Like every other human on earth, Claire Oxford had her past sins.
And typical of such sins, it was back to haunt her and take grasp of her son, Charles. Wondering what he was doing at that moment, she took another second to silently pray that he did not stray or fall into wrong hands.
As she took a seat on one of the cushions in her tailoring room, Claire wondered if it would be safe to let her husband know of the situation.
She certainly did not hide her previous shameful marriage with Ordinaz from her husband. And she appreciated that he did not judge her based on the fact that she was sold to Ordianz, he even accepted her son with whom she had run away with when troubles kept mounting troubles in Ordinaz's home.
No.
She shook her head as her eyes wearily wandered the huge room that reeked of lavender and was a sight to anyone who loved expensive garments. Telling her husband about her past coming back could hurt him. He might begin to worry about Charles which could turn out to be dangerous to his health.
So, she pushed aside that idea. As she inhaled deeply, the sophisticated woman realized that it was not enough if she was just wailing silently. She had to do something. She needed to take control of the situation.
If Ordinaz was playing a dirty game with her, she sure could play along and get him to lose. But she was not so sure about her son. Even if he found a wife just her ex- husband required, he could find out Ordinaz wants something more and since the boy was very blinded by his need to know his real father, he would do it.
And she really wasn't about to sit down and watch Ordinaz ruin her only son.
So, she really needed to take charge of the situation regardless what her stubborn said.
Setting Charles up with lady from one of the reputable homes around was not too terrible for a start. Nodding, Claire decided she was going to do that first. She actually would not be able to bear the thought that her son would be marrying just anyone even if it was just for show.
As she picked her phone to dial her son's number and notify him of her intentions of coming down to America, Claire's mind changed. She needed to be meticulous about it.
As she happily sketched the plan in her head, her phone rang.
"Yes."
'Good day ma'am. This is Christina Kane. Mr. Oxford's secretary.'
Claire wondered why her son's secretary was calling her. "Is something wrong with Charles?"
'Not at all ma'am. It is just I don't know if it is my place to say this, but yesterday, a woman came to see him and by chance, I heard him ask her to marry him.' Claire's eyes bulged. ' I am so surprised, I thought I had to call you to tell you about it.'
"Miss Kane, right?"
'Yes ma'am.'
"Do you always spy on your boss this way? Do you always report his movements like a jobless idiot?"
'No. Not at all ma. This just happened to be a...'
"I will make sure I have you sacked. My son shouldn't be around people like you."
'Ma'am...' the voice from the other end begged but Mrs. Oxford cut the call before she could utter another thing.
Her head ticking even more, Claire, as she put down her phone knew that at that junction, she had to act fast.
She had to act before her son fell into the wrong hands.
~
"Yes, she is married to Gabriel Manifold." The name was not familiar to Charles who signaled to the man in front of him to go on with his report. "He was once a millionaire, but he wasted all of it, including his inherited fortune on gambling and women."
Charles frowned. What was Isabella doing with such a man?
"She got married to him on the sixth of October, 2013." That was barely two months after she left him. "There were rumours of her being pregnant, but they do not have a child till date. Even though they live together, Isabella hardly stays at home, word around says their marriage is not so solid anymore.
Contrary to the beginning, the couple are not close anymore and as it seems, Gabriel is cheating on her. Their neighbour said she notices model like women are always going to their house whenever Isabella was not around."
Charles clutched the hand of the chair as anger seethed through him. Why was Isabella with such a man? Even if she had to leave him, couldn't she have found a better man? Why was she even still with him?"
"Sir there is more. Their neighbour also expressed concern for Isabella. She said, not only is she looking lean, she thinks Gabriel might be abusing her."
"What?" His blood was beginning to boil.
"She is not so sure, but on certain days, she hears Gabriel raising his voice in anger and every time, few minutes later, Isabella always leaves the house looking sad."
Charles's heart squeezed. Yes, he might he hate her a bit for the hurt she made him feel, but he still cared a lot about her. And, just like before, the urge to protect her was coursing through his veins.
"What job does Gabriel presently do?"
"He does nothing sir." His private investigator replied as he adjusted his hat that covered most of his eyes.
"Nothing," Charles repeated as his fingers played with each other. The look on her face suddenly became clear. Gabriel had injected sadness into his beauty's eyes, he must have ripped something out of her. That had to be it. "Is there more?"
"There is also the rumour of Isabella's father using her to settle his debt with the older Manifold."
"What? Her father too?"
"I am still looking into that matter sir."
"Please do and be fast about it." The man tipped his hat and walked out of the room.
Sighing, Charles sat back into the chair. He wondered why Isabella let herself to be used in such a way. The woman he knew didn't give a crap about anyone regardless of who they were. He wondered where all that fierceness went.
He really needed answers just as he needed her back in his life. And once he has her glued to him, he was going to make sure all she might have gone through will become a thing she would forget.
He promised within himself.
