Chapter 4

ELIOT’S POV

I just stood there.

Stiffly watching as emotions that could only be described as annoyance and disbelief built up in my chest. My skin burning hot as her footsteps sounded off on the stairs, heading to our bedroom for sure.

Walking out on me. Leaving me hanging and reeling with displeasure for the very first time in our four years of marriage.

“Oh my God, she’s scary, Eli!” a familiar chirpy voice sounded behind me. I didn’t even need to turn around to know who that was, but as I felt her hands on me my anger flared instantly.

All thoughts of her outright foolishness and audacity today rushing back to me with full force!

And with nothing short of a glare, I shook her off me. Storming my way to my study, not minding the surprised gasp that left her lips or the judgmental eyes of the head butler-Rosa.

And sure enough hurried footsteps followed me.

She was coming as well? Good. Time to set things straight!

In no time the dark walls of the study embraced me, some level of calmness returning to me. But that ended the moment the door was pushed open and in came the very reason for all of this mess!

“Eli baby are you- woah, this place is dark!” she called out, grumbling as she slowly stepped into the space.

I just turned on the switch closest to me, revealing her slightly lean frame, protruding belly, pale pink dress and blonde ponytail to go with it.

“There you are!” she smiled brightly, “Are you okay? Does your cheek still hurt? Serena is so… so… she’s too much! I knew she wouldn’t be happy but to hit you? That was uncalled for!”

I just stood; my nose crunched up in distaste as she went off some more. Reveling in her own delusion. Was she really acting clueless right now? After that stunt out there? After showing up here?!

“Aww baby, I’m really sorry things turned out so bad” she said, moving closer and reaching for my face. But I’ve had enough.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I questioned; my eyebrows tight with distaste as I stared her down. That had her pausing in her tracks, awareness returning as she quickly dropped those hands.

“I- Eli baby i-

“What’s that?” I cut her off; my tone clipped. “What did you just call me?”

“I-I’m just… I just-

“Just what!” I spat, causing her to jump a bit. Her eyes wide in alarm, “It seems you’ve forgotten your purpose here. You’ve forgotten exactly why I’m entertaining you at all!”

“No! I haven’t,” she rushed to explain, but I was having none of it.

“Then what the hell are you doing here?” I cut her off, my anger rising as the memory of her brazen- self smiling on my front porch came to mind.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing showing up at my door? Meeting with my wife, coming to cause a scene! What possessed you into having such an audacity woman?!”

Her face paled at my words. Her lips, a trembling mess as she fumbled for words to explain. The mere sight alone was enough to add to my already sour mood. Serena’s fuming eyes replaying in my head, reminding me what a mess this whole thing was now!

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but never you dare. Never you dare do what I didn’t ask of you. Never you dare try to mess with me or my affairs! This stunt you pulled today? Let it be the last. Anymore and that day will be your last believe it or not!”

“I-I’m sorry! I’m so sorry, Mr. Beckett!” she cried out, trembling. “I only wanted to help that’s all. That’s why I came here today, and that’s why I called you Eli-

“Don’t say it!” I cut in, my tone warning. “I have no need for your assistance. I never asked for it, so you just stay put! Stay put and do what you’re supposed to; birth the child and go! You signed the documents, remember? My personal life or any aspect of my life is absolutely none of your business. I don’t need you taking decisions for me or acting without my orders! Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes sir!” she responded eagerly, “I won’t do anything to anger you anymore, Mr. Beckett.”

You better not! I already had a whole lot of mess to deal with right now cause of her intrusion.

“I’m truly sorry Sir! I will go apologize to Mrs. Beckett and-

The fuck?

“On whose orders? Did you not hear a word I just said?” I questioned harshly, irritation crawling at my skin. Unable to take much more, I just moved to ring downstairs.

Calling for Rosa, chef butler. And in mere moments her familiar knock sounded on the door, “Put her in a room for the night, she can get settled in by tomorrow.” I ordered, moving to get a drink.

It was long overdue.

“Huh? I-I will be staying here now?” she asked, a bit too eagerly too but I just held it in. Seeing as the butler was present, no need to ruin things now.

“Didn’t you already announce it to her? Where else will you live if not here?” I retorted, signaling Rosa to get her moving. Not before seeing the big smile that appeared on her face. Whether or not it was for show, it still bothered me.

“Goodnight Eli!” her voice rang out, and my nose crunched again. My distaste for such an endearment clear.

But as the door slammed shut, trapping me in the silence, the thoughts awoke!

***********

“Err, Sir?”

“Mr. Beckett?”

“Sir?” a hand suddenly touched me, alerting my attention as I looked around me. Taking note of the questioning gazes, I was currently receiving.

“Are you okay, Sir? We’ve been calling out to you but you… you weren’t…”

One look at his face and I already knew. So, I just cleared my throat, straightened up in my seat and faced the colored screens at the front.

“What were you saying, John?” I asked, quickly accessing the screens to get on board with the team because apparently, I had become quite the consistent ‘zoner’.

Repeatedly zoning out of a meeting I had personally called for!

