Four | Walking Into The Lion’s Den
1777 Words
Renee's POV
Beep.. Beep.. Beep..
I woke up to the sound of my alarm clock.
A feeling of dread and sadness struck me as quickly as my eyes had opened, and I nearly wished that I hadn't even woken up.
The dreaded day was finally here.
The thought of meeting Mr. Da Silva filled me with an empowering anger and an overpowering weakness at the same time. I didn’t even know how to react.
I just knew that I was repulsed by the thought of him even nearing me.
After an eternity of seconds spent lying there, hoping that the day would magically rewind itself to yesterday, I sat up, and peered out the window.
It was still a bit dark outside, I noted, getting out of bed.
The shower was warm but quick, and I chose a simple cream gown to go with a little makeup.
After a few steadying breaths in front of my mirror, I left the room to meet my father.
He was in his room.
Maria-Lucia was helping him put the finishing touches on his jacket, and I came over to help him adjust his tie.
“You’re gonna make him pay for everything,” he whispered.
“Don’t forget that.”
I hesitated, but gave him a small smile before setting up his tie, and stepping away.
Afterward, we went down to have breakfast.
“What’s this?” Father asked, upon sighting the small portions of food on the table.
“This is all we have money for, sir,” Maria-Lucia answered sadly.
“I haven’t even been paid for a while now,” she added tentatively.
“Why didn’t you say something?” I asked, coming to rest a hand on her shoulder.
“I promise I’ll handle everything, don’t you worry,” I assured her, and Maria-Lucia smiled sadly, nodding.
She looked like she wanted to say something, but I didn't want to be too pushy to draw it from her.
Then my father spoke.
“All you have to do is sign the contract with Mr. Da Silva, and we won’t have to worry about these things anymore,” he said, and repulsion immediately crawled all over my skin.
I shuddered.
“It’s not as easy as it seems dad,” I replied through clenched teeth.
“All you have to do is sign the contract,” he replied matter-of-factly.
But I wasn't having it.
Regardless of everything, I wasn't going to be gaslighted into downplaying the sacrifice being demanded of me.
“Easy for you to say,” I scoffed.
“You’re not the one signing her life away here,” I shot back.
“No,” he got up, leaving his food there.
“But I’m the one who’s lost everything, aren’t I?”
There, he said it again. Like I wasn't a Del Monte. Like these losses weren't mine as well.
“Did I not lose too?” I asked, ignoring the tears that stung my eyes.
“You keep acting like I’m not part of this family. Like I’m some disposable member.”
“Five years ago, you made the decision to run away, Renee. No one forced you,” he replied offhandedly.
I scoffed.
“Clearly your memory of 5 years ago is very different from mine,” I retorted.
“I’ll be in my car,” he said with a note of finality, and left.
As much as I hated it, I couldn't help feeling like I had a share of the blame here. Maybe if I hadn't left 5 years ago, then things would've been different.
It was these feelings of guilt that compelled me to be here, and right now, they were walking me out to the car.
***
The drive to the Da Silva Industries HQ was a very quiet one.
The massive building stood in the center of several other massive buildings in an expansive compound.
As I rolled the car to a stop, I stared at the massive “Da Silva” at the top of the building with eyes filled with hatred and scorn.
Just wait, I thought to myself, gripping the steering wheel so hard, my knuckles turned white.
A knock on my window startled me, breaking me from the reverie.
I glanced at his uniform and pushed a button so that the glass between us lowered.
“Good morning, ma’am. I’m from the valet service. May I?”
“Of course,” I replied stiffly, and got down; then followed my father into the building.
As much as I hated to admit it, the interior was just as grand as the exterior.
“Good morning,” a lady about my age greeted us at the front desk.
“How may I help you?” She asked.
“I am Ariel Del Monte. This is my daughter, Renee Del Monte. We have an appointment with Mr. Da Silva.”
“Okay,” she replied. “With Mr. A or Mr. B?”
We exchanged glances…
What did she mean by…?
“I’m sorry what?” I asked, voicing out our confusion while leaning in.
“Pardon me,” she apologized with a smile. “We have two Mr. Da Silvas. Mr. Antonio and Mr. Bruno. Hence the A and B monikers,” she explained gently.
