CHAPTER 51: HE IS NOT AT FAULT.
“Here, drink this. The weather is somehow not pleasant tonight.” Kira spoke as she passed a cup of hot chocolate to her friend while holding another one for herself. She sat beside Evelyn and smoothly rubbed her hand against her back as a sign of comfort while the latter drank the chocolate slowly but with shaking hands. She was still in a state of shock.
She had Evelyn change her clothes because of the weather. Kira looked at her and took a sip of her hot chocolate before putting it back on the table. She bent over, placing her arms on her thighs while her two palms held her head that was placed firmly on it. She was ready for the discussion.
“Do you want to start talking now?” She asked Evelyn.
Evie took a glance at Kira before looking away. Her entire body was shaking including her lips as she was finding it hard to speak up.
“Raphael…he deceived me.” She managed to speak.
“Deceived you? How was that possible and how did that happen? Because as far as I know, he has no reason to do so.”
“Yeah, I thought so too but you won’t believe this, Kira, I swear. Raphael was the man…that man I slept with three years ago…that might…he was the one. I never knew until this evening. He was the fake friend I had on Facebook thinking that he was someone else. His name was Ralph’s ghost but I was too dumb to figure that out. All my dreams pointed this out but I was so lost at it being a coincidence until today.
I am scared, Kira. His plans were revealed. He knew the truth from the very start, that was why he was getting closer to me, that was why he gave me a job, and probably so he could win Tom’s heart and turn him against me. He is quite sneaky. Do you know what? In my dreams, I always see that young man in the dark trying to claim Tom as his, and now…”
Evelyn suddenly held Kira’s hands which made her widen her eyes.
“I need to leave the City as quickly as possible, Kira. I need to. What if he comes back only to snatch Tom from me? I need to work very fast. Please, help me.” She was about to stand up but Kira pulled her back and rolled her eyes at her dramatic behavior.
“Can you at least sit still? You don’t need to be so overdramatic about this, Evie. To be sincere, I have known about him being Tom’s father for some time now, I just didn’t want to tell you.” Kira revealed.
“You what?” Evelyn’s heart skipped a bit.
“Yes, I knew it. Do you remember that certain time we went to a beach together and he happened to have been around? Yeah, that was when I knew and he told me. Look, I apologize for keeping the truth from you but I had no choice but to do that.”
Evelyn was speechless for a while. Her lips were parted slightly as her disbelief had skyrocketed to a hundred percent.
She didn’t know if she was supposed to laugh or cry or just stare blankly.
“Why did you?! I am your friend for goodness sake! Do you know how long I have been living in fear that he could find me anytime soon without knowing that I was already in his grasp? Do you know how scared I am?” Evelyn shouted at her.
“Why should you be scared?” Kira asked her with full force.
“He isn’t a monster, Evie. He is just a normal guy who might have realized the deed he had done and wanted to take responsibility. The reason for not telling you was because you’d behaved like this. I know how shocking it could have been for you but you need to realize that this isn’t his fault. He did not rape you…he didn’t make you unconscious instead, he was the unconscious one while you were at that moment very dumb…no offense, babe.
You are not aware of the reason why he left that morning and you will never be if you don’t give him a chance to talk. Things just happened that night according to fate and he is not to blame. You could have been extra careful.”
“Are you seriously blaming me right now?” Evelyn scoffed and looked away while wiping her wet cheeks with her palms.
“The truth needs to be told when needed to.”
“What about Tom? What if he…”
“He isn’t going to take Tom anywhere, okay? Not away from you and I. Just calm down and let things work out the way they should. You love him…”
“No, I don’t! I don’t love that DECEIVER!” Evelyn retorted.
“Of course, you don’t. It is written all over your face that you don’t.” Kira mocked.
There was silence between them for a while before Evelyn burst out again.
“I can’t believe that you hid this from me. If anything happens unexpectedly, I will deal with you.” She threatened Kira.
