Chapter 17: Five Abortions
1215words
The sound of my fingers hitting the keyboard echoed through the office, reflecting the anger and frustration I felt.
"Sir?"
A voice called out faintly, but I ignored it, focusing on my work.
"Mr. Nathan?" Joy's tap on the desk startled me.
"What?" I snapped, pulling off my headphones.
"I'm sorry, Sir," she quickly apologized.
"What do you want?"
"It's about the staff, Sir."
"What about them?" I tried to relax.
"Five of our major staff members submitted their resignation letters today," she said.
"What? Why? Who resigns like that?"
"I'm not sure, Sir."
"Gather the staff; I need to have a meeting with them."
"Right away, Sir," she said before flitting out of my office.
I slammed my fist on the desk, sending my headphones flying.
I slouched into the house, exhausted. Dropping my briefcase on the floor, I sank into the couch. My mother wheeled her chair to my side and touched my hand. I flinched at her touch.
"What's the matter, Son? Is everything okay at the company?" she asked softly.
I pulled my hand away. "That's all you care about, Mother. Can't you ask about me without bringing up the company?" I snapped.
"No, Son. You are misunderstanding..."
"I'm not misunderstanding anything. You don't care about me, and it hurts. I'm just a tool to you. You prioritize the company over me, your own son! Everything that's happening is your fault."
"Why are you talking to me like that?"
"How should I talk to you, Mother? You ruined my life by putting the company above my happiness. The only thing you have done for me is give me life," I lashed out.
"Enough, Nathaniel!" she snapped. "I am still your mother, and you will watch your tone. Don't forget my sacrifices for you. I saved..."
"You saved me from a fire, and now you are in a wheelchair," I finished her sentence.
I rubbed my forehead and stood up. "You always say that, Mother. You chose to sacrifice yourself for me, but that doesn't mean I have to live my life by your wishes. I gave up my dreams for you. I became something I never wanted to be because of you. I betrayed the love of my life because I was following your orders. What more do you want from me? Should I kill myself to repay you? I have had enough. I'm tired," I poured out, then headed upstairs.
"I only wanted the best for you, Son. Where did I go wrong?" she cried.
I ignored her.
"Right on time, my love," Everleigh greeted me, embracing me as I entered the bedroom. "You haven't been taking my calls. Why?"
I pulled away and shoved her aside, dropping on the bed. "Why were you calling?"
She smiled, lying beside me and propping herself up on her elbow.
"Can't I call my sweet, loving hubby? I was just worried. I didn't see you before you left this morning," she said, caressing my cheek.
"Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you want."
"Fine, can I get a million pesos?" she asked, running her fingers through my hair.
"And why would I give you that much?" I sat up.
"Come on, my love. I was about to order from Amazon, but I don't have enough. I have a million pesos, but I need two for my shopping."
"I'm sure your dad would be happy to give you the money," I said, taking off my suit.
She pouted, wrapping her arms around my neck.
"You know he will try to convince me to start a modeling company or take over his business, right? I hate all of that. I promise, this is the only time I will ask you for money. I have submitted applications to all the modeling agencies I know. I will be back on my feet soon. Please."
"You don't have to strangle me to get the money," I unwrapped her arms from my neck. "I have sent it."
"Really?" She quickly checked her phone. "Oh my God! You sent two million! That means I saved a million!" While she spun across the floor in delight, I quietly went into the bathroom.
"My love, you have a message!" Everleigh called out a few minutes later.
I returned to the bedroom to find her holding my phone. Her hands were shaking, and I could hear her heart pounding.
"What's wrong? What message is that?" I reached for the phone, but she jerked back, hiding it behind her.
"It's… it's nobody," she stuttered. "Can you tell me your password, please?" she asked, sounding terrified.
"Give me my phone, Ever. I'm not in the mood for your drama," I said, closing the distance between us.
She backed toward the door. "Tell me your password, or I will smash the phone," she threatened, dangling it in her hand.
I ran my fingers through my hair and chuckled. "What's your problem, Ever? Have you lost your mind?"
She didn't say a word. I took a deep breath and called her bluff, "Smash the phone."
I sat at the desk to finish some office work.
"Just tell me your goddamn password, please," she cried, jumping up in frustration.
An email popped up on my laptop.
"Your doctor just sent me an email. Are you sick?" I asked.
She gasped. "No, you can't see that," she flitted to my side, trying to snatch the laptop off the desk. I pushed her back, and she fell to the floor.
"Ouch!" she cried.
"You always make me hurt you," I said nonchalantly, checking the email.
"I'm deeply sorry, my love. Please forgive me. I promise to confess," she sobbed before I could speak. I swiveled the chair to face her.
"Tell me the doctor is joking, Everleigh," I struggled to contain my anger.
"I'm sorry. I thought you would be angry if you found out I was pregnant. I didn't know what to do."
"That's a lie!" I leaped up in fury. "Five abortions, Everleigh! You killed five innocent babies. What is wrong with you?"
"You don't love me, Nathan. I didn't want to bring a child into this world only to see the lost connection between us. I didn't want an unhappy child yearning for your love as I have for the past nine years. You never gave me a reason to have your child," she sobbed.
"Are you listening to yourself? How could you assume I wouldn't love my child because you gave birth? Did you ever think that maybe having a child would bring us closer? For nine solid years, you have been killing my babies. You are so evil and despicable. I hate you right now," I vented, storming to the closet.
"I'm deeply sorry, please. I didn't want to take advantage of you with a child," she groveled, crawling toward me.
"Don't you dare touch me!" I jerked my leg away from her.
"I was just scared."
I zipped my bag, grabbed my laptop, and picked up my phone from the floor.
"I don't want to see you near me again," I declared, heading out.
"Where are you going? You can't leave me, please," she pleaded, hurrying after me. I pushed her away and slammed the door at her face.
