CEO’s REDEMPTION

THE MOTIVE

“Yes. The woman who was deemed to be my mother but she turned out to be a disgusting nightmare in my life. Someone I wish I never met.” I say to Mrs McCall whose jaw dropped to the floor minutes ago.

“What… what do you mean?” She asks, unbelieving of my words. “How can someone’s parent be what you are describing?” She adds.

Unbelievable, right? But she hasn’t even heard half of the quarter of my story yet. Given her astonishment at this little bit of my story, my entire story will leave her thunderstruck for a couple of days.

“It is a long story mother. Believe me, we need an entire day for everything to be explained. Some other time, but right now, I want to know what these two promised my mother.” I say, turning to Ellie.

“Are you sure that woman is your mother?”

Hang on! What does he care? Who is even asking questions here? And, don’t tell me that she now feels pity for me. Tsk!

“I don’t know. Actually, after knowing you and what kind of an evil person you are, I am tempted to think that you and I were perhaps switched at birth. You are more than fit to be her daughter.” I spit, and her mouth hangs agape with emptiness and yet so pregnant with countless things to say in defence. Well, I am telling the truth, and I don’t give a damn whether she finds that as an insolent or not. “I asked you a damn question and I do not have all the day here, Ellie! Speak up!” I add.

She breathes out heavily, composing herself.

“Again, as I said, I will not disclose the plan. All I can tell you is that you should be careful around that woman. She is willing to go to any extend just to ruin you.”And she keeps quiet? Seriously?

So, is any of the shit she just spitted anywhere close to the answer to the question I asked? Who is asking for her stupid opinions here? What about her? Wasn’t she willing to do anything just to ruin Jerol? She and that Gracia are just the same! Rotten soul! Malicious witches! Heartless cunning fools! She is exactly her miniature.

“I know what that woman can do. I lived with her until five months ago when I severed ties with her. Trust me, you don’t know her much more than I do so keep your unwanted warnings to yourself. Back to the question. What’s her catch?” I query, sounding impatient.

“Money. Ten million!” She spits, and I coil my neck back.

Money! Money! Money! It’s all about money! Jerol was right after all. I also believe that was Grego and this bitch’s motive. Money!

She refused to work all her life thinking she will make a fortune from my life. Unbelievable! At least this time around she asked for something ridiculously reasonable compared to the one million she sold me for. Just what do I do with this woman, huh? She can’t keep chasing after me all my life! Grabbing every chance to ruin me every time she gets one. I am tired of her. And scared too, because I do not know what her next plan against me will be like.

I can not live in fear of her all my life. Her threats earlier today are ringing in my head but with so much fear than I had felt for her before. We can’t live like this. I can not live like this. The only way is to get her out of my life which is not possible. What do I do to be completely free from her?

“Are you okay?” Mrs McCall asks.

“Y… ea… eah!” I lie. I am not okay. “Excuse me. I will just get some fresh air outside.” I say and walk out.

Damn! The weather sucks!

I think as I stroll down the hallway.

My problems with Gracia don’t seem to be having an end. This whole mess would have been a good chance to get her off my back and ass if only it would have become a police case, but I know Mrs McCall does not want that. Nobody would want to see their child behind bars.

So here I am stuck with this Gracia nightmare. I would have reported her for this and gladly delivered her to justice, but I can not do that anymore. Ellie is not even willing to cooperate. Lost chance!

I also can not use her illegal act of selling me to Jerol because that would implicate my Jerol too. The fact that the deal was done without my consent makes it illegal. But I personally signed the document in full awareness. That legalizes everything. Or maybe I could argue that I did that just so to get away from my hostile mother, and Jerol can argue that he bought me as a show of rescuing me from that monster Gracia.

Heck! These cases take forever. Besides, what reason will I give for reporting her just now? It’s been five good months for crying out loud! Damn! This devil needs to disappear from my life. Cutting ties is not enough, and paying her off is not an option either. She will keep coming back to ask for more. I know her. I need to do something.

I let my thoughts wander off to scour for options on how to end this tangle with Gracia, hugging my shoulders to shield myself from the raining cold as I crunch down on a bench. Damn! Why didn’t I grab a sweater that Terry brought? I am freezing. I don’t even think it is wise to be sitting down. I should head back inside before I die from this cold, but I might end up strangling that bitch Ellie.

Backing out my foot! I hope she doesn’t expect for forgiveness! Not from me! How could she do that to Jerol? The man who loved her so much. She played with his emotions and dreams. Witchy bitch! I have a strong urge to kill her, honestly.

I tense as I feel some warm material wrapping around my back, chasing away the cold that was about to turn me into a stone of ice, a shadow greeting me. I look to the side of the shadow, a familiar scent caressing my nostrils.

Jerol crouches beside me, his eyes still avoiding me.

I wear the jacket and zip it up, murmuring a short prayer of gratitude for his thoughtfulness. What is he doing here anyway?

“What are you doing here?” I implore, turning to face him wholly.

“I don’t know.” He shrugs his shoulders, clasping his hands. Forget about him avoiding my eyes, what’s that smell? “Watching over my wife?” He adds, and that smell strokes my nose again.

What the… Is that alcohol I am sniffing? Alcohol?! I had to sniff him to confirm it. And damn it! He is actually leaking liquor.

Wait…

“Are you… are you drunk?” I implore, and he flickers a glance at me that didn’t last even a second.

He is drunk?

OMG!

This is freaking breaking news! I have never seen him drink for those five months I have been with him. Even when he had lost his sanity, he never resulted in alcoholism. Not even once. I have never even seen a bottle of liquor in the house. What the hell happened today? Why today? What in God’s name is wrong with this day? Why is everything so odd today? Was this day cursed or what?

“Jerol?” I call in dismay.

“Sorry. I just needed the courage to face you.” He says, looking at me this time.

“You needed alcohol to be able to face me?” I implore, shocked beyond shock.

“Yes. So that when you yell at me, or insult me, I will not remember it in the morning. But if you need to slap or spank me, please do it tomorrow when I am sober.” He says.

Spank, huh! I should perhaps do that, don’t you all agree?

His mother was right. He is ashamed to face me. I glue my eyes into his. Ahem! Now I think I love this.

“The great Jerol O’Brian McCall, needed alcohol just to come to face his wife? Wow, hubby!” I forcefully grab his face when he attempted to avert my gaze, coercing him to look at me. “Have I ever told you how much I detest alcohol?” I ask.

“No, but, you are compromising yourself. What’s with the smile?” He says, cocking an eyebrow.

So he is in the mood to act all cocky, huh?

What’s with the smile? No, rephrase that. What’s with his eyes? I can’t stop staring at them. They look, flaming miserable. It’s like a supplementary alluring layer has been added on top of their usual naturally alluring one.

“I hate alcohol, but I love what it has done to your eyes.” I respond, as if reciting an inscribed poem from within.

He faintly smirks that off, assuming a serious facial”I am such a jerk today, ain’t I?” He whispers hoarsely.

“You are still my Jerol!” I respond, not breaking the eye contact.

“You are not going to kick my ass out of your sight right now?” He queries.

“Would you like that?” I implore, and like a child, he shakes his head, tucking his lips inside.

I admit I was angry, but I don’t want to make him feel worse than he already does. Besides, he is here. He could have stayed back home but he didn’t. He came here for me.

I let go of his face and snuggle in his arms.

“Just hold me tight and say nothing until morning.” I say, and his loving arms envelop me, pulling me closer as he seals them tighter around me.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“Good night, love.” He whispers, kissing my hair.