“I accept,” Kira said and winked.
“Now, come into my embrace, my dear friend. There is no need for all these dramas. Everything takes patience and you of all people knew that no matter what, the truth would come out but you just weren’t expecting it to be this fast. Just be patient, huh.” Evelyn hugged Kira and received a kiss on her forehead as they cuddled on the couch.
Despite all these, Evelyn’s heart still couldn’t be put to rest. She needed more reassurance and just the dawn of another day scared her. After cuddling with Kira, the two of them went into the room and slept on the bed with Tom snoring lightly in the middle.
_*_*_*_*_*_
Raphael parked in front of Evelyn’s apartment and came out of the car. It was already morning but not the brightest day yet. On getting to the door, he knocked a few times but there was no answer.
“What have I gotten myself into?” He whispered. He brought out his phone and dialed Kira’s number for the second time, seeing that Evelyn’s line was unreachable.
Luckily for him, Kira answered the call.
“Hey, Kira…”
“You can calm down, Ralph. She is at my place. Do you want to come over?” She asked in a drowsy voice and then yawned.
“I would love to but I don’t know the way.” He replied truthfully and was a bit calm.
“I will text you the address now.”
“Thanks but please, make sure that she doesn’t leave yet. I will be at your place in the next few minutes.”
“You are welcome.”
Raphael got into his car and Kira’s message popped in. He ignited the engine and soon drove out of the area, heading towards Kira’s place.
*_*_*_*_*_*_*
Around 7:30 in the morning,
Theo group of industries,
The workers below watched the Chairman followed by the board of directors march out of the conference room like battalions and he seemed to be in an angry mood. He ignored the greetings that he got from them.
They just finished the meeting for the morning and the directors could sense that the Chairman wasn’t in a good mood at all. All meetings were rushed and some people were yelled at even when it was not compulsory.
Michael continued walking furiously until he entered the elevator that led to Raphael’s office. When the door opened, Mrs. Conner stood up urgently from her seat.
“Chairman Michael, it is a wonderful surprise to see you here.” She greeted him politely with a warm smile that soon faded away as quickly as it came.
“Why? Can’t I be anywhere in my company without it being a huge surprise to you all?” Michael thundered and those on the other side settled down immediately. No one needed to tell them who exactly that was.
“I apologize.” Mrs. Conner replied with her head bowed and Micheal snorted before walking away.
He looked around the whole place, his eyes searching for a person in particular. The workers stood up to greet him.
“Chairman…”
But before they could finish their words, he had walked by in huge strides towards Raphael’s office.
“What exactly is going on?”
“This is the first time I have seen the Chairman go all ‘hulk’ on us,” Savage said.
“Do you think that Mr. Raphael fought with him?” Someone asked.
“No one knows. Whenever it comes to them, the reasons could be numerous.” Rob answered and they rested over the issues…well, their ears were perked up to get the latest news.
Michael barged into the office not caring if it was locked or not. Jeremy, who was gently arranging a few things on the table, jumped up in fright and turned around. He blinked consecutively and adjusted his pair of glasses.
“Chairman, what are you doing here? Good morning, sir.” He chuckled nervously.
“What is good about this morning? Where is that bastard? Where is he?” He half yelled at him and the poor Jeremy shrieked and cleared his throat.
“Sir, he is yet to resume work this morning but he will be here soon.”
“Didn’t you accompany him to the auction?” Michael asked in awe.
“Er…Uhm…not really, sir. His second assistant accompanied him this time around.” Jeremy responded and Michael was puzzled.
His anger clashed with his frustration. Another assistant?
“Who is that? Nevermind. As soon as he comes back, let him report to my office with immediacy! Do you understand?!”
“Yes, Chairman.”
Michael left the office, leaving the door open this time around. Jeremy sighed a sigh of relief and patted his chest before bringing out his phone and putting a call across to his boss.
What could he have done to incur the wrath of the mighty Venom this time around?