Heiress's Secret

02

I slowly glanced up from my screen as Ethan dropped a letter of invite on the table.

He undid his tie and took a seat next to me.

I picked up the letter and read through it. It was an invitation to an award night which was to be held two days from now.

“You need to get ready, we are travelling to Madrid tomorrow.” Ethan said, drinking up a glass of water.

“But the award night is not until two days from now?”

“Which is why we have to be there tomorrow,”

I heaved a heavy sigh, my focus tilting back to my screen.

“I think I do deserve a meal after a long day at work,” Ethan muttered, his gaze laid intently at me.

“Oh, that's true.” I jolted up immediately, suddenly remembering his meal.

“You know I keep telling you to stop wasting your time looking for jobs. There's no point really, I don't want you to work and I need you to respect that.” He said, holding me back from further movement.

“Do I make myself clear.” he continued, his voice deep with a heavy frown over his forehead as his grip over my wrists got tighter.

“I do,” I returned, releasing my wrists from his grip which had almost led to a skin burn.

I brought in his meal moments later. He dug into the meal and ate ravenously until he was done.

Without any more words, he got up and strolled to his room. I could quiff out a lady's perfume on him but I wasn't certain if it was so, I'd probably remain silent about it even if I had some certainty.

I returned back to my system, moving my cursor from page to page In search of any job opening in need of my skill set. I couldn't continue this way with Ethan, the constant abuse plus backlash have done no good to me.

While I scrolled through, I found a page in search of a brand and social media manager as well as an assistant.

Having no second thoughts, I sent in my resumè to the email provided by the company. I closed my eyes, my fists locked in together as I hoped for the best.

* * *

The next day, Ethan kept honking his horn loudly.

“Hurry up, we got a plane to catch,” Ethan hollered out.

I had picked up a few clothes we'll be needing for the award night.

I stepped out of the house, having only the necessary items for the trip.

“You know you can't wear that. You need to change into another outfit.” Ethan said, his eyes fixed with an uneven look to the outfit I wore.

“But…” I pleaded.

“You'll dress how I want you too, no objections or complaints.”

“How do you find pleasure in being so arrogant.” I said, wishing I'd held back my words immediately.

Ethan got down from the car and walked up to me. His eyes were furrowed deep within, dark circles immediately gathering over his eye lid.

“Never you talk back at me in such a manner!!” Ethan thundered, fuming hard as his hot breath settled on my skin.

I got back in and changed to a more fitting outfit according to his want. Maybe in Madrid I could stand a chance to escape this hellhole. I certainly knew Ethan was enjoying the whole charade because of the leverage he had on me.

When we got to Madrid, we got checked into a hotel.

For a moment, I felt Ethan had suddenly changed. He became nicer with his words and held onto my hands as we walked into the hotel.

Few of his friends came to meet him shortly after we arrived.

“Ethan, I see your woman has a firm grip on you. The bond you guys share is priceless,” one of his friends said, pulling his partner closer to his side.

Ethan glanced at me, his eyes holding back no form of anger or hate. “You know, I wouldn't have made it this far without the help of my wife. She is the sole reason why today I can boldly enter into any field and come out successful.” Ethan said while his friends applauded in loud tones.

He further turned to my direction, “Babe I don't say this often but you really do complement me” he added with a wide grin across his cheeks.

“Oh please y’all should get a room.” One of his friends who came alone said, Everyone laughed and for the first time, I saw Ethan with a genuine smile across his lips.

We were soon assigned to a room. We had some porters who helped carry our bags to the room.

When we got to the room, I quickly clung my body onto Ethan's. Happy things were gradually taking a better turn but Ethan would have none of it, he quickly pushed off my hands from the embrace.

“Focus on the reason we came here!” he thundered.

I stared blankly, wondering what could've happened again.

“Oh you think I meant any of the things I said, c'mon how helpful have you been to me in my career? I have to keep up with your slow pace at all times. You're too weak to think you'll have the chance to make any impact in my life. I know you know why we are here, so act the part.” Ethan said, dropping the final bomb of disappointment.

That night, just as I was about to get some sleep Ethan picked up a few of his belongings and left the room. My heart drummed against my chest at the thought of whom he could be with as the night tarried.

Early in the morning Ethan returned back to the room. His breath and clothes stank of alcohol. He collapsed onto the bed, falling into a deep sleep as his snore thundered loudly.

Later that evening, Ethan went on to win five of the prestigious awards accorded that night. The crowd cheered on as he called me up the stage to celebrate with him.

For a moment, the world felt still as camera lights hit me hard from all directions. The applause went on for a moment with few of the audience standing to their feet.

I took it all in, flashing a bright smile at the excited crowd.

“These awards wouldn't have been possible without my wife.” Ethan said, as the crowd got quiet.

He heaved a heavy sigh and glanced at me with a hard smile “For all time to come, she'll be remembered as the woman that turned me into a global giant,” Ethan praised before he pecked me on the cheeks.

As the crowd went into a thunderous clap, Ethan leaned in closer. “I just want you to know I won all these awards without your help but feel free to enjoy the glory.” he whispered with a bright smile, I returned the smile before walking off the stage with him.

When the applause died down, so did my affection towards Ethan die as well. I've had enough and won't let him have the chance to do as he pleases.

We got home the next day and without delay, I opened up my system. I had taken enough insults from Ethan, this time around he won't be the reason why my talent and potential will go down the drain.

Just as I sought for more companies that needed my skill set, an email popped up in the notifications. Immediately I checked out the email.

It was a letter of acceptance.

I yelled out before placing my hands over my mouth. I read through the content again, I had just been invited for an interview at Sherman company with a start up of $100,000 as basic salary alongside other bonuses.

“What's the excitement about,” Ethan said as he made his way to where I sat.

“I guess it's time you get to see how valuable I can be.”