Chapter two Could it be more better?

Chapter two Could it be more better?

Jayden sat on the couch a little distance from Erin's bed and observed her as she dozed off. He found himself grinning as he scrutinized her face in both directions. She appeared innocent, at least based on the soft morning sun that lit up her face among the white sheets. Her appearance really confused him.

She had lovely lips, long, thick lashes, a long, pointed nose, and well-groomed eyebrows. Since the previous evening, he had decided to wait until she woke up.

He sipped from the cup of hot coffee that the hotel room service had brought him before entering the shower.

His phone rang as he was walking into the room. "Theo" was identified on the caller ID. 

Boss." He dialed. "Greetings, Theo. I have to cancel everything today since I'm so busy." He gave an instruction.

But just as Theodore started to object, Jayden interrupted him once more. "Theo, there is no but. For the past two years, I have consistently worked 100 hours every week. I'm going to take today off."

"The corporation will receive Huang Xing in an hour. To discuss the $1 billion agreement, he is here to meet with you." Theodore aired his opinions while ignoring anything his boss said.

"What?!" Jayden's eyes grew wide. There was no schedule for the meeting.

The day off is yours to enjoy, sir. Theodore cut the call short with a caustic remark.

 Jayden threaded his fingers through his head and figured out what to do within seconds. He dressed up quickly and darted out of the room. 

Several minutes later.

Erin strived to open her eyes as she sat up on the bed.  Her head throb ached so badly and she placed a palm on her forehead. She got off the bed to move to the bathroom but she felt the soreness in her whole body. She was perplexed for a good while before she managed to get to the bathroom. After getting rid of the headache, she walked back into the bedroom and laid on the bed.

She looked around and noticed a gold ring on one of drawers beside the bed. She squinted her eyes in surprise and approached the drawer. She got hold of the ring and studied it keenly. It was a 24 karat gold! It shimmered just as the sun shone upon it.

"How did it get in here though?" She thought aloud. Maybe the previous customer dropped it. She concluded and took a bath. She ordered some clothes from the hotel's closet and a light breakfast also.

"Here." She said as she placed the ring on the receptionists' desk. "I think one of your customers forgot it in the room I used." 

 "Thank you so much ma. Can you please fill in some details here?"

*** HUGHES' MANOR    ERIN'S POV

I took a deep breath before pushing the huge, heavy door open. After closing it behind me, I walked into the living room and met no one. My eyes narrowed to the dining room. I knew it. It's either they are here or there.

I walked to the dining room to curtsy even though I knew what was waiting for me already.

  "I'm back." I announced calmly, to whoever cared to know.

"Where were you last night?" Owen Hughes, my dad, queried.

 "I was at an hotel."

"Messing around with men, I believe." Ronnie commented rudely. I didn't find it offensive though. I was used to all the insults and sorts.

"Sleep with dogs, that's none of my business." The one, whom I'll tag the devil, spoke. Emilia, my stepmother. "How dare you challenge my son over an order he made? Have you finally lost it?"

With my head bowed, I replied. "I never challenged him. I only--" I didn't get to finish my statement 'cause I felt a slightly hot liquid splash on my face.

 "You impudent and rebellious witch. You dare speak back at my mum?!" The Little devil, Lexi my stepsister, yelled.

My clothes were then dripping wet with the beverage she poured on me. I took out an handkerchief from my bag and wiped my face gently.

I lowered my head and muttered an apology before getting dismissed. 

FOUR WEEKS LATER.

"It's so nice to see you again, Owen." Arthur Reynolds remarked happily.

"I know right? We've been away from each other for a very long time." Owen replied.

"Business has been hectic. I only handed over to my son recently so now I have the time to move around." Arthur stated.

"He's now a big guy, I guess. He was still very young when I saw him last."

"Hm. He's so tall and big that I wonder if it was the same boy I bathed then." The two men burst into a laughter that took time before it ended.

 

Owen suddenly leaned in. "Arthur, don't you think it's time for us to become families?"

 "We are families already." Arthur replied with a chuckle.

 Owen smiled. "Not that. Let's become in-laws. You have a son and I have a daughter. Let's get them married."

"Owen, this is the twenty first century. Matchmaking doesn't work anymore on nowadays youths. I believe they should choose and decide for themselves. It's not something we the elders should meddle in."

Owen frowned, obviously not happy at the reply. But he was ready to give up.

  After so much talk, Owen succeeded in convincing Arthur.

"Alright. I understand you. I've been thinking also, I like your daughter also. She's so composed and good at what she does. I've heard of her numerous times." Arthur expressed and Owen wore on a satisfactory smile.

"She has always been like that. She handles her boutique well."

"No, not that one. I meant, the one working as the managing director at your hotel." Arthur corrected the misunderstanding and the happy expression on Owen's face as gone within the bat of an eye. 

"Erin?"

"Is that her name? Yes, I like her. I'll love to have her get married to my son."

LATER AT NIGHT.

