The Jilted Bride

Chapter Two

“Excuse me for a while, I’m just going to take this call. Hon, you can go with mom first. Love you.” I kissed her forehead before turning my back. I nodded my head while looking at my mom meaningfully, she just smiled at me and dragged Ivien into the dining. I hurriedly ascended to my room to answer Christian’s call. I locked up my room and picked up the phone.

“What took you so long to answer my call?” He asked in frustration. I sighed before speaking. “I’m with Ivien and my Mom. We’re having a lunch together.” I heard him scoffed but didn’t say anything. I pulled the swivel chair and sat on it. Then I leaned over the table and put my chin in the back of my hand. I am thinking why'd he call me, when I clearly said that I'll be the one to contact him.

“When are you going to do it?” he asked after a long silence. I was dumbfounded by the question, making me gulped twice. My hands trembled but I managed to calm myself. I chuckled nervously and wet my lips. “I’m still formulating a plan. Just give me a little time. I’ll do it,” I assured him before ending the call. I breathe in and out trying to ease the nervousness that I feel.

I really wanted to be free, that’s all I ever wanted but it is hard, especially in this kind of life. I balled my fist and punch the desk. I'm angry, frustrated and sad at the same time.

I stood up and walked back and forth inside the four corners of my room. I am biting my nails while thinking deeply. I should do it for me to get my freedom, or else I’ll be forever a prison in the walls that I built. I stopped myself from walking and stared at myself from the full length mirror that is hanged on the wall. I noticed the dark circles under my eye, I licked my lips and smirked then I traced my eyebrows. I unbuttoned my long sleeve shirt and removed it, then I also removed my pants. Now I’m completely naked in front of the mirror. I gently touched my chest and stomach. I’m not satisfied with this kind of body. I shook my head in disbelief and started to wear the clothes that I removed. After that, I walked through the door, opened it and walk down the stairs. I was about to enter to dining room when I heard my mom’s irritated voice.

She’s doing it again, insulting someone because they don’t have a privileged life. She just think highly of herself, too perfect and flawless. Faux, when is she going to change? I’m sick and tired of this scenery. I was about to interrupt them when I heard my girlfriend’s calm voice.

“I won’t leave him,” she said with full of courage. I bet my mom was furious right now, she hates it when someone talks back to her. There’s a long silence between them so I decided to enter the room. I saw my Mom angrily gets up and walks away. She didn’t even look at me.

“What happened?” I asked Ivien, she flinched a little and looked back at me with a pale face. She waved her hand and gave me a nervous laugh. “Uh? N-nothing,” she stuttered and tried to avoid my eyes. I just nodded and sat beside her. I’m just going to pretend that I don’t know anything.

“I think I made her upset,” she said in a sad voice. She was referring to my mom. I reached for her back and tapped it lightly. “Don’t worry, Hon. She’ll get over it. Let’s just eat, Chef Martinéz cooked a fancy and savory food. Let’s not waste it, there’s a lot of children that dies because of starvation.” We started to eat peacefully and because mom was still mad, we just decided to leave. I drive her home and drop her off to her apartment. I am going somewhere very important.

“Bye, Hon. See you again next time. Take care!” she sweetly said and kissed my cheek before going out of the car to get inside her apartment.

“That girl is… argh!” I slammed my palm on the wall and lifted the vintage vase in the cabinet and throw it away. “She is getting on my nerves. A peasant? For my son? Hilarious!” I’m about to go insane because of that woman. I cannot accept it, I want a rich woman to be married to my son. Like the heiress of Daylan Winery’s. Orfelia Daylan is a good catch, they entered the world market and I know if our business merged, it would put me on the pedestal.

I heaved a sigh and massaged my temple. I entered my hidden closet and used the telephone to call Magenta, my old maiden cousin. She’s living alone and she knows a lot of people who can work for me. After two rings she picked up the call and answered it.

“Margarita!” she mentioned my name in a high pitched voice. She seems ecstatic because I called her. I raised my brow and rolled my eyes. “I need to ask you a favor.”