“Oh, okay,” I replied, nodding, while wondering whose idea that was.
“Father?” I asked.
“Our appointment is with Mr. Antonio Da Silva,” he replied sternly, and I chuckled dryly.
I expected that.
“Mr. A,” I said.
“Alright, I just confirmed that,” the receptionist smiled at me.
“Take the elevator to the top floor. I’ll call ahead, so his PA knows you're coming.”
“Alright,” I nodded.
“Anything else?”
“Yeah, take these,” she handed us two tags.
“Walk through the security doors over there to sign in, and take the elevator at the end of the hall. That one goes exclusively to the top floor. Have a nice day,” she smiled again.
My father just grabbed his tag and walked off, scowling while I took mine with a small smile for the lady, then followed him.
“She’s not Mr. Antonio dad, you didn’t have to be harsh,” I said as we walked through the security doors.
He just grunted and increased his pace.
We did as we were advised and took the elevator to the top.
The elevator opened into a beautiful reception area with panoramic views of the city.
It was breathtaking.
Too bad the man here was not, I thought to myself with a dry chuckle.
An older dark skinned lady looked up at us as we stepped out.
“You must be Ariel and Renee Del Monte,” she smiled tightly at my father.
“Mr. Antonio is waiting in his office.”
Her name tag read; Pamela.
My father walked on, towards the door, while I took one step and froze.
This was it. I was finally coming face to face with the man that had taken it all from us.
I felt like a lifesize anchor was just dropped on my chest.
It felt so constricted that I could barely even breathe.
Unconsciously, I clenched my jaw, reminding myself of how different my life would be if this guy hadn’t come into it.
Tears stung the corners of my eyes once again, and I squeezed them shut, before anyone could see me cry.
Why are you crying? They would ask.
It was simple. Rather than being here to put a bullet in his head, I was here to submit to his terms, to agree to a marriage of convenience. To bend to his will, and nothing hurt me more than the constant feeling of powerlessness a man I had never even met managed to effortlessly inflict on me.
I opened my eyes again, my vision was blurred slightly by the little droplets of tears, and found my father at the door, watching me standing there, shaking slightly.
“Renee?” He asked, tilting his head to one side as he approached.
“No,” I managed, faltering.
“I can’t… I just can’t do this,” I whispered.
A tear quickly slipped out. I immediately turned and fled.
***
Renee’s POV
I stood in the bathroom watching my reflection.
My eyes were a bit red and puffy.
But I’d wiped the tears away.
I breathed deeply, and my body rocked with emotion.
I couldn’t face anyone like this.
“I need you…” I whispered, reaching for my bag.
I grabbed my phone and dialed Chidi’s line.
It connected on the first ring.
“Renee, what’s up?” Chidi greeted me warmly.
“Is Jeremy there?” I asked quickly.
“Yeah, I’ll put him on,” she said.
Then there was a slight scuffle just before I heard the one word I needed to hear.
“Mom?” He said, and a soothing calmness washed over me.
It was like a pill, the effect he had on me.
I shut my eyes, and sniffed as tears slipped out, letting the word reverberate in my head.
“I miss you so much,” I whispered, a smile spreading across my lips.
“I miss you too mom,” he replied, smiling.
“When are you coming home?” He asked, and I felt it gnaw at her heart.
“Soon, my love. I just have a few things to take care of, and I’ll run home to you,” I replied, and he chuckled, sending another smile across my lips.
“I just needed to hear your voice, baby. Be good, okay?”
“Okay,” he replied.
“Bye, mom.”
“Bye, my love,” I replied, and hung up.
Then I reapplied my makeup, and stepped out, ready to face anything.
My father was with another man whose very attractive back was to me.
“Antonio, here she is,” his PA announced, and I froze as he turned to face me.
I immediately gasped as my gaze connected with those eyes, and I felt all the air get knocked out of me in an instant.
No, it can’t be…
Nothing could have prepared me for this.
My bag slipped from my arm, and fell to the ground.
It felt like every single thing I'd been running from for 5 years had finally ganged up on me and there was no way out.
I shook my head in disbelief.
No, there was no way. It couldn't be.
“You?!” I cried.
- Writer
