AUTHOR’S NOTE.
I’m using this opportunity to talk about ‘Cyber Bullies’. It is real and it hurts. A lot of people have taken their lives due to harsh comments from people who they don’t even know on the internet.
So before typing and sending those harsh words, think of the feelings of the person on the receiving end. Some persons are really fragile and your words could do more damage than you can imagine.
A person can be a murderer even without hurting another person physically. Your words are powerful, use them to do the right thing, use them to heal and not cause harm.
You have no idea what the other person is really going through already. Your words can be what would either make them or break them.
Stop Cyber bullying.
If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.
Also, if you’re going through any hurt or bullying from people you know or people you don’t, I want you to know that it’s not your fault that the people hurting you are simply inhuman. I hope you stay strong and have the courage to protect yourself from them.
-Havilworth. (Sorry for the interruption)
GRACE
“Show me,” I demanded coolly.
“Grace…”
“Just show me, Connor,”
“Its not like the articles, Grace,” a tone of plea was etched in his voice. “This is the internet and we have very little control of how far it could go. I and Marcus have been trying hard to curb it down some more since dawn but we haven’t been able to achieve much so far. Besides, the comments are not in your favor, and it could get to the point where your personal information could be leaked to the public.”
My child, I thought in horror, I hope all this doesn’t affect Laurel in any away, please, lord.
That didn’t sound good at all, it sounded terrifying. What exactly did they say to make the internet go this crazy?
“I’ll have to see to know how bad it is,” I glowered at him, “Now show me, please,”
He took out his phone, searched for his name on the browser and handed me the phone. The browser displayed different footages so I clicked on the first one which had the most views.
Connor sat closer to me on the bed, wrapping his hand around my waist before the video started playing.
The first thing that caught my eye was Connor in his black pajamas, and unruly hair glaring daggers at director Lance. I stifled a laugh, forgetting for a second the bile rising in my throat.
I couldn’t hear what their exchange was about so I started the video again and increased the volume with the side top button of the phone.
Whoever recorded this was really close because I could see the lunatic giggle on my face as I gazed up at the two men before me, glowering at each other as though they were about to chop their heads off.
The waiter walks into the scene with a bottle of champagne and as I wanted to take the bottle, Connor grabbed my hand to stop me. He asked what I was doing here so heatedly, but Director Lance grabbed his arms asking him where he came from and who he was to me.
Connor told him I called him there with his hand still grabbing my arms firmly. He looked like he was trying to keep his fury in check with the way he asked Director Lance who he was to me and why he would allow me drink to this point.
The footage was getting more blurred as Marcus appeared beside Connor, trying to stop people from taking pictures but this person somehow managed to continue recording. I could see myself clapping weakly as laughing like a child from where I sat.
Director Lance stared at Connor in the eye, ignoring what was going around him before saying he was my director and potential boyfriend.
What? Potential boyfriend my foot! Director Lance was obviously dumber than I thought. How could the director of a news company comfortably make such a scene in public?
I paused the video and turned to stare at Connor who looked like he was holding his breath.
“I just want you to know that even though you weren’t in the picture, Director Lance would never stand a chance.” I stated firmly and then continued the video.
After his announcement the director asked Connor who I was to him, and with a straight face Connor said, “I’m the father of her child,” and my head dropped on the table languidly.
My hands shook as I watched as Connor hurled me into his arms like a baby, leaving Director Lance in the bar with his mouth agape and eyes almost popping out from its socket, and the footage ended.
The phone almost dropped from my grasp. Oh my God… what the hell!
I dropped the phone on the bed beside me, feeling Connor’s hand wrapped tighter around my waist. I wanted to shove him away but I didn’t even have the energy to move my bones at this point.
The only thing I dreaded. The main reason I never wanted to get involved with Connor, and now somehow, I’ve been entangled in it and in the most complicated way ever.
Like how the hell would I get myself from this, to think the person who recorded the footage wasn’t even merciful enough to blur out my face or something.
People can be so mean.
Laurel… how would I take her to school? How would I ever be able to walk around with my child in public like the normal regular persons we were?
People at work, what kind of a person would they see me as?
“I’m so sorry, Grace…” Connor muttered beside me, “It was the only way he would allow me take you from there. I wasn’t thinking straight and my jealousy got the better part of me.”
All this wasn’t even his fault. I called him there, I knew how possessive and jealous he could get but I still foolishly called him there.
Being the protective and caring person he was, it wasn’t even a surprise he came running there after the call.
“Its not your fault, Connor, really,” I replied turning to face him, “If I hadn’t gotten myself drunk and called you, all these wouldn’t have happened.”
“I would never forgive you if you hadn’t called.”
“At least this wouldn’t be happening.”
“We would fix this, Grace,” he said firmly, “there must be a way to curb it as much as possible and we would find a way. I won’t let this affect Laurie, I promise.”
