CEO’s REDEMPTION

I stand in front of this unfamiliar bungalow, fear gushing all over me. I might be getting myself into a den of a hungry lion and I don’t know if I will come out of it alive. What’s worse, Jerol doesn’t have an idea where exactly I am right now. I had to sneak out, all glory to his mother because she asked me not to tell him that I will be meeting with her.

Well, I couldn’t fib about meeting a friend because I told him from the start that I don’t have friends. Maybe I shouldn’t have been so open to him?

Back to the matter at hand. I know this woman hates me. My mere presence angers her to the core. I know it will probably take ages for her and me to get along, that is if there is any chance, but I know even if she wanted to get rid of me she wouldn’t do it in her house, right? This compound is so beautiful to be stained in any way.

I take in a good amount of the fresh and calm aura in and out, and knock slightly on the door. I should have been here like forty minutes ago, but curse the traffic!

My heart is pounding in my chest however hard I am trying to be strong. This woman stirs my blood every time we crash. What’s more today when I am in her territory? I hope Mr McCall will be around during our “supposed” talk.

Eyes roll!

The huge door opens, and her face pops in front of me, almost sucking the breath out of my lungs.

“Come in.” She mutters, expressionless.

She invited me here, and I sneaked out of my house to come and meet her, but she doesn’t even appreciate that. There are even no greetings? Just great! Fantastic!

I saunter in and stand just an inch away from her as she closes the door, and for a moment I get lost in the breathtaking beauty of this bungalow. The decor is just top-notch! I never knew grey can look so good on the wall. It looks a bit dark but peaceful at the same time.

The family photos are part of the decor in the sitting room, adding more beauty. I dart my eyes around them. They are such a beautiful rich family, so admirable. I was about to end my tour, but I stop myself, glueing at the photos again.

Forgive my curiosity but…

I have met these three members of the McCall family- Jerol, his mother, and his father, but what about this other guy? He is in all the photos meaning he is part of this family. How come I haven’t met him yet?

Like a curious zombie, I shuffle my feet a bit closer, my eyes not leaving the photos. His complexion resembles that of Mrs McCall. He is a real copy of her. So, he is Jerol’s brother?! How come he wasn’t there even at that party? And he has not come over to the castle to see his brother even just once?

“He is my other son, in case you are wondering.” I plunge my face down immediately. I turn around to her.

“Where is he?” My unquelled curiosity spews out.

“Somewhere in the world having fun.”

The humorous irony of her riposte, though!

Having fun? I spare a glance with a raised eyebrow at his figure on the wall again. In the middle of all this chaos? Amid his only brother’s deteriorating condition? Doesn’t he know what happened to his brother? I mean… It’s strange, isn’t it? So weirdly strange

She starts to the dining area, and I follow behind with my curiosity stroking me. We settle down and she serves us a glass of juice each which I gladly accept.

“I asked around my big circle of friends and business partners but no one seems to know you.” She states.

Huh? This again? Didn’t we come here to talk about her beloved son?

“That is because you are looking at the wrong places.” I retort.

“And that is what I don’t understand, Angelica. If you are not from our class, what are you doing in Jerol’s life? Where did you meet my son?” She queries.

Angelica? Does she know how annoying that name sounds? What am I? A seventy-year-old granny?

“For the second time, ma’am, my name is A-N-G-E-L -I-N-E. If it’s too hard for you then just call me Tessa. I met Jerol in a hotel.” I respond, feeling pissed off.

She laughs sarcastically, meaning she doesn’t buy that.

“Supposing that I buy that lie, can you explain what exactly is going on between you and Jerol? My son can never fall in love with a nobody like you. You are not even fit to be his maid not to talk… ”

“Hold on right there, madam!” I cut her off, placing the glass of juice on the table. It’s even tasteless. Just what did she blend, huh? Raw thorn melons and cassavas or what? Jeez! “I did not come all the way here to be insulted.” I state, and I freaking mean it.

“I am stating facts, Tessa! If you feel like I am insulting you then start enlightening me on what the deal between you and my son is.” She fires back, not even apologetic.

At least she took my suggestion and trashed that annoying name.

“The deal is that we fell in love. In as much as we are so different, our hearts fell in love. That is the bitter truth that you can’t bring yourself to accept.” I say.

“Love, you say?” She mocks. You should see the disgust on her face right now.

“Yes. The kind that doesn’t care about boundaries or social standard differences. That is what we feel for each and….”

“You call this,” she points at the bandage on my face, “love? You are telling me that Jerol is the way he is right now because of love? Do you think I am dumb to buy that show you both are putting up?” She squeals.

Shit! Does she have to be so keen? Can’t she just act dumb even if she isn’t? Beh!

“What? You are defenceless now?” She challenges.

“Jerol is going through something. I don’t know what it is but I have faith that my husband will pull through. My role as his wife is to be by his side and help him in any way that I possibly can. Even if that means bearing this pain. Wouldn’t you do the same for your husband?” I query.

“You are not the one asking questions here. You have no right, at least not until I can consider you as my son’s wife.” She damn knows where exactly to drill through.

“And until you can consider me your son’s wife, you and I have nothing to talk about.” I fume, and stand up with my pulse. “Goodbye, Mrs McCall. And for the sake of everyone, this meeting never happened.” I turn on my heels.

I can’t stay here and give her the satisfaction of humiliating and mocking me. Who the hell does this woman think she is huh? Calling me all the way here just to insult me? The temerity!

“FIX. MY. SON!”

I halt on my feet, heeding to the stinging echoes of her tone as they band my ears with heavy rebounds.

I turn around slowly and wait for her to walk to where I am standing, her demeanour so demeaning and daring.

“I don’t get you.” I mumble, refusing to be intimidated.

“If what you two have is really love, then I dare you to prove it. Love conquers everything, right? Use all that love you claim to have for Jerol to fix him. Bring my old son back!” She dares.

This is a tough one!

I look at her.

Deep inside, I feel like she will win because there is no love between her son and me. I am trying to help Jerol but I don’t know how. The only way I can help him is by finding that ghost woman. But if she reappears, then his mother will take all the glory for knowing all along that Jerol can not love me. That what we are doing is fooling people. But where possibly can I even start looking for this ghost bitch, huh? If Jerol has tried to no avail, who am I?

“What? You can’t do it? Are you scared because you don’t even have a way of communicating with my son? I was right, all along! You are useless! A pathetic nobody in Jerol’s life! Leave my…”

“I don’t need to prove myself to you or anyone! You have judged me already and nothing can change that. However, I will help Jerol recover and he surely will. I will do whatever it takes to see him well again not to prove myself nor my love, but because more than you, his mother, I want my husband to be okay! Jerol will be okay, that I swear.” I fume out of the blue.

“Good luck. I’ll hold to your word.” She mocks once again.

I turn on my heels, and stroll out.

Two months!

I have about two months before the contract expires. Before then, I will dedicate everything, my all, to ensuring Jerol gets better. I owe him that much at least.