Chapter 44: Chapter 44

Richard left the company after the conference meeting. He made a phone conversation with Bryant and he informed him that he would be coming over to the mansion by noon. As the driver halted the car at the garage, Richard alighted sluggishly, then went inside. He completely ignored every maid he met on his way as he made his way to the living room.

Bryant glanced back when he sensed his presence in the living room. “I believe you were already on the way here when you called.” Bryant said. They hung up the phone call about ten minutes ago. If he was at the company when he called he would make it to the mansion in twenty minutes, but it took him ten minutes to arrive at the mansion, so he was right.

Richard couldn't hide the fact that he was infuriated to the core. His eyes were cold as ice while approaching him. He just wanted to vent on Luciana “Is mum home?” He asked, trying to sound cool to make his anger unnoticeable.

“She's by the poolside. What brings you here? You didn't come here to see me but your mum.” Bryant said, feeling a dart of disappointment, since he never noticed anything unusual.

“Dad, I'll be right back.” He didn't wait for another word from him, he turned around and left for the pool.

Luciana was having her favorite wine under the shade. There was no trace of water, so she must have enjoyed the view rather than swimming when it was sunny. Richard pranced to where she was. “Son, you're here?” She said with a look of surprise.

He rolled his eyes with a tinge of irritation. “Mum, what in hell are you trying to achieve by helping that witch?” Richard cut her short.

The bright smile on her face was substituted with a frown. She covered her body well with the red scarf on her shoulders as she stood purposely. “Oh, please. What are you talking about?” She shot back, in a cold tone, pretending as if she didn't understand what he meant.

Richard knew she was going to fake like she always did. However, he would never believe her. Knowingly, she was only pretending. “Mum!” He yelled ferociously. He raised a finger at her face, trying his best to abate his anger. Luciana startled back a little, she blinked rapidly before frowning. “Don’t infuriate me. I've had enough of your bullying.”

“Bully? What are you insinuating?”

“I'm really not going to repeat it. Stay clear away from anything that has to do with me, including my family affair.” He strictly warned her.

Luciana poured wine into the glass, she raised the glass to her lips and sipped. “Why should I do that? You're my son, I can't leave you alone. As your mother, I know the right woman for you.” She coaxed.

“I don't love Henrietta!” He retorted in an insolent manner.

“Of course you do. You love Miguel, you definitely love his mother. I'm tired of seeing you like this... fighting your feelings. Why don't you forgive her and the two of you get back together. You should give her another chance, it's not too late to reconsider.” Despite the tense, Luciana was calm and relaxed.

“Are you listening to yourself, mum? I have a wife!” He snarled

She wrinkled her face disgustingly. She wagged her hand in the air. “Oh, spare me that. You don't love her. Moreover, I don't like her. I'm never in support of the marriage from the beginning but I couldn't do anything, it's what Bryant wanted and I couldn't stop him from bringing up an arranged marriage between the two of you. I thought her parents were going to go against it but they approved it as if they were anticipating it. Their friendships suck!” She grunted softly as she stifled the desire to roll her eyes.

“That's a lie, mum. I love her more than I ever love anyone.” He confessed before he could stop himself.

She flustered at him. The last time she knew Richard was deeply in love with Henrietta, no lady ever impressed him even after their divorce. She wondered how Charlene was able to win his heart. It seemed impossible to believe, and Richard could be lying about it. “Am I supposed to believe your lies? Richard, I have a headache that's why I can't go out. Please don't add to it.”

“I'm not joking, mum. Whatever crazy things you're doing you should stop!”

She stared squarely into his eyes. Suddenly, she burst into ridiculous laughter. He arched his brows, wondering what could cause unexpected laughter. “Don't make me laugh. You can't love her. She's not up to your standards... she's just someone that's obsessed with you.”

“You should have stopped the marriage from the beginning. Now you can't stop me from loving only her, plus she's carrying my child. You should stay out of it. I don't want to involve dad.”

“Your child? Charlene is pregnant?” Her eyes popped up openly.

“Yes, mom. That's why you have to stop whatever you're doing.”

She clenched her right fist tightly. “You have to choose between Miguel and Charlene. Who are you ready to let go, your son or the woman you just fell in love with? As a father, you would do anything that makes your son happy...what if he wants his mother?” She paused for a while. “You know what I'm talking about, right?”

“Of course I don't. Don't you understand what I'm saying?” He growled.

“Of course I don't. Unexpectedly she's carrying your child. I'm not a kid to believe your lies. I know you don't love her, you're just doing this because of the public eye. In fact I understand everything.”

“You don't.”

Bryant came to the poolside, he walked over and stood behind Richard. “What's going on?” He enquired.

Richard intended to inform him what Luciana was planning but she interrupted him before he could utter a word. “It's nothing serious. I asked him to come over because I missed him. I lied to him that I was sick so he's mad at me because I lied.” She framed a lie and looked away immediately.

Richard wasn't surprised. He frowned, looking at her he was trying to pull himself together before venting out on her. Bryant narrowed his eyes. “Is that true?” His eyes darkened with suspicion while looking at Luciana.