"You're not serious, are you?" Emilia asked her husband in disbelief.

"He chose Erin over Lexi."

"There's no way that's happening. Over my rich dead body will Erin get married to that family. Then, she'll become powerful and what? Revenge? Wipe our family out? Honey, there's only one way to stop this from happening."

"What way?"

"Death. Let's kill her and have her name buried forever along with her."

"That's too cruel Lia." Owen commented.

"So you'd have marry a Reynolds?" She snapped angrily.

They suddenly heard a shatter of glass from a part of the house and they scooted out.

"What's going on?" Owen enquired of his children who were sitting comfortably in the living room. Nonchalantly, the siblings denied knowing anything about what happened.

Owen and Emilia walked to the kitchen only to find Erin lying flat on the floor.

Several hours later...

"I give you an hour of vacate this house with that bastard in your tummy." Owen declared.

"But, dad...how can you tell me to vacate this house? There's no way i'd be carrying a child and I don't know about it." Erin countered. Her heart was slowly shattering. The test results showed she had been carrying a child for three weeks. A child she didn't know about. She had never slept in a minute with a man so how did she come about the pregnancy?

"Maybe you're the second Virgin Mary." Lexi taunted to the other family members' amusement.

Erin wasn't in the mood to shoot lasers at anyone. She didn't want to believe she was about to get kicked out of the home she had grew up in. Even though she wasn't loved, getting kicked out was a nightmare for her.

"Listen to me carefully you lowlife, get your things and get out of this house in an hour. Be indebted that you're allowed to leave with those dirt you call clothes." Emilia said in disdain. Tears rolled down Erin's face before she knew it. 

As her father and step mother were about to walk away, she ran to them and went on her knees, with her head bowed. "Please let me stay in this house." She wailed. "I'll....do anything you want me to do. Anything. Please don't kick me out."

Emilia laughed sarcastically and so did her daughter. She kicked Erin in the stomach, making her whimper in pain. At the moment, Erin wished that kick would destroy the other life in her belly.

She cried as she watched her father and stepmother ascend to the second floor. Lexi didn't fail to drop a round of insults before leaving the living room also. Amidst her cries, Ronnie walked in. Upon seeing him, she ran to him, looking helpless. 

She slipped to the floor on her knees and clasped her hands together as a plea. "Ronnie, please plead to dad and mum on my behalf. I'm so sorry for everything I've done. Give me a second chance and I'll do anything you ask. I beg of you."

Ronnie gave her the pitiful look. "It's alright Erin. I'll talk to them and make sure you don't get kicked out of this house. Now get up, seeing you cry breaks my heart." He made her stand to face him and Erin felt a resounding slap land on her face with a 'bitch', muttered.

She held her cheek and turned to him slowly. He had this evil smirk on at the time. "You're so dumb, really. So you thought I was going to say that? You can go to hell for all I care. And...you'll do anything I ask of you? It's too late Erin. You should've used the only chance you had wisely but you were bent on proving your uprightness. May your holy act feed you and the bastard you're carrying."

It was then Erin stopped crying. Her wiped the tears off her face and glared at him. Ronnie was surprised at the sudden change of countenance.

  She started closing in the distance between them. She stared at him dreadfully and his heart beat at a faster pace.

"You're nothing without me, Ronnie. If I leave now, you and your family will regret letting me go. Note that." She whispered to him and a chuckle came after. Even though he was the man, Ronnie was a chicken hearted opportunist. He just couldn't admit the fact that he was a lousy and fearful person. 

Erin went in and packed out that late night.

RN GROUP.

A twenty eight year old man sat behind a C shaped glass desk with an indication 'Jayden Reynolds' on a thick, rectangular carved glass. He looked worn out. His tie hung around his neck and his shirt sleeves were rolled up to the elbow part. His shirt remained unbuttoned from chest upward, revealing the white singlet he wore under.

The atmosphere was damn cool and the city's beautiful night view could be well seen through the glass wall behind him.

His desk was messed up with files and stationeries littered the desk. He emptied the fourth cup of coffee on the slab and dropped it lazily.

 Just then, his personal assistant knocked and came in after the permission was given.

"You finished everything?" He arched brow as he looked surprised. Too lazy to reply to that, Jayden nodded instead.

 "How did things get so hectic within the few hours I was away?" 

   "You didn't finish up yesterday's work." Theodore reminded.

Jayden nodded in agreement. "Yeah. I got distracted by the twins."

  "Where were you last night, by the way?" Theo further asked as he took a seat in front of Jayden's desk.

Jayden seemed like he suddenly remembered something and he sprang on his feet. "Jeez."

 "What? Is something wrong?" Theo demanded perplexingly.

 "Everything is wrong!" Jayden exclaimed and grabbed his jacket then made an attempt to go out.

Theo stood in his way. "I'm afraid you can't go out now."

 "Get out of my way." Jayden ordered and Theo stepped aside. As Jayden was about to pull the glass door, he heard Theo say, "Your grandfather slumped."