She giggled and cleared her throat. “A favor? Uhmm, something dark or a little bit dirty?” I smiled evilly, “A little bit dirty. I’m just going to threaten someone.”

She laughed so hard upon hearing what I’ve said. “Got it! Send me the details and I’ll do you a favor,” she said seriously. I ended the call and texted her the details. I typed the message with a smile on my face and sent it. I suddenly feel so satisfied.

I opened the closet and walked back to the dining but there’s no one in there. I’m left alone in this huge house, again. I shrugged my shoulder and sighed. “When am I going to get used to this set up?” I felt the loneliness that’s been haunting me for a long time. My husband died five years ago and my son wasn’t close to me. I was busy with my business and got no time for him. And that was my only mistake but I am doing this for my only son, to give him a bright future.

I lay down on the couch as soon as I entered my apartment. The scenery a while ago lingered in my mind. I already expected for this to happen. I know that Kenji’s mother won’t like me because of my status but I didn’t expect her to insult my profession. What’s wrong with being a simple college teacher? I put my arms under my head and stared at the ceiling. My phone beeped but I ignored it. I know what she wants, I don’t want to entertain her. Why does she even exert an effort to bother me? So annoying!

I crinkled my nose and pursed my lips before closing my eyes. I am just going to sleep to clear of my mind but I cannot even fall asleep before my phone started to ring. I irritatingly messed my hair and picked up my phone. “What?!” I shouted in annoyance.

“I need money,” she said in the other line. I pinched the bridge of my nose and sat down, I leaned back on the couch and crossed my legs. “How much do you need?”

“Hundred and fifty bucks. I need it now!” she demanded and hanged up. Just like that! “She disturbed for that amount and didn’t even say thank you? Wow! Just wow!” I tossed my phone in the couch and grabbed my bag before leaving the apartment. I slammed the door behind my back and hail for a cab. I’m going to her place to bring the money.

“This is her picture. Her name is Ivien Morris, she’s a college teacher in a St. Thomas University. I want you to threaten her. Scared her or do whatever you want, just don’t kill her.” Margarita placed the paper on the table and tapped it twice. All the information about Ivien was written on it.

“Don’t fail me, Magenta.” I warned her and gave her a thousand dollars. She grinned and grabbed the money on my hand and smelled it like a crazy person.

“Ahhh, the smell of the money is making me alive!” she exclaimed and hide it on her mini vault. I tilted my chin and plastered a proud smile on my lips. “By the way, why are you doing this?” she asked me, confusion is visible in her eyes.

The smile on my face vanished as I remember the reason why I am asking her this kind of favor. “I just do not like her for Kenji. You know I have a high standards when it comes to son.” She nod her head lightly and look closer at Ivien’s picture. “But she seems nice,” she commented and showed me the picture. I almost pulled her hair for saying that.

“Yes, she is nice and if she’s rich I would gladly accept her with an open arms. But too unfortunate, she isn’t. Just do what I tell you to do and don’t ask for further questions.” She laughed at my face and shoo me away.

I told the driver to pull over in the middle of the road. I handed him the fair and added a little tip before going out of the cab and headed to her house that’s in the middle of the forest. Her house is near the river and it’s isolated so no one knows the location. Except for the two of us. I brushed my hair as I walked slowly, trying not to step on the muddy soil. Why does she have to live in this kind of place?

I halted in the middle of the trails after seeing her in the entryway. She is standing like a statue, her hands are on her pocket and she was just looking at my direction—like she has been waiting for me to arrive. I clicked my tongue and walks fast. She welcomed me with a hug but I pushed her away. “Stop with the fakery, here’s the money and please stop bothering me. How many times do I have to tell you that don’t call me.” She avoided my gaze and started to count the money in the envelope.

“I added fifty dollars to it. Please try to save money or get yourself a job.” I started to scold her but she was ignoring me. “You know that they’re after me. How can I find a decent job without hiding my identity?” I glared at her but she just smirked at me.

“Would you like to get in?” she said trying tease me. “I’m leaving,” I answered before turning my back on her. She laughed and bid for a goodbye.

“Just tell me if you want something, Ivien.”