Harieth

I rubbed my hands together, feeling a bit nervous in regards to what I’m about to do. Honestly, I don’t even know if this is the right thing to do during this hour of trouble, all I know is that the thought of doing it makes me feel better, safer.

I looked up away from my hands and that’s when I saw him at the entrance into the shop. I gave a light wave to him and he nodded in recognition once his eyes fell on me. In a minute, he had taken his seat opposite me and his appearance seemed nothing lesser than the last time I saw him.

“So, is it done?” Dad asked with hope filled eyes. Without rendering a reply, I pushed the envelope on the table closer to him. He was quick to pick it up and fish out the papers within. Once his eyes scanned through, his expression fell.

His eyes went back to me.

“What’s this Harieth?” The tone in his voice was demanding. I drew in a deep breath, recalling all the careful thinking I had done through the night and how I landed in this moment. There was no going back. I have to be myself.

“That is what I chose.”

“You chose?”

“Yes.” My reply was quick and what followed was a silent stare from him. I watched him run a hand through his hair.

“Look, I understand that your company is in deep trouble and that you have to somehow result to this but I… I can’t make Christian sign those papers. We… there’s something new, different and special about our relationship. I can talk to him. I’m sure he’ll listen; he’ll want to help…”

“Your company?” He cut me off. A light chuckle followed on his part.

“You’re in love with him and now you believe you’re one of them.” He stated and I looked away from him for a moment, feeling a bit guilty and embarrassed that he deciphered my true feeling quite quickly.

“Harieth is safe so everyone else can go to hell.” He added forcing me to shift my eyes back to him.

“Even till the end, you’re selfish.”

“That’s not true. I married Christian because you told me that it would save the company and the both of us.”

“Wrong! You married him because in true sense, that’s the safest you can ever be amidst all this trouble. You married him for his money, for your comfort, admit it.”

His words sunk deep and for the moment, I didn’t have anything more to say to him. Dad was always like this. It always has to be his way or I’m the villain.

“However small this is, I’m happy. Your daughter is happy. Isn’t that enough for you to trust me?” I expressed as I stretched out both hands on the table towards his.

I matched my eyes with his, searching and hoping that he sees the fact that regardless of what he says, I love him and care deeply about him. He’s the only family I’ve got left. I would literally do anything for him but this… he has to understand that there has to be another way out. This can’t be it.

He withdrew his hands away from mine and stood to his feet, glaring down at me.

“I wish you died that night instead of her, at least I’ll be sure my daughter is gone.” Having said that, he walked away leaving his last words to haunt and sting me.

The memory of that night flashed across my mind and I shook my head, refusing to give into the thought. Tears threatened to trickle down at the thought that I might have possibly lost my father. How dreadful.

* * *

All cleaned up and mentally prepared, I made my way back into the Hendrix’s building. Towards the elevator, my eyes caught sight of the familiar faces and I drew to a halt. Emerson and Christian. He’s smiling, she’s saying something with a smile.
I looked away, feeling a tinge of jealousy.

Christian

“Harieth.” Emerson called as she looked past me and I had to look past my shoulder as well.

Harieth seemed a bit surprise by the call, probably because she didn’t expect us to notice her presence, regardless she gave a simple smile indicating she saw us alright. We three waited around for a few seconds, not really knowing what should come next.

Emerson definitely expected her to come closer but knowing Harieth, I didn’t think that was in her agenda seeing as she awkwardly looked around as if wondering if she should just walk away. In the end, I watched her draw closer.

“Hi.” Emerson was the first to break the awkward silence. I looked away from Harieth, recalling last night. For some reason, we haven’t spoken about it.

The ride home had been quiet. She said good night and retired to her room. Later, I stood for minutes outside her room debating on whether to push forward whatever happened but in the end, I chickened out. I turned and walked away. By morning, I was surprised to find out she had left for work before me and now, here she is.

I glanced her side once more and this time, our eyes met. She was first to look away, back to Emerson.

“No.” She started as she shook her head.

“Nope, I’m not going to do this with you. See, I remember the last time we spoke, I didn’t like you and I probably insulted you to your face after having too much to drink so, I’m not going to stand here and pretend like something has changed because it hasn’t.”

Emerson’s expression fell and Harieth turned away to leave but I was quick to hold onto her arm, stopping her from taking any more steps forward.

I was disappointed to see this side of her again, the side that made me repel away from her in the first place. Somehow, I thought it was gone and that she was better than this but maybe I was mistaken.

Harieth forced her eyes back up to meet mine.

“You shouldn’t have said that. Emerson has done nothing but be nice to you since the first time you met her.” I opted out the truth and after staring back at me with a strange look in her eyes, she let out a scoff as she looked away and pulled her arm away from my hold.

“That’s exactly why I don’t like her.” She added before turning back to Emerson.

