Millionaire's Secret Love

Chapter Thirteen

The next morning Elizabeth woke up with a pounding headache. Settling in her bed, she stared at her ceiling. She thought of George and wondered if she was doing the right thing.  

Money was money, she thought, she could not give that up. Not when she was barely making the rent money. Kathy was fine covering the bills, but she could not keep being late with the money all the time. That was one sure way to end a friendship.  

Since she came back from Jamaica, she had to start her life from scratch. Everything she had had with her ex she had left with him when she decided to leave the country for a year to get away from him. Bloody Edward Warren. Every day she woke up wondering when he would show up. Even after all this time, there was this certainty that he would turn up and ruin the life she was beginning to make for herself. 

Tugging the duvet up to her chin, she closed their eyes as an image of her battered and bruised body came into her mind’s eye. She had met Edward when she started university. He was tall, dark, and handsome.  From the moment he had spotted her across the bar when she had been out with her friend Kathy, he had pursued her. 

Elizabeth never considered herself a beauty. With walnut brown skin and short curly afro hair, she was attractive but not to men who prefer girls with hair extensions and made-up faces. She had been thrilled that he chose her, and she would have done anything for him. That first time he slapped her across the face because she oversteamed his vegetables was still fresh in her mind. 

Searching back, she realized she had been foolish. There had been plenty of red flags, but she had ignored them, feeling she could change him. 

For five years, she had put up with his snooping on her phone, checking her messages, monitoring who she met on social media and even telling her how to dress.  

Elizabeth had felt this was his way of showing her he loved her, and she had believed he would never put his hands on her again. 

  How wrong she was. 

He had continued, and she had let him. When she had left, he told her: “No one wants you, you’re too black. You’re too ugly.” Those words had hurt her more than anything else.  

Edward damaged her self-esteem and her confidence. She did not want to trust any man again. Yet, at times like this when she lay alone, she felt lonely.  She did not want to admit it, but she wanted someone to love her unconditionally. 

The worst of it was that her parents were unaware of what she had gone through, and she was embarrassed to tell them. 

 It scared her to tell her mother that Eddie had abused her. It petrified Elizabeth for her mother to tell her: “I told you not to go out with that boy there was something not right about him.” 

Jamaicans had a saying, “hard ears children die in the scorching sun,” which translated to, if you do not listen to your parents, bad things will happen to you. 

She was not sure how true this was but there was one thing she knew for certain; she had not listened to her mother and something bad happened to her. 

Her mother wanted her to date Dominic, and though she did not like him, she could give it a chance, she thought, but then the idea of wasting his time and hers made her think it was best to tell him that she was not interested.  

Rolling out of bed, she took up her phone and checked her messages. 

 She had not replied to Dominic. She was contemplating what to say to him when there was a knock on her bedroom door. 

Kathy was standing there with a cup of coffee in her hand when she opened it. “You still look knackered,” she said, skimming her unwashed face.  

She handed her the coffee; Elizabeth smiled and took the mug. “Do you need to ask, I’m barely even functioning, thanks for the coffee,” she replied with a smile. She loved coffee; she could not start her day without it.  

Wandering into the room, Kathy came to sit on the edge of her bed. “So, where did you go last night?” 

Elizabeth moved to the small desk she had in the far corner of the room. Yanking out the chair, she plopped herself on it and turned to face her friend. “I had the craziest night,” she said. “Ross came by to see me.” 

 “It’s rare for your brother to visit.” She smiled. “What did he want?” 

“You’ll never guess in a million years,” she challenged, watching Kathy. 

Her friend puffed out her chest as she thought about her question. Suddenly, she wore a sly smile. “I bet it’s about his friend,” she reasoned. 

“How did you guess?” Elizabeth said incredulously. “Has anyone ever told you you’re a teensy bit psychic?” 

Kathy shook her head and smiled. “Your brother only comes by if it’s something important. It was only reasonable to think it was because of this since it’s the only thing I know that’s happened recently.” 

Elizabeth took a sip of her drink. “You’re right as always.” She stared at the rising steam from the cup. “They let George out of the hospital, and he wants me to be his nurse.” The words came out before she could stop them. 

“Oh,” Kathy said, giving her a frown. “I hope you told him… no?” 

She shook her head and Kathy rolled her eyes at her. “It figures. You are such a wuss. I understood you hated the guy?” And, what convinced you to run into the lion’s lair?” 

Elizabeth understood her friend’s disbelief, only recently she was telling her that George was worse than Lucifer and now she was saying that she was going to help him. 

“Well, he’s paying me,” she muttered, trying to rationalise her choice. Pressing her lips together, she met Kathy’s eyes. “After I reflected about it, I realised I’m not in a position to say no, especially when Ross has asked me for a favour.” 

“Is that the only reason you’re doing it?” Her disbelief was easy to read.  

She gripped the cup tightly. “When was the last time Ross asked me for anything?” she questioned. 

“True,” Kathy agreed after a while. “Ross is not the type to ask for favours. He’s got the strong silent type thing going on.” 

