SARAYA’S POV
My body shivered with anger as I stormed into my room, slamming the door behind me. “That crazy bitch,” I hissed under my breath. “How dare she show her face here!”
I paced the room, my hands clenched into fists. “What else does she want from me? Hasn’t she done enough already?”
The memory of her smug expression as she wept those crocodile tears flashed in my mind, and my stomach churned. It was clear she was up to something, and the thought of being dragged into her schemes made my blood boil.
A soft knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. “Saraya, are you decent?” Mary’s voice called from the other side.
I sighed, forcing myself to take a calming breath. “Come in.”
Mary entered, her warm smile doing little to ease the tension in my chest. “You’re not dressed yet,” she observed, her tone light.
“I’ll get to it,” I replied flatly, crossing my arms over my chest.
Mary stepped closer, her expression softening. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
I hesitated, then nodded. “Sure.”
She sat on the edge of my bed, her hands folded neatly in her lap. “I know Matilda being here has made you uncomfortable,” she began, her voice gentle. “And honestly, I don’t blame you. But…” She paused, her gaze meeting mine. “Alex isn’t willing to help her, and it makes me wonder why. It’s not like him to be so dismissive.”
I shrugged, leaning against the wall. “That’s between Alex and Matilda. It has nothing to do with me.”
Mary frowned slightly, her brows knitting together. “Maybe so, but that poor girl is carrying a child, Saraya. She’s desperate. And if Alex won’t help her, maybe you can.”
I stared at her, incredulous. “You want me to help her? After everything she’s done?”
Mary reached for my hand, her touch firm yet kind. “I’m not asking you to forgive her or forget the past. I’m just asking you to do this one thing-for the sake of her baby. Every child deserves a chance to grow up in a loving environment.”
I pulled my hand away, frustration bubbling to the surface. “Mary, you don’t have to beg on her behalf. I said I’d try, and I will. But don’t expect miracles.”
Mary smiled faintly, relief washing over her features. “Thank you, Saraya. That’s all I ask.”
She stood and patted my shoulder. “Take your time to get ready. Breakfast is still on the table if you want some.”
As the door closed behind her, I sank onto the bed, running a hand through my hair. “I should talk to Arlan.”
I grabbed my phone from the nightstand and dialed Arlan’s number. It barely rang before his smooth, familiar voice came through.
“Butte …”
“I need you to come to my office,” I cut him off, my tone brisk.
There was a brief pause, then a chuckle. “Straight to business, huh? What’s this about, Saraya?”
“Just come over,” I said curtly. “I’ll be there in an hour. You can come anytime after that.”
His voice brightened. “An hour? I’ll be waiting for you.”
Before he could say anything else, I ended the call and tossed the phone onto the bed. I wasn’t in the mood for his charm. Not today.
I quickly dressed in a sharp red suit that commanded authority and a pair of black heels. My reflection in the mirror looked composed and confident, but inside, I was still seething. Smoothing down my jacket, I grabbed my bag and stepped out of the room.
As I walked down the stairs, the sight of Matilda sitting in the living room immediately irritated me. She stood the moment she saw me approaching, her hands folded neatly in front of her as if trying to appear innocent.
“I spoke with Arlan,” I said bluntly, coming to a stop a few feet away from her. “I’ve set an appointment for you. Be at my office in an hour.”
Her face lit up with that fake, grateful smile that made me want to scream. “Thank you, Saraya,” she said softly, tilting her head like she hadn’t just barged into my life uninvited.
Mary’s voice came from behind me. “Matilda, did you drive here?”
Matilda shook her head. “No, I took a taxi. I’ve been feeling dizzy these days, so I didn’t want to risk driving.”
Mary frowned, concern etched on her face. “You shouldn’t be taking taxis in your condition. Saraya, why don’t you let her tag along with you? It’s safer that way.”
I opened my mouth to refuse, but Matilda jumped in before I could. “Perfect,” she said, her smile widening.
I clenched my teeth, forcing a polite smile. “Fine. Let’s go.”
As we walked out to my car, I could feel her satisfaction radiating off her. She was enjoying this, and that only fueled my anger.
“Get in,” I said curtly, unlocking the car.
“Thank you again,” she said sweetly as she slid into the passenger seat.
I didn’t respond, focusing on starting the car.
Once I started driving, there was tension in the air.
“I’m sure you have plenty questions going through your mind, why aren’t you saying anything?” She asked but I could sense her taunting me.
“You’re right but I figured it would be pointless talking to a raving crazy bitch you.” I replied.
Matilda chuckled. “You think I’m the only crazy one here?” She asked. “Arlan is your father’s best friend, you shouldn’t have crossed the line with him.”
“Unlike a cunning slut, Arlan told me he couldn’t remember that night. It makes me wonder what you did to him.” I said and I could see her face go pale.
She scoffed. “And you believe him?” She said when she finally found her voice. “Our intimacy was consensual and trust me, he is lying to you.”
“And why are you so desperate to be with such a liar?” I fired at her.
Matilda’s lips pressed into a thin line, her gaze darting to the window. For a moment, I thought she might stay silent, but then she turned back to me with that defiant glint in her eyes.
“I’m desperate because of this baby,” she said, her voice steady but tinged with bitterness. “Because no matter what you think of me, this child deserves to have both parents.”
“That’s convenient,” I shot back, gripping the steering wheel tightly. “I don’t even know why you’re dragging me into this mess.”
“Because you know what it means to grow up without a father, don’t you?” She countered.
“Matilda!” I screamed at her while tightening my grip on the wheel and stepped on the brake, jolting her and myself in the process.
“I don’t the same for my child.” She looked at me straight in the eye. “You think you know everything, don’t you, Saraya? But you don’t. You don’t know the whole story.”
“Then enlighten me,” I snapped. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re just playing the victim to cover up your mess.”
Matilda laughed bitterly. “You’re so self-righteous. Do you even know how long I’ve been carrying this burden? How many nights I’ve cried myself to sleep wondering what to do?”
I rolled my eyes. “Spare me the theatrics. You’re not the first woman to find herself in a difficult situation, and you won’t be the last. Stop using your tears as a weapon.”
She looked at me for a long moment, her jaw clenched. “You don’t get it, do you? This isn’t just about me or even Arlan. It’s about this child. I’m not asking for your pity, Saraya. I’m asking you for a chance to set things right for my child. If you let Arlan go, I’ll forever be in your debt.”
I exhaled sharply, my patience wearing thin. “Set things right? By forcing a man who doesn’t even remember being with you into fatherhood? That’s your idea of right?”
I shook my head as I watched her face crumpled.
“You don’t have to believe me,” she said quietly. “But one day, the truth will come out. And when it does, you’ll realize you were wrong about me.”
“You can save me the epistles, Matilda.” I muttered, turning into the parking lot of my office building. “I doubt the day I’m wrong about you would ever come.”
I parked the car and turned to her, my tone cold. “We’re here. Get out.”
Matilda hesitated, her hand hovering over the door handle. “For what it is worth, Saraya, I don’t hate you. I just need you to step away from what is mine and it’s not too much to ask.” And with that, she stepped out of my car.
I blinked, caught off guard by her words. “That two faced bitch.” I cussed after her.