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CHAPTER SEVEN

Craig's POV

This is the best I have felt in years, all the money in the world couldn't beat this feeling if it tried. The woman I've craved for all these years was under my roof and what's more? She had our baby! I was bursting with literal excitement.

In the past, I've closed billion-dollar deals but the day I found Kim again, I cried, my tears flowing without abandon when I learned she had been with a child and knowing all she had gone through. It broke me in ways I couldn't explain. I had been utterly unable to recognize that part of myself, tears? I didn't do tears!

I had come home three years ago to learn that Kim had left, try as I may, I couldn't find her. It felt like she had vanished into thin air. For the first few months, I had hired the best private investigators to find her but they had come up with nothing.

I threatened to cut off all supplies to Rhona if she didn't tell me where Kim was but after several days of trying I realized that Rhona had no idea where my wife had gone. I had broken down for days, I didn't know how deep my emotions for her had run.

I hated myself so much for letting how much I wanted to see what her lips tasted push me to force myself on her. We were legally married alright, but I had wanted her to come to me, to desire and crave the way I craved her. I had wanted her so much that I was near madness.

I should have left her alone, in my musings I had realized that was exactly why she had run away from me the first opportunity she got.

I had gambled away the one good shot at love that I had, acting like I didn't care when I should have worn my heart on my sleeves.

About a year after she left, I had tried to get back into the love scene but all my efforts were to naught because everyone that was with me would get frustrated because it was Kim's name on my lips at all times.

I tried again and again to forget her but it felt like she had in all but a few months imprinted herself on my brain and branded me as hers. I had resorted to drinking for a while but I had a lot to tend to so I eventually snapped out of it and started trying to heal instead. It had taken me months of discipline to finally put myself together and move on with my life.

Just last month, providence had smiled on me and I had received the best news of all my life. The private investigator that I had placed on the case contacted me with news that he had managed to pick a trial on my wife. He had seen her at a local store where she was the sales manager, followed her the whole day, and found out she had a son the same age as how long ago we were together all those years ago.

I had her followed for another month while I proceeded to produce evidence that the boy was indeed mine. When I had enough proof to show up, I had to do what I did because I didn't have any other way.

I knew begging and scheming wouldn't change Kim's mind and so I had striked that option out of my list. In the one month of trailing her, I had found out so much but the one detail that burnt me was the discovery that she was seeing another man. I had almost died of jealousy, I had seethed with fury and burned every time I saw them together.

The desire to snatch her away had ruled me day and night until I had succeeded. No one, no one touches what belongs to him. The bastard was lucky that we lived in a law-abiding country, I would have destroyed him completely.

I knew Kim was devastated but I honestly meant no harm, I just wanted the woman I loved to want me back. My methods clearly weren't the best but I had time and I intended to do better if she let me. Now she was within reach and I had a shot, I didn't know how good a shot though but I had to try regardless.

This was my wife and child and the last thing I wanted was to let them go. I was going to hold on with a death-like grip, I was going to fight like my life depended on it and I was going to win the mother of my child over somehow.

I was still lost in my musings when my cell started ringing.

"Yes, hello?" the assistant brand manager for one of my luxury clothing brands " The Craig Man" wanted to schedule an emergency meeting for 2 pm today.

He wanted a virtual meeting but they were long overdue for a physical meeting so I wanted to use to opportunity to get the much that was off my mind.

"Expect me at 2 pm, then," I answered.

"Have a good day sir." He had barely got that out before I ended the call.

I really hated calls, somehow i preferred physical meetings but with the new trends and the direction technology was going, I knew my best bet was learning and moving along with everyone else.

I took a shower, lazed around a bit, and got ready for the meeting. The Craig Man was just one of the three luxury clothing brands I owned in Paris. Paris was one of the world's largest homes for the best clothing brand and when I started I had beat a couple of other start-ups at the time. One thing my clothing line did was offer my high-end clients the worth for their money. Silent luxury at its peak and the ones who knew knew.

My driver kicked the engine and in no time we were at Rue commines. I headed in to meet the whole staff on board already seated.

As i strode into the sleek boardroom, I felt the effect that my presence had on the entire board, the air was thick with anticipation. The team up for the presentation stood poised and confident, ready to unveil their latest project: a line of luxury clothing brands that would redefine elegance in the fashion world in Paris.

Among them, there was a young woman whose hire was quite controversial, I didn't make it my business to find out individual information about my employees but she had not caught my hiring manager's eye at the time.

I heard something about an affair and so I had expected her to be slack in her contributions today but her poise and determination were evident in every line of her posture.

Another peculiar young man, her partner, stepped forward, his voice steady and commanding as he led the presentation. With each slide, he painted a picture of sophistication and opulence, weaving together elements of haute couture and cutting-edge design. I was actually captivated by his vision, his passion for the project shining through with every word.

It was impossible not to applaud the team inwardly. Their dedication to excellence was evident in every aspect of their work, from the exquisite craftsmanship of the garments to the meticulous attention to detail in their marketing strategies.

As the presentation progressed, I saw their Vision as well as their dedication, I was truly impressed, my arrival was clearly impromptu but they had jumped on that and did a great job. They did well, so well that they managed to spread my mind to ideas beyond my clothing lines, I was already thinking of how to integrate their ideas into my other ventures.

About an hour later they were done, "Excellent job everyone," I said, my voice carrying a level of genuine appreciation I showed whenever I was impressed by the team.

I had a private meeting with the brand manager, where we discussed measures for implementation and I was headed back in no time. I honestly just wanted to get home so I could hold Jason and catch a glimpse of Kim.

When I got home, it was so calm. I held myself back from literally taking giant strides to Jason's room. I didn't want to look too eager.

"Dada!" Jason's squeal greeted me once I opened his nursery.

Hearing him call me so, broke my heart and healed it several times over. I was broken because of all the years that I could not hold him and watch him grow because his mom refused to let me find them.

This time around, there was no letting go.

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