Lawfully His Book 1.

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

THE DEAL

Melissa Fernando

"The girl behind my daughter, Kerry Dupont!"

Everybody turned their heads in our direction, looking at us with prying and terrific eyes.

What in the world of chocolates!? I was utterly, completely, and fully astonished. I turned around and met a stunned Kerry.

Her eyes were wide open; it was like she had heard that pigs were flying in the air.

I don't blame her though, I was in a similar situation.

No, this is too much now.

My hippopotamus of a mother had already crossed the limit.

I can't bear her drama anymore.

"Mother how dare you! What is this new drama now? Can you explain to me clearly I can assure you, my patience is running out at the moment."

I went to hold Kerry, she was shivering. Her eyes were filled with tears. She clutched onto my arms tightly.

"What drama daughter? Do you think I'll joke about my lost one-core necklace? I knew there was something about this low-class girl from the beginning."

"Wh-at, what are you saying? No... No, Kerry is nothing like that, stop accusing her."

"Rosemary honey, you can't just say that to the girl. How are you so sure that it's her-"

"Absolutely, you have no proof. How can you accuse someone of theft just like that? You can't say anything that mind. Think before you come in your talk for once in your life." I raised my voice slightly but it didn't matter at the moment.

Right now Kerry's face was drenched in tears. She looks like she's about to faint.

This humiliation is too much. And the fact that she's not good at interacting with people just made it worst.

This will cause her to cower even more into her shell.

"Johnathan, can't you see?! She's the only one among us who isn't from high profile. Every female love to have the luxury and expensive accessories. She will never be able to have those so why not steal an opportunity like this? She's not even denying it. This only proves my suspicion."

"Melissa, ask your friend if what we are hearing is the truth or I'll have it in other drastic ways."

What seriously!!!

I wish I had done no contract with her, long back. Maybe I think it's no-

Johnathan is talking about drastic ways. He should apply some on himself.

This is unbelievable!

"M-Me-Melissa, I- believ-ve me. I did n-no no such thing. B-believe m..me-"

"Yes Kerry, I know. I know okay! You don't have to justify yourself. I know you would never do that. I believe you, don't worry. Okay?!"

I held her face with both palms and assured her.

My mother needs to know that not everyone is greedy like her to go to that extent of stealing just like she has stolen someone's husband and father

"You got that, she said it. Happy now!?" Sarcasm was dripping in my words but I couldn't help it.

No one gets to insult my friend like that. "No, not at all. Melissa, you need to be at mother's side and yet you are siding with that thief."

Kerry let out a cry when my mother called her a "thief".

"Enough mom! Stop it now, just stop it. You can't keep insulting her like that. What's wrong with you? She said she didn't do it. Why are you being so persistent?"

"No, we need to check her clutch. Then, I'll be satisfied. She said she didn't do it right so she won't have a problem if we check her. Security g- "No I won't allow you to disgrace my friend like this. Mother pleas-

"Let i-it go, Melissa, if you-your mother w-want that, I-I don't have a problem." The way my mother's eyes glint hearing Kerry's trembling voice made me scared.

It was like she had something in mind, the security guard approached her, took the clutch from her, and opened it.

He took out her phone, the mirror, the watch, lip gloss, and then;

He stopped, he was gazing inside the clutch.

He put his hand inside the clutch, removed it after a millisecond, raise his hand, and, Oh my God! No, this is not possible.

The diamond necklace was dangling proudly in his hand.

Several gasps were heard. I was like I had been hit by thousand rocks on the head. I couldn't think properly.

Kerry's face held a pure surprise, disbelief, and confusion. My mother was right all along. Has my friend really st-...

No Melissa what's wrong with you?! I know Kerry can't do this. There has to be someone else behind this.

"You have befriended a thief Miss Fernando. That's surprising!" I had forgotten that Aries Alexopoulos was here as well.

He voiced out after what seemed like an eternity.

I didn't have time to answer him when people started throwing accusations.

Poor low-life!

The b***h didn't waste time to grab her chance She looks innocent but they always say: 'don't judge a book by its cover.

How come Melissa Fernando had befriended this kind of slut!

"STOP IT! Stop all of you. Kerry doesn't th...." My voice trailed off as I gaze at Kerry's retreating figure.

She ran towards the door wiping her tears.

She can't face this kind of disgrace.

"Oh, she has the audacity to go away!" It seems like my mother didn't want to end this.

Miss Fernando, you have to be cautious

Get her behind the bars.

Shameless b***h!

"Oh don't worry, I'll take care of her. I apologize for tonight has been really a disaster." My mother was now showing her fake smiles.

"No, no don't bother Rosemary, we enjoyed ourselves at your party, happy birthday once again." These stupid people must really love my mother.

"I agree, I enjoyed your party to the maximum Miss Rosemary Fernando." Damn, why did his voice have to be so sexy?

Stupid Melissa, your friend is in pain right now and you are pondering over the sexiness of Aries Alexopoulos's voice.

"Really! I'm so happy that you had fun. I hope to see you again."

