Chapter Twenty-Four:
(Edited by: kashene. Thank you so much :D)
Emberly's POV:
It was awkward standing outside in just a shirt. It was worse when you don't have anything on you. I stood near the gates not knowing what to do. There's no way I'm going inside and ask him for a lift or my clothes or my car. I know he is equally stubborn as I am. Why does he have to screw everything up? He promised me that he wouldn't hurt me anymore.
Liar!
Don't. Don't think about him. Just pretend for a while that he doesn't exists. He is not worth crying. Don't sweat thinking about what happened a minute ago. Everything will be fine. There are bigger issues such, as how will I get home and where the hell is my car?
God, my car! I wonder where it is now. I can easily get a cab and pay them once I got home but the thing is, I can't even see a living person around here, forget finding a cab. There were mansions after mansions yet I couldn't see anyone. Okay cross that, there were workers around but I doubt they'll help me. They look so busy though and I don't want to disturb them.
Luckily the weather was warm, so I thought I could walk. But Ugh! I was bare foot. Damn you Emberly. You could've waited till you had your clothes in your hands. Now bear with the consequences.
I turned around to see one of the workers. He was in black, two-piece suit. He had grey hairs but he was still fit for his age. He had his back turned toward me and I think he was on the phone. I patiently waited for him to finish the call and when he did, I approached him.
"Excuse me, can you call a taxi for me please?" I asked him politely.
He turned around and took a double look at my appearance. I looked down, not meeting his gaze. This is so embarrassing.
"I can drop you off." He said to me.
"Can you really do that?" I asked him unsurely.
"Sure, just give me a minute. I need to ask Mr Raymond first." He said, going inside.
"Sure." I muttered uneasily.
I don't think he'll let him though. I just shouted at him a minute ago. After a while, he came back with my clothes in his hand and my handbag. I smiled gleefully. He handed me my clothes and my bag and I thanked him. He told me to wait while he gets the car out. I took the moment to slip in my skirt and shoes. No one needs to see my ass, thank you very much.
Instead of sitting at the back and making this completely awkward, I sat in the front seat. I was the one who needed help so there was no reason for me to make him feel like a chauffeur. Besides, I'm sure he had other priorities than dropping a girl just in shirt to their house.
Mr Roach or Paul was a really nice guy. We talked almost about everything especially economy. Yes, we found out something common to talk about.
"So you work for Mr Arran." He asked me.
"Yes, I'm his personal assistant. Strictly business." I told him quickly, before he gets any wrong idea. Who wouldn't?
"I mean we've never seen him bringing a girl to the house before. Imagine our shock." He said casually, turning left on the end of the road.
"Trust me, he never intended to if I didn't faint." I chuckled and cleared his misunderstanding.
I knew I've been in his house a lot of times now but that didn't meant anything. He just did his part. After all the Samaritan law is there for a reason.
"You must mean a lot to him." He smiled genuinely and I almost chocked on air.
Yeah right. We can't spend a day together without getting on each other's nerves. Sure, I mean a lot to him. I thought sarcastically.
"How long have you been working for Arran?" I ignored it and changed the subject.
"About 15 years now. My wife Martha works inside too." He told me happily.
Suddenly, I was interested in knowing about his family. Something about the Raymond catches anyone's attention. He must have dealt with the whole family then, especially teenage Arran. I wonder if he was this moody before. And arrogant, and cocky and... Boy the list is long.
"Was he always like this?" I asked him hesitantly.
I know you are not supposed to talk about someone behind his or her back but I'm just curious.
"Not before Adrian left." He sighed sadly.
"Adrian?" I repeated the name. I don't remember anyone with that name.
"Yeah he is Arran's big brother." He told me, stopping at signals.
What...? I knew senior Raymond has two sons but I thought Arran was the oldest. It's strange how no one has ever talked about him. Which only means...
"He hasn't passed away, has he?" I asked, my face paling a little.
"No! I heard they both had a pretty bad argument one day and then he left." He shrugged his shoulder and moved the car once the signal turned green.
Oh thank god he is not dead. Then how come I've never heard Arran talking about him before? Face it Emberly, he has never talked about anyone.
"So they hated each other." I scrunched my nose.
"No, together they were stronger than lion. Arran never wanted to join the business and Adrian always supported his decision. If Arran made a mistake, Adrian always used to cover up for him and it was the same thing around. Both used to annoy the hell out of everyone with their pranks. One day, something happened between the two and that was the last time we saw Adrian. Arran moved out and took his place in business."
Wow, their bond seemed a lot like Cherry and I. I am sure if we ever have an argument, we'll get over it in a night and act like nothing happened between us. From what he told me they seemed pretty close, I wonder what went wrong but I am not going to ask him that. If Arran wanted me to know then he would've told me himself. I should at least respect that bit of his personal life.
"Where is he now?" I asked out of curiosity.
Damn it Emberly, what if he goes back and tell Arran? I don't think Paul will, but he does work for him. In fact, much longer than I have and not to forget he is a loyal worker. I better stop my twenty questions here before he gets suspicious or get me in trouble.
"No one knows but I heard he is planning to come back very soon." He said happily and I smiled too.