Embarrassing in every bit, I know. And I can’t curse at myself enough for this behavior. Or rather, curse at Serena enough cause this was all her fault!

She was the reason I was zoning like some ignorant fool instead of concentrating on this very important meeting. Ever since yesterday, last night and all that exchange… all I could think of was her. She and her angry words!

It was like she was on repeat in my head. The entire exchange, her angry but hurt blue eyes, the resounding slap she left on my face and even her footsteps! I have never seen her angry before.

“Sir, I’ve just finished giving a breakdown for our top-tier lifestyle updates from the past week.” John’s voice sounded in my ears, reminding me to concentrate yet again.

Hmmm.

“A 5% increase from the first week?” I confirmed, my eyes fixed on the tablet in my hands as I scanned through the reports.

“Yes Sir!” he responded, “It’s all in the reports I sent to you. We just need your approval.”

Everything seemed to be in place. Good thing I had already started looking at the reports while heading for the office today, “Good work!” I announced, raising my head to face everyone. “Approval will be sent out by today.”

“Thank you, sir. Should I round up?”

“By all means!” I responded, watching as he wrapped up a few minor issues. My mind slipping yet again to thoughts about a certain matter. Or should I say person.

Honestly, I don’t know what to call this anymore.

I mean, I’ve thought about Serena before. Several times even during these years we’ve been married. In fact, it was one of the rea- forget it.

Point is, this time it was different. And I hate different! I hated strange behaviors, and especially when they just suddenly showed up like Serena’s was.

What was her deal anyway? Why was she not signing despite my generous offer?

Was this some sort of ruse? She had no friends, else I would’ve concluded there was some external influence. With what I was offering, she would be set for life! Finally, be free of that greedy family of hers.

So why the refusal?

The more I thought about it, the more confused I became. And the more confused I became the more I realized this was going to become a bigger issue if she doesn’t get on board. All because May blew this out of proportion!

I had initially planned on using her to get Serena into signing, but now, the reverse was happening! Serena, instead of signing peacefully was now acting mad and refusing to sign! Putting all my plans into jeopardy.

My rare, one-time opportunity just hanging by a thread.

I hadn’t seen this coming, I would admit. Probably why I kept thinking about it.

Regardless, I had to get Serena’s signatures. Once I do, everything will be alright then.

Just then, I noticed John took his seat. Signaling he had finished speaking, “Nice work, John.” I called out, my tone clipped like I had been really listening and not zoning out. “Everything is well rounded and accounted for. Good job!”

My words seemed to make the other team members to visibly relax in their seats. Smiles slowly gracing their features as they shared grateful looks- a norm around here after impromptu meetings like this.

We, The Ward Syndicate handled too much. From the city’s elite conversations, fashion narratives, social buzz to luxury digital publishing, high-end streaming& tv production, celebrity image management, crisis control, and news media. We managed and controlled all!

Mistakes are never to occur, so meetings like this were a necessity to keep everyone on their toes.

“We are glad you like it, Sir!” John announced with a relieved smile from the front. Of which I did not return. Instead, “Anything else?” I pressed, looking round the table as I usually did. “Any new leads to something worth our interest?”

They remained silent at first, looking amongst themselves. “If that is all, then-

“Oh wait!” a voice rang out, a feminine voice too. “There is something… I think we should know about this”

“Let’s hear it then,” I probed, “Wrap it up!”

She nodded eagerly and started, “I came across a post last night but didn’t really pay much mind to it. And by this morning I saw that same post with barely 3 reactions, has over 50 reactions now! In just a few hours!”

“Hmm, that’s sounds… interesting” John mumbled, “What post is it?”

“The page looked like it had been created recently and that post was its very first! That’s what caught my eyes.” The lady explained eagerly, excited that the team seemed receptive of her idea. And in no time, everyone had their tablets out and checking out the post.

Forcing me to as well. Reluctantly…

“It’s funny how a person can sleep beside you every night and still make you feel like you’re alone. Truly, the saddest goodbyes are the ones that happen while you’re still in the room. #MarriedButAlone #Pagesi’llDeleteLater” someone read out,

“Sounds intriguing!” another praised, others concurring.

“Yeah, fictional but yet so personal!”

The compliments just kept coming, but somehow as I scanned through the post I couldn’t seem to see the reason for all the gushing. If anything, it all felt so very lame to my ears.

“This is just ridiculous,” I voiced, already fed up and logging out from the post. “Whoever wrote that was probably bored out their mind and just wanted reactions. So typical!”

“You don’t like it, Sir?” John probed, a curious look in his eyes.

“All I see is another bitter boring person with enough wifi!” I responded point blank, taking in their speechless faces. “No doubt it’s a woman,” I added, looking to the lady that brought it up.

“Just another housewife wanting attention… Anything else?” They looked between each other, the lady slowly reducing back down on her seat as the others embodied her silence. And so, I took that as a yes.

“Seems that is all then, let’s get back to work!”

In no time they filed out of my office, and then, silence once again reigned.

Just as I liked it.

At least this time, I would be able to hear myself think, and come up with a solution for this new problem of mine named Serena.

She has always been a problem, but this time I fear it might not be so simple.