I turned on my heels to go after seeing that Aries was already off.

I had to search for Kerry.

At this hour of the night, sh...

"Melissa come with me, I have to discuss something with you." Rage instantly consumed me as I heard her voice.

The audacity of that woman!

I kept on walking but her next words froze me on the spot.

"Don't you think you should save your little friend now daughter -from the press? And you know that I'm the only one who can do that for you."

I was currently seated on the lawn of the Alexopoulos mansion. I agreed to come with my mom after hearing her threats.

"What is it that you want me to do for you?" At that, my mother grinned and that scared me.

It was like she was celebrating her victory.

"We've got a deal here you see, a mother-daughter deal."

Now I was more confused.

I have to look for Kerry and this woman here is clearly wasting my time

"Oh let me clear your confusion, I'll save your friend from the... embarrass- ment she's going to face and in return for that, you'll have to do something for me. As simple as that."

"Okay. So what is it that you wish for me to do? Just hurry up and be clear."

"Oh you'll just have to get married for six months or a year and that will do. That's it."

Tick 1...

Tick 2...

Tick 3...

What in the holy mountain of the Himalayas!

My eyes widened hearing her.

Everything stops around me and along with my breathing.

Has the last day finally come?

You'll have to get married for six months...

You'll have to get married...

Get married...

Married...

I let out a loud laugh startling my mother.

I kept on laughing and laughing until I could feel tears in my eyes.

That was one hell of a joke that my mother had thrown for years. My laughter soon died down seeing my mother's serious expression.

"Do you think I'm joking Melissa? Is everything a joke for you huh? Answer me you i***t daughter of mine!"

What is the fish?

She was yelling at me and shaking my shoulders like a mad woman.

"What- what do you mean then?"

Wait I really thought she was joking.

Could it be she is saying all this seriously...

No what the fudge!

"Yes, and you will do it. Okay, Melissa. Be a good girl. Listen to your mother for once and you'll be benefitted. I promise, just get married."

"And why do you think I'll listen to you? Have you finally gone crazier than you already are? What do you think you're blabbering about? Marriage! Seriously, marriage is not a joke, it is something sacred so please stop with the madness. I'm not going to do that."

"Oh poor Kerry then, I thought you loved your friend but I guess she's not that lucky. Oh and not to forget what will happen when her name will be in the headlines tomorrow. That will be fun."

"Mother please do not do this, please. What you are asking me is impossib- Wait you planned all this right?! The theft, accusation. It was your doing?.... Oh, God."

I could feel my eyes getting wet right now.

"Well at last you figured it out, can't blame you for being smart, you are my daughter after all. Now listen to me, you'll do as I say, you'll get married or else... you know the rest." Big fat tears kept falling down my cheeks.

"No mom please you can't do this, try to understand me, I'm just 21 and I can't do g-"

"Oh prepare yourself to see a new state of Kerry then. I wonder what will happen to her low-class parent once they've heard about the news."

"And not only that, this is a 'theft' of one core necklace that we are talking about, she'll be in jail. But don't worry, how far can she go?! Hmmm, maybe depression, self harm and what else, suicide. And that will happen only because of y-"

"STOP. JUST STOP IT OKAY? I can't mo- mother, I c-can't bear th-that....please stop." My mother took me in her arms and I kept on sobbing heavily.

"Then do it. Do it for your friend Melissa. Save her! It's in your hand."

The cries wouldn't stop no matter how much I tried.

Why is my mother doing this? Why, to her daughter?

No, I can't let all that happen to Kerry.

I can't!

"Okay, I'll do it."

"Now that's like my daughter! I'm so proud of you dear Mel! So, so proud! You made me so proud today. Ah finally."

"Just tell me something, what would you achieve upon doing all this?" Rosemary Fernando sighs dreamily at that.

"Ah you have no idea, you know that I'm not even sure if I'll ever get married to Johnathan. He wants everything to be f*****g perfect but he isn't able to do that no matter how much he kept trying. Half of the company belongs to that witch and... and... Oh, God!" She let out a frustrated sound.

"But on the other hand if you get married, then you'll get your part of your husband's wealth. And the one I have chosen for you is extremely rich. Then we can merge our company together, resulting in my company gaining profit and soon my company will have several branches and will be famous just like the Alexopoulos's company."

"So, how do you find my plan? isn't it just wonderful! Moreover, you'll also gain from this, I am doing this for your own benefit. You'll have a wealthy hus- band and so a great future."

I could feel bile rising in my throat. I didn't know my mother could scoop this low as to play with people's feelings, using her own daughter to fulfill her dreams.

"Who is the man and how can you be so sure that he will accept me, how-"

Beep, Beep... Beep... Beep.

"Just at the right moment, you see this is Johnathan's message saying that you’re would-be husband is ready to marry Oh my God, OMG, OMG! I'm going you. to die with happiness today."

Can my life get any worse?!

"What! Just tell me who the damn man is?"

My mother smiled widely then she opened her mouth and said:

"Aries Jameson Alexopoulos."