He took my hand into his and squeezed gently, but it didn’t make me feel better.
I picked up the phone and started scrolling through the comments under the video. I was already feeling shitty so I might as well get it over with.
“You don’t have to read those, Grace, they would only make you feel worse.” Connor muttered but I simply ignored him.
One of the commenter, Alpha Female wrote: “Damn! Connor Shelby be looking so hot even in pjs, I wouldn’t mind having his second child! (Laughing emoji)”
I would have laughed but there wasn’t any streak of humor in me.
Another commented: “Men are so rotten. How can he announce his engagement only few days ago and be found acting like a knight in shining armor to another woman? He clearly has feelings for her so why get involved with the innocent Angela Zadok?”
And I had always thought I was the innocent one.
Next comment: I’m dead sure she’s just a baby mama and after hearing the engagement news, she’s trying to cause a scene. Women are the worst! Anyways, I’ll always be rooting for Connor and Angela!”
To think this commenter was obviously a woman.
Dear lord, I almost groaned out loud. I was hoping it wouldn’t get to me but my blood was beginning to boil.
Another comment: “Who’s she anyway? Isn’t it obvious she’s just a nobody trying to get pity and attention from the public? She would win her an Oscar if she ever ventures into acting, I mean, her drunken act is just so real! (Disgusted emoji)”
I kept scrolling and they were all just so nasty and malignant. Aren’t there kind people in the world anymore?
Another comment: “Father of her child? Lol, rich people and their endless secrets. How did Connor Shelby get a child without anyone even knowing about it these past years? What was the woman thinking anyway? Was it like a surrogacy or something, because no one even knew of her existence until today? Well at least she has given birth to the heir of Shelby Dynasty. That’s something to be proud of seeing how much of a shitty person she is.”
I honestly wished people not knowing of my existence stayed that way, I thought, my heart squeezed in my chest. I have had enough and was about to turn off the phone when a comment caught my eye.
bow-down-bitches-its-Jowdie, commented: “Most of y’all in this comment section are just demented and ugly hearted pieces of shit! Who are you to judge someone whose life is most probably better than yours? Simply because it does not affect you in anyway and you’re not related to her that’s why you can sit behind your cheap keyboards and slander someone else’s life without the tiniest bit of conscience.
Before sending out such nasty and baseless conclusions out here, remember you can be sued and persecuted for character defamation! Assholes.”
A smile crept up my lips. It was the most satisfying come back ever, and I knew just who would be bold enough to take my side like this.
My best friend, Jody.
Kind people still exist in this world after all.
Connor’s phone vibrated beside me so I took it and handed it to him. He looked at the caller and ignored the call, placing the phone back on its face.
I raised an eye brow at him but he muttered that it was nothing serious and continued squeezing my palms. The phone started vibrating again to my irritation.
“Answer if it’s nothing serious like you said,” I almost snapped.
“It’s my mother and it’s really not important.” he maintained stubbornly.
“Pick it up, Connor,” I probed more adamantly till he sighed in surrender and answered the phone.
He put it on loud speaker and held it out so I could hear.
“Good gracious, Connor!” the exasperated voice of a woman sounded from the speaker, “What is this I’m seeing all over the internet? Is that the woman you told me you love? Who is she anyway? No, don’t tell me, I’m sure she’s a nobody because if she were I would know by now.”
Her icy tone carried so much spite, and I simply didn’t want to hear it anymore. I got up, pacing around the room, raking my hand through my hair.
“Mother…” Connor sounded frustrated.
“I hope the thing about being the father of her child is a lousy joke,” she breathed, “We don’t bring illegitimate children into this family, Connor. We are not ordinary people and we don’t need an uncultured breed bearing our name. I’m taking down the engagement article and pushing the blind date forward. Thank goodness she doesn’t really know you yet.” she finalized and ended the call without even letting Connor say one word.
“See?” Connor shrugged, “I told you it’s not important.”
Connor’s mother’s words hurt a thousand times more than those scandalous comments. But she was still Connor’s mother even though Connor wasn’t anything like his mother.
“What date is she talking about, Connor?”
“The one you didn’t want to hear about.” Connor answered, coming to where I stood. “She made the engagement article and have been trying to get me to go on a blind date with the daughter of one of her rich friends. That is what I’ve been trying to tell you.”
Are things ever going to get worse? It felt as though the whole world was against Connor and I being together but I was done running away.
“Then I guess we have a date soon,” I said, picking a white towel from his closet, heading to the bathroom.
“Where are you going?” he asked grabbing my arms.
“I’m going to get my child and go home.”
“You can’t, Grace,”
“What?” I turned to stare at him, puzzled. “I don’t get. I’m not leaving, Connor, doesn’t mean I have to live with you. I have my own house.”
“That’s not what I’m saying,” he had a grave expression on his face that made stop. “It’s not safe, Grace, really, everyone close to me might be in danger.”