Hey that's cool. I guess they can sort their differences out. I am sure they will get along like before. I thought happily. Then he will be less grumpy. My thoughts were interrupted with the screeching sound of breaks. I realised we reached my house now. I also noticed my car was parked at the usual place.
"Thank you Paul. It was really nice to meet you." I told him wholeheartedly.
"Same here Emberly, hope to see you really soon." He winked and I laughed.
I entered my home and sighed happily. There is no place in the world like home. After stripping out of his t-shirt, I showered quickly, to get rid of his scent. I made a mental note to return his shirt back after washing it. I felt like I haven't talked to Cherry for a long time so I called her. She picked it up after a while.
"Please tell me you are not dead."
"No I am not. Though I was close to." I told her laughing.
So I ended up telling her everything and just as I thought, she said 'ignore that hot bastard. He is not worth it.' Yup, I totally agree with her. I wont get emotionally attached to him anymore. It's too much baggage. I know, I might sound like a bitch but sometimes its better to let things as how they are. You don't need to act like God all the time. I am always criticised for being nice all the time. Clearly he doesn't like anyone knowing about him so I won't interfere at his personal problems anymore. I'm only twenty-one and girls my age are partying and having some fun, not looking after a grown up man whose mood swings are worst than a pregnant woman.
After saying goodbye to her, I decided to call my dad. It's been ages since I had talked to him. Thanks to my phone package I could make international calls for free.
"Hey dad." I chirped happily.
"Berry... How are you?" He sounded really delighted and I cringed at my nickname. It happens every single time.
"I'm fine... You tell? How's mom?" I questioned him in one go.
"She is fine. She is doing much better now. She asks a lot about you." He sighed peacefully.
"That's great. How's Spain?"
"Everything is fine here. We love the weather here and we miss you a lot. Are you sure you are okay there?" He asked me curiously.
I will not let him know about my problems. He has enough to deal with. I blinked back a few tears and answered him.
"Yes dad, everything is fine. I miss you guys too. Go easy on the drinks." I teased him and I heard him chuckle.
My dad had a full control over himself 'til he got drunk. It's the same thing with me. I am fine with few sips but I can be pretty hard to handle when I am completely drunk so we both avoid drinking in public.
"How's your job and how's your boss?" He asked me suddenly, stilling me for few seconds.
"It's... great. My boss... is really nice and... he treats me really well. The job is a bit hard but I'm getting the hang of it." It was a half lie, partly the first bit.
"That's great Berry bear. How's my other daughter?" He asked about Cherry and I sighed thankfully.
"She is fine, crazy as always but she misses you a lot. Dad I'm going to send you some money. It's wont be a lot but just in case if you need some..." I was thinking about sending him some money for a while but I was waiting for my cheque. It should be here by tomorrow.
"Don't joke Berry; you've just sent us money recently." He chuckled, confusing me.
"I have...?" I trailed of, thinking if I have or not. I am sure I haven't.
"Yeah and we were wondering what exactly are you doing? Where did you get that much money? You didn't take a loan did you?" His voice suddenly turned serious.
"Dad I'm sure it's not a lot."
I don't remember sending him money and even if I did that I have forgotten about then I'm sure it wont be a lot. As much as I want to help my parents, I am not exactly financially stable yet.
"Berry it's enough to last for a year. Did you take the loan? You don't have to be scared."
What the actual f.... I grabbed my laptop and turned it on. I waited for the page to upload and when it did my eyes nearly bulged out. OH TO THE MOTHER EFFING EM GEE!!! My dad was saying something on the line but I couldn't comprehend. My eyes were stuck on the figures appearing on the screen.
â¬240,000
I blinked a few times to see if I am imagining the figures and when I realised the amount is still the same, I refreshed the page many times. I checked the history of transaction and I got extremely confused.
Last week, 240,000 were transferred to my account and they were then transferred to dad's account. What the hell? My eyes furthered widened at the name of the person who did all this.
T. Raymond.
Why would the senior Raymond transfer such a hefty amount to my father's account? I thought we only agreed on the medical bills then why all this? They don't even know each other! I completely forgot dad was still on the other line.
"No dad, I've asked my boss to pay me all together and the bonus... That's why... That is why... Hey dad can I call you later? Someone is at the door." I quickly lied and shut the phone.
I was breathing heavily by now. If my dad finds out I am working under a contract then he will feel guilty about it. But that wasn't my main problem. The main problem was why did Mr Raymond sent such a large amount of money I never asked for. And even if he wanted to help me why would he send it without telling me? Its not like I asked him for money then why? God, these Raymonds are driving me crazy.
All of a sudden, I felt extremely angry. How dare he? Does he really think I am not capable of looking after my family? I am trying my best. How will I ever succeed if he won't allow me? Yes, he has money and he can afford it but that doesn't mean he has to pity me. I want to support my family on my own. He doesn't need to sympathise me. I immediately called him and he picked it up as he was expecting it.
"I thought you'd never realise." His words baffled me for a minute but I clenched by phone tightly, not wanting to lash out.
"Mr Raymond, you know the reason why I am calling you. I want to meet you." I said sternly.
"Sure Emberly, drop by my house tomorrow noon. I'll be expecting you." He replied back and the line went dead.
Wait a second. Did he say he was waiting for my call and he is expecting me to see him? Suddenly, knots formed in my stomach. I know something bad is about to happen and I kind of knew why.
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