But he couldn’t because his lips were all cracked and badly hurt that he’d never be able to endure the pain of smiling or laughing even though it will only last for a while.
“No… I’m not a heavenly being. You can’t tell anyone about this okay?” Scott stroked her hand and she smiled. To him, the smile appeared harmless but only onlookers that’d look closely would notice how sinister the smile actually looks.
“The Kral you are talking about is your brother right?,” Deli questioned, looking into his eyes and he nodded.
“You see… With the circumstances surrounding his birth, how could everyone not treasure him than me,” Scott’s voice sounded aggrieved, well not the usual aggrieved tone he uses with Ryan.
“They claimed to have made him, I and my cousin the CEOs when in actual fact, he is the real boss and we are just the acting CEOs,” Scott continued. Deli almost rolled her eyes in boredom.
This isn’t what she wants to know about the Kral but seems like his little brother is acting so she has to pretend to lend a comforting shoulder for him to cry on. At least, so he’d get comfortable and spill everything.
“So… You tried to sabotage him?,” She guessed and he nodded, confirming her guess.
“At least, if mom and dad see how incapable he is… They’d reconsider making him their next heir. While he becomes the heir, what am I supposed to do? Be his advisor!?,” He couldn’t stop himself from raising his voice.
Deli nodded. Scott sniffled, “You won’t understand anyway.” Deli looked at him. “He found out, didn’t he? Is that he’s damaged your face and probably your bones like this?” Scott looked irked with her questions.
It sounded as if she was mocking him. She is indeed mocking him. “Why do I feel like you are mocking me?” Scott couldn’t hide his annoyance.
Deli stood up and returned the box. “You are not the only one with family problems. But I am not weak as you are. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here trying to fend for myself with this stripper job.”
Scott was startled. He watched her quietly as she said. “You made him see how weak you are. That’s a mistake you made. If you want to ruin the bastard, don’t do it in secret!”
Scott’s fists clenched together as he gripped the bedspread. He mumbled lowly,” Seems like it’s time to use that matrix against him.”
He said this lowly so he didn’t think Deli would hear but… That’s another mistake he made. He doesn’t what creature she is. The moment he mentioned the word ‘matrix’, her ears perked up.
*****
“It’s alright… I’ll take it home and heat it up in the microwave. I can still eat it,” Emily reassured Ryan and she picked up the small package.
“Let’s go… I’ll drive you home,” She told him as she picked up the car keys he’d carelessly dropped on the table in the other hand.
Ryan held her and shook his head, “No… Don’t bother yourself. Aunty must be worried. I’ll just call a chauffeur.”
“What do you expect young man? Do you think I’d leave you alone in this office and go home? You won’t tell what is wrong and yet you do not want me to drive you home,” Emily retorted as she walked back to him.
Ryan sighed, his hands discretely rolling into fists as he reminisced about what had happened earlier. How could that bastard do that after… everything?
Emily noticed the change in his expression so she made a mental note not to talk about what had happened to him since that seems to be his sore spot.
Before either of them could say anything, a phone rang. Emily’s eyes darted around as she recognized the ringtone. It’s her phone ringing.
She raised it up and saw the name ‘Mum’ displayed boldly as the caller ID. Ryan also saw the name cause he snickered, “See… Aunt’s probably so worried about why you still haven’t returned home since it’s so late. Why didn’t you leave when you realized that it was getting late already?”
Emily pouted, “How could I leave? My irresponsible boyfriend hasn’t taken responsibility for what he did to me. So how could I leave?” Her cheeks were tinted with pink colour as she said this.
Ryan would have smiled if he wasn’t feeling so much pain. So he just reached out and ruffled her hair in a sorry attempt to pat her hair.
She shrugged off his hand gently and put her phone in her pocket. “Let’s go. I’ll stop by and explain things to mom first so let’s go,” She urged him.
“What about your scooter?” He still tried to find ways to make her leave him… But she’s as stubborn as a leech, refusing to leave him. Why didn’t he notice this before?
“I’ll get it tomorrow. I know it will be safe in the garage so c’mon! Ryan… Let’s go,” She pulled him and he finally gave in. They walked out to the garage. The company was already deserted since all employees had left.
So she didn’t have to deal with the embarrassment of answering a nosy person’s question.
Ryan slid into the passenger seat of his Lamborghini and his eyes closed immediately. Emily looked at him with a soft look and occupied the driver’s seat.
*****
Lena watched her mom pacing around the room anxiously while glancing at the door every now and then. She wanted to assure her mother but what could she do when she is also worried?
Emily didn’t answer their calls nor has she returned and they didn’t know who else to contact. She even tried contacting her sister’s so-called boss/boyfriend ‘Ryan’ but no response too.
“Mom,” She couldn’t bear to see her mother worry so much. “Mom… Did I tell you about the new friend I made in college?”
Mrs Jones gave a sharp look as if to say, “Your sister is missing and you are talking about a friend.” Lena didn’t cower under her sharp gaze.
.
.
.
…..