" I know what I am doing, sweetheart. If you don't join in the work soon, I can stop Jessica's advances. You know a man cannot resist his desires when a sexy woman tries to tempt him" he said.

" Go to hell...." She shouted and disconnected the video call.

Adrian was enjoying seeing her anger. He also knew that he could use her anger to his advantage. He wanted to kiss her so badly if she could present beside him. Her angry looks and her screaming voice made him so happy. He felt so proud that his plan is working well. 

...

At Katherine's home, she was feeling frustrated as she noticed how Jessica was trying to cling to Adrian on the video call. She threw a pillow on the bed as she could not control her anger. 

Then she remembered once Jessica came to her cabin and took coffee to his cabin. She was not so dumb to understand her motive with her today's attitude. 

She was never interested in gossip in her company since she began her career in the company. She was the person who was only interested in only office work and used to maintain professional relations with colleagues. But she heard about many affairs of Jessica. She also heard that if Jessica wants to seduce any man she will be successful in it by hook or crook. 

She wanted to stop her evil plan but she had to wait at least one more day because Martin doesn't allow her to join her work. She leaned back on her bedpost and closed her eyes to calm her mind. 

...

At maple collaborations….

Steven thought it was the best day of his life when he met Ruby for the first time in the interview. He never thought she could attract him so much. It was the first time in his life to run after a woman and clarify his actions. He never thought he could go this far with her. 

Meanwhile, Ruby entered his cabin and greeted him, " Good morning, Mr. Brown"

" Are you still mad at me? Still, you are thinking of the other's remarks on us?" He frowned.

"The people were working at your home, not others, Mr. Brown. Moreover, I don't want others to think of me as a gold digger or with other names. It's better if we maintain a professional relationship between us, " she said looking at his face.

" So...you made a decision even though I gave you an explanation. Still, you think that you..." Steven's words were cut off by Ruby.

" I am sorry to blame you for considering other words more than you. But I don't want to give anyone a chance to insult me. Please try to understand " she explained, lowering her head.

" No, no, you are right. I am sorry for it. But it's not your fault. People will always think that. " Steven said, looking at her with a tender smile on his face.

" Thank you, Mr. Brown," Ruby said.

She still did not look up and was still looking at his face. It was a peculiar behavior of hers. Steven was sure that she was still thinking of the other's remarks on them. He was sure. He could see it in her eyes.

"I want to ask you a favor," Steven said.

" What's that?" She raised her head, looked at him, and asked.

" Don't call me, Mr. Brown. Call me with my name" he said. 

" Ruby, please. " He had a pleading look on his face.

" Okay, Mr. Brown...I am Steven," she said.

" Thank you, Ruby. I am grateful to you for the favor because I feel weird if you call me formally" He smiled.

She nodded her head.

" Can you tell me what my schedule is?" He asked her.

" Yes, I can. After lunch there is only one meeting and that too between you and Kyle's group's head," she said and left for her cabin.

He sighed and did not understand how to patch up the distance between them.

She sat in the chair and placed her palm on her forehead kneeling her hands on the work table. There was no clear vision in her mind but she had a few images of both kissing in the car. Her heart raced like a marathon.

From the past few years, she evidenced Katherine's state as she was staying away from her love. She doesn't want to go through the same so she doesn't develop any feelings for Steven. She decided to stay away as much as possible. 

But she had no idea that Steven was so determined to make her fall in love with him.

…..

Katherine's home

After disconnecting the video call, she laid on the bed to take some rest. Instead, she started imagining Jessica moving close to Adrian and hugging him.

Instantly she opened her eyes with fear and gulped a glass of water in her throat. She wished to fly like a bird to the company. She wanted to be snatched out of her eyeballs from her eyes for looking at him with lust. And also she wanted to break her hands to touch him.

….

When she was in deep thoughts, Martin entered the room with a bowl of chicken soup.

" Hi...why are you not sleeping? " He asked her.

" No...I am thinking about Adrian…." Her tongue slipped.

" Adrian!!! " he exclaimed.

Then she realized what she spoke out involuntarily.

Martin looked at her with amusement because it had been many years since she talked about him. Many times, Martin tried to talk but she avoided it. She never used to share the burning pain in her heart.

" Are you thinking about Sam's words? " Martin asked, sitting at the edge of the bed.

" No…." She lied.

" Don't lie to me. Already you said just now…" Martin said.

He started feeding the soup from the bowl in silence. 

" Am I not taking care of Sam properly? Why did he ask about his father? " She asked Martin, feeling guilty.

" You are taking care of him. And I knew how much you love him. But like every child, he also wants to play with his father and wants to go out with his father. Maybe in school, he saw their father dropping their friends. " Martin reasoned.

Katherine felt so bad to hide Sam's existence from Adrian but she had no choice at that time. But now she was feeling scared to face his wrath after he came to know the truth. Tears were flowing like a waterfall from her eyes.

" Stop crying. It's not your fault. " he wiped her tears.

" Now have this soup and sleep," he said and fed the soup in the bowl.

After he left the room, she laid on the bed and closed her eyes. Slowly she drifted to sleep.

…..

…..

She sensed some hands touching her face. She opened her face and saw Little Sam sitting beside her.

" Hi, Mumma...how are you? " he asked, looking at her hand.

" Fine…" she smiled ruffling his hair with her left hand.

" Mumma...I am sorry…" he said, lowering his face.

"It's okay," she replied with a small smile.

" Everything happened because of me. If I don't play with the ball in the house and if the ball hits the hot boiling soul. You may not go through this pain." He said with a gloomy face.

" It's okay...My baby. Nothing happened to you. I am happy that the hot soup fell on me, not on you" she said stroking his hair.

" Are you not angry with me? " He asked her.

" How can I be angry with you? When I love you so much?" She asked with a smile.

She sat on the bed and pulled him on her lap. She kissed him and said, " You are the only reason for me to live. So your mum will never be angry at you" 

" So this is your deed?" Ruby asked seriously while entering the room.

" Ruby...Don't scare him. He is a small boy and it was an accident " Katherine supported him.

" Okay fine." She said with a serious expression.

….

At home, everyone was busy with their work. Martin was checking his draft as his book was ready for publication and on the other side, Ruby was busy with the kitchen chores. 

Little Sam was feeling bored because Katherine was also sleeping due to the drowsiness of the medication. He played for some time with his toys and gadgets.

All of the sudden, he saw the photo frame hanging on the wall. Then he remembered Adrian. He quickly pulled the desk and took his visiting card. He quickly ran to the kitchen and asked for her Aunt's mobile saying he needed to talk with his friend. 

He dialed his number on Ruby's mobile to talk with him. 

Adrian was still working in his cabin as he was new to work and also Jessica doesn't have a good knowledge of the client's report. He was exhausted as there was no help from Katherine.

Just in time, his mobile started ringing. He checked it was from a new number. After a long ring, he attended the call.

" Hi...Ad....How are you?" He heard the sweet voice of a small kid.