Chapter 15: Chapter 15

LAUREL

As I pondered over and over about the text I had received from the anonymous sender, my mind raced with possibilities of who it could be from. There were only two people who would be out for my necks at this moment, and that was my step-sister and mother.

‘But they wouldn't stoop so low, would they?’ my mind wandered.

My mind drifted to how Rhett always came to my rescue at my most vulnerable moment, and I felt uneasy. I decided I was going to prepare and face my enemies heads-on moving forward. Did they want to come for me? Fine, I was ready. But first, I needed to get the approval of Rhett’s mother between us. I didn’t need any more rivals, especially not from another mother figure.

With renewed determination, I quickly freshened up, settling into bed. My mind wandered on ways to win her heart, and slowly, I drifted into sleep.

~~~

As I entered Richie’s building, the rhythmic tapping of my heels echoed through the lobby. I had taken another day off work claiming I was still sick, to visit Rhett’s mother Vivian. Stepping into the building, I noticed eyes were on me, but I ignored them, thinking it was because of my nice clothes. All I could think of was how to convince Vivian, and I was determined to win her over–even if it could take some time.

I showed Rhett’s membership card to the person at the front desk, and I was surprised as they immediately let me in without any questions. They handed me a complete outfit for my session, which I excused myself to put on.

"That was unexpectedly quick, I expected an interrogation,” I thought to myself.

Walking into the gold course, I immediately spotted Rhett’s mother from afar. Heaving a deep sigh, I wore a smile on my face and began walking towards her. I noticed there were two other women with her, who also exuded an air of luxury. I felt an urge to turn back, but I knew I had to do this if I wanted Rhett by my side, and also to stand up to my enemies.

“Nice shot!” I clapped my hands as she shot the golf towards the target.

Vivian immediately turned to face me, and she looked completely surprised by my presence.

“Ah, isn’t this your daughter-in-law? She’s prettier in person” one of the women said with a broad smile on her face as I approached them. I smiled back at them and bowed my head in respect.

“Daughter-in-law? Did you really call me that?” I asked softly to Vivian, a glimmer of hope engulfing me that this was going to be much easier than I thought.

“Please give us a moment,” Vivian said to the other women, who immediately excused us. “Why are you here?” she asked in a low yet authoritative voice.

“I know this is shameless of me, but I enrolled with Rhett’s membership to seek your approval,” I said softly. “Mom, please I just want you to hear me out–”

I was still speaking when she cut me short. “ Mom? Did you just call me that? Hear you out? Me?” She scoffed in disbelief. “ If you really wanted me to hear you out and see that you’re different from your family just as Rhett claims, you should’ve stopped him from doing anything until I approved of the both of you.”

“It’s a shame though, I really was going to give you a chance but now, I just can’t bring myself to not think like you’re just the same as the rest of your family. Rhett never disobeys me, but he did this time because of you.”

I was confused by her words. “What did Rhett do?” I asked in a confused tone.

“Are you seriously asking me that? So you're just going to pretend like you haven’t seen the news? You’re unbelievable.” Her composed yet authoritative voice left me deep in my thoughts as she walked away.

I quickly took out my phone and searched on Google. The top articles I saw were all about “THE ONLY SON AND HEIR OF THE OPULENTIA GROUP, RHETT SIMON OF OPULENTIA FASHION, SECRETLY GETS MARRIED.”

My jaw dropped as I read the articles. Now everything that had transpired since I got to Richie’s added up. The stares from unknown faces, the quick pass at the entrance by the staff, and the comments from Vivian’s friend. I had naively assumed that Vivian had spoken highly of me to her friends and was just feigning a hardcover. How foolish I had been.

I quickly placed a call to Rhett, anxiously biting my finger as I waited for him to answer the phone. He answered almost immediately.

“Rhett Si–” I cut him off mid-greeting.

“Of course, I know it’s you, Mr Rhett Simon,” I snapped in anger. Keep the intro to yourself. What is the meaning of this article, Rhett? Didn’t we already discuss this? Why did you proceed regardless?”

I was met with silence. “Rhett? Are you listening?”

He finally spoke up, letting out an awkward laugh. “Oh, that? It was released last night. How are you just seeing it?”

His levity only fueled my anger. “Really? You’re laughing? Is that the whole point of what I just said?” I scoffed in disbelief. “We’re partners in this marriage, Rhett. I think I deserve an explanation rather than you trying to curve my words. Didn't we agree to release this news once your mother approved of us? Speak to me!”

“Calm down, Laurel,” he said, ignoring my questions. “Where are you? I’ll come get you.”

“I don't think I want to see you right now, I'm utterly disappointed,” I admitted. “You know, your mother agreed to wanting to give me a chance, to hear my side of my family story. I would've had the perfect opportunity to prove myself to her today, but that was completely ruined by your article! She said you never disobeyed her before, and I was the cause of this one. I refuse to come between a mother and her child, but now you’ve thrust me into that role. Despite there being more to our marriage, it seems I'm the only one interested in fighting for it.”

“Are you still at Richie's? I’ll be there in five minutes.” Rhett’s voice pierced through the phone, and I suddenly felt the sharp edges of my frustration and anger die down.