Chapter 6

The reaction to Romeo’s declaration, I found it most adequate, the silence that ensued was total. There was a brief moment of stunned silence before Laura’s face turned white and her lips flopped uselessly as if she was a fish pulled out of water, she could not speak. Morgen, however, gave a gasping sort of groan and her face was white with shock and fear. 

 

 “What… what do you mean?” Morgen finally was able to force the words out of her lips; she was shaking out of fear.  and she said, “This is a joke, right? Please tell me you’re joking Romeo. ” 

 

 Romeo sat quietly with emotionless facial expression and his eyes staring at Laura uncompromisingly. ”I absolutely promise you that I am not kidding at all,”Well as from today, the engagement is over. ” 

 

 Once she gathered the disaggregate, Laura moved forward in her chair fixing her eyes on me with the look of scorn and a hint of desperation. Mr Barrington, it cannot be like this There has to be some confusion maybe we can sort it out. The problem that you have maybe we can solve it amicably. 

 

Rachelle glanced at the doors of the dining room, her heart was beating faster and she felt both joyful and anxious. She had to admit Romeo was carrying out his role deligently. He was the epitome of a businessmen; his attitude, emotionless and professional and definitely no hint of whatever they had between them. 

 

 “I don’t think there is any misunderstanding here Mrs. Laurent” Romeo said angrily. ‘This matter I have thought over a lot, and I have come to a conclusion that this engagement is not for me anymore. ‘ 

 

 Morgen who she was almost frozen to shock suddenly pushed forward and snapped Romeo’s arm. ‘But why, what did I do wrong?’ I love you, Romeo! We are perfect together!’ 

 

 Romeo looked deep into Morgen’s eyes, then he said softly but clearly pulling Morgen’s hand from his arm, ‘No’. “I’m sorry Morgen, we don’t feel the same way I was only interested in this engagement as a business venture and for the benefit of the company, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s not for the best for either of us or the company. ” 

 

 As the issue drew on, Laura rose from her seat inconsiderately anguished and frowning all over. “Please, Mr. Barrington, we have our plan. You have no right to run away from it. What will people say when they see two families ruined? Our business partners?” 

 

 Romeo's eyes narrowed dangerously. ‘I believe it’s rather unwise of you to threaten me, Mrs. Laurent, though, seeing as how threats of any kind do not sit well with me. ’ 

Everyone could see  that there was a certain level of tension in the room. Rachelle was almost squealing with delight to watch her mother and sister being outplayed so badly. She should have felt guilty but time had turned her into a bitter woman who can only remember the years of mistreatment at the hands of her parents. 

 

 ‘Well,’ Romeo went on more calmly though still looking into the fire, ‘I am sure that no one wants much of a fuss – a friendly divorce is quite desirable for all parties I fancy – unless you would rather we take divorce cases to court you know. ’ 

 

 Laura scowled at the suggestion. She was aware of the fact that had Romeo Barrington opens his mouth regarding her family, he was capable of reducing their status to a ordinarily dreadful level. Taking the next best thing to swallowing her pride, she smiled a stiff smile. “Oh no, Mr. Barrington we get it. Don’t we Morgen?” 

 

 Still Morgen was out of her mind. She cried moving her eyes from Romeo with both pain and some sort of hatred in them. When we fail her; when he lets himself take out all his frustration on her; when she protests, and fights back, and clings to the oh so beloved fantasy; You can’t do this to me! I won’t let you! He and I are destined to be together! 

 

 “Morgen, please,” Laura whispered annoyed, pulling her daughter’s arm harshly. "Don't make a scene!" 

 

 Romeo also got up off the couch and adjusted his black suit. I feel that it will be wise for me to go now so, let me just leave and my lawyer will contact for the termination of this contract. 

 

 Grovelling, Romeohurriedly got up and as he was getting away he couldn’t help but look directly into the eyes of Rachelle. She looked deep in his eyes and nodded slightly, she could not control the excitement she was feeling. It was all smooth sailing. 

 

 “Stop!” Morgen screamed in a rather high-pitched voice. From her mother’s grip she extricated herself and ran to stand in front of Romeo. ‘And there is some other woman, isn’t it? Who she is?’ 

 

 Romeo's face remained impassive. “You have no business meddling with my personal life, Morgen,” she said trying to push him out of the way. 

 

 But Morgen had gone out of his mind. Her eyes rolled frantically all over the place and then stopped at Rachelle. At this point, she blinks and there, for briefest moment, a glint of mistrust shines in the eyes that are welled up. 

 

 Morgen looked at her sister and hissed, ‘It’s you then!’ As soon as she opened her mouth to keep on yelling at Rachelle. Morgen interupted and said, “You’ve always been jealous of me! What did you do? How did you turn him against me?” 

 

 There was shock in Rachelle’s eyes but she immediately masked it, her face was expressionless. “You’re being silly Morgen, you are only embarrassing yourself. ” 

 Suddenly Laura looked at Rachelle, with a clearly angry look in her eyes. This was what everyone asked, including my husband when I came to my senses; “Rachelle, what have you done?” 

 

 Romeo hastily interrupted her saying, Rachelle wanted to say something and as soon as Rachelle could open her mouth to answer him, Romeo continued. ‘I promise you there is no truth in what you are saying. It is my decision and I took it on my own judgment. ’ 

 

 With that, he march past the speechless Morgen and out of the house; creating sheer havoc. The two young women stared at Rachelle fearfully and angrily at the same time because they did not trust her. 

 

 Laura whispered furiously and stepped towards the elder daughter, ‘You. ’ ‘You’ve been involved with this,’ she told her I know she was part of the plot she raised her voice now!’ 

 

 Rachelle did not back down; she looked her mother straight in the eyes and was quietly seething. “I have no idea what you’re saying is true…. Perhaps if you had raised Morgen properly she won’t have chased away such a fine catch like Romeo. ” 

 

 The slap that Laura gave to Rachelle’s face made a thud in the room. Rachelle recoiled with her hand rising to touch the burning cheeks on her face. 

 

 ‘You bastard!’ Laura could not control her anger: ‘How dare you!’ Soon after we’ve started to notice that despite all our efforts this is how you pay us back – you try to ruin your sister’s chance for happiness? 

 

 Morgen then sunk on the sofa crying her eyes out. I was disappointed and shocked by this statement which I yelled – ‘It’s not fair! It’s not fair!’ 

 

 Rachelle sat up straight and looked as fierce as one can look after years of boiling point. ”You have the balls to talk about fairness? About everything you’ve done for me? Have it. ” 

 

 But before she could go on the sound of a high-pitched ring of the doorbell filled the room with the tension. All three women stopped, staring blankly at each other. As it turns out, they had no company coming over as they were not prepared for any company, more so after the vigorous confrontation that had just taken place. 

 

 With much part and parcel, the maid rushed to the door, and was back in the room a few minutes later looking bewildered. “Madam there is a man here to see you he said it is very important” 

 

 Laura’s face twisted into a frown as she looked at her daughters before turning her attention back to the maid. "Who is it?" 

 

 Still the maid replied a little falteringly and after a moment’s pause. It stands, it becomes Mr. Dominion Laurent, ma’am, And he claims he possesses some info that will overturn the current situation.