Chapter 8

Maren's heart sank, but she kept her eyes on Mr. Blackwood. She could feel Alexander's body tense up beside her, a look of dread on his face.

“You really think I wouldn't know?" He asked casually. "You're my son, Alexander. You're very predictable,” Maren could swear she saw a flash in his eyes as he raised his face to meet his son's.

Alexander's Adam's apple bounced up and down, but he kept his gaze on his dad.

”But” he continued, then paused. "I'll allow it. Because, for the first time, you put so much effort into something and didn't fuck it up”

Okay, Maren was starting to get pissed. How can a father be so harsh on his son? Why was he being all saucy after pulling an all gracious act the previous times they'd met?

She looked back at Alexander, who had his head bowed, staring at the table. ‘Why wasn't he saying anything? Does he just let his father bring him down like he was some child?’ Maren's head raced in anger, but she didn't dare voice her thoughts.

“That being said, let's get to the real reason we're all here. Shall we?”

“Does he always speak to you that way?” Maren said, trying to catch up with Alexander, who was angrily walking out of the building in a hurry.

“Is he always like this? I mean, changing his attitude once it was related to work?" They had stepped out of the building and only a few people were outside as it was now evening.

They both entered the car and when the doors were secured, the driver began making a reverse. "Does he even care about you?”

Without warning, Alexander grabbed her by her throat and pinned her to the car seat. “Don't you ever speak about my father in that manner ever again."

His grip tightened, and Maren could see the anger in his eyes. She struggled to free herself as she was losing air. “I'm sorry, I didn't mean it" she managed to squeak.

He stared deep into her eyes for a while till his grip loosened and he began to slide his hand away from her neck, down to her chest and into the open part of her dress. Tracing his hand with his eyes as he went.

Maren held her neck in pain, but she could feel his hand squeeze her breast and caress her nipple for a while before he turned back to her.

“Let's go get dinner," he said quietly.

*****

"Mom, I'm fine. You worry too much."

“I worry too much?" Her mom asked, her brows were furrowed in annoyance. “Weren't you the person who told me he had you pinned to the car seat by the neck?"

"Well, I said I'm fine, you should take my word for it, mom” she replied, trying to contain her anger as well.

“Well, if you're okay, what are you doing here and not in his house?"

Maren paused from what she was doing and turned to meet her mom's gaze. “It’s the weekend. Am I not allowed to come spend time with my mom anymore?"

“Stop it Maren,”

"Alright, I needed a break from him. A break from that environment." She said, looking away from her mom, whose black eyes seemed to be trying to bore a hole into her body. “At least for Nathan”

“You're only using Nathan as an excuse, Maren. Since when do you defend him?"

"Mom, please, we've been over this. It's temporary, it'll be over soon," she protested, trying not to flare up at this point.

“I'm guessing you want him to take your life before you realise this is a bad idea”

"Mom, even if this is a bad idea, I can't leave mom," she said in frustration at having to repeat it over and over again. “So it's either I go with the flow or he kills me,”

Everywhere fell silent after she spoke and her mom seemed to have given up. “Do you love him?" Her mom suddenly asked.

"Mom, you know I'm only doing this so I can get full custody of my company. Why're you making this seem like such a big deal?” She said and walked away.

Her mum smiled a knowing smile and shook her head.

“Where's Nathan?” Maren's voice rang throughout the large house a few minutes later. “Nathan?" She called, looking into all the rooms on her way to the sitting room.

“He was in his room not long ago," her mom said as she came out, hearing the ruckus.

“If he was in his room, I won't be looking for him, mom” she spat, worry written all over her face. “Rose?"

No answer, “Rose!" She screamed, her heart racing a thousand miles per second.

“I'm here," a voice answered quickly and a slim but pretty lady appeared, looking all frightened.

“Where were you?” Maren thundered, staring down at her. Her eyes flashed in anger and fear.

“I was cleaning Nathan's room upstairs. I didn't hear when you called, ma’am,” she answered, avoiding Maren's murderous gaze.

“And where is he?”

“He asked to go play in the garden minutes ago, ma’am"

Maren didn't even let her finish. She darted out the front door and out into the garden. Thoughts rushed into her head as she turned to the back of the massive house to the garden which was behind.

Nathan?” She called again, but there was no answer. She got to the garden, but he wasn't there. “Nathan?" Her voice was beginning to shake. She walked further into the garden, as it was a large one.

She heard footsteps behind her and turned to see her mom, who had been following her. “I'm sure he's here somewhere," she said quietly.

Maren kept walking. “Nath…” she stopped in her tracks at what she saw in front of her.

“Mummy, the nice man bought me a gift,” Nathan said innocently. Lifting a toy dinosaur for his mom to see.

Maren’s terrified expression turned into instant rage. “What the hell are you doing here?"