Yes, her brother was just like this. It was why she wanted to help him. It was not because he told her he could lose his job. She loved her brother, and she did not want to see him suffer pain like he had done two years before when his girlfriend died in a car crash. 

“He never used to be so cold. Ever since Lisa died, he changed,” she confessed. 

“I think so too,” Kathy agreed. Her voice was soft as if at that moment she was seeing Lisa. Ross’s girlfriend had been an acquaintance of theirs, her passing had hit them hard. It still pained her even now.   

 “I wonder how long it takes for someone to get over losing the person they love?” Kathy asked, her face looking shadow. 

 “Can a person get over something that horrible?” 

Kathy shrugged. “Things would be easier if no one fell in love because loving someone is just too painful.” Her words were calm as if she were thinking of something. 

Sometimes Elizabeth considered the same thing, but she realized that it was not realistic. Deep down, she felt there must be someone out there who would cherish her.  

Edward had made her feel worthless. Even if she felt she was not, she could not shake the feeling that he was right and no one else could love her like she wanted to be loved. 

Immediately she shook off the pain of embarrassment and shame.  “Why did you bring me coffee this morning?” she asked, a grateful smile splitting her face. “What do you want?” she joked. 

 “You know me more than anyone else, you know that?” 

“Of course. We have been friends since I was eighteen. How can I not know you?” 

“Fine… Fine. I was wondering if I can borrow your black cocktail dress. I have a date with Chris tonight.” 

“It’s in the closet. Help yourself,” Elizabeth said, pointing to her wardrobe. 

Kathy went to the wardrobe and ruffled through her limited collection of evening wear. 

“When are you going to let me meet Chris?” Elizabeth asked, sweeping her friends back with a smile. 

Throwing her a glance over her shoulder, Kathy pulled out the dress and shut the wardrobe. 

“Soon. We have only gone out on a few dates. Once I realized how I felt about him, I will bring him round,” she promised. 

“I look forward to it,” Elizabeth said, finishing up her drink. 

“Thanks for this,” Kathy said. Holding up the dress to her neck. She twisted this way and that, checking to see the fit. 

“Lizzie, I forgot to tell you there’s a package downstairs for you. Did you order something?” 

Taken aback, she shook her head. “No. I wonder if mom sent me something. It was my birthday last week, but I guess she would have said if she sent something.” 

“Maybe you have a secret admirer?” Kathy laughed. 

“No way,” she replied. 

There was no way a girl like her could have a secret admirer. Men did not find her attractive that they would send her a gift, she thought. 

Curious to see what the package was, she stood. “I better go see what it is.”  

“Let me know what you got,” Kathy said as she left to go to her bedroom two doors down. 

Downstairs, she headed to the kitchen, and she wondered if she did have a secret admirer how she would feel about it. Would it be like how they portray it in the movies? Shaking off her thoughts she went to the kitchen table, the de-facto place where newspapers and letters resided until they were sorted. 

A small package was there where Kathy had left it. 

Placing her mug in the sink, she sat at the table and examined the package. 

Wrapped in red paper, the small square package was light when she picked it up. 

Curious, she began tearing at the red wrapping paper with eager hands until she held a small jewellery box in her hand. Maybe she did have a secret admirer the thought. 

With trembling fingers, she opened the box and gasped. 

“Kathy, come and look at this”, she shouted loud enough for Kathy to hear upstairs. 

She moved the box and wrapping paper out of the way and laid the blue box on the table. 

Within seconds, Kathy came jogging down the stairs. She came to stand next to her chair and stared at the open blue box. 

“Wow, is that a diamond?” 

Elizabeth stared at the ring as she nodded. “It looks like a wedding ring,” she said. 

The ring was a solitaire cut diamond in a platinum band. It was a beautiful ring and the morning sunlight coming through the curtained window glinted off it, making it sparkle. 

“Have you checked to see who sent it, was there a message with it?” 

“No,” she said, shaking her head. 

Suddenly, Kathy gasped. “You didn’t look in the box, there’s a note here.” 

It was a small white card.  

Kathy opened and read it. “You’ll never guess who this is from.” 

She guessed who sent it, even before her friend said anything. There was only one person who was sick enough to send her the wedding ring. 

 “It’s from Eddie, isn’t it?” 

Kathy bobbed her head a few times. “Why is he sending you a wedding ring? You can’t be seeing him again?” Kathy asked, her eyes wide with horror. 

“Are you crazy? After what he did to me?”  

“Lizzie, why is he sending you a ring, don’t you find it creepy when you are not in a relationship with him anymore?” 

Unable to sit still, she left the table. She put the kettle on to keep herself busy and to stop herself from wondering what Eddie’s intentions were. 

 “How does Eddie know where you live? How does he even know you’re back in London?” she asked. 

Her back stiffened, and she turned. “Do you think I told that i***t I was back here?” Her voice rose. “Last time I saw Eddie, he put me in the hospital, don’t you remember?” 

“Yes, I remember. I was the one who stopped him from killing you remember,” she reminded her. 

In an instant, the memory of Edward with his hand wrapped around her neck and a knife in one hand came to her mind and she winced. 

