Second Chances

13. Adrianna

"Would you step aside so that I can enter?" Adrianna asked with as much confidence as she could muster, not willing to give him the satisfaction of seeing her hurt. God knows on how many occasions he has derived pleasure from insulting her or making fun of her.

When he didn't and still kept on looking at her, she let out a sigh and stepped forward, pushing the door slightly to enter the house. She stopped walking mid-way when she took in the decorations. If the voice that she heard hadn't been enough to make her guess, these decorations were a crystal clear indication of who was in the house and what Elton and she had likely been doing. Without bothering to spend more time mulling over things, Adrianna swiftly started walking towards her room, when she heard Elton speak. "W... What are you doing here?"

Adrianna looked over her shoulder. "I believe I can ask you the same thing, but I haven't. How about you mind your own business and I mind mine? Carry on with your party," and she immediately entered her room and locked her door, the adrenaline rush slowly leaving her body. She had been firm on discussing things with him before entering the room, she had prepped herself for the conversation, but what did she do? Tuck her tail between her legs and seek refuge in her room, while also being acutely aware of the fact that her husband's love was also under the same roof! What was wrong with her? Why was she such a coward?

***

Adrianna had thought that last night would be one of those painful ones but that hadn't been the case. Maybe it was her journey that had made her exhausted. Now, as she sat on the dining table with her bowl of cereal and a glass of juice, she realised that she was in a much better state of mind and was glad that they didn't end up having the talk yesterday. That thought made her realise something and she immediately looked around, surprised to find no trace of what she had seen last night. She raised her eyebrows and shrugged as she turned around to focus on her breakfast.

"Well, well, well. Look who is up and about. Her Highness is calmly having her breakfast after creating a storm the night before," came Elton's scathing taunt as she was about to take a sip of her juice. Scared by his sudden appearance, she hastily cleaned the spilled juice while trying to maintain her composure.

"No, just who do you think you are, please tell me. You embarrass me in public, before my parents... I really want to know. Is that what your father taught you? To get your money's worth by humiliating me?" Elton calmly taunted again, as he proceeded to take a seat opposite her and continued, "You know, for the first time in so many months, I finally felt at peace, I was finally happy but you had to come along and spoil it. Again. You derive some sadistic pleasure from my miseries, don't you?"

Tears pooled in Adrianna's eyes as his calm tone but scathing words hurt her. Before she could realise anything, she ended up blurting, "Wh... Why do you even hate me so much?"

"I'm sorry, what? Did you just ask why I hate you so much? Great, another act now. So what exactly did daddy dearest ask his little princess to do? Make your husband more miserable? Make him grovel at your feet if he wants his company back? Just who do you think you both are? What did I ever do for you to make my life a living hell?"

And just like that, a tear rolled down her cheek, making her look down.

"Did I make daddy's little princess cry? Aww! Why don't you f*****g divorce me then if you are suffering so much, huh?" He taunted again, moving a bit closer to her over the dining table. "I finally had my love beside me, you know. But then you had to come along. Just why the f**k don't you understand that you are not needed?!" Elton raised his voice as he uttered the latter part.

"Answer me! Why the f**k would you waltz into MY house at any f*****g time without informing anyone? Who the f**k do you think you are? Just because your ass of a father lent money, you don't have the right to parade around as if you own this place! Do you f*****g understand? Answer me God dammit!" And he banged his palm on the table, frightening her again.

Adrianna murmured something, her head still bowed low.

"You need to be louder, daddy's spoilt princess. I can't f*****g hear you!"

"I said, watch your tone and your words," Adrianna said it a bit louder this time, but still not that audible.

"So this is what it has come to? An attitude after going out for a few days? Ha! Unbelievable. If you don't like me speaking the truth, just get the f**k out of my house and never show your ugly face again!" He thundered.

"You have no right to talk to me like that," Adrianna responded, with what seemed like a protest.

"Oh yeah? Because you think your f*****g dad paid for all this?" And he pointed around to emphasise his point.

"You are damn right about that! Never forget what he did for you and this family. And if I were you, I would think twice before saying anything against me or my father," she retorted, having lost her cool. She could take anything on her, but on her dad? That was where she drew the line and Elton had crossed that line today.

"Some f*****g nerve you have there!"

"Watch your language and tone, mister. How dare you even stand in front of me and accuse my family irrationally while you have been a disappointment to everyone around you?" Adrianna looked him in the eye, her own eyes blazing with fury. She saw him open his mouth to say something but beat him to it. "I would weigh my next words carefully if I were you. You have three days, Elton, three days to get your act straight. And don't ever think I will forget what you said about my father. I promise you, Elton Scott, you will pay for this. And I won't hold back for anyone. Three days, remember." And Adrianna stormed out of the kitchen, thinking back to yesterday evening when her naivety had got the best of her and she had requested her father to make changes to the contract. As Elton's words replayed in her head, she was glad her father wasn't swayed by her emotions and kept the terms same, which stated that Adrianna would be entitled to the profit that would be earned on the sum loaned by the Morgans to Scott Enterprises, along with being the owner of 30% shares, which was much higher than Elton's share of 15.

Adrianna banged the door shut as she entered her room. The talk hadn't turned out the way she wanted, she didn't get to tell him that she would be joining office within three days, that she was also being made the acting co-CEO of Scott Enterprises, which was something that her father said Marvin had insisted upon.

She didn't know where she got the courage to talk to him like that. But then maybe, it was high time she did. She was finally seeing Elton for who he was, and her impulse reaction had been to divorce him and see him ruined, but the terms of the contract were still fresh in her mind and she didn't want Marvin or Lisa to go through any hardship. They were good people with a horrible son.