell. She’s annoying and she keeps believing in that crack head of hers that we are in a relationsh¡p,” Parker sighted me first. He grinned and waved.

“Ke-mo sah-bee!” He shouted. I scoffed at the name he likes calling me. We are not even acquaintance. Nevertheless, I plastered a thin smile on my face. The others turned their heads to my direction. Caroline stood up with a squeal and made her way to me.

“Here it comes.” I whimpered. I watch her flying to me in slow motion, her hands spreading apart to hold me. I sighed sadly and looked at my feet. Just as she was about to land on me, I was yanked out of the way. That was a bad landing for Caroline.

I cringed as she landed on the floor with a heavy thud, so loud it caught everyone’s attention. She cried out, rolled on her back and continued to cry. “What the hell, Verlice, you should have caught her!” Matthew Bell shouted, already trying to lift her up.

“He was going to but then I pulled him out of the way. I thought she was going to attack him.” Lavender answered. I looked at her to see her shrugging. Matt, the divorcé, already helped her up.

“Are you some kind of personal bodyguard!” Matt shouted.

“Try to touch me and find out,” I almost shivered from the smirk she gave him. Matt looked away immediately and quietly helped Caroline back to her seat. “I’m sorry if you are hurt, Mrs. Bell, but you must remember this is a professional meeting so any unprofessional conduct is unacceptable. Keep your informality to after the meeting, thank you.” Lavender slipped into a chair and tapped a space for me to sit. I was in shock in a way.

When I didn’t move, she reached for my hand, sunclad her fingers around my wrists and pulled me down. The place she held left my skin buzzing even after she removed her hand. I stared down at the wrist, blurred to the world around me. Well, not until Parker cleared his throat.

“Well, since that is over, shall we begin, Mr. Verlice? And can you introduce who this beautiful chocolate is?” I see Lavender roll her eyes from the corner of mine.

“I guess you didn’t pick up on the professional sermon of mine. My name is Lavender, I’m his new PA and I am not a chocolate, work on your pickup line.” The single brother, Lucky Dells, started laughing.

“Ouch, brother, you just got demoted,”

“It’s not funny, Lucky, shut up.”

“Actually, it kinda is,” Matt said with a small chuckle, “she means business. Where did you get this one from, Verlice? I want one.”

“Don’t exalt her, she might be sed-cing him,” Caroline hissed. Lavender shrugged.

“You mean like the way you failed to do?” She asked, smirking mischievously at Caro, “do restrain from assumption, Mrs. Bell, it’s unbecoming.”

“It’s Miss, not Mrs, get that right. And I wasn’t assuming, I was…” Lavender slammed the proposal files on the table and clapped with excitement.

“Babe can’t talk in an empty stomach. Let’s get something to eat before one of you start looking like roasted steak,” she said cheerfully.

“Finally! Someone who understands the true meaning of food!” Lucky exclaimed.

“Amen, brother.” She said, causing Matt to laugh. I could see from their eyes that they already like her and the deal was as good as done. Except for Parker who was still eyeing her lustfully and Caroline who wanted to claw at her face, she made a good impression.

Dinner went great, the deal was done quickly thanks to Lucky and Matt. Parker tried to pull out a deal to get Lavender to have a date with him in exchange of the contract, but I threatened to rip out his intestines and strangle him with it. And with Lucky telling him to give it up and Matt scolding him, he gave in.

“It was nice to meet you both, sincerely,” Lavender said with a wide smile. It irk me the entire hours to watch her laugh and chatter with two womanizers. Deep breaths and thinking about Serenity’s smile helped me calm down. I couldn’t wait to leave already.

“Will it be a bad time to invite you to my birthday?” Lucky asked with raised brow.

“Lucky, your birthday was last week,” I reminded him. He shushed me with his finger and pointed at laughing Lavender.

“If you wanted a date, you should have just asked.”

“So he can use my intestines to strangle me, no, thank you,” Lucky said, looking at me. “But we can meet again, right? I think my girlfriend will love you.” That was a message to me, to tell me he wasn’t into her. Like I would believe that.

“Really? Is she pretty?” Lavender gasped.

“Quite and she’s Italian. Is Giovanna a cool name or what?”

“Giovanna: black hair, light hazel with green flecks, honey skin and a smile that makes you think of apples for some reason?” Lavender asked with her head tilt. Before I could blink, Lucky teleported to our side of the table and pushed me to the floor, taking over my seat and space.

“What the…!”

“You know her! You know her!” He kept scre-ming while shaking her.

“Dude, calm down before you make me puke and yes, I know her. She’s not your girlfriend, is she?” He stopped shaking her and pouted.

“In my head she is. She will be, once I can get her to acknowledge I exist,” I don’t know what is going on here and I don’t like it. I stood up from the floor, ready to peel him off her and make sure they practice distancing, but stopped when someone spoke from behind me.

“Jambalaya?” Lavender sprung to her feet immediately with wide eyes. Her l-ips parted with shock. I looked at who was standing behind me and I did not like the face I saw. Way too handsome to be close to her. I looked between them, the silent eye conversation going on. She was starting to cry to my annoyance. He had tears in his eyes too.

He sniffed and smiled. “I deserve a hug after just finding out you are alive, huh, Jammy?” She didn’t wait a second before she was pushing everything and everyone–me–out of her way and flying into his waiting arms.

Okay, who the f-ck is this one!

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To be continued