Emile woke up with the first rays of sunlight. She hummed a tune as she busied herself in the kitchen making breakfast. Her steps were lighter with the joy of determination after a torturous night of self-evaluation and reminiscing. She finished her breakfast and left home without waiting for the Daniel to wake up.
Daniel however was already awake. He lifted his eyebrows curiously as he heard the happy humming coming from outside. But he didn’t get up as Michelle was sleeping nestled in his embrace.
Emile first visited her grandfather trusted aide, Lawyer Hee and spent the whole morning discussing and drafting her next steps. In the afternoon she visited grandpa Holston.
“Grandpa, I am here to visit you.” Emile stood at the entrance of the living room after the butler had announced her arrival.
“Come… come….” Grandpa Holston waved his wrinkled hand as he invited her enthusiastically. Emile walked over and sat next to him with a polite smile “How are you feeling, Grandpa?”
“All the more better now that you have come to visit me.” Grandpa Holston laughed as he sized her up but soon stopped laughing. His face turned serious as he looked at the girl in front of him who has lost all her liveliness except for the fake smile which hung on her face. “But I suppose this is the last time I will see you as my grand daughter-in-law, isn’t it?”
He knew… he was not some senile old man. He knew very well what his unscrupulous grandson had been doing…. Aha… he regretted it… he harmed his best friend grandchild.
“Grandpa… I ….” Emile suddenly lost all the courage and determination she had worked up all night.
“Ai… aha…” Grandpa Holston sighed as he held her hand and gently patted “Child, I have wronged you. I thought my grandson would become enlightened…. Aaii… I have wronged you…. I don’t even know what face I have to face my dear Danton… He must be jumping around in his grave…”
“Child, I will support what ever decision you have made.” Grandpa Holston looked into her eyes with determination “That unfilial son of mine doesn’t deserve Danton’s treasure. Forgive this old man’s greed that caused you to suffer.”
“It’s all in the past.” Emile smiled although she couldn’t get rid of the sadness in her eyes.
“Grandpa will be your backer.” Grandpa Holston patted her hand as he promised “I and Danton have always been two bodies and one soul…. You will be my granddaughter from now on.”
Emile smiled neither agreeing nor disagreeing. She didn’t want to break Grandpa Holston’s heart by telling him that she didn’t want anymore contact with any of them. He was the only person in this house who was truly good to her. Both her in-laws didn’t like her…. How could they, when she was the stumbling block in their son’s happily ever after? There was even less of a chance for Daniel’s snobbish vain sister to like her…
Emile spent the afternoon with Grandpa Holston and returned home in the evening. She waited in the living room for Daniel’s arrival. He came around 6pm to change his clothes.
“We need to talk.” Emile opened her mouth as she saw him ignoring her and walking towards the master bedroom.
“I don’t have time.”
Emile’s face fell but it was only for a split second before she regained a calm composure “Then make time. This is the last time you have spend time for me.”
Daniel’s feet paused before he walked into the bedroom. He needed to change and pick Michelle for the banquet.
“Wait.” Emile narrowed her eyes and spoke coldly.
Daniel stopped taken back by her coldness. She had never spoken to him in such a tone, nor had she ever looked at him with such a cold gaze. He didn’t even know why he felt stifled in a corner of his heart.
Daniel sat down rudely to hide losing his composure “Make it quick.”
“Here is the divorce agreement.”
“Huh?”
“Heh” Emile’s lips curled up in a self-deprecating smile “Today is our third wedding anniversary.”
Daniel looked like he was a bit lost but it was only for a moment “I need…..”
“No need.” Emile pursed her lips “If your decision is to divorce, then sign. I have spoken to Grandpa and he has agreed.”
“You sure are capable.” Daniel rebuked as he lifted the pen.
“Daniel, I am someone who never looks back and never goes back on my word.” Emile took a deep breath “This is also why I have never brought this up before no matter how you treated me. I had agreed to three years and that I have kept.”
“But know this… If you sign this paper and leave today, we are strangers from this moment forth and I will never even shed a glance in your direction.”
“He…he…he…” Daniel laughed disdainfully as he snorted “You think too much. I can’t wait to never see you again.” He signed the document without any hesitation.
“Good… good… very well…” Emile nodded as she suppressed the pain in the heart and spoke in a voice devoid of any emotions “That brings me to my next question.”
