Second Chances

2. Elton

"Travis, I don't want to be disturbed for the next 30 minutes. Everything needs to be postponed and if there is anyone to meet me, ask them to come tomorrow. I do not want any disturbance, is that clear?" Elton said in a stern voice as he massaged his temples.

His assistant, Travis, replied in the affirmative and left him alone. He knew better than to say anything other than what was asked of him.

The moment he heard the door close, Elton opened his eyes and took a long sip of water. This was always the case whenever Adrianna's father called. He used to like that man, but everything changed after the marriage. Or particularly when he had witnessed how Jeffery had insinuated that he would withdraw his capital and all Morgan association with their company if Elton were to divorce his daughter. Adrianna - that girl had brought nothing but bad luck with her.

Since her arrival in his life, he had so many fights with Esther, his love, who had almost decided to break up with him. Fortunately, he had managed to convince her otherwise, stating that this was nothing but a marriage of convenience for him and his so called wife, that they both liked different people and were in this sham marriage only to please their parents. Of course, Esther was a woman who had immense self-respect and pride. She refused to be a homewrecker, and had only budged when their common friend circle had convinced her that this was all an elaborate scheme on Adrianna's part to have Elton all to himself.

He took another sip of water as he recalled all the time he had been rude to Adrianna, ignored her very existence, had also ended up gaslighting her on a few occasions. And yet here they were, about to complete a year of being in this pathetic marriage. He wanted a break from her, from being tied down. He would rather spend weeks on end with his love, but she had been firm on not staying together until their divorce was finalised. He had worked around this principle of hers quite a few times, but it was evident that beyond a point, Esther refused to indulge him because he was still married! All these troubles because of that stupid girl! And her arrogant, obnoxious father!

He needed a break, all these thoughts about the father-daughter duo were exhausting and distracting. He couldn't really work now, as he got up and prepared to leave. He called his close friends, making plans to meet at their regular pub. He also let Travis know that he was free to leave for the day. Once his friends had confirmed their availability, he shut down his laptop and dialled Esther's number, only to be disappointed as the call went unanswered.

***

"Hey, what's up, bro!"

"Yeah man, after a long time!"

Elton had reached the pub in twenty minutes, but was still late as almost everyone had reached before him. Paul, Keith, Daniel, and Elton had known each other since high school. They had been a boisterous bunch of high schoolers, their grades being the only saving grace. Among the four, Paul had come with Maisie, his girlfriend and Daniel's cousin who was also a part of the group since high school. Keith and Daniel were ladies' men, both known among the group for their aversion to commitments. They also knew Esther, who had joined their school as a sophomore.

"Danny is late again, isn't he?" Elton asked as he seated himself next to Keith.

"A walking skirt must have distracted him," Paul joked as everyone burst out laughing.

"Stop talking about him like that, you guys." Maisie reprimanded them. She didn't like the way they thought of her brother, particularly when Daniel was anything but a womaniser. However, Daniel had no problem with the group misunderstanding him and hence she had never spoken in his defence in this matter. Steering the topic away from her brother, she looked at Elton and asked, "How have you been?"

"Hanging in there."

"That bad, huh?"

"You don't know the half of it. Daddy's little princess is a pain in my ass!" Elton grumbled.

"So why don't your parents do anything? I mean, don't they want to see their only son happy?"

"That's the problem! She is Ms Goody Two Shoes whenever my parents are around! Heck, even I am baffled by the sudden change in her behaviour!" Elton lied. He had been lying to his friends since the day the news of his alliance with Adrianna had broken out. He needed his friends to support him, and maybe, just maybe, pitch in to convince Esther that he was a victim trapped in a loveless, forced marriage. If his friends and love were to know that Adrianna was nothing like he had portrayed her, Esther would have walked away from his life and his friends would have made sure that he respected her decision and stayed away from her.

"Okay, why don't you divorce her then? It is clear that you are suffering. She needs to realise that hers is a one-sided infatuation which has gone too far."

"Well.... I can't. That b***h has trapped my family well. I overheard her father threaten dad that if I were to divorce her, they would pull out their capital and make our condition worse than it was before."

"Oh dear!"

"So my only hope now is Adrianna initiating a divorce. I..."

"Is that why we read about your alleged rendezvous in the media?" Paul asked.

Elton simply nodded as a server came over to take his order.

"Why don't you try something better than that, man? Up the ante," Keith casually suggested as he chugged down his beer.

"What are you talking about?" Elton was puzzled. What exactly did this guy have in mind? What else could he possibly do to make Adrianna divorce him? Raise his hand? He didn't believe in such behaviour but then...

"Why don't you simply hi..."

"Hey, guys! I finally made it!" Came Daniel's cheerful voice, ending the talk abruptly and distracting everyone.

"Yes, you finally made it. Where the f**k were you? We have been over here for the past 40 minutes," Paul complained as Daniel seated himself next to Maisie, who gave him a side hug.

"Sorry, I was busy coordinating for a trip. Didn't realise how time flew," he sheepishly admitted.

"A female planner?" Keith teased.

"You bet!" Daniel flashed a bright smile.

Everyone laughed out loud when Elton spoke, "But didn't you just come back from backpacking through India?"

"Yeah... but I need a break from all that backpacking. A dash of luxury would do me some good," Daniel cheekily responded as he lit his cigarette, making Maisie scrunch her nose in disapproval.

"You are leaving all the beauties for me! Thanks, man," Keith joked.

Daniel let out a throaty laugh as he took a long drag on his cigarette. "I'm going after exotic beauties."

"So where are you off to this time?" Maisie asked.

"British Virgin islands," he stated matter-of-factly.

Elton choked on his drink upon hearing his response as Keith patted his back to help him. "You have booked an entire island?"

"I wanted to, but..."

"But you realised if you keep on spending like this, you won't have much money. And that will affect how girls perceive you, because let's face it, you look like a baboon, your money is your only charm," Paul jested, receiving a playful punch from Maisie.

"A baboon who also has his father's money to fall back on," Daniel joked as the group talked about other things, not once touching upon the topic of Elton's marriage to enjoy the evening.