Chapter 16: Chapter 16

“What the hell is this?” He asked ferociously, while anticipating her response. Charlene hardly read the article. All she could see was the picture of her and Javier when he covered her with his coat. She ambled toward the sofas, and tiredly rested her butt on the head before looking up to see him boiling in anger again. She had no idea about the article which he read only, all she could assume was that he was back to his usual self. Pompous and grumpy. Richard clenched his fist tightly trying to stifle the desire to yell at her.

Charlene maintained her calmness, she gazed at him steadily and parted her lips to speak. “Can you explain what the article is all about?” She enquired calmly while looking at him squarely.

“You still don't get it, do you? Why in hell would you go to a public library?” He rasped surly as he couldn't suppress his anger.

Charlene had to choke back an angry reply, she blinked rapidly and moistened her lower lip with her tongue. She clasped her hands as tears overflowed her eyes. “I beg you, Richard. This has nothing to do with you and stop getting sulky over it!” She snapped, she was trying not to unleash her anger on her because she knew it wouldn't end well for both of them. “The article is about me so let it go.” She popped up her eyes at him and twisted her lips irritatingly.

“Now that you're my wife there are some places you are not supposed to go. Don't you ever go there next time, and stop disgracing me!” He sighed with exasperation but Charlene's anger was already getting out of her control.

“I usually go there to read with friends before we get married, you don't tell me what to do. And please stop pretending as if you care, spare me the sympathy, I want nothing from you. For the ring, never do anything for me out of pity. I hate it when someone like you pity me. The fact that our marriage is arranged doesn't mean you have no right to yell at me like I'm not your wife, we both have rights in this marriage!” Charlene voiced out inimically, although part of her regretted ever allowing her emotion to sway her but she couldn't sit back and let him get the last word.

Richard was literally taken aback, he never thought Charlene would say all that to him, it was like Charlene ignited his anger, he pulled her roughly and made her look at her. “Do you think I'm doing this because I pity you? There's nothing to pity in you. If anything happens to my reputation I swear Charlene, you're going to regret ever marrying me.” He said threateningly, he yanked her hand back tempestuously as she toppled back awkwardly, then he walked out of the living room.

Charlene looked vaguely around the living room, he flouted her right in front of his maids without minding their presence. “Ahh!” She choked on her tears then broke down in tears as she wept dolorously. When she regained herself she looked up and started heading toward the staircase, she gripped the stairs railings while ascending.

She scuffed inside the room, she walked toward the bed and slumped helplessly beside it. She brought out her phone from her handbag and logged in to check the trending news, unfortunately it was all about her marriage. Some called their marriage fake, some cooked up lies that she was dating Javier, some were about Richard and his ex wife, they were comparing her with Henrietta. A lot about her made her burst into tears. “Seriously, did he read all these?” She dropped the phone on her lap, she remained in the same position while weeping.

That night Richard didn't return to the mansion, Charlene woke up at midnight and found out she was the only one in the room. She stepped out of the room tiredly. She checked the rest of the rooms but Richard wasn't in any of the rooms. She checked Miguel in his room, he was sleeping quietly. Charlene wondered if he was in the mansion or he left, she had nothing to do but return to the room. However she couldn't get enough sleep throughout the night.

The following day she got ready to leave the mansion, when she checked her phone there was a missed call notification on the phone screen, she turned off her phone and went out of the room.

“Good afternoon ma'am.” She ignored every maid she met on the way completely. She scurried out of the mansion looking alluring. Although she was trying to look perfect despite what she was feeling.

“Good afternoon ma'am.” James walked up to her, smiling brightly but Charlene couldn't reciprocate. She hopped in the backseat, relaxed trying to maintain her equilibrium. “We're here ma'am.” James announced as he halted the car in front of the building.

Charlene knew she wasn't supposed to be there but she couldn't think straight in the mansion, all she had to do was to clear her mind but it was hard for her. She alighted from the car and went into the building.

“The shop is closed.”

“Oh, Charlene.” Fiona stepped out right in time, she interrupted and took Charlene's hand. “Javier isn't here yet.”

“Oh.” She murmured feebly, they sauntered across the room. Charlene walked toward the couch and sat down, she never opened her handbag, Fiona noticed she was blue but she couldn't ask her because she believed Charlene might ignore her. She mustered courage and sat beside her. “Are you okay, Charlene? You ain't looking cheerful today?”

“I'm good.” Charlene answered without looking at her.

“I heard all the rumors, you don't really have to feel bad, that's what bloggers do. I'm pretty sure your husband is going to take care of it.” Charlene glanced at her face for a few seconds, she refrained herself from rolling her eyes as she grunted softly. Fiona knew nothing about what she was battling with, no one knew. “Hey, are you listening?” Fiona waved a hand at her face.

She gazed at her steadily, slowly she blinked and moistened her lips together. “I heard all you said.” She threw her head backward, she looked up at the ceilings and closed her eyes. She was sleepy due to the deprivation of a good nap last night.

Fiona shrugged off as she flipped to the next page, she proceeded with what she was reading while glimpsing at Charlene with the corner of her eyes. “Charlene,” She murmured but she didn't hear her, she was fast asleep.

Eventually Javier stepped into the room, he was about to speak when Fiona shushed him by placing a finger on her lips. He narrowed his eyes as he walked closer to Charlene, he stared at her face affectionately and sighed out.

“What's wrong with her?” He asked worriedly.

“She dozed off while waiting for you. I don't think anything is wrong with the article that's full of lies and defamations. I didn't expect to see her today, I thought she wouldn't come.”

“Those fools. Is it a crime to marry a celebrity?” He mumbled with annoyance.

“Do you think their marriage is arranged?” She enquired. He scoffed disgustingly, he found her a bit of quidnunc but he shrugged off as he sat beside Charlene gently. “Are you going to wake her?”

“Can't you just keep quiet for a minute? Stop prattling.”

She choked back her words before returning to the textbook.

***

The news had gone viral on the internet, however Richard handled everything amicably. After all, his reputation would suffer the most. The bloggers brought up the past, about his ex wife and his new wife, Richard wouldn't risk it.

He received his father's message to come over to the mansion. Richard knew Bryant was going to be scolded for being reckless with his marriage. The driver drove into the garage, he alighted before a bodyguard could open the car door for him. He headed inside, surprisingly he met Bryant waiting patiently for him in their well organized private living room.

“I'm here dad.” He announced politely.

Bryant put a grape in his mouth and chewed it quietly, he looked up at Richard and nodded his head directed to the sofa. “Have a seat.” He gestured.

Richard walked up to the sofa, he sat facing him. “You said you need to talk to me urgently.”

“Have you done anything yet?”

“I've already handled everything, don't worry. Everything is perfect now.”

“Are you still seeing your ex wife?” He narrowed his eyes.

Richard gnawed on his lower lip. “No, dad. I haven't heard from her.”

Bryant sat purposely and gazed at him steadily. “Maybe if you had been a good husband right from the start this wouldn't have happened to my family's reputation. Richard, I want no mistake from you again. If she needs to go to the library you make a personal library available in your mansion, it's massive enough. You have an impressive wine cellar, home theater, indoor pool...library should be included. Ask her what she needs and do all she wants. I know best, Richard. It's the right time for you to make a change because you never treated her like your wife, don't get me angry.” He said threateningly. Richard kept mute whole looking at his father with no remorse.