“And now… I never will.”

“Harieth…”

“Could you give us a minute Christian? Please.” Emerson interrupted and thought I thought it as I bad idea, I gave a light nod before walking a few steps away.

Harieth

I couldn’t help but narrow my eyes at Emerson as she took a few steps closer once Christian was away. Something about her expression, her eyes seemed bolder.

“I get it. I get you always have to play the mean girl and hurt others first before they hurt you back. I’m not judging you. I never did. Likewise, I hope you do the same with me and stop assuming I play the nice girl all the time because I can be nasty as well… Trust me, you wouldn’t want to see that side of me.” She finished, holding that bold and dangerous look that I’d never seen in her eyes before.

A broad smile played on my face as I understood what this was about.

“Are you threatening me?”

She shrugged her shoulders.

“I’m just suggesting you get to know me better before you judge me so… Christian.” She called as she shifted her eyes to him.

He looked our side before walking back to us.

“I’m inviting you two tonight, to my home for dinner. Family dinner, just us four.”

“And what makes you think I’ll show up” I had to interrupt, hating how she was making this go her way.

“Oh I don’t think, I know you’ll show up because Harieth, deep down… you want this just as much as I do so I’ll see you guys tonight.” She ended, flashed Christian a smile before walking away.

I felt the anger surge through my body and it took a lot from me to keep my composure. She’s annoying and she knows it.

“Look…” Immediately, I walked away, ignoring whatever Christian had to say. I was done listening to him. Instead of defending me, he had taken her side and that… that was the most heartbreaking part of it all.

Christian

I brought my hand close to the door, about to knock but then my hand hung. I’m unable to place a knock again.

A sigh eluded my lips as I turned away from her door. What’s happening? Why is this so debatable for me? What’s this strange feeling of guilt? I didn’t do anything wrong and yet, I can’t seem to shake off the feeling that my suggestion for her to behave might have upset her, also, it seems she’s been avoiding me since then.

I drew in a deep breath, turned back and finally placed a knock at once. I waited patiently for her to open and eventually, she did. Standing in front of me, she set her eyes anywhere but on me and I could see how hard she was trying not to show how upset she was. I felt bad.

“You’re not ready.” I started by pointing out the obvious.

“That’s because I’m not going. I thought I earlier on made that clear.” She replied still quite a bit hostile.

I ran a hand through my hair and glanced elsewhere for a moment, thinking about how best this conversation could go and how long I’m going to hang on.

“They’re expecting us, Emerson, Lucas. We’ve been invited so we have to attend.”

“No, you have to attend. The way I see it, I don’t have to be there. My presence is neither important to them nor to you so do yourself a favour and leave without me.” She was quick to conclude and immediately turned around to leave.

Quickly, I held onto her hand and she was forced to stop and look back to me.

“I’m sorry.” I declared right away and the surprise that played on her face did little to encourage my recent action but I was doing it anyway.

“I shouldn’t have reprimanded you the way I did. You deserve better and it’s not true… You’re my wife so your presence is important to me.” I added and hoped somehow, she could see the sincerity in my eyes, in my voice.
Eventually, I let go of her hand, surrendering to the gentlemanly thing I could do at the moment.

“I’m going to wait in the car for about ten minutes. If you don’t show up, I’ll understand and go on ahead without you.” Having said my piece, I took one last proper look at her before walking away.

For every minute that went by, I took a glance at my wristwatch, hopeful that she would just show up any moment now but as it drew closer to end of the time lapse I gave her, hope slowly began slipping away.

What if I read her wrong?

A strange voice echoed in my head and I couldn’t help but entertain it. What if once again, I went ahead of myself? Here I am entertaining all these new feelings for her and I don’t even know if she sees me the same way. I could be wrong about everything.

I took one last look at my wristwatch. Time’s up and she’s nowhere to be seen. Like I told her, I do understand and I finally know what to do with these feelings, bury them deep down.

I started the car and just as I’m about to drive off, the door opens and she slides herself right in, shutting it afterwards. I stared at her, a bit dumbfounded, surprised and she looked straight ahead, like nothing happened.

She uttered not a single word, eventually, I looked away from her and started the drive out of the compound.

She came.

That was the only chant that rang through my mind and somehow, the decision I’d made started to falter.

Harieth

I looked through the wine glass in my hand and the image of Emerson smiling as bright as she could put me in a bad mood. As I lowered the glass, a simple smile appeared on my face, covering up the fact that this entire night was making me miserable.
I’d clearly decided not to accept Emerson’s invitation and prove her right but then, Christian had to say the nicest and modest words he had ever said to me. Just like that, my decision was shaken.

I couldn’t get his words out of my head, my heart fluttered at the fact that he said my presence was important to him. I couldn’t disappoint him. I didn’t want to make him sad so I stopped arguing with myself, changed into something presentable and hurried my steps up to him.

