Chapter - [ 6 ]

[ Brandon Wesley ]

My office is on the 45^th floor of the Wesley Groups, it has glass on front side from where I could see half of the city. I usually spend my time here watching people living their hectic lives when I am not doing some work but today is different. I am not enjoying anything, not even the neat scotch I tried to swallow.

I didn’t imagine in my wildest dreams that Madeline would appear at my office at the worst timing. For six years, I have watched her from far, to ensure she is happy and moved on in her life. As we promised each other before parting our ways that we’ll advance in our careers and she achieved what she had always planned.

I felt mixed emotions when we came face to face for the first time. She has grown into a beautiful young woman. She is the only friend I ever had, the only person who knew the real me, who stood by my side in my thick and thins as my true friend. I’d not lie, once I was attracted to her and when my grandpa expressed his wish that he wanted me to marry Madeline, I couldn’t deny.

At that time, I thought we were destined together until I met Kate in the final year of college. We were drunk and ended up having sex at a friend’s house. I had to take responsibility because she’s the daughter of my father’s old friend and to save our families from scandal. We married and she proved herself a worthy wife of a successful businessman, our society praises her for her extraordinary beauty and wits. She knows well how to play that role.

Our lives are sorted but I always feel a void inside me.

“Dude, back on the earth.” My friend Maximus Galvin snapped his fingers in front of my face.

“I am on the earth.” I sipped the bitter liquid.

“Why are you drinking when the sun hasn’t set yet? Do you have a fight with your wife? You know I am not a big fan of Kate Gilbert. Dude, your wife makes you dance like a puppet on her tunes.” He chuckled sarcastically. I didn’t know why he hates her cousin from his deepest core.

I turned to face him who was helping himself with a drink.

“I and Kate have to attend family dinner tonight.” I sighed, it is third time in a month when my father called me to visit him and my mother. I couldn’t be any less enthused by it. I know what they want from me.

“I feel pity for you, Brand.” He sipped his drink and I shook my head, he was right.

“Madeline came today.” I told him. After her, he is the closest person I can consider a friend.

He spitted out the drink and stared at me like I have grown two heads.

“You mean Madeline Parker, your ex-wife?” He repeated my words in a question form.

I cringed at how he called Madeline my ‘ex-wife’. We aren’t divorced yet.

“Yes, she came to my office. To be honest, I didn’t expect her to cling on our marriage. It was a surprise for me. All these years, I lived with this thought that she forgot me and moved on in her life but she was actually waiting for me and now, I am feeling like a pathetic asshole.” I confessed, guilt pooled in my heart.

“You’re an asshole, I’d say. You made us believe that she is the one who dumped you once her family fetched money from yours but I always told you a coin has two sides, you never believed me. I can’t imagine how she must have felt. Madeline Parker is an angel for the people of this city. You can’t disagree with me on this.” He said with disappointment.

“Yes, every coin has two sides. Perhaps, back then they actually used us for money and I hate deceivers, Max and I am married to Kate.” I didn’t know whether I was telling him this or convincing myself.

“Don’t do any stupidity now, Brand, that’s what I can advise you.” He patted my shoulder and I remained silent. My own thoughts were confusing me.

My phone beeped, it was a reminder from Kate who texted me to pick her from home as I’d be directly heading to my parents’ house. My mood turned sour. In past years, our relationship strained. They became more controlling.

“I got to go now.” I said to him and we left together. He went to his own way.

I checked my watch, I had exactly one hour to reach at my parents’ house. The watch was gifted by my grandfather on my eighteenth birthday, it was his favourite watch. I feel close to him whenever I wear this. I really miss him, he was an amazing person who loved me truly. If he were alive, I wouldn’t have to live this dubious life, I don’t have to lie to the world and myself.

“How much longer, Micheal?” I asked my driver, glancing out, the sky began to turn purple. I’d be making it on time means I can leave early.

Ten minutes later, he stopped the car outside my residence. I have to face Kate after today’s event. I prepared myself since it’ll be hell awkward, my past and present came face to face and Kate is a very possessive woman when it comes to me and her spousal rights. The very reason I don’t have a female secretory because I want to avoid marital clashes.

“Women and their obsession with looking perfect.” I rolled my eyes as we have been waiting for over ten minutes.

“I prefer to be single, Sir. Life is less complicated in this way.” Micheal, my driver commented.

“Can’t agree less.”

After five minute’s wait more, Kate appeared out of our house, dressed in a champagne red fitted dress and leaving her long, straight hairs free, she waved at me. I could breathe in relief since her mood seemed mild. I expected a volcano eruption after what happened today.

Why am I still thinking about Madeline? I shrugged my thoughts.

“Hey, I am sorry. My hair stylist came late.” She apologised as she slipped beside me and Micheal closed the door.

“Have you taken the bottle of old chardonnay?” I asked her.

“I totally forgot. Sorry, darling but your father has two shelves full of the finest chardonnay so don’t be depressed, they only want our presence there.” She rubbed her palm on my chest. Her white teeth highlighted as she smiled.

Why wasn’t she raising Madeline’s topic? I know her. She is very particular about concluding an argument. However, I was relieved that she didn’t raise the subject because I want to deal with it first.

I rounded my way to her side as we reached at my parents’ mansion. Like a true gentleman, I snaked my arm around her waist and we moved inside the ancestral house where I grew up but it was different that time. Kate was more enthusiastic than I was, I wondered how she and my parents get along very well because my parents are very peculiar about a few things and dealing with a daughter-in-law like Kate was something they do perfectly.

I wondered how they’d treat Madeline. She’s quite opposite of Kate.

“Would you greet my mother in my behalf? I need to have a word with my father in private?” I asked her because I wanted to avoid my over enthusiastic mother for some reasons.

“Sure but don’t take long and there is no need for him to know about today’s unpleasant forgery.” She said in my ear while smiling perfectly for the house staff who admire us for being a couple in love. There was a hint of warning in her tone.

“I’ll see you shortly.” I nodded at her and took the short way to my father’s study knowing he’d be there.

I knocked at the door and once I heard his gruff voice from other side, I walked in. My father was sitting behind his large desk which once belonged to my grandfather and I am planning to take it to my office soon.

“Have a seat, son. It’s good that you came here directly to meet me first.” He said adjusting his glasses. I knew where this conversation would lead us.

“Dad, I have to ask you a few questions first before I answers yours.” I said in a firm tone slouching on the vacant chair, exaggerating his annoyance.

I must know what past secrets are yet to come on the surface.