Episode 4
1070 Words
In her office, Rachel kept staring at the divorce papers.
What would grandma Damascus think if she signed them?
As much as she loves Chris, she doesn't want to die in his hands.
It doesn't help that the humiliation she keeps getting from him and his lover intensifies everyday.
With a hand over her face, she sighed in frustration.
“What can I do God?”
A knock on her office door interrupted her thoughts. As she looked up, it was her secretary that walked in.
She stylishly used a file to cover the divorce papers
“Is there anything I can do for you Mary?”
Mary in her early twenties and red high bun had a little worry in her eyes.
She stretched out her hand that held a phone towards Rachel.
“It's from the hospital ma'am, the doctor has been trying to reach you all morning.”
Rachel's head snapped when she heard the hospital.
Only one person came to her mind
“Grandma.”
She whisked the phone hurriedly from Mary's hand
Her heart pounded steadily as she put the phone close to her ear.
“This is Mrs Damascus.”
“Mrs Damascus, this is Dr Jared. Unfortunately, Mrs Damascus, your grandma passed away this morning.”
Rachel saw this coming, she knew the old lady wouldn't last till the end of the week.
Yet, the news shattered the last piece of hope she had.
“Mrs Damascus, are you there?”
“Yes.” She said, her voice barely audible.
“What are the arrangements for her?”
Rachel had no idea what to do, her legs could barely move as she was.
“I will get back to you on that Dr Jared.”
As she ended the call, she began to gasp in shaky breaths.
Her vision blurred as she grabbed the edges of her office table with her fingers.
Footsteps approached her table and she sensed a presence before her.
“Ma'am, are you alright, do you need anything?” Mary asked.
No response for a minute.
Until she gathered herself.
“Tell the driver to get the car ready, everyone is to go home today and tomorrow.”
“Okay, for what reasons ma'am.”
“Just do as I say, Mary.” Her voice raised a pitch.
Mary didn't need to be told twice before going to do as she was ordered.
Rachel had to down a glass of water before she could get herself.
She has to inform the rest of the family.
Elena Damascus only had Rachel's number listed as a family member in the hospital file.
A few minutes later, Mary came to inform her that the car was ready.
As she walked down the hallways, the employee's conversation reached her ears, but she paid them no heed.
They'd be informed of the misfortune that struck the company soon enough.
But not before her family hears it first.
Rachel's mind was in turmoil on how to break the news to them.
On getting to the house, she heard music coming from inside, and suspected it could be Chris and Serena having their fun.
The face she met as she walked in was one she prayed not to see for a long time.
Chris' mother, the real devils, incarnate herself.
Deborah Damascus.
If she wasn't already saddened by Elena’s death, maybe she'd have been able to force a smile for her mother in law.
“Mother, I didn't know you were coming.”
Deborah eyed her with so much disgust.
“How many times have I told you not to call me mother? You orphan leech.” She spat.
Rachel's shoulder jerked up, then dropped.
She can never get used to Deborah’s derogatory choice of words.
Serena ran over with a glass of wine, handed it Deborah.
“Mother, come let's celebrate. Don't get disturbed by this commoner.”
Chris was vibing to the music, his head bobbed as he drank directly from a bottle.
A dull ache settled in Rachel's eyes as she watched the merriment.
Summoning a courageous spirit, she walked past them, picked the remote control and turned off the loud music.
Chris belched like a pig at the interference.
“How dare you? Don't you have manners?”
“I'm sorry to interrupt whatever it is you're celebrating. But if you must know, grandma is dead.”
The silence that followed was presumably an honorary one
Until Chris started laughing, he laughed so hard that tears streamed out the corner of his eyes
Serena and Deborah joined in the laughter as well
Rachel tilted her head, watching them like she missed the joke.
Chris stepped forward with a glass filled with champagne.
“Rachel, Rachel, Rachel, what do you think we are celebrating? The witch's death of course.”
Another bout of laughter escaped the three of them.
Rachel's chest tightened as she realised what was going on.
These people were heartless to the core.
“Don't you have a single shred of humanity in your soul for Elena? She loved you all and gave you everything.”
“Shut your trap.” Deborah snarled
“That witch did nothing but give you everything, and you aren't even her blood relative. That C of O position was supposed to be mine until you waltzed into our lives.”
Chris gently put his hands over Deborah's shoulder.
“It’s all over now mom, tthe witch is finally dead. I'll become the chairman, and you the C of O.”
Rachel swallowed hard as she listened to them hatch their plan.
Chris's eyes became dark at once as his gaze veered at Rachel.
“I hope you have signed the divorce papers. Don't make this any more difficult for yourself.”
Rachel's lung were getting choked with sobs she was trying to hold in
They were right, Elena was dead, there was no need holding on to a promise that would do nothing but ruin her.
She brought out the divorce papers and slapped it hard on the table
“I'll sign the damn papers, but on the condition that I must organise and be present for Elena's funeral.”
They all exchanged looks, then shrugged
“Suit yourself.” Chris said.
Rachel whipped out a pen, scribbled her signature on the paper.
“It is done, I am no longer Mrs Damascus.”
- Writer