“You have never taken any protection when you forced me to fulfill my duties as your wife.” Emile struggled to keep her aloof front “What if I get pregnant?”
“Abort.” Daniel didn’t have to think what to do. He frowned as he realized that they had never taken any precautions and looked at her with a measuring gaze. But he couldn’t see anything on her face. It didn’t look like anything more than a hypothetical question.
“And if I don’t?”
“You don’t have a choice. Abort.” Daniel’s lips curled in disdain. Now, he was sure. This was a farce she came up with to stop him from divorcing.
“Do you want to take me to court on that?” Emile challenged as her lips curled in ridicule. “This is my body. I decide what I do.”
“Whether there is a child or not has nothing to do with me.” Daniel smirked as he added “If you insist, he will be a bastard.”
“His father is…. But I will make sure he isn’t.” Emile narrowed her eyes. She saw the fury gathering in Daniel’s eyes and didn’t give him a chance to retort; She opened her mouth again “So you agree that after we sign this divorce, even if there is a child, you have no claim over the child as your decision is to abort the child and his life has nothing to do with you?”
“Yes.” Daniel rolled his eyes “Go and have the abortion if you are pregnant.”
“I will decide what I do with my life and body after today.” Emile smiled slyly as she put another sheet of paper in front of Daniel.
“Please sign this statement as well if you really mean what you said.”
Daniel looked at the paper in confusion but gritted his teeth as he read the contents. It was basically stating what they just said. She was waiting for him here, although he had no idea why.
“Sign” Emile prompted and taunted as she didn’t have any confidence “Or what?? Are you regretting?
Daniel signed the paper in a fit of anger and stomped out of the house with a copy of the divorce agreement.
Emile sunk into the sofa sobbing, shedding the façade she was holding onto … to maintain her last bit of dignity…… Today was the last day she would cry for this man … today was the last day she would shed tears for her youth…. Today was the last day she would reminisce her lost love…. Today was the last day she would grief for this ……
Daniel got in his car in irritation and flung the divorce agreement application copy in annoyance onto the passenger seat and drove away. He hit the steering wheel in annoyance a few times to get rid of his anger. He had no idea why he was angry. This was what he wanted for the last three years…. Now that he had got it without even having to ask for it…. why was he annoyed?He calmed himself down by the time he reached Michelle’s apartment. He rationalized his anger was due to Emile’s arrogance and nothing more. He put the divorce agreement in the dashboard before walking up to pick her.The banquet was for celebrating the fiftieth birthday of one of his business partners who was also his father’s friend. Normally people would bring their spouses to such events; but Daniel never bought Emile… not even once. Either it was Michelle or one of the models he was having an affair with while Michelle went away. Initially this was the joke of the event and Emile’s status would be the butt of
Daniel woke up disoriented and looked around in haze. He had no idea where he was… the last thing he remembered was drinking with Ronald. Looking around he realized that this was rooms upstairs for guests that didn’t want to head back.He heaved a sigh of relief as he saw Ronald lying even more wasted on the next bed.“What time is it?” Ronald lifted his head lazily as he heard Daniel getting ready.“Around 1 in the afternoon.”“What???” Ronald sat up in a flurry.“I will head back home and see what needs to be done.” Daniel tapped his back “You take your time.”Daniel sat in the car rubbing his forehead He regretted his rudeness yesterday. He took out the divorce agreement from the dashboard to read before going back. There was nothing to read…. he looked at the papers in shock. There were no items listed under divorce settlement. Only a statement “Headed to the bridge of no return; Strangers forever.”Daniel shook his head in denial before his lips curled in ridicule. He knew how mu
Daniel didn’t stay long at Grandpa Holston’s place as he was in low spirits with the blow that the news of Emile’s departure brought him.Ronald drove while Daniel sat lost in thought on the way back.“Why did she leave just like that?” Daniel mumbled as he sat in a daze. “Why would she stay?” Ronald retorted rudely “Did you ever give her a reason to stay in these 3 years?”“Huh?” Daniel turned to look at Ronald feeling lost. He couldn’t explain his current state of mind. He should be happy but why did he feel lost?“Where to?” Ronald drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. He didn’t want to pursue this topic. Although he never agreed with what Daniel did over the last three years; he didn’t want him to delve into it, especially now that there was no point.“Your apartment or house?” Ronald asked again, since he didn’t get a response.“House??” Daniel repeated regretfully before asking “Drop me off at my office.”The “house” Ronald referred to, was the wedding present Grandpa Hols
