Chapter 23

Briar’s POV

“Briar….” Adrian whispered, staggering backwards a little with a flash of hurt in his eyes.

I kissed my teeth, combing my hair with my fingers as I turned around a bit before looking back at him. His face seemed to have lost a bit of its color. His pretense only made me disgusted.

“Cut out the act! You knew from the start and that is why you chose to make my life miserable by putting my hard work to waste. What I don’t understand is why you are even interested in my life. The last time I checked, you don’t give two fucks about me. So what is this?” I bellowed.

Adrian gasped and grabbed a fistful of his hair. He looked disheveled. “Briar! Is this some sick joke? How can you stand in front of me alive and well when we all think that you died in that accident! Do you know what you have done? Was there even an accident at all? Or was it planned out to make a fool of me?”

“Everything was always about you. You are still the same distasteful asshole. I can’t even imagine what I was thinking to have agreed to be a part of your life.”

“Are you kidding me!” He raised his voice, glaring at me. “Five years, Briar! Five fucking years! I became depressed because I thought it was my fault that you died. But you waltz in here acting like nothing happened while pretending to me to be somebody else. Do you know I can sue you for fraud? Because that is exactly what this is! You lied to me! Does your mother know about this? Considering the fact that you actually planned to run away before the said accident.”

I stared at him in disdain. He is such a mess. “I would have tried to defend my mother, but it is not worth it. I was her money bag, you think she would have allowed me to escape easily and not drag me back down to you? Well, I really don’t care what you think of me. I forgot about every one of you the day I left that house. And as much as you won’t believe this. I had no idea that AS real estate empire was yours. If I had a clue, I would never have done that proposal. But imagine my shock, coming here to realize it belonged to you. I hated my fate.”

He breathed heavily, gnashing his teeth. “Why didn’t you leave then? Why didn’t you just get away before showing your face to me?”

“Because I am not a coward! I don’t back down especially because of irrelevant folks like you.”

“What!”

“You heard me. Your presence doesn’t deter me enough to leave everything I have worked hard for just to avoid you. I don’t give a fuck about you, Adrian.” I seethed.

“Then why are you here?” He yelled. “If you don’t give a fuck about me. Why are you still here and haven’t left? How much fun have you been having mocking me all these weeks?”

Anita barged in, her eyes darting around in concern. Her voice was shaky as she spoke. “Is everything alright Sir? What are you doing Briar?”

“Get out!” He bellowed at her. She disappeared immediately, which almost made me laugh but I am too stimulated to even process the thought. “Answer me, Briar!” He gritted.

“Don’t yell at me!” I snapped back and that startled him. “I am not the girl you could push around as you please. You told me that I wasn’t an important part of your life. So what are all these acts for?”

Adrian bit down on his lip, fuming. “What happened to our child?”

I laughed dryly. “What child? I had an accident, you bastard!” I screeched. “What do you expect to come out of it?”

“Seeing how you didn’t die you must have gotten rid of our child intentionally. How can you do a thing like this, Briar? Do you not have any conscience? Not only did you kill our child, but you also played dead putting your entire family in turmoil for half a decade. How cruel can you be?”

“Family, you say? I don’t have any. I never had a family with my mother, not to mention you. I was always alone. But that is enough of this trash talk, it is giving me a headache. Listen carefully to me, Adrian. Since you have shown just how much of a lowlife you are. I will show you just how resilient I am. I will not leave this company no matter what you do. If you keep being such a nasty bully, I will have you reported and you know how eager the media would be to trash someone like you. Don’t test me. I am good at what I do and I will live every day to prove that I am worthy of the position I am in now. So back off!” I yelled in his face, turning to leave.

Adrian pulled me back roughly. “I am not done talking to you.”

Without thinking, I slapped him hard across the face. “Don’t you ever lay your filthy hands on me!”

He looked shocked. “B…briar? What has come over you? Why are you acting so different?” He stammered.

“Ask yourself that question. I have had enough of you being such a pain in my neck. I am not going to be your stepping stone this time.” I groaned in frustration, letting out a scream. “Adrian, just let me be okay! You already forgot about me for five years. Keep doing that. I don’t want to cause you any trouble whatsoever. I also don’t hold any grudges. Just let me work! Let me do what I love to do without you trying to make life difficult for me. You owe me that much, Adrian. Just leave me alone!” I screeched, stomping towards the door with more determination.

“Briar wait…..”

The door opened abruptly, letting in a familiar face. I laughed to myself. Isadora. She hasn’t changed much, only looking more appealing with her red lipstick bolder than ever. It is quite interesting to see that people barely change.

Our eyes met and her eyes rounded like saucers stumbling backwards. She pointed at me, then looked at Adrian. W…who is this? Briar?” She screamed when I took a step forward and collapsed to the ground before getting the response she sought.

“Isadora!” Adrian blurted, running towards her.

I sucked my teeth loudly. “I see you two are still a thing. Good for you.” I scoffed, slamming the door shut behind me as I walked away with my heart in pieces and head held up high.