"I hate you!" Katie shouted.
Katie's POV:
I wake from my nightmares, panting heavily, my body drenched in sweat. Why can't I stop having these nightmares? My alarm rings, reminding me to get out of bed.
Standing in front of KATE Enterprises Inc., I feel a sense of relief. I love what I do, and it keeps me distracted from my nightmares and the world. Barnsley has a package for me. I wonder who it's from.
I walk into my office to get my day started but pause when I see a red box. I decide to open it. The box is filled with excelsior and a single piece of paper with the word "hate" written on it. Suddenly, I remember my dream, and I know this message can only come from one person.
Rose knocks on my door, interrupting my thoughts. "Ma'am, LK Limited won't be able to make it today," she says as she walks to the seat opposite me.
"Why are they just telling me now?" I snap, my frustration rising. "Do they really think I have time for rescheduled meetings?"
"Cancel our business meeting and their proposal," I add sharply. She gasps, but I give her a stern look, making it clear that I mean it. Time is business—once wasted, it's lost.
She writes it down in her journal, and we move on to review my schedule for the day.
The day passes without me noticing—calls and meetings fill my mind. I glance at the wall clock and realize that my staff will be heading home soon. I reflect on what I've accomplished today, and I'm pleased with myself.
Rose peeks her head into my office, telling me it's time to leave, but I'm not sure I want to go home tonight. Instead, I decide to head to Beverly's house. She's the only person I relate to personally.
On my way to her house, I kept wondering why Jangie decided to send a message after 20 years, especially after everything he did to me. Yet, it doesn't seem like he's sorry. "Men are wicked," was the phrase from my mother that I remembered.
When I arrived at Beverly's house, I noticed a black, brand-new Mercedes-Benz in her garage. Turning to my driver, I told him that he should pick me up at 7 a.m. for work. With that, I headed inside.
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