Chapter 16: Maria's Den Of Utmost Confusion

Susan's POV

To him, I wasn't sounding too convincing.

With a few lines, I had to ensure Paul put his trust in me.

Fortunately for us, Paul's outfit best describes a perfect gentleman and a potential client.

As I watched Paul approach Maria's gate, I prepared myself to swing into action.

I avoided every distraction that would cause me to take my eyes off Paul for a second.

I was scared when no one showed up to attend to Paul. It feels like my whole life was shattered.

Not just me, I could picture Paul losing all hope and confidence from a distance.

He might not have admitted it, but his reaction says it all.

I lost count of how many times he facepalms.

I won't be surprised if he starts walking back to the car after several failed attempts.

Suddenly, I heard the door opening from inside just when it seemed like all hope was lost.

Paul was already making plans to leave the scene when he heard the sound from the gate and returned.

Since I was away, it became too difficult for me to hear them.

However, after reading their body language, it was obvious that Paul was having a difficult time trying to convince the gatekeeper to let him in.

It was starting to look like a fierce battle.

I rested my head on the steering wheel.

I couldn't bring myself to witness the embarrassment that Paul is enduring from the gatekeeper.

The moment I lifted my head, Paul was nowhere to be found anymore while the gate was still very much open.

I needed no one to tell me that Paul had finally gained entrance inside the mansion.

Without hesitation, I rushed inside just when the gatekeeper was about to close the gate.

"You? I know you,"

The gatekeeper recognized me at first glance.

He's got some really sharp eyes. And to think that It was pretty dark the last time I visited the mansion.

He tried to walk me outside and I refused and stood on my ground.

After what I went through to get in, I don't intend to give up easily.

"I want to see your Boss. I am not leaving this place without seeing her," I commanded.

I refrained from displaying my weakness to avoid being taken for granted.

"The last time you were here, I nearly lost my job.

I am only following strict orders," the gatekeeper begged as though his life depended on it.

I pitied him after seeing how reddish his eyes had been coming.

The tears were already stored on his eyelids, waiting to drop down like the waterfalls.

As much as I don't wanna be the reason for getting him sacked, I am still inclined to fall for his self-pity

From what I know, he might just be faking the emotions just to see me leave.

I guessed right.

It didn't take too long for the gatekeeper to enter into his beast mode the moment he realized that I might not be leaving anytime soon.

As we argued, Maria showed up out of the blue with Paul.

"Let her be.

I'll handle it," she spoke from afar.

Her commanding tone was enough to put the gatekeeper in his place.

"For disobeying my orders, you're fired!" Maria dismissed the gatekeeper without waiting to hear his side of the story

I felt guilty after Maria's drastic decision. It was what I'd been trying to avoid.

"He's innocent.

He tried to walk me out but I was too stubborn for him to handle," I was forced to intercede for the gatekeeper.

That was the least I could have done after I nearly cost him his job.

"I wasn't talking to you, traitor.

The last time I checked, you weren't my gatekeeper.

Neither did I invite you over. So shut the fuck up!" Maria yelled at me.

She spoke to me as though I was one of her kids.

It was a difficult pill to swallow but I had no choice.

"As for you, return to your duty post. I am still coming back for you,"

She dismissed the gatekeeper. It wasn't an assurance that he was free from her wrath.

"Back to you, whore.

What are you doing here? I thought I specifically warned you not to show your ugly face here ever again?" Maria revisited my case with full force.

I couldn't speak immediately, so I signaled Paul to come closer to me.

He suggested the plan.

He ought to be in the best position to salvage the situation

"We came together, Maria. I'm Paul, Ethan's cousin," Paul disclosed.

"That ain't true.

But you are..." Maria stuttered.

The plot twist hit her like a heavy storm.

"You thought I was a client, right? I saw this coming. Sorry, we tricked you.

That was the only way we could enter your mansion after your last fight with Susan," Paul confessed.

He spoke endlessly while Maria listened tirelessly.

She went blank for a couple of minutes, trying to comprehend what just happened.

"I'm sorry, Maria.

But I couldn't fold my arms while my cousin is languishing in the cell," Paul addressed the situation again to awaken Maria's interest.

"It's Naomi Jackson, you toad. Address me as Maria again, and you'll regret ever coming here," Maria vented all her frustration on Paul that could have been shared between us.

"Her name is Naomi Jackson and not Maria," I had to notify Paul.

Although, it came late.

It wasn't my intention to take sides with Maria about the new name thing.

On second thought, I figured it was needed to ease and neutralize her rage and probably get her on my side.

Pathetic Paul!

He wasn't aware of that recent development. If only I had notified him earlier.

Knowing how Maria hates being addressed by her real name, our chances of freeing Ethan have now reduced drastically.

We might as well need a miracle to convince Maria to order Ethan's release regardless of whether we accept her ridiculous condition. What a waste of mission.