Chapter 10: He Was My Husband
1008words
I shuffled into the living room, Gabriel following close behind. 'Ma'am, are you okay?" he asked.
I chuckled softly. 'Am I okay?" I murmured, turning to face him. 'Do I look okay, Gabriel?"
'I'm sorry, ma'am."
'No, I'm asking you. Do I look okay?"
'No, you don't. You look distressed," he admitted.
'Exactly. I should be fine. I'm not that weak woman anymore, right? He can't make me weak. I won't allow it. I'm going to show him that the Scarlett he once knew no longer exists. I'm not emotional; I'm merciless," I said, more to myself than to him.
'Ma'am, can you calm down? Who are you talking about?"
'Can you stay with me tonight, please?"
'What? Why?"
'I don't know. I just want to forget. I need to get back to my senses, and only you can help me. Please, don't say no," I pleaded.
He hesitated for a moment before sighing. 'Fine, as you wish, but nothing will happen," he stated firmly.
I smiled faintly. 'You won't say no when I need you."
'Good evening, ma'am," Elenita greeted, approaching us.
'Yes? Where is my daughter?"
'She is asleep, ma'am. May I speak with you, please?" Elenita responded.
'What is it?" I asked, my patience wearing thin.
'I just received a call from my brother, ma'am. My stepmother is sick, and she needs me. Can you allow me to go, please?" she begged.
'No. You are not permitted."
'Ma'am!" Gabriel exclaimed.
I raised my hand to silence him. 'As long as she's your stepmother, she has nothing good to offer you. Pray she dies quickly," I declared, heading upstairs.
'Please, ma'am," Elenita cried out.
'What was that all about, ma'am? How could you say such a thing?" Gabriel hurried after me.
'You don't understand stepmothers because you don't have one," I said coldly.
'But you can't hate all stepmothers because of your experience. You can't stop that poor woman from seeing her stepmother. That's unfair."
I entered my room and stopped him at the door. 'You don't know what fairness is, Gabriel. I don't want you around anymore. Peace out," I said, shutting the door in his face.
'You are better than this, ma'am. Good night," he said, and I heard his footsteps retreating. I slid down the door, untied my hair, and fought back my tears.
***
I sat across from two men and a woman in a restaurant. They were from Reyes Legacy Jewels; a brand ambassador, a marketing manager, and a partnership specialist. The best from the company.
I observed them for a minute before clearing my throat. 'I won't take much of your time. Thank you for accepting my invitation. I will get straight to the point. I want you all to work for me," I said.
'I appreciate the offer, ma'am, but I'm employed," one of them replied, and the others nodded in agreement.
'It seems you don't understand. I'm not asking for your opinions. I'm telling you what I want. I know you're loyal to Reyes Legacy Jewels. You've been with them for over a decade. You know the company inside and out, and that's precisely why I want you to work for me. Don't worry about the pay; my company is new in the country, but whatever Reyes pays you, I will double it, plus more exciting benefits," I explained.
They exchanged uneasy glances. 'We are sorry, ma'am, but we are satisfied with our current jobs."
'There's no going back. Once I choose you, I must have you. And if you refuse, consider yourselves jobless, because I will make sure you are thrown out of Reyes Legacy Jewels by the time you return on Monday. Call this number when you have made up your mind," I stated, standing up.
'You can't do that. What right do you have to force us?"
I ignored their protests.
'What are you up to this time?" Gabriel asked as I stepped outside.
'Nothing much, trust me," I replied, getting into the car.
'Razi called, ma'am," Gabriel said as he started driving.
'Why? Is she okay?" I asked sharply.
'Calm down, ma'am. She's fine. She left her tablet in your room and wanted to take it to school."
'I was holding it this morning. How did I forget?"
'You are stressed out, ma'am. You need a break," Gabriel suggested.
I chuckled bitterly. 'What do I need a break for? Who's going to take care of my business?"
'This revenge is consuming you. Can't you just forgive them?"
'I will say this one last time, Gabriel. You don't know me, you don't know my family, except for Razi, and you certainly don't know why I have to change those people's minds."
'But you are taking it too far."
'I haven't even started, Gabriel. I'm just sharpening my weapon."
'You have to take it easy, ma'am."
'The version of me you're talking about died years ago. Do you want to know why Razi calls me ‘Miss' instead of ‘Mom'?"
'I have always wondered."
'She's angry because I gave her to a friend to care for her when she was just three years old," I said, the memory causing my eyes to water.
'And why would you do such a thing?"
'I separated myself from my child because I wanted her to have a better life. She would have suffered if I had kept her with me. You don't know what life threw at me back then, Gabriel. Do you know the pain of being separated from your child? I couldn't even visit her because Mr. Hernandez Davarosa wouldn't let me," I explained, tears streaming down my face. I quickly wiped them away.
'Mr. Hernandez Davarosa? Are there two of him?"
'No. In Mexico, there's only one of him."
Gabriel suddenly pulled over. 'Goodness gracious! How did you get involved with such a man?"
'If you are on the streets and desperate, meeting him isn't far-fetched. Besides, he was my husband," I added. Gabriel turned to look at me, his face as pale as snow.
