ARLAN’S POV.
I couldn’t sleep the whole night, I had turned side by side and paced when I could until the sun started rising and its rays flashed into my room.
“What a night!” I muttered. I grabbed my phone and scrolled through my call logs staring at Saraya’s number, contemplating whether or not it was a good time to give her a call. Just then, Matilda call came in.
“I have to give her some space for her to get over me.” I had repeatedly told myself while ignoring her call.
Staring at Saraya’s number, “If I’m going to call her later, then is no point delaying.” With that, I dialed her number.
The phone rang and just when I thought she wasn’t going to pick my call, she picked up.
“Hello.”
Her heart started racing at the sound of her voice and somehow, I couldn’t find my voice.
“Hello!” Her voice came again with a hint of frustration.
That gave me room for conversation. “What is wrong with you Saraya? You sound so down.”
“And that is none of your business.” She yelled.
“Easy, butterfly.” I said in a bid to calm her down but she would have none of it. “I know I’m the last person you want to talk to right now but I can’t help reaching out.”
She didn’t say a word but sighed.
“Hello, please say something.” I said in a pleading tone.
“I’m sorry, I yelled at you.” She apologized. “I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”
I sighed knowing she was willing to talk to me after all. “I deserve whatever punishment you melt out on me, I’m the reason you’re mad at me anyways.”
“The reason why I’m like this have nothing to do with you, so don’t beat yourself to it.” She replied calmly.
Before I could say a word, there was a knock from her end.
“Come in.” She said to the person at the door. “I have to go now.” She quickly said to me.
She probably thought she ended the call but she and I was about to end the call when I heard the name
“Ian, what brings you here?”
“I guess we can drop the act.” Ian said in a very harsh tone.
Shocked, “Ian?” I said aloud and decided to listen to their conversation. “And what does he think he is doing?”
“What do you mean by that?” Saraya asked.
“What about you help warm the CEO chair until I’m done with my studies?” Ian asked.
My blood boiled instantly. Ian? That sly snake. What is he plotting now? I asked as I could feel the tension in Saraya’s voice, even through the phone. I could tell she wasn’t prepared to meet him yet.
“What nonsense are you talking about, Ian?” Saraya asked.
There was a short silence, but I could hear Ian chuckle darkly. “You heard me. You’re in this position thanks to your dad and Arlan’s ruse, so why not keep the chair warm until I’m ready to take what’s rightfully mine?”
I clenched my fist at the mention at his words. “What’s rightfully his? The audacity!” I said and wished he could hear me. “Did he really think he could just waltz in and claim what belong to Saraya?”
“I will take your silence as you understood what I’d just said and will comply when it’s time, for now, you can continue parading yourself as the CEO.” He said with so much spite in his voice.
“Ian, you’ve lost your mind,” Saraya snapped. “This position is mine to start with and wasn’t handed to me like grandma makes you think. And even if it were, what makes you think I’d step aside for you?”
“You’re just a placeholder, Saraya,” Ian replied coldly. “Everyone knows it. You’re here because your father pulled some strings, and as soon as I’m ready, you’ll be out of the way.”
“You mean the way grandma is pulling strings to see you replace me?” Saraya shot back at him. “You said you’re in school, then school is what you should focus on instead of acting like an entitled pig.”
“What?” Was all Ian could say in that instant. “How dare you speak to me that way?”
I chuckled at Saraya’s words, at that moment, I wish I could see the look on Ian’s face. “That’s my butterfly.”
Saraya gave a small laugh, her tone icy. “Ian, I think you’ve said enough. Leave now that I’m asking nicely.”
“Or what?” Ian challenged her when he managed to find his voice.
“I will disregard all family ties and treat you just like the parasite you are.” Saraya replied in a loud tone that dictate she’s in charge.
“And who said we are family?” Ian laughed darkly. “I see you’re naive and you really took my words of being family to heart. Listen and listen well, my only family in this house is grandma. Other than her, the rest of you are strangers.”
“Leave now!” She yelled.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Ian replied. He must have walked out because I heard the door slam at Saraya’s end, and there was silence for a few seconds
I could hear Saraya inhale sharply, likely trying to contain her anger. But I couldn’t stay silent anymore.
“Saraya,” I called out. “Are you okay?” But there was no response.
“Hello!” I increased the tone of my voice. “Can you hear me?”
I was about ending the phone call and calling her again when her voice came through, laced with surprise. “Arlan? You’re still on the call?”
“Yeah,” I said, not denying it. “And I’ve heard enough. Are you okay?” I asked her feeling disturbed.
“I’m fine, Arlan. Don’t worry about me.”
“Don’t tell me not to worry,” I answered. “He has no right to talk to you that way, besides when did he arrive?”
“He came in this morning during grandma’s birthday, he came in barely an hour ago but that is enough to see his two sides.” She explained. “He must think the world revolves around him since he has grandma’s support but I won’t let his words get to my skin.”
“Good,” I said. “But you shouldn’t have to deal with this all by yourself, If you need someone to talk to, you can call me. No hesitation.”
She chuckled. “I can handle Ian, Arlan,” she replied. “This may be his first attempt to undermine me but it won’t be the last.”
I nodded. “You’re right about that.”
“Thank you, Arlan,” she said softly. “I should go now.”
“Can we …” I was mid way into my request when I stopped.
“What are you saying?”
I shook my head like she could see me. “It’s nothing, butterfly. Talk to you later.”
The line went dead and I fell back to the bed, arms spread, staring at the ceiling. “This is a wrong time to tell her to meet.”
Saraya might have sounded tough like she could handle things all by herself but I knew Ian’s words had struck a nerve.
“She is tough, yes, but even the strongest people need someone in their corner and I would love to be that person for her if she let me.”