Chapter 9

“Madeline and Molly's pov

“ I can see you're taking a walk around the environment you desire to enter even at 3 a.m? Well, a quick introduction. I am Madeline Cross, the woman who created the legacy you're desperately trying to dive into, look around you. I built this fortune in three decades, and any intruder must kowtow to me” she brags, squinting her eyes and pushing me to be intimidated. 

“My son is a co-founder of a well-known tech company in Santamonica, he shouldn't be found with a lowlife like you. This is ridiculously insane.“ she screams in disgust still trying to project an inferiority complex into me but I am already familiar with her ways and oppressive lifestyle. 

I twitch. Gazing at her courageously, which obviously makes her unstable. 

“Madeline, your son came for me, not the other way round. I mean you've seen how highly he worships the ground I step on, you shouldn't be prattling this hogwash to my present, you should go to him and tell him about your fear” I cuss audaciously. This still stunned her. 

Madeline is swept under her feet. She is appalled. Never has she been spoken to with so much courage and never did she imagine that she would be savaged down by a commoner. 

“Also, you should let your son merge with another woman who isn't you. I mean I saw what you did earlier, trying to shift the attention from me to you? Never will I condone such ill behaviour”” 

She's stunned. 

“This is not acceptable!! How dare you? You peasant! Men of calibre worship the surface I touch, and you're audacious enough to confront me? Obviously, you are clueless and ignorant!” she screams with her eyes turning red as flames are burning in them. 

I watch her crash out while  I'm in fulfilment. I mean, “the majestic Madeline is crashing out right before me, I win a trophy” 

I waited for this day for a long time. This is so much fun. 

“You're frolicking with flames, and you're close to your journey of getting burnt little girl” she cautions in vileness with obvious flames burning through her eyes, I mean, I can see them. And I know what she's capable of doing. 

Jason 

I dare not show a sign of weakness, because she smells fear from miles away and sees it as an opportunity to prey on. 

The ambience is troubled, because one woman clearly refuses to bow to the other, and she can't handle rebelliousness. 

“Molly, I have been searching for you for hours. Where have you been? Mom, I can see you and Molly are getting along”.

Jason breaks into the heated environment and now, I have to put on an act. I can't be rebellious to his mom in his presence like that, I mean not now, because he never sees wrong in anything she does

“Oh hi honey, Mom and I are getting along, she's so wonderful and sweet. We've been talking about your childhood, your mom is such a companion Jason”

Madeline looks at me in amusement, how did I lie so good? At this moment, it dawns on her that I cannot be easily oppressed, and she begins to take me for a competition. She stomps out forcefully which begins to make Jason wonder. 

“Is everything okay with mom, I feel she's upset about something don't you think? But she was fine a moment ago right? Or did you two have a disagreement?” Jason wonders innocently. 

“No, not at all, we were laughing and giggling a moment ago before you stepped in. Maybe she's just stressed about the whole day, you know it's been a long day.” I bluff. 

“You disappeared from the dance floor where have you been?”

“And you didn't bother to check for me for the whole hour”

I neglect the “where have you been” questions trying to distract him from asking that.

“Oh honey, the party was spicy, I couldn't miss the fun, I didn't even notice you went out, I just knew you'd be fine” he teases grinning like he just created the funniest joke of the year. 

“What if I was being hurt by something at that point? I'm curious?” The sight of his carelessness is beginning to emerge.”

How fast he is not to pretend. 

“Molly, did you see the dignitaries of men I was able to pull up for my party, I'm so blessed to have these people around. Now imagine the calibre of men that will attend our wedding” he says massaging my chin with his index finger. 

My phone dings out loudly, which drops the mood which makes me glad because I'm already getting irritated. 

“Cassy, how are you doing girl, Yeah. I will be home within two hours babes” 

“Your friend?” 

“Yeah it's Cassy, she's in my place, we have to study together, we have an exam tomorrow”. 

No exams I just need an opportunity to exit this environment. I'm so exhausted. 

Jason drives me home that morning while he continues singing praises to himself and his mom. One thing is certain, he didn't for once mention Richard, and to think that Richard threw this party to celebrate our engagement. 

The topic we can't escape 

My parents are fast asleep, while I tiptoe silently into my room. I lay flat on the crib, with my eyes shut, and my whole body at rest, but my mind keeps submitting the whole image of Richard and how perfectly sculpted he looks to me. 

“I doubt if I can ever stop thinking about him, he's everything Jason can never” 

While I keep thinking of how satisfying Richard is while soaked in alcohol, and how he worshipped my body truly as a goddess, I find myself yearning for him again. This time even more. 

“But Richard is about to be stripped of everything he ever worked for by his supposed “family” yet he's ignorant about it. 

How do I save him from falling into this trouble?