love on hold

chapter 5 - the real villan

Laura's thoughts drifted back to Claudia's younger years, when she was a maid in Laura's household. Even then, Laura had noticed Claudia's admiration for her son, Blade. Though Claudia never mustered the courage to express her feelings, Laura saw the signs. Laura had also observed Claudia's subtle sacrifices for Blade's sake, hinting at a deeper connection.

When Blade and Claudia began secretly seeing each other, Laura feigned ignorance, but she knew Claudia's nature intimately. Laura understood Claudia's disposition, her attitude, and her behavior, knowing exactly how to manipulate her.

With a silent chuckle, Laura felt confident in her control. Claudia would obey her every command, and Laura would reap the benefits.

Laura's mind returned to the present. She would give Claudia an answer she could afford. She knew Claudia was dying to believe anything she would say. In Claudia's heart, she needed no justification, only support. " Claudia must be feeling so special now," Laura laughed in her heart. She loved this game.

"Claudia, you want to know my motivation?" Laura continued.

Claudia nodded, her heart racing with anticipation, dread and, a hint of expectation.

Laura's eyes seemed to bore into Claudia's soul. "Let's just say... it's personal."

The air hung heavy with tension as Laura's words trailed off. Claudia waited, her breath caught in her throat.

And then, silence.

Laura's gaze lingered on Claudia's face, her expression unreadable. Laura was trying to grasp Claudia's thoughts. Had she taken the bait or not?

Claudia was trying to process Laura's words. There was a hint of doubt in her heart but, she had to acknowledge that she had only dreamed of receiving this type of support from Blade's mother, Laura. For Claudia，this was too good to be true! She would accept the offer. But, could Laura be trusted? Laura had not revealed her true reason for helping her. However, Claudia was blinded by greed and the possibilities. She decided she would take this chance.

***

Blade's fury simmered as he stormed through the mansion, his anger boiling over the missing car keys. Aurora's absence only fueled his irritation. He bellowed for the servants, demanding they emerge from their hiding places.

"Where are you all? Get out here now!"

The staff scurried, familiar with Blade's explosive temper. They knew to avoid him when Aurora was away.

In the laundry room, Blair, Blade's mistress and housemaid, watched with calculated interest. Since Aurora's baby arrival, Blade's attention had waned, and Blair sought to rekindle their connection.

Seizing the opportunity, Blair emerged from the laundry room, a bright smile plastered on her face. "Hey, handsome."

"Did you see my keys?" Blade thundered, struggling to contain his rage.

Blair teased, misjudging his fury. "Hmm, Blade, I think you should look at me. I'm prettier than your keys."

Blade's expression darkened. "Not now, Blair. I'm not in the mood."

Blair's voice took on a seductive tone. "Since your wife had that son, you've been distant. Why not look at me?" She sauntered closer, hand reaching for his shoulder.

Blade's grip was sudden and firm, shaking her violently. "When I'm desperate, I don't need your games! I decide when we meet, when we're lovey-dovey. But when I'm not in the mood, you don't disturb me!"

Blair's eyes widened as Blade's fury unleashed.

"I need that car for a crucial client meeting. Aurora's wealth and influence has provided me such and I must enjoy it! What do you have to offer? You wouldn't understand; you're not involved in my business. But I need the posh car, and I need those keys now!" Blade bellowed, his face inches from Blair's.

Blair stumbled backward, falling to the floor as Blade released her.

Blair crumpled to the floor, her head striking the stool with a sickening thud. She touched her temple, wincing at the warm blood.

"Blade..." she whispered, pain and shock etched on her face.

Blade stood over her, unfazed. "You made me do this. I'm a good person with a perfect temper, but you pushed me. It is all your fault. if you hadn't been so pushy then maybe I would not have done this to you. You are responsible for this!"

Blair's eyes flashed anger, but Blade continued, his voice cold.

"Your words, your disturbance... You're the reason I can't find my keys. Now, get out. Get out of my sight, and let me find them."

Blade's gaze lingered on Blair's bleeding head before he turned away, dismissing her.

As Blair rose, tears streaming down her face, a calculating glint emerged in her eyes. This wasn't the Blade she knew. The man she had secretly loved and manipulated for so long.

But now, Blair's true nature revealed itself. Cold, cruel, and heartless.

"This is Aurora's doing," Blair seethed, her mind racing. "That baby is the reason Blade turned on me."

A sinister resolve formed in Blair's heart. "Aurora and that child must pay."

For years, Blair had coveted Blade's wife's position, enjoying the secret affair's benefits. But now, her ambition burned brighter.

"Once they're gone, Blade will be mine alone."

Blair's thoughts darkened, plotting the downfall of the woman and child standing between her and her prize.

"I'll destroy anyone who stands in my way. Aurora and that baby must die."

Blair's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with malevolent intentions. She knew exactly how to eliminate Aurora and the baby.

"With a smile, I'll serve her demise," Blair whispered to herself.

She headed to the kitchen, her steps calculated and deliberate. The perfect dish came to mind – Aurora's favorite, a sweet and savory tart.

Blair's hands moved with precision, mixing and measuring ingredients. Her eyes gleamed as she added a lethal dose of poison, carefully concealed within the filling.

"This will be her last meal," Blair thought, a cold satisfaction spreading through her.

As she expertly crafted the tart, Blair envisioned Aurora's unsuspecting delight. The tender crust, the flavorful filling, and the deadly secret within.

"When Aurora returns, I'll present it to her with a smile," Blair plotted. "She'll take a bite, and her life will begin to unravel."

The tart was now a vessel for Blair's vengeance, a tool to eliminate the obstacle between her and Blade.