He answered him hesitantly. “Yes, dad. I'm going to go now. It seems like she's perfectly fine.” He uttered through gritted teeth.

Bryant wasn't buying it. He suspected something fishy, more especially Luciana wasn't looking at him, she was looking elsewhere. He exhaled heavily. “Sure. Take care son.”

Richard nodded, he turned around and left the pool. Immediately he was out of sight Bryant whirled abruptly to look at her. “What now? Why are you staring at me like that?” She wasn't comfortable with his countenance. She wondered if he didn't know anything or he was pretending.

“What an unpleasant expression on your face. What are you up to this time, Luciana?”

“N-nothing.” She stammered, shaking slightly.

“Don't try anything stupid. Leave our son alone, let him handle his own shit.”

Her eyes widened in surprise. “What! Bryant, how could you say such a cruel thing to me?”

“It's simple. I'm just telling you to stop whatever you're doing. I'll be in my office.” Bryant left, leaving her nearly speechless.

She blinked rapidly. She vaguely looked around trying to understand what happened a few seconds ago. However, her mind was made up and nothing would sway it.

***

Her left cheek was red after receiving multiple hits from Henrietta. She never budged from where she was standing, she stood to the ground and wouldn't allow Henrietta take Miguel out. Charlene had no intention of intervening. However, she had no choice, beside Miguel was crying and didn't want Henrietta to carry him. She ordered a maid to take him out of the room while she and the babysitter stayed back, exchanged words with Henrietta who was resolute in her determination to leave the mansion with her son. The consent to change custody form was with Charlene, Henrietta handed it to her and she strictly told her that she would take Miguel along if she was to leave the mansion.

Charlene called to inform him but he never picked up any of his phone calls. She wasn't in any position to fight her, she needed him to return home as soon as possible.

Henrietta made to hit the babysitter once more but Charlene grabbed her hand and it was left hanging in the air. “Are you seriously going to bully her again? Why are you picking on the weak, why don't you just fight me?”

“Stay out of my way, Charlene!”

She laughed hysterically. “I thought you said you'd hurt whoever that's stopping you from taking Miguel with you. Why am I an exception? Fight me if you dare!”

Henrietta snatched back her hand. She growled. “Do you want to die?”

“Nope. You have the opportunity to leave or I'm going to call the police and report a trespasser.”

“That doesn't scare me.” She retorted.

“Of course it does. You react to it.” She sighed softly. She scarcely had enough stamina to fight her, she felt nauseous, but she couldn't excuse herself not when Henrietta could easily get her way. It was futile telling her to leave amicably, Charlene looked at the maids in the room. “Escort her outside.” She ordered.

“Yes, ma'am.” They bowed a bit. They approached her and gripped her with both arms.

“Let go of me this instant!” She said in an imperative manner. “You all will surely pay for this.” She threatened.

“Good for you.” Charlene returned to the master room, she slumped on to the luxurious chair. She breathed deeply while rubbing her right palm on her flat tummy. “This is annoying.” She shut her eyes briefly. She opened after a few seconds then looked up at the ceilings.

A few minutes later Richard arrived. Everything was already settled, Henrietta left, humiliated. Every maid returned to their work and the babysitter carefully examined Miguel ponderously walking around in the room.

He entered. He was heading to the bedroom when he sighted her sitting on the couch, he halted and secretly advanced toward her. “Did I interrupt something?” She pivoted her head. She grinned mischievously.

He halted behind. There was a look of disappointment in his face since she caught him before he could do anything. “Not really. How are you today?” He crouched a little and kissed her on the lips.

“I'm good.”

“I'm sorry, I missed your call. I was already on my way.”

“That's nothing...” She gazed intently into his eyes, contemplating if it was a good idea to tell him that Henrietta came to the mansion.

“Are you okay?” He asked with concern.

“Yeah. Yes, I'm okay.” She moistened her lips. “Actually, Henrietta came over. ”

Suddenly, his facial expression changed. He contracted his lips into a frown. “Did anything happen? Tell me everything.” He said sternly.

She sighed softly. “She wanted to take Miguel with her but Ariel stopped her. Here, she left this for you.”

He collected the form from her, glancing through it he clenched his fist tightly. “That bitch!” He scoffed irritatingly. “Did she hurt you?”

She shook her head vigorously. “No.”

He released a sigh of relief. After that his eyes scanned her body while she was sitting. “I'm going to fix everything soon. Everything will be back to normal, just give me a little time. And I told mum you're pregnant.”He enunciated.

She arched her brows perplexingly. “Why did you tell her?”

He walked over and sat beside her. “She needs to know that. I don't want her to trouble you again.”

There was a minute of silence until she eventually interrupted it. “Fine. I plan to visit mum at the hospital, I already informed her that I'll be coming over today. I should be on my way.”

“No problem. Be careful.” While Charlene took her purse on the couch next to him, Richard headed toward the bed. He tore the form into pieces and put it in the trash. “She finally lost her mind.”