Trouble in paradise (2)

“What’s wrong with Meera?”

“She’s dear to my grandfather. What if she gets some shares from him? Some of the board of directors want my stepsister on the seat. And you know how her mother is. She would do anything to have her daughter on that CEO seat. As it stands now, she and I have the same amount of shares. She’s intelligent and capable, so right now, I need more shares to be victorious. I can’t count on my grandfather’s shares, but I am more inclined to think that he would reserve some shares for Meera.”

“Since you have such worries from the start, you should have waited until after the Will was read. How did you manage to ruin your chances so badly?” the other guy couldn’t understand.

Ben sighed in frustration, “It was Vivian. She wanted me to give Meera the divorce papers on our anniversary, otherwise she’d abort the pregnancy.”

“Wow, Vivian is ruthless and I tell you bro, you have a dim future with that girl around you.”

“You’re not helping matters, James.”

“Hahahaha... Poking your sore is refreshing. Who told you to get married before us?” James and Ray both had a good laugh for a while before they started to address the matter more seriously.

“The only solution I see now, is to do everything possible to keep Meera by your side. You’re an expert in exploiting her weak spot. You should continue with the tactics you’ve always employed on her to make her trust you so... You have the divorce papers with you, don’t you?”

Ben met James inquisitive stare. The genius was finally saying what he wanted to hear. “Yes... But they are signed already.”

“Much better. Throw Vivian under the bus.”

“What do you mean, James?” Ray was interested, so he was eager to know more.

“Shred the divorce papers in Meera’s presence and try to convince her that you never wanted the divorce. Make her understand how desperate for a child you are. Lie to her with convincing tears that Vivian was the villain in your relationship. Tell her more and more lies until she believes them. You’re good at that anyway,” he chuckled.

Ben didn’t know if his friend was mocking him or not but nodded to his brilliant idea. “Continue,” he added.

“Make Meera believe she’s the only woman you hold dear. And as for Vivian, you can only keep her at bay with threats to cut her off fame and wealth. I promise you, bro, both women would be obedient,” James advised while smiling broadly like a crook.

“Chief adviser. You need an award. Hahahaha...!” Ray laughed boisterously. They weren’t good friends for nothing. They were experts in playing women.

“How do you see the plan?”

“I like it. I’m certain it would work,” Ben replied with confidence.

“Great. Drinks on you,” James ordered for more expensive wines.

“Once things are sorted, you both would go online and say it was an unfounded rumor. Great!” Ray chuckled. But after a quick thought, he questioned, “I’m curious, who exactly do you love, Meera or Vivian?”

Ben gave him a side-eye, “Do you need to ask? Who wants to keep a barren woman as a long time wife?”

“Hahahaha... I thought as much.”

….

Ben got home that night and searched every nook and cranny for the divorce papers he left in the drawer but failed to find them. The first thought that crossed his mind was Meera.

Did she stop by to get the divorce papers? Thinking of that, a smile spread across his lips and he felt his ego surge. “I knew you can’t let go just like that,” he chuckled and sat himself down on the couch. “Why haven’t you called me to cry and beg me not to leave you? Hahahaha... Meera, I know why. You want me to call you and tell you to come home? Huh?... Of course, I should.”

He took his phone, basking in high spirit as he put a call through to her. The phone rang but went unanswered. He tried again a couple of times but each time, the outcome was the same.

Ben sighed and rubbed his temple, “Fine, I’ll come get you tomorrow,” with that said, he went to shower, impatiently awaiting dawn. However when he came out of the bathroom, his phone rang. The caller ID made him smile harder and quickly answered the call.

“I thought you’d wait until I returned,” he voiced.

‘I thought I would until I saw the divorce papers,’ came Vivian’s reply.

Ben’s eyes snapped wide and he quickly asked, “You have the divorce papers?”

‘Not exactly. I thought you forgot to send them to the lawyer, so I did that for you. He asked that you and Meera come to his office tomorrow morning to–‘

“Vivian!! You fucking bitch! Who told you to mess with my stuff?! Go back and get me those papers ASAP!”

Beep! Beep! Beep!

The beeping sound coming from his phone irritated him so much that he threw his phone in a fit of rage.

"Vivian..." He called with gritted teeth. He must not allow that bitch to ruin his plans, certainly not!