POV: Victoria
“I have nothing to hide from you Victoria. I love you so much and that is all you need to know. Now answer my question immediately!
Does he have anything to do with Claire’s disappearance, is he using my daughter for his business transactions?” She asked again, sounding more firm and furious. I refused to look into her eyes because I didn’t want her to see my tears.
I know she doesn’t like him and she had never approved of my relationship with him. But that is not enough reason to accuse him of something so despicable. He has done nothing but rendered assistance to us. If he ever hears that he is being accused of using my sister for his business, it would infuriate him even more. It’s bad enough that I was going to pawn his diamond ring to save my sister. Now this!
“That is absurd, ma’am!
My boss would never stoop so low to involve himself in human trafficking. If you know anything about Raphael Hawkins, then you would know that he is a disciplined man who has fought against human trafficking in this country. He is a morally upright man with a conscience. He fought against human trafficking and stopped many drug lords from doing it in this city. If he has the heart to stop people from doing it, then why the hell would he do it himself?” Carl asked angrily, defending his boss.
“Of course, you would defend him. After all, you are his faithful servant,” my dad responded in a mocking tone.
“Watch it, Austin!
Watch the next words you say because it may be your last if you dare to insult me or my boss one more time. Choose your words carefully, else I will not be blamed for anything that happens to you!” Carl warned sternly, his fierce gaze fixed on him.
“Oh shut up already!
Shut the fuck up, you glorified slave. How dare you come to my house to threaten me, do you know who I am?
Even your boss will not try this shit with me, he knows better than to mess around with me. I know his history with Dominic and I know he must be trying to reconcile with Dominic. Well, that is none of my business, I’m not the reason they went their separate ways, am I?
I just want my share of the deal that is bringing them back together and that is final. Claire is my daughter, I have every right to demand for my share of the deal. Tell them, Eloise. Tell them I’m her father and her legal guardian. Tell him Eloise, tell him right now!” he yelled angrily, acting so childish and stupid. I’m never calling this man father ever again. It’s a good thing that he claims not to be my father. I don’t care if he is telling the truth or not, I’m gladly accepting it.
“No Carl, don’t do it,” I told him calmly as he took a menacing step towards Dad, aiming to teach him a lesson. If I let this happen, it would escalate within seconds because Dad’s guards and ours are ready to tear each other apart without a second thought. Auntie Vera and Cindy would not pass off on this opportunity to attack Mom and I either. It would be a bloody fight and that is exactly I am trying to avoid.
“Let us go home, Mom!
Let us go and make arrangements for Claire’s return. I’m sure Raphael is making progress in getting her back. She will be fine and she will come back to us safely. That is my promise, Mom.” I assured her.
“Go alone, I will find my way home when I’m ready. I will stay back and ask more questions about your sister to clear my doubts. If I find out that your boyfriend is responsible for her disappearance, I will never forgive you because it was you who put us all in danger when you brought that man into our lives.” She lets out furiously, refusing to follow me home. I tried one more time to convince her to follow me home, and when she yelled at me one more time, I didn’t push it, I simply turned away and left her there.
“Are you sure leaving here here with them is a great idea?” Carl asked me.
“She made her choice Carl, there is nothing I can do about it. Besides, she shares a history with both Dad and Auntie Vera. If she feels comfortable in their presence, then who the hell am I to refute it?
I just hope she knows exactly what she is doing because that family will not take it easy with her if she doesn’t present my diamonds to them. They would break her resolve and make her go crazy with anger. They are so mean and greedy, why won’t she listen to me, why is she so stubborn?” I sobbed sadly, lamenting to myself as I sat on the passenger side of the car and put my head on the headrest, letting the tears flow down my cheeks.
“Will you be okay if I take you home?” Carl asked me as he pulled the car to the curb. I nodded silently, trying to stop the tears but failing miserably. My head ached with several questions. Why did I have to come from such a family, why am I so unfortunate?
“Would you prefer to be with Raphael as he,”
“No, please, I can’t deal with him right now. He’s pissed off at me and I don’t know what to do about it. Please don’t tell him anything my father said about him, I can’t bear to get him involved in my family drama,” I begged. He didn’t say a word, but I doubt he would listen to me and keep secrets from his boss. His phone rang and I turned to him with pleading eyes when I found out that it was him.
He chuckled at my reaction as he picked up the call and spoke to his boss, telling him that he was taking me back home. I smiled to myself as I realized that he didn’t just call to get updates about Mom and Claire from Carl. He actually called to check up on me. I couldn’t hear what he was saying, but I sure heard Carl’s responses and I felt excited to know that he still cares about me even if he is angry with me.
After listening to that call, I had turmoil in my heart. When he dropped at home, I went into the room immediately, but I still couldn’t rest. I paced the floor for hours, my phone clutched tightly in my hands, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavily in the air. His furious face kept replaying in my mind the betrayal in his eyes as he discovered that I planned to sell the diamonds or even give them to Dominic. It had been a rash decision, one I made in desperation, but now, in the aftermath, I could only feel the pain in my heart.
I kept pacing that room for several minutes, my thoughts swirling in my head. By the time I finally picked up her phone, I was trembling. The chaos of my life had spiraled beyond my control. The only reason I had gone to see my father, was to seek answers about my mother’s whereabouts, it’s funny how I had to leave with even more questions about my life.
I’m now faced with the decision to trust my mom and give her more time to decide if she is ready to share her secrets with me. I feel so sad and alone right now, I have no one to talk to, no one to share my feelings with. With a shaky breath, I summoned the courage to call the one person who would understand exactly how I was feeling right now. I pressed the dial on my phone, the sound of ringing echoing in the silent room and in my head. Each beep seemed to mock my sadness and loneliness.
I thought he wasn’t going to pick, I thought he didn’t want to hear from me yet. It kept ringing nonstop, but he wasn’t picking and I was becoming restless. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, his voice came through, strained yet familiar,
“Hey, how are you feeling now?” he asked me. I don’t need to be told that Raphael had not listened to me when I said he shouldn’t say a word. He must have told him everything and that is why he is so calm and patient with me despite his anger. I felt so guilty hearing his voice and I didn’t know when the tears started running down my cheeks again.
“Dominic,” I whispered into the receiver, my heart pounding.
“I’m so sorry.” I sobbed into the phone, my voice breaking as I felt my heart yearning for him. I’ve never felt this way before, I never thought I would need a man this badly. It’s just weird that I feel as though I cannot live without this guy. That is how much I miss him. There was a pause on the other end, filled with the unspoken hurt between us.
“You shouldn’t have done it, You know that Victoria. Yeah, I know it’s a fake engagement and a fake relationship, but that doesn’t mean you should make such huge decisions without my knowledge. I feel so used and disappointed, Victoria!
How the hell will I trust you again after this, how can I believe anything you say to me now. Money was never the problem and you know it. I would gladly give you anything you desire, I would meet up with all your needs and give you all you want and more. That was my promise when I asked you to be my pretend girlfriend. Why did you have to make me look weak and stupid?!
You should never have thought about it, why the hell did you do it?!” he yelled at me.