She felt queasy.  

Elizabeth dry heaved over the sink a few times.  

Kathy came to her and rubbed her back. “I’m sorry. I did not mean to accuse you of talking to Eddie. I’m just worried that you haven’t escaped him,” she said, pointing to the ring. “He hasn’t forgotten you. What are we going to do?” 

The first thing she wanted to do was to run and hide, but she had already done that for a year. If she did not face him and face her fears, she would never get over what he did to her.  

When she had calmed down. Kathy met her eyes. “Lizzie”, she said with a calming voice. “Maybe we should talk to Ross about this.” 

She shook her friend’s hand off. “No…I don’t want my family involved.” 

“But Lizzie, if you let this carry on it could become even more dangerous for you,” she said, her voice growing concerned. 

Kathy’s concern for her was understandable, but she needed to fight her own battles. The last time she ran away, she let him get away with hurting her. This time she would not let him hurt her again. 

Agitated, she took the seat again and examined the ring. “I need to deal with Eddie on my own. I was the one who let him hurt me in the first place,” She lifted her head and wiped a few stray tears from her face. 

Kathy took the seat across from her and placed her hands over hers. 

“If you want to do it this way, I’m always here to help you.” She gave the ring a pointed stare. “What are you going to do with this ring?” She paused. “What do you think he means by sending you this?”  

Elizabeth picked up the ring box and stared at the ring. Before, not so long ago, she would have been going crazy if he had shown her something like this. Now all the ring did was remind her of how stupid she had been.  

“He was always saying he would only marry me. I guess this is what he intended.” 

Kathy shook her head.  “Somehow I don’t feel right about this. I have a hunch it’s not so simple.” Her tone was ominous. 

“You’re right,” Elizabeth admitted. “I will post this back to his address. It wouldn’t be wise to take it back in person.” 

“I think that’s probably best,” Kathy nodded. 

Snapping the lid on the box, Elizabeth closed her eyes. 

There was a sudden throbbing began in her temples, and she rubbed it. 

Her relationship with him had been exhausting. Now she had escaped. He wanted to remind her of their time together. She could not have this happening, not when she just got her life together and was making some progress. 

“I will get this posted today. The longer I look at it, the more I’m tempted to sell it,” she muttered. “I can’t believe I spent most of my twenties with him.” 

“Well, we all make mistakes sometimes. Sometimes it takes a near-death experience before we see the truth,” Kathy said, reminding her that she could have died by his hands. 

“Yes. Sometimes it takes something drastic for you to realise there was nothing in the relationship which made you happy,” she agreed. 

“I’m glad you see sense. Always remember this, and if he ever gets in your face when you are alone, run the f**k away,” Kathy advised.  

It was sound advice. 

Kathy too had had her share of unpleasant experiences. Unlike her, Kathy ran the first time her boyfriend put his hand on her, and she had never regretted it. 

For Elizabeth, she had accepted everything Edward had said to her to make her stay. Looking back, she should have run a mile the first time too. 

In due time, she would make him pay, she promised herself, but she still needed to get stronger because deep down he had traumatised her. Broken her trust. 

He wanted to insert himself in her life again. She refused to let him hurt her again. Edward was in for a rude awakening. The Elizabeth Wilson he had left that night in the hospital was gone. This Elizabeth Wilson was no weakling. She would not let him toss her around like a piece of driftwood. This Elizabeth Wilson was nothing he had encountered before. 

The first thing she needed to do was post the ring back. Motivated, she shoved the chair back and stood.  “I’m going to get dressed. I’m meeting Christine today for a chat,” she said to Kathy.  “But first, I’m going to get this back to him. The longer I keep this here, the more he’ll believe we’re in some business together.” Elizabeth spoke, but her body was clammy from fear. 

Kathy gave her a reassuring smile. “I am here for you; you’re my bestie just tell me, and I can get someone to smash his windscreen.” 

And she would do it too. That was the kind of friend Kathy was, she was the vengeful sort. A smile played on her lips. “There’s no need to resort to that…yet.”  

“I’m just saying the offer is on the table.” 

“I’ll remember what you said,” Elizabeth said.  

As she left Kathy, she felt her eyes on her back. She was halfway up the stairs when she turned and swept her friend with a pointed stare.  “Don’t you have work today?” 

“Nope. It’s my only day off from the hospital, hence the date with Chris.” Kathy ran her hand through her long hair. 

“Ah… I got you,” Elizabeth murmured.  

Just then Kathy’s phone rang. “I’ll talk to you later,” Kathy said, as she answered the phone in a tone she reserved for her boyfriends. 

Elizabeth resumed climbing the stairs. When she got to her room, she closed the door. Leaning her head on it, she told herself to stop thinking too much. Recalling the box in her hand she glared at it.  “If I didn’t know he would take it the wrong way, I would sell you and keep the money,” she murmured before hurling it onto the bed with frustration. The box bounced a few times and landed into her rumpled duvet. “That asshole isn’t going to leave me alone,” she said to the room as she went to have a shower.