Breaking family ties

~Andrea~

The last thing I wanted was for morning to come. I know it's stupid to have such a wish but I just couldn't bear people throwing my decision to my face here and there. 

I dressed for work and made my way downstairs. I met Lisa and Laurel who didn't try to talk to me. 

It hurt that I made this decision to help the family but now, I am facing multiple scoldings from them. 

I silently had breakfast then went straight to work. The cab driver recognized me as he started asking questions. 

“Miss, do I know you from somewhere? You really look familiar.”

“Sorry but I don't think you know me. It could be a coincidence.”

“No, I'm not mistaken. I saw you on the news. You're everywhere on the news as Mr. King's fiancée.”

There we go again. 

“Can we have a silent ride please?”

“Sorry ma'am, I was just excited to see you. Everybody believed Mr. King was into men and it was shocking when he finally announced you as his wife.”

I ignored him till we got to the office building. The shocking thing was, there were lots of reporters there. 

The only reason they may be here is either to talk to Derrik or to…ME! 

D*mn! What should I do? 

“We are here ma'am.”

“Here, your money.”

I gave him the money and got out of the cab attempting to escape the crowd at the entrance. 

“Look, that's Mr. King's Fiancée!”

K*ll me now! 

One of them kept shouting, drawing unnecessary attention and in a blink of an eye, I was surrounded by these people. 

“Tell us Miss, how did you meet Mr. King?”

“How long have you two known each other?”

“It was said he was into men, what happened now?”

They kept asking questions and cameras clicking here and there. I started feeling dizzy and thought I was going to pass out until I heard somebody clear them away. 

“Hey, are you alright?”

Opening my eyes slowly, I was shocked to see the man in front of me. This was the same guy I was running away from the other day. 

“We meet again cutie.”

Yeah, we met again. 

He helped me into the building after I told him I work here. I was glad he was helping me out but still surprised as to how he was able to send them away. 

“Thank you for helping me Mr…” I paused, waiting for him to tell me his name. 

“It's Brian. I am glad I was able to help but I didn't get your name the other day.”

“Andrea. That's my name.”

“Nice to meet you Andrea.”

I smiled and excused myself to my office. I wanted to ask Brian what he was doing here but I didn't think I had that right. Besides, he could be a new business partner who knows. 

“ Stop right there Andrea!”

Aissh! That annoying voice again. I turned to see Rosie, her face red in anger. Her eyes were carrying a raging storm. 

“I knew it. I knew you were nothing more than a cheap wh*re who goes about sleeping with men.”

“Don't you dare Rosie!”

“Oh I will darling, because that is nothing but the truth. You seduced the boss and now what, he announced you as his fiancée out of the blue. If you're not a wh*re then what are you?”

I don't have the strength for Rosie this morning. 

“Listen carefully Andrea, I promise you, I will make your life a living hell in this office for taking what is supposed to be mine. Just wait and see.”

She swayed her hips as she made her way to God knows where. 

What is supposed to be hers? Is Derrik some sort of property to be hers? 

I stayed in the office all day skipping lunch. I had my head on the desk when the intercom buzzed. 

“Andrea, come to my office.”

I stood and headed to Mr. King's office. I gave a light knock and entered. 

“You asked for me sir.” I said the moment I went inside. 

I was too tired because of the recent happenings. 

“Have a seat, let's talk.” Derrik said, shifting his gaze to me. 

I slowly took a seat and waited for him to speak. 

“You will be moving over to my place tonight.”

“Tonight? I thought I was supposed to spend a week with my family before moving in with you?”

“Yes, that was the initial plan but I changed my mind.”

“You changed your mind without informing me? I have a lot going on between my family and I simply because of that announcement you made.”

“You knew that would happen Andrea. It's not my fault, you are supposed to sort things out with your family. My decision is final. The chauffeur will pick you this evening, you can leave the office now if you want.”

I left his office and decided to go to the hospital. 

Even though none of them wanted to talk to me, I had to inform mom of this happening. 

I covered my face with a scarf wanting to avoid reporters surrounding me like a swarm of bees. 

*********

I stood in front of mom's ward in the hospital, taking deep breaths to calm myself down before I entered. 

Before I could knock, the door opened revealing Lisa who was looking at me like some kind of alien. 

“I came to see mom. I have something to tell her.”

She backed away from the door and allowed me to enter. Mom turned to look at me and for a second, her eyes sparked with happiness and were later replaced with disappointment. 

“How have you been mom?”

She didn't respond and only stared at me. 

“I know you're angry but please forgive me.I did what I did for you, for our family.”

Mom held my hand and started rubbing. 

“Andrea, I know you always do things for this family and I want to know why you did this particular one without informing anyone.”

“It's a long story mom.”

“ I want to know, I am ready to listen to this long story.”

While we were having this convo, Lisa and Laurel just sat quietly listening to everything. 

“I just came to tell you something mom.”

“What is it?”

“I will be moving in with my boss, mom.”

“What? Tell me this is a lie. First, it was an unexpected announcement and now, you are moving in with your boss?”

“It's something I need to do mom. When the time is right, I will explain everything to you.”

“That's the problem right now. Just explain everything to me and I'll understand you Andrea. You're my baby.”

“Sorry, but I have to leave now.”

I started moving towards the door and stopped when I heard what my mom said. 

“If you step out of that door, consider yourself out of this family.”

I turned sharply to look at mom when she said that. This can't really be the end of our family bond right? Why would she say something like that?