The Untouchable Bride

Episode 7: Ronald’s Resolve

As the days passed, Ronald’s affection for Ella deepened, and their bond grew stronger. It wasn’t just love; it was a profound respect they had for each other. They laughed, chatted, and took on household chores together, watching movies and creating a harmonious atmosphere. Despite his demanding work commitments, Ronald was unwavering in his dedication to spending quality time with Ella.

One fateful morning, as Ronald left for work, he was met by his ever-dutiful secretary, Eric, whose usually composed demeanour was marked by a grave expression as soon as he entered the office building. Ronald, sensing something amiss, inquired with a hint of trepidation, "What's the matter this time, Eric?" As they began to walk towards the elevator, Eric hesitated momentarily, then posed a delicate question, "Do you prefer to hear the good news or the bad news first?" Ronald, seemingly unshaken, responded, "Let's start with the good news."

A wry smile tugged at the corner of Ronald's lips when Eric mentioned the successful acquisition from the Stephens. This was a triumph that had long been awaited. Yet, the serenity of that moment was fleeting, as Eric's next words cast a shadow over Ronald's countenance.

"The bad news," Eric continued, now standing closer to Ronald, "concerns your wife."

Ronald stiffened but smiled nevertheless. “what is it?”. He asked as they both entered the elevator. "eer.... he began as he got closer and he shared the disturbing news about the incident at the local market, where Ella had been unfairly mistreated and ostracized by the shopkeepers weeks ago.

The grim revelation Eric shared sent a seismic tremor through Ronald's being. As they proceeded to his office, his frustration and anger swelled within him, leaving him no choice but to vent his emotions. He balled his hand into a fist and slammed it against the wall, a physical manifestation of his turmoil. The injustice Ella had suffered at the hands of the local market's shopkeepers, an incident that had transpired weeks ago. It was an act of cruelty and prejudice that had cast Ella into a sea of isolation.

Fury coursed through Ronald's veins. He couldn't fathom how the very community he had been an integral part of had turned its back on his beloved wife. The honour and dignity of his family were in jeopardy, and he refused to let this injustice stand unchallenged. He turned to Eric, his tone resolute, "Contact Aaron immediately and inform him that I intend to call in the favour he owes me."

Having witnessed Ronald's anger on previous occasions, Eric was nonetheless struck by the intensity of his determination this time. As he hastened to fulfil his task, he made a mental note to be especially considerate to his spouse, knowing that he had just witnessed the depths of Ronald's commitment to righting this grievous wrong.

Ronald's phone rang, and with a sense of reluctance, he picked up the call. Aaron's voice emanated from the device, its tone carrying a tinge of gratitude and understanding. "I genuinely don't believe that this compensates for the favour you extended to me," Aaron expressed. "But my investigations align with the details you provided. She was, indeed, exiled from the community. However, there appears to be one elderly woman who offered her assistance. It seems she was the sole exception. What course of action are you considering?"

Ronald's response was punctuated by a deep, unsteady breath as he navigated the swirling tempest of emotions. He lowered himself into his office chair before continuing, "What do I want to do? What do you think?" The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on him. "The standard approach may not suffice this time," Ronald mused, his head shaking subtly. "If they have decided that my wife doesn't deserve access to their market simply because she's my wife, then I'm left with no choice. I'll need to pull out all of my investments from there. Are you on board with this?" "Always as ever" Aaron replied then hung up.

Hours later, as Ronald prepared to leave his office, he was confronted by the very shopkeepers who had been greatly impacted by his decision to withdraw investments from the local market. These businesses depended on his financial support, and their survival was now at risk. They gathered around him, desperation and concern etched on their faces.

"Why did you suddenly withdraw your investments?" one shopkeeper implored. Others chimed in, their voices laden with worry. "We need that support to survive." "Can you at least give us a reason so we can address it?" "Please, Mr. Ronald, help us understand."

Ronald paused, a heavy burden weighing on his shoulders. He had expected this confrontation, but it didn't make it any easier. Clearing his throat, he finally spoke, his voice tinged with a mixture of frustration and disappointment. "Do I need to spell it out for you? Figure it out yourselves." With that, he continued on his way to his car, leaving the shopkeepers in a state of shock and confusion.

Ella walked aimlessly along the roadside, her steps heavy with disappointment and anger. Her day had taken a disastrous turn when she walked into work, only to be greeted by the grim faces of her superiors. She hadn't expected what came next. As she tried to negotiate, her voice laced with desperation, they had terminated her employment without a chance for her to explain.

"Why are you doing this?" Ella had pleaded, her eyes filled with confusion and sadness. "I've been a dedicated employee. I deserve an explanation."

Her immediate supervisor, Ms. Anderson, had coldly replied, "You should have thought about the consequences before marrying Ronald. We can't have a scandal-prone employee representing our company."

Ella's voice quivered as she responded, "But this has nothing to do with my work. I've always kept my personal life separate from my professional life."

Another colleague, Mr. Harrison, joined in, his tone condescending. "Ella, you should have known better. Marrying into that family was your choice. Now you have to live with the consequences."

The injustice of the situation left Ella feeling both helpless and infuriated. She had devoted her time and effort to her job, and it was heartbreaking to see her career ruined because of her marriage to Ronald. As she walked along the roadside, her mind raced with questions. Had she truly fallen so low in the eyes of these people? What was wrong with them, blacklisting her simply because of her life partner? The weight of the world seemed to be pressing down on her shoulders, and she questioned whether she could ever find a way to regain the respect and dignity she had lost.

Ella was in a state of despair as she walked along the roadside, her thoughts consumed by the recent turn of events. She contemplated calling her friend Bene for some solace and advice. Just as she was about to dial Bene's number, her phone rang, displaying Ronald's name on the screen. She hesitated for a moment before answering.

"Hello," she greeted, her voice wavering with uncertainty.

"It seems you're outside," Ronald observed from the other end of the line.

Ella offered a quick excuse, "Oh, yeah, I came out for some fresh air."

"I'm on my way home now," Ronald informed her.

"Already?" Ella asked, her surprise evident.

"Yes," he responded, amusement lacing his voice. "I can't wait to see your beautiful face when I get home. Take your time; there's no rush. Just be safe."

As Ronald ended the call, The driver leaned in and whispered to Ronald, "Sir, that seems to be the Madam over there." he noticed Ella on the roadside, her face streaked with tears.

Ronald's brows furrowed as he glanced out of the car window, spotting Ella's tear-stained face. "What the..." he muttered to himself, his heart heavy with concern. He instructed the driver to pull over and approached Ella, ready to offer comfort and support her.