One Night With Mr Braxton

Asher was in a terrible mood. Upon hearing of his mother’s collapse, his mood got even worse. According to his findings, she got wind of news regarding the supposed death of Emma Steele.

Coupled with the shock of him losing the position as the CEO till further notice, it would be abnormal if she took it in good faith. What he didn’t expect was the drastic decision she took not quite long ago.

Upon entry into the intensive care room situated in the Braxton’s family mansion, he heard her countlessly reiterate her stance about the whole situation. At some point, he wondered just how much strength she actually had and if she truly Just collapsed or it was another of her ploys to get him out?

When Asher sighted the IV drip and his seething mother, he immediately penned the reaction as another one of her endless tantrums.

” It’s all over! Everything is done!”

Despite how painfully her words got to him, he made it a point of concern never to let himself slip. Although she was yet to notice him from her busy state with Jason, the maids were quick enough to spot him as soon as he crossed the threshold.

” Ma.” He called out when he noticed she was still yet to notice his presence. A decision he struggled not to regret after his mother’s episode.

The eyes of his mother and Jason immediately snapped towards him. One baring undiluted anger and the other, some little specs of frustration.

With a pointing shaky finger, his mother spoke first. ” You! What are you doing here?! I don’t want to see you! Get him out Jason, get him out Now!” She said in total anger, causing the maidens to shiver and wonder if they were supposed to behold such a scene.

” Calm down, ma. I’ll get him out, just calm down, he only wanted to check in with you.” Jason pleaded, rubbing the palm of his mother in-law and hoping she’d stop stressing herself.

” Seeing you are strong and well, I’ll be leaving Jason to it.” Asher said without emotion. One could tell he wasn’t the least bit affected by the situation from his countenance but his eyes told tales of his frustration and exhaustion. ” I’ll prepare a jet for your immediate travel down to Italy.”

” I don’t need your help! You’ve succeeded in sending me to an early grave with your nonchalant attitude! I refuse to stay here and watch the company fall in the hands of some unknown nincompoop!” She yelled but Asher already had one foot out the room.

Turning around, his phone chirped, and he saw a message that changed everything.

” The surgery has been concluded.”

Asher read and re-read the note from Mrs Adams and without a second thought, he stalked out of the place, sending a text to Jason regarding how to handle the travel matters and quickly headed home.

*****

” Sign it, sweetie! I’ll take care of you till you become of age. We’ll be a great family.” A much younger Mrs Steele said to a three year old Emma.

” Family? ” She said, sporting an excited look.

” Yes, Emma. We’ll be real sisters! I’ll be your big sister Talia and you’ll be my younger sister Emma!” Talia said with as much excitement, having earlier received orientation from her mother.

Little Emma was all smiles. She remembered how she was always being bullied by classmates due to her little height. Unlike her other mates who had older sisters in school, she had no one to stand up for her and was bullied till she was homeschooled.

” Big sister Talie? ” She said with a childish smile, ready to sell her soul to gain its rewards.

A seven year old Talia’s face was scrunched up as she hugged Emma, only doing so because her mother required it from her.

Subsequently, they headed to an office and the rights to every estate belonging to Emma Steele and the entire family was handed over to Ms. Annabelle Steele. The mistress of the Steele family.

*****

” You stupid fool! What do you take me for?! ” A deafening slap landed on a 12 year old Emma, causing her to whimper, very close to tears.

” I-I-I couldn’t do it. It was too heavy. I tried asking for help but Talia didn’t”

” Shut up! You are such a good for nothing worm! Neither food or water is permitted for you today! Make sure you clean every single room in this house and ready three new designs by night time.” Mrs Steele ordered angrily, pushing her as she walked past and causing her to fall from the amount of water on the floors.

Emma sat on the floor, not caring about its wetness and wept endlessly. She hated living in her house and for the first time in a long while, wished she had died the day her mother did. Every hope of living dashed out of her, including every feeling of humanity she still had for her step mother and sister.

A fragile, unhealthy looking and hungry Emma got up and afterwards went on with her duties robotically. Only waiting for an opportunity to get out of her family home.

At this point, the only thing she looked forward to was getting to designing some shoes. Although it wasn’t for her personal use, it connected her to a feeling of comfort. It was the only thing in this mad world that seemed to make a little bit of sense.. at least to her.

*****

A lifeless Emma laid in a clean transparent room, drifting in and out of consciousness. Her subconscious state brought about all sorts of memories from her childhood.

It was as though she was reliving every moment of her life while she struggled to gain consciousness. Mrs Adams hung around the room while Asher and the doctor stood outside, watching her breathe through life support via the plain white glasses.

” The case was a very tricky one. If I was a second late, she would probably be dead at this point.” The doctor remarked. ” There are some concerns though.” He added, grabbing the attention of Asher. ” She stands the risk of selective amnesia.”

At that moment, Asher’s phone chirped and on reading the message, his face became rock hard.

” I hope you loved the surprise.” – Unknown.