Chapter2
1060 Words
A Silent Departure
He turned to Damien and couldn't help but scrutinize him from head to toe.
There, he realizes that Damien didn't wear a watch. He then pointed at the big wall clock well-placed on one side of the wall.
“I'm sorry Sir,” this was the only statement that escaped Damien's mouth.
“Get to work now. I'll send you a file so we can work towards getting a collaboration with Apex Innovations,” Edwin said.
Apex Innovations is the leading tech. Company of all, which every technology company has been lobbying to collaborate with.
“Alright Sir,” Damien responded.
“Has anyone noticed that there is no single picture of the founder of Apex on the Internet? Neither have I by one chance had the opportunity to meet with him whenever I go to the company to make enquiries.” Edwin said, facing the staff.
“I thought as much too. The CEO of a well-known company is not known.” One staff member responded.
“Not even a single passport and it was stated that he's alive, not dead.” Another responded.
“Maybe sometimes, we'll get to know him. Let's get back to work.” Edwin ordered.
Damien made sure he kept his identity as the CEO of Apex Innovations secret. For reasons known to him alone.
No one, not even his mother nor his wife knew he had such an asset. All the same, it's for the benefit of his family.
Meanwhile, at Hayes’ estate, Tessa has been indirectly turned into a maid; she's been on other house chores since Damien left for work, even when there are maids assigned for the tasks.
She's been starved since the very moment she tried to caution her grandma for making the wrong allegation about Damien.
However, all special treatment as the grandchild of Lord Ronan Hayes had been cut off for her long ago, since the death of her grandfather.
“And now that Grandpa is no more, why not divorce this poor man and have peace of mind in your own home,” Nora said to Tessa.
“Cousin, if not that you're such an ingrate and you forget things so fast, you wouldn't alter such a statement. Have you forgotten it's this so-called poor man who helped both of us when we had a car breakdown while travelling through a lonely road that month?”
Tessa responded, her heart sank as she spoke.
“So what's the big deal? People are meant to help each other.” Nora responded. Her tone care-free.
“But you decided to take the help for granted. So, is this the good you want to pay him back with? Mind you, I didn't get married to him because of Grandpa. Truly, Grandpa loved him for reasons known to him & I married him because he's all I wanted.”
“Yes, that's a bold decision. Keep wanting him, and face whatever comes out of it. Remember, Grandma would never set you free, instead, you'll suffer forever in her grip.” Derek- one of Tessa's uncles interrupted.
“I don't mind. All I know is, I won't divorce him because of other's coercion.”
It was evening already when Damien arrived from the office.
“Where do you think you're going? You have overstayed your welcome in this house; it's high time you left.”
Bruce waylaid Damien as he was entering the room allocated to him- another of Tessa's uncles.
“Just let him in and pack the rags he called clothes and the other debris he has in that room,” Derek added.
As Tessa overheard the conversation going on between his uncles, she rushed towards them angrily.
“What has he done again? How has he deserved these treatments? You will all pay for this!” Tessa voiced out in anger.
“You'll all pay for this!”
“Says an imbecile with no manners, fighting for someone that couldn't figure out what's next in his life” The voice of Lady Agatha coming from the backyard as she's been eavesdropping on their conversations minutes before now.
“It's all good. I'd leave your home for you now. But please, do not in any way make Tessa cry or get frustrated.” Damien said, his voice laced with strict warning as he would not take seeing his wife going through any sort of maltreatment.
“Look at this man. He's grown wings. Talking to me that way? Who the hell are you? Bruce questioned him, his voice laced with anger.
There was no further response from Damien. He entered his little room and brought out his belongings, which were just a simple backpack. While he was out, he hugged Tessa, patted her back and whispered in her ears;
“I'll be back for you.”
Tears welled down her cheeks as she watched Damien leave. The only person that gives her hope has left. Even when they barely converse, seeing him every day gives her a flicker of hope.
Her chances of escaping from the cruelty of her grandmother are now slashed from one to zero.
Her mother, Fiona, is as soft as a feather. She would never stand up for her right. She'd take every treatment given to her just like that.
Who would then stand up for Tessa? Could she fight this all alone? Or would it be better if she got divorced from her husband for her sanity and freedom?
On Damien's trip, he contemplates whether to visit one of his luxurious mansions or rent an apartment to still stay low, all because he can't go back to the Whitlock's mansion.
Returning home, his only aim was to teach his uncle, Mr. Craven, a very big lesson that would remain indelible in his memory.
At that instance, his uncle's statement that he made more than nine months ago rang in his brain, like he was right in front of him saying it.
“Don't you ever try to move closer, not to talk of getting involved in the Whitlock's Automobile Industry. Henceforth, get a place to stay or you hate yourself for the rest of your life.”
A cold smile crossed his face, the weight of his uncle's words pressed down on him like an anchor, as heavy as the Titanic.
- Writer