Emile sat in the airport lounge waiting for her flight. This was the first time in three years that she felt peaceful. She took a deep breath and exhaled … in an effort to exhale the last three years of her life as a bad dream. She didn’t want to be resentful; She chose to forget and start anew. That was why she wanted to travel somewhere new… somewhere she didn’t know anyone. She wasn’t running away. She would eventually come back. This is where her most cherished people .. her parents and grandfather rested. She would not give up on them for the sake of someone who didn’t cherish her. She needed to heal. She would come back when she was ready to face this place without resentment and regret. “Dring… dring… dring…” Emile’s phone broke the tranquility of the moment. “Girl, where are you?” Abbey screamed as soon as the call was answered. “I am in the VIP lounge of the airport.” Emile responded with a smile as a warm feeling crept up her heart. Some friendships never change. No matte
Emile and Abbey reached their first destination, Mauritius around midday. Having no plan was the best plan. The two best friends decided to chill at the world class hotel they booked into on the first day before getting into touristy mode and booked themselves into an indulgent beauty saloon for a relaxing massage after a sumptuous feast. The next five days were jam-packed with activities starting a luxurious catamaran cruise of the northern islands. Abbey’s camera lens snapped away at the breath-taking views while Emile immersed herself in the experience. This was her first time travelling away from home, away from comfort zone; She had always lived a protected life with her grandfather and cousins where university was the furthest, she travelled away from home. Every experience was new and invigorating, opening a whole new world, whether it was admiring the vibrant colors of the ocean or the magnificent mountain views or snorkeling at one of the beaches, diving with Emperor Angelf
Michelle came to Daniel's office after shopping to her heart's content and accompanied Daniel outside for dinner to celebrate his freedom. Later she took him to her place and told him that they would stay here for the time being. Daniel didn't have any objections and assumed that she was considering his feelings, knowing that he wasn't ready to go back there. On the fourth day, as Daniel was getting ready to go to work, she informed him that they would move back that day. "Danie Baby, I will pack and move in the afternoon. You should come back early." She twirled her fingers on his chest "I will be waiting." "Why are we moving so soon?" Daniel was stumped. She didn't ask him if he was ready to go back. No matter how you looked at it, he had lived there with Emile for 2.5 years, on their own. Even if he swore, he didn't have any thoughts towards her, he would be lying through his teeth if he said that there were no instances when he wasn't tempted or moved. "Why?" Michelle pouted a
Daniel reached back at the villa around 6pm; The chat with Ron helped resolve his dilemma. He managed to convince himself that he knew what he wanted and there was no need to be confused.Michelle was watching television in the lounge room when he arrived.“Your back.” Michelle smiled happily as she saw him and hopped into his embrace but soon wrinkled her nose “You drank?”“Just a social meet.” Daniel smiled as he hugged her “Were you bor…” He didn’t complete what he was about to say as he was shocked by the interior. It had totally changed.“Do you like it?” Michelle smiled mischievously as she looked at his face waiting for his approval. Sadly, the approval never lit up on his face. What Michelle didn’t know was that although this was the wedding house that Grandpa Holston gifted Daniel and Emile, Daniel had personally designed it as it was always meant to be his and Michelle’s house in his mind. The only place he asked Emile’s input was the guest bedroom, even the kitchen was desi
The same time, many miles away in Mauritius-Emile, Abbey and Christopher spent the next two days exploring the the magical volcanic rain forest landscapes of southwest Mauritius. Whether it was the Trou Aux Cerfs which is the famous dormant volcano or the Mare Aux Vacoas, a reservoir embedded deep in the forest or the Grand Bassin which is the sacred lake of Mauritius, it was a magical experience for trio. Abbey didn’t forget to capture each beauty through her camera lens. Emile’s favourite was the Chamarel waterfall and the 7 coloured earth. While most people in the tour group went for a swim in the pool at the foot of the Chamarel waterfall, Emile sat scribbling her inspirations onto her notepad. Christopher sat by her side accompanying her quietly.Both Emile and Abbey were exhausted after the two-day trip and spent the next day lazily planning what to do next. Christopher left the planning to the ladies and spent the day catching up with all the documents and issues pending at h