Chapter 4

               ***Daniel's POV***

I held Rachael gently as we entered the living room. Looking up I met three shocked faces, ignoring them, I led Rachel to the sofa to sit down.

The noise from the wheels of Rachael's suitcase interrupted the tension in the room.

"Mrs. Wilson, take Rachael's luggage to the guest room on the top floor and prepare a bath for her." I ordered.

When I heard no movement, I turned around to see Mrs. Wilson still rooted to the floor with the mouth hanging open probably still in shock. "Didn't you hear me?" I snapped.

"Yes sir.. I mean I'll take the suitcase upstairs now." She replied, then hurriedly took the suitcase and left.

"Who do we have here? Daniel you didn't tell me you're bringing someone home." my mom stated, slowly walking close to me.

I wondered why she was still here. I love her but sometimes she is overbearing, the last thing I need in this house is drama.

"Mom, this is my friend Rachael." I answered.

She didn't spare Rachael a single glance. With her gaze still fixed on me, she asked again "And What's Rachael doing here?" she quipped.

Already frustrated, I tugged on my collar and removed my tie. Why was she asking so many questions? "She just returned to the country and her accommodation is not yet settled. She also injured her ankle so I brought her here to stay for a while." 

"Oh I see." Mom said dramatically. She turned and finally looked at Rachael. "She looks familiar. Young lady, What's your surname?"

Rachael looked extremely nervous but she still answered " it's Adams Ma'am." 

Mom seemed pleased with her and that's only because Rachael called her Ma'am unlike Emma who always called her Susan. Thinking about Emma, I looked at the dining table and saw her sitting quietly and sipping a soup. Although she looked focused and unbothered, I could still see that her body was tensed and the spoon was shaking due to her trembling hands.

"Adams? Hmm. That sounds familiar." Mom said. She must be putting two and two together now.

"Wait, you mean Adams, as in Mr and Mrs Michael Adams?" Mom asked again.

" Yes ma'am. They're my parents." Rachael answered. I could see her nervousness easing off.

"Wait, does that mean you're the same Rachael? Daniel's first and only love."  Mom blurted.

Rachael's cheeks turned pink immediately. Before I could tell mom to stop teasing her, a sound of  plate hitting the floor echoed in the room. Turning around, I saw Emma standing there with a devastated look on her face. What's wrong with her?

"Why are you always messing things up? If you're sick, go and rest, and stop being destructive." mom scolded.

Hearing mom's tone. I wanted to interject but Emma beat me to it. " I'm sorry, it slipped from my hands. I will clean it up immediately." She mumbled.

Seeing her tired face, I quickly instructed a maid to clean up the mess. " Emma, there's no need to do that. You looked stressed. Go and take a rest." 

Emma looked surprised by my words. Well, usually, I don't really care but I've never seen her like this before. She slowly turned and started walking upstairs. Looking at her back, I noticed how thin and frail she had become. Isn't she feeding well? Then I remembered she was at the hospital earlier. 

"Emma." I called out. She stopped, but didn't turn around. "What did the doctor say during your checkup?" I asked feeling concerned.

"Nothing." She uttered, then continued going up the stairs. I sighed. She must be angry I didn't go to the hospital with her, but was there with Rachael. Well, Rachael chatted me up during breakfast this morning, she was landing at the airport and wanted me to pick her up. That was  the reason I didn't go to the hospital with Emma. Unfortunately, Rachael sprained her ankle on our way back, so we had to go to the hospital.

"Daniel, you don't need to bother yourself with her. She had always been dramatic." Mom interrupted my thoughts.  I turned around to see Mom already sitting close to Rachael. Gosh, she's going to interrogate the life out of her. 

"So tell me, Rachael, how's your parents? I knew their company was about to go bankrupt years ago before they decided to relocate abroad. So what happened?" She asked.

Rachael's face turned a little sour before it brightened up again. Yeah, that's a sensitive topic to her. She answered anyways "yeah, my parents were able to stabilise their business abroad. They're planning to bring it back home. That's why I'm back first, to start making preparations." 

Mom's face lit up immediately. Of course it did, the only thing that could impress her was wealth and money. "That's really nice to hear. Have you found a job yet?" She probed.

" Yes. Actually, Daniel gave me work in his company as his second personal assistant. That way I'll be close to him and learn a few things about managing a company." Rachael replied.

" Hmmm, that's good..," Mom drawled, turning her gaze at me. "Close huh. Now, I'll go straight to the point. Are you two getting back together?" 

"Mom.."  I muttered. Why was she asking so many questions.

"Actually Ma'am. Eh mmm..   Daniel and I are planning on rekindling our old feelings. What happened back then was unfortunate but we're ready to start over again." Rachael answered before I could say a word. I frowned, there's no need to explain all that to mom. After all I'm still married.

"Really? Daniel is this true?" She exclaimed looking all excited. "Why didn't you say anything since? I could have instructed the maid to prepare the second master bedroom  for her before you guys arrived"

" Mom, the room is occupied by Emma. Have you forgotten?" I reminded her.

" Oh yes, I almost forgot, " she sighed, almost regretfully. She thought for a few seconds and asked, "so what are you going to do with Emma"

" Divorce, of course. After all.. the time is almost up"  I trailed off.

"Yh, right. Prepare the divorce papers so she'll leave immediately. That way Rachael won't be uncomfortable." she said smoothing Rachael's hair tenderly. 

I frowned at her words, but I didn't take it seriously. After all, she had never liked Emma.

"I'll leave you two now. Your father called so I have to go back to the family house." She said, standing up. Rachael wanted to stand too but Mom quickly held her down and gently told her not to move.

It really irked me how she was treating Rachael like that but she had never been gentle with Emma before. Well I guess this house would be more peaceful once Emma leaves. A sudden ache sliced through my chest, I hissed and rubbed it. For some unknown reason, that thought felt wrong.

" Is everything okay Daniel?" Rachael asked, looking all concerned. Mom was staring at me with a strange look on her face.

"Yes, everything is good. Mom, isn't it already late to go tonight? Why don't you go in the morning?" I asked her. Eventually, the look was replaced with a smile as she answered,

"Well, darling, I must go now. Your father is a hard man to deal with." She then turned to Rachael, "I'll see you soon dear. Daniel, don't fail to bring her to the family house to meet your father." she walked off, without waiting for me to answer.

I was about to sit down when I heard her voice again. "Daniel, accompany me to the car, would you?" 

"Of course, mother." I answered, and followed her after giving Rachael a nod.

I caught up with her in front of the waiting car. She turned to me looking all serious," About Emma." She started. I wasn't ready for this conversation.

" Mom..." I drawled.

" No, hear me out," she interrupted, "I've been waiting for this day. I've seen how lonely and unhappy you have been throughout these four years. So I'm glad you're moving on." 

Unhappy? Was I unhappy? I don't really know. She continued, "make sure, she signs the divorce papers and also compensate her well  so she can leave. A woman doesn't like another woman intruding in her relationship. I'm sure you don't want Rachael to leave because of her."

Her words didn't sit right with me. How was she an intruder? Something must be wrong with me this evening. I looked up to see the same strange look on mom's face again, as if she's trying to assess my inner thoughts.

"Daniel darling, you're not in love with Emma, right?"