Isabella felt dirty.She did when Gabriel first slept with her. Hours she spent under the shower trying to console herself, trying to assure herself that things would be okay. She had told herself she wouldn't regret her decisions.Years after, nothing was okay. No amount of days spent under the shower could assure her of better days in Gabriel Manifold's house.As she gathered the mattress into a corner of her office, Isabella immediately cringed. The pain was still screaming into her head, her whole being was crying for help.But she was tired. Fighting was a ridiculous thing to her at that moment. She just wanted to give up or maybe give in. She was sold off to her husband anyway, she might as well let him finally use her the way he wanted.She could give up the company and become a sit-at-home wife who does nothing but follow her husband words. Occasionally, she could visit h
"Tell me you are making some kind of stupid joke," Isabella said as she felt her bones shake."It is no joke. Your father is-""I heard you already!" she exclaimed as she took another step back, her eyes darting in confusion. Without seeing his proof, she sort of believed him. It made sense a bit. Her father being dead explained his silence. But... why?"Here." Her legs totally failed her and she hit the floor before Charles could help her. As she flipped the photos which revealed it all- her father's body, his death certificate, his funeral- she wondered why she was kept in the dark.According to the pictures, he died a year ago. Uncle Ben had been lying to her. According to the pictures, he also attended the funeral. But he said nothing to her, he just kept assuring that her father would someday call.Like heck he would. Isabella was resisting the urge to laugh at her life. Her
As soon as Isabella parked Charles's car in the scanty car park of her sorry excuse of a company, she suddenly figured that he was probably still waiting upstairs for her to come with his car.And... waiting for her response. Which she had no idea what it really was till that moment.Now that she had freed herself from Gabriel's suffocating hold, she had a chance to start things all over again. But the question was how?Isabella sat back into the driver's seat and pondered.She could let the bank take possession of her almost ruined company and she could start a life somewhere far from her hell.Or... the other option that kept dangling in her face, she could agree to become Charles's wife, save her company and remain close to her hell.Isabella shuddered for some reason.The second option sounded scary. Not only because she would be clos
It was crazy. The way her heart was banging.She had just taken a shower and all she thought about was the last time Gabriel was in her. Actually she could still feel him forcing his way into her and it made her scared.To make it worse, Isabella's mind could not help but replay Uncle Ben's advice about leaving Gabriel and Charles's words about the same matter.That she might not be safe after all from Gabriel made her even more scared.She took a deep sigh.Something at the back of her mind told her to maintain her calm. She was doing a good job at scaring herself and that was not a good thing. At that rate, she could begin to hallucinate and give herself unnecessary heart issues.So, Isabella took in another deep breath and after releasing it, she reached for her robe and walked out of the shower into her office. Humming a tune, she made for behind her desk
Charles smirked to himself. Then as he looked out his car window, his face fell. Isabella was toying with his heart and she had no idea.Damn! That woman had no idea she was torturing him. Marriage aside, all he wanted at that moment was to hold her in his arms, tight. He would love, protect her with his hold. But she was being reluctant.Charles wondered what she really faced while she was married to the Manifold guy. It sure was something ugly. It definitely was something that put some kind of fear inside her. Her question earlier sort of gave that out.That was more reason he wanted her by his side. Charles no longer cared about revenge, he just wanted her to be safe.In no time, his car stopped and his driver announced their arrival at the hotel."Thank you David." The latter nodded as he waited for Charles to alight so he could go and pack the car properly.
"What on earth did you get yourself into Isa?" Caleb had just heard the whole situation his friend was in and he obviously was pissed and unhappy. "Gabriel sounds like he is going to end you."Isabella stretched her leg onto the length of the red leather couch. "I have no idea what to do," she said. Caleb scoffed loudly. "What?""What on earth do you mean by you have no idea what to do? It is very obvious Isabella.""I don't think I am ready for another marital life." The look on her face distressed Caleb who looked at her like he was wishing a simple hug could solve her problems."But you need protection from the one you just left and trust me, the next time I recieve a letter, I don't want it to be your blood on it.""So," Isabella shrugged as she sank into the couch into a laying position. ", I have no choice but to marry Charles.""Running away right now
"What is going to happen now?" Isabella was almost biting off her thumb as she stared out to the clear sky."How do you mean?" He handed her a glass of water before he went on to find his stance behind her."Gabriel is not going to simply leave me if he sees me with you. He will get even more furious and heaven knows what he will kill and send this time around.""Bella," he gently placed his hands on her little shoulders. "You are with me now." He reminded her again. "I am going to take care of things from now on."Isabella turned instantly, her eyes surfaced with some tears. "How Charles?""How what?" he reached for a strand of her hair and played with it."How can you help me like this? I hurt you."Clearly, the hurt was still there because his eyes dashed to the side for a second. "Truthfully Bella," he started, his hand retreating to
A kind of fear Isabella loathed immediately came over her and she instantly gripped Charles's shirt for some kind of assurance of protection.He held her closer.Gabriel, with a sinister look on his face moved a bit closer. "I didn't know you were quite a whore. No wonder you didn't want me to sleep with you. What?" he scoffed. "Does Mr. Charming here fuck you good? Is he the reason you won't give me a child?""Wh-" her throat had gone dry. She cleared it. "What are you doing here Gabriel?""I came here for my wife. Instead..." his smirk widened. "Instead!" he exclaimed. "I meet her letting another man touch her.""I am not your wife Gabriel, not anymore.""Say that to my face bitch."Charles moved almost violently towards Gabriel, Isabella pulled him back. Slowly, she got down and faced him squarely. "Gabriel," she folded her arms. ",lik