Dinner had been filled mostly with silence and now, the couple decided it was best to retire to the living room for a drink and chat. I bet that was Emerson’s idea but her darling of a husband goes along anyways.

They’re chatting, trying to make the environment as lively as possible but I’m not much involved. I spend the time analyzing them instead. Don’t get me wrong, they did try to get me more involved but I’m not one to be pushed.

One again, I took notice of the strange vibe between Christian and Emerson. I’m not sure, something just feels off among the three of them. Unable to take it anymore, I opened my mouth.

“What’s the deal between you two?” I interrupted whatever Emerson was saying and they all glanced my side. Confusion played on their faces.

“I have this strong feeling that there’s something I alone don’t know. You say we’re family, right? Then tell me the truth. What are you guys not telling me?” I threw the question to them but my eyes rested on Emerson. If I have to guilt drip her into telling me the truth, then so be it. Enough with the suspense.

She shifted her eyes anywhere else but on me, clearly uncomfortable with my question which makes me even more sure about the fact that they’re hiding something.

There was a strange silence and I looked from one to the other, searching for any reaction other than the one I’ve already gotten. Even my husband wasn’t an exception and that kind of hurt me.

Suddenly, Emerson cleared her throat a bit as she pushed her hair behind her ear, getting ready to up from her seat.

“It’s been a while. I’ll just check up on the baby.” She cooked up an excuse.

“Emerson and I were once in a relationship.” Christian’s voice brew out suddenly and firmer than I’d expected. Emerson was forced to retain her seat and I, shift my eyes to my husband as surprise played across my face.

I didn’t want to jump into conclusions. That sentence could very well mean something other than Emerson used to be his sweetheart.
Please God, anything else but that.
Finally, he lifted his eyes to meet mine and a huge part of me dreaded whatever was coming next.

“I loved her.”

It felt like my heart was shredded into pieces, a huge blow to the stomach. Disappointment washed over me and only when my eyes seemed teary was I forced to look elsewhere, swallowing hard whatever pain this was causing.

Now, it all makes sense. The way he stared at her, the fact he smiles easily around her and how protective he had earlier on gotten over her. He defended her and yet, somehow, she had missed all the signs and the possibility of this single truth.

How heartbreaking. My husband’s heart belongs to another. It’s official. My feelings are one sided.

Christian

I stole one glance at her side and she was still the same, quiet, reserved and no display of emotions. I’d never seen her like that before. It tugged at my conscience. Did I hurt her?

Yet, I couldn’t bring myself to utter a word to her. Somehow, it felt like nothing I could say could change the present outcome and so the ride home was long and quiet.

I rubbed my chest, feeling the prick of a thousand needles to my heart. My thoughts were in disarray and I couldn’t even bring myself to sleep. Peace had eluded me and all I could wonder about is what she thinks of this entire situation.

Harieth

Unable to shed a proper tear, I sat on the floor with my knees close to my chest, lost in thoughts.

I loved her.

His words rang over and over again in my head. More than the fact that he loves another, I hate myself for believing there was something remotely different about our relationship other than our signatures on a paper binding us together.

How could I have been so stupid? How could I have let my guard down?

The tears began to gather and I buried my face in my palms, mentally slapping myself to stop.

A knock came through and I looked up. It came through once more. Finally, I was able to get myself on my feet and towards the door. I drew in a deep breath before opening.

Christian stood in front of me. Staring at his face reminded me of my stupidity and all I wanted to do was slam the door shut on his face but for some reason, I stood still without taking any sort of action.

“Whatever happened between I and Emerson is in the past.” He stated and the mention of her name forced my eyes away from me.

“I don’t care.” I lied, still unable to meet his eyes once more for fear of him discovering how I truly feel about everything.

“Maybe… maybe not but I just have to tell you the truth because it’s eating at me.” He continued regardless and I still refused to meet his eyes.

“I’m in love with someone else.” That sentence was enough to force my eyes back on him. His eyes met directly with mine and I hated his audacity. Could he hurt me any further?

“I don’t believe I need to know about your new mistress. I understand… this marriage is just on papers.” I put up a bold front.

“She’s different. She’s beautiful and isn’t scared to say her mind. She puts up this strong wall that makes her seem hard but deep down, she’s quite loving and somehow… she managed to capture my heart and by the time I realized it, I was deeply in love with her.”

Unable to stop the tears from gathering my eyes, I made my statement quick. “Go to hell.” And immediately turned away.

A grip on my wrist, swung me around and I found myself in his arms. His eyes stared deeply into mine.

“It’s you silly.” His words came through but that didn’t change anything yet.

“I love you Harieth.”

💃💃💃🏻I'm doing the happy dance. Two more chapters to go. For the meantime, let me know how this chapter was.😘😘