The game has begun

@McAdams’s Empire

Abigail's POV

Wearing my expensive blazer and white tube dress, red stilettos and soft glam make-up, I walked inside my father's company with so much confidence that made every employee turn their heads on me. I walked with my chin up, showing them that the real boss is back!

I barged inside my office, approached my desk and placed all my stuff there. I sat on my chair, inhaling the new beginning of my plans when suddenly Gerald came in, surprised to see me.

“Hey,” I greeted before getting up and smiled.”

“Hey, Abigail. I didn't know you were coming today. Are you okay now?” He asked, wondering why I suddenly went to work after driving him away to my house.

I chuckled and walked towards him, “I didn't inform you because I want it to be a surprise, especially since I want to apologize for how I treated you last time.”

“Oh, that's not a big deal. No worries,” he replied, smiling back at me. He touched my shoulder, “Are you well now?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Great! I've been looking forward to working with you, Abigail.”

“Uh, are you avoiding me, Gerald?”

I laughed before shaking his head and muttered, “Why would I?”

I fix his tie in a naughty way, flattening his collar before smiling at him. Gerald seemed convinced with my actions, and that's a good sign.

“What are you thinking?” He asked.

“Well, I was thinking if we can go out for dinner tonight? "I want to make up for what I did to you, Gerald. That's why I'm giving you dinner tonight," I smiled sweetly at him and winked.

Gerald grinned, and that meant my plan worked. I lived under the same roof with Gerald for five years, he became my husband and I loved him with all my heart but I regretted that I fell in love with a cheater like him. I was blinded by the love that caused my father's death.

He grabbed my waist, and I couldn't help but twitch a little. I tried to smile to hide my hatred for Gerald.

"This is what I've been waiting for," he leaned to me, sniffing my neck and it made me swallow. I hate what he is doing but I have to put up with it for justice. "I accept the dinner you offer.”

“G-great…” I'm uncomfortable with this set-up, but I have to endure it. I moved away a bit to ease the disgusting feeling I was feeling and said, “When do you want to eat?”

Gerald pulled me closer and smirked, “Anywhere you want.”

I pushed Gerald away because his presence made me vomit. I want to puke, but I have to swallow and endure it at the same time.

“So, how's your wife?” I changed the topic instantly before turning my back and sat on my chair. “I mean, your ex-wife, right?”

I copped my hands, interested with the news he could give to me. “What about your son?”

“My son was fine and the divorce went well. However, I want to concern you with something.”

“Hmm, about what?” I pretend to know nothing.

“Have you heard about my ex-wife's new boyfriend? I believe he was your former lover, Abigail.”

“Interesting. Well, I'm not surprised. Your wife has the ability to get what she wants.” The way she stole you from me and now I'm using you to trigger her, especially since I know you're playing the game I was on.

I conclude the smirk I have and replace it with a smile since Gerald was in front of me. He sat on the swivel chair in front of me before crossing his legs and resting his elbow on my desk.

“They're engaged,” he told me.

I pretended to be surprised in front of him, "How quickly did they get engaged? It's like when Baron and I broke up and now he's replaced me with that caterpillar?" I grumbled while pretending to be angry.

"Didn't your ex-husband tell you? He came to your house when I visited you, Abigail. I thought he mentioned it to you?" Gerald asked as if he was suspicious of me.

"He didn't mention anything to me and I didn't ask him because I thought it would be a long time before he thought about getting married again. That girl is really flirtatious! Those two cheated on me!” I slammed the table in rage before massaging my temple and sat back. “This is outrageous!”

“Indeed, Abby. That's why I am proposing to get engaged too,” he murmured that almost made me fall on my chair. I glanced at him, startled with his proposal. “What the heck? What's with the rush, Gerald.”

“I'm not on the rush, Abigail. I just thought about it because our exes already found themselves a new lover, so why not get back together? Let's continue the family we used to have before, and I promise to love you more than I love you before…” He held my hand on the desk before planting a kiss and murmured, “What…?”

In an instant, my bad memories with him return. The way he cheated on me with the flirt woman, and the way he let his woman push me and almost killed my baby. My step-mother helped her daughter make my life a total hell, took my father away from me which is the reason for my pain.

I pull my hand away from him and force myself to smile, “I don't think this is the right time for that, Gerald.”

“Why not?”

“I have two sons with Baron and it's not going to be easy for them our situation, so I need to make sure my children adjust to my new life. I don't want to enter a relationship after one break, so no.”

“Is this about our past?”

I looked away and faced the glass wall behind me, “No.”

He hugged me from behind, causing the hair on my body to stand up. I withstand his presence behind me, and swallow the fact that I'm near him.

I gasped because I could no longer endure it and walked away normally, not showing any signs of disgust just to avoid him from thinking I'm not really into him.

“What's wrong? Do I smell?” He sniffed himself before shrugging, “I don't smell anything.”

“No, you smell fine. It's just that, can we act slowly? I mean, everything is absurd and hard to process. We can't just get into a relationship because our former loved ones are in one, I'm not like them.”

“Okay, I get it. Anyway, they were inviting us to their engagement party. Do you wanna come?”

Yes, a party! Where everyone is missing and I can sneak into his office next time after making an excuse. Right!

“Abby?” He called my name, causing me to blink. “Of course. I'd love to.”

He took the invitation card to his suit pocket, and handed it to me. I accepted the invitation before opening it, and I saw Baron's happy face. I know that's part of the act, but I can't help but feel a pang of pain.

“They look good together…” I lied.

“They are.”

“Why do you seem not to care, Gerald?” I asked while my eyes remained on the photo.

“What do you mean?”

“You and Hilary just got divorce and it didn't take her a week to find a replacement, but you seemed okay with that. As if you didn't love her,” I lifted my head, staring back at him and finding an answer that I never had when he cheated on me.

“Hilary is a good mother but who am I to stop her from her happiness? We decided to stop our marriage as soon as you return because I want to make amends from my mistake five years ago, and I realized that I love you. That's why I let her become happy, but I wasn't expecting to find a replacement in one week.”

Everything happened so fast and he's lying to my face. Knowing that they might after something enraged me, especially since Gerald, Hilary and Priscilla had something to do with my father's death. In order to find that proof, I need to sacrifice and get involved in his life again.

“Are you sure about us?” Out of nowhere, that question came out of my mouth. I saw how it caught him off guard, but I fortified my words. “Why are you asking me that?”

“I want to be sure before entering a new relationship, Gerald.”

Gerald seriously walked towards me, he touched my cheek and kissed me on the forehead. I widened because I know someone who always did that to me… Baron…

Suddenly I miss him...

I miss everything about him...

“I promise to make amends, Abigail. I made a mistake five years ago, and I will do everything to fill my shortcomings as your husband. Just let me, please… I will make you my queen. Just let me...”

I gulped and was moved by his words, but his sincerity isn't enough to soften my rock heart. I form a soft smile and answer, “Then prove it.”